After the New Year's Eve, after copying the opening dynasty, Bei Li dynasty suddenly received a strange letter of credence.
This credential is neither from Dongling nor from Xikun, nor from the other border tribes of the Kyushu mainland. The credential claims to be from the Sangyi Kingdom in the east.
There is a vivid golden yellow chrysanthemum pattern painted on the top, but the back cover is white, which looks weird indescribably.
Not like a national letter, but like an obituary.
The DPRK and China had different opinions on this letter of credence from Sangyi Kingdom.
"My Majesty, this Sangyi country is just a small island country on the east coast, a land of barbarians. Hundreds of years ago, they sent envoys to my Kyushu mainland to learn various cultures and techniques and took many books. If not, I'm afraid they are still drinking blood. This is a small country, so your Majesty doesn't need to take it to heart."
There are people who don't care about this, and naturally there are also more thoughtful things.
"Your Majesty, the minister thinks this matter is worthy of attention. Since the continent of Kyushu was divided into Beili, Dongling, and Xikun, the Sangyi Kingdom and my Beili have not been in contact. Now they have sent envoys from thousands of miles away, The humble language of seeing the new king is written in the credential, which makes the minister feel weird. If you are so respectful and courteous to me, Bei Li, why didn't you send an envoy before?"
When Yufu heard the words, he nodded slightly and centered on the ruling, "All the Aiqing said are reasonable, and now Sangyi country just sent the credential, the envoys have not yet arrived, and I don’t know what their specific purpose is. Since this Sangyi country The deeds disappeared for a hundred years and reappeared. It is a bit weird to think about it. It is natural to deal with it cautiously. I sent people to investigate the whereabouts of the envoys, and we must figure out where they came from, and whether they came directly to Beili or went first. Somewhere else."
As soon as the ministers heard of other places, they immediately became alert.
What else should I say, except for the Dongling who is only half of the country left, where else
As he was talking, Shang Shu of the Ministry of Industry suddenly stood up, "Your Majesty, the minister has an unrelenting request. I hope that when your Majesty sends someone to investigate the movements of the envoys of the Sangyi Kingdom, he can find the ship they came on by the way. NS."
Yufu couldn't help being curious, "Ship?"
"Yes."
Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry said with a smile: "This Sangyi country is indeed a small barbarian country. Almost all of their things are learned from the mainland of Kyushu. But the ship is the only thing they have, as the island country's natural advantage, and it is said that the production is very good. Your Majesty, think about it, their envoys can travel thousands of miles from Sangyi country to Beili, can we be sure to take a boat to Sangyi country?"
Yufu pondered for a moment, and the history books vaguely recorded that the previous emperor sent envoys to Sangyi country, but there was no news when he left, and he did not know whether he was buried in the sea or stayed in Sangyi country and did not return.
There is no way to talk about the past, just to talk about Beili's shipbuilding technology, if you want to travel across the ocean to the Sangyi country, which is thousands of miles away, you may not be sure.
Bei Li is like this, not to mention Xikun and Dongling.
Yufu nodded, "Aiqing's words are reasonable. Whether he is a barbarian or not, as long as they have advantages over us, we must study modestly. I will order people to watch out."
Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry smiled and returned to his position. If the shipbuilding skills improve, then his achievements in the Ministry of Industry will not be guaranteed.
It took many days for the people sent by Yufu to inquire about it before they came back. "Your Majesty, it has been clear. The ship of the envoy of Sangyi stopped at a harbor in Ludi. When they left, they were already preparing to come to the capital. They had not been to other places beforehand, and the drawings of the ships had been drawn and submitted to the Ministry of Engineering. Their ships were very large, but they had already docked when they saw them. Can’t see the speed of sailing."
There seems to be no problem in these news.
Yufu said: "How many envoys are there, and what is the scale?"
"The number of people is very large. There are about a thousand people on the ship. In addition to handymen and soldiers, there are also dozens of gorgeously dressed envoys. The subordinates also saw them carrying many wooden boxes to the shore. The tribute delivered to the capital is about ten times more than the gift presented by Dongling during the Chinese New Year..."
ten times
Yufu raised his eyebrows, and Gu Shubai listened to the side, and couldn't help being amused, "Wouldn't those wooden boxes be filled with stones? Little barbarian island country, it would be fine without Beili coming to catch the autumn breeze, why? Can you afford so many gifts?"
Yufu also felt weird, but only so much information was inquired in hastily, so she waved her hand to make people retreat.
After waiting for people to leave, Yufu said: "They all say that there is nothing to be courteous, and they are stealing. If the Sangyi country does not send so many envoys and give so many gifts, I don't think it is a big deal. But the scale of sending gifts is like this. It's huge, and people can't help but suspicious."
Gu Shubai got up and walked to the side of the bookshelf, and drew out an ancient book with a mottled cover. "Come and see this. I found this by looking through the ancient books last night."
The Sangyi country is an unfamiliar concept to everyone. The news they know is hundreds of years ago, so Gu Shubai has been reading books recently, trying to learn more about this country.
