Zhao Tong and Bai Shizhong discussed the reception matters, mostly the red tape. In the end, Zhao Tong really had a headache, so he agreed with Bai Shizhong that except for the first time, he would not come forward for any other discussions involving etiquette, but the private reception could be done by

He stands out.

Afterwards, Zhao Tong left the palace and returned to his home in a carriage. In the car, he secretly pondered about the Dali mission. The prince of Dali who came was indeed Duan Yichang, but this Yichang was not from the main palace.

Empress Gao of Duan He Yuzheng Palace was born into the Gao family of powerful officials in Dali and had no children.

Duan Yichang was born to the Concubine Wang, who also had a daughter. However, this Wang was not from a Dali official family, and few people know her origins.

Since the reign of Ming Emperor Duan Shouhui, the power of the Dali Kingdom has fallen to the Gao family. Even now, even if Duan Heyu is diligent in political affairs and works hard to govern, it is difficult to completely restore it. However, this time he was canonized by the Song Dynasty, which can bring some gains back in the court.

Disadvantages...

In the blink of an eye, it was the end of February, and on this day the Ministry of Rites sent news that the Dali delegation had entered Gyeonggi and was expected to enter the city early tomorrow morning.

Zhao Tong is not very interested in things in Dali, but he always wants to meet on the first day and go through a smooth process.

The next day, a grand welcoming ceremony began. Although it was a courtesy from the upper court to the lower country, it was also very lively and everyone in Tokyo knew about it.

None of the civil and military officials in Zhao Tonguan seemed to care much about this matter, only Emperor Daojun was proud of it.

In fact, it’s no wonder. Dali is a weak country and is separated by mountains and rivers. There has never been a war along the Yangshan River since the founding of the Song Dynasty. This gave the Song Dynasty the subconscious idea that the other party was afraid of me, and Dali’s external income at the moment was almost

It all relied on the Song Dynasty. It can be said that the Song Dynasty still controlled a small part of Dali's economic lifeline.

Dali is rich in Gastrodia elata, Panax notoginseng, Angelica sinensis, Dendrobium and other medicinal materials, all of which are sold to the Central Plains. Dali also breeds horses. Although Dali horses are a bit too reluctant to be war horses, they are very durable in pulling carts and carrying goods. These are also sold in large quantities.

Came here.

Dali is inseparable from the Song Dynasty, so in the eyes of the officials, this invitation to pay tribute is actually dispensable.

As expected, the good times did not last long. A series of trade matters discussed by Emperor Daojun after granting the title of Dali were boycotted by the ministers. For example, setting up a shopping mall on the south bank of the Yangshan River and opening a market for free trade were regarded as side projects.

It is not a blessing for China to open up and bring the captives together.

The Guangzhou observer who was the matchmaker and the mediator, Huang Lu, was also impeached for taking tribute and paying in vain, and started provoking minor provocations. In the end, Huang Li was convicted, and the relationship between the Song Dynasty and Dali dropped back to its original point.

The Dali delegation, numbering several hundred people, entered the city in a mighty manner. Prince Duan Yi of Dali served as the head of the delegation, and Dali courtiers Li Zicong and Li Boxiang served as deputy heads. Emperor Daojun received them at the Zichen Palace.

Above the main hall, the ministers stood, and almost all high-ranking officials from the capital arrived. It was only as lively as the Great Court Meeting. After various complicated ceremonies, the Dali envoy presented a list of tributes, including a large number of good horses, musk deer,

Bezoar, fine felt, jasper, armor, bows and arrows, etc., and even Dali's happy women.

Emperor Daojun was still interested in these Dali musicians and women, so he immediately summoned them to the palace. After the audition, he was overjoyed and immediately included them in the harem for viewing and banquets, with generous rewards.

The Emperor Daojun, who was in high spirits, immediately ordered that Duan He be conferred the title of Purple Gold Guanglu Doctor, Inspector of Schools, Yunnan Jiedu Envoy, Shangzhu Kingdom, King of Dali, and ordered Hanlin to prepare a decree to record Huang Lubai, and then write an imperial edict.

Later, there were some exchanges between the two countries, but these matters could only be discussed in general terms at the government, and the specific finalization would have to be discussed in detail with the Ministry of Rites.

The court meeting dispersed near noon, and the first meeting began in the afternoon at the Huihong Hall of the Ministry of Rites, with Zhao Tong and Bai Shizhong presiding over it.

Zhao Tong was naturally sitting in the main seat, but apart from the polite words at the beginning, he almost said nothing during the meeting and was just observing Duan Yichang secretly.

