Chapter 40: Pan-Asian Continent, Development Conference

Chapter 40: Pan-Asian Continent, Development Conference

"Your Majesty, the Wusun tribe presents one thousand-year-old ganoderma, five superior steeds, one thousand superior warhorses, three chests of premium medicinal herbs, and ten chests of gold. We wish the Great Qin eternal prosperity!" The Wusun envoy was the first to stand, stepping forward to present his tribute.

"The King of Donghu presents two thousand-year-old ginseng roots, ten five-hundred-year-old ginseng roots, one thousand superior warhorses, three chests each of premium sable fur and velvet antlers, and ten pairs of East Sea pearls. We wish the Great Qin eternal prosperity!"

"The King of the Yuezhi presents five blood-sweating horses, one thousand-year-old snow lotus, one thousand superior steeds, ten Yuezhi beauties, and ten chests of gold. We wish the Great Qin eternal prosperity!"

"The various nations of the Western Regions present five blood-sweating horses, two thousand superior Western warhorses, ten chests of premium medicinal herbs, ten chests of jewelry, and ten beauties of the Western Regions. We wish the Great Qin eternal prosperity!"

Loulan, Loufan, Hujie... one tribe after another presented their gift lists in order. Among the entire delegation, only the Parthian Empire remained silent. Seeing everyone else offer their tributes, the powerful Parthian Empire naturally waited for the final appearance.

Shahar, the deputy envoy of the Parthian Empire, adjusted his attire before slowly stepping forward: "His Majesty, the King of the great Parthian Empire, presents ten blood-sweating horses, twenty Arabian warhorses, ten chests of the imperial silver drachma, five chests of jewelry, and ten exotic beasts. Blessings to the Great Qin Empire."

After speaking, Shahar placed a hand over his chest and bowed. Although he held a certain disdain for the Great Qin Empire, he maintained a basic level of professional decorum, especially since the princess was still in the hands of the Qin.

"The envoys are most generous," Ying Zheng said with a grave expression, waving for the chamberlain to accept the gift lists.

"Respected Emperor, this humble envoy has a request," Shahar said, not returning to his seat.

"Speak, envoy," Ying Zheng replied. Though he knew full well what the Parthian envoy wanted, he could not show it openly.

"The Princess of our Parthian Empire was lost and accidentally wandered into Xiongnu territory, where she was inadvertently taken by Your Majesty's soldiers and brought to Great Qin. We ask that Your Majesty return the Princess. The Parthian Empire will surely reward you handsomely," Shahar said confidently, showing no sincerity in his plea.

The civil and military officials of Great Qin, hearing this, knew the envoy looked down upon them. Every word dripped with the prestige of the Parthian Empire, attempting to use his country as a threat against Qin.

"Envoy, that is not accurate! I have heard that your princess went to the Xiongnu specifically to aid them in attacking Great Qin. She was captured and brought here as a prisoner of war," Li Si retorted immediately.

"This official is mistaken. Our princess simply lost her way and accidentally strayed into the wrong place, leading to her being mistaken for an enemy of Great Qin. She was never helping the Xiongnu," Shahar immediately argued. If he admitted she was helping the Xiongnu, the nature of the situation would change entirely.

"Your Majesty, the Parthian envoy's words cannot be trusted. She was clearly captured by our Great Qin forces on the battlefield, along with her escort cavalry. It could not have been a case of getting lost!" Wang Wan of the Ministry of Education stepped forward as well. This matter was advantageous to Great Qin, and they had to play their cards carefully.

"It was clearly a case of being lost, my lord," Shahar emphasized again.

"Captured!"
"Lost!"
"Captured!"
"Lost!"

"Enough. Envoy, let us not rush this matter. I shall have it investigated thoroughly. How about that?" Ying Zheng said, watching the heated argument in the Qilin Hall.

"Respected Emperor, that will not do. She is a Princess of the Parthian Empire. I ask Your Majesty to provide an explanation to the Empire... otherwise..." Shahar said anxiously.

"Audacious!" Hearing the blatant threat, several hot-headed generals roared, nearly drawing their weapons.

Seeing the fierce glares of the Qin generals, Shahar chose to endure. The situation was currently unfavorable; he would have to plan for the long term. He would wait until he saw the Princess before deciding on his next move.

"This humble envoy thanks Your Majesty," Shahar said with a forced smile.

"Envoys, you have traveled a long way. This evening, I shall host a banquet for you all in the Imperial Garden!" After saying this, Ying Zheng, attended by his chamberlains, left the Qilin Hall.

For the next three days, the tribes were guided by imperial chamberlains to tour Xianyang, enjoying food, drink, and entertainment to their hearts' content. Had they not been reminded, some of the tribal members might have even begun to think of themselves as subjects of Great Qin.

Three full days of indulgence gave the delegation a much deeper understanding of the Great Qin. Most shocking was learning from the common people that Great Qin had approximately 5.4 million households, totaling nearly 30 million people.

The surrounding steppe tribes knew the Central Plains were populous—several times greater than their own—but none knew the exact numbers. A population of 30 million felt like a massive mountain pressing down on their hearts. Previously, they had never calculated it, but now, counting on their fingers, they realized: one in five would mean six million warriors—a number greater than the total population of many countries.

After these revelations, everyone’s intentions shifted. Truly, one man’s joy was another’s sorrow.

Three days later, the delegation returned to the Qilin Hall for a conference. This meeting was convened by Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng, based on the suggestions of Yang Zimo.

The Pan-Asian Continent Sustainable Development Conference focused on the Asian landmass—all the tribes, nations, and races surrounding Great Qin. Its goal was the redistribution and rational allocation of land, renewable resources, and non-renewable resources across the Asian continent.

Under the leadership of Great Qin, the nations of Asia were to achieve resource integration, rational allocation, and the construction of a stable, peaceful environment. They would set a standard for world peace, allowing all tribal peoples to live in stability and harmony, ensuring everyone had food to eat and clothes to wear.

"His Majesty arrives!" the herald's high-pitched voice alerted everyone in the Qilin Hall to the arrival of the helmsman of Great Qin, Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng.

"Long live His Majesty! Long live Great Qin!"
"Greetings, respected Emperor!"

Everyone bowed in unison.

"Rise," Ying Zheng said from the imperial throne. "This conference shall be fully managed by the Grand Master of Great Qin and the Marquis of the State."

"Grand Master!" Ying Zheng called out to Yang Zimo with a smile.

"I am here!"

"Begin."

"As you command!"

Yang Zimo stood up immediately, walked to the center of the hall, and began the first Pan-Asian Continental Joint Conference in history.

Looking at the graceful, youthful Grand Master of Great Qin in the hall, even those envoys who had not previously known him had gathered plenty of information over the past few days.

The various institutional reforms of Great Qin had greatly increased its strength. Printing and papermaking had suppressed a large number of stubborn elements, including the nobles of the six fallen states and powerful clans. It was said the military reforms had not only boosted the combat effectiveness of the Qin army, creating a truly professional force, but also purged a great number of corrupt officials. Even the delicious wine and fine food in Xianyang and the clean, orderly cement roads were said to have originated from this Grand Master.

It was rumored he was a disciple of the immortals who had descended to earth to assist the Qin Emperor. However, the envoys of the delegation did not believe in the deities of the Central Plains. They were not afraid at all!