ALL NOVEL chapter 43
Chapter 43: The Banquet
Great Xia has a unique feature, which is the diplomatic banquet.
Banquets, in many countries, are common social activities. The dishes are mainly exquisite, and the actual taste is secondary.
However, the banquets in Great Xia are not necessarily focused on socializing. Although matters are discussed at the banquets, the food is extremely meticulous.
Tonight’s banquet menu was very sumptuous, with the most typical dishes being deer tendon soup, venison, roasted lamb, and various dishes meticulously stewed with a mix of lamb and fish.
The banquet for entertaining the envoys was different from the real state banquet of the Great Xia. The envoys—especially those from the Kingdom of Sal—were treated with a slightly lower standard as a vassal state, so not too many dishes were presented. However, even so, the level of refinement far exceeded human imagination.
Because of this, in the human world, being an envoy to the Great Xia was almost equivalent to becoming a food blogger. Most envoys would specifically mention the cuisine of the Great Xia upon their return.
And at this moment, Uheya was greeted with such a sumptuous banquet.
However, Uheya had no mind to taste the delicacies in front of her.
Great Xia’s diplomacy emphasized dealing with matters as they were, regardless of how dissatisfied they were with the other party, the necessary etiquette had to be observed. Especially for Uheya, as a princess of the Kingdom of Sal, Great Xia did not treat her with the specifications for an envoy but raised the reception standards to those for royal family members. This is why tonight’s banquet was only slightly lower than a formal state banquet.
But despite such treatment, Uheya was not happy at all.
She saw the document handed over by the Prime Minister. The conditions written on it were excessively harsh—the Kingdom of Sal must make up for the tribute exempted over the past ten years within one year; provide a list of Great Xia officials colluding within the Great Xia court; execute the generals and deputy generals who attacked Hanyin City; compensate the people of Hanyin City for their losses, and provide funds for the pensions of the fallen soldiers and the reconstruction of facilities.
If the previous conditions were still acceptable, the last one was completely unacceptable to her.
Cede the Karashig region to the Solqin tribe, with Great Xia guaranteeing their ownership of the Karashig region. The Kingdom of Sal must formally acknowledge in writing the relinquishment of control over this region.
To promote peace between the two countries, Great Xia is willing to provide long-term study exchanges in Great Xia for a legitimate son or daughter of King Tuva of the Kingdom of Sal. The prince or princess will be given preferential treatment in Great Xia as a gesture of goodwill between the two countries.
This was almost openly ceding territory to the Solqin tribe! And it was the most treasured land of the Kingdom of Sal. Moreover, they had to send a prince or princess as a hostage!
It sounded nice, talking about study exchanges and preferential treatment for the prince or princess… These words were indeed true, but everyone knew that bringing the prince or princess to Great Xia for long-term study exchanges… was essentially taking them as hostages.
This…
In addition, Great Xia also demanded control over some disputed areas between the Kingdom of Sal and Great Xia.
If her foolish brother saw this, he would definitely be so angry that he would draw his sword and prepare for a fight.
“Ah, Uheya,” the banquet hall door was pushed open, and Qin Ji walked in with a smile, “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Not at all, Duke Anguo, it is truly an honor to see you.”
Uheya bowed solemnly.
She looked behind Qin Ji but found that the banquet hall door had already been closed, indicating that there was no one else behind Qin Ji.
Seeing her puzzled expression, Qin Ji immediately guessed what she was thinking: “His Majesty is busy with state affairs tonight and cannot leave, so he entrusted me to entertain you well.”
“Thank you, it is rare for Duke Anguo to take time out of his busy schedule to attend the banquet for me.”
“Oh, you don’t need to be so formal, what’s the point of all these etiquettes, we are not the kind of people who like red tape.”
Qin Ji smiled and waved his hand. There were not many people at this banquet. Qin Ji only brought Ling Yan, while Uheya, although she brought a few attendants, most of them had no chance to speak—this diplomatic mission was mainly handled by Uheya herself, and most of the attendants were just there to create an atmosphere.
“By the way, we haven’t seen each other for a long time.” Qin Ji looked at Uheya.
After so long, Uheya was no longer the wild girl who rode with him across the grasslands. Perhaps because she had been exposed to Great Xia culture, her temperament had undergone a qualitative change.
However, Qin Ji knew that inside this seemingly gentle and elegant body, there was always a wolf.
“Yes, things have changed.”
Uheya scooped up the tender and bouncy deer tendon, put it in her mouth, and the rich aroma spread instantly, the rich texture of the deer tendon made her chew a few more times.
“This time your father sent you over, it seems he has high hopes for you.” Qin Ji looked at her. Facing this friend who had a fairly good relationship with him, he did not want to bring up the unpleasant matters of the day, it was better to talk about personal topics.
However, upon hearing this, Wuheya merely sneered, “Qin Ji, what if I told you that it wasn’t my father who sent me here?”
“Oh? Oh right, I remember now, King Tuwa of the Sal Kingdom has been ill since last year, his body exhausted. It seems that His Majesty the King has handed over state affairs to his children.”
The fact that King Tuwa was ill wasn’t really a secret. Moreover, his illness wasn’t severe, not life-threatening, but enough to keep him from focusing on state affairs for long periods.
So, it was quite normal for King Tuwa to decide to transfer some of his power to his designated heir. If I’m not mistaken, this king will gradually retreat to the background and hand over his position to his child.
“My fourth brother, Bango.” It seemed that Wuheya didn’t particularly like this brother of hers. When she mentioned him, she continued eating her food expressionlessly, “It’s quite normal for him to inherit father’s position. Among father’s male heirs, he is relatively the most capable. At least father thinks my fourth brother resembles him in his younger days.”
Ah, King Tuwa in his younger days…
Getting thoroughly beaten by Daxia counts as being young, huh…
Of course, Qin Ji wouldn’t say that out loud. It’s not good to mock someone’s father in front of them.
“So, your brother sent you to handle this matter, which means he values you a lot.”
“Qin Ji, if you want to mock me, you can find another way,” Wuheya’s eyes showed a hint of resentment, “My brother specifically sent me here, don’t you know what kind of sinister intentions he has?”