Chapter 2819

So, clarifying the ingredients of the medicinal coral was a very important matter.

The envoy from Wu State hurriedly said, "Your Excellency, Duke Protector, please rest assured. The medicinal coral we use contains over a thousand types of herbs, all of which are very beneficial to the human body."

"Is that so? Could you provide a small amount of powder for me? I would like to try analyzing it," Yun Xi said with a smile.

Of course, Yun Xi had no ability to perform such an analysis herself, but Liang Chen did. As long as Yun Xi obtained even a tiny bit of the medicinal coral, Liang Chen could analyze its exact composition.

The Emperor beside them quickly ordered, "Hurry and bring some to the Duke Protector."

"No need for much. A powder amount the size of a fingernail is sufficient," Yun Xi said calmly.

A fingernail-sized amount of powder would not affect the coral's beauty, shape, or efficacy. The envoy from Wu State had the powder prepared and handed it over.

Yun Xi analyzed it and said, "The powder contains quite a few ingredients. Your Majesty, it would be better to place this medicinal coral in the Imperial Pharmacy. Grind it into powder, seal it, and store it. If someone’s life hangs by a thread in the future, a small amount can at least save their life. However, there is one point Your Majesty must note: although the medicinal effect seems good, do not use it unless the person is on the verge of death. This is because it contains an herb called Cold Flower, produced in icy lands. Cold Flower itself is non-toxic and greatly enhances the drug's efficacy. But precisely because of this, taking it is equivalent to overdrawing one's life force. Although the person will wake up, it will shorten their lifespan. Therefore, do not use this medicinal coral unless absolutely necessary. Have the Imperial Medical Bureau hide it well so it is not stolen."

Upon hearing Yun Xi’s words, the Emperor was slightly stunned. "Is this medicinal coral not good?"

"It is not that it is bad, but it basically overdrafts life force. If a pregnant woman takes it, she will overdraft her life. Of course, the child born will be healthy, but the mother will die immediately after giving birth," Yun Xi answered with a smile.

Wang Lanxuan raised an eyebrow slightly from the side. "Envoy from Wu State, did you send such medicinal coral intending to harm our Emperor?"

"No, no, no, Lord Chief Minister, you have misunderstood. Our Emperor also frequently uses medicinal coral, and our Empress Bi Xi often gives it to her harem as well," the envoy from Wu State said, feeling she absolutely could not take the blame for this.

Yun Xi sneered. "Yes, frequently used. Then there should be deaths in your Emperor’s harem every year, right?"

The envoy from Wu State was slightly stunned because Yun Xi’s guess was indeed correct. In the Wu State palace, whenever concubines became pregnant, nine out of ten times the child survived, but the mother died.

"Very good," Yun Xi said with a cold laugh. "This way, your Wu State harem remains stable. After all, concubines are merely tools for bearing children."

"Your Excellency, Duke Protector, please do not speak like that," the envoy from Wu State said. Although he felt somewhat embarrassed, he did not deny Yun Xi’s speculation.

Yun Xi smiled faintly and said no more. The Regent beside her spoke up: "Our Duke Protector is not wrong. Indeed, many concubines in your Wu State palace have died."

Well, this was ultimately the internal affair of Wu State, so the Emperor naturally did not wish to press the topic further. After the Regent finished speaking, the Emperor said, "Regardless, we thank Wu State for the medicinal coral. Attendants, take the medicinal coral to the Imperial Medical Bureau. The Chief Imperial Physician will be responsible for grinding it into powder. Once ground, divide it into small sealed packets and send them to the army. If soldiers are on the verge of death, use it to buy them some time to live. It must not be used for those who are not in critical condition."

With the Emperor’s decree determining the fate of the medicinal coral, those below naturally praised the decision.

Seeing this, the envoy from Wu State did not say anything more, though he felt a sense of helplessness. It turned out the medicinal coral had become an emergency drug for the other side’s troops.

Most importantly, relations with the Great Ru border were somewhat tense, and Wu State occasionally harassed Great Ru. Now, it was as if they had sent medicine to help the enemy fight against them.

Thinking of this, the envoy from Wu State felt like vomiting blood.

Apart from the envoy from Wu State, no one else thought too much about it. The gift-giving procedure still had to continue.

After the medicinal coral from Wu State, the gifts from Yong State and Xia State were quite normal, followed by gifts from other smaller states.

Once the gifts were presented, everyone enjoyed themselves happily. It was not until near the end of the banquet that the envoy from Xia State spoke up: "Your Majesty of Great Ru, to celebrate that your country now has two masters of Golden Book Qi, our Xia State has specially invited Duke An to come. Perhaps we could arrange a time for everyone to spar."

"Yes, yes," the envoy from Yong State also said. "I think this suggestion is quite good. The world fears having no opponents the most. Now that there are two more masters of Golden Book Qi, it is appropriate for them to spar and exchange skills. For this reason, our Prince Yong has also arrived."

"Our King Zhenjiang has also arrived," the envoy from Wu State added.

The Emperor had anticipated this result, so he said directly, "In that case, once we decide on a time, we will notify the envoys of all countries, and then hold this exchange meeting. How does that sound?" The Emperor raised his eyebrows slightly. Although his words seemed to seek agreement, they were essentially an acceptance of their suggestion. The only thing was that the time needed to be decided later; this was merely a notification, not a consultation.

"Of course," the envoys from the three states answered seriously.

Thus, the next sparring exchange was confirmed, but the time remained to be discussed.

The day after the banquet ended, the Emperor invited Yun Xi, the Regent, and Wang Lanxuan to the Imperial Study to discuss matters.

Yun Xi knew the Emperor would surely discuss the sparring exchange.

And indeed, that was the case.

After everyone paid their respects, the Emperor went straight to the point: "Now that the three states have proposed an exchange of Golden Book Qi, Uncle, Wangzhi, do you have confidence?"

The Regent smiled and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. To tell the truth, this old minister wishes to settle the score with them for preventing my breakthrough. However, speaking of which, I must also thank their schemes. Because I could not break through these years, I constantly sought various methods, which elevated my state of mind. Now that I have broken through, I do not feel empty at all. Instead, my cultivation is very solid, and there is no need to worry about being inferior to them."

"Your Majesty, rest assured. Let alone if they come one by one, even if all three of them attack together, they are no match for this minister," Yun Xi said with a smile.