From cute to empress

Chapter 270: A Clash of Wisdom Across Regions

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"

I heard a guard's hurried voice in the distance. Before I could ask further, I saw him walking quickly towards us. He said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, there are several envoys from the Western Regions outside the palace who want to see you. They say..." The guard paused, as if hesitant, "They say they want to engage in artistic exchanges and cooperation with our country."

Western Regions? Youcai and I exchanged a surprised look. This art event, originally intended to enhance national cultural confidence, unexpectedly attracted guests from far away.

"Xuan!" I calmed myself down, straightened my clothes, and regained my usual composure.

Soon, several envoys dressed in exotic attire were brought to the Imperial Garden. Although they didn't speak the same language, I could sense their keen interest in our culture from their eager eyes and gestures. Fortunately, I had come prepared; a multilingual ceremonial officer translated their words for me.

"Your Majesty, we are representatives of artists from the Western Regions. We have come here because we are deeply moved by your country's exquisite art, especially..." The leading envoy paused and pointed to a man with a high nose and deep eyes behind him. "This is our country's most renowned sculptor. He hopes to have the opportunity to exchange and learn with your artists, and even to collaborate on a work."

I smiled and nodded, then turned my gaze towards the sculptor. Although he was serious, his eyes sparkled with sincerity.

"I am delighted that you have come from afar," I began slowly, "and I very much welcome cultural exchange with your country. How about this? Tomorrow I will host a banquet in the palace to entertain you all, and invite our artists and critics to gather with you to discuss cooperation. How do you think?"

When the envoys heard this, they all looked happy and bowed to me to express their gratitude.

After seeing off the envoy, I immediately summoned the most prestigious art critics and painting masters in the palace, as well as several young artists who performed outstandingly in this art event, to discuss cooperation with the Western Regions.

"Your Majesty, I believe that artistic exchange with the Western Regions has more benefits than disadvantages," said a white-haired elder, a highly respected art critic in the palace. "The passionate and unrestrained artistic style of the Western Regions stands in stark contrast to the reserved and introverted style of our country. Through exchange and learning, we can broaden our artistic horizons and promote the integration and development of our cultures."

"I agree!" a young painter said excitedly. "The pigments and techniques used in the Western Regions are different from ours. If we had the opportunity to learn from them, we would surely be able to create even more outstanding works!"

However, some voiced differing opinions. An old painter frowned, his face etched with worry: "Your Majesty, while artistic exchange is certainly a good thing, we must also be wary of cultural invasion. The artistic styles of the Western Regions differ greatly from our own. If we blindly imitate them, we risk losing our identity and discarding our own cultural characteristics..."

I listened quietly, constantly weighing the pros and cons in my mind. At this moment, Zhen Youcai, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly spoke up: "Your Majesty, I think..." He glanced at the crowd, his tone steady and forceful, "In addition to the integration of artistic styles, we must also pay attention to..."

"Your Majesty, I believe..." He glanced at the crowd, his tone steady and powerful, "In addition to the integration of artistic styles, we must also pay attention to the protection of intellectual property rights."

His words were like a stone that stirred up a thousand waves, and everyone was talking about it. I nodded inwardly. Youcai is worthy of being a general stationed on the border for many years. He is thoughtful and considerate.

"General Zhen is right," said an old painter, stroking his beard. "The people of the Western Regions are cunning. If we don't make an agreement in advance, there's no guarantee they won't steal our skills and seize our market."

"Yes, yes, we have to be on guard!" everyone echoed.

I raised my hand to signal for everyone to be quiet, then looked at Youcai, "What do you think about this?"

Youcai stepped forward, pondered for a moment, and said, "When I was on the frontier, I came into contact with some Western merchants. Although they value profit, they also attach great importance to the spirit of contract. I think we can draft a detailed cooperation agreement in advance, clearly stipulating the rights and obligations of both parties in the cooperation, as well as the ownership of intellectual property rights. This will maximize the protection of our interests."

His proposal was met with widespread approval. I nodded and was about to speak when a young artist offered a different opinion: "Your Majesty, I believe that overemphasizing intellectual property protection could restrict the exchange and development of art. Art is a free form, requiring collision and integration. If we keep our skills hidden, how can we create superior works?"

His words resonated with some artists, and for a moment, there was a lot of discussion in the hall, with two different voices intertwined and arguing with each other.

