"PS: I went back to my hometown to visit my parents over the weekend. I just came back this evening. I will resume updating tomorrow."

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If Qi State leads to Wei State by water, it does not actually take too much time. However, in the past, it was not very safe to go through the "big river", and it was very likely to be blocked by the Korean Navy. Now, with the "big river"

With the opening of the "Liang-Lu Canal", traveling between Qi and Wei became more and more convenient.

For example, Tian Hu and Uncle Bao, the envoys from Qi State to Wei State, took the water route up the Lianglu Canal. In less than a month, they arrived at the river area of ​​Wei State from Linzi, State of Qi State.

When approaching "Suxukou", the Qi envoy's fleet encountered the Wei fleet blocking the river.

The Wei State does not have a true naval force for the time being. Therefore, the fleet stationed at Suxukou is not so much a naval force as a water transport supervisor placed on the ship. It is mainly responsible for checking whether the fleet is incoming and outgoing.

Carrying prohibited items also prevents smuggling.

Precisely because they are not naval forces in the true sense, these warships of the Wei State are inevitably unsatisfactory in some areas, which made Qi State Tian Hu feel very contemptuous when the fleet was inspected: one or two hundred men plus a few broken ships,

Is this also worthy of being called the navy?

You must know that among the countries in the Central Plains, the Chu State has the most extensive water areas, but in terms of naval forces, Qi State is the strongest. Qi State's Julu Navy - there are two Julu Navy in the Central Plains, one is the Julu Navy.

One branch belongs to South Korea and is commanded by Julu Shou Yanjue; while one branch belongs to Qi State and is commanded by Tian Ao and Tian Wu and his son of the Tian family in Linzi. Because they are equipped with machine-fired crossbows developed by craftsmen of Lu State, they can be said to be very powerful in water battles.

There are few opponents, even the old enemy, South Korea's Julu Shouyan Crepe. If they see Qi's Julu Navy, they have to go around unless necessary.

What kind of person is that giant deer guarding the swallow?

This man was one of the ten tycoons of Beiyuan. He was a famous general who almost drove Wei Ji, the Lintao Lord of Wei, crazy during the water battle during the "Wei-Korean Battle of Northern Territory".

Listening to Tian Hu talking endlessly about the "broken ships" of the Wei State, the deputy envoy, Uncle Bao, shook his head.

Is Wei's navy—let's call it the navy—really as vulnerable as Tian Hu said? How is that possible? Are the brightly-glazed mechanisms on the warships and even the crossbows just decorations?

Although Wei's naval construction experience is even less than that of cavalry, the machine-operated repeating crossbow developed by Wei - to be precise, the "machine three-shot heavy crossbow" - can be regarded as a first-class war weapon in the Central Plains, even in

A sturdy warship would inevitably sink to the bottom of the river as long as it took a few hits from such war weapons.

Unfortunately, the arrogant Tian Hu did not notice this.

After inspection, the fleet belonging to Tian Hu and Uncle Bao was released by the Wei navy. After more than a day's journey, they finally arrived at the Bolangsha River Port and arrived at the city where the entire city is currently located.

The largest river port in the Central Plains.

It has to be said that the Bolangsha River Port, which Wei Gongzi Zhao Run planned to "complete in ten years" but was actually completed in about seven years, is now the most famous landmark building in the Wei State and the most valuable to the Wei people today.

Proud building.

Even Tian Hu and Uncle Bao, who came from the prosperous Qi Kingdom, couldn't help but feel nervous the moment the fleet sailed into the Bolangsha River Port.

Because the dock of Bolangsha River Port is so huge, it looks like a giant tiger squatting here, and the ships coming and going are like going in and out of the mouth of this giant beast.

"Still, quite decent..."

Although his eyes were straightened, Tian Hu still muttered something stiffly, causing Uncle Bao who was standing by him to shake his head and smile bitterly.

If the port in Bolangsha has opened Tian Hu and Uncle Bao's eyes, then the prosperity of Bolangsha port city makes him feel as if he has returned to Linzi, Qi State.

To be precise, Bolangsha Port City is not a city, but there are a lot of people coming and going in the port city. Even if we borrow the saying of "shoulder to shoulder" and "a wave of sleeves to succeed" when the world evaluated Linzi of Qi State, it is not a city.

"Yun" these words of exclamation are not an exaggeration.

