Since the Accounting: A Chronicle of the Roman Khanate

Chapter 186 Cao's Invitation

The next day, Guo Kang and Theodora went to Cao's mansion in a carriage.

Guo Kang leaned on the car and closed his eyes to rest, while Theodora simply leaned on him, holding the invitation letter from the Cao family in his hand, pondering the meaning of the words.

The letter was sent in the name of Cao Xun, the old head of the Cao family.He said that Queen Elizabeth came to him and wanted to talk about recent events.Therefore, he, along with his wife Cao Lian and grandson Cao Jian, invited Guo Kang and the princess to visit.

"This letter was written two days ago. How does grandma know, we must have been together these few days." She muttered, "Look at this, it seems that I told them too..."

"After all, I have brought so many juniors, I guess I have already experienced it." Guo Kang is no exception.After all, not participating in political affairs does not mean that Queen Elizabeth does not understand human nature.Even though she was known for her upright temperament back then, she has already gained a wealth of experience over the years.

"It seems to be the same. She is probably helping you with these things these days." Theodora thought for a while and said, "Madam Cao also likes to practice martial arts. She has a very close relationship with grandma and often sees them together. If Grandma leads the way, and if she is invited to come forward, the effect will indeed be much better."

The Madam Cao she was talking about was Cao Xun's wife Cao Lian, and Rose's name was Irina—that is, the one who rushed into the palace with an ax decades ago and wanted to single out the Queen Mother Helena.It was because of her sudden action that disrupted the Empress Dowager's plan, caused the ministers to rebound, and failed to continue to pursue accountability.

Therefore, not only did she have a reputation in the Cao family, the Li family and other powerful families who were attacked by the Queen Mother Helena also thanked her very much for this.

More importantly, before the downfall of Queen Mother Helena, the story of Mrs. Elena was widely spread because it was too dramatic.The Greeks regarded this incident as one of the common topics of drama, and the Queen Mother herself couldn't control it, making her a star among the people.

Later, in order to prevent such things as Queen Mother Helena from happening again, the Zizhang officials were always willing to use her as a model, which made her reputation even louder.

"In today's Rome, General Cao is the most senior minister." Diodora said again: "He is older than my grandfather. A few years ago, Mr. Guo Xian and General Maimaitinicus passed away successively. He is the only one left of those nobles from the Southern Yamen and Beiya back then."

"Although he no longer serves as an official in the court and has handed over various affairs to his nephews, we in Rome have always paid attention to military achievements and resumes. Old General Cao still has a high voice in the legion."

Guo Kang nodded.

As Theodora said, the Queen Mother should have found his family because of the influence of their older generation.If Guo Kang can persuade them, then the possibility of success will be higher in the formal discussion later.

"The biggest problem with your plan may be that your thinking is too...unconstrained." Theodora put away the letter paper, sat up straight, and said to Guo Kang: "Old General Cao is a very open-minded person, and he doesn't care much about religion. Problem. But Grandma Elena has a good relationship with the Kiev church.”

"In normal times, this would be a great help to you and Patriarch Wang, but I don't know if this plan will make her feel conflicted." She raised a possible question.

"Then I can only do my best." Guo Kang was actually a bit uncertain.

Unlike Li Xuanying's family, the relationship between Guo Kang's family and the Cao family is not so close.At that time, Guo Gai was indifferent to the Queen Mother's persecution of Cao Xun. Although he said that he was giving priority to the country, Cao's heart could not be without grudges.

At that time, Guo Gai's eldest son, Guo Shuai, and Li Yinglin were close friends.When Li Yinglin left, he should have helped a lot. Later, when the Queen Mother's power was unstable, he was the one who took the lead in secretly sending people to welcome Li Yinglin back, plotting big things.

But Cao Xun's situation was much worse. He had been hiding in the Principality of Ross in the Don River Basin, and finally settled down with the protection of Grand Duke Liang Zan.After the complete downfall of the Queen Mother Helena, the brothers Guo Shuai and Guo Di who were temporarily in power took him back.

Cao Xun himself did not publicly blame the two, but there were not many contacts between the two parties.After his eldest son died in battle, Cao Zhonglin, the second son, is now in charge of the Cao family. Apart from his experience of participating in the war in his early years, he spent most of his time in charge of diplomatic affairs, and he was even less familiar with the Guo family.

Cao Zhonglin and his wife had only one child, who died young.Now there is only one adopted son, Cao Jian, and several illegitimate children.But Cao Jian has a withdrawn personality. Even if Cao Xun intends to let him go to school with other people, he is not very familiar with Li Xuanying, Guo Kang and others.

