The Blade-Wielding Legend-Chapter 1335 - 692: Old Friends in the Capital (Part 2)

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard and said, "If the vassal states don't come, does the court not care?"

Luo Mingzi shook his head, "Given the current situation, how can we attend to other matters? Besides, our Great Xuan doesn't really value that."

Li Yan understood his meaning clearly.

The previous Great Xing Emperor was fond of grand displays, liking nothing more than the spectacle of tributes from all directions, often requiring tenfold or even dozens of times in return from the vassal states.

There's nothing wrong with having tributes from all directions, but the problem was that the previous Great Xing stood against the Golden Tent Wolf Country across the river, and over a century, with constant wars, the treasury was already empty, and most of the troops were stationed along the Yangtze River, losing control over the vassal states.

The small countries on the border feared majesty but did not admire virtue. Seeing Great Xing's decline, they were unwilling to be concerned and even stopped paying tribute.

The envoys coming to the capital were all merchants from those small countries in disguise, profiting from the pretense of tribute.

What's more exasperating is that those small countries condoned this matter, and when Great Xing sent people to investigate, they all claimed they were their own envoys.

At that time, the founding Emperor of Great Xuan, Xiao Chengyou, was a frontline marshal. Due to the lack of clothing and food for soldiers, he returned to ask for money, but instead, he witnessed a Goryeo merchant mocking in private at a court banquet, causing him to fly into a rage and beat him up.

The Great Xing Emperor lost face, and immediately ordered Xiao Chengyou to be flogged in the court.

It was the fifteenth day of the first month, and Xiao Chengyou, who had achieved great merits on the front lines, suffered such humiliation unexpectedly, which instilled in him a rebellious heart.

Since then, from the establishment of the Great Xuan Dynasty, there's never been a good attitude toward the envoys from vassal states.

And this matter became a political correctness in the court.

If anyone advocated for the demeanor of a superior country, others would use the previous dynasty as an example to make a big mockery of it.

Just like this time when Jinmen Pier was bombarded, the court promptly captured the foreign merchants, showing no mercy.

Originally, the streets of the capital were filled with merchants from the Western Regions leading camels; now, they dare not show themselves casually.

Emperor Xiao Qixuan, one of his accomplishments, was fighting wars both south and north, making sure no one dared to harass them.

In short, the relations between the Great Xuan Dynasty and the surrounding small countries have never been good.

It was only because of the need to open up maritime trade and business that the attitude slightly eased.

Of course, Li Yan was not interested in asking about such matters, nor did he care to manage them.

Soon, they arrived at "Rouyuan Post Station."

This was a three-entry courtyard, built strictly according to the regulations of the Great Xuan Convention.

Outside, someone was already waiting to lead everyone into the post station.

Pushing open the great black-lacquered door with a beast-head ring, they were faced with a screen wall of "Lofty Mountains and Flowing Water," with a base carved in blue stone with a pattern of tangled branches of lotus.

Passing the screen wall, on either side of the front courtyard, there were twelve wing rooms, with windows made in a "Ya" pattern, covered with snow-white mulberry-bark paper tributed by Goryeo.

In the middle courtyard, a Bodhi tree transplanted from Jiaozhi was planted, and the stone table beneath it was actually a single piece of Dragon Brain Stone tributed by Bo Ni Country.

This thing could exude a refreshing pine scent in the heat, invigorating and refreshing the mind.

"This place is appropriate."

Luo Mingzi stroked the enamel self-ringing clock in the hall, saying, "The materials for Rouyuan Post Station are directly allocated by the Honglu Temple, with accounts running through the inner treasury, completely invisible to the Captain Bureau."

He pointed to the eaves corner of the east wing, speaking in a low voice, "There is a 'Dragon Forbidden' iron plaque hidden there, set up in the past to guard against Wala spies. It prevents cultivators' divine sense probes. Just know it's there, don't damage it."

After all, as a Ministry of Rites post station, representing the face of the court, the furnishings were indeed tasteful.

"This place is nice..."

Sha Lifei spun around a few times, exclaiming at the purple sandalwood canopy bed in the guestroom, "Wow, is this bed draped with gold gauze?"

"Sir, this is Siam Gold Thread Gauze."

The Posthouse Governor accompanied with a smile, "Everything in Rouyuan Post Station is brought by countries."

As he spoke, he drew back the curtain, and everyone noticed that the lining was sewn with a layer of silk as thin as a cicada's wing.

"This is Ice Silk brought by the Lingnan Tusi, which can repel mosquitoes in summer and retain warmth from coals in winter nights."

"Amazing..."

The group, well-traveled as they were, marveled at these things which no ordinary inn from the Chamber of Commerce would afford to use.

Luo Mingzi blinked, smiling as he said, "It's my first time here too, it seems Lord Pei values you all greatly."

"Convey my thanks to Lord Pei."

Li Yan nodded, speaking earnestly, "But the real business is over there; Daoist, remember to remind us."

"Rest assured."