"It turns out that the Wei State is already so strong and prosperous?"

At this moment, even Uncle Bao couldn't help but feel secretly surprised in his heart.

Over the years, the State of Wei has risen strongly, and he is somewhat aware of this, but when it comes to detailing how strong the State of Wei has become, Uncle Bao cannot explain why.

It wasn't until he witnessed the prosperity of Bolangsha Port City with his own eyes that he suddenly realized that this place was no less prosperous than Linzi, the capital of King Qi.

It’s no wonder, after all, Linzi is the royal capital of the Qi people. Linzi’s prosperity most likely depends on the Qi people. To put it into detail, there are actually not many foreign merchants, especially when Qi is at war with South Korea and Chu.

There are even fewer merchants in the two countries of Chu.

The Bolangsha River Port is different. Zhao Run, the prince of the Eastern Palace of the Wei State, once wrote the four words "Business has no national borders" in his own handwriting, guaranteeing that even if the Wei State goes to war with Han and Chu in the future, it will not expel or harm the merchants of the two countries.

Although there are still many people who are doubtful about this, it cannot be denied that Wei Gongzi Zhao Run was the first to dare to propose this idea.

Due to the heavy responsibilities on their shoulders, Tian Hu and Uncle Bao did not appreciate the prosperity of Bolangsha River Port too much, but only glanced at it as they passed by.

In comparison, Uncle Bao sincerely lamented the prosperity of Bolangsha River Port, while Tian Hu looked at the river port with a critical eye. At one time, he said that the city was a mixed bag and the public order was not good. At another time, he said that the buildings in the port city had no beauty.

All in all, it is not as good as Linzi anyway.

Hearing these irresponsible remarks, Uncle Bao even missed the former right minister Tian Guang. Although Tian Guang did not agree with their political views and was narrow-minded, he was not lacking in talents. At least before Zhao Zhao entered Qi, half of the Qi people

Tian Huan was taking care of all the above state affairs, and no mistakes were made.

In comparison, Tian Hu, Tian Huang's cousin, seemed a bit dim.

Uncle Bao only needs to mention one thing about this: You are on the territory of Wei State, in front of so many Wei patrol guards, criticizing the bustling market of Wei State, do you really think that you are holding the title of envoy?

The Wei people don’t dare to beat you?

At least, Uncle Bao has seen the Wei Imperial Guards (Bolang Wei Department) passing by on patrol many times. After hearing Tian Hu's words, everyone cast an unkind look, even some businessmen from other countries who passed by.

, and looked at Tian Hu like a fool - in today's Central Plains, is there any place more prosperous than Bolangsha Port City?

In order to prevent the Wei people from dragging him to a deserted place and beating him up, Uncle Bao quickly pulled the unstoppable Tian Hu out of the bustling area, rented a few carriages from the car dealer, and set foot on the road to Daliang, the capital of the Wei Dynasty.

journey.

Daliang is only half a day's drive from Bolangsha, so as dusk approached that day, Tian Hu and Uncle Bao arrived at Daliang, the royal capital of the Wei people.

It must be admitted that compared to the prosperity of Bolangsha River Port, Daliang, the royal capital of the Wei Kingdom, its original glory was inevitably obscured. This allowed Tian Hu to seize the opportunity and sit in the carriage and criticize the city of Daliang as if pointing out the country.

buildings, reducing them to nothing.

To be honest, Uncle Bao is actually a proud Qi native, but when he heard Tian Hu's words, he felt a little embarrassed. Although he also wanted to praise his country, he didn't go straight to Linzi like Tian Hu.

It is said to be unique in the world.

Well, if we go back ten years, Linzi's prosperity may still be unrivaled, but the problem is that it is not ten years ago. No, the Bolangsha River Port in Wei State has already shown some dignity that is not inferior to Linzi.

Is it redundant?

Waiting for Tian Hu, Uncle Bao and others to arrive at the post house in the city and explain their intention, someone from the post house will contact the Ministry of Rites.

About half an hour later, when Tian Hu was complaining about the facilities and environment of the residence in the wing room of the post house where he was staying, Zhu Jin, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, personally brought people to the post house. In order to prevent Tian Hu from offending him on his first day in Daliang

Uncle Bao, who was from Wei, did not inform him and met alone with Zhu Jin, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites of the Wei State. On the one hand, he handed over his credentials and on the other hand, he asked about the date of meeting the King of Wei.

