Lin Qingge stared at the imperial decree in her hand for a long time, and couldn't help but exclaim:
"No, I'm just a Prefect, and you're asking me to handle receptions? Isn't that a bit of a waste of my talents?"
"Reporting to Your Excellency, officials who receive foreign envoys represent the imperial court, so they are usually high-ranking officials of the second rank or above. In the past, it was often the Prime Minister who personally accompanied and received them~"
"So, you're saying I'm doing the Prime Minister's work with the Prefect's salary?"
"You could say that~"
"Heh."
Lin Qingge, vaguely guessing who she was doing favors for, let out a cold, insincere chuckle and made a mental note, "This is important."
"Right, why is the Chilie Kingdom suddenly sending envoys?"
Upon hearing this, Hua Jinrong looked at Lin Qingge as if she were a Chilie person and said dramatically:
"Your Excellency, you don't mean to say you don't know that His Majesty's enthronement ceremony is in three days, do you?"
"Enthronement ceremony?
Didn't His Majesty ascend the throne a while ago?"
"Your Excellency, His Majesty has inherited the throne. Although he has been presiding over court affairs since the former Emperor's death, the formal enthronement ceremony has not yet been held~"
Because she had been delayed on the road to Shuntian Prefecture, Lin Qingge had assumed the new emperor had already held his enthronement ceremony.
"Your Excellency, His Majesty should have ascended the throne on an auspicious day after the former Emperor's death, but due to some matters that were not settled in time, it was repeatedly postponed.
According to custom, the surrounding countries of Great Xia are supposed to send envoys to congratulate the new emperor on his enthronement.
A certain Prime Minister, surnamed Feng, found it troublesome, so he decided to combine the enthronement ceremony with the welcome banquet for the foreign envoys~"
Feeling that Hua Jinrong was practically about to reveal Feng Qingchen's ID number, Lin Qingge's mouth twitched violently as she grasped the key point in his words:
"Foreign envoys?"
"Yes, Your Excellency. In addition to the Chilie Kingdom that Your Excellency is receiving,
Siam will be received by your esteemed teacher, Lord Xu Changling. Goryeo will be received by the Eighth Prince. Qidan will be received by General Xiao, the eldest son of the Protector General. Eastern Isles will be received by Eunuch Cai.
???"
Lin Qingge found the names of these countries, which seemed to be from different timelines, strangely familiar, and felt a tiny bit better.
At least, she wasn't the only one doing the receiving.
But sending an eunuch to receive the envoy from the Eastern Isles? Whoever came up with such a brilliant idea deserves extra chicken legs!
Since she couldn't defy the imperial edict, and there was nothing much going on at the prefectural office, Lin Qingge rounded up all the idle staff and set off in a grand manner to welcome the so-called foreign envoys.
Fortunately, the Chilie Kingdom's envoy delegation was quite punctual. As Lin Qingge dawdled her way to the city gate, the Chilie delegation had already arrived.
However, looking at the Chilie people before her with their blue eyes, white skin, high noses, and strong, tall physiques, a large question mark popped up above Lin Qingge's head.
If she wasn't mistaken, these were Russians, weren't they?
But wasn't the old name for Russia "Luocha"?
Never mind.
She should just go with the flow.
As Lin Qingge's thoughts wandered, the Chilie envoy had already walked up to them.
"I am Ivanoff Andre, the Third Prince of the Chilie Kingdom. You may address me as Prince Andre."
Hearing the oddly accented yet remarkably fluent Great Xia language, Lin Qingge was first stunned, then stepped forward and cupped her fists, saying:
"Lin Jingxing, Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, greets Prince Andre."
"Lord Lin is so young to hold the position of Prefect. You must be what your Great Xia people call a talented young man, right?"
"Not at all, Prince Andre. You were born into Chilie royalty, so you are truly a phoenix born from a chicken coop."
???
Prince Andre, feeling something was off but unable to pinpoint what, did not dwell on it. Instead, he tactfully expressed that they had traveled a long way and were hungry, wanting a substantial meal.
At this moment, Hua Jinrong sidled up and whispered into Lin Qingge's ear:
"Your Excellency, there's something I forgot to tell you.
Because there are so many small countries visiting, their food and lodging are all to be arranged by the receiving officials themselves~"
"What? Arranged by themselves?!"
Lin Qingge, who felt pained to spend even a single extra coin on unrelated people, couldn't help but exclaim.
"Your Excellency, don't rush, I haven't finished speaking~"
Seeing that the person before her looked ready to throw in the towel, Hua Jinrong quickly added:
"Although the arrangements are made by the officials, after the enthronement ceremony, His Majesty will reward the meritorious, which means extra compensation will be given to each official."
Lin Qingge, who wouldn't move without incentive, heard this and still frowned unhappily:
"Can't I get an advance?"
"That... probably won't be possible."
"Tch!"
Prince Andre stood there, somewhat bewildered.
He didn't know what the purple-clothed man with the fan said to the small Lord Lin, but he saw Lord Lin first frown deeply, then flash him a smile brighter than the sun above.
"Prince Andre, your Great Xia language is quite good?"
"Oh, my uncle is a merchant. He often led caravans between the Great Xia Kingdom and the Chilie Kingdom. He taught himself the Great Xia language and then taught it to me.
Not only that, but he also told me a lot about the customs and traditions of the Great Xia Kingdom.
This time, besides presenting gifts to the Emperor of Great Xia, I want to personally experience the charm of the Great Xia Kingdom."
Listening to Prince Andre's eloquent speech, the curve of Lin Qingge's lips deepened, startling Lian ChengYi, who was standing beside them, to retreat a few steps subtly.
"Prince Andre, you are truly lucky!"
???
Ignoring the look of surprise on his face, Lin Qingge said with a smile:
"Prince Andre, you may not know, but according to regulations, envoys from visiting delegations, regardless of their status, will be treated equally and arranged at the posthouse.
Although the posthouse will cover your food and lodging, with so many countries visiting this time, the accommodation and three meals a day cannot possibly cater to everyone's needs.
Therefore, I have a proposal.
If Prince Andre and your entourage are willing, I can arrange a luxurious mansion near the Imperial City for your stay.
The mansion was originally the residence of the former Emperor's sister, the Grand Princess. Judging by her status alone, it is very suitable for Prince Andre.
As for food, my advisor Hua here, known as the 'Shuntian Gossip King', can lead you to all sorts of delicacies hidden in the alleys and streets of the capital, ensuring no repeat meals during your stay!
And this person dressed as a constable is actually the renowned Zhennan King of our Great Xia Kingdom, who owns the most prosperous commercial street in the capital.
If you wish to buy any local specialties from Great Xia to take back, you can find him. Mentioning his name will get you a 95% internal discount.
Don't think 95% is a small amount. For every hundred taels, you save five taels. For ten thousand taels, you save five hundred taels!
After you've shopped, I will arrange for someone to deliver your purchases back to your residence, so you don't have to worry about carrying them while you continue your sightseeing.
Furthermore, I will assign this Young General Lian to provide full security for your safety, so you can come happily and leave with a bounty.
Of course, all of the above are paid services.
After all, living in a grand mansion costs money, meals cost money, and manpower and resources cost even more. Moreover, the appearance fees for a prince and a general are not low.
But—
You don't need to pay 29998 today, nor 19998!
We're selling at a tear-jerking discount!
I, myself, will bring the price down for you!
For only 998!
For only 998, you can enjoy all the services mentioned above. It's an incredible value, truly friendless!
Don't miss this amazing opportunity!"