This Yi Chang is not very old, only about fifteen or sixteen years old. He is born with red lips and white teeth, a face as pink as a powder, and is extremely handsome. He speaks and behaves with a lot of etiquette, and seems to be in good shape in everything.

It's just that...Zhao Tong found out why Chang Yi was peeking at him from time to time?

Others may not be able to detect it, because this Yi Chang's eyes are very hidden. It is the kind of person who has martial arts skills and quick and agile movements, which is extremely difficult for ordinary people to detect.

In that hidden glance, Zhao Tong noticed a little pride and even some faint hostility.

This... Zhao Tong wondered, he had never seen Duan Yichang before, not to mention Duan Yichang, he had definitely never seen anyone from Dali Kingdom, so what did his look mean?

Zhao Tong remained calm, drank tea slowly, and spent two or three hours discussing and talking. During this period, Chang Yi peeked at him no less than ten times, which meant there was something wrong.

In the evening, Emperor Daojun held a grand banquet, which was of a very high standard, with silk and bamboo singing and dancing, and was attended by all the ministers. It didn't stop until midnight.

After the banquet was over, Zhao Tong breathed a sigh of relief. This was basically the big deal. As for the private reception, it was just a matter of having a corresponding name. Although Dali is a small country, it is still called the emperor after all. They sent the royal family to Dali.

In the Song Dynasty, a corresponding or even higher-ranking member of the royal family was needed to show the grace and attention of the great power of the Celestial Dynasty.

Zhao Tong originally thought about having a banquet with Duan Yichang, after all, it was a courtesy, but Duan Yichang was actually hostile to him, so he had to give in first.

The next day, after breakfast, Zhao Tong sat in the pavilion and played with the birds. The birds were sent by Sun Gaosheng, the commander of the Horse Army Division. Last time the Dragon Guard Army lost their horses, Sun Gaosheng took out several large boxes of gold.

Silver jewelry was sent to Zhao Tong, so he was not punished and still kept his position.

The bird is a clear water lark. It looks like it has been trained since childhood. It is not afraid of people or light. It is cheerful and lively, and its call is melodious and melodious.

Zhao Tong played with the birds for a while, and Lei San trotted over and reported: "Your Majesty, the prince of Dali Kingdom, Duan Yichang, wants to see you."

"Oh?" Zhao Tong smiled. It seems that the prince of Dali really has something to do with his family. Otherwise, why would he be in such a hurry to visit?

He nodded and said, "Invite him here." After saying that, he walked towards the front hall holding the birdcage.

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Arriving at the front hall, as soon as he sat down, Lei San led Duan Yichang in.

Duan Yichang only brought a few followers, who carried many gifts. The two deputy heads of the mission did not follow him. He ordered his followers to carry the gifts into the hall. After greetings and greetings, Zhao Tong ordered tea to be served.

The prince of Dali was born extremely well, free and handsome. He felt Zhao Tu's gaze, smiled shyly, and said: "Yi Chang has heard of the prince's name for a long time when he was in the country, and he admires him very much. Today I pay homage abruptly, and I hope you can

Don’t be surprised, Your Majesty.”

"Oh?" Zhao Tong also smiled and said: "Prince Duan is too polite, but it's just a false name and cannot be taken seriously."

"Your Majesty is the most popular and talented man in the Song Dynasty. How could I not know that I, Dali, have long admired the culture of the Central Plains?" Duan Yichang picked up the tea bowl and lightly touched his lips: "Your Majesty's poems are popular in Dali. When you go to the court, you go down.

In the market, as long as anyone is literate, no one knows the name of the prince."

Well? Zhao Tong narrowed his eyes when he heard this. Why was his tone a bit sour? He said: "I can only carve out some small poems. I don't talk about good or bad. I'm probably just a foil to my colleagues."

"Your Majesty is indeed outspoken." Duan Yichang laughed and thought to himself, this Prince Qi is arrogant, just as he had guessed. What kind of peer support, doesn't it mean that others are inferior to you?

He said: "Your Majesty's Sauvignon Blanc, Dali paper is expensive."

Zhao Tong laughed and said: "What you did casually is not worth mentioning."

Duan Yichang shook his head and said: "Your Majesty, you don't know that this poem is a huge sensation in Dali. Just kidding, after this poem is spread, all my sons in Dali will fight for your Majesty."

The corner of Zhao Tong's mouth curled up. What he said was a bit too much. What a joke. Is this what you, the prince of Dali, should say? Why did you come to the Song Dynasty? I am good at writing poems, so I care about Dali's son.

Do you want to fight me to the death? Are you a Dali son? Do you also want to fight me to the death?

Zhao Tong said: "Why is this?"