In the book in his hand, there are two lines in the book mentioning the situation of Sang Yi country.
Yufu took his hand and looked closely, "It says that the Sangyi country is not only small, but also divided into dozens of small islands, all of which are small areas. Moreover, the country is barren and has a sparse population, lack of medicine, and many children have died. Things."
In this way, Sang Yi country is even less likely to send so many gifts.
Gu Shubai closed the book and said: "This book records the Sangyi country hundreds of years ago. Many things can happen in hundreds of years. The current Sangyi country may not only have a strong national strength but also a large population, and it is unknown. I let you read this book, not to let you understand the country of Sang Yi from the book, but to tell you that this country is no longer the same as before."
Yufu nodded, thinking that some ministers in the DPRK claimed that the small barbarians were not enough, and said: "You are right, even if it is a small barbarian country, we can't take it lightly. Right now is the critical period of the unification of the Kyushu mainland, I don't think so. Allow any variables to be generated."
"What if Sangyi country is really a variable?"
"Then... You will kill the gods when you meet the gods, and you will kill the Buddhas when you meet the Buddha!"
…
In the spring season, the envoy of Sang Yi country came to the capital in a mighty manner.
It is written in the credential that the highest ranking minister of the visiting envoy is the second-rank Zuo minister of Sang Yi, and Yufu Bian ordered Chen Jingxing, who is also a second-rank official, to go out of the city to greet him.
Chen Jingxing took his ministers and subordinates to set up shelters outside the city to welcome him. It is because he has rich experience in traveling to various countries and has a good understanding of the customs of each country. He was surprised to see the dress of the envoy of Sangyi country.
The short envoys wearing high hats with the appearance of "white impermanence" seemed very funny like singing a big show at a temple fair.
There were a large number of them, and the long line of carriages behind them was full of gifts, which looked very grand.
The envoys were very respectful and polite with smiles on their faces. When they met, Chen Jingxing discovered that the white robe they were wearing was still embroidered with golden chrysanthemums.
He thought it was only the Minister Zuo headed by him, but he didn't expect to take a closer look that all the officials in white robes have.
It seems that the golden chrysanthemum has a unique meaning to the Sangyi people, and unlike in the mainland of Kyushu, this color is only available to the royal family.
"The envoys have worked hard all the way, the official is Beili Hongxu Temple Qing Chen Jingxing, I am here to welcome you in accordance with the will of your majesty. You are here to stay away from the dust, please drink a glass of water and wine to relieve your fatigue."
After that, he personally picked up the wine glass and handed it to Minister Zuo. The other party respectfully took it with both hands, "Thank you, Lord Chen, and thank Your Majesty Bei Li for the hospitality I have been waiting for. I am so grateful."
As soon as he finished speaking, the envoys behind him bowed and saluted humbly, and then took the wine glass. Chen Jingxing was much relaxed when he saw that they were so respectful and polite.
He turned his head slightly and glanced at the soldier behind him. The soldier quietly left knowingly and went back to the palace to report to Yufu.
After a trivial hospitality, a group of envoys were greeted to the post, and Chen Jingxing said: "Please take a rest for all envoys, so as not to get tired all the way, and you will meet him in person in a few days."
The Minister Zuo headed for a moment, and soon regained a smile, "The subordinates were rude, and the subordinates thought that they would see your majesty as soon as they came today. The subordinates were too eager to worship. In that case, please Master Chen first. The congratulatory gift prepared by King Sangyi for the new king of Beili shall be sent to the palace. Please also Master Chen on my behalf and the king of our country to send greetings to your majesty."
Chen Jingxing listened to him with respect, and was very appropriate in his words, and couldn't help but feel good about him.
It is said that Sangyi is a small barbarian country, but after all, he came to the Kyushu mainland to study several times hundreds of years ago. Since I learned the culture and etiquette of the Kyushu mainland, it is different from other barbarians.
Chen Jingxing nodded slightly, "This official must pass it on, and I ask all envoys to have a good rest, and this official will not bother you."
Say goodbye to each other with the envoys and return to the palace with those gifts.
As soon as Chen Jingxing left, Minister Zuo raised his head and showed a weird smile at his back.
The envoy behind him took a step forward and said something to him in Sang Yi's language, and then he saw Minister Zuo showing his disdainful eyes and responded with something.
Even if the soldiers stationed in the post had heard them talking, they didn't know what they were talking about.
But when Minister Zuo returned to the room, he heard two soldiers in the backyard whispering, "The people of Sangyi originally said something different from us, so how come they say our words and they say so well?"
"Haven’t they heard that they came to Kyushu to study hundreds of years ago? They must have learned our words at that time. What's weird about this..."
Minister Zuo gave a chuckle, walked into the room quietly, took off his shoes and knelt on the couch and closed his eyes slightly.
"Bei Li, the little girl, it's so wonderful."
…
In the palace, the Yufuming Ritual Department accepted Sang Yiguo's gift, and only left a gift list.
Compared with the credential of the golden chrysanthemum with white background, this gift list made her even more dumbfounded.
