Watching the two men chatting merrily, Kang Zhibo shot a meaningful glance at Cao Mo.
The sound of string and bamboo instruments began to play. Dancers wearing lotus fairy skirts slowly emerged from behind the screens, their light steps accentuating their graceful, swaying figures.
However, Gong Linjue's gaze only lingered on the dancers for a brief moment before he resumed his polite conversation with Xiao Rongyan.
As they talked, the two drank more and more.
After a whole pot of wine was emptied, the attendant in charge of pouring wine for Gong Linjue and Xiao Rongyan noticed the empty pot and hurriedly signaled the others to bring up another.
On the other side, the deputy envoy was also drinking with Kang Zhibo and the others. Accompanied by the sounds of music and dancing, it made one involuntarily become intoxicated by the atmosphere.
Seeing a hint of drunkenness tinge Xiao Rongyan's brows and his eyes lose their initial clarity, the gentle expression on Gong Linjue's face gradually faded.
I have heard that the southwestern region of the Dongzhao Kingdom has been restless lately. With the approaching birthday banquet, your Emperor even sent the Prince of Qi out of the capital to quell the rebellion. I wonder how the situation is now, and if he will be able to make it back in time for the birthday?
Hearing the words southwest and Prince of Qi, Xiao Rongyan's distracted mind instantly snapped halfway back to attention.
It is nothing major. Just two hereditary noble families fighting over some trivial matters. Halfway through the fight, they wanted a way out to save face, but having no other choice, they appealed to the imperial court. My royal brother just went there to mediate. It is just that the southwest is a bit far. With the round trip, he probably will not make it back in time for my imperial father's birthday banquet.
Gong Linjue raised his wine cup and gestured towards Xiao Rongyan.
I see. These are indeed trivial matters. In my Shuobei Kingdom, several nomadic tribes also frequently clash over cattle and sheep. With my temper, I just take my men over and beat them up, and they quickly settle down.
Speaking of which, when I entered the city, I ran into the Duke of Qing. With his abilities, dealing with a few local nobles would be a breeze.
Xiao Rongyan took a small sip. It is just like two children in the family fighting; a few words of mediation are enough. There is no need to involve the Duke of Qing.
Gong Linjue lowered his head and swept his gaze over the dishes on the table, casually picking up a piece of fish with his chopsticks and putting it in his mouth.
He said in a seemingly careless tone, I have heard that your noble country discovered a type of crop called potatoes that yields a thousand catties per mu. It can be eaten as a vegetable dish or as a staple food. Why is it not at today's banquet?
Cough, cough, cough! Kang Zhibo, who was sitting lower down, choked on his wine and coughed repeatedly.
He spoke sharply to the attendant waiting nearby, Hurry and pour me some tea. Drinking too much wine has burned my throat.
Xiao Rongyan, holding his wine cup, felt a sudden jolt of clarity in his mind. He touched his flushed, warm cheeks and finally realized that Gong Linjue had been continuously toasting him in an attempt to get him drunk.
Xiao Rongyan picked up his teacup and took a sip, using the bitterness to wash away the taste of wine in his mouth.
Saying it yields a thousand catties per mu is actually an exaggeration. The quantity of potatoes presented by County Princess Linghui was not much to begin with. The imperial court is still cultivating them, and even the palace has not gotten to eat them yet, so how could they appear at this banquet?
To be honest with you, Prince Wei, I only tasted it once a few years ago. Although the yield is a bit higher than rice, the taste is far inferior. It tastes like sand, and if kept for too long, it becomes toxic. It cannot be stored for long periods.
Gong Linjue's narrow eyes swept over Kang Zhibo, who was sitting opposite him and frantically drinking tea, finding the man to be an extreme eyesore.
After that, every time Gong Linjue toasted Xiao Rongyan, he would only pretend to take a tiny sip.
It had to be said that the people of the Shuobei Kingdom had an excellent tolerance for alcohol. After downing two pots of wine, Gong Linjue's expression remained unchanged, as if he were just drinking water.
Stepping out of the banquet hall, the cold wind blowing against his face completely sobered Xiao Rongyan up.
He whispered an order to Kang Zhibo, Tell the servants in the Huitong Guesthouse to be sharp. I want to know every word and action of the diplomatic mission, especially Gong Linjue's.