I looked at this group of people arguing endlessly about art with admiration. They were all the best artists in our Great Zhou, and their love and dedication to art were truly moving.

"Everyone," I raised my voice, attracting everyone's attention. "I understand your concerns and your different understandings of art. But there is one thing I hope everyone understands: whether it's the integration of art or the protection of intellectual property rights, the ultimate goal is to promote the prosperity and development of culture."

I swept my gaze across the crowd, my tone firm, "I believe that as long as we maintain an open and inclusive mindset, treat each other with sincerity, and seek common ground while reserving differences, we will surely find a path for cooperation that suits the development of both sides, allowing our cultural flowers to blossom throughout the world!"

My words echoed in the hall for a long time. After a moment's silence, everyone stood up and saluted me in agreement.

At this moment, a palace maid walked in quickly, bowed to me and said, "Your Majesty, the wife of the Minister of Revenue requests an audience."

I was slightly taken aback. The wife of the Minister of Revenue was a renowned "Goddess of Wealth." She oversaw the family's vast business, boasting wealth comparable to that of a nation, yet she rarely participated in state affairs. Why had she suddenly requested an audience today?

"Xuan." I suppressed the doubts in my heart and said lightly.

After a while, a graceful and elegant woman in gorgeous clothes walked in. After she saluted me, she smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. Long live the emperor."

"Madam, please don't be polite." I raised my hand to signal her to stand up. "I wonder what brings you to the palace today?"

The lady smiled slightly, her eyes sweeping across the crowd in the hall, and she slowly said, "I heard that Your Majesty is worried about cultural exchanges with the Western Regions, so I came here specially..."

The lady gracefully waved her round fan, a confident smile on her lips as she continued, "I am willing to provide your Majesty with all the necessary financial support to help you successfully facilitate this cultural exchange."

Everyone was shocked when they heard this. The Minister of Revenue's wife's wealth was comparable to that of a nation. With her support, this cultural exchange would be even more powerful. However, before I could even open my mouth, her next words made my heart sink slightly.

"Of course," she paused, her tone adding a touch of firmness that brooked no argument, "I also hope to have a certain degree of decision-making power in the cooperative project."

As soon as these words were spoken, the originally silent hall suddenly exploded like a pot of boiling water.

"This..." An old minister looked embarrassed. "Madam, is this behavior a bit against the rules?"

"Yes," another minister echoed, "Cultural exchange is a matter of great importance. How can it be treated as a joke?"

I understand their concerns. Although the wife of the Minister of Revenue is extremely wealthy, she is only a woman after all and has never interfered in state affairs. If she were to be involved in such an important national event, it would inevitably cause controversy.

"Everyone, please be patient." I raised my hand to signal for silence, and looked at my wife calmly. "I wonder what specific aspects of the 'decision-making power' you are referring to?"

Madam seemed to have anticipated my question and replied calmly, "I simply hope you can offer some advice on the selection of cooperative projects, the use of funds, and the arrangement of personnel. After all, I have been in business for many years and have some experience in how to maximize profits."

Although her tone was gentle, it revealed an undeniable strength. I knew that she came here today not just to provide assistance, but also to seek benefits for herself.

For a moment, I was caught in a dilemma. My wife's support was crucial to this cultural exchange, but I didn't want her to interfere in government affairs because of it.

After a long moment of deliberation, I reached a decision. I raised my head, gazed at the crowd with a resolute gaze, and said solemnly, "I have decided to personally visit the neighboring countries and gain a deeper understanding of their culture and needs before making a final decision."

"Your Majesty, this is unacceptable!" one minister exclaimed. "The relationship between the two countries is still unclear. Your Majesty, if you go, you might be in danger!"

"I have made up my mind." I said firmly, leaving no room for doubt. "I believe that only by seeing it with my own eyes can I make the most accurate judgment."

A few days later, I set out for a neighboring country with a few trusted aides and a light luggage. The carriage wheels slowly rolled, and I lifted the curtain, gazing at the capital city gradually receding behind me. My heart was filled with anticipation, yet also with a hint of indescribable uneasiness.

What challenges will I encounter on this trip to a neighboring country? Can I successfully reach a cooperation agreement and build a cultural bridge for Da Zhou to the world?

Ahead, an unknown world awaits me...