Chapter 57 He didn't want Xiao Che to become that kind of person...

The Northern Rong delegation is coming.

The news sent all the relevant departments in the capital into chaos. The Ministry of Rites, the Court of State Ceremonies, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and even the Prefectural Governor's Office were all spinning like tops that had been whipped into a frenzy, wishing they could grow more legs.

Lin Yan was the one handpicked by His Majesty the Emperor to be the whip that spun the top.

During the reign of the late emperor, there were not many foreign envoys visiting Chongqing, so all parties inevitably became exhausted from dealing with them.

An interpreter from the Court of State Ceremonial came running up, carrying several scrolls of documents: "Lord Lin, these are the preliminary reception procedures and banquet menus. Please take a look. The Northern Rong people have strong palates and like to eat beef and mutton, but according to regulations, the banquet must reflect the abundance of our Great Yu's produce. Do you think the proportion of seafood is appropriate...?"

Lin Yan took the menu, glanced at it, and exclaimed, "Good heavens! Dishes from all over the country, delicacies from land and sea—it's as if they wanted to bring the Manchu Han Imperial Feast up centuries ago!"

You don't know the cost of living until you're in charge of the household; this is how money is spent in Chongqing.

"Cut off a third of the lavish dishes and replace them with substantial roasted whole lamb, hand-pulled mutton, and milk tofu, and serve plenty of strong liquor." Lin Yan picked up his pen and quickly revised, "We need to maintain appearances while also providing substance. Let them eat and drink well and feel our sincerity, but don't let them think we have too much money to burn."

What if the Northern Rong see that Dayu is very wealthy and change their minds during negotiations?

The interpreter hesitated for a moment: "Isn't this... too simple, unbecoming of the dignity of the Celestial Empire?"

"Dignity isn't something you can achieve by piling on ingredients." Lin Yan didn't even look up. "Dignity is about making him feel completely satisfied and grateful, even if you're just offering him roasted potatoes. He'll change things according to my instructions, and I'll report back to His Majesty."

These people still don't understand the principle that dignity lies only on the edge of a sword.

Just as the interpreter was dismissed, people from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices arrived again, requesting instructions on the purchase of wine and the specifications of the utensils; people from the Prefectural Governor's Office also came to join the fun, reporting on the arrangements for the cleanup and security patrols of the capital's streets and alleys...

Lin Yan couldn't help but think of a job from the 20th century—telephone operator.

He took a deep breath and stood up abruptly.

The official from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices was startled: "Lord Lin?"

“What’s the use of just looking at documents?” Lin Yan grabbed the official robe hanging beside him. “Let’s go to Rouyuan Villa, to the post station, to every road they might take, and see for ourselves!”

In the days that followed, Lin Yan completely transformed into a workaholic.

He practically lived on the construction site of Rouyuan Villa, watching the craftsmen renovate a slightly dilapidated former imperial garden in a way that not only conformed to the regulations for a "prince" but also fully considered the living habits of the Northern Rong people—a special area was set aside in the courtyard to prepare a barbecue grill, thick carpets were laid in the rooms, and even a heated kang bed was built to keep the house warm.

He pulled the interpreter from the Court of State Ceremonial and the imperial guards in charge of the escort aside, and rehearsed the reception procedures over and over again.

From which city gate the delegation received the imperial edict and rewards at, to which route they took after entering the city to best showcase the capital's prosperity while ensuring their safety, to every meal they ate, every meeting they held, and even the night patrol schedules...

"Here, the honor guard should be moved back a bit more to give the Northern Rong guards enough space, which shows respect and also prevents conflict."

"People along the way are welcome to watch, but each market must send people to maintain order, especially to prevent children from throwing fruit or stones, which could cause misunderstandings."

"And the translator—we must find the most experienced one. There can be absolutely no misunderstandings or even translation errors! All the etiquette and taboos for the meetings must be clearly communicated to the core members of the delegation beforehand. Anyone who dares to make a mistake on this matter, don't blame me for requesting His Majesty to strip them of their official robes!"

Lin Yan spoke until his throat was dry, but his eyes shone with an alarming intensity. He scrutinized every detail to the extreme. When he got serious, even the captain in charge of the Imperial Guards felt a chill. This Scholar Lin may look frail, but his aura is anything but weak.

