Chapter 386: Going Abroad Already? (Two in One)
Haitang left in a carefree manner, and Mei Chengan and Fan Xian returned in a carefree manner as well. They patted their buttocks, put their hands behind their backs, chatted casually, and then strolled back to the camp.
In the camp, Wang Qinian, Gaoda and his group went to rest. The envoy who had crossed the border to protest to the Northern Qi had not returned yet and was probably having a tantrum at the Northern Qi people's drinking table.
Protests are definitely necessary. The corpses that were slaughtered by bluebirds and green ants on the border have been collected and investigated by Wang Qinian and his men. They are the biggest evidence of the Northern Qi army's unauthorized entry into the country and attempting to rob prisoners. It is a pity to bury them hastily without making use of them.
As for Uesugi Tora and Haitang, naturally no word was mentioned about them. Mei Cheng'an did not explain the reason in detail, and the envoys who went to protest did not ask much.
In today's world situation, Qing is focusing on attacking while other countries are focusing on defending. With irrefutable evidence, the Northern Qi side could only allow the envoys of Qing to take advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble and become furious.
Before going to give Si Lili a massage, Mei Cheng'an thought about it and decided to go and have a chat with his younger brother Guo Baokun. Guo Baokun was not annoyed by Fan Xian's various additional conditions and requests, but was happy to accept them.
He was not afraid of Fan Xian making requests, but was afraid that he would not make any requests. The more requests he made, the more serious Fan Xian was about rescuing his father.
As for following him all the way to the capital, and even having to take risks to help the Supervisory Council complete its mission, Guo Baokun was not worried at all. On the contrary, he was eager to try. His reason was that he would just wait in the capital anyway. He had read so many military books and studied so many military strategies, but they were not used when killing Fan Xian. Now that he had a chance to show his strengths, he was overwhelmed with joy.
Seeing that he had figured it out logically, Mei Cheng'an said no more. He comforted him with a few words and then stood up to leave.
Si Lili's paralysis was very serious. Even though Mei Cheng'an was sweating profusely and massaged her for an entire afternoon, her condition only improved slightly. Mei Cheng'an had never seen such a strange disease before, and his temper flared up. He vowed to fight this disease to the end, so that night he pretended to go back to his tent, and then sneaked back after finishing his work, intending to race against time and conquer the disease all night long.
After an unknown amount of time, the reception officials from Northern Qi finally calmed down the anger of the envoys from Qing Kingdom at daybreak, supported their tired bodies, and respectfully sent them to the carriage.
The private agreement and the public agreement finally began to enter the next stage.
The delegation's carriages formed a long line, slowly bypassing the Beihai Lake and heading towards the border in the northeast.
Mei Chengan, who had changed his clothes, sat in the carriage, leaning against the window, supporting his chin and staring blankly at the white mist gradually rising and rolling over the vast lake.
He was recalling the last scene before parting with Si Lili.
"After entering Northern Qi, it will be inconvenient for me to visit you."
Si Lili, who was helping him to tidy up his clothes, paused, her long eyelashes trembling. After a moment, she continued what she was doing, but her movements became more gentle. After she finished, she looked around, nodded, took a step back, bowed slightly, and when she raised her head, her expression had calmed down a lot, and she spoke softly.
"I am already very satisfied to have you accompany me all the way, and I dare not ask for more. Thank you for your hard work along the way."
The last sentence she used to address him had surprisingly returned to the way it was at the beginning. Mei Cheng quietly looked at her pretty face, her eyes which were not quite calm but with a hint of determination. She tilted her head slightly and opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she closed her mouth, hummed softly, and turned and left.
Si Lili looked at his back with a look of panic and complexity in her eyes, and a trace of gratitude flashed in her eyes. She was very grateful that Mei Cheng'an cooperated with her to complete the farewell scene and did not say anything more to her. For a relationship that was destined to have no results, this was also another kind of tenderness. Thank you, she said in her heart.
