Trade disputes with the neighboring country continued to escalate, pushing diplomatic relations to the brink. In the imperial court, ministers were engaged in heated discussions. Li Yi furrowed his brows deeply, well aware that if this matter was not resolved properly, it could lead to war. After careful consideration, he decided to send an envoy to the neighboring country for negotiations, hoping to resolve the crisis peacefully.
The chosen envoy was Su Ming, a man well - versed in knowledge, articulate, and renowned for his strategic thinking in the court. Upon receiving the order, Su Ming understood the gravity of his responsibility. He spent day and night poring over the trade records between the two countries, analyzing the pros and cons, and formulating multiple negotiation strategies, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to demonstrate his skills before the neighboring country's monarch.
Meanwhile, Lin Yue also received a secret order from Li Yi. Although she was not proficient in diplomatic language, her outstanding medical skills led Li Yi to hope that she could use medicine as a means to ease the tense atmosphere between the two countries. After accepting the order, Lin Yue meticulously prepared various precious medicinal herbs and medical books, ready to accompany Su Ming on the journey to the neighboring country.
When Su Ming, Lin Yue, and their entourage arrived in the neighboring country, they were met with cold treatment. The neighboring monarch deliberately delayed the negotiations, adopting an arrogant attitude and scoffing at the peaceful solutions proposed by Su Ming. Undeterred, Su Ming patiently engaged in diplomatic maneuvering while waiting for the right moment.
Lin Yue, on the other hand, used her medical skills to treat the local people at the guesthouse. She provided medical services free of charge and even offered additional living supplies to particularly poor patients.
Once, the child of a poor farmer suffered from a severe case of wind - cold, with a persistent high fever, incessant coughing, a flushed face, and weak breathing. Lin Yue immediately took out precious medicinal herbs and personally decocted the medicine, carefully controlling the heat and dosage at every step. She stayed by the child's bedside, administering the medicine every half hour and frequently wiping the child's forehead with warm water to reduce the fever.
After three days and nights of meticulous care, the child's condition finally improved. The farmer's family was overwhelmed with gratitude. Lin Yue's benevolence and excellent medical skills gradually spread, and many family members of the neighboring country's officials came seeking medical treatment. Lin Yue always did her best, and the patients were cured quickly. As a result, her reputation among the neighboring country's people began to soar.
While waiting for the negotiation opportunity, Su Ming learned that the neighboring country was facing a rare agricultural disaster, resulting in a poor harvest. He immediately secretly sent a letter back to his own country, imploring Li Yi to provide the neighboring country with a batch of grain aid.
Upon learning this, Li Yi generously agreed, and a large quantity of grain was soon dispatched to the neighboring country. This gesture caused a sensation there, and the hostility of the local people towards Su Ming's country began to subside.
One day, the favorite concubine of the neighboring monarch suddenly fell seriously ill, remaining unconscious all day with a pale face. The imperial physicians in the palace conducted consultations for several days but could find no solution, and the prescribed medicines had no effect. Upon learning this, Su Ming immediately recommended Lin Yue to the neighboring monarch.
After entering the palace, Lin Yue first carefully observed the concubine's complexion and tongue coating, then took her pulse, which was weak and irregular. After careful deliberation, Lin Yue diagnosed that the concubine was suffering from qi and blood deficiency, compounded by the invasion of evil toxins due to emotional distress. She prescribed a formula containing various rare medicinal herbs and personally supervised the preparation and decoction process to ensure the efficacy. Every day, Lin Yue would administer the medicine to the concubine on time and gently soothe her to help her relax.
After several days of meticulous care, the concubine's condition gradually improved, her complexion returned to a healthy glow, and she slowly regained consciousness.
The neighboring monarch was overjoyed, and his attitude towards Lin Yue underwent a transformation. He began to take the initiative to discuss the trade disputes with Su Ming.
Seizing the opportunity, Su Ming elaborated in detail on the benefits of trade cooperation between the two countries and the losses caused by the conflict.
During the negotiations, the neighboring country's foreign minister was extremely cunning, constantly putting forward a series of harsh conditions.
First, he demanded that Su Ming's country reduce the prices of export commodities by a margin far beyond the reasonable range. He also requested the opening of more key industrial markets and the relaxation of quality inspection standards for imported goods from the neighboring country.
