People in the Three Kingdoms: Starting from Preaching

Chapter 248 Preferential Treatment
"Lord, we're here!"

After more than a month and a long journey, Buyeo King Wei Choutai and Goryeo King Bogu only felt the convoy slowly stop, and then they heard the reminders of their ministers outside the car.

When this voice came, they all breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, even if they were riding in the king's carriage, such a long journey would be very tiring. This is what is meant by "travel by boat and carriage".

As the curtain of the carriage was drawn open, they each got off the carriage and looked forward. Before them lay a huge city.

In fact, although Ji County is one of the best cities in Yuyang, it is located in a desolate place like Youzhou, and cannot be compared with the big cities in the Central Plains.

If compared with Luoyang and Chang'an City, it would appear even more shabby. Any scholar with a little knowledge would not think that Ji County was very big.

However, although Yu Choutai and Bo Gu were the rulers of their respective countries, they had never set foot on the land of the Han Dynasty. After all, they only had the experience of small foreign countries. To them, a city like Jixian was already larger than they had imagined.

Ji County had obviously made preparations for the reception in advance. At this time, an empty road had been opened below the city gate, with Yellow Turban soldiers guarding both sides. The people outside were watching curiously, for they all knew that the two kings from outside the region were coming today.

Wei Chou and Tai Bo Gu also saw drums and music playing on both sides, and the atmosphere was quite lively for a while.

The two looked at each other and nodded in relief. Xuan Xia's display was full of sincerity, and they realized that this visit was a good thing.

In fact, it is very risky for a king to travel far away, and no one can guarantee what will happen after he goes there.

If it weren't for the fact that Xuan Xia's treaty cooperation with the two countries had always been very pleasant and friendly, and that there had been a smooth three-person meeting, they would not have dared to agree to come here.

Even so, they were still quite worried on the way here, but now seeing this scene, they are finally relieved.

As the two were sighing, they saw a line of officials coming forward to greet them. It was a group of officials led by Lu Ping who came to greet them. Lu Ping saluted and greeted them to express his welcome, then led them into the city.

After entering the city, the two chatted and laughed with Lu Ping while observing the capital of this emerging country called Xuanxia.

Soon, they felt the unusual prosperity of Ji County. Although the main road had been blocked by the Yellow Turbans at this time, there were all kinds of shops and houses along the way. They could clearly see the abundance of various commodities in the shops. It was hard to imagine that they could not see the end of the street after walking for a long time.

In the cities of Goryeo and Buyeo, a market was just a small area for common people and merchants to trade. This was the first time they had seen a street market of this scale.

Although all business activities here have been suspended due to their visit, they can imagine how prosperous it must be at ordinary times.

Prosperity is just an appearance; the abundance of resources behind it is what is truly important.

This is also something that both of them envy. Even though it is a marginal area of ​​the Han Dynasty, the wealth here is still incomparable to small foreign countries. In comparison, both Buyeo and Goguryeo are just barren and wild places.

They walked along the way and soon arrived at the government office of Ji County. After they stepped in, they saw Xu Chen had been waiting for a long time.

When I saw Xu Chen again, he still looked as young and handsome as before, but the former leader of the Yellow Turbans had now started his own business and established a country, becoming the prime minister of a country and ruling a country.

Although they knew Xuan Xia was different before coming, they still felt awkward when Xu Chen called him Prime Minister.

This country without a monarch is really strange. Normally, the young man in front of him should not be a prime minister, but an emperor or a king.

But even though Xu Chen is now the prime minister, they both know that the status of this prime minister is equal to that of their king. The king and prime minister are just titles, and Xu Chen, the prime minister, is the actual ruler of the country, which has replaced some of the king's functions.

Even with Xuan Xia's strength, Wei Choutai and Bo Gu should be inferior to him.

"It is my honor to be invited by your country and to appreciate the charm of Yanzhao." Bogu walked over with a smile on his face, and said so after grabbing Xu Chen's hand.

Wei Choutai made the same move and said, "It's been a long time since we last met. The Prime Minister is still as heroic as before. Xuanxia is a newly established country, and with such a young leader, I'm afraid the future is immeasurable!"