Of course, Mei Cheng'an didn't know Si Lili's final thoughts. He slowly collected his thoughts and sighed. The sadness of parting in his heart was not strong, just like the white mist rising from the lake that would eventually dissipate. Tsk, I'm such a pig's hoof, he thought.
On the meadow on the border, there are still some traces of yesterday's bloody battle. The corpses have been pulled back by the Northern Qi people. As for what price the Northern Qi will pay and what to exchange for in the future, there are naturally special people to be responsible for it. The two leaders of the delegation do not need to worry about this little thing.
Mei Chengan leaned against the car window, looking at the scattered bloodstains on the grass that had turned black and dried. He silently imagined the battle scene between Bluebird and Green Ant at that time. He secretly sighed that there were two more top assassins in the world who could kill without bloodshed. They were worthy of being Shadow's beloved disciples.
The Wudu River is a small river, and its size is naturally pitifully small compared to the North Sea, but it is now the boundary river between the Kingdom of Qing and Northern Qi.
A floating bridge had been built on the river at this time. It was not big, just enough to accommodate a widened carriage. Some reception officials of the Northern Qi Dynasty and the envoys who went to protest were waiting on the other side of the bridge. In addition to them, there were some listless and skinny local garrison troops who were also on guard. Just looking at the way they held their guns, Mei Cheng'an was very suspicious whether they were showing off the majesty of their country's army or simply holding the gun barrels to gain leverage to sleep.
The first carriage went onto the bridge. The wheels rubbed against the uneven wooden boards, making a creaking sound, giving people a sense that the bridge might collapse at any second. It was so frightening that they dared not make any unnecessary movements.
Mei Cheng'an, who was sitting in the second carriage, got off the carriage as soon as he crossed the bridge. Together with Fan Xian, he greeted the Northern Qi officials who came to greet them. Then he turned around and watched the carriages behind him passing through the bridge one after another. He didn't know if it was an illusion, but the bridge seemed to be unable to withstand the continuous pressure of gravity, and the creaking sound became louder and louder.
As if he had seen the hidden worries in the hearts of the two leaders of the delegation, a Northern Qi official named Hou hurriedly explained.
"I've tried it, it's fine!"
Mei Cheng'an didn't even bat an eyelid when he heard this, and Fan Xian just hummed lightly. It was not that the two of them were deliberately rude, but in the relations between the two countries, strength is respected. As the chief and deputy envoys of the delegation, there was really no need for them to be polite to a low-level official of the enemy country.
Before long, all the carriages of the delegation crossed the river safely, and Mei Chengan and Fan Xian got back on the carriages. This was not the real location, but a pass ahead, which was still some distance away.
Passing through the forest, the convoy of the delegation came to the official road under the protection of the regular army of Northern Qi. Mei Chengan sniffed the air, glanced at the trees on both sides of the official road that were no different from those in Qing State, and curled his lips. There was nothing like what was produced in this country. A bad review!
After traveling for a while, the convoy of the delegation stopped in front of a pass. The Northern Qi officials and troops went directly into the pass, saying that they were preparing for the subsequent handover.
The pass leading to Northern Qi's entrance to the country did not look grand, it even looked a bit crude. There was an arrow-shaped wooden fence on each side of the pass. Behind the fences on each side stood a row of people dressed in brocade clothes, with curved swords on their waists and a chilly aura on their bodies.
There were not many people from the Overwatch Council in the delegation to begin with, and after removing a few thorns planted by the princess, there were only six or seven people left. When they saw the row of people equipped with scimitars, a strong hostility began to brew quietly, and everyone's hand subconsciously touched the hilt of the straight knife at their waist.
The Supervisory Council of Qing State and the Embroidered Uniform Guard of Northern Qi State are the most secretive and dangerous spy agencies of the two major countries in the world today. The two sides have fought each other openly and secretly countless times in the past decade or so. The struggle between spies and counter-spies is always so cruel and ruthless, and the hands of both sides have long been stained with each other's blood.
