Ning Chen bowed. "Your subject presumes to ask Your Majesty to write out a treaty. Your subject will also write a letter setting out the reason, and send men to carry them to the Wu Kingdom and have the agreement signed again."

"The woman emperor of Wu is reasonable enough. She should not make anything of a small matter like this."

The Xuan Emperor inclined his head slightly. For the moment there was no other way.

Ning Chen went on. "Your Majesty, your subject found several good things in the Wu Kingdom. One is glass — as clear as a fine glaze. It can be set into windows and doors, and it keeps the wind out without shutting out the light."

"There is toothpaste too. It cleans the teeth and leaves a cool taste in the mouth."

"Another is fine salt, as fine and white as sand."

"If the two kingdoms open trade, the Wu Kingdom is willing to sell these into the Great Xuan... Your subject brought samples back too, but they went to the bottom with the warship."

The Xuan Emperor was greatly pleased. "Good. This emperor will write out another treaty."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The Xuan Emperor said, "Ning Chen. This emperor promised that when you came home from a successful peace you would be made a General of the First Rank... But the treaty is ruined now, so that matter waits until the new agreement is signed."

Ning Chen, helpless, bowed. "Yes!"

Fuck!!!

He had been one kick from the goal, and then his legs had gone out from under him.

Ning Chen turned his head and let his eye pass over the Right Chancellor. If it were not for this old scoundrel and the Fifth Prince, he would be a General of the First Rank already.

But it made no difference. That rank was in his pocket already.

When the court broke up Ning Chen did not leave the palace. Halfway out he turned and walked toward the imperial study.

The Xuan Emperor had only just sat down in the imperial study when a…