Finally, Shao Xi finally took out the sign given by Xiao Changyi. The guard was shocked when he saw the word "Imperial Gift" on the sign, and hurriedly bowed to let him go without daring to ask any more questions.
After arriving at the Linde Hall and showing off his badge of "Jingcheng Si", the eunuch in charge of the affairs in the hall did not dare to neglect and hurriedly led Shao Xi to the seat corresponding to his official rank.
At this time, many officials in the palace had arrived in advance. Many familiar people sat down and were chatting with each other. Shao Xi was basically unfamiliar with them, and even did not recognize many of them, but out of politeness he had to be polite. The ground and people nodded.
Shao Xi, a fourth-grade official in name, is not a small person to say the least, but where is he classified? Now thrown into a group of officials, although it cannot be said that he has no sense of presence, at least he is not so eye-catching in terms of rank.
However, this embarrassing situation did not last long, and the effect was revealed yesterday at Bailu Academy.
The first is Zhang Yuzheng, the Minister of Rites. Since today's banquet involves diplomatic matters, he came earlier. As soon as they saw Shao Xi, they took the initiative to come over and say hello. Officials who were familiar with Zhang Yuzheng naturally also said hello to Shao Xi when they came to say hello to him. In this way, Shao Xi seemed less embarrassed.
Next came Fang Bingwen, Yin Ye'an, Long Qihong and others. After everyone came in, they ran over to greet Shao Xi, and everyone who knew them gathered around Shao Xi. Suddenly, Shao Xi was surrounded by many officials, making him seem to be the center of attention.
In fact, all this must be attributed to Duke Bai Ding. Yesterday, Duke Bai Ding repeatedly asked the officials who came to congratulate to pay more attention to Shao Xi. Even if everyone was not directed at Shao Xi's talent and learning ability, they would just be directed at Duke Bai Ding's words. He takes great care of Shao Xi.
So at this time, they all did it intentionally, using their influence in the court to remind other officials of Shao Xi's status in the court. Even they have to come over to greet Shao Xi, so those who want to curry favor with them will naturally come over to curry favor with Shao Xi. This is tantamount to helping Shao Xi expand his fame and influence in the officialdom.
This has been the case in official circles since ancient times. They are either building support for each other or tearing down each other. It is actually very difficult to be independent.
After this round of greetings, almost all the officials in the court knew Shao Xi, and they all knew that he was the proud disciple of Bai Dinggong of Bailu Academy and the younger brother of many officials in the court. Some officials even called him Junior uncle.
A fourth-grade official surrounded by a group of third-grade purple-robed officials would naturally attract the attention of those first- and second-grade officials. Coupled with Shao Xi's title of "Respect and Respect Division", he quickly became a fourth-grade official. Entering the circle of third grade or above, all kinds of caring greetings and compliments are endless.
Shao Xi is well aware of the complexity of officialdom and does not want to get involved too deeply. These seemingly modest and courteous civil servants are actually a group of ruthless people who kill without blood. If there is really a conflict of interests involved, the cold-bloodedness of this group of people will make people shudder. Therefore, Shao Xi has always maintained a humble and respectful attitude, not showing rejection, and at the same time, he will not show being too close to someone.
If among this group of people, the one who really cares about Shao Xi is probably Zhang Yuzheng, the Minister of Rites, because he knows Shao Xi's true identity.
Bai Dinggong also revealed this matter to him in private. The reason why he told him was that firstly, Feng Changlin had a good personal relationship with him during his lifetime, and secondly, because he was also Feng Changlin in the "Jingcheng Division". His boss, the third-grade inspector Shi, is the de facto leader of the "Jingcheng Division".
This relationship is more important than a personal relationship, because it proves that both Zhang Yuzheng and Feng Changlin are the most trusted people around Xiao Changyi, so it goes without saying much about the level of trust between him and Feng Changlin.
The "Jingcheng Si" does not need cumbersome procedures to do things. The actual significance of its existence is actually the emperor's eyes, ears and the hand that cannot be stretched out openly when necessary. The reason why such an organization should be established with the Ministry of Rites as its team is that the Ministry of Rites has relatively few entanglements with other ministries and departments. At the same time, it has the corresponding resources, capabilities and external execution conditions to better implement the emperor's will.
At this time, Zhang Yuzheng saw that everyone else returned to their seats one after another, so he whispered to Shao Xi: "Today is just a banquet for the foreign envoys who came to pay tribute. There is nothing special about it. You just need to sit down." Just wait here until the banquet is over. Other matters will be taken care of by my Etiquette Department, Honglu Temple and Guanglu Temple. If anything happens, I will naturally take care of you."
Shao Xi had previously learned about the relationship between Zhang Yuzheng and Feng Changlin from Baiding Palace, so he naturally wanted to be closer in his heart. At this time, seeing that Zhang Yuzheng was caring about him, he hurriedly bowed and saluted.
"This junior has just entered the court. I hope that my senior will give me some advice in the future. I will humbly seek advice from my senior. I will not have to bother my senior in the future."
Zhang Yuzheng naturally understood the meaning of Shao Xi's words, so he replied meaningfully: "It doesn't matter, since you are Old Master Bai's disciple, I should take care of you in every aspect, you There’s no need to be polite, just come to me if you have anything, and I’ll do my best.”
"Then, junior, I would like to express my thanks in advance."
