After the New Year's Eve, after copying and opening the court, Bei Li Chaozhong suddenly received a letter of credence in a strange style.
This credential is neither from Dongling nor from Xikun, nor is it from the other border tribes in the Kyushu mainland. The credential claims to be from the Sangyi country outside the east.
There is a vivid pattern of golden chrysanthemums painted on it, but the back cover is white, which looks indescribably weird.
It's not like a letter of credence, but more like an obituary.
The DPRK and China have different opinions on the letter of credence of the Sangyi Kingdom.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this Sangyi country is just a small island country in the east sea, a land of barbarians. Hundreds of years ago, they sent envoys to our mainland of Kyushu many times to learn various cultures and techniques, and took away many books. If not, I'm afraid they are still drinking blood. This is a small country, so your Majesty don't need to worry about it."
There are people who don't care about it like this, so naturally they are also overthinking.
"Your Majesty, I think this matter is worthy of attention. Ever since our mainland of Kyushu was divided into three kingdoms: Beili, Dongling, and Xikun, this Sangyi country has no contact with my Beili. Now they have sent envoys from thousands of miles, The letter of state also contains such humble words as meeting the new king, which makes me feel strange. If you really treat me, Bei Li, so respectfully and politely, why didn't you send envoys here before?"
Yu Fu nodded slightly when he heard the words, and decided in the middle, "Everything you said is reasonable. Now the Sangyi Kingdom has only sent the letter of credence, and the envoys have not yet arrived. I don't know what their specific purpose is. Since this Sangyi Kingdom It's a bit weird to think about it, it's a bit strange to have disappeared for a hundred years, and it's natural to be cautious. I'll send people to investigate the whereabouts of the envoys today, and we must find out where they came from, whether they arrived directly or went first. somewhere else."
When the ministers heard something else, they immediately became alert.
If you want to talk about other places, besides Dongling, which is only half of the country, where else
Just as he was talking, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry suddenly stood up, "Your Majesty, I have an unfeeling request. I hope that when your Majesty sends someone to investigate the movements of the envoys of the Sangyi Kingdom, he can find the boat they came on by the way." gone."
Yu Fu couldn't help being curious, "A ship?"
"yes."
Minister of the Ministry of Industry said with a smile: "This Sangyi country is indeed a small barbarian country. Almost everything they have learned from the mainland of Kyushu. But the ship is the only thing that they have a natural advantage as an island country. It is said that the production is very good. Think about it, Your Majesty, their envoys can travel thousands of miles from Sangyi country to Beili by boat, but are we sure to go to Sangyi country by boat?"
Yu Fu thought for a moment, and there was a vague record in the history books that the emperors of previous generations sent envoys to the Sangyi Kingdom, but there was no news after he left, and he didn't know whether he was buried in the sea or stayed in the Sangyi Kingdom and never came back.
Regardless of the past, just talking about Beili's shipbuilding technology today, it may not be sure if he wants to cross the ocean and reach the Sangyi country thousands of miles away safely.
Beili is like this, let alone Xikun and Dongling.
Yu Fu nodded, "What Ai Qing said is reasonable. Regardless of whether the Sangyi is a small barbarian country or not, as long as they have advantages over us, we must learn from it humbly. I will order people to pay attention to it."
The minister of the Ministry of Industry smiled and returned to his seat. If his shipbuilding skills improved, his political achievements in the Ministry of Industry would not be guaranteed.
The people sent by Yufu came back after inquiring for many days, "Your Majesty, we have already found out. The ship of the envoy of Sangyi Kingdom stopped at a harbor in Ludi, and the envoy sent someone to send the letter of credence. When they left, they were already preparing to go to the capital. They had not been to other places beforehand, and the drawings of the ships had already been drawn and submitted to the Ministry of Industry. Their ships were huge, but they had already docked when they saw them. Can't see the speed of sailing."
There seems to be no problem in these messages.
Yu Fu said: "How many envoys are there and what is the scale?"
