Chapter 1879: 1867: Parting Ways
Chapter 1879: Chapter 1867: Parting Ways
Since there had been such a disturbance, the banquet naturally couldn’t continue.
Moreover, with the King of the Grasslands and Queen Ah Lan both having left, it was reasonable for the Great Chu Diplomatic Mission to also take their leave.
Prince Muhal, being very accommodating, instructed Bayar to escort the Great Chu Diplomatic Mission back to their accommodations.
The other grassland nobles and women exchanged glances, feeling it was pointless to stay. Especially for the women, what they witnessed today was somewhat shocking, and they all lost interest in staying, each finding an excuse to take their leave.
Grasslands banquets have always been open-ended, with those who wish to leave free to do so, and those who wish to stay able to do so until dawn. As long as there are guests, the servant girls will remain, and there will be no shortage of wine and meat.
Therefore, there were still some nobility reluctant to part with the servant girls and wine, and with the big figures departed, their impunity only increased.
Thus, they remained.
On their way back, Wang Yongzhu and his companions wore unsightly expressions. Bayar, now skilled at reading faces, dutifully escorted them back to their quarters and quickly slipped away, fearful of being caught in the anger.
Once inside their lodgings, the officials of the Great Chu Diplomatic Mission erupted in anger.
They each voiced their grievances: “This was supposed to be a national banquet, such a lack of decorum from top to bottom!”
“That King of the Grasslands, he simply indulges his consort at the expense of his queen! Not even knowing to restrain himself at the national banquet!”
“Indeed, utterly disgraceful, utterly disgraceful!”
…
Fu Jian remained fairly composed, allowing them a few complaints before urging them to retire early for the night.
He then invited Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu to the study.
Getting straight to the point, he said, “Judging by the chaos at today’s banquet, I’m afraid Wang City won’t be peaceful any longer. We can stay without issue, but those in the trade delegation had better leave soon. If chaos truly erupts, they will be sitting ducks, prey for the knives.”
“Perhaps we could split the mission team in half, let them continue north with the trade delegation, while the rest stay in Wang City, to see if we can fish in troubled waters!”
Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu exchanged glances, indeed a wily old fox; just from today’s banquet, he sensed the coming storm.
They both had tasks, which required them to remain in the Grasslands Royal City.
The diplomatically weaker members of the mission would naturally be better off leaving.
And those in the trade delegation, travelling with their lives and fortunes in hand, must be protected at all costs.
Moreover, with the trade delegation gone, there would be fewer worries for them.
Fu Jian had thought it through thoroughly.
The two nodded, raising no objections to Fu Jian’s arrangements.
With mutual understanding, actions came effortlessly.
The following day, the trade delegation received the indication from the mission to continue their journey northwestward within two days.
Everyone was shocked; they hadn’t been in Wang City long, and business was just picking up. Given Wang Yongzhu’s performance that day and Bayar’s backing, they knew they had powerful support, and no one dared trouble them.
Moreover, their goods, priced much lower than local traders with better quality and variety, were favored by the herders. Who wouldn’t be happy?
These traders wanted nothing more than to stay in Wang City, sell out their goods, procure a batch of grassland furs, and return with the mission, making immense profits.
Suddenly instructed to abandon their business in Wang City and head northwest, some couldn’t bear it. After some discussions, they enlisted Jinhoo and a few notable merchants to inquire what was happening.
Could those unwilling to head north stay?
Jinhoo also had doubts and went along with it.
Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin had no time to handle them, so Ninth Master Lee came out. To these merchants, he had one stance: they must leave!
Not only must the trade delegation go, but part of the mission’s members would also leave with them.
The merchants weren’t fools. With such a firm stance from the mission, leaving no room for negotiation, they knew it was impossible to stay. They promptly expressed understanding and promised to pack and leave within two days.
They then tactfully took their leave.
Jinhoo stayed behind, asking only if something was about to happen and if he should stay to help.
Ninth Master Lee glanced at Jinhoo, leaving only two words: “If you truly wish to help, supervise everyone leaving! That is the biggest help! You have your tasks, and we have ours. Non-interference is best.”
Having said that, he turned and left, busy as ever, saying those extra words only because Jinhoo was Wang Yongzhu’s nephew.
Jinhoo stood stunned for a moment, wiped his face, and left the mission’s residence.
Outside, those merchants who came with him hadn’t left, waiting in their carriages outside.
Seeing Jinhoo emerge, they quickly inquired from all sides: “Brother Wang, did Master Li say anything else?”
“Can a few more days be extended?”
“Where exactly are we heading north?”
…
Jinhoo put on a stern face, cautioning them to speak carefully, and said nothing all the way back.
Everyone watched him. Upon reaching their camp, he gathered the heads of several caravans, surrounded by armed escorts and guards.
Only then did he relay the mission’s firm stance.
While some were disappointed, they weren’t short-sighted. Seeing Jinhoo’s solemn expression, a few quick-witted ones thought deeply, exchanged glances, and collectively promised to start packing the next day, aiming to depart within two days.
These caravan heads were clear-headed, understanding the peace along the journey was thanks to the mission. Without Lady Dingguo’s intervention in the earlier disruption, they would have suffered losses.
Therefore, with the mission’s resolute attitude, they didn’t think much further, but obediently followed orders.
The caravans acted swiftly; within two days, they got all goods ready for departure.
The mission also dispatched half of its staff, instructing them to continue northwestward with the trade delegation for protection.
The mission officials, with higher awareness, suspected this was part of a greater plan. They patted the shoulders of those staying behind, exchanged farewells, and led the caravans north.
Upon hearing the news, Batu was curious, asking why they wouldn’t stay longer in Wang City.
Song Chongjin explained that bringing the trade delegation was partly to traverse the grasslands, thus saving half the journey to the Western Region with increased safety.
Without crossing the grasslands, they would navigate vast deserts, where a sandstorm could easily result in losing direction and lives.
This intention was not hidden during negotiations between Great Chu and the grasslands, and Batu was aware.
The explanation seemed reasonable; seeing the trade delegation’s calm demeanor and part of the mission with them, suspicions were allayed.
As for those remaining, Batu knew that both Song Chongjin and his wife were to meet Queen Ah Lan. The rest, appearing as higher officials, likely wanted to avoid the hardships of travel.
Thus, he paid little attention, instructing only distant surveillance.