RPAGF Chapter 301 Young Master Enters the Capital
Chapter 301 Young Master Enters the Capital
Jiang Lige said, "All the Chi people want is a stable life, to live under the sun with honor. Sheng Ling can give them this, but Nanchu cannot. When my father was on the throne, the extravagance of the powerful and wealthy in Nanchu was rampant, and the people suffered terribly. The entire Nanchu was rotten to the core. Although Bo Xuan has implemented new policies, it will take time for the policies to be implemented and permeate the people in Nanchu, which has been suffering for a long time. Moreover, although my father is no longer on the throne, most of the Nanchu court is old officials, and these old officials are the most treacherous. Now that the new policies advocate frugality, I am afraid they have long been dissatisfied. If the Chi people intervene, they will definitely seize the opportunity to cause trouble."
Manzhu was still confused, "Why?"
"It's difficult to go from extravagance to frugality. The old ministers of Nanchu dream of returning to the old days. The only way to live like that again is for Nanchu to become prosperous and strong. Once the Chi tribe joins, it will foster the selfishness of those old ministers, who will think that Nanchu has the strength to rival Sheng Ling. Then they will definitely try every means to break the peace again to satisfy their own interests."
Manzhu asked, "You have so little confidence in your own brother?"
Jiang Lige shook his head and smiled. "It's not a question of confidence, it's a question of time. Bo Xuan has only been in charge of Nan Chu for three years, and the power of those old ministers is so entrenched that they've been entrenched in Nan Chu for decades or even hundreds of years. Anyone can only take their time. I naturally have confidence in Bo Xuan's abilities, but what he needs is time."
"Okay." Manzhu nodded thoughtfully, "Then why Sheng Ling?"
"There are two reasons. First, Emperor Shengwu is a wise ruler, and Crown Prince Ning Yunxiao is also a man of state. Shengling is now a country of peace and prosperity, and Ning Yunxiao may even help Shengling rise to a higher level in the future. If the Chi tribe's actions are compared to gambling, then if you have to take a gamble, why not take a gamble with a high chance of winning? Second, and this is also my selfish motive, the dispute between the Crown Prince and Prince Xiaoping has become increasingly fierce, and the Crown Prince needs the power of the Chi tribe to suppress Prince Xiaoping. And the Chi tribe needs the merit of following the dragon so that they can gain a firm foothold in Shengling in the future."
Manzhu glanced at Jiang Lige and said, "In the final analysis, it's all for the convenience of Ning Yunxiao."
Jiang Lige smiled noncommittally, "Why not do something that can achieve multiple goals at once?"
Manzhu didn't refute, but only asked: "Aren't you going to send a message to Ning Yunxiao in advance?"
This question really stumped Jiang Lige. She bit her lip, paused for a moment, and shook her head in confusion.
"I haven't seen you for three years. Some things can't be explained in a letter. Some things need to be explained to him face to face."
"I feel homesick when I'm close to home." Manzhu complained.
Manzhu always spoke like this. Jiang Lige had been used to it after hearing it for a few years. He did not show much emotion but lifted the curtain and gave instructions outside.
"Hurry up."
"Yes."
Even though the group hurried, it still took them half a month to reach Shengling Capital. At that time, it was springtime with flowers in full bloom in the capital.
The person who welcomed the Chi tribe envoys into the capital was not someone from the Eastern Palace, but Qiao Wenkang, the Minister of Rites.
Qiao Wenkang smiled and bowed to everyone, speaking politely.
"You must be tired after coming so far. The Ministry of Rites has arranged accommodation for you. Please follow me."
According to Sheng Ling's rules, although the Chi tribe is not a country, it should also be subject to the regulations of the tribe. According to the rules, the person who comes to greet him should at least be a Shangshu of the second rank.
Now Sheng Ling only sent a minister from the Ministry of Rites. If you really think about it, it was Sheng Ling who was the first to violate etiquette.
Yifeng had never been treated with such disrespect before, so he spoke immediately.
"Sheng Ling prides itself on being a nation of etiquette, yet their reception of foreigners is so perfunctory. This is truly disappointing. My Chi clan may be small, but we have come from afar. Does Sheng Ling treat us so well because he thinks our clan is insignificant?"
Qiao Wenkang's smile remained undimmed upon hearing this, and he replied calmly, "Your Excellency has misunderstood. I, Sheng Ling, take this matter very seriously. However, the court has been busy lately, and the Minister has been busy with important matters, so he is unable to greet you in person. Therefore, I, Qiao, will perform the formalities on your behalf. Please rest assured, the Ministry of Rites has prepared everything and will not let you down."
"Yifeng."
Yifeng frowned slightly and was about to say something else when he was stopped by the voice coming from the carriage.
Upon hearing this, Yifeng's worry faded, and a smile instantly appeared on his face. He then called out softly, "Young Master."
Jiang Lige remained in the carriage and said, "Yifeng, we are here to promote friendship between our two tribes. Rules are fixed and there is no need to worry about them. Since Shengling Country has made arrangements, we should follow them. Please lead the way, Master Qiao."
Since Jiang Lige said this, Yifeng had no objection. He nodded slightly and made a gesture of invitation to Qiao Wenkang.
Qiao Wenkang was also very satisfied with the "knowledge of current affairs" of the young prince of the Chi tribe. He said a few polite words with a smile, then turned around and motioned everyone to follow him. They walked through the bustling streets and came to the residence prepared for the Chi tribe envoys.
Since he came to the capital as an envoy, he naturally lived in the Jiayi Pavilion, which was specially set up by Sheng Ling to accommodate foreign envoys.
Qiao Wenkang led the Chi tribe into the hall, and then arranged for everyone to settle down one by one. Only then did he politely come forward to Jiang Lige.
"Young Master's residence will be arranged in Yanhui Pavilion. It is a good place with good access from north to south. If Young Master needs anything, please let us know. The Ministry of Rites will fully cooperate."
"Thank you, Master Qiao." Jiang Lige smiled slightly, expressing his gratitude. He then gestured to Yifeng to take out a gift list and handed it to Qiao Wenkang. "This is a small gift from the Chi tribe, not a token of respect. Please, Master Qiao, pass it on as a token of our tribe's friendship."
Qiao Wenkang took the gift list and glanced at the contents. He was secretly surprised at the generosity of the Chi tribe and his smile deepened.
"You are too polite, young master. I will personally pass on such a generous gift to my superiors."
Jiang Lige nodded, "Thank you."
Qiao Wenkang exchanged a few more polite words, and when he saw that Jiang Lige didn't show any reaction, he said goodbye with a smile and left Jiayi Pavilion.
As he walked out of Jiayi Pavilion, Qiao Wenkang's smile instantly disappeared. The servant next to him came up to him and cursed.
"This Chi tribe member is truly devoid of common sense. They're relying on their status as guests to embarrass our masters in the street. Where can we expect our masters to maintain their dignity? Furthermore, they've troubled our masters to run errands, yet they don't even bother paying them a little bit of hard-earned money. What do they think of us as? Do they think we're people that the Chi tribe can summon and dismiss at will?"
When Qiao Wenkang thought about being questioned in the street in broad daylight and being humiliated, he became more and more angry and immediately decided to teach Jiang Lige a lesson.
He then waved his hand and instructed his attendant, "Go, tell the little bully in the Shangshu Mansion about how the young master of the Chi tribe questioned our Shangshu in the street today. From now on, just watch the show."
The attendant smiled knowingly and flattered him, "Your Excellency is wise. If the Chi people pursue this matter, the Shangshu family will be in trouble. You may even be able to rise up."