On the contrary, because Guo Kang is easy-going and doesn't care much about other people's blood, he gets along well with Cao Zhonglin's illegitimate children.Those people called him Big Brother Guo every day, thinking that he was the most honest and fair person among the upper-class children of this generation of Khan Court.

But that might not be a good thing either.As an adopted son, Cao Jian has always had a vague comparison mentality towards Guo Kang.Seeing that he gets along well with everyone, it is inevitable that he will have other thoughts.

Over the years, Guo Kang has known something about the situation, and Theodora is more sensitive than him in this regard, so she must have known it too.

"When we get to the place, I will deal with Cao Jian. If I speak, the atmosphere of the conversation should be better." Theodora said to Guo Kang: "What you have to do is to think carefully about how to understand the words."

"Okay." Guo Kang nodded.

"Don't be too nervous. If it's really impossible to talk, they won't invite us; if it's a particularly important decision, you should go to Uncle Guo first." Theodora analyzed.

"I estimate that they will propose some chips to exchange with you. This kind of exchange should not touch too sensitive aspects. It is just to test your attitude as the plan proposer and judge whether they can offer a higher price. So, we should just have to show the prospects of the plan well.”

"Just leave it to me." Hearing what she said, Guo Kang took the initiative to say: "This is my plan, and I will definitely take care of it."

"Now it's 'our' plan." Theodora poked him. "I'll be responsible for it too, and you'll be responsible for me. Got it?"

"it is good……"

Cao's mansion is also in the aristocratic area, not too far away.The two chatted briefly for a while, and then arrived at the place.

The carriage came to a complete stop, Guo Kang didn't wait for the servant to come up to serve, he opened the door and jumped down.The servants who followed the car were also used to it, and just saluted according to the habit.

He looked up and saw Cao Jian with a serious face and meticulous formal attire, standing in front of the gate like a straight tree, waiting for him.His appearance was so serious that Guo Kang, who was used to being casual, couldn't help but stand up and look up, serious.

Under the eaves of the gate, the queen mother and another old lady were laughing and chatting.The old woman was taller than her, and although she had white hair, she still had a straight figure, which made Guo Kang wonder if Cao Jian had learned from her every day.This is Mrs. Elena.

Inside the gate, there were several other people vaguely chatting with each other.

Guo Kang just glanced twice, and was about to observe, when Theodora knocked on the wooden board in the carriage behind him: "Hey!"

Only then did Guo Kang remember, turned around, and helped her out of the carriage.

Theodora was wearing a very gorgeous long satin dress, the material was just bought from Sun Shiwan, she was usually reluctant to wear it herself, but this time it was specially brought out from the palace.

This dress is indeed not convenient for movement, but since she has also practiced kung fu, Guo Kang suspects that she did it on purpose to take advantage of him...

"Hey, I've said it all, just wear something simple." He stretched out his hand to help Theodora get out of the car, and muttered, "This skirt looks like it was sweeping the floor at someone's house."

"If you don't dress up, how can you let others look up to you." Theodora had another idea.

"Ah?" Guo Kang didn't react for a while.

But Theodora didn't continue to explain—seeing her getting out of the car, the two old ladies waved at her and Guo Kang and strode over, regardless of the etiquette rules.

"Oh, I haven't seen you in half a month. Little Theodora is even more beautiful." Mrs. Irina smiled and praised her loudly: "Looking at your look, you are very satisfied with this kid?"

Theodora, who had been contemplating what to say after the meeting, was really shy this time.She stuttered for a long time, but did not say why.The two old ladies didn't ask any further questions, they just laughed.

Guo Kang didn't know how to smooth things over for her. After all, answering "yes" or "no" to this question didn't seem right... He looked at Cao Jian who was about to greet him strictly according to the etiquette, and found that he A look of self-abnegation.

It seems that this is not the first time that the old lady has been like this.

"Come on. My husband and the others are still waiting inside." Mrs. Yi Lianna greeted them: "I told them, don't put on such a big show, they have to do this - Jianer, you come too , don't just stand there stupidly."

Guo Kang and Theodora followed her to the gate, and Cao Jian followed her while exchanging greetings with them.

Inside the gate, old man Cao Xun and Cao Zhonglin looked this way, and when they saw them coming, they also greeted them.It stands to reason that they just wait in the living room for Cao Jian to bring someone over.However, the queen mother and the old lady ran out on their own, and they didn't care about the already rough etiquette rules of the Zizhang Khanate. They probably didn't know what to do.

