Zhenguan: I, Dou Fengjie, will not be the first cuckold.

The sixteenth day of the first lunar month is called the Day of Wasting Time.

In the words of before the time travel, it was the day for the annual inventory review of finances and physical inventory.

With the departure of various monarchs, chieftains, and envoys, the Court of State Ceremonial Affairs quickly quieted down, allowing the officials to leisurely enjoy tea.

The double-brewed tea soup from the North Gate was distributed into fifteen teacups.

The rule of dividing a pot of tea into five bowls is not suitable for large gatherings.

"As soon as Dou Zhangke took office, he made a great commotion, vented his anger, established rules, and made Murong Xiaojun submit to him."

Beimen Shuang started a conversation.

Although it may seem like commercial hype, these are all genuine achievements, and colleagues don't find them offensive.

"But I believe that Master Dou's stunning arrow was the real weapon to deter foreign barbarians."

"In my opinion, presenting geese to His Majesty so that he can present them in pairs to the Retired Emperor would be the most ingenious move."

Dou Fengjie smiled and took a sip of tea: "You flatter me, it's just that I happened to be there at the right time."

Even though some of the temple's guardians weren't present, the story of Kunming Pool spread far and wide.

While some deviations are inevitable, the facts are generally accurate.

The exaggerated version of the story is about the process of shooting the wild boar. Some versions say that Dou Fengjie shot the arrow from 800 paces away, and the arrow pierced the boar's forehead and came out through its anus.

According to a certain logic, this matter should be banned.

Unfortunately, Dou Fengjie's status as Duke of the State caused some people who were eager to make a move to withdraw their evil intentions.

The steward Zhao Dekai led Zhang Anan into the quarters, and Dou Fengjie chuckled, "General, are you going to take me to the palace again?"

This title left Bei Menshuang and the others speechless.

Shouldn't he be addressed as Marquis of Wenjiang?

A rare smile appeared on Zhang Anan's dark, thin face: "Fool! His Majesty intends to reward you for your service in protecting the Emperor and instigating Murong Xiaojun."

"Mansions, marriages, servants, silk—you can choose whatever you like."

"However, don't mention that matter to me. Do you think it's appropriate to discuss worldly matters between men and women with the people of the Inner Palace?"

Tsk, they're not giving us the slightest opening!

Unable to explicitly refuse the marriage, other matters were insignificant to Dou Fengjie.

If one can only sleep on one bed and eat one bowl of rice, what does Dou Fengjie need a mansion, marriage, and servants for?

With so many people around, what if we accidentally expose the existence of the smuggling system?

Silk was a hard currency in this era and could be used directly as copper coins. However, it was not considered valuable in the eyes of the currency system and was not as valuable as a string of copper coins.

The problem is that while the Kaiyuan Tongbao coins produced by Li Yuan were of high quality, they were so common that they became incredibly cheap.

Dou Fengjie sighed, "General, I am all alone and cannot enjoy so much. If His Majesty truly wishes to reward me, please give me a few pieces of top-quality tricolor glazed pottery."

Whether worldly or not, take a look at the term "dui shi" (对食).

Losing one or two organs is sometimes not that important.

Although Zhang Anan did not understand, he was greatly shocked.

"Murong Xiaojun will be returning to Da Momen City in a few days. I have been ordered to go on this mission to formally confer titles upon him."

Zhao Dekai smiled.

The Tang Dynasty officially conferred the title of Khan upon Murong Xiaojun, making his title of Qida Khan legitimate.

"Shangguan, be careful."

Dou Fengjie gave a solemn reminder.

The Tuyuhun territory is rife with danger; a moment's carelessness could lead to its fall. Murong Xiaojun's prestige is not yet sufficient.

"As an envoy, one must learn from Liang Guogong Xinggui, who can achieve the great feat of destroying a country by himself, or sacrifice one's life for the country."

Zhao Dekai laughed heartily.

Being an envoy is inherently a high-risk profession. Success can lead to the downfall of an enemy state or the winning over of friendly nations, while failure can result in beheading, imprisonment, or being forced to eat excrement.