Today, they suddenly met in front of the pass. As they sniffed each other's scent, their eyes turned red and their breath became more violent.
Mei Cheng'an, who noticed this sign as soon as he got off the carriage, immediately waved his hand, signaling his people to relax. After all, the delegation came here for the friendship between the two countries, and there was no need to be so tense and lose their composure.
Fan Xian came from the front.
"It will probably take a while for the handover to take place. Let's go say hello to that old guy one last time. After all, we've been together all this way."
Mei Cheng'an had no objection, as they had nothing to do anyway, and the two of them walked side by side towards the back of the convoy.
The iron door at the back of the ferocious carriage slowly opened. Mei Chengan glanced at Sean who was sitting in the carriage with his eyes closed and resting, and said softly.
"Senior Xiao, Northern Qi has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Sean did not open his eyes and spoke calmly.
"This is your last chance to kill me."
Mei Cheng'an smiled and pretended not to hear. This old guy really wanted to die. It seemed that he really didn't want to go to jail anymore.
"Are you going up?"
Fan Xian asked casually, Mei Cheng'an shook his head, Fan Xian shrugged and got on the carriage alone, squatting in front of Sean.
After looking at him quietly for a moment, Fan Xian suddenly asked.
"What secret are you hiding?"
Sean still didn't open his eyes.
"This is the last time you asked me."
Fan Xian looked speechless.
"Can we still have a good chat?"
Sean shook his neck, looking relaxed and silent.
Fan Xian looked at her speechlessly, took a deep breath, lowered his head to think for a moment, and after a moment he raised his head slightly and asked again.
"Why are you asking me about Tanzhou?"
When Sean heard this question, his eyelids twitched, the indifference on his face disappeared instantly, and he suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Fan Xian.
"What is your connection with Tanzhou?"
Fan Xian didn't raise his head completely, so his eyes were slanted upwards, looking a little sinister. He stared at Sean and asked another question.
Sean looked at him quietly, and suddenly a strange smile appeared on his face. His dry lips were tightly closed, and he obviously had no intention of speaking.
Fan Xian chuckled and nodded.
"Okay, Senior Xiao, why don't we make a bet? This won't be the last time I ask you this."
A hint of teasing flashed across Sean's eyes, then he slowly closed them and chuckled dryly a few times.
Fan Xian rolled his eyes and got off the carriage.
Quietly watching the guards relock the carriage, Mei Cheng'an glanced at Fan Xian, who was still a little depressed, and smiled.
"Just a greeting, don't think too much about it, let's go."
Fan Xian exhaled and nodded.
When passing by Si Lili's carriage, Mei Cheng'an glanced at it and showed no intention of stopping. Seeing this, Fan Xian asked a question.
"Don't you want to say goodbye? Maybe this will be the last time we see each other."
Mei Cheng'an glanced at the curtain of Si Lili's carriage that was swaying slightly, then looked away and shook his head.
"No need."
Fan Xian sighed lightly, shrugged and said no more.
In front of the convoy, Wang Qinian and Gaoda were standing in the middle of the gap in the fences on both sides, looking towards the pass ahead.
"What's going on? Where are the people?"
Mei Cheng'an and Fan Xian stood on the right side of Wang Qinian and took a look at the empty pass. Fan Xian uttered a "hmm" and asked.
Wang Qinian turned his head to look at the two of them, pointed at the pass in front, and spoke in confusion.
"Sir, Master, something is not right. Although someone came to greet us, they have not come out since they entered the pass. I called out several times, but no one answered."
"Oh?" Fan Xian raised his eyebrows and glanced at his fellow villager.
"What do you think?"
