Chapter 248 Encountering the Allied Forces
Looking at the local Yeli town, which consisted of thatched huts and stone houses, Qin Mo gained a basic understanding of Zhu Rao's organizational abilities.
Any efficient and pioneering regime will demonstrate its strength in urban construction; a fragmented regime cannot build magnificent and splendid buildings.
"Your Highness, shall we arrange the ceremony according to your rank?"
Qin Mo's rank in the Great Xia Dynasty was Superior. If he came to a foreign country according to the rules, he would need to lay out a red carpet, play elegant music, and set off in a proper ceremony to disembark. However, Qin Mo was still dressed in casual clothes, so Lin Yongqian came over to ask if a ceremony should be prepared.
"We are a caravan, not representing the Great Xia Dynasty. Why should I put on a show? Just follow the development regulations."
Lin Yongqian nodded in agreement, then turned and gave the order. The messenger quickly raised the flags, and the fleet responded accordingly.
Hubaye's business is thriving these days, and the dock has been renovated quite well thanks to the "high-ranking advisors" around him. Several large ships simultaneously docked at the dock and lowered their wide gangplanks.
Hubaye was about to step forward to greet them, but his staff officer Zhou Tao stopped him, pointing to the flag on the ship and saying, "This is the standard procedure for responding to development. Don't go over yet. Wait until they finish their search."
As soon as Zhou Tao finished speaking, a group of blindfolded warhorses were led by scouts down the ramp and immediately ran off in all directions. They didn't stop until they were out of sight, and continued to search forward.
"My lord... what are they doing?" Hubaye asked Zhou Tao, puzzled.
"Whenever we arrive at an unfamiliar place, the pioneer team must first send out a scout team to search the surroundings. Only after confirming that there is no danger will the main force disembark and set up camp. This is not because we do not trust you, but because it is the rule of the Pioneer Administration, which no one can violate."
"Understood, understood. The rules of the Administration Bureau are indeed inviolable."
Hubaye quickly explained that he had no misunderstanding. He had been dealing with the caravans of the Development Bureau for quite some time and knew that there were actually two types of people in the Development Bureau: one was the real merchants, and the other was the army disguised as a caravan guard, whose behavior and routines were in accordance with military law.
An hour later, the scouts returned and confirmed that there were no ambushes or dangers in the vicinity. Only then did the people on the large ship begin to disembark, and several teams quickly took up advantageous positions near the port.
The remaining soldiers lined up near the dock to wait. The entire disembarkation process was completely silent except for the sounds of footsteps, armor, and weapons rubbing together. A chilling aura emanated from the ranks, causing the onlookers, the Indians, to tremble involuntarily.
Not all those who disembarked were from the Great Xia Dynasty, as many were clearly tall warriors. However, their armor, long blades, and ruddy complexions indicated that they were well-trained elites, not hastily assembled militia.
"Lord Lin, Hubaye Weas pays his respects. Your arrival is an honor to our entire family."
When Hubaye saw Lin Yongqian finally disembark, he quickly came over and greeted him in broken Daxia language. Although he was considered a big shot in the local area, he was nothing compared to Lin Yongqian.
"Alright, Hubaye, quickly take our guards to the camp to rest, and then come to the main tent to see the prince."
Hubaye then saw Qin Mo, dressed in civilian clothes, by the dock. He was talking with a translator and several local Indians with great interest. His handsome appearance infected the locals, and even the children who were trembling with fear of the army started to smile.
"Your Highness, your servant Hubaye Vias greets you! I have prepared accommodations for Your Highness, and please accept Hubaye's service."
After swearing allegiance to Qin Mo in Tamsui, Hubaye regarded him as his master. In particular, in recent years, he has come to know Qin Mo’s wealth and power, and he reveres him as a god. In his eyes, no city-state in Zhu is a match for Da Yuan, and even the Mughal Dynasty is not necessarily guaranteed to defeat Da Yuan.
“Hubaye, you are only loyal to me, you don’t need to consider yourself a servant. I have many subordinates, they all have their own subordinates and businesses, these all belong to you, not to me.”
Hubaye was moved to tears. He had made a lot of money with the help of the Grand Minister Rao. Although Lin Yongqian said that all this wealth belonged to him, he still couldn't believe it. After all, he had sworn allegiance to the government. In India, a servant was a servant, with no freedom and no property.
"Your Highness, I have built a palace for you in the city. Please come and rest here. The local chieftains will surely be very happy to be summoned by you."
"Hubaye, I'm just passing through here, so I won't go into the city and cause a scene. Director Lin will be in charge of things here from now on. As for the local leaders, I don't need to meet with them."
At this moment, Lin Yongqian interjected, "Hubaye, His Highness is meeting with you because you are all on the same side. What are the other people's statuses? Do they have the right to meet a prince of the Great Xia Dynasty?"
Hubaye was moved once again. The words "one of us" made him feel that he was no longer a Brahmin, but a Bactrian.
Hubaye quickly took his leave and then ordered his steward and servants to slaughter cattle and sheep to reward the "guard team" of the Development Administration.
When the steward brought the sheep over, he was stopped by the quartermaster, who opened a large box with a "bang" and gave him a stack of copper coins at market price, leaving the old steward dumbfounded.
"Master, can we accept this money?" The old steward, still dazed, reported to Hubaye.
"They'd rather take it than refuse such a valuable person! Do you understand? They don't even care about our little bit of money."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com