Chapter 36

Lin Shuge got up very early today. Yesterday, County Magistrate Li sent someone to inform him that the prince of Xiye Kingdom would be on a diplomatic mission to Dayan in a few days, and the county government had to prepare for the accommodation of the delegation.

Ganzhou County is a must-pass place between Xiya Kingdom and Yandu. If the delegation wants to go to Yandu to pay homage to the Emperor of Dayan, they must pass through Ganzhou County. The food, clothing, and reception etiquette of the group must be prepared in advance.

Lin Shuge washed his face numbly, picked up two buns he had made last night, heated them up and took a few bites.

Lin Qingyuan and Lin Xuan were not at home, and he was too lazy to go to the trouble of making breakfast.

After coming out of Duheng Academy that day, he and Lin Xuan went to Bitong Academy. Lin Qingyuan had already finished the exam and had been waiting at the door for a long time.

Upon hearing that Lin Xuan had passed the test, Lin Qingyuan danced around Lin Xuan and praised her excitedly for a long time before he shyly said that he had passed as well.

Lin Shuge was very happy at that time. He waved his hand and took his brother and sister-in-law to a restaurant.

After the three of them had a satisfying meal, the twins told him that in order to train students' self-care abilities and facilitate management, all students had to live in the academy and could only go home during their monthly rest days.

Lin Shuge was shocked when he heard this and was completely unable to react. So from then on, Ayuan and Axuan had to live on campus, Zhongxuan was also not here, and he was left alone at home.

Lin Qingyuan and Lin Xuan hurried to comfort her, saying that although they were not at home on weekdays, they would go home during their monthly rest days.

So what if it’s a day off? It’s only two days a month. Lin Shuge silently comforted himself that the children will eventually leave home when they grow up.

After he finished eating the buns, he locked the gate and went to work alone.

As soon as he entered the official residence, he saw the county officials busy with their work. They bowed to him one by one and then started working again after the bow.

He also came to his position and started to get busy, checking the number of people and vehicles in the delegation, and also sending people to verify some customs documents and tribute gifts.

After resting here, the delegation will go to Yandu to pay a visit to the emperor. The court will also send people to meet them. As the number of people meeting between the two sides increases, there will be more things to do, and just feeding a large group of people will be a problem.

Lin Shuge was so busy that he was overwhelmed.

But the envoy last time had a peculiar personality. I wonder what the personality of this little prince of Xiye Kingdom is like?

Xiye Kingdom is a small country among the countries in the Western Regions. It has always been sandwiched between some countries and has been trying to get along with them. This time it probably came to find a big backer so that it can find a backer to help it vent its anger if it is bullied again.

After all, the power of Dayan is obvious to all its neighboring countries. To be neighbors with such a behemoth, one must either surrender to it cautiously and make friends with it, or be stubborn and keep getting beaten until being destroyed by Dayan.

However, even if it is a small country, if they send their prince to make friends with you, you naturally cannot neglect it, otherwise it will go against the reputation of China as a country of etiquette.

Lin Shuge was calculating the number of people reported when he heard Zhou Du say, "Brother Huai Ting, I heard that this little prince of Xiye is very favored. Xiye is rich in gems, and the old emperor directly granted him several mines and even wanted to pass the throne to him."

"Really? The emperor is also a human being, and it's normal for him to dote on his youngest son." Lin Shuge replied casually.

Zhou Du was very interested, "This is not normal. Although ordinary families will dote on their youngest son, they will strictly educate their eldest son and place high hopes on him."

He saw that Lin Shuge was busy writing and drawing, and didn't hear him. "Brother Huai Ting, did you hear what I said?"

"I heard it, I heard it." Lin Shuge said casually.

Zhou Du said angrily: "Lin Huaiting, then tell me what I just said?"

It seemed that he would not give up until he finished speaking, so Lin Shuge had no choice but to put down his pen and said helplessly: "I heard you say that the eldest son should have high hopes."

Zhou Du then smiled, "That's why I said that there might be trouble in Xiye Kingdom. The old emperor is old and favors his youngest son. He must be dissatisfied that his eldest son is not favored."

"This time they sent their youngest son to serve as the chief envoy. It's obvious that they want him to make meritorious contributions so that he can return to the country and take over the throne."

When Lin Shuge heard what he said, he fell into deep thought. Deposing the eldest son and enthroning the youngest son is not a new thing from ancient times to the present. However, if the emperor was still in his prime, he could still suppress his sons and prevent the entire court from falling into turmoil. But if the emperor is old and the eldest son is capable of taking charge, then there will be trouble.

However, they don't have time to worry about these things, so let's just get to work first.

He pulled Zhou Du, who was still chattering, and stuffed him with an official document, only then did he forget his remarks that if the eldest son was deposed and the youngest son was enthroned, the country would no longer be a country.

Lin Shuge worked on the matter until late at night. After closing the last document, he sent away the clerk who came to report on official business, and stood up to stretch his aching waist.

"Let's go, Chief Zhou, it's time to go to work." Lin Shuge said to Zhou Du who was still sitting at the table.

As a result, Zhou Du didn't say anything. He walked over and knocked on his desk, and Zhou Du was so scared that he stood up from his chair.

"What? What's going on?"

Lin Shuge looked at his reaction and said with a smile: "You can fall asleep like this?"

He pointed to a pile of documents under Zhou Du's arm, and Zhou Du quickly sorted them out one by one.

