Chapter 315 The Great Sheng Dynasty Has Arrived
On the fifth day after leaving Zhenbeiguan, the desolate landscape of the buffer zone was already fully revealed.
There are no clear national borders here, only a vast area of land that is tacitly recognized by both countries as a military buffer zone.
Sparse, drought-resistant shrubs struggle to grow on the grayish-yellow soil. Occasionally, one can see the remains of abandoned beacon towers or wheel tracks left from an unknown year and month, some deep and some shallow, which are gradually buried by wind and sand.
The sky was an exceptionally high and leaden gray, and the wind was the only persistent sound on this land, sometimes whistling, sometimes shrieking, stirring up clouds of dust that rustled against the car roof.
On the vast, desolate land, apart from the delegation, there was no one else. It was as if a pack of wild beasts could rush out of the wasteland at any moment and tear them apart.
The mission was on high alert.
Zhao Jingxing adjusted the guard formation to the highest level, and released scouts ten miles away to take turns, ensuring that there were no blind spots within the field of vision.
Jiang Ling sat beside Cheng Jiaojiao in her carriage.
Jiang Ling lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, looked at the desolate scenery outside, and said in a low voice, "According to the itinerary, we should meet the escort team from the Great Sheng Dynasty by tomorrow afternoon at the latest. Only after the escort is completed will we officially enter the territory of the Great Sheng Dynasty, and their guards will gradually take over the outer perimeter security."
Cheng Jiaojiao nodded, her hands unconsciously clenching into fists. "General Zhao said that the chief official sent by the Great Sheng Dynasty to receive us is their Vice Minister of Rites, surnamed Xiao."
“Xiao Yuanshan,” Jiang Ling added.
Zhao Jingxing had already discussed this information with her.
"He was 43 years old, a Jinshi graduate, and served in the Ministry of Rites of the Dasheng Dynasty for 15 years. He was known for his prudence, thoroughness, and ability to handle difficult matters. He participated in the border negotiations between the two countries three times and was not an easy person to deal with."
"Will they... notice?" Cheng Jiaojiao's voice was so soft it was almost swallowed by the wind.
Jiang Ling grasped her slightly cool hand: "The key to the plan isn't at the border, but once we're deep inside. Right now, all you need to do is be a good princess for the Great Yu Dynasty's marriage alliance; leave the rest to us."
Cheng Jiaojiao grasped her hand in return and nodded vigorously.
Just after noon the next day, a scout on horseback reported back.
"General! A force has appeared five miles ahead! They are carrying the banners of the Ministry of Rites of the Great Sheng Dynasty, numbering about three hundred men, with cavalry escorts. They are setting up makeshift camps on the spot, seemingly waiting!"
It's finally here.
Zhao Jingxing raised his hand, and the entire delegation slowly came to a stop.
He rode up to Cheng Jiaojiao's carriage and said in a deep voice through the curtain, "Your Highness, the envoy from the Great Sheng Dynasty is ahead. Please make your preparations and meet him according to protocol."
From inside the carriage came Cheng Jiaojiao's calm and composed voice: "I understand, thank you for your trouble, General."
The mission continued onward, and about fifteen minutes later, the scene ahead came into view.
On a relatively flat open space, several large felt tents had indeed been erected, with the flags of the Great Sheng Dynasty fluttering above them.
A procession of about three hundred people stood in formation, half of them dressed in crimson robes as officials of the Ministry of Rites and their entourage, and the other half were cavalrymen in bright armor. Their armor style was slightly different from that of the Great Yu Dynasty, appearing more imposing.
At the front of the procession, several people stood.
The man in the center wore a dark purple official robe and a black gauze hat. He was about forty years old, with a clear face, three long wisps of beard, and a calm expression. His gaze was fixed on the delegation.
This person was none other than Xiao Yuanshan, the Vice Minister of Rites during the Great Sheng Dynasty.
Zhao Jingxing raised his hand, and the delegation stopped a hundred paces away from the other side.
He dismounted, straightened his armor, and led Zhao Shuo and several officials carrying official documents and gift lists forward steadily.
