Chapter 95: Arrival at the Embassy of Yan Kingdom

After the Empire of Zongfu was established, the Liaohai Pass was no longer under martial law. Even in early spring, many carriages and horses came and went through the gates.

Great Iron Hammer was quite fortunate. After the Yan army commander suffered heavy casualties, he was swiftly promoted to deputy general of Liaohai Pass.

“General, who is it that made you wait?” Qing Qin had already waited for an hour. Even for Jing Ke, the ambassador from the Northern Kingdom who frequently passed through here, Qing Qin wouldn’t have waited specifically.

“I’m not sure! They said it’s someone from the royal family of the Northern Kingdom!”

There were rumors that the King of Linbei was still alone, which puzzled Qing Qin. Surely it wasn’t the Queen Dowager of the cabinet, was it?

Great Iron Hammer’s keen eyes were no pretense. When Qing Qin showed no reaction, he frowned and said, “General! It’s a strange carriage! Extremely fast!”

“Huh? Are those horses or tigers?”

Qing Qin quickly gathered his energy to look carefully and gradually made out the details.

“It’s the Northern King’s carriage! No, wait!”

Qing Qin had seen the great carriage from afar before—a massive vehicle drawn by huge tiger-horses.

“Probably descendants of the Great Dragon Horn Horses!”

Once they clearly saw the small dragon horses, Qing Qin hurriedly rode out of the city to meet them.

Soon, the area inside and outside the city gates was cleared, and some merchants had to retreat to wait. Two cavalry squads lined up by the gates, forming protective walls.

“Phew!” Actually, there was no need for Xuan Jian to speak, but he still put on a show. After all, it was just an ordinary carriage.

“What exactly is going on? I’ve been wandering for years and have never seen such a scene!” a merchant whispered in awe.

Such horses could only belong to the imperial royal family! Confirming this, Qing Qin rode forward alone.

“Liaohai Pass’s Qing Qin respectfully welcomes your honorable presence!”

Qing Qin had no choice but to dismount and salute.

Officially, they were not under the same command, but now that the empire had become the suzerain over Yan, even some members of the Qing Qin family had gradually emigrated to the Northern Islands of the Eastern Ocean!

Yan was intensifying its migration efforts, and Zhao had sent three hundred thousand women and children to their new territories.

By the later Qingming era, the four islands of the Eastern Ocean could sustain twenty to thirty million people, so population growth was not a concern.

Though earthquakes often struck in later eras, in this world where spiritual energy and the natural order prevailed, earthquakes were nearly nonexistent.

As vast fields were cultivated and bumper crops of potatoes and corn were harvested, the Yan King and Zhao King were eager to send more people to reclaim the land.

Despite population losses at home, thanks to the empire’s potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn, the Yan and Zhao armies no longer feared food shortages.

Once assured there was no threat, Xuan Jian stood and returned the salute.

“General Qing Qin, Lord Lin’s carriage need not stop here—proceed directly to Ji City.”

Huh! That voice! That figure!

That cool, indifferent voice—Qing Qin could hardly forget it! Over the past two years, he had discussed matters of the checkpoint caravans with Xuan Jian.

“Yes! But you’re the commander of the Liaoxi army?” Qing Qin asked.

Xuan Jian sighed softly and shook his head. “I am no longer the commander. Today, General Lejian has officially taken over the Liaoxi garrison.”

Knowing the king planned to travel widely, Xuan Jian had resigned. Given his temperament, he never liked commanding troops—better to run errands and fight battles for the king.

“Ah, so it’s General Xuan Jian!” Qing Qin bowed again, then pulled his horse aside to clear the path.

Xuan Jian nodded. “Farewell.”

Crack!

Xuan Jian shouted loudly but flicked the whip gently, careful not to strike hard. If he hadn’t seen the king and his party disappear into the carriage, he would have thought it was the dreaded demon carriage that devours people.

Two small dragon horses—though their appearance didn’t faze him, no one understood their terror better than he did.

The carriage rumbled on, picking up speed.

“General! This… this is a Grandmaster General driving the carriage!” Great Iron Hammer shook his head bitterly. Were Grandmasters so common? In Yan, including secret Grandmasters, there might not even be five!

