Both Xu Ziping and Sheng Duanming were well-read Confucian scholars and could not find any faults in etiquette.

In the meeting gate that had been set up in advance by the Ministry of Rites, Xu Ziping presented the credentials and gift list on behalf of Southern Zhou Dynasty, and Sheng Duanming returned the gift on behalf of Daliang. The ceremony was a little complicated and complicated, but the two senior officials and most of the accompanying officials completed it meticulously.

His expression was solemn and dignified.

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

In the summer, the cicadas kept chirping. Pei Yue returned to the pavilion and sat leisurely. Surrounded by him were a thousand warriors from the Beiwei camp, led by Deng Zai.

After the ceremony, Xu Ziping coughed lightly and said to Sheng Duanming: "I have heard for a long time that Mr. Shanda is a great scholar in this world. It is truly a blessing to meet him today."

These words were slightly humble and somewhat flattering. The Daliang officials surrounding them couldn't help but look happy. On the contrary, the attachés of the Southern Zhou Dynasty were as calm as ever. Now the general trend of the world is gradually becoming clearer. Daliang has won in terms of comprehensive national strength.

Passing through the other two countries, and last year's massive defeat of Xiwu on the border, it undoubtedly became the leader of the Three Kingdoms.

The Southern Zhou Dynasty has been on the defensive in recent years, and the mission to Daliang this time was to solve the troubles of the Fang family and his son, so they naturally would not adopt a tough attitude. However, the attachés behind Xu Ziping were too calm, which seemed a little abnormal.

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

Sheng Duanming has always regarded himself as a gentleman, and of course he would not make things difficult for the other party with words. When he heard this, he twisted his beard and said: "Master Xu is too modest. Who among the scholars in the world does not know the name of the Xu family in Qinghe? If it weren't for you and me, we have something serious to do now. It's appropriate."

Only by studying books can you live up to this thousand-mile journey."

Xu Ziping said with a bright smile: "If Shanda people don't mind, I would like to pay you a visit after the business is done."

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

Someone nearby coughed twice, as if his throat was uncomfortable.

It is true that Sheng Duanming was pedantic, but he had been an official for decades, and now he was a third-rank Minister of Rites, so he was no stranger to some of the ways in the officialdom.

He did not look at the subordinate who deliberately coughed to remind him, and said to Xu Ziping calmly: "Master Xu has a tiring journey, Honglu Temple and Sifang Pavilion have prepared a place to stay, so you can take a rest."

Xu Ziping was not in a hurry and said with a smile: "That's very good. I hope Shanda people can arrange a meeting for me as soon as possible."

Sheng Duanming said: "This is natural. Mr. Xu can just wait for the good news."

Xu Ziping nodded slightly. When he turned around, he glanced at the pavilion in the distance and asked curiously: "Sheng Shanda, may I ask who that young general is?"

Sheng Duanming responded: "He is Pei Yue, the Marquis of Daliang Zhongshan. His Majesty has specially appointed him as the ambassador. From now on, all the activities of your diplomatic mission in Kyoto will require his permission."

Among the entourage of the Southern Zhou Dynasty, the young man with lively eyebrows and handsome face only heard the first half of the sentence, but did not hear the rest. This person looked at the pavilion in the distance and the fierce sergeants who were on guard around him, and couldn't help but frowned slightly.

, snorted quietly.

Xu Ziping showed a slight expression of embarrassment, considering that the Minister of Rites next to him was only a deputy envoy, and the serious ambassador did not meet him at all, so he couldn't help but hesitate and said: "This..."

Sheng Duanming explained: "Don't be surprised, Mr. Xu. Marquis Zhongshan is a warrior. In addition, he doesn't know much about these rituals, so we will meet him later."

Although he was not interested in Pei Yue, he still had to maintain Daliang's dignity in front of outsiders.

The two chatted for a while, and Xu Ziping did not continue to struggle. Then he saw Pei Yue approaching surrounded by more than ten soldiers.

Xu Ziping first raised his hands and said: "Xu Ziping, the Minister of Rites of the Zhou Dynasty, has met Marquis Zhongshan of the Liang Kingdom."

Pei Yue returned the courtesy and said: "Master Xu, there is no need to be polite. Since the ceremony is over, please ask Master Xu to get on the carriage, and I will send someone to escort you into Kyoto."

"Thank you, Marquis Pei."

Xu Ziping could see that this young dignitary did not want to greet him politely, so he could only respond with an indifferent expression.

The Southern Zhou envoys and officials from the Ministry of Rites of Daliang gathered together and continued to move forward under the escort of Beiweiying. After they entered Kyoto, Pei Yue took Beiweiying and turned north, heading straight for the Shouyang Mountain Mine.

When the delegation arrived at the Sifang Pavilion, Sheng Duanming personally accompanied Xu Ziping around the place where he had arranged a stay before saying goodbye and leaving, apparently to enter the palace to report details to Emperor Kaiping.

Xu Ziping returned to his residence. After receiving a glance from a capable bodyguard, he relaxed and motioned for everyone else to go out. Then he 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 minister 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 the capital of Beiliang to have a look at the Marquis of Zhongshan? You can see the real person before entering the capital today, are you still not satisfied?"

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

Xu Ziping asked curiously: "Oh? Why don't you tell me and listen."

Xu Churong said slyly: "Dad told me not to tell uncle about this matter."

Xu Ziping raised his hand and said helplessly: "You, it's all Huiyan's fault for spoiling you."

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

Xu Ziping looked at her with interest.

Xu Churong pouted and said, "It's just gold and jade."

The subtext is naturally lost in it.

Xu Ziping was noncommittal and asked: "What's the explanation?"

Xu Churong talked eloquently: "What a big deal it is for the two countries to be envoys. He actually sat in the pavilion and drank while the ceremony was going on. It can be seen that he was domineering and ignored etiquette. I heard my brothers said that he was in the battle between Liang and Wu.

Zhong made great achievements and then rose to great heights. Maybe he has some real abilities in leading troops to fight, but it cannot cover up the shortcomings of his bad conduct."

Xu Ziping asked: "Behaving badly? Where do you start talking about this?"

Xu Churong briefly explained the content and origin of the two poems he had seen, and finally said sarcastically: "If those two poems were really written by him, why did I see a reckless and rude man today?

I dare not underestimate those generals who have a military career. If he did not do such arty things, I might even praise him as a powerful man."

Xu Ziping couldn't help but laugh, and in the end he could only say something: "Although your status is not a problem, this is Beiliang Kyoto, and it is best to stay in the post house during these days. After I have reached an agreement with the Beiliang Emperor, I will leave.

Now I’ll ask someone to accompany you for a walk on the street.”

Xu Churong happily agreed, but he had other plans in mind.
Chapter completed!