The court official who led the team was the Minister of War of the Southern Kingdom.
He closed his eyes and fell asleep, with a sarcastic sneer on his lips when he heard this, "Is it important whether the Zhenning Marquis Mansion can suppress Xiao Yu?"
The courtier who asked the question was stunned for a moment, "But the King of Nanhuai is not willing to marry the princess."
The Minister of War said: "Your Majesty originally did not intend for the princess to get married, but the princess herself had to make a fuss about getting married, so your Majesty had no choice but to let her come with you.
Isn't it just right now?
If the princess wants to get married and he refuses to marry, then we will use this as a bargaining chip to let them minimize the tax on wine tariffs."
The courtiers who were traveling with him immediately realized, "That's what your Majesty meant. We are all worried in vain. Your Majesty is indeed far-sighted, but...the eight aristocratic families under the command of the Zhenning Marquis Mansion control their various lifelines, and the previous taxes,
Nine times out of ten, it goes into the pockets of these aristocratic families.
If we want to lower taxes, will the Zhenning Marquis Mansion and those aristocratic families agree?"
"So we need to cooperate with the Zhenninghou Mansion. As long as Zhenninghou can ensure that the tariff is reduced or exempted, we can feed him with money.
How much does it cost to feed a Zhenninghou?
Furthermore..."
The Minister of War paused for a moment and did not continue.
Furthermore, the Zhenning Hou Mansion was able to spend a lot of money to buy off their Qintian Supervisor, which shows that they still want to have a certain degree of cooperation with their southern country.
Isn't this just right?
Just as he was saying this, a strong aroma of wine suddenly drifted in from outside.
The wine tastes overbearing and the aroma is thick and long.
The moment this aroma of wine came in, everyone in the carriage stopped talking, their spirits were shaken, and they opened the curtains and looked outside.
What kind of wine shop is this?
Why is the fragrance so strong!
And it’s the kind of liquor they southerners like.
Even the Minister of War, who had always closed his eyes, opened his eyes and looked outside.
They didn't see any wine shop outside, but they saw a luxurious carriage. The people sitting on the carriage were all familiar to them.
It was the personal attendant of the Nanhuai King who took Mr. Liu down at the city gate yesterday and beat him to death with sticks. He seemed to be calling for peace.
The aroma of wine comes from this carriage, and it is absolutely unmistakable.
"Sir, where did King Nanhuai buy the wine? It smells so good." All the courtiers in the car looked at the Minister of War.
I really want to drink it.
"If he can buy it, the Marquis of Zhenning will definitely be able to buy it. When we go to the Marquis of Zhenning's house later, open up and drink!" the Minister of War said, his eyes glued to the car opposite.
He has been drinking wine for so many years and has tasted all kinds of wine, but he has never smelled such a strong aroma of wine. It seems that he came to the right place this time.
Zhenninghou Mansion.
Marquis Zhenning and Chen Heng had been waiting at the door early in the morning.
At yesterday's palace banquet, the Marquis of Zhenning excused himself from being unwell and did not attend. Today, he held a banquet at the palace to make up for yesterday's disrespect. As soon as the carriage of the envoy from the Southern Kingdom arrived, the Marquis of Zhenning immediately welcomed the guests in enthusiastically.
The banquet was already set. After entering the house, the group sat directly at the table.
Marquis Zhenning smiled and sat down at the main seat, "Why didn't Her Highness the Princess come over? How did you guys sleep well at the Nanhuai Prince's Mansion yesterday?"
The Minister of War did not say anything, but another Southern court official said displeasedly: "Yesterday there was a fire in the Nanhuai Prince's Mansion. Didn't the Marquis know about it?"
Marquis Zhenning was stunned for a moment, with a surprised look on his face. He turned to look at Chen Heng, "Is there such a thing?"
Chen Heng nodded, "In the middle of the night last night, a fire suddenly broke out in the Nanhuai Prince's Mansion. The fire was so fierce that it almost burned the courtyard where the princess stayed to ashes. Fortunately, the princess's guard was very skilled in saving the princess, otherwise something would have happened.
"
Marquis Zhenning's face was full of anger, "How could such a thing happen? King Nanhuai has gone too far. Even if he doesn't want to be with Princess Yunshu..." After a pause, Marquis Zhenning seemed to have made a mistake.
Stopped, then smiled awkwardly, "It must have been an accident."
Several courtiers from the Southern Kingdom snorted coldly.
"I don't know if it was an accident or not. I just know that the eldest princess's mansion in Nuoda caught fire in the courtyard where our princess lives. You guys are really good at hospitality!"
Marquis Zhenning said hurriedly: "Calm down your anger. I frightened you yesterday. Today I will calm down and apologize to you."
The Minister of War laughed and said, "Does the Marquis of Zhenning win over others?"
He didn't say clearly what the other people were referring to, but how could Marquis Zhenning not understand.
"Other representatives can't do it, but I can prepare some of my best drinks to entertain a few of them. I heard that the prince came back and told me about yesterday's banquet, and the adults didn't make good use of it. Today
Our drinks are the best drinks used by the royal family."
Marquis Zhenning made a gesture of invitation.
However, no one at the table moved their chopsticks.
Marquis Zhenning only regarded it as everyone's respect and politeness towards him, and said with a smile: "I heard that several adults came here this time to negotiate about drinks. By coincidence, I have a wine shop in Qianzhou, which is not far away from Nanguo.
It's far away, but it's convenient for trade with southern countries. The quality of the wine in the winery is not inferior to the royal wine."
Marquis Zhenning took the initiative to extend an olive branch.
However, no one at the table moved their chopsticks.
Marquis Zhenning was a little unsure of what the other party meant, and looked at Chen Heng. Chen Heng stood up with a smile, picked up an open wine jar on the table, "Everyone, try this wine, this is our royal drink this year."
Among them, it is the most powerful type of wine. Although it is strong, this wine has a strong fragrance and endless aftertaste. Please enjoy it, your Lordships."
Chen Heng filled the wine cups for the Southern courtiers in turn.
But among the courtiers, no one touched their chopsticks or their wine glasses.
Marquis Zhenning and Chen Heng both looked at each other with confusion in their eyes: What's going on?
The Marquis of Zhenning leaned forward a little and said to the Minister of War of the Southern Kingdom: "But... what's the problem?"
The Minister of War of the Southern Kingdom sneered and said: "When we came to your dynasty, the first private banquet we attended was at Lord Marquis's place. We originally thought that Lord Marquis and our Southern Kingdom were destined, and we also had a previous relationship foundation, but we didn't.
Come to think of it...the Marquis really thinks that I, the Southern Kingdom, can't make my own wine, so I can just let you coax me?"
Marquis Zhenning was confused by what he said.
The Minister of War of the Southern Kingdom directly pulled up his stool and stood up.
As soon as he stood up, several other courtiers who followed him also stood up.
Marquis Zhenning couldn't sit still and immediately followed him, "What do you adults mean by this? What did Xiaohou do wrong? Please let me know clearly."
The Minister of War sneered and said: "The Marquis keeps saying that the wine used to entertain us is the best wine in your court. How do you think that such a light and unattractive wine is the best? Do you really think we are stupid?
Yes? Since Lord Marquis has not sincerely cooperated, then we won’t bother you any more."
After saying that, the Minister of War turned his head and walked out.
Other courtiers immediately followed.
Marquis Zhenning quickly walked around the table and stepped forward to stop him.