Chapter 328: Negotiations Begin

Chapter 328: Negotiations Begin

Xianjin stood half-dazed on the beach, hesitating. A member of the negotiation team, a man with a thick beard, looked back and gave her a deep glance from afar.

Behind her, Qiao Hui caught the glance and quickly walked forward, dropping a low remark to Xianjin, "The Japanese pirates know small courtesies but not great morality. They are cunning and untrustworthy. Now that we've all landed on the island, you should stay with the crowd and prioritize stability in all matters. We probably won't be able to meet for the next couple of days—I've left you with a bodyguard, named Axiang."

Xianjin nodded repeatedly.

The Japanese pirates—what a blood feud, deeper than the sea and higher than the mountains!

Qiao Hui’s figure stood out—broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs, and arms like an ape. He was dressed again in the crimson robe of a third-rank military official, his steps steady and resolute as he strode forward.

Not all members of the negotiation team were from the Capital City; some were officials from other prefectures in the Northern Zhili region, less informed.

As soon as Qiao Hui appeared, whispers broke out.

"...This official seems unfamiliar..."

"He shouldn't be! Someone so outstanding, we should have heard of him!"

"Listen, you must have heard of him—Qiao Hui, the newly appointed Lord Zhongwu, who played a pivotal role in turning the tide in the Battle of Jian'an. His father, you must know, is Qiao Fangzhi, who is currently drafting laws and sits on equal footing with Lord Zhongwu in the court."

"Tsk, look at him—he's not just handsome, but truly a pillar of the state."

The newly appointed Lord Zhongwu, Qiao Hui, took long strides and, within a few steps, reached the front of the negotiation team. He knelt on one knee, fist in hand, to salute Grand Princess Bai'an, who was surrounded by attendants and wore a gold-embroidered crimson sixteen-panel skirt.

His movements were as precise and sharp as a winter gust, exuding an air of authority.

Hengxi nudged Xianjin’s arm, her expression approving. "You’re not out of place here."

Xianjin nudged her back and followed the crowd, lowering her head as she went. After a while, she felt a bit bold: Who was she? The famous Manager He! She’d never be out of place in her life!

Xianjin looked up and saw Grand Princess Bai'an turn her head to glance at her from afar, her peaceful and elegant gaze seemingly carrying a smile that fell on her.

It must be an illusion!

Xianjin clenched her fist. Who was she to deserve a special smile from Grand Princess Bai'an?

...

As Qiao Hui had said, the negotiation team was extremely busy for several days—everyone was accommodated at the official post station in Fuzhou Prefecture. Of course, where Grand Princess Bai'an stayed was top-secret, and no one knew. On the surface, it was said that everyone stayed at the post station, but actually, it was officials below the third rank and their accompanying personnel who stayed there.

The official post station seemed to have been renovated; the front building was spacious and faced the sea, while the back building was tucked into a small alley, narrow and cramped.

Xianjin and Hengxi were accommodated in the front building, in a quiet and hidden spot. On both sides were high-ranking female officials from the palace. On the right was Jiang Shanggong, who was in charge of Grand Princess Bai'an’s private seal, and on the left was Li Shangyi, who recorded the princess’s leisurely writings.

The two highest-ranking female officials flanked Xianjin, with the other female officials spreading out to the sides—Xianjin suddenly realized: Hey, she was actually in the central position!

Xianjin and Hengxi gave out the gold-speckled square flower paper they had brought as gifts to the neighboring female officials in their residence.

The female officials were all elegant and dignified, ranging from their early forties to late twenties, well-educated and refined, treating Xianjin with warm smiles and gentle words, polite yet affectionate. After just a couple of interactions, the high-ranking female officials around Hengxi and Xianjin’s age were already linking arms with Xianjin, calling her "Jin Jie'er" and "Xianjin Meimei," without any of the usual arrogance of those born into the imperial family.

Xianjin began to doubt her own emotional intelligence. Had she been refined by the colorful stories of Hengxi, improving her social skills?

Xianjin’s heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled. Alright, even though she had honed her emotional intelligence through those stories, it certainly wasn’t higher than human connections.

By the fourth day, they finally had some work to attend to.

The negotiation delegation, along with envoys from Japan, held an official meeting.

All members of the negotiation delegation were required to attend.

The meeting was set at Changle Harbor in Fuzhou Prefecture, not far from the official post station. Similar to the post station, the guest hall where the reception was held exuded a sense of solemnity and majesty, from the eaves of the roof to the soil three inches below the walls.

This was a far cry from the usual gathering place of Xuancheng's paper industry association, "Wuxu Hall," which seemed mundane in comparison.

Glancing around, Xianjin estimated the main hall to be about a hundred meters long and fifty meters wide. The tiles used were the most prestigious glazed blue tiles of the time, adding both solemnity and grandeur to the beams. On both sides, more than twenty chairs and stools made of huanghuali wood, intricately carved with the Three Friends in Winter, were arranged, with the leading chair carved with the renowned flower, the great peony.

Indeed, there was only one seat at the head of the hall, with all others arranged below.

With a total of fifty chairs and stools, not everyone could be seated. Most members of the negotiation and envoy delegations waited in the east and west rooms of the hall.

And Xianjin, quite "honored," found herself at the very last seat.

Seizing the opportunity as they entered, Xianjin, unable to escape, grabbed Qiao Hui and thanked him, "...it must have taken quite some effort to get me inside the hall, right?"

Qiao Hui looked at her as if she were a lovable simpleton, his voice unusually low, "The selections inside the hall were personally decided by the Grand Princess. Your name was chosen by her from the start."

Xianjin's eyes lit up with excitement: Of course! The Grand Princess must think highly of me!

In the early morning, the dignitaries of both countries gradually entered.

A line of Japanese wearing wide kimonos, with shaved heads leaving only a small tuft of hair, bowed their way in.

Xianjin took an extra look.

They were indeed members of the Japanese delegation.

The mustaches shaped like the character "八" were indeed a time-honored family tradition.

After the Japanese leader sat down, a cold snort came from the Great Wei officials.

Xianjin, being too far at the back and next to an old man with a woolen beard she had never seen before, didn't dare to peek.

Once everyone was seated, no one dared to make a sound. After a while, a guard outside the hall announced in a loud and clear voice, "Grand Princess Bai'an has arrived!"

Everyone bowed with their heads down.

The Japanese envoys stood at attention as well.

A surge of pride welled up inside Xianjin.

"Please be seated," said Grand Princess Bai'an as she slowly walked to the head of the hall, her expression peaceful. She casually glanced at the Japanese on her left, "General Ashikaga, why do you look so much older?"

The translator beside her immediately prepared to speak, but the Japanese raised his hand, a smirk on his face, causing his mustache to twist. His Great Wei Mandarin was broken but understandable, "The Grand Princess enjoys the vast mountains and rivers of Great Wei, with continuous incense and eternal youth."

Grand Princess Bai'an smiled, "If I were to receive your tributes, I would surely become even younger and more carefree."

Only vassal states offer tributes to their suzerain.

At this time, Japan had not yet become a vassal state of Great Wei.