During this period, Zhu Jin, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, told Uncle Bao: "His Majesty no longer manages state affairs. All matters in the country, large and small, are decided by His Highness the Crown Prince."

As soon as he heard this, Uncle Bao knew that the Wei Kingdom was in a period of transition of royal power, so he asked: "Your Highness, the Crown Prince, is Mr. Zhao Run?"

Zhu Jin smiled and nodded. After all, he also knew that the Prince of the East Palace, Zhao Run, was quite famous in Qi State.

Seeing Zhu Jin nodding in recognition, Uncle Bao also said with emotion: "My Majesty has admired Mr. Zhao Run for a long time. Unfortunately, he did not have a chance to visit him. Until this time, he finally got what he wanted."

After a few words of greetings, Zhu Jin, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, said goodbye. He would immediately go to the palace to see Zhao Run, the crown prince of the East Palace, and present the credentials delivered by the envoy of Qi.

In fact, at this moment, Zhao Hongrun had already learned about the arrival of the two Qi envoys, Tian Hu and Uncle Bao. To be precise, before the team of Qi envoys arrived in Daliang, the Qingya people had already arrived.

This incident was reported, including Tian Hu's unbridled remarks about this and that at the entrance of Bolangsha Port.

He was not surprised by the arrival of the two envoys from Qi, Tian Hu and Uncle Bao. On the contrary, he still had the thought in his heart that "they are finally here."

Even Zhao Hongrun was well aware of the purpose of the two Qi envoys: they came for Song County matters, not simply to consolidate the relationship between Qi and Wei.

After casually glancing at the worthless credentials, Zhao Hongrun ordered Zhu Jin, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, and said: "Secretary Zhu, tomorrow your Ministry of Rites will go to find out what the two Qi envoys said. If Qi has confirmed its support for Song Yun's restoration,

"Fake Song Dynasty", then let those two Qi envoys get out of here before I get angry."

Zhu Jin, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, knew that the prince in front of him did not have the leisure to negotiate with the two envoys, so he immediately accepted the order: "I obey."

The next day, Du You, the Minister of Rites, personally appeared, accompanied by Zhu Jin, the left minister, and He Yu, the right minister, and received the two envoys Tian Hu and Uncle Bao at the headquarters of the Ministry of Rites.

Tian Hu was very dissatisfied with this, because in his opinion, he came here under the order of the country. According to the rules, he should be received by Wei Wang Zhao Si, or at worst, he would have to be the current Prince of the East Palace of Wei State.

Zhao Run, as for hosting a banquet to welcome the wind, there is no need to say more.

But these Wei people are good!

Out of dissatisfaction in his heart, Tian Hu said in a weird voice after sitting down: "My envoy came here this time on the order of our Lord of Da Qi to discuss important matters with Young Master Zhao Run. I don't know where Young Master Zhao Run is now.

Where?"

Of course, Du You, the Minister of Rites, could see Tian Hu's stinky face, and said in a neither arrogant nor humble manner: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of our country takes care of all matters day by day. There is no need to alarm His Highness the Crown Prince if I wait for the ministers to solve the problems." As he said this, he meant something.

He said: "According to Du's guess, the important things mentioned by the envoy are probably just trivial matters."

Hearing this, Uncle Bao couldn't help but look at Du You carefully, and said secretly in his heart: I have guessed it a long time ago.

However, he was not surprised by this. After all, when he was sent as an envoy to the Wei State at this time, the Wei people would definitely guess that it was about the Song Dynasty.

At this time, Tian Hu said with a straight face: "It concerns the friendship between Qi and Wei. My lord, do you think this is a trivial matter?"

These words not only made Du You, Zhu Jin, and He Yu stunned, but even Uncle Bao also secretly marveled: This guy is not an ignorant idiot. His speech is still very good.

It has to be said that Uncle Bao also underestimated Tian Hu. The latter could become the representative figure promoted by the Binhai Tian family to replace Tian Huang. Of course, he could not be a straw bag.

Facing Tian Hu's deliberate harsh criticism, Du You thought for a moment and then said quarrelsomely: "If the friendship between Qi and Wei is really damaged in the future, Du thinks it will probably be because of the purpose of the two envoys' visit.

To... I hope it’s Du’s worries that are unfounded.”
To be continued...