"There are a lot of people. There are about a thousand people on the whole ship. In addition to the handymen and soldiers, there are also dozens of envoys in gorgeous clothes. The subordinates also saw them carrying many wooden boxes to the shore. The contents seemed to be for The tributes sent to the capital are probably ten times more than the gifts presented by Dongling during the Chinese New Year... "
ten times
Yu Fu raised his eyebrows involuntarily, Gu Shubai listened to him, and couldn't help laughing, "Those wooden boxes are filled with stones, right? It's a small barbarian island country, it's fine if you don't come to Beili to enjoy the autumn wind, why not?" Can you afford so many gifts?"
Yu Fu also thought it was strange, but she only got so much information in a hasty inquiry, so she waved her hand to make people retreat.
After the people left, Yu Fu said: "It is said that there is nothing to be courteous, it is either rape or robbery. If this Sangyi country doesn't send so many envoys and gifts, I don't think so much. But the scale of sending envoys is so large. It is so huge that one cannot help but be suspicious."
Gu Shubai got up and walked to the bookshelf beside him, and took out an ancient book with a mottled cover, "Look at this, I found this by looking through ancient books last night."
The Sangyi Kingdom is an unfamiliar concept to everyone, and the information they know is hundreds of years ago, so Gu Shubai has been looking up books recently, trying to learn more about this country.
In the book in his hand, there are two lines in it that mention the situation of the Sangyi Kingdom.
Yu Fu took a closer look at his hand, "It says that the Sangyi Kingdom is not only small, but also divided into dozens of small islands, all of which are tiny. Moreover, the country is barren and sparsely populated, lacks medicine, and many children die young." Things."
In this way, it is even more impossible for the Sangyi Kingdom to send so many gifts.
Gu Shubai closed the book and said: "This book records the Sangyi Kingdom hundreds of years ago. Many things can happen in hundreds of years. The current Sangyi Kingdom may not only be powerful but also have a large population. It is unknown. .I let you read this book, not to let you understand the country of Sanyi from the book, but to tell you that this country is no longer the same as before."
Yu Fu nodded, thinking that some ministers in the court kept claiming that a small barbarian country is nothing to worry about, so he said: "You are right, even if it is really a small barbarian country, we should not take it lightly. Now is the critical period of the unification of the Kyushu mainland, I don't think so. Any variation is allowed."
"What if the Sangyi Kingdom is really a variable?"
"Then... meet gods and kill gods, meet Buddhas and kill Buddhas!"
…
At the beginning of spring, the envoys of the Sangyi Kingdom came to the capital in a mighty manner.
It was written in the official document that the highest ranking of the visiting envoys was the second rank Zuo minister of Sangyi, and Yu Fu ordered Chen Jingxing, who was also a second rank official, to come out of the city to meet him, which was considered a courtesy.
Chen Jingxing led his officials and subordinates to set up a tent outside the city to welcome them. Although he has rich experience in missions to various countries and knows the customs of various countries very well, he was still surprised to see the appearance of the envoys of the Sangyi Kingdom.
The short envoys wearing tall hats with "Bai Wuchang" looks very funny, just like singing a big opera at a temple fair.
There were a large number of them, and there was a long line of carriages behind them, all of which were filled with gifts, which looked very grand.
The envoys were very respectful and polite with smiles on their faces. When they came up to meet each other, Chen Jingxing discovered that the white robes they were wearing were still embroidered with golden chrysanthemums.
He thought it was only the left minister who was the leader, but he didn't expect to see that all the officials in white robes had it.
It seems that the golden chrysanthemum has a unique meaning to the Sanyi people, and unlike in the Kyushu mainland, this color is only available to the royal family.
"My envoys have worked hard all the way. My official is Chen Jingxing, Minister of Beili Honglu Temple. I am here to welcome you according to His Majesty's orders. Everyone who has traveled far away, please drink a glass of water and wine to relieve fatigue."
After finishing speaking, he personally picked up the wine glass and handed it to Minister Zuo, who respectfully took it with both hands, "Thank you, Mr. Chen, and thank you His Majesty Bei Li for your hospitality. I am very grateful."
