Chapter 2319 2058: There's Simply None

"Please, Her Highness the Grand Princess, calm your anger. My emperor just requires a princess, even if the Han Dynasty officially appoints a clan woman as a princess, it is acceptable. It's not necessarily to be a real princess." The Kushan diplomat, seeing the situation going awry, immediately used telepathy to explain his intention.

Being sent by Vasu Deva I to handle this matter, the diplomat is a clever individual. Seeing the situation, he immediately conceded. In his view, fighting over such trivial matters is not worthwhile for Kushan.

"Um..." Liu Tong's originally embarrassed expression was stunned. So they weren't going to marry her; why did she feel even angrier?

Kushan's words made the Han Dynasty court officials instantly show disdainful expressions. Weren't they just insisting on marrying a princess? Now they say even a nominal one will do, just a consecrated title is enough. You Kushan people are truly cowardly scoundrels.

"Grand Herald, arrange this matter." Liu Tong said, feeling displeased and didn't want to continue the court meeting. Considering the former relations, she planned to randomly assign a palace maid for the Kushan King as a queen.

"Yes, your highness." The Grand Herald bowed in reply.

Although Liu Tong didn't say anything else, the Grand Herald understood Liu Tong's intention to send a palace maid to appease the Kushan King. Such matters, the Han Dynasty handled with much experience.

"Grand Princess, please calm down. My emperor has repeatedly warned us, fearing we might speak out of turn. After all, Kushan and the Han Dynasty once broke diplomatic relations due to a misstep in princess marriage negotiations, so this time, my emperor hopes to fulfill Kushan's dream of marrying a Han dynasty princess." The Kushan diplomat, extremely humble this time, even kneeling respectfully under the jade steps.

This attitude calmed the originally embarrassed Liu Tong, and the previously uproarious imperial court also quieted down, watching the situation unfold silently.

"Stand up and reply." Liu Tong soothed her inner restlessness and slowly spoke.

Ban Chao defeating Yano Gaozhen was, for Ban Chao, just beating up a bit player. After all, during his time in the Western Regions, Ban Chao had defeated many such characters, many with titles worth boasting.

Even eliminating certain kings and national teachers, causing national upheaval, he had done quite a bit. Yano Gaozhen, for Kushan, was a once-in-a-millennium savior, the founding emperor, but for Ban Chao, he was just another bit player.

Thus, Yano Gaozhen being beaten was a matter to be remembered for eternity by Kushan, but for Ban Chao, it was just a routine matter.

Naturally, Ban Chao casually recorded this significant event in a diary of about a hundred words. As for the princess matter, it was mentioned in only a few words of little importance, so Liu Tong didn't know what had truly happened.

This is like Taishi Ci unifying Japan; to him, it's merely countryside brawling-level nonsense, easily subdued, but the Japanese Bamboo Chronicles of this period would undoubtedly glamorize him as a god who pacified a chaotic world.

In reality, as you know, for Taishi Ci, it's absurdity; the mighty power of pacifying chaos is trivial to him, even if addressed, just a few simple sentences, similarly entering history might just be a few lines.

Generally speaking, the impression of war from the loser is often not our lack of effort, but rather the opponent being too strong, yet our will certainly left a mark on them. In reality, the victors might hardly remember who you are...

Upon Liu Tong's inquiry, the Kushan diplomat detailed the events of the past, allowing Liu Tong to understand why the Kushan Emperor insisted on marrying a princess, and assured the Han Dynasty princess would be well treated, as the founding emperor's attempt to marry a princess had been humiliatingly thwarted, so the descendants had a hope to actualize it.

The humble and respectful tone of the Kushan diplomat made the court officials of the Han Palace feel Kushan's frustration, as well as Kushan's longing for a Han Dynasty princess.

"I see." Liu Tong nodded after listening, indicating her understanding of Vasu Deva I's inner longing, "No wonder you wish to marry… a princess."

Clearly, Liu Tong still struggled with her identity as a princess, naturally circling back to herself when mentioning it.

"Please fulfill the wish, Your Highness." The Kushan diplomat respectfully bowed.

Seeing the sincere and earnest recounting, Liu Tong hesitated while looking at the Kushan diplomat. Without that, she might have already adjourned the meeting, returned to Changle Palace to rest.

But now, with such genuine intention, marrying over would mean a palace built identical to the Han Dynasty's Changle Palace for the princess, assuring upon arrival she becomes Kushan's queen, and her son would be Kushan's heir.

Such favorable conditions might have attracted numerous commandery princesses within the five garments over the past two years, as the Kushan diplomat strongly hinted they are now a mighty empire with a million armored troops, and marrying over would certainly not be disadvantageous.

Even two years ago, Liu Tong herself might have been tempted by such terms, Kushan might even have gotten a Grand Princess from the Han Dynasty for free.

After all, the Han Dynasty's situation back then was quite chaotic, and for those ten or so adult commandery princesses, becoming Kushan's queen wasn't a bad choice.

Moreover, after bestowing the title of Princess, she would have a powerful maternal family. Her son might even become an emperor of an empire, a good fortune for which many would willingly marry far away.