Su Ming remained calm. He produced the pre - prepared market research reports and analyzed in detail the price trends of similar commodities in the current international market, pointing out that the proposed price reduction would seriously harm the interests of domestic merchants and was inconsistent with market laws.
Regarding the opening of key industrial markets, Su Ming cited the current situation and challenges faced by his country's industries, highlighting the potential risks of blind opening.
When it came to the quality inspection of imported goods, Su Ming emphasized that it was a necessary measure to protect the lives and health of the people of both countries and could not be lowered casually.
When this strategy failed, the foreign minister proposed extending the trade settlement period to increase the capital turnover time of his own country. Su Ming skillfully responded by pointing out that this would increase the capital pressure and risks of domestic enterprises, which was not conducive to long - term cooperation.
Lin Yue supplemented at the right moment, speaking from the perspective of the common people about the importance of harmonious trade for the lives of the people in both countries. Her sincere words, recounting the hardships she witnessed among the local people due to trade disruptions during her medical practice in the neighboring country, touched the heart of the neighboring monarch.
When the negotiations reached an impasse, Su Ming proposed a compromise plan: appropriately opening up some new trade channels while optimizing and adjusting the original trade terms, all while ensuring the interests of his own country.
The neighboring monarch showed some interest in the new plan but still hesitated. Seeing this, Lin Yue once again shared her observations and experiences in the neighboring country, emphasizing the positive impact of trade cooperation on improving people's livelihoods.
To further demonstrate sincerity, Su Ming also proposed sending skilled craftsmen from his country to help the neighboring country develop basic industries, enhancing its economic strength and promoting the long - term and stable development of bilateral trade.
After deliberation, the neighboring monarch and foreign minister, recalling the various kind deeds of Su Ming and Lin Yue since their arrival, as well as Su Ming's wisdom and demeanor during the negotiations and Lin Yue's benevolent medical skills, were deeply impressed. They changed their minds and agreed to revise the trade agreement.
In a friendly atmosphere, the two sides signed a new trade treaty, successfully resolving the diplomatic crisis. Su Ming and Lin Yue completed their mission successfully and returned to their home country. Li Yi personally went out of the city to welcome them and highly commended their performance.
Su Ming, with his excellent negotiation skills, secured the maximum benefits for the country.
Lin Yue, using her medical skills as a bridge, won the respect and trust of the neighboring country's people and officials, creating a favorable atmosphere for the negotiations.
The tacit cooperation between the two became a much - told story in the court.
The resolution of this diplomatic crisis made Li Yi deeply aware of the importance of talent. He decided to widely recruit talented individuals within the country, encouraging ministers to recommend people of insight and building a reserve of strength for the country's development.
Lin Yue, through this experience, became more determined to serve the country with her abilities. After returning to the medical hall, she continued to study medicine and began to learn some diplomatic and political knowledge, hoping to play a greater role in the future.
Su Ming became more active in the court, actively participating in the formulation and discussion of various policies, offering strategies for the country's prosperity. His wisdom and courage became an example for young officials to follow.
In the imperial court, ministers congratulated Su Ming and Lin Yue on their achievements. Their success not only resolved a crisis but also demonstrated the country's strength and wisdom on the diplomatic stage.
However, Li Yi knew well that the resolution of this crisis was only temporary. With the country's development, there would be more challenges and opportunities in the future. He must remain vigilant at all times and continuously enhance the country's comprehensive strength.
In the following days, Li Yi actively promoted domestic reforms, strengthened military construction, and enhanced economic strength. He hoped that through these efforts, the country could calmly face all kinds of crises.
While busy in the medical hall, Lin Yue would often enter the palace to diagnose and treat the royal family and ministers. Her medical skills became increasingly sophisticated, and her reputation grew, making her an indispensable figure in the palace.
Su Ming frequently traveled abroad to handle various diplomatic affairs. With his outstanding
diplomatic talents, he won a great deal of benefits and respect for the country, becoming one of Li Yi's most trusted ministers.
As time passed, under Li Yi's leadership, the country gradually moved towards prosperity. But everyone understood that the road ahead was still full of challenges, and they must unite as one to face them together.