As soon as he finished speaking, all the envoys behind him bowed and saluted humbly, and then took the wine glass. Seeing how respectful and polite they were, Chen Jingxing felt much more relaxed.
He turned his head slightly and glanced at the soldier behind him, the soldier left quietly knowingly, and went back to the palace to report to Yufu.
After some trivial hospitality etiquette, the envoys were welcomed to the post house. Chen Jingxing said: "All envoys, please take a rest, so as not to be tired all the way. Your Majesty will meet you in person in a few days."
The leader, Minister Zuo, was taken aback for a moment, and soon returned to his smile, "It's the official who was rude. I thought I could see His Majesty as soon as I came today. It's because the official is too impatient to pay homage to you. If that's the case, please send me to Mrs. Chen first." Send the congratulatory gift prepared by the king of Sangyi to the new Lord Beili to the palace, and Lord Chen, please pay respects to His Majesty on behalf of me and the king of our country."
Chen Jingxing heard that his words were full of respect, and his speech was very appropriate, so he couldn't help feeling a little fond of him.
It is said that Sangyi is a small barbarian country, but after all, he came to Kyushu mainland several times to study hundreds of years ago. Since he has learned the culture and etiquette of Kyushu mainland, he is different from other small barbarian countries.
Chen Jingxing nodded slightly, "I will definitely convey the message, please rest well, I will not disturb you."
After that, he saluted and bid farewell with all the envoys, and returned to the palace with those gifts.
As soon as Chen Jingxing left, Minister Zuo raised his head and smiled strangely at his back.
The envoy behind him took a step forward and said something to him in the language of the Sangyi Kingdom, and seeing Minister Zuo showing disdain, he responded with something.
Even if the soldiers stationed at the posthouse heard their conversation, they didn't know what they were talking about.
On the contrary, when Minister Zuo returned to his room, he heard two soldiers whispering in the backyard, "The people of Sangyi Kingdom used to say something different from ours, so how could they speak ours, and say it so well?"
"Didn't you hear that they came to the Kyushu mainland to study hundreds of years ago? They must have learned our words at that time. What's so strange..."
Minister Zuo chuckled, walked into the room calmly, took off his shoes, knelt on the couch and closed his eyes slightly.
"Beili, little mistress, you are so good."
…
In the palace, Yufu ordered the Ministry of Rites to accept the congratulatory gifts from Sangyi Kingdom, but he only kept a gift list.
Compared with the letter of credentials with golden chrysanthemums on a white background, this gift list made her even more dumbfounded.
It's not that the things on it are not enough, nor is it not precious enough, but all the items are from the Kyushu Continent, and there is nothing that Yufu doesn't know.
Sangyi is a remote island country, so they sent congratulatory gifts to Beili from thousands of miles away, but in the end they gave them things from Beili
It's kind of funny.
"Is there any country that doesn't send gifts from other countries without their own specialties? Dongling likes to send silk, Xikun likes to send furs, and our Beili likes to send ginseng and antler. Doesn't Sangyi have its own specialties?"
Yao Lan heard Yu Fu's words from the side, and couldn't help saying: "Isn't Sangyi a small island country? You can't let them send fish and shrimp? I'm afraid it will stink before it's delivered. I think they must have no one of their own." Special products, only those things learned from us will be given away.”
Yu Fu was stunned when he heard the words, "I heard from Mr. Chen that the Sangyi envoys are very respectful and polite, and they speak in an orderly manner, unlike foreigners of other races. Except for strange clothes and extremely short stature, they are no different from us."
Yao Lan is very sensitive to the word "short", so she couldn't help but wonder, "How short is extremely short?"
Yu Fu pouted, "Master Chen said it was a three-inch nail, I don't think it's that exaggerated, it's probably... probably a little shorter than the Dongling people."
After two days of summoning the Sangyi envoys, Yufu realized that what Chen Jingxing said was true.
It's all about being short, and these envoys all wore extremely tall black hats, as if trying to cover up their height defects, but they looked more and more nondescript.