The officials who accompanied him initially complained, feeling that this Hanlin scholar was making a mountain out of a molehill. However, seeing Lin Yan doing everything himself, working until his eyes were red, yet still remaining organized and thoughtful, their resentment gradually turned into admiration.

It's so curly, it's really curly.

In the past, people would usually just get by with the old routines when dealing with this kind of task, but this guy was like someone who wanted to twist every single rivet until it looked perfect.

No wonder he enjoys the Emperor's favor.

Lin Yan didn't care what others thought; he only knew that this matter concerned the national image, and if he didn't do it well, he would lose face and become a laughing stock.

He didn't want Xiao Che to become the kind of monarch who would be laughed at.

Amidst this non-stop busyness, Xiao Che's rewards were continuously delivered to the Lin family with an almost absurd frequency and intensity.

Today, Lin Yan pointed out that a section of the railing at Rouyuan Villa was not sturdy enough. The next day, the Imperial Household Department sent two boxes of fine hardware and tools, specifically requesting that Lord Lin "inspect" them.

Tomorrow, Lin Yan will miss his meal because he is coordinating affairs with various departments. He will be so hungry that his stomach will be sticking to his back. The imperial kitchen will "coincidentally" have an extra serving of snacks, which Li Lianshun will happily hand to him.

The day after tomorrow, he stayed up all night checking the procedures, and his eyes were sore. The head of the Imperial Medical Academy personally prepared a tea to brighten his eyes and cleanse his liver, along with two boxes of precious medicinal herbs, which were then delivered to his duty room.

Even though he wore out his official boots from frequent trips to various government offices, Xiao Che "coincidentally" rewarded him with two pairs of new boots made of excellent materials and with the exact same size.

Lin Yan received so many rewards that he felt embarrassed. When reporting to Xiao Che, he mentioned the matter: "Your Majesty, I have only done my duty and am truly unworthy of such a generous reward."

Xiao Che merely glanced at him indifferently: "When did it become your place to set the rules for bestowing rewards upon people? Take what's given to you and do your job well."

He just wanted to give all the good things to Lin Yan.

"He who takes a bribe is bound to be obliging; His Majesty, are you trying to corrupt me with sugar-coated bullets?"

But aren't there just too many sugar-coated bullets? My warehouse is almost overflowing!

Xiao Che listened to his jumbled thoughts without changing his expression: "The affairs of the Northern Rong are complicated. Minister Lin has worked hard. This small reward is nothing to mention."

Lin Yan: "..." You call this a little bit?

The gazes of my colleagues have gradually shifted from initial envy and jealousy to numbness and awe.

This wasn't just a matter of being favored by the emperor; it was like a waterfall of imperial favor, crashing down on you!

Lin Yan accepted the rewards with trembling hands, while throwing himself into his work even more desperately, trying to prove with his performance that he "deserved" these favors, even though he himself didn't know exactly what he deserved.

Finally, just as the various government offices were in complete disarray due to Lin Yan's urging, the day arrived for the Northern Rong delegation to arrive in the capital.

Before dawn that day, Lin Yan was already dressed.

His new scarlet official robe accentuated his upright posture. Although there was still weariness in his eyes, he was highly focused and his gaze was clear and sharp.

As the emperor's special envoy, he was required to represent Xiao Che to greet him outside the city, read the imperial edict, and preside over the ceremony of bestowing gifts of wine, meat, silk, and other supplies as a gesture of goodwill.

The main streets of the capital had already been cleaned with water, and the imperial guards stood solemnly along the way, their helmets and armor gleaming. The atmosphere was dignified and respectful.

Countless people were allowed to stand on both sides of the street to watch, tiptoeing and craning their necks, eager to catch a glimpse of the Northern Rong delegation and the young Hanlin scholar who had recently become very popular.

At the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), dust rose from the distant official road, and the flags of the Northern Rong delegation were faintly visible.

Lin Yan took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and led a group of officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Court of State Ceremonial to slowly step forward to greet them.

The mission was drawing ever closer.

Leading them were Prince Agula of the Northern Rong and Princess Qimuge.

