Munitions Empire-Chapter 1036 - 958 is probably not safe anymore

Chapter 1036: 958 is probably not safe anymore

Xiong Xiao has been a political hostage in the Tang Empire for over two years and actually lived quite comfortably during these years.

No one bullied him on a daily basis, and being a lackey for the Tang Empire turned out to be far more fortunate than being one for the Dahua Empire.

Here in the Tang Empire, new nobility is restrained by law, other officials are highly honest, everyone is busy with their own affairs, and the Tang Empire is in a period of ascension, so no one has the time to trouble a hostage from a vassal state.

Other countries, on the territory of the Tang Empire, also dare not act recklessly, naturally they also lack the leisure to pick on Chu Country, a minor and unfavorable player. Everyone is extremely cautious, fearing to attract the attention of the Tang Empire; who would trouble themselves over Chu Country for no reason?

Therefore, without the oppression of the Dahua Empire, and no troubles from the people of the Tang Empire, Xiong Xiao has actually been quite happy these past few years.

The old king of Chu Country, Xiong Biao, felt sorry for his son, often sending him money to make up for his own mistakes.

After all, Chu Country, following behind the Tang Empire, has taken over a large portion of the outdated industries that the Tang Empire didn’t want, and indeed made a fortune from that.

So, King Xiong Biao, being wealthy, was also not stingy towards his son held as a hostage, providing significant financial support to Xiong Xiao.

With money, one can buy anything. Xiong Xiao has a villa in Chang’an prepared by the Tang Empire, which he is not allowed to modify or use for other purposes, so there was no need to buy a house. Therefore, with the money in hand, Xiong Xiao could only buy various exotic items.

He had been using televisions and radios early on, enjoyed fluorescent lights very early as well, and he also liked to collect various artworks from the Tang Empire, admittedly getting swindled out of quite a bit of money…

You say, a person who dares not do much and still has some money, to outsiders seems to have a significant background, and those in the know don’t really supervise him, what should his life be like?

Every day, Xiong Xiao just eats delicacies from mountains and seas, then punches his card at various clubs, casually strolling around Chang’an City… Such is the life of an idler.

As a crown prince of a country, even when Xiong Xiao goes to clubs, he can’t casually pick up women, whether it’s getting back to Chu Country or being found out by officials of the Tang Empire, both would cause trouble.

A hostage from Chu Country soliciting prostitutes in the Imperial Capital of the Tang Empire would be like slapping the face of the Tang Empire, not a good look at all. If by chance high officials from the court or even the Emperor of Tang himself get displeased, could Xiong Xiao handle that?

Besides, he is, after all, a crown prince, not just any woman is allowed in his bed. What if his royal father found out about his indiscipline and thought of replacing him as the heir?

Going outside the city is absolutely unthinkable for him; he is genuinely afraid of being assassinated by those with ulterior motives, or being mistaken by the Tang Empire as trying to escape and being dealt with directly.

Staying at home is not very interesting, making friends is also taboo, so besides living a carefree life of eating and drinking well, Xiong Xiao is truly quite bored.

Actually, it’s not that he’s really bored, because in the Tang Empire, Xiong Xiao does have learning tasks. He has to spend four days every week studying the culture of the Tang Empire, and even has opportunities to observe military courses of the Tang Empire.

The purpose of doing this is quite understandable, which is to influence Xiong Xiao, make him accept the Tang Empire in his heart, and fear the Tang Empire.

This day was initially no different, and Xiong Xiao had just bathed and planned to go to a certain club for the evening.

Suddenly, a message arrived, stating that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Tang Empire, Nangong Hong, had summoned him. Frightened, Xiong Xiao immediately found his most expensive set of Tang attire, had his attendant iron it smooth, donned it, and headed to the Forbidden City.

It must be said that the Forbidden City is not a place that someone like him can enter at will, and the ceremonial attire from Tang that Xiong Xiao wore on his body is not meant to be worn casually at any time.

Following behind the guard, Xiong Xiao, entering the Forbidden City for the fourth time, was still somewhat nervous, looking at the bustling high officials of the Tang Empire, he felt his stride stiffen while walking.

This cluster of buildings made up of red walls and bright tiles can be said to be the most majestic and solemn place in the entire Western Continent, even in the entire world. Everyone walking here can feel that awe-inspiring pressure.

Walking on such a path is indeed nerve-wracking. He followed behind the soldiers, walking on the designated pedestrian path, watching cars zooming past one after another in the middle of the road, envying those officials who could drive into the Forbidden City.

The Forbidden City of the Tang Empire is very large and accommodates office capabilities, so it allows a portion of people to drive within.

There are also cars for official use within the Forbidden City that provide scheduled services to facilitate officials reaching their desired departments.

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Although the layout is the same, the Forbidden City of the Tang Empire in Xiong Xiao’s experience is much larger than the Forbidden City in Tang Mo’s memory. If this were placed twenty years ago, the Forbidden City alone was the scale of a city.