Luo Mingzi understood, then spoke, "Regarding Prince Ying Mansion's affairs, there's still much to follow up on. I need to bring people to carefully examine the records. Maybe clues can be found; Mr. Kong's help is needed..."

After speaking, he looked towards Kong Shangzhao beside him.

"Ah?"

Compared to the Captain Bureau, Kong Shangzhao preferred staying with Li Yan and the others.

But since Luo Mingzi said he would support his family, it was hard to refuse, so he had to follow him and leave.

After the two left, Sha Lifei laughed, "Hey, this silly scholar might settle down in the Capital."

Li Yan shook his head, didn't say anything.

Kong Shangzhao's talent and ability were evident, anyone could see Luo Mingzi's intentions of wooing him.

Honestly speaking, Li Yan was also somewhat tempted, after all, this scholar's ability to analyze intelligence was extraordinary.

But he also knew, the Captain Bureau was his best choice.

They weren't capable of influencing the Kong Family to provide protection.

After putting the luggage away, the Posthouse Governor immediately ordered someone to prepare a feast.

This Posthouse Governor was named Yuan, given name Lu, a local petty official born and bred in the Capital, knowing Li Yan and his group were favored by Assistant Minister Pei Zongti, naturally had to entertain them cautiously, and the prepared feast was unusually rich.

The main dishes included roasted venison, steamed shad fish, roasted lamb, Eight-Treasure Duck; for soup, there were bird's nest soup and Three Fresh Soup.

As for desserts, they were even richer, a pine nut goose oil roll that left everyone with their mouths full of oil.

Li Yan looked at everyone at the table, besides the few from the Twelve Primordial Spirits, there was also Zhao Lvzi and his wife.

He raised his cup and solemnly said, "Zhao Lvzi, brother, you are not an outsider, I will speak openly."

"You've seen the situation in the Capital, though prosperous, it is very restrictive. We are a Wandering Immortal Team, at odds with Jianmu, but being together is not just to enjoy this wealth and prosperity."

"This time coming to the Capital, we will do two things."

"First is to remove Jianmu's foothold in the Capital, not just for personal grievances but also for the Divine State's Qi Fortune, a duty bound."

"Second is the Qiankun Academy; this place is very important. With the help of court powers, it will benefit your cultivation. After eliminating the demons, stay alert, find opportunities, everyone strives."

"Zhao Lvzi, brother, I will later find a way to get you and your wife into Qiankun Academy as instructors. With Brother Yan's support, establishing yourselves in the Capital won't be difficult; but you've seen, our enemies are fierce people, be careful in the future..."

"Mm."

Zhao Lvzi was full of gratitude but didn't know what to say.

Feng Feiyan, on the other hand, was quick-witted and pulled Zhao Lvzi up, "We propose three toasts to everyone!"

With that, she neatly poured the wine and drank three cups consecutively.

Seeing this, Li Yan secretly nodded inwardly.

Initially he was somewhat guarded against Feng Feiyan, but throughout the journey, he found them to be genuinely affectionate, and Feng Feiyan was good at observing and conducting herself; with her assistance, Li Yan could rest assured about Zhao Lvzi at Qiankun Academy.

A feast, everyone set the plan for the Capital.

Before the banquet could be cleared, Posthouse Governor Tian Lu hurriedly came in, "Mr. Li, someone is seeking to meet you outside."

Li Yan was about to inquire but sniffed, his face immediately broke into a smile.

"Hahaha..."

He strode out, not even reaching the door before laughing, "Brother Yan, it's been a long time!"

Standing outside was a person, dressed in casual clothing, wearing official boots, with handsome features and an elegant demeanor.

It was none other than Yan Jiuling.

"Hahaha."

Yan Jiuling also took large strides forward, cupped his hands and said with a smile, "Last time we parted at Hua Mountain, who would have thought we'd reunite now, with the world knowing you well."

Li Yan chuckled, "As expected of a top scorer, you really know how to speak."

Their relationship naturally went without saying.

At Hua Mountain's foot, Yan Jiuling galloped to aid, single-handedly repelling the troops, disregarding his own life.

Hearing Yan Family was in trouble, Li Yan traveled a thousand miles to offer support.

Mutual admiration, calling it a bond of life and death would not be excessive.

"Mr. Li, Mr. Li, and me!"

Beside Yan Jiuling, a plump man in brocade clothes hurriedly cupped his hands.

It was none other than the curious Hidden Treasure Man, seen back at Azure Dragon Mountain, the plump young master from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Lin Family.

Li Yan was somewhat puzzled, how did these two end up together?

But clearly the doorway wasn't the place to talk, so he raised his hand and said, "Let's go inside and talk..."

With that, he led them both into "Rou Yuan Poststation."

At the same time, on a distant street, a Yin Yang fortune-teller packed up his stall, slowly stood up, glanced towards the post station, holding up a banner saying "Blessing and Misfortune," and walked away from the street.

"Fortune-telling the Four Pillars, assessing the flow of the year, one signature deciding the turn of Heaven and Earth, half the hexagram asking for fortune or misfortune!"