The Guest House of the Lifanyuan is a large house with five entrances, divided into separate courtyards. It is hard to say how good it is, but it still shows the atmosphere of a great country.
At this time, in the huge guest house, apart from the place where the Japanese ambassador and his party lived, only the lights in a remote courtyard in the distance were still on, and someone could vaguely be seen looking in this direction.
The courtyard where the Japanese envoy lived was full of busy servants. No matter what, you still have to behave like a great country. You don't hit the smiling person with your hand, and you still have to show the etiquette that people should have after coming all the way.
Brand new bedding and lamps, various utensils and furniture, tea and dried fruit snacks, spittoons, chamber pots and toilets...
"Your Majesty, your Majesty has worked hard all the way. We have already settled in. Please settle in soon!"
As soon as Ashikaga Yoshitomichi walked into the courtyard, Yang Shiqi, the chief officer of the Domain Council, came towards him, cupped his hands and said with a smile, "It's too late today. You all should have a good rest. I'll prepare a welcoming banquet for you tomorrow!"
"You are too polite!" Ashikaga Yoshimachi stepped forward, bowed and said with a smile, "I am ashamed of myself for not being rewarded for my merits!"
"This...?" Yang Shiqi was stunned and said to himself, "Damn it, is this the point of not being rewarded for no merit?"
Although he was slandering in his heart, he still smiled on his face and said, "You are so polite!"
As he said this, he turned sideways and made a gesture of invitation.
Unexpectedly, the next second, Ashikaga Yoshimochi grabbed his hand and said, "Yang Sang, I have been in love with you for a long time. I have long heard that you are a learned and talented person in the Kingdom of Heaven, with a unique charm. When you followed His Highness the Crown Prince of Yan
When I visit Japan, I can’t wait to see you in person! It’s a pity that you are going to the feudal country of the famous mountain family. It’s really a twist of fate!”
Yang Shiqi felt disgusted in his heart, took out his hand and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, that's a great compliment. Yang is just a scholar and doesn't deserve such high praise!"
But the next second, Yang Shiqi felt his fingertips touch something.
I looked down and saw a rolled up roll of banknotes.
"I heard that your country is very poor for people as talented as you." Ashikaga Yoshi said with a smile, "Some gifts are not respectful, but I hope you will accept them!" He said, pushing Yang Shiqi's hand, "If you don't accept it, then you will accept it.
Look down on me. This is not only my wish, but also something ordered by General Ashikaga himself!"
Under the light, Yang Shiqi took a sneak look and saw that the bank note was obviously a private note from a bank in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Nowadays, the merchant ships of Japan and Ming Dynasty have close contacts, and large amounts of money are exchanged using this kind of private note with excellent reputation.
After taking a look, I could vaguely see the word "一" on the rolled-up banknote, so a roll like this might be worth two or three thousand.
Yang Shiqi moved his fingers, and the roll of banknotes automatically slipped into his sleeve, "You are so polite!"
"This time when I come to the capital of the Ming Dynasty, I have to rely on you for many things!" Ashikaga Yoshimichi continued with a smile, "Please give us some guidance!"
"I am a humble official, how can I...?"
"Speaking of which, I and Lord He, the commander of the Kinyi Guards, are old friends!" Ashikaga Yoshimichi said, "Why don't you see him today?"
Yang Shiqi's heart was moved. He looked around and whispered, "The affairs of the envoy are now in charge of Duke Cao. How can I command the envoy..."
In an instant, Ashikaga Yoshimachi understood.
He hurriedly continued to ask, "The name of Cao Guogong is as loud as thunder in my ears. He is a famous general of the Ming Dynasty and a confidant of His Majesty the Emperor." As he said, he sighed, "It's a pity that I have never had the opportunity to meet such a person!"
, and said, "I have a heartfelt request, why not ask Yang Sang to introduce me to you?"
"Are you a fucking monkey? Climb along the pole?"
Yang Shiqi cursed in his heart and said with a smile on his face, "There is no need for an introduction. I will meet Duke Cao at the banquet tomorrow." As he said that, he turned sideways and said, "It's been a hard work for your envoy to come all the way, so you'd better rest early!"
Ashikaga Yoshitsune had some disappointment on his face.
But then, he regained some hope.
I heard Yang Shiqi continue to say, "If you feel not tired after settling in, you can go out and walk around to enjoy the scenery of Ming Dynasty."
~~
After settling in, Ashikaga Yoshimochi, Hashimoto Arina and others changed into Ming Dynasty clothes.
At first, he was a little relieved and sent people out of the guest house to test. The people sent out immediately came back to report, but there were only a few soldiers guarding the door, not caring about their entry or exit.
"It's so tiring to deal with people from the Ming Dynasty!" Hashimoto Arina kept in mind all the conversations between Ashikaga Yoshimichi and Ming Dynasty officials along the way, and sighed, "There is something in the words!"
"People of the Ming Dynasty pay attention to reservations, this is the art of speaking!" Ashikaga Yoshichichi smiled, and then said seriously, "Without further delay, let's go to pay a visit to the Duke of Cao! We don't need too many people, just a few people can follow me.
Bring your gifts, and two ladies, Tosai Asuka and Imada Mio, are also following you!"