"Hurry up and eat. I'm starving." He straightened his clothes that had been stained by sleep, and suddenly remembered, "Oh, aren't Ayuan and Axuan at home? You'll be alone at home, so why don't we go to the new restaurant? I'm exhausted today."

Lin Shuge thought that the kitchen would be cold and the food would be cold at home, so he nodded, and the two of them left the county government office.

After working overtime for several days, we finally waited for the arrival of the Xiye Kingdom delegation.

It was a sunny day with clear blue skies. The entire Ganzhou County government was on high alert to welcome the delegation.

Lin Shuge followed Magistrate Li and stood at the city gate. The sun was a bit dazzling, and the waiting made people feel sleepy.

Suddenly, the onlookers began to make a noise. Lin Shuge looked from afar and saw a group of people coming in a mighty manner, with cavalry leading the way in front and a luxurious carriage behind. He guessed that it was the envoy of the little prince of Xiye Kingdom.

The convoy gradually approached, and the cavalry leader walking in front dismounted.

The carriage behind also made a movement, and a young man jumped out first. Lin Shuge looked closely and found that this was the messenger who came to explore the way last time.

Without waiting for Lin Shuge to think about it, he helped a man out of the carriage. The man was wearing a lapel and narrow sleeves, long boots, and covered in jewels. He looked very rich, but his appearance was different from his clothes. He looked very handsome.

The cavalry leader in front strode over and said, "Wuni, the left commander of Xiya State, came to Dayan on the orders of our king and is willing to establish a permanent friendship with Dayan."

The man, who was the prince of Xiye Kingdom, also nodded and saluted.

"The envoy and the left commander have worked hard on the journey. Come, send the envoy from Xiye Kingdom to the post station to rest first." said Magistrate Li.

The officer obeyed the order and led the caravan to the post station.

Because the welcoming envoy sent by Yandu is still on the way, the two countries have not yet completed the process of handing over the credentials. All matters must wait until the envoy of Dayan arrives in Ganzhou.

These days, Lin Shuge and his colleagues' job is to ensure the safety of the delegation and their food, drink and rest.

One day, Lin Shuge was in the official residence preparing for the upcoming spring ploughing when suddenly a runner came to report to him that someone outside the county government office specifically wanted to see him. The runner was a little hesitant and stammered that it seemed to be an envoy from the Western Regions.

Lin Shuge was a little surprised. Could it be that person again?

He straightened his clothes and followed the officer out of the official residence. When he arrived at the gate of the county government office, he saw that it was indeed him, but there was someone else following him.

Lin Shuge thought: Could it be the one I’m thinking of?

"Mr. Lin, we meet again. You still remember me, right? I forgot to tell you my name last time. My name is... you can just call me A'le." His face was full of excitement as he greeted Lin Shuge.

Lin Shuge kept looking at the person next to him. Ale followed his line of sight and immediately understood, "This is my king's favorite prince Taran, you..."

Before he could finish, Lin Shuge stepped forward and asked, "Does the Left Commandant know that His Highness has come out?"

This ancestor wouldn't have come out with A'er, without any guards around him.

Taran glanced at him and mumbled something to Aljili.

"The prince said you don't have to worry, father has sent people to protect him."

Ale added: "The prince is not very proficient in Chinese. Please talk to me and I can act as an interpreter."

Lin Shuge looked at him expressionlessly, "I wonder what you two want from me?"

Ale scratched his cheek with his fingers, a little embarrassed, "Last time I went back, I told Prince Dayan that there were so many fun and delicious things to do, and you were the one who took me there, so..."

"So you come to see me again this time?" He also brought a big Buddha.

"I have no choice. You're the only one I know here." Ale's eyes were innocent, with a hint of pleading.

Seeing his expression, Lin Shuge sighed and said, "Let's go, where do you want to go?"

He winked at the officer and asked him to tell Magistrate Li, otherwise no one would be held responsible if anything happened.

The officer nodded and went to find Magistrate Li.

Ale and Taran chattered for a long time, "The prince said he really liked the cashmere shawl I bought last time, and he wanted to go and see it."

Lin Shuge nodded, "Okay, let's go."

Ale happily followed Lin Shuge and had another chat with Taran, pointing at Lin Shuge while talking.

Lin Shuge felt a headache from watching this. He thought that these two people would not bully him because he did not understand Xiye language and secretly scold him.

After walking along the street for a while, which was full of people coming and going, Lin Shuge watched carefully, fearing that some people would bump into them.

He saw a shop with people coming in and out, very busy, and clamored to go to the shop to take a look. Lin Shuge took a look and saw that it was Haoranzhai.

"Oh, that's a bookstore. They sell books, not shawls."

"Bookstore? That's perfect. The prince loves the culture of the Central Plains very much, so it's a good opportunity for him to go in and take a look."

He spoke to Taran again, and Taran's eyes lit up after listening. The two of them looked at Lin Shuge together.

Lin Shuge had no choice but to take them to Haoranzhai, hoping that Boss Xu would be serious this time and not cause any trouble.

As soon as he entered Haoranzhai, it was as lively as usual. Some were buying books, some were reading books, and some were copying books. Taran found it very interesting.

He pointed at a book held by a scholar and asked in unfluent Chinese: "What kind of paper is this? Why is it so fine?"

Even bamboo slips were rarely used in the Western Regions. He had seen paper, but he had never seen one as white as snow.