When Xiong Xiao reached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in the Wenhua Hall and nervously walked into Nangong Hong’s office, seeing that Nangong Hong’s face wasn’t too unpleasant, he somewhat eased his mind.

It seems that he hadn’t offended any powerful deity; it was merely the diplomatic department of the Tang Empire looking for him for some business.

The opulent office of the diplomatic department was still somewhat nerve-wracking, representing the face of the Tang Empire, so a lot of thought had gone into its decoration.

Nangong Hong, sitting behind the huge desk, casually stretched out his hand, signaling to Xiong Xiao behind him to sit on a set of sofas meant for receiving guests: “Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you, thank you, sir.” Xiong Xiao was very restrained, only daring to sit after expressing his thanks, perching timidly on the edge of the sofa, leaning forward without daring to lean back.

“How have you been doing in Chang’an lately?” Nangong Hong, looking at the honest Xiong Xiao, was very satisfied with his demeanor.

In fact, every move Xiong Xiao made in Chang’an was under surveillance, his performance continuously recorded, even specially compiled and reported.

Xiong Xiao had performed well on his academic journey in the Tang Empire, now unable to separate himself from the many conveniences of the Tang Empire, equally suppressed by the might of the Tang Empire so much so that he couldn’t lift his head.

Sitting in front of Nangong Hong was a prince even more respectful and obedient than Zhao Yu, even more admiring and agreeing with the Tang.

For Chu Country to have such a future King, it was uncertain whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.

Well-prepared, Xiong Xiao quickly recited a practiced script, praising how magnificent and spectacular the imperial capital, Chang’an, of the Tang Empire was: “Thank you for your concern, sir. Chang’an is a place of boundless grandeur, the exterior minister…”

Nangong Hong hadn’t called him here for this, so with a wave of his hand, he steered the conversation towards the main topic: “Alright, no need to be so formal. This time, I’ve come to you with good news.”

“Please, sir, clarify.” Upon hearing it was good news, Xiong Xiao finally breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly spoke up.

“His Majesty believes that it’s time for Chu Country to expand its territories,” Nangong Hong stated this as if mentioning a trivial matter.

A foreign minister of one country telling another country’s crown prince that they should expand their territory was an incredibly fantastical situation.

Thus, when Xiong Xiao heard Nangong Hong say this, his first reaction was to wonder if he had heard wrong. Then, after confirming he hadn’t, he spoke somewhat awkwardly, his voice full of embarrassment: “Sss…sir, this, this… Chu Country is weak, really…”

Not even his father, Xiong Biao, dared to make a decision on war alone, let alone he, a crown prince, how could he have the capability or virtue to scheme a war with the foreign ministry of the Tang Empire?

What a joke, how many years had it been since Chu Country had waged a war? The last time they postured and declared war on the Tang Empire, they didn’t advance half a step into Tang Empire’s territory and even lost the entire north.

That battle shattered Chu Country’s spirit, backbone, and the beautiful dreams of its people. They were completely laid flat now, many nobles woke up every day praying for the Tang Empire to move south sooner so they could truly become citizens of Tang.

Nangong Hong interrupted his stammering, smiling as he rhetorically asked: “Don’t rush to refuse! With the support of the Empire, are you still afraid of losing? And this time, it’s not about you leading the charge, but following others to reap some benefits.”

“This…” Xiong Xiao didn’t know what to say; was this broken mess something he could get involved in?

“Let me put it plainly, Qin Country is about to wage war against Shu Country, they’ve promised, Chu Country can take some northern territories of Shu Country,” Nangong Hong said, observing the somewhat helpless Xiong Xiao, and added.

Nangong Hong knew he couldn’t make decisions, so he didn’t plan to negotiate with him. This time, he only came to let him inform King Xiong Biao of Chu Country.

“Ah?” Xiong Xiao was somewhat at a loss for words. By getting involved in this with big brother, they could get free territory? Was there such a good thing under the heavens?

“So, you can contact your father and ask if he is willing to exchange some land,” Nangong Hong continued.

“Yes, yes, the exterior minister will contact my father immediately,” Xiong Xiao replied, only then realizing what Nangong Hong had just hinted at—what does it mean to ‘exchange some land’? What does that actually imply?

“Our condition is, Nanshan Port! Whatever your father wants, he can voice it, but Nanshan Port should belong to our Tang Empire,” Nangong Hong finally revealed his true purpose of talking to Xiong Xiao.

The Tang Empire wanted an enclave overseas, the most valuable part of Chu… Nanshan Port.

“…” Indeed, there were no free favors under the heavens. Xiong Xiao frowned, lowering his head, and promised Nangong Hong: “The exterior minister understands.”

He could almost be sure, this Nanshan Port… was probably impossible to keep.