July of the 28th year of the Kaiyuan era.
After a three-month journey, the Third Prince Liu Wen and his entourage finally arrived in Rinan County.
Xun Yu, the prefect, had already made preparations and sent people to notify the leaders of various tribes in the surrounding areas.
After resting for more than ten days in Rinan County, Liu Wen led his delegation, escorted by a thousand Imperial Guards and two thousand sailors, on his mission.
In this region, there are nearly a hundred tribes of varying sizes. Most of these tribes rely on gathering fruits and hunting for food due to environmental problems, and their production and lifestyles are relatively backward and isolated.
Therefore, in the past, many tribes had only heard of the name of the Han Dynasty and knew that it was a vast country with a powerful military, but few had had any contact with it.
However, since Liu Hong began to promote navigation, Rinan County, which was originally located in the southern border region, gradually became a transit point for maritime merchants and became increasingly prosperous.
Many merchants also began to make contact with the indigenous tribes, exchanging Han Chinese silk, tea, porcelain, grain and various other goods for the local gems, medicinal herbs, minerals and spices.
Through years of trade with the Han Dynasty, many indigenous tribes near Rinan County and the coast have also emerged from their past primitive and isolated lives, and have begun to learn to wear Hanfu, speak Han language and take pride in it.
As they gained a deeper understanding of the Han Dynasty, the indigenous tribes developed a greater sense of awe towards it.
Especially after learning that the Han Dynasty had a population of over 100 million and an army of over 1 million, many tribes were even more inclined to submit.
After all, small tribes like theirs, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand people, are nothing more than ants in the face of the mighty Han Dynasty. If they could submit to the Han Dynasty and act under its name, the benefits to themselves would be unimaginable.
Therefore, when they learned that the Emperor of the Han Dynasty had sent his princes as envoys and was preparing to bestow titles upon them, most of the tribal leaders were overjoyed.
On July 20th, Liu Wen and his party arrived by boat at the port that Chu Qian had established in Bangkok when he was an envoy to Rome.
This port has been established for more than ten years and its scale is second only to a few ports such as Rinan and Donglai. Two thousand naval soldiers are stationed in the port, and there are also a large number of shops and houses around it. Its layout and facilities are similar to those of the cities in the inner prefectures of the Han Dynasty.
Therefore, many tribal leaders who had acquired great wealth through trade also purchased houses built by the Han army near the port and lived like the Han people.
Today, this port has not only become a central hub for trade between surrounding tribes and the Han Dynasty, but has also developed into the prototype of a coastal city.
At the dock, a dozen or so tribal leaders, all dressed in Hanfu, waited respectfully to greet him.
As the ship came to a stop, Liu Wen stepped down from the deck, and the tribal chiefs who had been waiting for a long time came forward to pay their respects.
"Greetings, Your Highness! May the Emperor of Han live ten thousand years! May the Han Dynasty live ten thousand years!!"
Looking at these tribal leaders, each one behaving in a proper and orderly manner, Liu Wen nodded in satisfaction.
It's clear that these guys have put a lot of effort into their manners and speech.
Liu Wen raised his hand with a friendly expression and said, "Please, everyone, no need for formalities!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!!"
After bowing again, the group of leaders straightened up and began to examine the prince from the Han Dynasty.
Perhaps it was psychological, or perhaps the prince's temperament was indeed extraordinary, but to these tribal leaders, Liu Wen gave them an indescribable sense of nobility, as if he were their king.
Upon hearing this, all the noble leaders lowered their heads in unison, no longer daring to look directly at Liu Wen's face.
As he approached the crowd, Liu Wen slowly glanced at them and said in a deep voice, "I am here on the orders of my father, the Emperor, to read the edict of investiture. Your presence here demonstrates your loyalty to the Han Dynasty. Please rest assured, our great Han Dynasty will never fail to live up to your expectations!"
Upon hearing this, the tribal leaders were secretly delighted.
After all, these words came from a prince, so their weight was self-evident.
What does it mean to treat them unfairly? Even if the Han people are only slightly nicer to them, it will be enough for them to enjoy endlessly.
As a prince, his words are of the highest order. As long as we cling to the Han Dynasty, we will have no worries about wealth and honor in the future.
That night, Liu Wen set up a banquet in the garrison camp to entertain the tribal leaders who came to greet him.
During the banquet, while drinking, the tribal leaders also focused all their attention on how to curry favor with the prince.
During the event, some people recited Han Dynasty poems, some presented Han Dynasty music, and some even presented local beauties.
These things were utterly unbearable to Liu Wen, who lived in the palace, especially those dark-skinned "beauties," which made him feel nauseous.
However, although Prince Liu Wen looked down on these things, the young men from various families who came with him were thoroughly enjoying them.
Cao Pi, Cao Cao's second son, was particularly captivated by the "beauties" in the room, and his character was a perfect inheritance of his father's.
Halfway through the banquet, Liu Wen glanced at Jian Yong and gave him a meaningful look.
Upon seeing this, Jian Yong immediately understood and stood up to wave to the beautiful women in the hall.
Upon seeing this, the group of beauties immediately stopped dancing, bowed, and withdrew.
Although Cao Pi and the others looked like they hadn't had enough, seeing Liu Wen's serious expression, they had no choice but to sit up straight and adopt a serious demeanor.
Upon seeing this, the tribal leaders below the hall immediately composed themselves.
Jian Yong, who was in charge of delivering the message, glanced at the crowd and then said loudly, "Gentlemen, His Highness has been sent here by the Emperor to ensure that you and your people can live a life of ease and prosperity, just like the people of our Great Han."
Therefore, I hope that you all can join hands with our great Han Dynasty and strive together!
Upon hearing this, all the tribal leaders stood up and said in unison, "We will certainly do our utmost to serve the Great Han!"
"Very well, since that is the case, then I will begin to read the Emperor's edict of investiture. After receiving the edict, you will all be subjects of the Great Han. You shall not have any objections to the titles and territories conferred upon you, and you shall also obey all arrangements made by the court and the government!"
"yes!!"
Upon hearing Liu Wen's words, the tribal leaders agreed without hesitation.
For them, the reason they came here today was to receive the title from the Emperor of the Han Dynasty. The titles of nobility in the Han Dynasty were far more noble than the status of their leader, so naturally no one would raise any objections.
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