I am the Holy Poisoner, the Empress advised me to calm down

"It's indeed strange." Xu Feihong stood up and paced in front of the dragon throne. "South Vietnam's move is clearly taking advantage of the situation."

Zhou Qing took notes, pondering to himself. In past history books, he'd read that the Nanyue Kingdom was known for its cunning tactics, targeting its neighbors when they were weak. The disaster in Daqian was a perfect opportunity for them.

"Your Majesty, I believe we should send envoys to Nanyue, using courtesy first and then force," said Wei Zhongxian, the Minister of War. "If Nanyue insists on breaking the treaty, we in the Great Qian Empire will not be easily bullied."

"Lord Wei, what you say makes sense." Xu Feihong nodded, "But who among the eloquent and persuasive people in the court can take on this important task?"

As soon as the words fell, the ministers looked at each other in bewilderment, and no one responded. The South Vietnamese envoys were known to be cunning, and if they sent the wrong person, they might be able to use it against them, ruining the whole thing.

At this time, the Minister of Personnel, Chen Yunhai, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I recommend Li Wenyuan, a scholar from the Hanlin Academy. He is a man of great learning and talent, and a master of rhetoric."

"Mr. Li is old, and I'm afraid he must be tired from traveling all the way..." Zheng Jiang, the Minister of Revenue, shook his head.

Just as the ministers were arguing, Zhou Qing suddenly put down his pen, stood up and stepped out of the ranks: "Your Majesty, I am willing to go."

The entire court was in uproar. A seventh-rank historian actually volunteered to be sent as an envoy to another country? This was simply overestimating his abilities.

"My dear Minister Zhou, the position of envoy is of great importance, you..." Xu Feihong was also a little surprised.

"Your Majesty, although I hold a humble position, I am well acquainted with the customs and practices of South Vietnam," Zhou Qing said calmly. "Furthermore, I am young and strong, so this journey will not be a hindrance. Most importantly, my status is not high, so South Vietnam will not be overly wary, which will make it easier for me to act."

Xu Feihong pondered for a moment. Zhou Qing's words made sense. If he sent a high-ranking official, South Vietnam would certainly be on high alert, which would be detrimental to understanding the other side's true intentions.

"Alright, let's do as Minister Zhou says." Xu Feihong issued an order, "Appoint Zhou Qing as the chief envoy to Nanyue to negotiate the cotton trade. Select two deputy envoys to accompany him."

"I obey your command." Zhou Qing bowed and accepted the order.

After the court meeting, Xu Feihong left Zhou Qing in the imperial study.

"My dear Zhou, this trip is dangerous. Are you sure you can take it?" Xu Feihong sat on the dragon throne with a worried look on his face.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. I will fulfill your orders." Zhou Qing clasped his fists and said, "But I have a favor to ask."

"What's the matter?"

"I hope to bring some Daqian specialties as a gesture of friendship. I also wish to learn about South Vietnam's recent military preparations."

Xu Feihong's eyes flashed with approval. "Minister Zhou is very thoughtful. Song Jiayun, go and make arrangements. Prepare some fine silk and tea for Minister Zhou."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Song Jiayun responded and stepped back.

"One more thing." Xu Feihong stood up and walked in front of Zhou Qing. "You are representing the prestige of the Great Qian Kingdom on this trip. You must not lose face."

"I understand." Zhou Qing felt warm in his heart. The empress was concerned about his safety.

Three days later, Zhou Qing and his three companions set out on horseback. Their deputy envoys were Wang Ming, Director of the Ministry of Rites, and Zhang Wu, a doctor in the Ministry of War, both experienced officials.

After ten days of trekking south, we finally arrived at the border of South Vietnam.

South Vietnamese border officials had been waiting for a long time. Leading the group was a middle-aged, fat man with a broad smile on his face. "Your Excellency from Daqian has come a long way. I apologize for not welcoming you in person. I am Fatty Li, the South Vietnamese border general."

