Along the way, Zhao Xiaofei peered out the window curiously. He longed to know what Beijing looked like over 400 years ago. What greeted his gaze was the same endless fields and woods. The ecology surrounding the capital was truly excellent: fresh air, birdsong, and the fragrance of flowers. There was no sense of impending chaos. He pulled out his phone and secretly recorded the scene.
Unfortunately, just as I was thinking this, I saw a skeleton on the side of the road. It was such a slap in the face. Because the carriage was carrying tribute, it couldn't go too fast. And since Doctor Hu had just recovered from his illness, he couldn't afford to ride too much. So, the group, which should have taken a morning, ended up taking a whole day, and only entered the city when the gates were about to close.
Imperial Physician Hu asked Zhao Xiaofei to stay at his home for the night and report to the Ministry of Rites the next day. Zhao Xiaofei agreed without hesitation and went to Imperial Physician Hu's home. Upon arriving, he was warmly welcomed. The reception was completely calibrated for royal relatives. Imperial Physician Hu sat at the head table, with Zhao Xiaofei to his left. The ancients held the left as the most honorable position. Sixteen dishes, eight cold and eight hot, were placed on the table.
Doctor Hu had just recovered from his illness and, after a symbolic two-bite meal, was helped back to his room. His second son stayed with him, and he learned from him that his family had been doctors for generations. His eldest brother, Hu Wen, was the magistrate of Gongji County. His son, Hu Xian, inherited his father's legacy and opened a clinic in the capital called Renjitang. The family's income depended on this clinic, making them considered wealthy in the capital.
Hu Xian was intrigued by Zhao Xiaofei's method of saving lives through injections, so Zhao Xiaofei explained the principle behind the plague treatment to him. Hu Xian understood the principle, but no one in the Ming Dynasty could produce such needles. Zhao Xiaofei simply gave Hu Xian a few sets. Hu Xian was a medical enthusiast, interested in anything related to medicine.
The two of them had a great conversation and continued chatting until late at night before going back to their rooms to sleep.
The next morning, Zhao Xiaofei got up, washed up, and went to the entrance of the Ministry of Rites with Xiao Si, San Bao, and other yamen runners. San Bao went in with Hu County Magistrate's name card. After a while, a seventh-rank official came out and led Zhao Xiaofei and the others into the back hall of the Ministry of Rites.
Upon entering, there were three people in the room: an official in the uniform of the second rank sat in the middle, with two officials of the third rank sitting on either side. Zhao Xiaofei judged by the rank of the official uniforms that the one in the middle was the Minister of Rites, Huang Jinhuang, and the two officials in the uniform of the third rank on either side were probably the left and right assistant ministers of the Ministry of Rites.
Zhao Xiaofei bowed and said, "Member Zhao Xiaofei of your country greets the Minister and the two lords!"
"Are you the second prince of South Australia? Please sit down!" Huang Jin said.
"It's me!" Zhao Xiaofei finished his greeting and sat down.
"We will report your deeds to His Majesty! Your Majesty is busy with many affairs, so please wait for a few days." Huang Jin said.
"I understand!" said Zhao Xiaofei.
"Let me introduce you. The person next to me is the Left Vice Minister of Rites, Mr. Qiu Yu, and this is the Right Vice Minister, Mr. Liu Chun." After Huang Jin finished the introductions, Zhao Xiaofei stood up and saluted the two ministers. The two ministers just nodded without even standing up to express their respect.
At this time, Qiu Yu spoke up, "We've examined the tribute. Your country's glassware is truly exquisite. I believe Your Majesty will be very satisfied after viewing it. I wonder if your envoy could tell me about your country's history and customs?"
Zhao Xiaofei understood what he was saying. He still didn't trust him! So he pulled out the lie he had prepared long ago and said, "Since you three adults are interested, I will introduce you to the history and scenery of our country. Our people are divided into two major groups. One group is the subjects of the Song Dynasty. When we lost the Battle of Yashan, more than a dozen large ships escaped and were carried by the ocean currents to the territory of Nan'ao.
Our country is surrounded by the sea and has many indigenous peoples. We fought wars with them for nearly a century before finally gaining control. Our customs and practices are similar to those of the Ming Dynasty, though some vocabulary has been integrated with the local indigenous peoples, forming our own unique language. We write from left to right, and our numeration system uses symbols. The throne passed through 20 generations before it reached my father.
Animals in China are also different from those elsewhere. Most have pouches to raise their young. The most common animal in China is the kangaroo, which isn't small at all; the largest is over a person's height. Because there are so many of them, Chinese people eat them, and they taste similar to venison. There's also an animal called a koala, a local name meaning an animal that doesn't drink water. We call it a koala bear! "Zhao Xiaofei described South Australia exactly as it was in Australia.
Zhao Xiaofei sat there introducing the situation for half an hour before pausing. The three officials listened raptly. Finally, Zhao Xiaofei pulled out a book he had edited, which covered the basics of South Australia. It included its size, local customs, specialties, and cultural history. He simply read from left to right, which took the three of them a long time to adjust to.
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