"Hayi!"
Then, Ashikaga Yoshimochi in front, two followers behind him carrying a box, and several people wearing cloaks carefully walked out of the gate of the Rihanyuan Guesthouse.
Just as the explorers said, these envoys could come and go freely. The few soldiers guarding the gate stood like javelins, without even glancing at them from the corner of their eyes.
"Thank you for your hard work!" Ashikaga Yoshimochi gave a half-bow to the soldiers, which actually shocked them.
But just after taking a few steps, I heard a sudden voice from behind, "Stay!"
Ashikaga Yoshimochi turned around in surprise and saw a lean man with his head wrapped in white cloth chasing after him from behind.
"Who are you?" Ashikaga Yoshimachi asked in Chinese.
"Excuse me, are you envoys from Japan?" The man also spoke in Chinese, but his accent made Ashikaga Yoshimochi a little disgusted.
"Exactly, may I ask your Excellency?"
"I am also an envoy!" The man saluted, "The King of Ava of Myanmar is an envoy from the Ming Dynasty!"
In fact, he may not even know where Burma is. As far as Japan is concerned, there are only three big countries in the world, the Ming Dynasty, the early Goryeo, and Japan. The reason why he has this idea is because Japan is very deeply Hanized. Although it is not
Surrendered to the Ming Dynasty, but also regarded other small countries as fan states.
However, out of the envoy's sensitivity, he still asked, "Why did your country send you as envoy to the Ming Dynasty?"
"Hey!" The Burmese envoy sighed, "There was an emperor's grandson from the Ming Dynasty who was granted a title to the place where Yunnan and Myanmar meet. As soon as the emperor's grandson went there, he went on a killing spree. In just two months, there were more than a dozen cavalry attacks.
He raided, burned down our cities and fortresses, plundered and killed people... He killed everyone on sight without caring about good or bad, he was just like a devil. My king had no choice but to send me an envoy, but..."
Having said this, he shook his head and said, "But it's useless for me. I've been in the Ming Dynasty for more than ten days, and I can't even see a minister in charge. I can only sit in the guest house!"
"Fortunately, we don't have a land border with Ming Dynasty!" Ashikaga Yoshinori thought to himself.
"I am taking the liberty to tell you that you seem to be going to visit a certain gentleman." The Burmese envoy saluted, "I wonder if, for the sake of the Ming vassal kingdom, I can also help introduce you to you. I cannot thank you enough."
!”
"This red deer!" Ashikaga Yoshinori cursed in his heart, "You have a beautiful idea!"
He then bowed and said, "Unlike what you said, I have just arrived. Where can I find a way to visit the ministers of the Ming Dynasty? I just want to see the night view of the Ming Dynasty and take my leave!"
After saying that, he took the people and left, regardless of the Burmese envoy's obstruction.
After getting rid of the Burmese envoy, Ashikaga Yoshimichi looked at the bustling long street and took a deep breath. With a smile on his face again, he walked to the roadside and asked a bearer who was waiting for guests, "Excuse me, are you
Do you know where Cao Guogong’s residence is?”
~~
"Master, I did some math this afternoon and found that the wedding between the young master and Princess Jin will cost about 300,000 silver dollars!"
In the accounting room of Cao Guogong Li Jinglong's house, Li Jinglong looked at the accounting gentleman in front of him with a sad face.
"This is just the cost of marrying the princess, the jewelry packed in the box, the clothing materials purchased from Zhejiang, the glazed crystal mirrors, and all kinds of furniture!" Mr. Accountant held a thick account book in both hands, "We haven't even considered building a house yet.
If we build the villa as you said, it will cost an additional 280,000 yuan! In addition to these, we also need to buy a farm and a racecourse for the young master..."
"It's going to cost me my life!" Li Jinglong wailed in his heart.
He is really not rich anymore. The family's cash was sent to the palace as a filial piety during the expedition to Yunnan. Now the family's warehouse is full of inventory that cannot be cashed out immediately. But now that his son is getting married, it is time to spend money.
Moreover, the daughter-in-law she married was the princess of the Jin family, so she couldn't save a penny at all.
"Have you collected the accounts from Yunnan Tea Garden, Korean Salt and Sugar, and Zhejiang Maritime and Cotton Workshops?" Li Jinglong asked without looking at the account books, "And the rents from those shops in the capital, Zhuangzi
Where is the future?"
"Back to the father-in-law, the money from those places hasn't been delivered yet. But look at it, water from far away can't quench the thirst for near, you still have to make preparations early!" The accountant said carefully, "Besides, the total of those things will only last a year.
There is still a gap of around 300,000 yuan!"
"He..." Li Jinglong cursed in his heart and rolled his eyes, "Do you want to stop going to my father-in-law's house? After all, he is his grandson, right?"
At this moment, the second butler walked in quickly and said, "Master, we have guests!"
"Who?" Li Jinglong frowned.
"They said they were envoys from Japan, but they looked so suspicious that they didn't dare to put it in!" said the housekeeper.
"Ha!" Li Jinglong was overjoyed, "I was worried that no one would teach me, so a sticky bean bag fell from the sky, and here comes the money giver!"