How to take care of it?
I was rejected, though the rejection was subtle and discreet.
Murong Xi asked calmly.
"His Majesty just said that if embassies are established in every city of Anguo, at least one residence in a decent location and a decent size must be selected in each city. Not counting manpower and financial resources, just selecting residences will waste a lot of time. Who knows when the embassies will actually be put into use. How can the two countries cooperate in such a short time? I'm afraid the people of Yueyao will be dissatisfied!"
Jing Zhe spoke with great seriousness, but Murong Xi didn't listen at all. Her eyes were somewhat vacant, and she seemed lost in thought.
Chu Xia, standing nearby, curled her lip and said, "Since it's so troublesome, let's do as our Empress says and have a marriage alliance!"
"Your Majesty, you are mistaken! It is precisely because it is difficult that His Majesty wishes to take care of you!"
Jing Zhe clapped his hands and laughed, "Our Da'an Newspaper has already begun planning to open branches throughout Anguo. I've already sent people out to find suitable locations, and the branches will be established within a few months after the New Year. The newspaper's locations are all excellent; we can reserve a few rooms in each branch as Yueyao embassies. This way, if Yueyao envoys encounter problems in Anguo, they can be dealt with promptly. In this way, cooperation between Anguo and Yueyao can be realized in less than a year. This is His Majesty's consideration for Yueyao!"
"That's right, that's exactly what I meant!"
When Murong Xi first heard about this cooperation proposal, he was worried about being monitored by Anguo. And wasn't Emperor Anguo worried about the same thing?
In comparison, although both countries have established embassies in their respective countries, how big is Anguo compared to how big is Yueyaoguo?
Moreover, Anguo is far more powerful than Yueyaoguo. It's like two people of vastly different strengths learning from each other; the weaker one benefits far more than the stronger one. Therefore, Emperor An felt he had been taken advantage of.
However, Jing Zhe's suggestion was excellent. It not only saved them the trouble of finding a place for the Yueyao Kingdom's embassy, but also placed the Yueyao embassy within the newspaper office, which was a form of surveillance.
"Your Majesty, what do you think of this proposal?"
Emperor An smiled and asked again. Following Jing Zhe's words, he had thought of another good idea, and was just waiting for Murong Xi to nod.
Murong Xi thought for a moment, then a light suddenly appeared in his eyes. He nodded and said, "That's right. Thank you very much, Your Majesty Emperor An, for taking such good care of our Yueyao Kingdom."
"Of course, of course!"
Emperor An waved his hand, then changed the subject and asked, "If we do it this way, within a year, Yueyao Kingdom will be able to open quite a few embassies in An Kingdom. What about our embassy in An Kingdom?"
Murong Xi seemed to have already thought it through, and replied directly: "Our Yueyao Kingdom cannot be compared with An Kingdom. Whether it is discussion, site selection or construction, we still need a lot of time, after all, we have no experience."
"Your Majesty, if Yueyao can build several embassies in Anguo within a year, it would be unfair to Anguo if the construction of its own embassy takes too long!"
Emperor An said in a deep voice.
"Alas, Your Majesty's words are reasonable, but the actual situation in Yueyao Kingdom is what it is, and I am helpless unless—"
"Unless what?"
"Since the Da'an Newspaper has opened branches all over Anguo so easily, it must have a lot of experience. If we can share this experience with Yueyao Kingdom, we can establish a Yueyao Newspaper and set up the Anguo embassy there!"
"..."
Emperor An frowned.
He originally planned to open a branch of the Da'an Newspaper in Yueyao Kingdom, so that he could not only obtain their intelligence, but also subtly infiltrate the influence of An Kingdom.
To his surprise, Murong Xi immediately interrupted his idea and demanded that they establish their own newspaper.
Emperor An was unwilling, but after thinking about it, he felt relieved.
While the embassy is useful, its main function for Anguo is to monitor the movements of Yueyao. What is truly useful to Anguo is the trade route, since Anguo is a vast country with abundant resources and can sell more goods to Yueyao, which is more beneficial to Anguo's development.
Besides, we can't add any more conditions at this point. What if she refuses to cooperate again and insists on a marriage alliance?
Having learned his lesson, Emperor An laughed and said, "Alright, no problem!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty Emperor An!"
Murong Xi thanked him in a low voice, but there was little joy on her face.
"What are the Empress's plans next?"
"Since we are going to establish a newspaper, I intend to study at the Da'an Newspaper Office for a while. After the Anguo New Year, I will immediately return to Yueyao Kingdom, discuss it with the Yueyao ministers, and then follow the same method."
"So hastily? Doesn't Your Majesty plan to stay a few more days? There will be poetry gatherings in Jingzhou from after the New Year to the Lantern Festival, which are very lively. Your Majesty is here in Anguo, wouldn't you like to see them?"
Emperor Andi said with a smile.
After Jing Zhe refused again, Murong Xi was heartbroken and lost all interest in the place.
What's the point of staying any longer? It will only add to the sorrow.
"Thank you for the invitation, Your Majesty, but I cannot. The Anguo New Year is in five days, and I intend to take this opportunity to study at the Da'an Newspaper. Once the New Year is over, I will return immediately. After all, Jingzhou is not close to Laixi, and it will take half a month to get back. Every day I linger here will delay the embassy's affairs."
After hearing her explanation, Emperor An did not insist on keeping her.
"In that case, President Jing, please arrange for someone to take Empress Yueyao to familiarize herself with and learn about the operational procedures and various tasks involved in printing the newspaper at the Da'an Newspaper Office in the next few days!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"No need for that."
As soon as Jing Zhe finished answering, Murong Xi immediately said, "During my remaining days in Jingzhou, I hope that President Jing can take the trouble to guide me in learning newspaper management skills. I wonder if President Jing would agree?"
"..."
This was somewhat like openly "forcing the emperor to abdicate" in front of all the ministers of Anguo. Jing Zhe once again lamented that Zhu Xinning was not there.
"President Jing, don't hesitate any longer. It seems the Empress won't be staying in Jingzhou for more than a few days. How about I make the decision for her? Whenever the Empress needs you, Jing Zhe must be at her beck and call!"
"..."
Available anytime... but what about at night?
Jing Zhe was lost in thought.
Emperor An wasn't stupid. He could see what Murong Xi meant to Jing Zhe, otherwise why would she be so eager for a marriage alliance?
Although she was the empress of a country, she was only in her early twenties, about the same age as his daughter Su Mochen. Her beloved was so close yet so far away, unattainable. Emperor An felt a little sorry for Murong Xi.
Since they couldn't get along anyway, and she would only be staying in Jingzhou for five or six days at most, it would be better to let Jing Zhe accompany her for a few days. Emperor An would be doing her a favor this time. As for how far things would develop between the two of them, he couldn't be bothered to care.
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