Chapter 53: King Jing's Request

Emperor Rong came over and said, "Seriously, how far has it come?"

Rong Zhuo put away his excited thoughts and said the worst possible thing, "You can only feel a little pain if you go down first."

Wen Renyuan's eyes flashed, and he immediately congratulated in a low voice, "Congratulations, third brother."

King Jing also stepped forward with brotherly respect, "Wait another year, and I think my third brother will be able to stand up."

Emperor Rong smiled, "I thought you were still in pain, so I didn't give you any job. Now you want a job."

Everyone calmed down after hearing this.

Rong Zhuo said, "For now, I still want to recuperate in Prince Rui's mansion."

Emperor Rong did not force it, "That's fine. This is also the credit of your princess." He changed his words and said, "Chang Jichang, go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and get 100 taels of gold to give to Princess Rui."

"If your husband can really stand up on his legs, your father will give you a generous reward."

Chu Sishui couldn't stop smiling, but when she saw a lot of people looking at her, she restrained her smile and said, "Thank you, father."

Emperor Rong motioned King Jing to come forward again, "I heard that you have been studying foreign affairs recently."

King Jing's eyes flickered on the ground, "Yes."

"In one month, the foreign envoys will arrive in Jinxiao City. You will be responsible for the rest."

Prince Jing and He Yaoguang immediately bowed to express their gratitude. Concubine Xiao also served tea and water to Emperor Rong, which was rare for him, and was very attentive.

King Jing finally got his assignment and was in a good mood. He chatted with Rong Zhuo for a long time.

However, the former queen standing aside sighed secretly.

Everyone had lunch in Fengyi Palace. As the emperor had to meet with ministers in the afternoon, he let them do as they pleased.

Wen Renyuan couldn't help but say, "Look at what happened today. When our prince was born, father only gave him a jade pendant according to royal regulations. Chu Sishui, the daughter of a seventh-rank official, was rewarded with a hundred taels of gold just because she knew some medical skills and helped your brother's leg get a little better."

"Today, my mother said so, and my father has never thought of restoring your title. When will our life end? Seeing that your fourth brother is also going to be in the limelight, you, the eldest son of the emperor, are no better than a princess."

Rong Bo was also annoyed by her at this time, "You have such great ambitions, why don't you ask your father to help you? Now your father-in-law is also hiding from the limelight, why do you have to offend him at this critical juncture?"

Wen Renyuan, "I can't count on you anymore, so you just hide your head like a turtle. The letter of apology was just written for the emperor to see, and you took it seriously. King Jing has already started to ask for an errand, and you are still thinking about being friendly and respectful to your brothers."

Rong Bo didn't want to argue with her, so he turned around and went back to the side room.

Wen Ren Yuan felt depressed. In terms of family background and strategy, she was the only person in Jinxiao City who was praised by the people as a model for the country. But now that she had married Rong Bo, all this was getting further and further away from her.

She remembered the letter her father had written a few days ago, saying that King Jing's mission must not be allowed to succeed. She used to think that these despicable means were dirty, but now she doesn't think so.

He called the servant over and said, "You take this letter to Lord Wenren at the border and tell him that I agree with his decision."

"yes."

Unlike the tense situation in the Second Prince's Mansion, the Jing Prince's Mansion was peaceful.

He Yaoguang couldn't help but remind him again, "You must remember your second brother's lesson. Although the affairs of the foreign vassal states have not changed much over the years, this is also the first major task you have taken over. How the six ministries will evaluate you depends on this time."

King Jing hugged her and said, "Thank you for thinking of me, Princess. I think the playboy from Jinxiao City can finally take off his disguise and make plans properly."

"Is the news from my father-in-law reliable? The envoys will arrive in a few days, and some from remote areas will arrive in a month. For those who come early, I will have to entertain them for a month."

He Yaoguang nodded his head, "That's right. In previous years, the Honglu Temple would be busy from the end of the year to the beginning of the next spring, and these envoys would spend the New Year in Jinxiao City."

Prince Jing held onto her fair and smooth fingers and said, "I will go to the Honglu Temple tomorrow. You don't have to worry too much. My second brother is just too eager for quick success. I will slowly figure out the twists and turns and then act."

He Yaoguang also put his worries aside and nodded, then went to rest.

The Honglu Temple was originally a special department of the imperial court, with Du Shaoqing in charge of all matters. Yesterday, the Emperor ordered His Royal Highness Prince Jing to take over the reception and escort of envoys this year, and the Honglu Temple found the required files early in the morning.

When King Jing arrived, he first sent someone to give each official a portion of cake and a cup of tea, and then ordered the Honglu Temple to make preparations in the morning. We will report on the work in the afternoon.

The Honglu Temple, which was usually busy from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, took a break for the first time.

At noon, King Jing followed Du Shaoqing to the restaurant, "Master Du, I will eat whatever you eat. You don't need to arrange a separate lunch for me."

Du Shaoqing also respectfully greeted him and came to the inner room, where the servants set the table for the meal.

King Jing saw that there were three dishes and one soup, which was not rich, but it was enough to fill him up.

Seeing that he had finished eating, Du Shaoqing put away his original suspicion and asked, "How do you plan to proceed this afternoon, Your Highness?"

King Jing was not polite, "Please tell me what I should pay attention to in this reception."

Du Shaoqing asked the servant to serve tea. "The rest of the reception, banquet and tribute are easy. The most difficult part is the details of the foreign trade between the two countries."

"For example, we use copper coins as the standard, but the source countries recognize gold, silver and fur. We use silk as a symbol of etiquette, but the nomadic tribes in the north regard it as an ordinary commodity."

"You have to be extra careful when you are receiving guests. If you are not careful, you may offend them. Last time, a Diankeshu (a direct subordinate of Shaoqing) was scolded by a nomadic tribe."

King Jing was somewhat surprised, "Such a serious matter, and yet there is still a shrew cursing in the street?"

Du Shaoqing, "Your Highness will change his mind. Outsiders don't know and think that receiving foreign envoys is a very serious matter. But only we know that sometimes the gifts we send are not to their liking, and they are scolded or beaten; or some envoys don't speak official language well and make mistakes, and we have to clean up the mess for them decently. After all, they are brother countries, and we have to save face."

King Jing understood, "Thank you, sir. I will look at what has been given away over the years and then ask you for advice on any questions I have."

Du Shaoqing withdrew respectfully.

King Jing kept his word and as soon as he started his afternoon shift, he began to move in all the files related to banquets, gifts, etiquette, farewells, introductions, and business negotiations. After ten full days, he finally found out everything that had happened in the past five years, and the rumors about him being a workaholic also spread among the six departments.

Ministry of Works, "Have you heard that the people from the Honglu Temple have not slept for ten consecutive days?"

Ministry of Revenue, "Ah finally it's their turn. Thinking back to the time before the Second Prince came here really drives me crazy."

Ministry of Justice, "You are as miserable as us? Our boss hasn't slept well for two months."

Ministry of Rites, "After all, the Ministry of Works is the most comfortable."

Ministry of War, "Ministry of Works? I heard that the Third Prince is coming to the Ministry of Works."

The Ministry of Industry was furious, "Who told you that..."