While at Park Gon's house, Park Gon and Zhao Cheng discussed the situation in the Western Regions. It seems that the leaders of the Trento and Abili are leading a coalition of many small countries and want to destroy the Great Yue Kingdom.
The main reason is that the Great Yue Kingdom was one of the major powers in the Western Regions, and it was in an unstable period with its king on his deathbed and the throne changing hands, which made it a target of the covetous eyes of its evil neighbors.
Yuan Xiu was extremely cunning. He let them compete in gift-giving, since he treated all the Western Region countries equally at the state banquet. He even acted like a doting father, urging them to live in harmony, which was full of fatherly love.
After the Western Regions kingdoms presented their gifts, it was the Houcang Kingdom in the southwestern part of the Great Jing Dynasty that came next.
The envoy from Hou Cang was quite frank, saying that Hou Cang was weak and economically strapped, and had no gold, silver and jewels to offer, so he could only send some local specialties.
Yuan Xiu appeared unmoved, suggesting he had long since adapted to the style of the Later Cang Kingdom.
The key point is that he also knows that most of the area of Houcang Kingdom is mountainous, and it is indeed very poor.
A great power should act like a great power. They're so poor, so let's not mock them. Let's just say their local specialties are delicious…
The Southern Zhou Dynasty presented the final tribute.
As expected of a great power, Zhou Jinghuan, as a prince, served as an envoy and personally read out the letter of credence and the list of gifts. The list of gifts made the kingdoms of the Western Regions tremble with fear, thinking to themselves that the South was truly prosperous...
If Dajing didn't have strategic geographical advantages, it really wouldn't be a match for Southern Zhou if it came down to pure economic competition.
Zhao Cheng became even more determined to cooperate with Cai Yilu and sell the picture album to Southern Weekly.
Not only that, but from now on, any product with high profit margins will have to find a distribution channel through Southern Weekly.
Making a fortune off them is also a way to benefit the country!
As Zhao Cheng was pondering this with righteous indignation, someone suddenly patted him on the shoulder.
He turned around and exclaimed in surprise, "Cai Yilu!"
Cai Yilu, holding his wine glass, smiled and said, "This area of yours has always been the focus of attention. You didn't want to attract attention at first, which is why you've been so late in coming to offer your toast."
Zhao Chengxian clinked glasses with Cai Yilu and asked, "You were invited too? Oh right, you're a successful businessman, you belong to the ranks of the invited elites."
No.
Cai shook his head and said, "I'm only doing small-scale business, I'm not qualified."
"And who are you?"
"To be honest, young prime minister, the prefect of Yunjing County is my father."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Cheng's mouth formed an "o" shape.
Prefect of Yunjing County!
Yunjing County is the southernmost county of Jing Kingdom, bordering Southern Zhou. It administers more than ten cities, including Yunjing City, Yunshui City, and Yunmeng City, as well as countless small counties.
Like Jingdong County, which governs thirteen cities in Jingdong, it is a large county.
The Great Jing Dynasty did not have prefectures, so the Prefect of Yunjing Commandery was a true regional governor!
Zhao Cheng immediately understood why Cai Yilu had confidently said that he was the only one who could represent the picture album in Southern Weekly.
As the head of a prefecture bordering Southern Zhou, Cai Yilu had no shortage of connections within Southern Zhou. No wonder other Yunjing people could only do business on the border or in the north of Southern Zhou, while Cai Yilu could make a name for himself in Kangye, the capital of Southern Zhou.
It's all about who your father is!
Zhao Cheng recalled Zhou Nuo's investigation into Cai Yilu, who said that Cai Yilu had a hidden expert protecting him.
That makes sense. Someone of Cai Yilu's status would be strange if he didn't have a powerful protector.
Zhao Cheng thought to himself that Cai Yilu treated him like a crutch, but he himself treated Cai Yilu like a crutch in return.
We're each other's lifeline!
Thinking this to herself, she pretended to be unhappy and said, "What a surprise! Why did you keep it from me? Was it fun?"
"Before I understand the young prime minister's character, I really dare not easily reveal my special identity," Cai Yilu said frankly.
Zhao Cheng immediately understood. Although the Champion King's army was stationed in Yun Jing City, Cai Yilu's father was the prefect, and he still controlled the military and civilian affairs of the entire Yun Jing Prefecture. The emperor was already wary of Zhao Huan, and if Zhao Cheng became close to Cai Yilu, the emperor would inevitably have doubts.
Cai kept it a secret from Zhao Cheng, both to protect himself and to protect Zhao Cheng.
He did a very successful job of concealing his identity; otherwise, even Zhou Nuo wouldn't have failed to discover it.
Zhao Cheng nodded and said, "Then you can go. Just have a drink as a token gesture, don't linger here too long."
"About the art book..."
"Can we just have some fun and talk about work after the state banquet?"
"Haha, very good, young prime minister, drink slowly!"
Zhao Cheng breathed a sigh of relief as he watched Cai Yilu's retreating figure, thinking that this was indeed good news.
Meanwhile, Southern Zhou's tribute was also coming to an end.
"Nan Zhou naturally expresses its sincere congratulations to Jingguo for eliminating the Night Dan, a major threat. My royal brother said that the Night Dan people are inherently cruel, eating and sleeping with wolves, like unevolved wild beasts. They harm not only the people of Jingguo, but also all of humanity. Therefore, Jingguo's achievement is a blessing for mankind!"
"With the fall of Yedan, the people of Jing Kingdom can now enjoy a life of peace and stability. I, the Emperor of Southern Zhou, am also a peace-loving man and hope that peace between our two countries can continue indefinitely. Therefore, on behalf of Southern Zhou, I propose a marriage alliance with Jing Kingdom. My Second Prince of Southern Zhou will marry a princess of Jing Kingdom!"
After Zhou Jinghuan finished speaking, Yuan Xiu nodded and said, "This is a good thing. With the marriage between the two countries, our Great Jing can focus on developing its economy, while your Southern Zhou can focus on composing poems and writing essays and concentrate on driving out the pirates. I approve this. A suitable princess will be selected after the state banquet."
Upon hearing this, all the officials smiled, for it was indeed a joyous occasion. However, Zhou Jinghuan's next words took everyone by surprise.
"The Second Prince already has a princess he likes."
"Oh? This Second Prince has never been to Dajing before. Who has he taken a fancy to?" Yuan Xiu asked curiously.
"Master Tu of the Great Jing Kingdom once painted a portrait of a princess, which was widely circulated in the Southern Zhou Dynasty and was highly praised by scholars and literati..."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Xiu's expression changed slightly.
Zhou Jinghuan continued, "The Second Prince is to marry Princess Jingguo, Yuan Yun!"
Yuan Xiu immediately jumped up from the dragon throne, pointed at Zhou Jinghuan, and cursed, "Bullshit!! Zhou Jinghuan, do you believe I'll tear your mouth apart?!"
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