Prince Agula was about twenty years old. He was tall and robust, with bronze skin, deep features, a high nose bridge, and sharp, hawk-like eyes. He wore the traditional clothing of the Northern Rong nobles, trimmed with fur, and exuded the fierce spirit of the sons and daughters of the grasslands.

Princess Qimuge appeared to be a little younger, around sixteen or seventeen years old. She had a healthy honey-colored complexion and large, bright eyes, like stars on the grassland, filled with curiosity and liveliness. She was also dressed in gorgeous ethnic costumes, surrounded by jewels, and looked radiant.

The team stopped at the designated location.

Lin Yan stepped forward, his face solemn, and unfolded the bright yellow imperial edict in his hand. His voice was clear and steady, penetrating the cool morning air: "By imperial decree of His Majesty the Emperor of Dayu: The Northern Rong delegation has come from afar, enduring wind and frost. I am deeply concerned for them and hereby bestow upon them one hundred jars of imperial wine, one hundred head of cattle and sheep, and five hundred bolts of brocade as a token of my appreciation. I hope that you will be grateful for this imperial grace, observe proper etiquette as guests, and work together to maintain harmony."

He read aloud with clear pronunciation, neither arrogant nor humble, displaying the demeanor of a superior nation without the slightest hint of arrogance.

This was the effect he achieved after practicing with Xiao Che many times in private.

The officials behind him immediately directed the laborers to carry the prepared rewards forward.

Prince Agula dismounted first, placed his right hand on his chest, bowed slightly, and performed a Northern Rong salute, his voice booming: "Agula of the Northern Rong, on behalf of my father Khan and the entire delegation, thanks His Majesty the Emperor of Dayu for his great kindness! Long live His Majesty!"

His Mandarin was somewhat stiff, but his attitude was still respectful.

Princess Qimuge followed her brother off his horse, curiously observing the young, handsome, and composed official of Dayu before her, and bowed in the same manner.

After the ceremony, officials from both sides stepped forward to meet.

According to the procedure, Prince Agula and Princess Qimuge will transfer to a luxurious carriage prepared by Dayu that matches their status, and enter the city under the escort of a ceremonial guard.

Just as the officials were guiding the prince and princess toward the carriage, Agula's gaze repeatedly swept over Lin Yan, who was quietly confirming the next steps with officials from the Court of State Ceremonial.

Lin Yan had dressed exceptionally neatly today to welcome the guests. His official robes were impeccable, his hat was upright, and his profile was clear as he focused on giving instructions. His expression was serious and composed, which contrasted sharply with the slightly nervous officials around him.

Agula's gaze lingered on him for a little too long.

Lin Yan was completely absorbed in the process and did not notice anything amiss.

The wheels of the carriage rolled over the smooth official road, and the huge delegation finally started moving slowly, heading towards the majestic Mingde Gate of the capital.

Lin Yan mounted his horse and rode slightly ahead of the caravan, leading the way with his back straight and his eyes fixed straight ahead, constantly aware of his surroundings.

The closer one gets to the city gate, the more solemn the atmosphere becomes.

The Imperial Guards standing solemnly along the way were clad in gleaming armor, their long halberds gleaming like a forest in the morning light, their disciplined bearing and utter silence the only sound being the fluttering of their flags in the wind. This silent pressure was more powerful than any clamor, demonstrating the military might and national strength of the Great Yu.

On both sides of the road, crowds of people allowed to watch the ceremony gathered, creating a noisy and bustling atmosphere.

The cries of vendors, the exclamations of children, and the chatter of people mingled together, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere reminiscent of the bustling marketplace.

The crowd became even more excited when they saw the delegation and its guards approaching.

"Look! Are those the prince and princess of the Northern Rong?"

"Ha! It really does look different!"

"Who is that gentleman in the scarlet robe? He's so young and handsome!"

"You don't know that? That's Scholar Lin from the Hanlin Academy! A favorite of His Majesty!"

Countless curious, inquisitive, and well-meaning gazes fell upon him, and Lin Yan could feel that he had become part of the spotlight. He tried his best to maintain a calm facial expression, but his heart couldn't help but tighten, fearing that something might go wrong.

For a moment, Lin Yan had the illusion that she was walking a red carpet.

The convoy passed smoothly through the towering Mingde Gate and officially entered the capital city.