The officials in the Golden Palace are solemn and dignified, and the Tian family is majestic. These Sanyi envoys came in and it was very funny.
All the people entered the hall to the center, knelt down and bowed their heads in unison, performing the ceremony of throwing their bodies to the ground, which surprised all the ministers of Yufu and Beili.
Envoys have always been on missions to other countries, the most important thing is the dignity of their own country, and they will not easily salute foreign monarchs.
The envoys of the Sangyi Kingdom not only bowed their knees, but also threw their bodies on the ground, which shows how respectful and humble they are to Bei Li.
All the courtiers were quite satisfied, Yu Fu raised his hand and ordered them to stand up, "You envoys have worked hard from afar, are you still used to it after living in the capital for a few days?"
At the beginning, it was a courtesy greeting and condolences as usual, and the envoys of Sangyi Kingdom naturally said that they were used to it, and Yufu said some magnanimous words, so that they don't have to be restrained when they play in Beijing.
After talking about the scene, she slowly turned to the topic, "Sangyi Kingdom has not had any contact with me, Beili, for a hundred years. I was quite surprised to see the Sangyi Kingdom Letter. I don't know what the purpose of the envoys is here. ?”
Minister Zuo arched his body, respectful and respectful, "Reporting to Your Majesty, I have been ordered by King Sangyi to come to Beili this time to congratulate His Majesty on his enthronement. I know that His Majesty has been enthroned for more than a year, and we are late. But the wind and waves on the sea Damn, the Sangyi country is really far away from Beili, and it was too late when we heard the news, and we had to prepare congratulatory gifts and travel across the ocean all the way, so that we have only arrived at Beili now."
These words were still expressing respect to Beili and Yufu, and didn't get to the point.
Yu Fu smiled, "I didn't expect your country to attach so much importance to my ascension to the throne. But since your country intends to make friends with me, Bei Li, why didn't there be any news of it for hundreds of years?"
Minister Zuo almost didn't even think about it, "Reporting to Your Majesty, it's not that our country doesn't want to send envoys here, it's because we didn't dare to come after the Kyushu Continent was divided into three kingdoms. One is that we were worried about being implicated when we heard about the war. The other is that I can't distinguish the situation of the Three Kingdoms, and I'm afraid that I will offend the other two when I come to pay my respects to one of your Majesties. But after your Majesty ascended the throne, Bei Li's strength in the Three Kingdoms is well-deservedly the strongest, so His Majesty of our country dared to send envoys here !"
These words sounded very honest, and the courtiers couldn't help feeling a little contemptuous when they heard the words.
The small island country couldn't see the situation clearly, so they didn't dare to attach themselves at will for a while, but now they saw that Beili was powerful, so they gave generous gifts to curry favor, this is also the usual style of small and weak countries.
There is nothing wrong with it, but it is a bit underestimated.
Yu Fu nodded and said: "So that's the case. Since your country loves me so much, I should care more about your country's situation. May I ask Minister Zuo, how many cities and populations does your country have today?"
Minister Zuo noticed the disdainful intentions of the ministers of the Beili court, thinking that they despised the Sangyi country, and didn't want the young female monarch to ask him about the affairs of the country in a calm tone.
He froze for a moment, thought for a moment before opening his mouth, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. There are now thirty-five cities in my Sangyi Kingdom. As for the number of people... less than 100,000, right? I don't know very well. The household registration system has not been implemented. Although we have learned the household registration system from mainland Kyushu hundreds of years ago, we have not been able to implement it with manpower and material resources. It is a shame.”
Some courtiers couldn't help showing a smile. They thought that this small barbarian country came to Beili to learn things, and they were a little worried, but now they are relieved after hearing it.
Even if they learn it, they still have the ability to do it, so there is nothing to worry about.
Yu Fu raised his eyebrows, "Oh? So the national strength of the Sangyi Kingdom can't even implement the household registration? Then the king of your country sent so many precious gifts, wouldn't it make the country even poorer?"