Supreme Golden Palace

Chapter 166 Nations (Part 2)

Upon hearing this, Baili Ming pondered for a moment, then blushed and said, "What Prime Minister Wu said is absolutely right. I was shortsighted just now and forgot about the important matter of diplomatic relations."

"As for the betrothal gifts, we shall proceed as Wu Xiang suggested: three bolts of silk, six pieces of jade, plus a red jade tablet and a black silk ribbon. We must make sure that Jiao Bo sees our sincerity in dedicating ourselves to the country."

Wu Wenhe said, "It's good that Brother Baili has come to his senses. As the four ministers, we should share the emperor's burdens and plan for the long term of the country."

Baili Ming stroked his beard and said, "I will go to the treasury to check the jade and silk to ensure that the three silks and six jades are prepared in full. The red jade and black silk should also be made of the finest materials. The king taking a wife should be a cause for celebration throughout the country."

Wu Wenhe nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall, and said in a deep voice, "This time I am going to Jiao Kingdom for at least ten days, and at most half a year. The affairs of Xudu should be kept stable, and I will leave the affairs of state to the three of you."

The eldest son of the concubine laughed and said, "Minister Wu, please rest assured. His Majesty is a wise and sagacious ruler. With us assisting him, punishments are not excessive and the people fear the law. His grace is widespread and the people cherish virtue. Evil cannot arise in the country, and chaos cannot be caused. The country will naturally be safe and secure."

Wu Wenhe clapped his hands and laughed, his gaze sweeping over the three men in turn: the eldest son Chong, Baili Ming, and Feng Boling. He said, "This is the foundation of governing the country. I only hope that you will all be of one mind and one heart and not let differences in political views cause rifts. When I return from Jiao Kingdom, I will drink fine wine with you all again."

Feng Boling said softly, "Minister Wu, just relax and let Jiao do his work. There will be no mistakes."

The so-called "Li" is a sweet wine brewed from grains such as rice and sorghum. It is loved by noble people from various countries because of its lingering aroma and mellow and smooth taste.

After Emperor Shaokang, the sixth emperor of the Xia dynasty, restored the country, he made wine an important item in sacrifices. Wine was offered to heaven and earth, to ghosts and gods, and to ancestors to express his piety, pray for blessings, and hope for abundant harvests and prosperity for people and livestock.

Therefore, people often compare wine to Du Kang, who was none other than Emperor Shao Kang of the Xia Dynasty.

After the meeting, the three took their leave. Wu Wenhe got up to see them off, escorting them all the way to the front of the Prime Minister's residence. He stood on the stone steps in front of the residence and watched them leave.

Only after their figures disappeared around the corner of the corridor did he turn around and climb the steps to enter.

"Go, go to the kitchen and fetch some warm wine."

The gatekeeper of the Prime Minister's residence greeted him respectfully with his hands clasped. Wu Wenhe stroked the jade pendant at his waist and casually gave an order, which was answered by the maidservants in the corridor who withdrew.

Upon reaching the dormitory, he pushed open the door and entered. A list of gifts for the mission was already prepared on the desk. Wu Wenhe sat upright at the desk, looking down at the list.

"Prime Minister Wu, the sweet wine is ready." A maidservant brought in a ceramic wine vessel.

"Hmm, put it on the table."

Wu Wenhe stroked the edge of the gift list and said softly.

"Yes,"

The maidservant stepped forward slowly and gently placed the pottery cup on the corner of the table. A few drops of nectar clung to the rim of the cup, turning amber in the candlelight.

"I don't need your service here anymore, you can leave."

After slowly pouring the sweet wine into the earthenware cup, Wu Wenhe dismissed the maid.

A night breeze swept through the corridor, causing the bamboo curtains beneath the window to sway gently. Wu Wenhe sat alone at his desk, the wine in his ceramic cup rippling slightly, casting shimmering light and shadow on his face.

Nothing was said that night. At three quarters past dawn the next day, the front street of Xuchang was still shrouded in night dew.

Dressed in hemp clothing, Wu Wenhe silently observed the procession of oxcarts in front of the Prime Minister's residence.

Twelve oxcarts carried the betrothal gifts. The oxcart at the front had a base of green thatch, and red jade and black silk were wrapped in a rhinoceros hide bag. Three bolts of silk and six pieces of jade were placed in six pottery gourds, and the mouths of the gourds were tied tightly with mulberry branches.

"Prime Minister Wu,"

Before the oxcart leading the way, the three ministers stood in court attire. Gongzi Chong had a sword at his waist, which gleamed coldly in the morning light. Baili Ming and Feng Boling had solemn expressions and bowed to Wu Wenhe.

