jdhmnovel Chapter 112 The Japanese envoy is about to dance in his blouse.
Chapter 112 The Japanese envoy is about to dance in his blouse.
The United States and Japan were so angry that their faces turned pale.
They lost twenty cities, and not only that, their own vassals were dancing in the streets. Didn't they realize how shameful this was to their Japanese emperor?
Xiao Han looked at his daughter-in-law and smiled inwardly, but his face remained expressionless. He still had to give her the respect she deserved.
"How are the envoys? Shouldn't you fulfill your promises?" Jia Xiaoyan hated the Japanese the most when she was in the 21st century. Back then, when she opened her textbooks, the Japanese invasion was like a sharp knife, bringing them endless pain. How could she forget that hatred!
The Japanese envoy stood in the imperial court, his legs trembling slightly, large beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.
His eyes darted around nervously, avoiding eye contact with the crowd. "This...this bet is utterly absurd! How can my country be so easily forced to fulfill it!" His voice trembled slightly, yet he forced himself to appear righteous and indignant.
The surrounding ministers immediately booed in dissatisfaction. "Hmph, a loss is a loss. How can an envoy of a nation be so fickle? What kind of behavior is this!" one minister angrily rebuked.
The Japanese envoy's face grew increasingly grim. He gritted his teeth and loudly argued, "The original bet had many loopholes, and moreover, it involves our country's vital interests. I need to report back to the Emperor before making a decision. I absolutely cannot agree to it hastily here!"
Xiao Jingchuan snorted coldly, his gaze sharp as he pierced the Japanese envoy: "Envoy, your words are unlikely to convince the public. The bet is set and known throughout the world. How can you renege on it so easily? Is Japan truly such a country devoid of credibility?"
The Japanese envoy was rendered speechless by Xiao Han's words, his hands clenched into fists, veins bulging on the back of his hands. He inwardly groaned; if he honored the bet, he would surely die a horrible death upon returning home; but if he didn't, the current situation would be difficult to salvage. His lips trembled slightly, and he wanted to find another excuse, but found his throat dry and unable to speak for a moment.
The Japanese envoy stole a glance at the American envoy, who nodded slightly, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips, as if offering him some kind of subtle support. Emboldened by this unexpected confidence, the Japanese envoy instantly straightened his back, his previously flustered eyes turning cunning.
"Hmph, you think this bet is a bet? It's nothing but wishful thinking on your part!" The Japanese envoy suddenly raised his voice, his timidity vanishing and replaced by a roguish grin. "This bet was made on your territory. Who knows if there's anything fishy going on? Maybe it's a trap you deliberately set to make Japan suffer a loss!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the court was in an uproar.
The ministers were filled with righteous indignation; some glared angrily, while others slammed their fists on the table. "Outrageous! This is utterly sophistry!" An elderly minister, his beard trembling with rage, pounded the ground with his cane. "An envoy from a nation utters such shameless words! Where is Japan's dignity?"
But the Japanese envoy seemed not to hear him and continued to speak at length: "Furthermore, this bet concerns our country's cities and many important matters. How can I make such a decision on my own? Your coercion clearly shows that you don't respect Japan!" As he spoke, he glanced sideways at the American envoy, his eyes full of pleading and seeking credit.
The envoy from the United States coughed lightly and took two slow steps forward. He was dressed in magnificent attire, wearing a feathered crown symbolizing his status, and his every move exuded an air of arrogance.
"Gentlemen, I don't think there's any need to rush this matter." His voice was deep yet penetrating. "The matter of the bet should indeed be treated with caution. The Japanese envoy's words are not without merit; such an important matter should not be decided hastily."
The American envoy's words stunned everyone in the court. They hadn't expected the United States to stand up for Japan at this crucial moment. Xiao Han's face instantly darkened. He looked at the American envoy, a cold glint in his eyes: "Envoy, aren't your words somewhat biased towards Japan? The bet was made voluntarily by both parties, and there were many witnesses present. Now that Japan wants to renege, you're trying to exonerate them. What is the meaning of this?"
The American envoy smiled slightly and said unhurriedly, "Your Highness, please don't misunderstand. I just feel that we are all great powers, and we should prioritize harmony in our actions. If this bet damages our harmony, it would be a great loss. How about this: let the Japanese envoy go back and discuss it with the Emperor first, and then we can find a time to sit down and calmly revisit this matter. What do you think?"
Before Xiao Jingchuan could answer, a young military officer couldn't help but step forward: "Discuss? This is clearly a delaying tactic! The Japanese are trying to renege on their bet, how can we let them off so easily? If we don't make them fulfill their wager today, won't other countries follow suit in the future and see our dynasty's prestige as meaningless?"
The court was abuzz with discussion, divided into two factions. One faction supported immediately forcing Japan to fulfill its bet to uphold the nation's dignity and reputation; the other believed that Japan should be given some time to prevent the conflict from escalating. Each faction held its ground, refusing to yield, and the argument grew increasingly heated.
The Japanese envoy was secretly pleased with himself upon seeing this.
He felt that with the help of the United States, his crisis might be easily resolved.
So he became even more brazen: "That's right, if you're truly sincere, you should let me go back. Otherwise, even if it means our nation is on the verge of collapse, we won't let you bully us!"
Just then, Xiao Han, who had been silent all along, stepped forward. His face was cold and his eyes revealed an innate authority: "Japanese envoy, do not be arrogant. Do you think that just because you have the United States backing you, you can act recklessly? How dare you provoke our country? You must give a clear answer to this bet today, or you will bear the consequences!"
The Japanese envoy felt a tightness in his chest; the emperor's words made him feel immense pressure.
But then he thought, with the United States around, they probably wouldn't dare to do anything to him.
So he gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, it's not that I'm unwilling to answer, but this matter is of great importance."
If I were to make this decision on my own, I would surely face certain death upon returning. I hope Your Highness can understand my predicament.
The Emperor snorted coldly: "Your difficulties? How then can we uphold the dignity of our dynasty? If you do not honor the bet today, you will be making an enemy of our dynasty. Although our dynasty loves peace, we are not afraid of any provocation! Besides, don't forget, it's all written in black and white!"
At this moment, the Minister of Personnel took out the agreement signed between Japan and them and waved it around, saying, "Envoy, the names on this agreement are clearly written!"