"Casually drawn?"
Li Mu shot him a disdainful glance and said, "Why don't you casually draw another one for me to see?"
To draw such a likeness of him and use such a careless reason, it was hard for Li Mu not to suspect that he had some other motive. Could it be that he really wanted to assassinate him?
The young man walked to the drawing board, took off the canvas, and covered it with a new piece. He held a brush in his hand, and after he landed it on the canvas, he quickly drew something. It was so fast that Li Mu could only see the afterimage.
After a moment, the youth put down the brush in his hand, and another Li Mu appeared on the canvas.
Compared to the previous Li Mu, the likeness was even more vivid and lifelike. Li Mu was dumbstruck, as if he was looking at another him. He even had the misconception that the person in the painting had taken a step forward.
Li Mu quickly discovered that this was not a misconception.
One of the legs of the man in the painting really stepped out, and a man who looked exactly like Li Mu appeared in front of him.
Although this was only a paper person that quickly faded away, Li Mu sensed a trace of the Painting Dao from it.
The painting had become real. This was the ultimate technique of the Painting Dao, creating something from nothing!
As his emotions churned, the youth took out a dozen or so paintings from his room and spread them out in front of Li Mu. He said, "I casually drew these. I had no intention of harming you. I was only practicing."
These dozen or so paintings included scenery and people. The scenery was of the Divine Capital, and the people depicted the various states of the Divine Capital. However, this was no longer important.
This Yong envoy's cultivation was not high, but he actually knew the Painting Dao. It was truly a case of wearing out iron shoes in a fruitless search, only to find it by chance without any effort.
He definitely knew the basics of the Painting Dao. Li Mu had been longing for this for a long time.
Li Mu's mind raced, but his expression regained its calm. He said, "Enough. This official believes you."
Hearing this, the youth from Yong breathed a sigh of relief.
Li Mu did not mention this matter again. He asked, "As for the matter of the mutual reduction of tariffs and friendly trade between the two countries, it still needs to be discussed. Where is the person in charge of the Yong diplomatic mission?"
The youth replied, "The ambassador is not present. This humble one can make the decision on this matter."
Li Mu sized him up with an odd look. This Yong envoy was young, but the authority he wielded was not small.
After the two were seated, Li Mu got straight to the point and said, "After the discussions of my court's ministers, everyone unanimously believes that the mutual reduction of tariffs between the two countries will not benefit our Great Zhou. On the contrary, it will intensify competition and attack our merchants. It will also reduce local taxes. Out of the protection of our Great Zhou's merchants and local taxes, the officials of the Ministry of Revenue do not agree to the mutual reduction of tariffs between the two countries …"
The young Yong envoy argued, "This humble one believes otherwise. The mutual reduction of tariffs will make goods cheaper. This will be beneficial to the common people, as it will allow them to buy what they need at a lower price. Although this will intensify the competition between merchants to a certain extent, an appropriate amount of competition is beneficial to the development of commerce. This will benefit the people of both countries. If tariffs are reduced, it will inevitably attract even more merchants, and local taxes will only increase, not decrease …"
Li Mu regretfully said, "This official has no choice but to admit that your noble country's proposal is very good. This official also fully approves of it. However, this official's words carry little weight. I cannot oppose the entire Ministry of Revenue, unless …"
The youth's eyes brightened. He asked, "Unless what?"
Li Mu replied, "Unless someone can convince His Imperial Majesty. If His Imperial Majesty agrees, then the Ministry of Revenue's opinion will not be important."
The youth stood up and bowed to Li Mu. He earnestly said, "This is a matter beneficial to the people of Great Zhou. Daren Li is deeply loved and respected by the common people. I ask that Daren Li consider the common people of both countries and facilitate cooperation between the two countries."
Li Mu sighed. "Although this official shares your thoughts, I cannot disregard the opinions of the entire Ministry of Revenue and speak before His Imperial Majesty. Otherwise, won't this official become a treacherous official who bewitches His Imperial Majesty into making arbitrary decisions?"
The youth replied, "The eyes of the common people are as clear as snow. If Daren Li is a treacherous official, then there will be no loyal officials in the Great Zhou."
When he said this, his tone was somewhat complicated.
They had actually made two preparations for their trip to the Great Zhou. If the Great Zhou was an arrow at the end of its flight, they would break off the tributes and wait for the day when the Great Zhou collapsed. Then, Great Yong would find an opportunity to dominate the Zu Continent. If the Great Zhou was still powerful, they would abandon the first plan and strengthen trade and cooperation with the Great Zhou, vigorously develop the domestic economy, and raise the standard of living of the common people.