Kang Zhibo nodded solemnly. Glancing at the subordinates trailing behind him, who were so drunk they could not even stand steady, he felt a wave of frustration at their incompetence.
I understand. Please rest assured, Your Highness.
Upon returning to his room, Gong Linjue's face turned completely cold, the disguised gentleness in his eyes vanishing without a trace.
The imperial estates of the Court of National Agricultural must be near the capital. Send men out to find them.
The deputy envoy said hesitantly, Your Highness, when the Dongzhao Kingdom sells potato seeds to the commoners next spring, we will be able to get them easily. Why go through the trouble of searching everywhere now?
We are currently in the capital. If we are discovered, it will be dangerous.
Gong Linjue replied, The popularization of a new crop often takes several years. The Dongzhao Kingdom is already two years ahead of us. The sooner we get it, the sooner we can narrow the gap. If they do not sell the potatoes to the commoners next year, we will not be left helpless.
As for the danger you mentioned, even if we are discovered, they would not dare do anything to me. Given the current national strength of the Dongzhao Kingdom, they would not dare start a war.
The deputy envoy thought about it and agreed. Only when something was in their own hands was it absolutely secure. If they waited, what if something went wrong?
Rest assured, Your Highness. I will see to it immediately.
In the imperial palace, Xiao Chengjing was already preparing for bed.
Just at that moment, a eunuch came in from outside to report.
Your Majesty, Prince Ying is outside requesting an audience. He says he has an urgent matter to discuss with Your Majesty.
Eunuch Zhao paused his hands, which had been unfastening the Emperor's collar buttons.
What is he doing here at this hour?
Remembering that Xiao Rongyan was hosting a banquet for the Shuobei Kingdom's diplomatic mission at the Huitong Guesthouse tonight, Xiao Chengjing reached out and re-fastened the unbuttoned collar.
Let him in.
As soon as he entered the room, Xiao Chengjing smelled alcohol and immediately scolded, How could you drink so much wine while hosting foreign envoys?
Xiao Rongyan wrinkled his nose. He had let the wind blow on him all the way here; was the smell of alcohol still that strong?
Imperial Father, it was not that I wanted to drink. Gong Linjue harbored ill intentions and tried to get me drunk to fish for information. Fortunately, I was clever enough to avoid falling into his trap.
Xiao Chengjing sat down on the soft couch in the outer room.
What information was he trying to fish for?
Xiao Rongyan answered animatedly, gesturing with his hands and feet, He asked me about the unrest in the southwest, and also questioned why there were no potatoes at the banquet. His covetous intentions are glaringly obvious.
Xiao Chengjing's expression remained calm, as if he had expected this all along.
And how did you answer him?
Xiao Rongyan repeated what he had told Gong Linjue.
I believe he absolutely will not give up easily. He will definitely send men to search all over the capital. We must take precautions early, especially regarding the imperial estates.
Xiao Chengjing said, I anticipated this day would come. Before the diplomatic mission even entered the capital, I had already arranged for men to patrol around the imperial estates day and night. The granaries are also heavily guarded; no one can get in.
Xiao Rongyan looked at Xiao Chengjing with eyes full of admiration.
Imperial Father truly has great foresight. I am in awe.
After the morning court session the next day, the Emperor held his first meeting with the Shuobei Kingdom's diplomatic mission in the Hall of Preserving Harmony.
I am highly pleased that your Emperor sent Prince Wei personally to congratulate me on my birthday.
Trekking over mountains and wading through rivers must have been exhausting. There is still half a month until my birthday. During this time, I will have Prince Ying accompany your mission to tour the capital and experience the local customs and practices of my Dongzhao Kingdom.
Gong Linjue cupped his hands in a salute to Xiao Chengjing, but his spine did not bend in the slightest.
It is my honor to be accompanied by a prince. Thank you, Your Majesty, Emperor of Dongzhao.
At the same time, the events that transpired at the Huitong Guesthouse the previous night began to spread among the high-ranking officials in the court.
For a time, everyone secretly began to worry that their precious treasures would be stolen by the people of Shuobei.
After all, the commoners of their own Dongzhao Kingdom had not even gotten to eat them yet!
