Due to the sound sleep he had last night, Meng Xinghe did not fall asleep as usual in the court today. He was bored and listened to the ministers discussing state affairs, but most of them were those who did not understand the good policies of governing the country. He stood at the end and talked to him in his previous life. I had the same expression as I was waiting for the meeting to end at the company. I just wanted to end the meeting early so that everyone could go back and rest.
I wanted to retire from the court, but there were a lot of political affairs today. It was already after a long hour of hard work by waiting for each one to be dealt with. When the palace officials announced their withdrawal from the court, all the civil and military officials who had been standing for a long time were all sighing. I walked out of the Tai Chi Hall with emotion. I secretly sighed that I had been in court for decades. Fortunately, my old legs were strong enough. Otherwise, I really wouldn’t have been able to stand for such a long time.
Meng Xinghe is currently holding three positions. However, since the visit of envoys from all countries to the Tang Dynasty has been a top priority recently, he has put down other things and concentrated on handling what other officials said is a fat job.
Although others say that receiving foreign guests is a very good job, and there are many kickbacks available. Some of the kickbacks are even divided from the tributes presented to the Holy One. No wonder I couldn't take Hou Wenhai's job from him that day. He would be so jealous of himself. Who wouldn't be jealous to have such a fat and oily idler? I heard that foreign envoys have been arriving in the Siyi Pavilion responsible for receiving foreign guests. Why not have nothing to do today? Come over and take a look. Say hello first so that you can become familiar with me.
After leaving the court, Meng Xinghe went straight to the Siyi Pavilion. Li Shimin followed his suggestion and kept everything simple. Today, the outside of the Siyi Pavilion is not as lively as in previous years. There are theaters, tea tables, singers, and dancers. There are no lion dancers or jugglers anywhere. Only in front of the huge hotel. Occasionally, you can see a few foreign people in strange clothes coming in and out. This also proves that there are still fireworks here.
I reported my name to the guard and found out that he was the receptionist appointed by the imperial court this year. I immediately went in and informed the Master of Ceremonies of the Seiyi Pavilion.
The master of etiquette is under the management of the Ministry of Rites. He is the official responsible for receiving foreign guests and translating. There are envoys from different countries in the Seyi Pavilion, who are proficient in the languages of various countries. This is what he, the master of etiquette, must arrange for people to do.
After the guard went in to report, an old man about sixty years old came out soon after.
The old man's surname is Tang, and he is a minister. Before the Sui Dynasty was destroyed, he used to do ceremonials in the Siyi Pavilion. Now he has returned to the Tang Dynasty, and he is still doing his old job. His life has been several years, and he has seen everything. Old Man Tang, who was a man of many kings and heroes, did not grovel in front of Meng Xinghe. He did not even fawn over ordinary subordinates in greeting their superiors. He took Meng Xinghe around the Seyi Pavilion several times and solemnly introduced the envoys from various countries. Where he lives now, Old Tang, who doesn't talk much, stops here. Everything is waiting for Meng Xinghe, the receptionist, to make his decision. As long as Meng Xinghe says to entertain foreign guests, then Old Tang will have to follow his orders. If Meng Xinghe has something in his heart, Even if he felt uncomfortable, he would have to bite the bullet and obey even if he said rude words.
Meng Xinghe was not like Hou Wenhai who always did one or two things to promote his prestige every time he came to the Seyi Pavilion. He looked around at the surrounding environment. He didn't have anything to say. He asked about the people in the pavilion recently. Envoys from several countries had arrived, and they were ordered to hold a banquet and entertain them without losing sight of simple etiquette. So they decided to personally visit the envoys who had come to Tang Dynasty to welcome them on behalf of the Holy Father.
It is said that young people who succeed in their ambitions are inevitably arrogant. But Meng Xinghe, a young receptionist, is not only not pompous, but also does not have that kind of arrogance. This kind of affinity that is not deliberately pretended makes the host Li Tang. I am very willing to cooperate with Meng Xinghe's work and conscientiously handle the important state affairs of the Tang Dynasty when envoys from all countries come to Tang Dynasty.
We arrived at the place where the envoys from various countries were temporarily staying in the Seyi Pavilion. Several countries had come to Tang Dynasty in the past few days. Since Mr. Meng was willing to send greetings to the Holy One, Tang Chen, as the guide, of course had to personally lead the way for Meng Xinghe and send his troops. Accompanying translators.