"Prime Minister," At the same time, the sound of carriages and horses rose from the street corner. Thirty-six armored soldiers carried banners on their shoulders to clear the way. The corners of the banners were embroidered with black snakes, which were the ancestral temple totems of the Xu Kingdom. Behind the banners, a six-foot-long wooden chariot slowly approached.

Upon hearing the sound, Wu Wenhe straightened his hat, stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said, "Your Majesty's personal presence fills this old minister with trepidation."

Lü Shang helped the carriage up. He was dressed in the robes of a feudal lord, with nine cicada-shaped white jade ornaments on his jade belt. He raised his hand to help Wu Wenhe and said loudly, "Prime Minister, you are the pillar of the country. This mission is of great importance to the relations between the two countries of Xu and Jiao. I should personally come to see you off."

As they spoke, a palace attendant brought over a bronze wine vessel, picked up a ladle, and poured wine paste into the vessel. The amber wine paste gleamed with golden light. He said, "This cup of wine is offered to my father, the Prime Minister. May Heaven bless the Xu Kingdom and bring about a successful outcome."

Wu Wenhe's eyes were slightly hot. He lowered his head and touched the ground with his forehead. The warmth of the bronze wine vessel in his hand came through his palm.

He steadied his breathing, wiped his eyes with his sleeve, and said, "Your Majesty's kindness is immeasurable; even if I were to give my life, I could not repay even a fraction of it."

Wu Wenhe held the wine cup in his hand, tapped it three times and drank it. He then handed the empty cup back to the palace maid and said, "Since Your Majesty has entrusted this old minister with such an important task, this old minister will certainly not fail in his mission."

Lü Shang said softly, "I am in Xuchang, waiting for good news from my father, the Prime Minister."

"Walk,"

After bowing to Lü Shang again, Wu Wenhe turned and boarded the oxcart, giving orders to the drivers.

"drive,"

The drivers lightly flicked their bamboo whips, and twelve oxcarts rolled down the street in turn.

After Wu Wenhe set off, Lü Shang, along with his three ministers, escorted him from the Prime Minister's residence all the way to the city gates. After leaving the city, they accompanied him for another ten miles until Wu Wenhe once again urged Lü Shang to turn back. Only then did Lü Shang bid farewell to Wu Wenhe.

Lü Shang stood atop a high hill by the roadside, watching the caravan disappear into the morning mist. The wheels of the twelve oxcarts crunched on the dew, leaving silver streaks on the mountain road. The cracking of the drivers' bamboo whips mingled with the muffled thuds of the oxen's hooves, startling the crows in the distance to caw incessantly.

"Your Majesty, the dew is heavy; let's turn back the carriage."

Feng Boling stepped forward slightly, brushed away the dew from the corner of Lü Shang's robe with the corner of his sleeve, and said in a low voice.

Lü Shang flicked his sleeve and said, "Then let's go back."

He turned and boarded the chariot. The first light of dawn illuminated his solemn face.

On the return journey, the carriage moved slowly, its wheels rolling over the damp soil with a dull thud.

Lu Shang sat in the carriage, closed his eyes and pondered, trying to comprehend the Great Dao of Water.

Since he became a pure-blooded Gonggong and gained the recognition of the Water Element Dao, he also received the legacy left by the Gonggong clan of all generations.

Driven by the Dao imprint of the Gonggong clan throughout the ages, Lü Shang's growth rate was astonishing beyond imagination. His cultivation was improving almost every moment, and he was getting stronger little by little with every breath.

"The highest good is like water. Water benefits all things without striving, and dwells in places that others disdain, thus it is close to the Way."

A sentence suddenly popped into Lü Shang's mind, and in an instant, countless insights surged into his heart.

"Water is the ultimate in gentleness. It is formless and shapeless, taking the shape of whatever it is placed in. It becomes square when it meets a square container, and round when it meets a round container. It does not compete with other things, yet nothing can defeat it."

"The nature of water is such that when it moves, it rushes into the abyss; when it is still, it reflects objects. When it is swift, it surges and cannot be stopped; when it is slow, it flows gently and nourishes things silently. It may transform into clouds and mist, rising to the heavens, or condense into frost and snow, covering the eight directions. Although it changes in countless ways, its nature remains unchanged."

"Therefore, the superior man emulates the virtue of water, acting without doing and teaching without speaking. He benefits without harming, acts without contending, is humble and modest, and restrains his brilliance. In this way, he is close to the Way, hence the saying, 'The highest good is like water.'"

(End of this chapter)