This is the true situation that every official of the Court of State Ceremonial must know before taking office.

Knowing that the road ahead is fraught with danger and bloodshed, yet still forging ahead fearlessly—that is the mark of a true warrior.

The escort was arranged by General Kang Chuzhi, a relatively unknown figure.

Whether Murong Xiaojun is loyal or not is completely unimportant.

The important thing is that Murong Xiaojun has made his stance clear in public, so Murong Fuyun will not tolerate him.

As for the topic of whether "Murong He's posthumous child" was fake, it's no longer important.

Dou Fengjie nodded solemnly: "Sir, please act cautiously and do your best to protect yourself."

"If anything happens, send someone to deliver a message; I will do my best to mediate."

Although his words were not pleasant to hear, Zhao Dekai smiled.

Whether or not Dou Fengneng can actually do it, it's already quite commendable that he has the intention.

"Bei Men Shuang is having some trouble dealing with the Japanese envoy to Tang China. Go and help him."

"The chief envoy, Inugami Mitasuki, is alright, but the deputy envoy, Eri, is a monk who has studied abroad for many years and has a deep understanding of the Tang Dynasty's system and culture. He is not easy to deal with."

Zhao Dekai slightly adjusted the division of labor.

"I will meet him."

-----------------

"The Japanese envoy to Tang China, Eri, has met with the Duke of Zan."

A fierce glint flashed in Hui Ri's obsequious smile.

This is very Japanese.

Japan has always harbored wolfish ambitions; their politeness is merely a facade.

Once they find an opportunity, Japan will change its tune and attack its opponents like a wolf.

Anyone who is fooled by Japan's pretense is truly stupid!

"I have come to inform the deputy envoy that His Majesty has decided to confer the title of Prince on King Shuming of Wa, and will send an envoy to him."

"However, according to etiquette, the Prince should perform the full kowtow."

Dou Fengjie's smile held a hint of mockery.

"Kneel! How can you not kneel before the investiture of this Celestial Empire?"

The ruthless Hui Ri dug a pit for her own King Shu Ming.

He knew that the mission's comprehensive study of literature, military affairs, and manufacturing had already aroused the alarm of the Tang Dynasty.

However, the entire delegation, including all the craftsmen, numbered only two hundred people. How much skill could they possibly bring back?

Only through humility can all the learning outcomes be brought back, and there will be an opportunity to send Tang envoys again.

If King Shuming does not kneel, Hui Ri may suggest to his minister Soga no Emishi that another king be established.

Dou Fengjie nodded: "Your attitude is good, but can you make decisions on behalf of the King of Japan?"

"In addition, tuition fees should be reduced, Ishimi should be incorporated into the Tang Dynasty, and Nanbo should be given a piece of land near the port to the Tang Dynasty."

"Whether it's renting rooms for commoners or stationing troops, Japan has no right to interfere."

Eri didn't pay much attention to Iwami.

He knew that Iwami had a silver mine, but its mining capacity was insufficient and its output was limited, making it a complete waste. He wouldn't mind giving it to the Tang Dynasty.

However, Naniwa-tsu was the most prosperous place in Wa (Japan). Even if the Mononobe clan, who ruled Naniwa-tsu, was at odds with the Soga clan, who controlled the government, it was impossible for Naniwa-tsu to fall into the hands of the Tang Dynasty or to receive its strong support.

Hui Ri chanted the Buddha's name: "Amitabha! This is putting this humble monk in a difficult position, sir."

Dou Fengjie complained: "When it's to your advantage, you're the deputy envoy; when it's not to your advantage, you're just a monk."

This is also a Japanese tradition; their skill in shifting blame is top-notch.

They want the benefits, but they don't want to pay the price.

Dou Fengjie quoted a price for renting the land in Nanbojin: five hundred years for one coin.

"Shangguan, why don't you just take it for free?" Hui Ridu laughed in anger.

What's wrong with a penny less, Japan?

"That won't do. The Tang Dynasty has principles and will never accept benefits from vassal states for nothing," Dou Fengjie said earnestly.

Even a penny is still money. The price is a bit low, but at least it's not a forced sale.