Qing Qin nodded. “Lord Lin—could he be the Crown Prince of the empire? Otherwise, why would General Xuan Jian personally escort him?”

Great Iron Hammer said nothing but nodded in agreement.

The carriage departed early morning and had reached outside the northern gate of Ji City by noon.

“It should be them!” Jing Ke, who received a message via messenger bird, was already waiting atop the city wall.

As the empire’s ambassador to the Seven Kingdoms, Jing Ke could have been stationed permanently in the royal capital or at the embassies of Yan and Zhao, but he preferred Ji City for its convenience in traveling to the capital or visiting his junior sister back home.

“Who exactly is in that carriage?” Gao Jianli, the resident ambassador to Yan, naturally accompanied him.

Not just the two of them—Ju Xin also represented the Yan King in welcoming the party.

Jing Ke, however, was unsure. The carriage looked familiar but was not the king’s divine vehicle.

After the guards cleared the way, Ju Xin and Jing Ke escorted the carriage out of the city gate.

For such distinguished guests, Xuan Jian turned to report. “Lord Lin, it is Jing Ke and Ju Xin.”

From inside the carriage, Lin Shu said, “Good. Let them lead the way to the embassy.”

Xuan Jian nodded, rose, clasped his fists, and saluted. “Prime Minister Yan Jing Ke may proceed to the embassy; Lord Lin will meet you there shortly.”

Lord Lin? Could he be the Northern King’s son? Ju Xin understood at once.

“Very well! I shall lead the way.”

Jing Ke clasped his fists in return and said no more.

Lord Lin? The king was at most thirty years old now. There was only a four-year-old princess rumored. Over the past three years, none of the king’s four consorts had shown any sign of pregnancy.

No one knew who Lord Lin was, but Jing Ke recognized the figure wearing a hat and mask as Grandmaster Xuan Jian!

These were the two strongest warriors outside the king himself, one of whom was the Empress Yanfei.

Duke Yan He of Yan was a master of diplomacy and had even gifted the former Yan Lord’s mansion to Jing Ke. Jing Ke had hesitated to accept such a grand gift, but eventually, the mansion became the empire’s embassy, allowing Jing Ke to settle comfortably.

Jing Ke, the chief ambassador, was rarely seen; the household was actually managed by Ambassador Gao Jianli.

As soon as they entered the embassy, four people descended from the carriage—a man, a child, and three young maidens.

The young lord was handsome and slender, about 1.7 meters tall—not too tall, not too short.

This was truly the king’s son! Jing Ke was stunned. The lord holding the child resembled someone he knew but was taller, younger, and much fairer.

“Lord, your bearing is extraordinary! Ju Xin feels an instant kinship!” Ju Xin was astonished. The Northern King and his son really did look alike!

Lord Lin returned a faint smile. “Prime Minister Yan’s words are too generous.”

After seeing Ju Xin off, Jing Ke and Gao Jianli personally hosted a banquet for the lord and his party.

With wine loosening tongues, after two cups, Jing Ke could no longer restrain his curiosity.

“Lord, the cabinet has not made any announcement. May I ask the purpose of your journey?”

Could it be a leisurely trip with two beauties?

Within the cabinet, all four ministers wore veils and dressed distinctly. Jing Ke had never seen the faces of Jing Ni and the Moon Goddess, so he could not recognize the two queens accompanying Lord Lin.

Setting down his cup, Lord Lin smiled and raised his hand. A bottle of medicinal wine slowly floated in from the doorway.

“I’m not accustomed to this white wine.”

The king’s medicinal wine! Jing Ke smiled wryly. The father and son truly shared the same taste!

Taking the bottle, the Moon Goddess personally uncorked it and poured a cup for her husband.

Lin Shu glanced at Jing Ke and Gao Jianli.

Jing Ke, who had begun paying more attention to his appearance, was just as handsome as Gao Jianli. Though slightly shorter, his warm and resolute smile was even more reassuring.

No wonder Gao Jianli could not steal Jing Ke’s favor, and Gongsun Liji had never given him cause for jealousy.

In later times, Gao Jianli often neglected the Snow Maiden, perhaps because his skills fell short. Unable to find another girlfriend, he clung stubbornly to the single Snow Maiden.

Gao Jianli felt that someone was mocking his lack of skill but could not fathom why.