Zhou Qing chuckled to himself; the name was quite fitting. "I am Zhou Qing, the envoy of Daqian, and I have come to your country on the orders of His Majesty."

"Thank you, Lord Zhou. Please come into the city and rest." Fatty Li gave a warm welcome, but Zhou Qing noticed that the number of South Vietnamese soldiers on the border was obviously much more than in previous years.

After entering the city, Fatty Li hosted a banquet. After three rounds of drinks, Zhou Qing asked tentatively, "I heard your country suffered a severe disaster this year?"

"Oh, don't mention it." Fatty Li sighed, "Many people froze to death. But fortunately, the court was prepared and had already purchased cotton from other countries."

Zhou Qing and Wang Ming exchanged glances. There was clearly something wrong with what he said. If so many people had died, Fatty Li wouldn't have said it so easily.

"That's such a pity. Our Daqian has always had good relations with your country. If we had known earlier, we would have provided more assistance." Zhou Qing pretended to be regretful.

"Haha, Lord Zhou, you're too kind." Fatty Li's eyes flickered. "Every country is busy with their own affairs right now. I understand."

After the banquet, Zhou Qing returned to the posthouse and immediately summoned Wang Ming and Zhang Wu to discuss the matter.

"Sir, this Fatty Li is obviously lying." Zhang Wu lowered his voice. "I just observed that the people in the city are all dressed neatly. How can they look like they've been hit by a disaster?"

"Yes, and the border troops have increased significantly." Wang Ming also nodded. "It seems that South Vietnam does have ulterior motives."

Zhou Qing pondered, "Tomorrow we'll continue south and act accordingly when we reach the Nanyue capital. But be careful. Since the Nanyue have some plans, they will definitely keep a close watch on us."

Sure enough, early the next morning, Fatty Li sent a team of soldiers to "escort" them to the capital, ostensibly for protection but actually for surveillance.

Along the way, Zhou Qing carefully observed the terrain and people of South Vietnam. This observation was significant: he discovered that South Vietnam had not suffered any disasters, but had actually had a good harvest this year. Farmers were busy everywhere in the fields.

What concerned him even more was that they encountered many convoys transporting supplies on the road, all heading towards the border. Among these supplies, Zhou Qing spotted quite a few weapons.

"It seems that Nanyue is going to take action against Daqian." Zhou Qing was secretly shocked, but remained calm on the surface.

Five days later, the group finally arrived at the capital of Nanyue. This city was smaller than the capital of Daqian, but also quite prosperous.

Li Chengqian, the ruler of Nanyue, personally received the Daqian envoy at the palace. He was a middle-aged man in his forties, handsome but with a cunning look in his eyes.

"I am deeply honored that the envoy from Daqian has come from afar." Li Chengqian sat on the dragon throne, his tone polite but slightly arrogant.

"I am Zhou Qing, a commoner, here to pay my respects to the King of Nanyue." Zhou Qing performed the ceremony according to the etiquette, but he had already started to think in his mind.

"Envoy Zhou, there's no need for such formalities." Li Chengqian waved his hand. "I heard that Daqian suffered severe disasters this year. I express my deepest sympathy."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. That is why I, His Majesty, have specially sent a humble servant here, hoping to discuss the cotton trade with your country." Zhou Qing went straight to the point.

Li Chengqian's expression changed slightly. "This... I have no choice. South Vietnam has suffered heavy losses this year, and I really can't afford to give out any extra cotton."

"My lord, according to my observations along the way, your country seems to have a good harvest this year?" Zhou Qing said bluntly.

Li Chengqian's eyes turned cold. "What does Envoy Zhou mean by this? Do you suspect I'm lying?"

The atmosphere suddenly became tense. Zhou Qing knew that the real battle was just beginning.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly grew tense. All the civil and military officials of Nanyue looked askance, some even lowering their swords. Li Chengqian sat upright on the dragon throne, his expression as gloomy as the sky before a storm.