Scandinavian leftovers

19

The next morning there was an intense earthquake. Josephine was on her way to the Chinese embassy. Three troops guarded her on her way.  The earthquake lasted for hours. Then suddenly the sky became grey. There was panic in the whole region of Rome. The next day the sky was still greyish. At the embassy Josephine was told by the Chinese guards that a volcano had erupted in the south of Italy. ''A whole colony of Rome was under ashes and around 300.000 thousand people were either dead of missing'' he spoke Korean to her ''Emperor Titus had declared a state of emergency for Rome, the homeland Italy and for the whole Empire. There may even be some Chinese people that perished. Furthermore, there are also robbers who exploit this tragedy by looting nearby towns''.

Josephine was permitted to continue to the room where the ambassador and two vice-ambassadors were seated. They were surprised that she showed up. 

[the guards announced, in Chinese] ''The Korean consort of the King of Scandinavia, Yu, also named Josephine.''

The men addressed her in Korean.

''What can we do for you?''

''My husband is in Rome to ratify treaties between him and the Romans. I want you, excellency, to make a treaty with him also.''

''Why should the Great Han Empire want to get into an agreement with a country that exists less than a generation?''

''We don't even even know if your country would last another decade.''

''What does Scandinavia has to offer to the Great Han Emperor?''

''We are loyal to the Han Emperor. Who are you loyal too?''

''Excuse me?''

''You cannot be trusted anymore. You married someone outside of your tribe. You begot children with people that are considered barbarians to our civilisation.''

''What does my children have to do with this?''

''To whom are you loyal?''

''Your husband already send an envoy to the Han court several years ago. There were already two small envoys with tribute send to Scandinavia on your behalf. Or better, on behalf of the face of the Han dynasty. The kingdom of your husband is not stable. Past years we received many reports of both military eyewitnesses and sojourners that Scandinavia is in war with the other tribes in the Baltic Sea region. Your country has also become aggressive towards the German people. Your country lacks civility.''

''Gentlemen. Scandinavia has lots of steel and much jewellery.''

''So does the Roman Empire. So does the Kushan Kingdom and the Indian kingdoms.''

''Those kingdoms are rivals to the Han. They are a threat to the superpower of the Chinese. They cannot be trusted.''

''Rome can be trusted. It's Rome and the Han that keeps this world civilised. If we get into an agreement with an ally of Rome, we will be invading Rome's territory.''

At this point the men began disagreeing with one another.

''Hold on. The Romans have hundreds of trade settlements, armed by troops, in India, Parthia, Africa, in Funan and also in the Western districts of the Han Empire.''

''That's true... but..''

''No but's! Rome doesn't respect anyone's boundaries. Their whole slogan is 'the Roman empire has no limits'. And they take that literally. They have military trade towns all over the Earth. Even in remote distant regions where remote barbarian tribes reside. We, the Han, respect boundaries. That's why they respect our boundaries.''

''Rome respects nobody but themselves. They crush and trample all that's on the Earth.''

''Gentlemen...''

The men become silent.

''I see you disagree about your policy as representatives of the Han Empire.''

''No we don't!''

''Forgive me for presuming.''

''We are here to secure the well being of the Han people.''

''I'm one of the Han people...''

''According to Chinese law any woman that married a man from non-Han descent loses her citizenship and heritage among the Han people. Her children, due to them being from non-Han seed, will not be considered among the Han people. We have no legal obligation to even consider your interests, lady.''

''You do have a legal obligation to provide, protect and advance the interests of the Han in Europe. Don't you?''

The men remain silent. 

''My children are half Roman and half Han. I have many Han people in my court in Scandinavia. So, those are people who are entitled to your concern. I want you to make a treaty between Scandinavia and the Han. Not just an economic envoy. As ambassadors you have the power to make binding treaties.''

''Does you husband know you are here?''

''That doesn't concern this matter.''

''All right. Listen! We are willing to make a treaty between the Han and Scandinavia, through you, on behalf of the Han people living within your country. We, however, refuse to have a woman as a representative. Do you have a son?''

''Yes. He is twelve.''

''Then, we will a treaty on his behalf. He is old enough to be treated as an adult. You will be the regent of him within the treaty. The treaty will include that Scandinavia will permit free entrance of Han people in their harbours in the Baltic Sea. We don't ask you to integrate them into the Scandinavian society. They will have working permits and the permit to reside in their segregated towns. In each Han community there will be a representative of the Imperial court in order to police them. Furthermore, Scandinavians will be granted free asses to the free trade zones in the Western provinces of the Han Empire. They will, however, not be permitted to reside permanently in the Han empire. Once your son is old enough, he will be required to visit Rome to meet us. If we are not around anymore, he will be required to meet our successors.''

''Good!''

''Another thing, we will not grant you any access to any voyage to China. It is against the policy of the Han Emperor. You are officially a traitor back in China and in the Korean confederacies. Remember that...''

''I understand.''

''You are also not permitted to contact this embassy nor the Chinese communities in Gaul nor Britain without the permission of your husband.''

Once the men were finished speaking, the writers came and wrote several documents. The documents were sealed by the ambassadors and by Josephine. She received five copies.