So, while greeting each other, everyone walked into the living room in a mess.

Cao Jian walked through the halls and acted as the master of ceremonies, guiding everyone to sit down.

It can be seen that he has worked hard on this aspect.

He first invited the Empress Dowager and Cao Xun to sit at the head of the host and guest.As for the others, since the banquet has not yet started, they are all walking and talking on their own.However, the seats in the room have been arranged, and it looks very formal.

If the Queen Mother hadn't just ran out without authorization, it would be more formal...

Theodora and her grandma were chatting, as if they were exchanging something important, but Guo Kang didn't care.He walked towards Cao Jian, ready to take the opportunity to get close.

"Brother Cao made the arrangement." He cupped his hands and said.

Cao Jian waved his hand, saying that it doesn't matter: "Brother Guo has won the award, this is what our family does. It is reasonable to prepare seriously."

Guo Kang nodded.

"Unfortunately, the Empress Dowager said that the relationship between Brother Guo and the Princess... is extraordinary. But this, the etiquette did not explain it. I have little knowledge, and I don't know how to arrange the positions of the Princess and Brother Guo..." Cao Jian seemed rather self-conscious. Sorry, I really feel like I didn't do a good job.

Guo Kang could also see that Cao Jian tried his best to arrange the seats for everyone, but unfortunately, the etiquette rules of the Purple Horde may not support such a delicate operation.

"It's roughly in line with etiquette, as long as the Queen Mother and the master are satisfied." Guo Kang expressed his understanding.

He and Theodora are not married now, so there should be no need to be too particular.But what Cao Jian said was correct, if Theodora really got what he wanted, then he would face the question of which of them had the higher ranking.

"Hey, I don't know if the two of you are already engaged to be a matchmaker, so the arrangement was hasty." Cao Jian was still shaking his head: "Our Roman court has borrowed a lot from the Seris system, especially the vacancy and imperfection of ancient Roman etiquette. But everyone really can't tell whether it is the identity of the princess or the identity of the husband that is important."

"This..." Guo Kang felt that he was too serious.

""Bai Hu Tong" says that monarchs and ministers, father and son, and husband and wife are called the 'three cardinal principles'." Cao Jian argued on his own: "The king's family should be higher than the courtier's family. Although the husband is also higher than the wife, but The relationship between monarch and minister comes before the relationship between husband and wife, so the former should be given priority, so that the princess is higher than her husband."

"But "Book of Rites" says that couples are the beginning of human relations, and weddings are the foundation of etiquette. "Book of Changes" also says that after couples, there are fathers and sons, and after fathers and sons, there are monarchs and ministers. From this point of view, the relationship between husband and wife should be the most important thing. Let the princess be subordinate to her husband."

"On our side, there are few books, and the etiquette is not perfect. I can only do my best. Mr. Guo is well-informed, please don't make jokes." He also cupped his hands and apologized to Guo Kang.

Guo Kang wondered if he was worried that he knew too much, so he took the opportunity to accuse him of not being professional enough, so he said so much on purpose.But Guo Kang really doesn't know these things - Cao Jiancai knows much more than him.

"Then you don't need to think about it so carefully, the princess is also a learned and respectful person, let her see for herself." Guo Kang said.

"It's exactly what I want." Cao Jian breathed a sigh of relief as he was pardoned, and then hurriedly left.

Not long after, Guo Kang saw him talking to his father Cao Zhonglin, then went to Cao Xun and others to say something, and then nodded.

"Everyone." He straightened up and greeted everyone: "Please take your seats."

Cao Xun and Mrs. Elena also stood up, greeted each other with the Queen Mother and Theodora, and asked them to sit down.Guo Kang and Cao Jian looked at each other and pointed to Theodora.

Theodora didn't seem to think too much, and walked over by herself, and sure enough, she didn't leave the higher seat to Guo Kang.

Guo Kang shrugged at him, Cao Jian seemed to accept it, sighed, and nodded.

He asked Guo Kang to sit next to Theodora, and arranged for several other family members to sit, and finally he came to the last seat and sat down.

He had just landed on the chair, and the queen mother who was arguing with Mrs. Irina suddenly stood up, lifted the chair directly, put it next to her, sat down, and continued talking to her.

"..."

Guo Kang gave Cao Jian a sympathetic look.

No way, pay attention to these, the requirements seem to be too high...

(End of this chapter)