Nanjing.
In the Embroidery Garden in the south of the city, Jin Jianzhong sat on a high platform with his legs crossed, watching the graceful dancers on the stage with a grin. Mai Lirui and the others beside him had different expressions as they sat upright in their chairs, watching the stage.
At that moment, a graceful woman in a silk skirt on one side of the stage was playing the pipa, plucking the strings faster and faster.
At the same time, the group of women in red on stage started dancing faster, and the large expanse of fair and voluptuous skin revealed by their flowing dresses caught the eyes of the onlookers.
Jin Jianzhong craned his neck, forgetting even to drink the glass of light wine he was holding.
“Brother Jianzhong, the women of your Dagan are indeed extraordinary. Their skin is so delicate; I think it’s much better than the women of my Hunnic country.” Fan Lilun’s face flushed, and he stared at the stage without blinking.
Hearing this, Jin Jianzhong reluctantly looked away from the stage, turned to Fan Lilun, and smiled:
"Of course. The woman you brought me last time I visited you had a unique charm, but the hair on her hands and feet was just too much."
"It looks fine, but when I touch it, it feels a bit strange."
Fan Lilun shook his head. "So what? I have even more hair on my chest; that's proof of my strength." He puffed out his chest, looking smug.
Jin Jianzhong smiled and said, "That's true, they each have their own merits."
At this point, he glanced around at everyone, finally fixing his gaze on the silent Mai Lirui, and said with a smile:
"So, Sir Merriwley, are you satisfied with what I've brought you here today?"
Mai Lirui remained calm and nodded, saying, "Well... I'd rather start trading with you as soon as possible. We've come here to do big business, but we haven't met your emperor yet. When do you think we could pay him a visit?"
He looked at Jin Jianzhong.
Jin Jianzhong smiled and waved his hand: "No rush. Right now, there are treacherous officials causing trouble in the country. His Majesty is currently focused on this matter. Once this is resolved, I will come to see His Majesty to discuss this matter again."
After saying that, Mai Lirui raised an eyebrow and asked in a deep voice, "I've heard some discussions along the way. It seems that the rebels are quite formidable?"
"When will this problem be completely resolved?"
Jin Jianzhong scoffed, "They're just a bunch of rabble. They're no good. His Majesty has already sent a large army to suppress them. I expect the fighting will start in the next few days."
Mai Lirui's eyes flashed, and he asked again, "Oh? So you mean, this battle will be almost over once it's over?"
Jin Jianzhong downed the glass of light wine in one gulp, a flush rising to his face. He smiled and said:
"That's right. After this battle, even if we can't completely suppress them, this victory will prevent the rebels from causing any more trouble. Even if they escape, we'll just have to wait for them to be wiped out little by little."
"By then, Your Majesty will be able to calm down, and we can discuss trade matters later."
Mai Lirui nodded, then whispered, "Didn't they say there's also Fusang in the East Sea..."
Just then, Jin Jianzhong frowned, tilted his head, and said, "Sir Merriman, are you aware of this?"
Mai Lirui said calmly, "We have a fleet at sea. We saw Japanese ships sailing across the ocean before. They were fully armed and heading straight for a major operation. I don't think it's a good thing."
"Didn't you attack Japan a few years ago?"
Jin Jianzhong shook his head and argued, "No, it's not that we're attacking Japan, but that they're coming to cause trouble in our country."
"Originally, we were at peace, but who knew that this little Japan had such wolfish ambitions and intended to seize our vast land, which is why we started fighting."
"However, this small country is hardly a match for us. Back then, we were utterly defeated and fled back like drowning dogs."
"And this time, these bastards are causing trouble again. I don't know who gave them the guts."
Mai Lirui nodded and hummed in agreement.
Then, he smiled and said, "Brother Jianzhong, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."
"Hmm? Just say what you have to say." Jin Jianzhong then turned his gaze back to the stage.
Mai Lirui touched a ring on his hand, looked down and smiled, saying:
"During this visit, I sensed that your efforts were somewhat chaotic. Is your emperor perhaps finding it difficult to manage?"
Jin Jianzhong frowned and turned to look at him: "How could that be?"
"Everything is under control!"
Mai Lirui pursed his lips slightly and said calmly, "Brother Jianzhong, we are friends, your business is our business."
"For the sake of future trade, I think we might be able to lend you a hand and allow our fleet to land in the South China Sea. What do you think?"
Jin Jianzhong was taken aback, but quickly scratched his head and said, "That won't be necessary."
"Sir Merriman, we can handle these things, but beyond that, I can't make any decisions, haha."
"That will require His Majesty's permission, and of course, that's a matter for the future."
"Don't think about it too much now. Just wait a few more days, and the rebels will be suppressed. You'll see then."
Mai Lirui nodded slightly, smiled, and said nothing more.
Just then, the song ended, and Jin Jianzhong clapped his hands and laughed loudly:
"Excellent! Excellent! You danced well, and you played well too!"
"Guards, bestow the reward!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the servants threw silver coins onto the stage, and the dancers on the stage scrambled to grab them.
Seeing everyone scrambling for the food, Jin Jianzhong became even happier. He stood up and laughed loudly:
"No rush to rob, I have plenty of silver."
"If you make me happy, I can have as many as I want!"
"Come on! Keep the music playing, keep dancing! Hahahaha!"
Amidst triumphant laughter, the strings of the zither were plucked, and the pretty girls moved their slender feet, the bells on the red ropes jingling incessantly.
——
"Da da da".
As dusk fell, under the dim glow of the setting sun, the sound of horses' hooves echoed across the vast plain as several scouts rode up, heading straight for the military camp.
Upon entering the military camp, the leading soldier immediately bowed and clasped his hands in greeting:
"Reporting to the general, according to reconnaissance at the front, the rebel army is advancing rapidly and is heading straight for Bailiyuan!"
"At this rate of progress, they should be able to arrive here in about three days!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiong Qian stroked his chin and said:
"They've arrived quickly enough! It seems this traitor is already impatient to seize the throne."
"It seems they haven't stopped for a single day since leaving Yanluo Mountain."
"They arrived so quickly."
Upon hearing this, the deputy general Wan Yan said in a deep voice, "General, the rebels arrived quickly, in my opinion, because the garrisons in those cities did not resist them."
"Hmph, these traitors have allowed the rebels to travel unimpeded; otherwise, they wouldn't have gotten so close to us so soon."
Xiong Qian then laughed.
"Ha ha ha ha."
Amid the laughter, another deputy general, Shi Yang, frowned slightly, looking puzzled.
"Why is the general laughing?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
