The superiority of the kingdom of Goryeo, the appointment of the prince of Fuyu, and the leadership of the chancellor of Baekje shall be regarded as the vassal states under the direct rule of the great Wei from today onwards.
After the three men stood up and bowed, Yu Zhiwei glanced, taking the lead to ask: "Your Majesty, the three 'agreements' said just now that if there is a dispute, we should find the prefect of Yingzhao to solve it. However, we still do not know who the prefect of Yingzhao is."
"Wang Xiong, Wang Yuanbo, the former prefect of Youzhou." Sima Yi glanced at Yu Zhiwei to interject, "Yu Zhiyou, do you know Wang Yuanbo?"
Yu Zhiwei hurriedly bowed and answered: "The honored envoy Wang Xiong has served as the prefect of Youzhou for several years. His conduct is fair and modest, and I have heard of him in the country. Thank you for your guidance, the Prime Minister."
Cao Rui sat on the platform, smiling at the three men: "In that case, the three of you can rest here for a few days. Wait until the formal edict is issued three days later, when you receive your seals, belts, hats and robes. Then you can return to your respective countries."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generous gift." Yu Zhiyou and the other two men bowed together.
Cao Rui nodded slightly, turning his head to look at Nan Shengmi. The hairstyles of the Japanese people in this era were indeed strange. They did not shave the top of their heads, leaving a middle part without cutting the hair, and excess hair was piled up on both sides, which was quite striking.
"Nan Shengmi, you have the opportunity to attend the ceremony today as an envoy from Japan. Seeing that Emperor Wu of Wei has made simultaneous conclusive agreements with three nations is a great honor. Bi Mihu herself was not present, which is indeed a great shame for your country."
As a Japanese envoy, Nan Shengmi is inherently cunning in his thoughts. Upon hearing these words, he immediately bowed deeply: "Your humble servant is but a commoner from Japan, and it is an immense honor for me to have seen Your Majesty's face today! If Your Majesty has any instructions, I will certainly convey them to the queen upon my return to Japan!"
"You are quite perceptive." Cao Rui smiled awkwardly: "Then let's wait for some rewards from the Minister of Works. We can set off for Japan three days from now. The great Wei inherited the destiny of the Han dynasty, and Japan is also one of my vassal states."
"Tell Bi Mihu that it's time to replace her old seals and sashes."
Nan Shengmi immediately agreed: "Your Majesty's command is clear to me, and I will certainly convey it to the queen."
All the necessary words have been said to the group, and Cao Rui faintly nodded to Sima Yi, who understood and led the four people in another bow before slowly withdrawing.
After the several people left, Man Chang looked at the fading figure in the hallway and then bowed to the emperor and asked:
"Your Majesty, the agreement with the three countries of Goguryeo, Buyeo, and Baekje has already been decided yesterday. However, it seems from Your Majesty's words just now that you were hinting to the Japanese people to come for an audience?"
The implied meaning of this sentence is that the emperor emphasizes the importance of Japan. This time, Japan sent only one envoy, who was also invited to go to Pianfang County, Beihai, and Hehepo. It seems that Japan should not have participated in the ceremony of other three nations' princes bowing to the emperor.
Cao Rui asked, "How much does General Man know about the country of Wa?"
"Your servant......" Man Chong tried to answer, but after searching his memory, he found that he had little knowledge of the country of Wa.
"Your humble servant truly knows little about the details of Wa," Man Chong bowed and said.
Cao Rui nodded and looked at Man Chong and the other officials in the hall, "Apart from Lu the Minister who has seen that record of Emperor Guangwu's official appointment of Wa, does anyone else know more about it?"
The officials in the hall shook their heads to show that they did not know.
Even Liu Ye, who had lived in Youzhou for more than two years, knew nothing about it. This is not their fault. The great Wei has now reached its limit in terms of recognition and contact with Goguryeo, Buyeo, and Baekje. The country of Wa, which is far to the east across the sea, has not been paid any attention at all.
Emperor Cao Rui said calmly, "If none of you know, it just so happens that I have some knowledge of it."
Man Chong bowed: "Your Majesty, please show us."
Cao Rui nodded: "As for the country of Wa, it is actually an island nation in the sea to the east of three Han states. There are several large islands and countless small islands. Just now, Nan Shengmi said that Wa has been plagued by constant small country conflicts for decades, which led to the elevation of Bi Mihu as their king."
"Do you know how large the territory of Wa is in terms of area?"
Man Chong, Liu Ye, and the others all shook their heads.
Cao Rui said: "I don't know the exact size. But what I know is that the land there should be broader than that of the SIli Prefecture, and it is also suitable for farming!"
Now, not only was Man Chong puzzled, but Liu Ye was also confused as well: "Is Your Majesty considering doing what Emperor Wu of Han did by annexing Korea as a commandery and county, and bringing Wa under our rule? However, there are many barren lands in the Great Wei, with many areas in Guanzhong, Henan, and Hebei still not fully cultivated."
"Your servant believes that this matter would consume a lot of resources and be fruitless."
Cao Rui shook his head: "The Great Wei now has a lot of land but few people. What about twenty years from now, fifty years from now, or even a thousand years from now? Will it still be a situation of more people than land?"
When Sima Yi, who had just entered the door, heard the emperor's words, he felt quite helpless. How could they still talk about a thousand years from now? It was a bit too far-fetched.
Cao Rui continued, "Just now Lu also mentioned that more than a hundred years ago, Emperor Guangwu of Han conferred the title of king on Wa. This has also become evidence that Wa can become a vassal state of the Great Wei."
"I have no intention of conquering Wa or sending troops, as the strength of the Great Wei is not yet capable of it. But can we do something to leave behind a 'since time immemorial' kind of basis for the future? Now we can confer a title on them, and in five or ten years, could we also migrate some Han people and Qiang people to farm there?"
"Your Majesty, it is feasible!"
Liu Ye, although not understanding the profound meaning of "since time immemorial" in Wa, did not have any more suggestions when he heard the words "confer a title now". It was just a matter of carving a seal, sending robes and hats, and giving some rewards, which would not consume much wealth and there was nothing worth protesting.
Liu Ye pondered for a moment and then bowed, "Your Majesty has a far-sighted vision, and I am ashamed."
Man Chong also bowed.
Cao Rui waved his hand: "It's alright. My relationship with you officials, on political matters, has always been straightforward. Many things need more than five or ten years, but a hundred or a thousand years of consideration is needed. That's what you, as the pillars of the state, should be doing."
The ministers bowed together and mouthed "we have learned."
Cao Rui stood up and said, "Let's leave it at that for today. Xu the Minister will send someone to urgently ask Wang Chang and Wang Xiong to leave as soon as possible."
"Obedient to the command." Man Chong replied.