Duan Yichang continued: "Your Majesty knows something, but I am not afraid of his ridicule if I tell you. Now there is a saying in Dali that when there is a daughter, everyone sings Sauvignon Blanc."

Zhao Tong smiled again and said: "I have always heard that Dali's daughter is affectionate, and I am yearning for her. I just wonder how virtuous and capable I am. I really feel unworthy of receiving such favor."

A trace of anger flashed across Duan Yichang's face when he heard this, but he covered it up just right and said with a smile: "That's why I, Dali Erlang, want to fight the prince to the death."

Zhao Tong shook his head, stretched out his hand to hold up the bird cage next to the chair, teased the lark inside, glanced at Duan Yichang, and said: "What's the point of killing with fists, feet, guns and sticks? Besides, I have only heard that Dali Erlang is good at fighting.

Singing songs, there is no need to work hard, and what I like is poetry and music. If it really comes, I might as well write two songs for them to play against each other. Wouldn’t it be a beautiful thing?"

When Duan Yichang heard this, his face was slightly ugly, but he still smiled and said: "This is because the prince has misunderstood. I, Dali Erlang, am also a bloody man and proficient in martial arts..."

"Hey..." Zhao Tong waved his hand, interrupting Duan Yichang's words: "Qin, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, wine, Chu waist is slender and the palm is light, but talking about martial arts is a big disgrace!"

Duan Yichang's face did not change when he heard this, but he held a fist tightly in his sleeve. The King of Qi not only looked down on their Dali, but also looked down on their martial arts with guns and sticks. He also said that Dali's daughters were sentimental, and Dali's sons liked to sing antiphonally. This is simply frivolous and shameless!

He said: "Your Majesty... you are right!"

Zhao Tong secretly smiled in his heart. This young man is quite tolerant, which is rare among his peers. But he said this deliberately, firstly to test where the other party's hostility came from, and secondly to see where the other party came from. What is the real purpose?

Observing now, the hostility may be related to the Sauvignon Blanc. He himself did not expect that this poem could spread so far. However, Dali envied the Central Plains culture and was more concerned about this aspect. It is estimated that there are booksellers and the like who spread it. Seek profit and show off your skills.

As for the purpose of the other party, it stands to reason that the mission just arrived yesterday and will definitely not come to the palace today with gifts to pay homage. This must have some purpose. They want to establish a good relationship first and then make some plans.

But whether it is the exchanges between the two countries or the business exchanges, he is not in charge of it. He can't help at all in this regard. As for wanting him to say a few good words, it is better to give Bai Shizhong gifts directly, or even directly Go and flatter the Taoist emperor.

Zhao Tong continued to test and said: "The prince also thinks that I am right. What is the meaning of dancing with a gun and a stick? Chanting the wind and praising the moon is romantic. I don't know what poems the prince has written. Can you discuss it with me?"

Duan Yichang heard this, even though he claimed to have mountains and rivers in his heart, he couldn't stand it at this moment. This King of Qi...why is he so shameless? Did he really write those poems? Really?!

Seeing that he didn't speak, Zhao Tong asked again: "Is it possible that the prince doesn't write poems?"

When Duan Yichang heard this, he gritted his teeth secretly, but his face turned slightly red, and said: "Your Majesty, Yi Chang's poems are not good, how dare you show your embarrassment in front of the prince?"

Zhao Tong saw his strange expression and couldn't help but said: "Why show off one's ugliness? If you don't write well, I will give you some pointers."

When Duan Yichang heard this, he took a deep breath and said slowly: "Your Majesty, Chang Yi did bring a poem with him, but I'm afraid it won't fall into the eyes of the prince."

Seeing how hard he was acting, Zhao Tong shook his head and said, "Bring me here and have a look."

Duan Yichang took out a piece of paper from his arms, stood up and respectfully presented it to him. Zhao Tong glanced at him and took it.

The paper is pink Xue Tao paper, narrow and not very large. There is a poem on it, written with the Yu Linling brand.

The word "Yulin Ling" was not easy to fill in, and Liu Yong made all the words with difficulty. Duan Yichang did not return to his seat at this time, but stood aside, as if responding to Zhao Tong's words, pretending to be listening to the instructions.

Zhao Tong read this poem once, then a second time, and then a second time, and then a third time, and then a smile slowly appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Duan Yichang's eyes did not fall on the paper, but he was observing Zhao Tong's expression.

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Zhao Tong gently placed Xue Tao's note on the tea table next to him and said, "It's well written."

"Is it really good?" Duan Yichang immediately asked.

"It's really good, but..." Zhao Tong said: "Does the prince know Su Huang?"
To be continued...