Similarly, the conditions proposed by Vasu Deva I are not a joke. Apart from the fact that the born son would be a Kushan heir, other conditions like constructing a one-to-one replica of the Changle Palace for the Princess to reside and acknowledging her as the queen present no issue.

For Vasu Deva I, he needs a Han Dynasty princess to prove he has surpassed the past Yano Gaozhen. Naturally, if she were to be married, it would be only fitting to title her as the queen to manifest this to all Kushan Empire people.

After all, the nobler the identity of the Han Dynasty princess, the more Vasu Deva I's abilities would be acknowledged by the Kushan people.

For the Kushan Emperor, the Han princess is more a symbol of imperial authority than just a person, needless to say, she wouldn't be poorly treated.

Based on this point, while one cannot say becoming an heir is absolutely certain, it's definitely not a large concern. The Kushan nation has become a pit due to the caste system, where birth is virtually determined by bloodline, and if a Han princess goes over, she directly equates to the highest caste, naturally making the likelihood of her offspring succeeding to the throne very high.

Additionally considering the advantage of mixed blood, talents generally excel—provided she doesn't die young, inheriting Vasu Deva I's throne is basically no problem.

Hence the conditions are honestly extremely sincere. The extent of favorability might cause infighting during times with more Imperial Clan women.

But now the situation is that the Han Dynasty has no princesses, nor commandery princesses. Half a year ago, during the Han Palace turmoil, only Liu Zhang, Liu Ai, Liu Ye, and Liu Yu survived within the Five Garments, and all marriageable commandery princesses are gone.

"I am the only Grand Princess of the Han Dynasty," Liu Tong said, somewhat embarrassed.

All members of the Kushan Diplomatic Mission were stupified, various thoughts emerged such as marrying the Han Empress to gain great advantage, what big mistakes did we make before, and how we are still alive, among many others.

"In that case, might Her Highness the Grand Princess bestow a commandery princess with Imperial Clan bloodline as a princess?" The Kushan Diplomatic Mission truly put in effort this time.

Of course, as the leader, he had thought about voicing "You marry our Majesty" but that would be courting death, totally not daring to speak out.

Moreover, if he spoke those words, irrespective of his fate, even if discussions succeeded, who marries whom is still a question—perhaps to say the Kushan Emperor would marry over...

"..." Liu Tong awkwardly tucked the strands of hair behind her ear, somewhat unsure of how to respond to the earnest Kushan Diplomatic Mission.

"Could it be, Your Highness, that you are unwilling to grant even a commandery princess to Kushan?" The Kushan Diplomatic Mission, seeing Liu Tong's expression, sensed unfavorable signs.

"That's not it, it's just that our nation currently has no commandery princesses," Liu Tong tilted her head, speaking with some embarrassment, "Or, I could find an Inner Chamber palace maid and bestow her as a princess to the Kushan King, and in return, we will gift many rare treasures as a reciprocal gift."

Instantly, upon hearing this, the Kushan Diplomatic Mission's fury surged, their faces contorted—this completely disregarded Kushan, elevating an Inner Chamber palace maid to princess, bestowed upon the Kushan King, and making a Han Dynasty Inner Chamber palace maid a Kushan queen, where does Kushan Empire's face rest?

"Hehe, does Her Highness take Kushan for a fool unaware of how the Han Dynasty handled the Huns back then?" The Kushan Diplomatic Mission, fire in their hearts and tone hardened by three points, given the matter relates to national pride, the Kushan Diplomatic Mission would rather perish than concede.

"This I can't help with, our country genuinely has no princesses, nor commandery princesses within the Five Garments," Liu Tong kindly explained to the Kushan Diplomat, given Kushan's sincerity, "I could find someone akin to Former Han's Wang Zhaojun and wed her to the Kushan King."

Liu Tong, considering their earnestness, felt it inappropriate to directly refute Kushan's dignity, hence would bestow a princess for external marriage. From the Han Dynasty's standpoint, bestowing a princess is already showing ample sincerity, even more so by seeking a Wang Zhaojun-like figure.

However, back in the day, Wang Zhaojun, before marrying out to the Huns, was merely an Inner Chamber palace maid.

"No princess and commandery princesses?" The Kushan Diplomat's face already showed a cold smile, truly believing Kushan to be as weak as before, subject to the Han Dynasty's insults? As if we aren't aware granting palace maids is a form of humiliation? As if unaware even Wusun received commandery princesses then? Since you don't regard us as humans, why should we show you courtesy?

"None means none." With a firm tone, and Liu Tong not countering due to Kushan's sincerity, Cao Cao, yet alive, couldn't allow outsiders to interrogate Liu Tong, immediately stepping forward and coldly speaking.

Though Liu Tong was pushed by Liu Cao Sunx as a virtual monarch to stabilize the situation, she was nonetheless the face of the Han Empire, which shouldn't endure Kushan's disgrace.

Not to mention current considerations for Kushan's pride, and even revealing the secret of no commandery princesses in the Imperial Clan. If later Kushan further disrespects, Cao Cao wouldn't regard Kushan at all.