Xiao Yuanshan also stepped forward to greet them.
The two sides met in the open space in the middle.
"Zhao Jingxing, the General of Huaihua of the Great Yu Dynasty, is here by order of His Majesty to escort Princess Anning into your country." Zhao Jingxing clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice loud and clear, following proper etiquette.
Xiao Yuanshan returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his demeanor composed: "Xiao Yuanshan, Vice Minister of Rites of the Great Sheng Dynasty, has come to welcome Princess Anning on the orders of my lord. General Zhao, you must be tired from your journey."
Their eyes met; one was resolute and composed, the other shrewd and reserved. In an instant, they completed their initial assessment of each other.
"His Majesty has eagerly awaited the arrival of Your Highness the Princess and has specifically ordered me to ensure a proper welcome, thus demonstrating the sincerity of our two nations in forging lasting friendship." Xiao Yuanshan stepped aside, gesturing to the tents already prepared behind him.
"This place is remote and there are no inns or post stations. I have already ordered some simple tents and food to be prepared. Please rest here for the time being, Your Highness and the General, and we will set off again tomorrow for the post station a hundred miles away."
"Lord Xiao, you've gone to so much trouble," Zhao Jingxing said calmly.
The handover and overnight rest at this location were pre-arranged procedures.
He turned around and gestured, and the delegation began to move forward in an orderly manner, stopping in the area designated by Xiao Yuanshan's team to begin settling in.
Soon, officials from the Ministry of Rites of the Sheng Dynasty came and respectfully invited "Your Highness" to move to the largest felt tent prepared for distinguished guests.
Supported by two personal maids, Cheng Jiaojiao, wearing a waist-length veil and an elaborate and solemn princess's auspicious robe, slowly alighted from the carriage.
Although Cheng Jiaojiao has a lively personality, she has been raised as a pampered young lady since childhood and has all the proper etiquette and manners.
They can easily handle this kind of scenario.
Xiao Yuanshan stood before the main tent, lowering his eyes and bowing in greeting. As Cheng Jiaojiao passed in front of him, his eyes subtly swept over her out of the corner of his eye.
Jiang Ling, as a "female attendant," followed behind Cheng Jiaojiao.
Upon entering the spacious felt tent, one finds it to be quite thoughtfully furnished.
The floor was covered with a thick woolen carpet, and there were low couches, small tables, and even a small bronze incense burner burning with a faint scent of sandalwood.
Although it lacked the extravagance of a palace, it still demonstrated considerable sincerity and courtesy in the wilderness.
Cheng Jiaojiao sat down on the couch, with palace maids standing on either side.
Xiao Yuanshan did not follow inside, but instead sought instructions outside the tent:
"Your Highness must be tired from your journey, and I will not disturb you. I have prepared a simple feast, which will be served shortly. If you need anything, please feel free to ask the servants outside the tent."
"Thank you for your trouble, Lord Xiao." Cheng Jiaojiao's voice came through the veil.
The curtains were drawn, separating the inside from the outside.
Cheng Jiaojiao breathed a sigh of relief, but still maintained her upright sitting posture.
She knew that countless eyes were watching the tent, both openly and secretly.
Outside the tent, Zhao Jingxing and Xiao Yuanshan began the formal handover between the officials.
Officials from both sides checked the documents and gift lists, and inventoried the dowry items.
The guards brought by Zhao Jingxing and the cavalry brought by Xiao Yuanshan each divided their own guard zones, maintaining clear boundaries between them.
At dusk, the so-called "simple feast" was delivered to Cheng Jiaojiao's tent. It consisted of several exquisite snacks, roasted meat, and soup, served in silverware.
Xiao Yuanshan personally paid his respects outside and then left without requesting a meeting.
As night fell, the wind on the wasteland grew stronger, making the tents flap loudly.
The two teams lit their own campfires, the light and shadows flickering in the howling wind.
In a smaller tent next to the main tent, Jiang Ling met with Zhao Jingxing.
"How is it?" Jiang Ling asked in a low voice.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com