Mei Cheng'an glanced at the carriage parked behind the row of Jinyiwei behind the fence on the right. He knew that Shen Zhong was sleeping in that carriage. His breathing was quite shallow, so he should be really asleep. It should be said that Shen Zhong was very powerful in Northern Qi. For such an important matter as handing over the delegation, none of the Northern Qi officials dared to disturb his sleep. It seemed that they were really afraid of him, the Jinyiwei pacification envoy.
However, he did not intend to point this out to Fan Xian. The reason why it was inconvenient to say it was secondary, but mainly because he was too lazy to waste his breath, so he replied indifferently.
"I stood and watched."
"..."
Fan Xian's mouth twitched, he rolled his eyes, folded his arms and turned to look at the empty pass, his eyes thoughtful.
Mei Cheng'an was not joking with Fan Xian, he was really standing with his hands behind his back, "looking" at the pass in front of him with great interest.
There were many soldiers standing guard above the pass, with upright postures and firm eyes. Their imposing manner was much stronger than that of the garrison on the other side of the Wudu River. The pass itself was short and small, and there was nothing to see. Mei Cheng'an glanced over it and saw the row of Jinyiwei behind the fences on the left and right sides. Behind them, there was a carriage parked on each side. Having seen the one on the right, Mei Cheng'an's eyes naturally fixed on the carriage on the left, which was covered with black cloth from top to bottom. Although it was covered, the overall shape could still be seen. It was shorter than an ordinary carriage, but much taller. From a distance, it was a big square box. This should be Sean's new car.
"I'll say it again. The Qing Kingdom delegation is here to deliver prisoners of war. Who is the leader among you? Answer quickly!"
Wang Qinian gestured and shouted again.
The result was the same as the previous times. After waiting for a while, there was complete silence on the other side and no one showed up.
Wang Qinian uttered a "hey", flicked his sleeves and shouted the last sentence angrily.
"If you don't talk, we'll leave."
Now someone on the opposite side finally couldn't sit still anymore. Suddenly a group of people appeared at the pass, all women. Leading them was a mature and sinister old maid, followed by three or four skillful middle-aged maids, and behind them were all pink and tender little maids.
Except for Mei Cheng'an, Fan Xian, Gao Da and Wang Qinian were all stunned when they saw these people appearing, with a head full of question marks.
What made them even more confused was that the arrogant and sinister old maid in the lead and several middle-aged maids behind her suddenly turned 90 degrees when they were about to reach them and walked towards the carriage on their left. The other maids stopped where they were, nodded and waited.
Naturally, everyone's eyes followed the moving old women. However, due to the Jinyiwei blocking the way, they could not see clearly. They could only hear an old female voice.
"Master Shen, everyone is here, what are you waiting for?"
This was the first sentence, and the voice was relatively calm. The second sentence, which came a moment later, sounded like the crowing of a plucked rooster, sharp and piercing, extremely loud, with a long tail, and full of anger.
"Master Shen!!!"
It was obvious that the old lady suddenly lost her temper for some unknown reason.
Mei Cheng'an was amused by this shout.
As the sound of a man waking up was heard, a moment later a middle-aged man dressed like a rich man and ran out of the carriage in a hurry without even putting on his shoes appeared in front of everyone.
After looking at everyone, the middle-aged man let out a cry, limped quickly towards the crowd with an embarrassed smile on his face, put on his shoes as he walked, and after returning to his normal walking posture, he smoothed the hair on both sides of his head with his hands and simply tidied up his appearance.
After stopping in front of several people, he glanced left and right, and finally looked at Wang Qinian, who was standing in the middle and looked the oldest. He asked in a amiable tone with a smile on his face.
"Excuse me, who is the chief envoy of the diplomatic corps, Mr. Fan Xian? And who is the deputy envoy, Mr. Mei Cheng'an?"
Mei Cheng'an was looking at him with interest, while Fan Xian and the other two were looking at him in confusion, and no one spoke for a while.
