Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Who was Wu Sheng? He saw through everything immediately.

Then, with a straight face, he said, "If your body can't handle it, then don't go. These foreign women aren't good for bathing; you might catch a disease."

Xie Xian also came over to persuade him, "That's right, Old Zhou. Food safety is paramount! Haven't you started abstaining? Don't ruin your cultivation."

"No! My lust is acting up!" Zhou Tie lamented, "Besides, I've already come all this way. What's wrong with trying some foreign cuisine? Don't you want to see? But... not liking to bathe is a bit off-putting...."

"Stop talking, the Emperor is here."

Li Yuanzhao and the others had finished their greetings and began to enter the city, heading towards the Temple Mount.

In the city, Fang Zheng accompanied Li Yuanzhao, and the two of them watched the surroundings with great interest.

Although they often saw reports from the West, the news on paper was never as impactful as seeing it with their own eyes in reality.

Almost every time they saw a novel building, the two would stop, point, and discuss loudly.

The streets were blocked, and Lai Gou'er, seeing this, quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Marquis, we should go to the temple as soon as possible. I have already arranged accommodation there. After this long journey, why don't I prepare a banquet for Your Majesty and the Marquis to enjoy, and then you can tour the Holy City tomorrow."

"Moreover, knowing that Your Majesty was coming, I have already invited Duke Yarvis of Fika and the merchant Hope, who has been cooperating with Da Jing, to the Temple Mount. They are both waiting for Your Majesty to receive them."

Fang Zheng turned to look at the blocked streets and the foreigners constantly peeking out to see what was happening.

He also echoed, "Your Majesty, let's go in first. These things are not important. Tomorrow, we can take a look at Da Jing's achievements in transforming the Holy City."

Li Yuanzhao nodded solemnly.

Indeed, what they were seeing now were just foreign 'local specialties'. What really needed to be observed was the people's hearts and Da Jing's influence here.

Currently, the Holy City was Da Jing's base of operations. If the old church caused trouble and destabilized the people's hearts, it would obviously have a great negative impact on Da Jing's operations.

Whether the situation of the people's hearts here in Da Jing was as stable as reported, he needed to investigate it himself, and then plan for the future after everything was confirmed.

"Let's go, I'm also hungry. I want to taste what this foreign cuisine is like. Also, prepare more authentic local food for me."

"Your subject will obey."

.....

Inside the temple, a lively scene unfolded, with many Da Jing people walking around busily.

Originally a sacred place for worshiping the gods, it had now become a place to welcome the Emperor of Da Jing.

Hope and Duke Yarvis stood nervously in the main hall, waiting for the arrival of the Emperor of Da Jing.

Not only the Emperor of Da Jing, but also the Jianye Marquis, whom they had heard countless times from Lai Gou'er.

This Jianye Marquis's achievements and abilities seemed to be far greater than the Emperor's.

Influenced by Lai Gou'er for a long time, in their hearts, he was the real top figure in Da Jing, capable of manipulating events.

When Li Yuanzhao and Fang Zheng and others entered the temple, Lai Gou'er immediately winked at the two of them, loudly introduced them, and quickly walked to the middle to act as a translator.

Hope and the other immediately stepped forward to salute: "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Li Yuanzhao smiled: "It's okay, I have long heard of your names. In the West, I am the guest, so you don't need to be so polite. Today, accompany me for a meal, let's chat while we eat."

After he finished speaking, he then chatted with Pope Soljay.

The two nodded at the same time, and Duke Yarvis was secretly surprised.

The Emperor of Da Jing, the monarch of a powerful country, was so gentle and amiable.

It was really unexpected.

After saluting Li Yuanzhao, the two immediately walked towards Fang Zheng, and solemnly saluted again.

"Greetings, Marquis, I have long heard of your great name..."

Fang Zheng cupped his hands and smiled: "You're too polite, I have also heard of your names for a long time. Da Jing's ability to successfully develop overseas markets is all thanks to you, our talented partners. I hope there will be more opportunities to cooperate in the future."

"Today, His Majesty is here, and the opportunity is rare. You can tell His Majesty anything you want to ask or say, and you can also tell me. I will answer everything I know, so don't be restrained."

Fang Zheng's amiable attitude surprised Duke Yarvis for a moment.

The high-ranking officials and nobles of Da Jing were so amiable, which was really unexpected.

He and Hope were both experienced veterans. They could tell at a glance whether the other party was being polite on the surface or whether it was a habit from the heart.

The kindness of these two was definitely not feigned!

Li Yuanzhao and Fang Zheng and others began to take their seats, and Duke Yarvis looked at Hope and whispered, "Aren't you nervous at all after seeing the Emperor of Da Jing?"

"Why wouldn't I be nervous? He's much more powerful than the Pope."

"I'm talking about their attitude."

"What's there to be nervous about their attitude? Isn't it good?" Hope asked back.

"It seems a bit too good, doesn't it? Have you ever seen an emperor and high-ranking church officials of any country have this kind of attitude... how should I put it, there's no feeling of nobility."

Hope curled his lips: "What else can you nobles do besides putting on airs? I think the Emperor and Marquis of Da Jing are very good. We will be doing business with Da Jing in the future. Their attitude is enough to show that they are excellent partners."

"But I feel like it's a bit too good, right? Da Jing's national strength is strong, they should be arrogant and domineering."

Hope sneered, glancing at Duke Yarvis: "Why are you thinking like a slave?"

Duke Yarvis was furious: "How dare you say I'm like a slave!"

Hope was not flustered, and chuckled: "Isn't it? Slaves only have one kind of interpersonal relationship in their eyes. Besides being a dog themselves, they want to treat others as dogs. Besides being ridden by others, they want to ride others. They never know what equality, rules, and respect are."

"I think the Emperor and Marquis of Da Jing are the real nobles, the real strong!"

Duke Yarvis's old face turned red.

Fortunately, Lai Gou'er's voice came in time, inviting him to take his seat.

The Duke angrily flung his arm and took his seat before Hope.

Li Yuanzhao and Pope Soljay sat side by side, while Hope and the other sat on the other side. The few of them took turns chatting amiably with Li Yuanzhao, and Lai Gou'er continued to act as a translator in the middle.

The dishes began to be served, and the first dish was sent to Li Yuanzhao.

The second dish was sent to Fang Zheng.

Lai Gou'er stood up and introduced: "Your Majesty, Marquis, this is the food of ordinary people in the West. The chef from Fika made black bread and stew, absolutely authentic."

Li Yuanzhao was about to try it when he caught a glimpse of Pope Soljay, Hope, and the Duke looking at him with doubtful eyes.

So he explained with a smile: "Da Jing has spent a lot of effort in building the Holy City, for the benefit of the people, for friendly cooperation between the two places. Naturally, I hope to understand directly how the people of the Holy City are living now. Therefore, there is no quicker way than to personally taste the food of the common people."

"When I am in Da Jing, if I want to understand the living standards of the people, I taste the food of the people, and I can know seven or eight out of ten."

So that's how it is!

Pope Soljay and the others were full of admiration.

Seeing the big picture from the small, there is no greater wise ruler than this....