Zhang Yuzheng waved his hand, motioning for Shao Xi to sit down, and turned around to leave to attend to the foreign envoys today.
After the inevitable long wait for the royal banquet, the emperor Xiao Changyi finally arrived late again. Now it seems that the emperor's late arrival was intentional, perhaps to show off the imperial majesty.
After a stylized worship ceremony, the monarch and his ministers sat down one after another.
Today, Shao Xi discovered that Xiao Changyi was not only surrounded by Eunuch Cao, but also had another father-in-law. He seemed to be about the same age as Eunuch Cao, but his temperament was completely opposite.
Eunuch Cao was slightly fat, with a round face and kind eyes, and he was courteous and courteous in his speech and treatment of others. But this father-in-law was completely different. He had a slim figure, white face and narrow eyes, and sinister eyes. The whole person looked gloomy.
Shao Xi always felt that he had seen this person somewhere, but he couldn't remember it for a while. At this time, the interview ceremony for the foreign envoys had already begun, so Shao Xi did not continue to think about it.
Tributes from foreign countries usually occur once a year, but sometimes two or three times if there are some special circumstances. Those who came to pay tribute were some small neighboring countries or tribes from barbarian lands. Even the Dongmu Kingdom, which had always been very hostile to the Jingyuan Empire, would exchange envoys with the Jingyuan Kingdom every year for ceremonial diplomatic activities. After all, They all regard themselves as one of the above countries, and no one wants to lose their dignity.
Different from previous years, there is one more diplomatic mission this year, and that is the Southern Zhao State Mission from Bozhou. Originally, for many years, the Southern Zhao Kingdom had no relations with the northern countries because it was located in the mountains in the south. This year, it suddenly sent a mission for unknown reasons. However, since it has already arrived, the Jingyuan Empire, as a large country in the Central Plains, will naturally also want to come. Treating each other with courtesy shows the prestige of the country.
Speaking of which, the procedure for foreign envoys to meet before them is not too complicated. It basically involves meeting, presenting letters of credence, presenting gifts, and taking seats. Of course, the Holy Father may also ask some other questions during this period, but overall there is not much change. In previous years There are also occasions when missions bring some of their own programs to perform for the Holy Father to watch during their audience, but this is rare.
Shao Xi looked at the waves of envoys coming to pay homage and present gifts, and found it quite novel. The things presented by various countries in the Western Region seemed a bit strange and strange, even beyond his imagination. He felt that they were different from what he had learned in history class before. Of course, he could tell at a glance that they were rare treasures. Ordinary things were Can't get it out of hand.
The Central Plains is particularly short of good horses, so it has always maintained a good relationship with the Western Regions. Countries in the Western Regions also reciprocate, bringing a large number of horses to donate every time.
Due to long-term conflicts, various tribes in Jinzhou Mobai also wanted to rely on the big tree of the Jingyuan Empire. Every year, various tribes also competed to pay tribute and come to offer gifts, hoping to gain the support of the Jingyuan Dynasty.
Although most of the grassland tribes in northern Hezhou were at odds with the Jingyuan Dynasty, some tribes came to pay tribute every year. Their intention was obvious, and they also wanted to get the support of the Jingyuan Empire and unify the grassland tribes with the help of the Jingyuan Empire.
The country of Dongmu, located on the eastern coast, is quite special. In fact, the two countries have been at war for many years. Although there has been no large-scale war in the past ten or twenty years, there have been constant frictions. Despite this, the annual exchanges between the two countries have never been interrupted. However, the envoys have no awe, and every time He came here just to show off the national prestige of Dongmu Kingdom, so he was not very popular.
At this time, the envoy of Dongmu Kingdom was standing in front of the hall. When he entered the hall, he just bowed his hands to Xiao Changyi who was sitting on it, but did not kneel down.
According to the etiquette system of the Central Plains, it would be extremely rude to fail to kneel down and bow before the emperor. As an official sent by the Kingdom of Dongmu, the envoy would not understand this. Acting like this at this time, it was actually clear that he wanted to humiliate Emperor Jingyuan in front of envoys from various countries and show his country's power. The intention was so obvious, it could be said to be extremely rude, and it caused everyone in the palace to talk about it.
The gloomy-looking official standing next to Xiao Changyi asked: "Why can't the envoy of Dongmu kneel down and worship?"
The envoy looked very unruly. He straightened his back, put his hands behind his back, raised his head and said: "Our country, Dongmu, is a country of dignified etiquette. How could we surrender to a country that uses force to seize the world's land, is cruel and barbarian?" The emperor bowed down and bowed."
When the father-in-law heard this, he shouted sternly: "How dare you! As an envoy of Dongmu, you dare to speak arrogantly, be arrogant and rude to the Holy One in this hall! Do you know your guilt for being so arrogant?"
"I am a minister of the Dongmu Kingdom and not a minister of your Jingyuan Kingdom. Why do I kneel to your emperor? Why do you have to punish me?"
At this time, some officials in the hall couldn't help but stand up and scolded the envoy.
"You are so brave! You dare to be so arrogant while standing in the main hall of our Jingyuan Dynasty? Do you think that everyone in our Jingyuan Dynasty is invincible? Just one word from the Holy One can make you head to the ground."
"Hahaha! They shout and kill at every turn. They are indeed a cruel barbarian country."
Shao Xi took a look at the posture in front of him. It looked like the show was about to begin!
