Firefly Journey

Chapter 279 Trying to Scoop the Moon from the Mud (4)

Yahu Xiaozhu (雅湖小筑)

Emperor Zhuang changed into civilian clothes and, without any attendants, knocked on the door of the guest room with Zhao Zheng.

A minute passed, and there was no response.

Just as Emperor Zhuang was considering whether to break down the door, a waiter approached and said, "Are you two guests here to see Mr. Bard?"

Emperor Zhuang hummed in agreement.

The servant explained, "Mr. Bard instructed that if anyone comes looking for us, we should let the guest wait in his room. The door is not locked."

The servant bowed and took his leave, going about his own business. Emperor Zhuang made no attempt to stand on ceremony, gently pushing open the door and sitting down with Zhao Zheng at the simple, round table in the room.

"Prime Minister Zhao, you certainly have quite the airs of a student," Emperor Zhuang said.

"Your Majesty, you misunderstand. He is not my disciple," the old man said leisurely.

"No?" Emperor Zhuang was taken aback for a moment, then glanced sideways and said, "Oh, it's because I was afraid that the ministers would disagree with recommending a foreigner, so I put several layers of connections on him."

Zhao Zheng said, "That's right. The Chu court has a strict hierarchy. To climb up, you either need seniority or ability."

The situation on the mainland is turbulent, and things are bound to go wrong within the next few years. There's no time for him to gradually build up his experience; he has to be parachuted in.

Emperor Zhuang frowned: "You seem to have too much faith in him. To be honest, our Great Chu is full of talented people. Take the Right Chancellor Fu Fufeng for example, he is a talent that is one in a million, proficient in both literary and military arts."

To be honest, I originally planned to promote him to Left Chancellor after you retired, so that the officials would be convinced and I could have an easier time.”

“No.” Zhao Zheng offered his explanation, “Simpson Budd comes from the Principality of Bema, and their laws and administrative system are completely different from ours.”

To put it bluntly, the old system of Chu was full of irrationality. Du Fufeng was capable, but he learned from the ancient system of Chu, which was good at maintaining the status quo but not good at expanding.

The world is changing rapidly, and facts have proven that the system of the Principality of Bema is the trend of the times. Simpson Budd, a former senator, is extremely familiar with the workings of the principality. If he were to intervene in the court, our Great Chu would surely usher in a new era and remain eternally strong.

Emperor Zhuang's expression changed, becoming somewhat unpleasant.

He said in a deep voice, "Teacher, do you know what you're saying?"

"Of course I know."

"The Principality of Bema is controlled by the National Assembly, and there is no emperor there."

“Your Majesty, that’s not what I meant. Learning from the Duchy’s system does not mean abandoning the old laws of the Great Chu. A balance can be struck between the two.”

"I understand, you want to implement reforms."

"Since ancient times, nothing can be established without destruction. If our Great Chu continues to maintain the ancestral system and dares not innovate, it will surely become a pawn of time. Only by keeping pace with the times can Great Chu endure."

"You've certainly absolved yourself of all responsibility."

Zhao Zheng declared loudly, "Everything is for the sake of Great Chu!"

As the two were talking, the room's owner opened the door.

He had actually been back for a long time, standing outside the whole time, listening to a lot of things he should have heard, and also a lot of things he shouldn't have heard.

"Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor of Great Chu, and greetings to the Prime Minister."

Simpson Budd casually bowed, placing his right hand on his left chest.

This is a prayer service of the Holy See.

"Please have a seat, sir." Emperor Zhuang said expressionlessly.

After Simpson Budd sat down, John asked, "Where did you go, sir? You've kept my teacher and me waiting for quite a while."

“Although I have long since left the Vatican, I still believe in the light, and wherever I go, I go to the local church to pay my respects to Julius,” he said.

"Yes, I can tell," said Emperor Zhuang. "The posture you just used is the Vatican's prayer ritual."

"Sir, you have traveled the world for many years and witnessed countless customs and cultures across the continents. What do you think of my Great Chu?"

Simpson said, "Prime Minister Zhao has already asked this question, which is good."

Emperor Zhuang frowned: "Just very good?"

"Yes, that's what I really think."

Emperor Zhuang seemed to be deep in thought, while Zhao Zheng remained silent, as if trying to decipher Simpson's intentions.

However, before they could figure it out, Simpson said something unexpected.

Why aren't you leaving yet?

He actually asked him to leave.

“We’ve come here to…” Zhuang Di was interrupted mercilessly by Simpson before he could finish speaking.

"I want to rest."

Emperor Zhuang felt his blood boil and was about to curse, but Zhao Zheng frantically gave him meaningful glances, and he managed to hold back.

"You may rest. His Majesty and I will take our leave today and visit again another day."

Zhao Zheng spoke amiably, pulling Zhuang Di towards the door. Simpson didn't see him off, not even offering a polite goodbye, but simply closed the door silently.

"Prime Minister Zhao, this is beyond the explanation of a disciple, isn't it?" Emperor Zhuang said.

"Your Majesty, every gift in this world comes at a price; how can you expect a return without giving something in return?"

"You mean I have to come and invite him again?" Emperor Zhuang said with a half-smile.

"Yes, only he can lead our Great Chu to a bright future."

"Impossible," Emperor Zhuang said firmly.

……

……

Dozens of beast-drawn carriages drove into Radiant City, attracting the attention of a large crowd.

When a country's envoy travels, it represents the prestige of his country. The magical beasts used by the Chu Kingdom are among the most elite of all the domesticated beasts known to humankind.

Like Ibiza, Herokyi was a capital city, and its residents were quite knowledgeable. Even so, such a luxurious caravan still amazed them. It is conceivable that the Chu caravan had indeed given them a great shock.

Although the two countries have been in a state of hostility for more than a decade, they are now engaged in peaceful diplomacy, and the necessary courtesy should still be shown.

As soon as the Chu delegation entered the city, imperial officials came to greet them.

The receiving officer led the delegation westward to the diplomatic residence.

The convoy gradually came to a stop, and Lin Yuanran was the first to jump down. He looked at the official who had led the way and said, "Thank you for guiding us. Please inform His Majesty the Emperor that our Great Chu has prepared many gifts to express our sincerity in forming an alliance."

Marriage is the certificate of an alliance; the former is merely a means, while the latter is the goal.

Before the delegation arrived, the State of Chu had already sent a letter of credence, which Henry I had agreed to, hence Lin Yuanran's arrival.

Now that he was here, Lin Yuanran wanted to follow the established procedures, finish his work quickly, and go back to report as soon as possible.

The noble ranks in the Debasa Empire were the same as those in the duchy. The official who received them was a marquis named Clifford, who had a noticeable scar on his right eye. He must have been a formidable figure in the past, but retired to the rear due to health reasons and became a diplomatic official.

“I will deliver your message to His Majesty the Emperor. Please wait at the embassy while I return to report. I expect His Majesty will summon you soon,” Clifford said.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, sir. I have some apricot blossom wine, a specialty of Chu. Would you like to have some before you leave?" Lin Yuanran said, trying to win him over.

Clifford laughed heartily: "Drinking leads to trouble, and my eye is proof of that. I appreciate the sentiment, but I cannot accept it."

After the two men completed their handover, the Marquis of Clifford left with the Debasa diplomatic officials.