As if he had noticed that there was something different in the look in his eyes, the middle-aged man shifted his gaze towards Mei Chengan.
"Your Mightiness?"
Mei Chengan smiled and spoke.
"Are you Lord Shen Zhong, the Jinyiwei pacification envoy?"
Shen Zhong was stunned for a moment, a hint of surprise appeared on his face.
"Exactly! Do you know me?"
Mei Cheng'an smiled and shook his head, then stretched out his hand to Fan Xian and introduced him first. When you are out, you must not break the rules.
"The person on my right is the chief envoy of the Daqing delegation, Mr. Fan Xian."
When Shen Zhong heard this, his eyes lit up immediately, and his expression immediately changed to one of surprise, friendliness, even to the point of being flattering. He bent over, stretched out his hand, then quickly took two steps to the left and came in front of Fan Xian. He grabbed his right hand, which had not yet been stretched out, and dragged it in front of him and shook it vigorously twice.
"Oh, are you Fan Shixian?"
Fan Xian forced a smile.
"My name is Fan Xian, nice to meet you, Lord Shen."
"I have heard of your great name for a long time and have great respect for you. Now that I have met you today, I can see that you are indeed a very talented person."
As he said this, Shen Zhong gave a thumbs up.
Fan Xian smiled slightly.
"I have heard of Lord Shen's name for a long time, but meeting him today is quite a surprise to me."
Shen Zhong's smile froze and he looked apologetic.
"Ah, haha, I was in a hurry to travel at night, so I slept a little deeply. I hope Master Fan will not be offended."
"Ah, so that's it."
While the two were chatting, Mei Cheng'an tilted his head, glanced at Wang Qinian and Gaoda beside him, and whispered an instruction.
"You two go and prepare for the handover."
"Yes!"
Wang Qinian and Gaoda responded in unison and turned to leave.
As Mei Cheng'an turned his head back, Shen Zhong's hand was extended in front of him again, with the same flattering smile.
"Then you should be the number one figure in the Southern Dynasty's literary world, Master Mei Cheng'an. I have long admired you."
Mei Cheng'an stretched out his hand, shook his hand and smiled.
"Mr. Shen is too polite. These are just empty names and not worth mentioning."
Shen Zhong waved his hand.
"Hey, Master Mei, don't be modest. Your reputation is not in vain. Even a three-year-old child in our dynasty can recite your poems. It can be said that everyone knows them."
Mei Cheng'an smiled, too lazy to continue with endless pleasantries with him, pointed at his clothes and changed the subject directly.
"Master Shen, what is this?"
Shen Zhong lowered his head to take a look, said "oh", and explained to the two of them with an embarrassed look on his face.
"It's like this. My official uniform has never been a good fit, so I left it in Shangjing City to be altered. Please forgive me, my Lords."
Mei Cheng'an and Fan Xian both showed a look of realization. Mei Cheng'an smiled and nodded, while Fan Xian waved his hand.
"Understand, understand."
Shen Zhong uttered a "hmm", suddenly stretched out his hands and waved them towards his chest, and asked with a hint of excitement and anticipation.
"Hey, from what you two just said, could it be that you have heard of my name before?"
Fan Xian raised his hand and patted his arm, saying casually.
"I've heard it, of course I've heard it."
Mei Cheng'an's words are concise and to the point.
"Like thunder."
Upon hearing this, Shen Zhong's smile deepened. He seemed quite happy and satisfied with his fame in Qing State. He opened his mouth to say something modestly.
The old lady who had been standing not far behind him suddenly stepped forward and spoke to him in an unfriendly tone.
"Stop it, Lord Shen. We have more important things to do."
Shen Zhong was stunned for a moment, then quickly nodded and bowed, smiling apologetically.
"Yes, yes, that's what Mammy said."
The old lady rolled her eyes and ignored him, turning her head to look at Mei Chengan and Fan Xian.
"Where's Miss Si?"
……
(End of this chapter)
