Chapter 538: Chapter 540: Drawing the Map

Gu Wenheng was more inclined to believe this man was playing dumb. He refused to believe that the Eastern Yi, who had repeatedly invaded, would be unaware of the prominent scar on General Zhou’s face.

"It seems your Eastern Yi intelligence is nothing special," Gu Wenheng said mockingly. "But that’s to be expected. You’re all a bunch of skulking cowards. How could you ever be fortunate enough to witness General Zhou’s true face?

Allow me to make the introduction. This is our dynasty’s General Zhou."

He then pointed to Prince Zuo Tengshang below the dais and said, "This man is the Eastern Yi’s Prince Zuo Tengshang, whom General Zhou had his men fish out of the sea last time.

General Zhou is swamped with official duties every day and hasn’t had the time to meet this prisoner."

How could Prince Zuo Tengshang not know they were humiliating and belittling him? He lowered his head to hide the murderous glint in his eyes.

"So you’re the one who wanted to see me?"

"That’s right. I already came to an agreement with your Prefect Gu a few days ago. When will you allow me to return to my country?"

Zhou Shixiong said, "That’s easy enough. Since Prefect Gu has already given you his word, I must show him some respect. The ships that my men salvaged have all been repaired. However, it’s a long journey, and I’ll need some time to prepare.

As for the sea routes for the voyage, you’ll have to be the one to draw them."

Prince Zuo Tengshang pointed to his head. "That won’t be necessary. Once we’re at sea, I will naturally make the arrangements."

But Zhou Shixiong shook his head. "That shows a great lack of sincerity.

Let’s be frank about something we all know. You and I are sworn enemies. Do you really think I would blindly trust you?

Don’t worry. As long as you hand over the sea routes, I will definitely follow them and not wander off course."

Prince Zuo Tengshang was speechless. ’These officials may be rigid, but their schemes are one after another. I have no choice but to play along.’

"I... am not skilled at drawing. I really have no way of depicting it..."

General Zhou looked at him with contempt. "You barbarians, even at your most useless, must have at least one capable person, right?

Are you telling me that among the several thousand men you brought with you, not a single one is good at drawing?"

The mockery in the general’s eyes was too obvious. Even if Prince Zuo Tengshang wanted to bluff his way out of it, he couldn’t swallow this insult.

"Of course there are..." The words had barely left his mouth when Prince Zuo Tengshang’s face darkened. ’Dammit, I’ve fallen for their goading.’

He had been walking into their trap from the moment he stepped into this hall.

From the very beginning, they had treated him as nothing more than a common prisoner.

In the entire hall, only the few officials sat on high, while he stood alone with not even a place to sit. This arrangement invisibly suppressed him, putting him at an immediate disadvantage.

In such an unequal confrontation, he was the first to lose his composure.

Since things had come to this, he knew he couldn’t get past this hurdle. "Although I am not skilled at drawing, I can still manage a map of the sea routes. Bring me a brush and ink."

This was his feeble attempt at a counter-attack. ’If they provide a brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone,’ he reasoned, ’then a table and chair will naturally follow.’

But he had clearly underestimated their shamelessness. A small, low table was placed directly in front of the dais.

And that Prefect Gu, the one who had made the worst impression on him, now said with a smile, "I’m aware that you Eastern Yi are fond of kneeling to write. I had this tabletop specially custom-made. Your Highness Prince Zuo, please give it a try and see if it suits your preference.

If not, I can have someone remake it. It would be more convenient for any future needs Your Highness might have."

A few snickers echoed around the hall. Prince Zuo Tengshang knew full well they were mocking him.

’Being a prisoner once is unlucky enough, yet they speak of a "future."’

He looked down at the short table, wondering which unlucky bastard had described their customary furniture to these people.

Compared to the high desks on the dais, this was an utter humiliation.

’What was it Prefect Gu had said before? They just want me to kneel and write. Do they really think I know nothing of the Rong Dynasty? Only criminals or the low-born are made to kneel in the main hall.’

Facing this situation now, if he weren’t so intent on returning to Dongyi to settle scores with those unfilial sons of his, he truly would have spat up a mouthful of blood from sheer rage.

There were only two choices before him. One was to storm out on the spot, preserving his dignity as the prince of a nation.

The other was to endure the anger of the moment, swallow this humiliation, and wait for a future opportunity to repay it in kind.

Gu Wenheng wasn’t an inherently harsh person. But the knowledge of the litany of evil deeds the Eastern Yi would commit in the years to come made him feel that what he was doing now wasn’t enough—that he could, and perhaps should, go even further.

Zhou Shixiong, who held the Eastern Yi people in utter contempt, was even more direct. "Hurry up. I don’t have all day to waste on you here."

That overwhelming, murderous aura forced Prince Zuo Tengshang to make his choice in an instant.

’So what if I have to kneel and write? Sooner or later, the day will come when I make these people suffer the same treatment.’

Those present saw Prince Zuo Tengshang awkwardly grip the brush and struggle to draw on the paper.

Lu Shenggen whispered to Wu Yichen beside him, "Mr. Wu, isn’t he the prince of a nation? Why does he look so awkward writing? Don’t they teach reading and writing in his country?"

Wu Yichen glanced down at the hall. "Mr. Lu, I was wondering the same thing.

He can’t even hold the brush properly. It looks like the Eastern Yi don’t typically use brush and ink for their writing.

The way they write is probably an attempt to imitate us.

It’s a pity these barbarian nations lack a deep cultural foundation. It’s inevitable they’ll provide some amusement. We should just watch and enjoy the show."

Hearing this, Gu Wenheng’s mouth twitched. ’Even if you’re going to whisper, don’t be so loud. The prince, who’s been furiously drawing down there, has already paused several times. I’m afraid if he loses his grip on the brush and drips ink on the paper, he’ll have to start all over again. That would be a complete waste of everyone’s time.’

Vice General Wang and the other military men were not so gentlemanly. "Mr. Wu makes a good point. Coming here today has really been an eye-opener for me."

’I’ll have to re-evaluate this Gu Wenheng,’ he thought. ’He looks like a frail civil servant, but his actions are perfectly in line with us military generals.’

Prince Zuo Tengshang was neither deaf nor mute; he could only endure their taunts.

With a sudden application of force in his wrist, the line he was drawing went askew! Without a change in expression, he added a few more strokes before finally putting down the brush.

"That was quick. Let’s all have a look at the Eastern Yi Prince’s masterpiece." He Gaofei was now standing beside Prince Zuo Tengshang, looking down at the map.

"Seeing such artistic skill, I am deeply gratified," He Gaofei said, stroking his beard.

"No wonder he’s from the Dongyi Country. This level of skill..."

At this moment, Wu Yichen also walked over and let out a sigh of admiration.

Unable to restrain himself any longer, Vice General Wang also stood up. "All this talk has made me curious. It seems you all have a very high opinion of this artwork..."

Vice General Wang’s expression instantly became peculiar.

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