"Mr. Meng, in front is where the Japanese envoy lives. On the left is the Korean envoy. A little ahead is the envoy of the barbaric tribe in southern Xinjiang. It is estimated that it will not take a few days. Tubo, Turks, Dashi, Persia, the countries from the Western Regions will arrive one after another. I have sent people to clean the wing. Mr. Meng, would you like to go over and have a look."
Facing the row of gorgeous rooms in front, Tang Chen talked about things according to the facts. Since Meng Xinghe was the receptionist appointed by the Holy Emperor, he would be responsible for dealing with the envoys of these countries from now on. He would tell the place where the envoys of each country lived. Let me tell you again. Tang Chen has already led Meng Xinghe to where the Japanese envoy is.
I had a lot of friction with the Japanese just a few days ago. I didn't expect to meet their envoys today. What a coincidence in this world. But anyway, I am the one receiving the envoys. It is necessary to be familiar with each other.
"Master Tang, let's go in. First meet the Japanese envoy. Then we will go to other places."
After giving the order, Tang Chen had already sent someone to knock on the door of the Japanese envoy. He said in Japanese: "General Gesang, His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty's reception has arrived. He is about to meet you now. Please open the door."
"Envoys of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty." The Japanese people in the room seemed to be very alert. They heard someone knocking on the door and heard that the person who came was such a big official. The door opened instantly. Two young and beautiful Japanese women had already walked out of it. He came out. He knelt down gently on the ground to greet him and said, "General Kelsang would like to invite the envoy to come into the room for a detailed discussion."
"Master Meng, please." Tang Chen made a gesture of invitation.
Meng Xinghe is now Li Shimin's envoy. His status is naturally extremely noble. He walked in front of everyone. It was like a superior came down to inspect and entered the Japanese envoy's room first. He also saw the Bushido-dressed General Gesang in front of him at a glance. He is in his forties and has a mustache. He is very energetic and looks like a Japanese.
Seeing that the envoy of the Tang Dynasty was so young, General Gesang, who was familiar with Chinese culture, did not forget to flatter him when he met him: "There is an old saying in China that heroes come from youth since ancient times. The envoy can serve as His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty at a young age. The messenger. I, Kelsang, also have some admiration for you. Sir, please take a seat."
Gesang greeted Meng Xinghe in standard Chinese. Then he asked his maid to bring Meng Xinghe the most expensive fragrant tea in Japan to entertain him.
His grandma's. It's great to be a diplomat. Watching the seductive Japanese beauty bring you fragrant tea. This is a tribute. I'm already enjoying it. I wonder if old Gesang will take it when I leave later. Give me some greeting gifts.
He was thinking about corruption and bribery. Ahem. Meng Xinghe coughed a few times. "I wonder if General Kelsang can live well. If you need a place, you can tell me. It's not easy for you to cross the ocean and come to the Tang Dynasty." I will naturally treat you well."
"Don't worry, Sir. We are satisfied with everything. I just don't know how long it will take to see His Majesty the Emperor." Of course, old man Gesang didn't believe that the people of the Tang Dynasty had good intentions. However, words based on face will never refute other people's face. Otherwise, this envoy to the Tang Dynasty would not Let him take charge.
When Meng Xinghe heard that he wanted to see the emperor, he immediately grasped the key point. "Well, I don't know how long it will take for the Holy One to summon you. But since General Gesang is here, why not just hang out with the Tang Dynasty for a few more days and wait for the Holy One to stop the government affairs? When you are busy, you will naturally meet the general."
It seems that he has seen an old fox who knows what he means. Gesang, who is good at diplomacy, can naturally hear the hidden meaning in Meng Xinghe's words. In the land of the Tang Dynasty, he is no match for this old and cunning young envoy. He could only endure it and said: "Sir, can you please step aside? Gesang has something to discuss with you in detail."
"Haha." Meng Xinghe laughed. "Lord Gesang, speak directly if you have anything to say." As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Chen, Master of Etiquette, wisely led the rest of the people out of the room.
Gesang was very good at being a diplomat. After seeing the people brought by Meng Xinghe retreat, he clapped his hands gently. Then the woman who served tea before brought a square box.
"It's a small thing. Please accept it, sir." Gesang asked the maid to open the box. Suddenly a golden light shot towards his face, making him unable to open his eyes. Upon closer inspection, there was actually a fist-sized ball in the box. The night pearl is emitting a soft light, making the originally dark room suddenly become a lot brighter.
