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

"Our Wuzhao Kingdom is invincible, and His Majesty is an unprecedentedly holy ruler. Those ignorant foreign barbarians should be met with a crushing blow."

Let them know that this world belongs to my Wu Zhao Kingdom, and anyone who dares to provoke me will surely meet a bad end.

He Yong spoke with great passion, and Li Hong was delighted to hear him.

"it is good!"

Finally, Li Hong slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and praised the performance highly.

“That’s well said. Wu Zhao is a land of vast territory and dense population, a country blessed by heaven. Now it is in a golden age, as prosperous as the sun at its zenith. Those petty villains who dare to covet it are simply courting death.”

"After the birthday banquet, I will launch another war against the Jiang Kingdom, so that they will understand that a small and insignificant state can not shake the Celestial Empire."

He Yong immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty's talent and strategy are admirable. This servant is full of respect. We should take advantage of this birthday banquet to proclaim our martial prowess to all nations."

Li Hongdao said, "I also have this intention. On the occasion of my birthday, I will convene a meeting of scholars from all over the world to show them the 'Imperial Ten-Complete Record' that I personally supervised in its compilation."

He Yong replied, “The Imperial Record of the Ten Perfections is a portrayal of His Majesty’s life and military achievements. Foreign countries will surely marvel at the strength of our Wuzhao Kingdom when they see it.”

Li Hong: "I want these foreign envoys to know that I have the ability to conquer any country."

They can seize their land at will and enslave their people.

But I am the holy ruler of the world, so I will not do that. I do not want their land and people.

As long as they are willing to obey, I will not hesitate to reward and help them.

But if they displease me, they must carefully consider the consequences.

They cannot afford the consequences of opposing Wu Zhao Kingdom!

He Yong said, “Your Majesty is benevolent and righteous. This action will surely make those foreign and small countries remember the merits of my Wu Zhao.”

"Alright, take me around to see more places. In short, this birthday banquet must be a grand and successful one."

He Yong immediately followed behind Li Hong, strolling out of Wanfulou...

Just as the Wu Zhao court was immersed in celebrating their Holy Lord's birthday, a massive fleet, after nearly two months of sailing at sea, slowly sailed to the waters off Haizhou in the Wu Zhao Kingdom.

"Is this the Kingdom of Wuzhao?"

Standing at the bow of the flagship, looking at the ships from various countries cruising in the waters near Haizhou, Jiang Mengxuan's eyes held a complex expression.

Ban Dingyuan, who was standing to the side, replied, "Your Majesty, the port of Haizhou in Wuzhao Kingdom is just ahead. All foreign ships must dock here, and all commercial activities can only be carried out in Haizhou."

Jiang Mengxuan remained silent for a while, then said to Ban Dingyuan, "You've lived in Haizhou for over two years, and it's clear you're very familiar with it."

In that case, I order you to take that previous trade agreement to the local government and tell them that trade with our dynasty is mutually beneficial.

If they do not agree, then the State of Chu will have no choice but to use its own methods to force them to agree.

Ban Dingyuan: "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will go and discuss this with the Haizhou government immediately."

After saying that, he jumped onto a small boat on the side of the ship and, escorted by ten naval soldiers, rowed towards Haizhou Port.

This time, Ban Dingyuan was no longer as cautious as he had been when he first came to Haizhou, nor did he engage in any superficial efforts to adapt to local customs; his attitude was extremely firm.

Facing the approaching ships of the Wuzhao Navy, Ban Dingyuan didn't even glance at them. He directly ordered the soldiers on board to row vigorously with the oars, and they quickly shook off the Haizhou Navy officers and soldiers.

As they drew closer to the port, Ban Dingyuan could see with his own eyes the two officers and soldiers stationed there habitually setting up roadblocks, looking as if they were preparing to accept bribes.

But this time, Ban Dingyuan will definitely not indulge them again.

As soon as the ship docked, before the guards could even speak, Ban Dingyuan said coldly, "I am the Pacification Envoy of the Great Chu, here by His Majesty's orders to present a formal letter of credence to your country."

Then, he took out a document: "Please hand this document to Lord Nie Shitu and tell him that Ban Dingyuan has come to visit again and ask him to come to the dock to greet him in person."

The soldiers guarding the pass exchanged glances, then accepted the official letter, but instead of leaving, they waited expectantly for Ban Dingyuan to give them a reward.

Ban Dingyuan remained calm and stood motionless in front of the pass.

Seeing that Ban Dingyuan was being unreasonable, one of the sentries lost his temper: "Foreign envoy, do you really not understand the rules? Do you think you can just see our Lord Nie so casually? If you want to see him, you have to show your sincerity!"

"Sincerity?"

Ban Dingyuan sneered and pointed at the fleet in the distance.

"Open your dog eyes and take a good look. I dare to show sincerity, do you dare to accept it? Hurry up and hand the letter of state to your Lord Nie!"

I'm giving you one hour. If you don't receive a reply from Lord Nie within one hour, you'll bear the consequences!

Seeing Ban Dingyuan's tough attitude and noticing the giant ships they had never seen before moored in the distance, the two sentries immediately realized that the visitor was up to no good and that things might not be so simple. They promptly headed to the Haizhou government office.

At this moment, inside the Haizhou government office, Prefect Nie Shitu was deeply worried about whether the gifts he sent to the capital to celebrate Li Hong's birthday would be rewarded.

For Li Hong's birthday celebration, Nie Shitu spared no expense, spending 80,000 taels of silver to create a golden coral, which was then sent to the capital by express courier.

If Emperor Li Honglong is pleased, Nie Shitu's career might be promoted one or two ranks; otherwise, he might lose his official position.

Just as Nie Shitu summoned his advisor to analyze the Emperor's thoughts, the sentry delivering the imperial letter arrived before him.

“Lord Nie, a foreign envoy from the State of Chu named Ban Dingyuan has sent a letter of invitation to trade, claiming that you should personally go to the port to welcome him.”

Upon hearing this, Nie Shitu flew into a rage: "What did you say? You want me to personally go and greet you? The State of Chu? I remember now, is that the state called Ban Dingyuan?"

"Didn't he leave a long time ago? How come he's back so soon!"

"Even the younger one doesn't know."

"Hmph, that remote and impoverished place must be attracted by the prosperity of my Wuzhao and is eager to trade. Go back and tell him that I don't have time to deal with him right now, and let him wait alone at the post station."

Nie Shitu was worried about how to earn back the 80,000 taels of silver he had spent. Now that he heard that Ban Dingyuan had arrived, he couldn't help but think of ways to get something out of him.

After all, among so many foreign envoys, Dingyuan was the most generous in spending money, making him a prime target.

The sentry hesitated, "Sir, this is unusual. Ban Dingyuan said that if we don't see you at the port to greet us within an hour, we'll have to bear the consequences ourselves..."

Before the sentry could finish speaking, Nie Shitu interrupted him: "Then go back and tell him that I want to see what consequences he will have to take responsibility for."

"Make him hand over 80,000 taels of silver, or he won't be allowed to set foot in Haizhou City!"

The sentry was about to say that Ban Dingyuan had brought a fleet this time, but was interrupted again by Nie Shitu's advisor: "Alright, just listen to your master and go back."

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, the sentry had no choice but to put down the letter of credence and turn to leave.

Anyway, he had already delivered his message, and what happened next was none of his business as a nobody.