Xu Chen laughed heartily and invited the two into the main hall, saying, "Xuanxia can have the current situation with the help of Buyeo and Goguryeo. If it were not for the three-nation coalition forces of you and me to stabilize the rear, how could we have the current peace and prosperity." After entering the main hall, it was already filled with wine, fruits and food. It was rich but not extravagant, exquisite and sincere.

In terms of state relations, the reception in the government office was actually a bit shabby, but Xuanxia did not have a royal palace. Although the court was now planning to build the Council of State Affairs, it would take some time to complete, so they could only bear with it.

After inviting the two to take their seats, Xu Chen first drank with them, and then said: "Buyeo Goguryeo is a friendly country of the Yellow Turbans. Now that my Yellow Turbans have established Xuanxia, ​​I must invite guests to celebrate. You two are my best guests now."

Wei Choutai and Bo Gu were both flattered when they heard this.

Although Xuan Xia only occupied a marginal area of ​​the Han Dynasty, in their eyes, it was a real behemoth. It was actually a great honor for them that Xu Chen treated it with such an attitude.

Of course, they are not naive people. Behind such an attitude, there must be some special requirements hidden.

They couldn't help but wonder what Xuan Xia was going to do here. Watching the martial arts performance was certainly a way to show off one's strength, but showing off one's strength was only a means. They didn't know what Xuan Xia wanted to achieve.

As they drank and chatted with Xu Chen for a while, the two of them changed the topic and tried to test Xu Chen's attitude.

"We are willing to form a friendly relationship with Xuanxia forever, but we are touched by such an invitation and respect, but we don't know how to express our sincerity and congratulations."

After drinking a cup, Bo Gu pondered for a moment and said this.

Although Wei Choutai did not say anything, he pricked up his ears, wanting to know what Xuan Xia was planning and what benefits he wanted.

However, Xu Chen just shook his head and did not rush to answer. Instead, he smiled and said, "It is my great kindness that you two can come. Today, we will only chat and laugh at the banquet. I will not talk about anything else. After my Xuanxia warriors perform martial arts tomorrow, I will discuss business with you two in detail."

After hearing this, Bo Gu and Yu Chou Tai looked at each other and decided to give up, but this also made them feel nervous.

They were not fools, of course they knew why they had to discuss things after the martial arts performance. Naturally, Xuan Xia wanted to use the martial arts performance to scare people so that things would be easier to discuss. However, this made them a little unhappy.

In that case, they are not in a hurry anymore and really want to see what tricks Xuan Xia can play.

They knew that Xuan Xia was very strong. After all, they had seen Xuan Xia fight with their own eyes. Whether it was the power of gunpowder or the combat effectiveness of the army, they were all amazed. But precisely because they knew and had seen it, they were less likely to be scared.

Since Xuan Xia is determined to show off his power, let's see how powerful he can be.

Although they were touched by Xuan Xia's hospitality, the rivalry between the two sides behind the scenes did not ease at all.

At least Wei Choutai and Bo Gu had each made up their minds that if Xuan Xia asked for something too much, they would not agree to it no matter what, no matter how exciting the martial arts performance tomorrow was.

How could they not understand that the more enthusiastic they are now, the more difficult it will be later.

At a banquet, several people seemed to be toasting each other and the atmosphere was lively, but that did not affect the fact that they all had their own agendas in their hearts. As time passed and the banquet ended, an official led Bo Guwei and Chou Tai to their respective beds to rest.

Xu Chen still stayed in the hall. As the banquet was gradually cleared away, the place became brand new.

Ju Su quietly appeared beside Xu Chen, and then presented something to Xu Chen: "I have made the final revision of all the clauses. After the Lord has reviewed them and found them correct, we can make a decision based on them tomorrow. As long as this matter is agreed upon, Xuan Xia may be able to ensure decades of stability outside the Great Wall!"

Hearing this, Xu Chen smiled and said, "They will agree. This is not a bad thing for them."

After hesitating for a moment, he added meaningfully: "At least not for now."

(End of this chapter)