Li Mu sighed. "This official truly wishes to help, but is powerless to do so. The courtiers already have complaints about His Imperial Majesty's favor and trust in this official. If this official opposes the Ministry of Revenue again, who knows what they will say about this official behind my back. Perhaps they will say that this official was bribed by the State of Yong and received benefits from you, harming the interests of the Great Zhou. Speaking on your behalf, isn't this the same as framing this official as being heartless and unjust?"
He looked at the young envoy and said, "For this matter, you will have to personally seek out Her Imperial Majesty."
Disappointed, the young man replied, "Daren Li is Her Imperial Majesty's most favored subject. If your words are useless, then even if we seek an audience with Her Imperial Majesty, it will be futile."
Li Mu did not speak. His face revealed a contemplative expression, as if he was hesitating.
A moment later, he looked back at the young envoy and said, "This official is fully aware that friendly trade between the two countries is greatly beneficial to both the people of the two countries and the court. Although this official is unable to directly help you due to my status, I can point you in the right direction."
The young man's eyes lit up again. Cupping his fist, he said, "Please advise me, Daren Li!"
Li Mu looked at him and asked, "You should know that Her Imperial Majesty is very interested in painting, right?"
The young man nodded. "I saw it a few days ago. The paintings hanging on the walls of Her Imperial Majesty's study are authentic works by Wu Daoxuan."
Even when the Empress mentioned the Art Sage, her tone was respectful. However, this young man from the Yong Kingdom directly called him by his name, not even adding the words' Sage. 'Perhaps there really was something to him.
Li Mu casually asked, "If my guess is correct, you should be cultivating in painting, right?"
The young man did not deny it. Nodding, he replied, "Yes."
Li Mu unhurriedly said, "From what I know, Her Imperial Majesty is very fond of painting. Moreover, she is deeply in love with the Art Sage's authentic works. For many years, she has been searching for the lost inheritance of painting. If you can fulfill Her Imperial Majesty's wish, then the matter of trade will not be a problem."
After saying this, he slowly stood up and said, "This official's words end here. I can't say anything more. Think about it yourselves."
Finished speaking, he turned and left.
The middle-aged man walked out of the room. The young man raised his head to look at him and asked, "Royal Uncle, what should we do?"
The middle-aged man did not answer. Instead, he asked, "What do you think?"
After thinking it over, the young man said, "Reducing tariffs and opening up trade with Great Zhou is a blessing for the common people of Great Yong. Although painting is an important part of the Heavenly Tomes, it is not that it cannot be taught to outsiders. Daoist cultivators are all aware of this. In the past thousands of years, they have become even more powerful. It is precisely because the other sects do not teach it to outsiders that they have declined.
The middle-aged man smiled and said, "Since you have already made your decision, there is no need to ask me."
Recalling Li Mu's reminder, the young man sighed with emotion and said, "No wonder Great Zhou has risen again so quickly. The Empress of Great Zhou looks down on the other countries, possessing the spirit of a celestial empire. The officials she has placed in important positions also have such insight. They are intelligent and not lacking in ingenuity. Most importantly, they have the hearts of the common people, establishing their hearts for the heavens and earth, and establishing their lives for the common people. A real man born between the heavens and earth should be like this. It is a pity that he was not born in my Great Yong.
The middle-aged man also sighed and said, "The Empress of Great Zhou has exceptional insight. If the previous Emperor of Great Zhou had been at death's door for another ten years, or if the Great Zhou family had not seized the imperial aura and seized power, then today's Great Zhou would not be like this. Everything is predestined …"
Li Mu walked out of the Chamberlain of Dependencies and leisurely strolled through the streets.
The streets were bustling with activity. Li Mu patiently responded to the greetings of the common people along the way. Along the way, he bought three sticks of tanghulu. Thinking of Wanwan, he hesitated for a moment before buying three more sticks.
Afterwards, he continued to walk forward. This time, after walking for a short while, he heard a voice behind him.
"Official Li, please wait."
Li Mu turned his head to look at the young man and asked, "Is there anything else?"
The young man handed a letter to Li Mu and said, "I request Official Li to deliver this to Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress."
Li Mu accepted the letter and nodded his head. "It just so happens that this official needs to make a trip to the palace."
The young Yong envoy cupped his hands in gratitude and said, "Thank you for your advice, Official Li."
Li Mu waved his hand and said, "It is all for the common people …"
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