Invincible son

Chapter 709 708 [Unworthy of the name]

Both Xu Ziping and Sheng Duanming are great Confucians who have read the scriptures well, and they can't find any faults in etiquette.

Inside the meeting gate built in advance by the Ministry of Rites, Xu Ziping presented the letter of credence and the list of gifts on behalf of Southern Zhou, and Sheng Duanming returned the gift on behalf of Daliang. The ceremony was a bit complicated, but the two senior officials and most of the accompanying officials completed it meticulously. The expression is solemn and dignified.

Pei Yue was impatient with these rituals, and knew that Emperor Kaiping just wanted him to know as much as possible about the situation in the south, not for him to greet the mission in a rigid manner.

In the summer, the cicadas kept singing, Pei Yue went back to sit in the gazebo, surrounded by the [-] warriors from the Beiwei battalion he brought, led by Deng Zai.

After the ceremony, Xu Ziping coughed lightly, and said to Sheng Duanming: "I have heard about Mr. Sheng's name as a great Confucian in the world for a long time, and it is my luck to meet you today."

These words were a little humble, and also meant to be flattering. The officials of Daliang surrounded by him couldn't help showing their faces, but the Southern Zhou entourage was as calm as ever.Now that the general situation of the world is becoming clearer, Daliang surpasses the other two countries in terms of comprehensive national strength, and last year defeated Xiwu at the border, undoubtedly becoming the leader of the three countries.

Nan Zhou had been on the defensive all these years, and this time his mission to Daliang was to solve the troubles of Fang's father and son, so naturally he would not take a tough attitude.It's just that the attendants behind Xu Ziping were too calm, and they seemed a little abnormal.

It is not difficult to bow your head, what is difficult is to keep your heart as calm as still water.

Sheng Duanming has always regarded himself as an upright gentleman, so of course he would not make things difficult for the other party with words, so he twisted his beard and said: "Master Xu is too modest, who among the scholars in the world doesn't know the name of Qinghe Xu family? If it weren't for you and me, I have a serious business right now. The study papers are worthy of the journey of thousands of miles."

Xu Ziping said with a pleasant smile: "If Mr. Sheng doesn't dislike it, I'd like to visit you after the business is done."

Sheng Duanming smiled and said: "Master Xu, it's settled in this way, I will sweep the couch and wait."

Someone next to him coughed twice, as if his throat was not feeling well.

Sheng Duanming is indeed pedantic, but he has been an official for decades, and now he is a third-rank minister of the Ministry of Rites. He is no stranger to some ways in the officialdom.

He didn't look at the subordinate who deliberately coughed to remind him, and said calmly to Xu Ziping: "Master Xu has been exhausted on this trip, Honglu Temple and Sifang Pavilion have prepared lodging places, you can take a rest."

Xu Ziping was not in a hurry, he smiled and said: "That's very good, I hope Mr. Sheng can arrange a face-to-face meeting for me as soon as possible."

Sheng Duanming said: "It's natural, Mr. Xu just wait for the good news."

Xu Ziping nodded slightly, and when he turned around, he glanced at the pavilion in the distance, and couldn't help asking curiously: "My lord, may I ask who is that young general?"

Sheng Duanming replied: "He is Pei Yue, Marquis of Zhongshan in Daliang. His Majesty specially appointed him as the hospitality ambassador. From now on, all the outing activities of your country's mission in Kyoto will require his permission."

Among Nan Zhou's entourage, the young man with bright eyes and delicate face only heard the first half of the sentence, but did not catch the rest.Looking at the gazebo in the distance and the valiant sergeants around him, he couldn't help but frowned slightly and hummed softly.

Xu Ziping showed a slight embarrassment, considering that the Minister of Rites next to him was only a deputy envoy, and the serious ambassador would never meet him, so he couldn't help hesitating: "This..."

Sheng Duanming explained: "Master Xu, don't blame him. Marquis Zhongshan is a martial artist, and he doesn't know much about these rituals, so we will see you later."

Although he is not interested in Pei Yue, he must still maintain Daliang's face in front of outsiders.

The two chatted for a few words, Xu Ziping didn't continue to struggle, and saw Pei Yue approaching surrounded by more than ten soldiers.

Xu Ziping was the first to cup his hands and said: "Xu Ziping, Minister of Rites of the Zhou Dynasty, has met Liang Zhongshanhou."

Pei Yue returned the courtesy and said: "Master Xu, you don't need to be too polite. Since the ceremony is over, please invite Master Xu to board the carriage, and I will send someone to escort you into the capital."

"Thank you, Marquis Pei."

Xu Ziping could tell that the young dignitary didn't want to greet him politely, so he could only respond indifferently.

The Southern Zhou Mission and officials from the Ministry of Rites of Daliang joined together and continued their journey under the escort of the Beiwei camp. After they entered the capital, Pei Yue took the Beiwei camp and turned to the north, heading straight for the Shouyang Mountain Mine.

When the mission came to the Sifang Pavilion, Sheng Duanming personally accompanied Xu Ziping around the pre-arranged lodging place, and then took his leave. Obviously, he wanted to enter the palace and report the details to Emperor Kaiping.

Xu Ziping returned to his residence, and after receiving a look from a capable bodyguard, he relaxed, signaled everyone else to go out, and then said to the handsome young man, "Are you satisfied this time?"

When the young man spoke, it was a female voice. It turned out that she was Xu Ziping's niece, Xu Churong, the youngest daughter of Xu Huiyan, the chief assistant of the Southern Zhou Dynasty.

She blinked and asked, "Uncle, what are you satisfied with?"

Xu Ziping laughed and said: "You have been pestering Huiyan for so long, don't you just want to come to Beiliang Capital to have a look at that Zhongshan Marquis? Are you still not satisfied that you can meet a real person before entering Beijing today?"

Xu Churong made a cup of tea for him, sat beside him and shook his head and said, "Uncle, don't wrong my niece. I came to Beiliang this time for other things, not to meet anyone."

Xu Ziping asked curiously: "Oh? Let's hear it."

Xu Churong said slyly: "Daddy said, you can't tell Uncle about this."

Xu Ziping raised his hand and said helplessly, "You, it's all because Huiyan spoiled you."

Xu Churong changed the subject and said, "However, when I saw that Marquis of Zhongshan today, I only had one thought in my mind."

Xu Ziping looked at her with interest.

Xu Churong curled his lips and said, "It's nothing but gold and jade."

The subtext is naturally in it.

Xu Ziping was noncommittal and asked, "Why?"

Xu Churong talked eloquently: "What a big deal the communication between the two countries is. He even sat in the gazebo drinking while the ceremony was in progress. It can be seen that he is domineering and disregards etiquette. I heard from my brothers that he was in the battle between Liang and Wu. Zhongli made great achievements and then rose to the top, maybe he has some real skills in leading troops to fight, but it can't cover up his shortcomings of misconduct."

Xu Ziping asked: "Misconduct? Where does this start?"

Xu Churong briefly talked about the content and origin of the two poems he had seen before, and finally said with a slight sarcasm: "If those two poems were really written by him, why did you see a reckless and rude man today? I don't dare to underestimate those military generals who lived in the army, if he didn't do such deceitful and arty things, maybe I would still praise him as a mighty man."

Xu Ziping couldn't help laughing, and finally he could only mention one thing: "Although your status is not troublesome, this is the capital of Beiliang, and it is best to stay in the posthouse these days. After I have settled with the emperor of Beiliang, before leaving I'll let someone accompany you to go shopping in the street."

Xu Churong happily agreed, but she had other plans in her heart.

(End of this chapter)