The main streets of the city had already been cleaned and swept, with shops lining both sides and buildings standing tall and imposing. Although it was somewhat deserted due to the martial law, the grandeur and prosperity of the capital city were still palpable.

Agula silently surveyed this magnificent city, so different from his hometown, through the carriage window. His gaze was sharp as an eagle's, filled with scrutiny and assessment.

Its wooden frame is more exposed, and its bright eyes look around curiously, revealing an undisguised curiosity about the bustling scene of the capital.

Lin Yan controlled the horse while keeping an eye on the delegation's reaction out of the corner of his eye, which reassured him somewhat.

The procession wound its way forward and finally arrived at its destination—Rouyuan Villa.

At the entrance of the villa, palace servants and attendants were already waiting respectfully.

Lin Yan nimbly dismounted, exchanged a glance with the approaching Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, and knew everything was under control.

“Your Highness, Your Highness, please.” Lin Yan stepped forward and gestured to guide you, his demeanor calm and composed. “This is the place His Majesty has specially prepared for you two. All necessities have been provided. If there is anything lacking, please feel free to instruct the servants in the garden.”

Prince Agula withdrew his gaze from surveying the villa's surroundings and turned it back to Lin Yan. He nodded and said in broken Mandarin, "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Lin."

Qimuge also nodded slightly, just like his older brother.

They were led into the main hall, where they rested for a while and were served fragrant tea and snacks. Then they were to learn the etiquette of Dayu. The senior interpreter and etiquette officer sent by the Honglu Temple were already waiting on the side.

As the overall coordinator, Lin Yan naturally needed to be present and keep an eye on things.

He succinctly explained the general process of meeting the emperor, the arrangements for the palace banquet, and some basic etiquette norms of the Great Yu that needed to be observed, such as the kneeling ceremony during the audience, taboo words, and behavior during the banquet.

"...That's roughly it. Next, the master of ceremonies will give a detailed explanation and rehearsal for the two princes to ensure that everything goes smoothly during the audience and to demonstrate the sincerity of the friendship between the two countries." Lin Yan's tone was calm, neither impolite nor overly obsequious.

Qimuge listened attentively and occasionally asked a question or two, appearing very well-behaved. Agula, on the other hand, seemed somewhat absent-minded.

Lin Yan initially thought that the prince was impatient with these tedious rituals. After all, the people of the Northern Rong were fierce and did not value formalities. He was considering whether to make his statement more concise when he suddenly noticed something unusual.

The prince's gaze seemed to have fallen on him.

That gaze carried a straightforward, undisguised inquiry, even a kind of focused one.

From the opening and closing of his lips when he speaks, to the gestures of his fingers, to the patterns on his official robe, it's as if he's meticulously depicting something.

Lin Yan felt a slight chill run down his spine from that gaze, and his explanation unconsciously slowed down a bit.

What's going on?

Is there something on my face? Or is my official hat crooked?

Why is this prince staring at me like that? Is there something wrong with what I said?

Lin Yan subconsciously examined himself and found nothing amiss, but that gaze remained ever-present, so intense that it was impossible to ignore.

Lin Yan forced himself to calm down and continued the unfinished explanation, but the doubts in his heart grew stronger.

This Northern Rong prince's behavior is indeed quite strange.

Could it be that he has some kind of unusual fetish?

Or... is he plotting something that would be detrimental to him?

Thinking of the latter possibility, Lin Yan felt a chill and secretly became more vigilant.

He maintained a polite smile, finished his explanation, and then decisively took his leave, citing the reason that he would not disturb the two princes' rest.

As Lin Yan turned to leave the main hall of the villa, he could clearly feel that the inexplicable gaze from the Northern Rong prince lingered on his back until he walked out the door, at which point it completely disappeared.

Lin Yan strode out of the villa, mounted his horse, and let out a long sigh of relief as he faced the cool autumn breeze.

The reception work has finally gotten off to a good start, without any major mishaps.

It was this prince of the Northern Rong...

Lin Yan frowned, the strange feeling in his heart lingering.

He shook his head, deciding not to think about it for the time being. His immediate priority was to return and report to His Majesty.

As for that Northern Rong prince, he can't cause any trouble in the territory of Dayu.

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Author's Note: Xiao Che's jealous target has arrived! [doge emoji]