Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

The temporary residences of foreign envoys were not only occupied by Ban Dingyuan's family, but also by envoys from other countries who came to pay tribute.

After settling Ban Zhao in, Ban Dingyuan decided to exchange information with the envoys about their respective national conditions.

Pei Ju shared the same sentiment. After what they had seen and heard along the way, the two of them became increasingly pessimistic about the prospects of an alliance between the Chu and Wu Zhao states.

If we can make contact with these foreign nations and select a few trustworthy allies from among them, we can also plant a hidden threat in Wuzhao.

At this moment, neither of them probably realized that their originally planned friendly trade and exchanges with Wu Zhao Kingdom were gradually turning into hostility.

Pei Ju firmly believed that if the trade terms failed to meet expectations, war would inevitably break out between the State of Chu and Wu Zhao.

The biggest obstacle for the expeditionary fleet heading to the coast of Wuzhao will be logistical support. It is necessary to make arrangements in advance and establish good relations with these vassal states of Wuzhao so that the fleet can have a port to dock in when the war breaks out.

It was only the beginning of March, and there weren't many countries coming to pay tribute. Only eight foreign delegations resided in the entire imperial palace. Ban Dingyuan was able to communicate with these foreign nations smoothly.

However, these states held Wu Zhao in awe and worshipped Li Hong as a god.

As for the olive branch extended by the State of Chu, they did not give a clear response.

The State of Chu is too far away, while Wu Zhao is too close; distant water cannot quench immediate thirst.

As dusk fell, Ban Dingyuan and Pei Ju had already engaged in exchanges with the envoys of the seven states.

These countries are either too geographically distant or too weak to be suitable for in-depth friendship.

Just as they were preparing to visit the Qi State's residence, the imperial eunuch who was in charge of delivering the imperial decree entered the Qi State's residence with Ban Dingyuan and the others.

The eunuch didn't stay long; he left the courtyard in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Ban Dingyuan and Pei Ju exchanged a glance and then walked towards the Qi State courtyard.

As soon as they reached the door, two guards stopped them: "Who are you?"

Ban Dingyuan cupped his hands and replied, "I am an envoy from the State of Chu. I have just arrived today and have come to pay my respects to your esteemed envoy. Please inform him of my arrival."

The guards exchanged glances and, seeing the extraordinary bearing of the two men before them, assumed they must have powerful connections.

"Please wait a moment, I will go and inform His Highness."

One of the guards immediately turned and entered the inner courtyard.

Before long, the guards returned to the gate and bowed to Ban Dingyuan and his companion: "You two foreign envoys, the Queen invites you."

"Queen?"

Ban Dingyuan and Pei Ju were both taken aback.

It wasn't that I was shocked that a woman was the ruler of a country, but rather that I never expected that a monarch would actually come to pay tribute as an envoy.

With trepidation, the two followed the guards into the inner courtyard.

Upon entering the room, I saw a woman in her thirties, with a charming appearance, sitting upright in the main seat.

Upon seeing the two arrive, she slowly rose, walked to Ban Dingyuan, and bowed respectfully: "Queen of Qi, Tian Ying, greets the two envoys from Chu."

The two quickly returned the greeting: "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Please make yourselves at home, gentlemen."

After entering the inner courtyard and taking her seat, Tian Ying asked with a smile, "This is the first time I've heard of the State of Chu. May I ask where your country is located and how large its territory is?"

She asked casually, and figured that the State of Chu was a country similar to hers, eager to curry favor with the State of Wu Zhao and seek protection.

Ban Dingyuan did not answer immediately, but took out a map from his backpack and spread it out in front of Tian Ying.

"Your Highness, this is the territory of my Great Chu. As for its exact size, it has not yet been calculated in detail."

Currently, the State of Chu has a population of 200 million. The map shows the territory under the actual control of the State of Chu. Please take a look.

Tian Ying glanced at the map and her pupils immediately contracted.

This map was far more detailed than any she had ever seen, densely marked with major rivers, city names, and various sea areas.

"The State of Chu is so large, and its population is so prosperous?"

It's no wonder Tian Ying asked this question; in her memory, apart from Wu Zhao Kingdom, there seemed to be no other country with such a vast territory.

So she asked impatiently, "May I ask where the State of Chu is located?"

Pei Ju: "It is more than 12,000 li away from Wuzhao to the east."

Upon hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed across Tian Ying's face.

"So it was on the other side of the sea. What a pity."

Upon hearing this, Ban Dingyuan asked gently, "Your Majesty, I see that you look grave. Is something troubling you?"

Tian Ying sighed softly: "To be honest with you two esteemed envoys, although I am the Queen of Qi, Qi only has a population of 500,000. It is a small and weak country, and has suffered from bullying from all sides."

Now, a famine has struck the State of Qi, and the country is depleted of money and grain. I have no other choice but to personally send Wu Zhao to the palace to ask the Emperor for help.

We hope to receive financial and material assistance from Wu Zhao to help our Qi state overcome this difficult time.

Ban Dingyuan nodded: "If we can get the help of Wuzhao Kingdom, it would surely help your country overcome its difficulties."

Why is Your Highness still so sullen? Could it be that King Wu Zhao is unwilling to lend us grain supplies?

Tian Ying shook her head: "No, King Wu Zhaojun promised to fully support the grain supply of Qi until we get through this famine. However, he made a condition."

"What are your conditions? Do you intend to use the pretext of providing relief supplies to send troops into your country and thereby control your court?"

Pei Ju's words were very reasonable and well-founded, and also in line with the tactics of a ruler.

But Tian Ying still shook her head: "No, my Qi Kingdom is not so bad as to be treated differently by the Wu Zhao Kingdom."

Instead, King Wu Zhao proposed that if he wanted his supplies, he must allow me to spend the night with him.

Upon hearing this, Ban Dingyuan and Pei Ju both narrowed their eyes.

This seems to differ somewhat from what I know about Li Hong.

Based on the limited information available, Li Hong is definitely not the kind of person who thinks with his lower body; he has a clear mind and understanding.

Could it be that the intelligence was wrong?

Pei Ju couldn't help but ask, "What kind of behavior is this? Even if Qi is a small country, Your Highness is still the ruler of a country. How can you suffer such humiliation?"

Unexpectedly, Tian Ying gave a wry smile: "Your Excellency is unaware that Wu Zhao Kingdom has always had an unwritten law: if a woman is among the tribute-paying states..."

Regardless of his status in his own country, he was required to spend the night in the palace and serve King Wu Zhao. This rule, established during the reign of Emperor Wu Zhao, has remained in effect to this day.

Pei Ju was astonished: "How could there be such a rule? It's completely illogical."

Tian Ying: "This is because in the Kingdom of Wu Zhao, women have an extremely low status and no dignity whatsoever. Every woman in the Kingdom of Wu Zhao must obey the decisions of men."

His Majesty did not intend to humiliate us foreign peoples; he was merely following ancestral customs. Therefore, he cannot be blamed.

Of course, you can choose to refuse, but we won't use coercive measures.

I've been hesitating for two months, but now it seems that if I don't make a decision soon...

The people of Qi are likely to starve to death. Tonight, I will go to the palace to serve the Emperor.

I hope that the crisis facing my state of Qi can be resolved soon.