The things on the top are not not enough or not precious enough, but all the things are from the mainland of Kyushu, and there is no one that Yufu doesn't recognize.
Sang Yi is a remote island country, sending congratulations all the way to Bei Li, but what did he send to Bei Li
It's really funny.
"How can a country not send its own domestic specialties as farewell gifts? Dongling likes to send silk, Xikun likes to send fur, and Beili likes to send ginseng and antler. Does Sangyi country have no special products of its own?"
Yaolan was listening to Yufu's words and couldn't help saying, "Isn't Sang Yi a small island country? Can't let them send fish and shrimps? I'm afraid it will be smelly before they arrive. The servants think they must not have their own. Special products will give away these things learned from us."
Yufu heard the words, "I heard Master Chen said that the envoy of Sang Yi was very respectful and courteous, and he spoke well and did not look like a foreigner. Except for the weird dress and the extremely short head, nothing else is different from us."
Yaolan is very sensitive to the word "short" and can't help being curious, "How short is extremely short?"
Yu Fu curled his lips, "Master Chen said it was a three-inch nail. I don't think it is so exaggerated. About... it's slightly shorter than Dongling."
It took two days to summon the envoy of Sang Yi, and Yufu realized that what Chen Jingxing had said was true.
Short, these envoys also wore extremely high black hats, and seemed to want to conceal their height defects, but they looked more and more nondescript.
The officials on the Golden Palace were solemn and the heavenly family was majestic. These Sangyi envoys walked in and looked very funny.
Everyone entered the hall to the center, kneeling down and bowing their heads together, performing the ceremony of throwing their five bodies to the ground, and the ministers of Yufu and Beili were surprised.
Envoys have always been to other countries, and the most important thing is the dignity of their own country, and they will not easily bow to foreign monarchs.
These Sangyi country's envoys not only bowed down, but also bowed to the ground, showing how respectful and humble they were towards Bei Li.
All the ministers upstairs were quite satisfied. Yufu raised his hand and ordered everyone to get up. "The envoys came to work hard. Are you still used to living in the capital for a few days?"
At the beginning, it was usually courtesy greetings and condolences. Sangyi's envoys naturally said that they were accustomed, and Yufu also said some generous and generous words, so that they don't have to be restrained and waited for their fun in the middle of Beijing.
After the scenes were said, she slowly turned to the topic, "Sangyi Kingdom has not had much contact with my Beili for a hundred years. I was quite surprised when I saw Sangyi Kingdom Book. I don't know what the purpose of the envoys came here. ?"
Minister Zuo arched his body and respectfully said, "Return to your Majesty, this time I am waiting for King Sangyi to come to Beili to congratulate His Majesty ascended the throne. The minister knows that His Majesty has been ascended to the throne for more than a year, and we are late. But the sea is turbulent. Great, the Sangyi country is really far away from Beili. When we heard the news, it was too late. We prepared a gift and traveled all the way across the ocean, so that we only arrived at Beili now."
These words were still expressing respect for Bei Li to Yufu, and did not speak to the point.
Yufu smiled, "I didn't expect your country to value it so much when I came to the throne. But since your country intends to establish a relationship with Bei Li, why hasn't there been any news for hundreds of years?"
Minister Zuo almost didn't think about it, "Returning to your Majesty, it is not that our country is unwilling to send envoys, but that we did not dare to come because the mainland of Kyushu was divided into three countries. One was that we were worried about being implicated when we heard about the war. I can’t distinguish the situation of the Three Kingdoms. I’m afraid to come to visit one of your majesty and offend the other two. But after your majesty ascended the throne, Bei Li's strength in the Three Kingdoms is the strongest, and my Majesty dared to send envoys here. !"
This sounded very honest, and the court officials could not help being somewhat contemptuous when they heard the words.
The small island country cannot see the situation clearly, and for a while dare not cling to it at will. Now that they see their great power, they send generous gifts to please. This is also the usual style of small countries and weak countries.
There is nothing wrong with it, but it's a bit despised.
Yufu nodded and said, "That's it. Since your country has so much love for me, I should also care about the situation in your country. Minister Zuo, how many cities and population does your country have today?"
Minister Zuo was aware of the contempt of the ministers in the Northern Li Dynasty, thinking that they despised the Sangyi country and did not want to be the first young female monarch, but asked him about the country in a calm tone.
He was stunned, thinking for a moment before he said, "Thank your majesty for your concern. There are now 35 cities in Sangyi Country. As for the number of people... less than 100,000 people, right? The minister is not very clear. The household registration system has not been implemented. Although we learned the household registration system from the mainland of Kyushu hundreds of years ago, we have not implemented the human and material resources. I am really ashamed."
Some courtiers couldn't help but smile. He thought that this small barbarian country came to Beili to learn things, but he was a little worried. Now he can feel relieved when he hears it.
Even if they learn it, they still have the ability to do it. There is nothing to worry about.
Yu raised his eyebrows, "Oh? It turns out that the national strength of the Sangyi country can't even implement the household registration? Then the king of your country has sent so many valuable gifts, doesn't it make the country even more poor?"