It is definitely a priceless treasure. Meng Xinghe accepted it unceremoniously. "General Kelsang is so polite. It makes me feel embarrassed. It is better to obey orders than to be respectful. I will accept it first so as not to let down the general's kindness."
Drinking tea, accepting a treasure casually. This is such a bad job.
Gesang's old face twitched continuously. His majesty of Japan spent several years to obtain this luminous pearl from the East China Sea. This shows how precious it is. This Tang Dynasty man accepted it so simply and even said he was embarrassed. He was more shameless than the envoys in the past. Much thicker.
"Sir, I wonder when we can meet His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty." Gesang asked again. It seems that their purpose is very clear. They came this time to meet the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty.
Knowing that things were not that simple, Meng Xinghe pretended to be puzzled and said: "Why is General Gesang anxious to see me, the Great Tang Sage? I have something unspeakable. Tell me. Maybe I can do my best."
Even if he knew that Meng Xinghe did not really want to help, Kelsang had to confess because of his mission: "To be honest, Kelsang came to Datang this time to represent my Japanese Majesty and want to form an alliance with your country. Make a promise to make good friends for all eternity."
"What is an alliance agreement?" Meng Xinghe peeled off the cocoon. He didn't believe that Gesang didn't tell the truth. What a bullshit alliance agreement. I don't believe these high-sounding nonsense.
Kelsang suddenly became heartbroken. This matter will be discussed sooner or later. Sooner or later it will be put on the table. He simply said truthfully: "Our Japanese Majesty intends to invade and occupy Goryeo. If the Tang Dynasty can cooperate, then your Datang army will start from Liaodong sent troops to encircle Goryeo. After the annexation, we are willing to dedicate half of Goryeo's territory to His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty to fulfill His Majesty the Tang Dynasty's long-cherished wish to unify the territory."
A jackal is a jackal. He is always interested in other people's countries. Such a brazen invasion can only come from the mouths of shameless Japanese.
Meng Xinghe was not cynical and walked away immediately. It is probably not a day or two that the Japanese people had such a plan.
"General Gesang, you must know that sending troops to Goryeo is not a small matter. Although our Tang Dynasty is at its peak, it will decline over time. You know better than me. I think this matter is at stake. Let's not say whether we can annex Goryeo. .Even whether this alliance agreement can be achieved is a question." Only by sharing a share of the pie will the Japanese seek skin from the tiger. Even if Li Shimin wanted to unify the territory, the millions of troops of the Tang Dynasty alone could defeat Goryeo. Why do we need to cooperate with you Japanese people?
Meng Xinghe had a smile on his face, but in his heart he was afraid of dying on the shore. He would not cooperate with the Japanese and raise tigers to endanger them.
Gesang had never thought about this. His Majesty the Japanese had long known that sending people to the Tang Dynasty to sign a contract would be extremely difficult. That's why he asked General Gesang to bring Japan's national treasures to show his sincerity.
"Sir, don't worry. In order to show our sincerity from Japan, His Majesty the Japanese has sent Gesang to bring the Three Treasures of Japan to present to His Majesty the Tang Dynasty."
When Meng Xinghe heard that there was also the sincerity of the Three Treasures of Japan as a sign of the alliance, he felt extremely unhappy. Damn it. You still haven't taken out the secret treasures to honor me. You will never see Li Shimin.
"I don't know what the Three Treasures of Japan that General Kelsang said are those three treasures. Our Tang Dynasty has outstanding people and countless rare treasures. I don't know what is unique about your "treasure". Could it be that it is just a short experience?"
Not understanding the metaphor in Meng Xinghe's words, Gesang burst out laughing. "It took my Japanese Majesty decades to find these three treasures. They are unique. If you want to know, Gesang said it first." It doesn't matter. They are the deep-sea crystal coral that can shine in seven colors at night; the mermaid fat oil that has kept its appearance unchanged for thousands of years; and the most beautiful woman in Japan who is ready to be presented to His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty." Gesang said confidently that this time he was accepted by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. The three rare treasures he was asked to bring were all intended as gifts for the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. They were definitely the rarest treasures in the world. Because even the envoy in front of him actually laughed with satisfaction after hearing this. It seemed that This Three Treasures of Japan is indeed a unique gift.