maidservant

Chapter 49: Envoy Xi Bian resigns and goes to the west to dye the wheat grass green

After the envoy returned to Xibian to report, he submitted his resignation to the emperor.

He was in great torment.

Three generations of his family have been dignitaries in the court. Since he was a child, he made a great ambition to study hard the books of sages, become a loyal minister who can assist the Emperor of Xibian with all his heart, devote himself to the court, and seek the welfare of the people.

Two years ago, he rejected the generous treatment of hereditary titles and chose to join many other scholars in the fiercely competitive imperial examinations.

With his extraordinary talent, he surpassed all his rivals and entered the official career with the proud result of being the first in the imperial examination in Xibian, and he was very famous for a time.

A young man with high spirits and bright clothes.

Many aristocratic families came to visit him, and the door was almost broken down. They all wanted to form a marriage alliance with him to enhance the family's prestige.

At a grand banquet, he met the woman who made him fall in love with her at first sight - the eldest princess of Xibian, the biological sister of the current little emperor.

She could see through his hidden arrogance and understood his ambition and persistence;
And he also fell deeply in love with her kindness and purity. Her every frown and smile were like spring breeze and rain, moistening his heart.

During that time, he felt that he was the happiest person in the world.

He was full of hope, determined to apply all he had learned throughout his life to governing the country and ensuring its people's well-being, and to contribute to the country's development.

He secretly looked forward to marrying his beloved girl in a grand ceremony in the spring of next year when the flowers are in full bloom, and walking hand in hand with her through the years to come.

"Brother, please give me a mud pie!" A girl's pleading voice brought him back to his senses.

"Soon, you won't have to go hungry anymore." He squatted down and gave her all the valuables he had on him.

A few months ago, the Xibian court was at a critical juncture in recruiting people. The situation was difficult, and no suitable civil official was willing to step forward and go to the Li Dynasty. Some were afraid of death, and some were afraid of breaking their backs and shattering their integrity.

The long-term hunger, like a bone-eating poison, gradually eroded the fighting spirit of the soldiers.

Those once brave and fearless soldiers have now lost even the courage to march to Xizhou of Li Dynasty and plunder supplies by force.

That day in the court, he gazed upon the declining state, his heart filled with sorrow and indignation. Alas, the so-called civil and military officials, the so-called imperial court of Xibian, had actually declined to this point.

In the end, he resolutely put on the envoy's official uniform that symbolized his mission, and did not flinch even though he knew that he would face humiliation and difficulties from the enemy country ahead.

"One hundred and fourteen thousand people took off their armor, and not one of them was a man." He sneered, his steps floating as he recalled.

On the eve of his mission, the young emperor's decree arrived. The words were earnest and urgent, ordering him to find a way to exchange for two years' worth of food to alleviate the urgent domestic crisis; he was also asked to do his utmost to break down the blockade of trade between the two countries.

He was even told that no matter what conditions the Li Dynasty proposed, as long as they were within the scope of the twelve cities, he would agree to them.

He tried his best on this diplomatic trip.

He wanted so badly to use all his life's knowledge to win the debate at the negotiation table and turn the tide. However, the cruel reality was like a cold wall, standing in front of him - he had no capital to support the negotiations, and he could only humbly beg for mercy from Dali.

just,

But he never imagined that this mission would force him to give the princess to someone else.

Guilt and pain surged in his heart. He was ashamed to face his princess, and even more unable to look directly at his former ambitious, arrogant self.

Pushing open the door of the mansion, he looked at the rewards sent by the emperor, such as jade, swords, ancient books, and the beautiful woman who accompanied him, and his heart was filled with bitterness.

He gently waved his hand, signaling the beauties and servants in the mansion to leave. Then, he reached out and searched among the pile of rewards.

Finally, he picked up a dagger and slashed it across his neck without any hesitation.

A few red spots flying towards the sun fell on the fields of Xibian and a field of wheat seedlings grew.

----

The grain of the Li Dynasty and the wheat seedlings used for farming had already been carried by envoys across the mighty river and arrived at the land of Xibian, which had suffered so much.

The young emperor did not dare to delay for a moment and quickly ordered the people to farm immediately so as not to miss the golden opportunity of spring rain.

Relief grain also entered the government granary, treading on the corpses. The people watched, standing on tiptoe with their bowls in hand, hoping for the food to arrive.

Some people cheered and rejoiced that they could finally escape the threat of hunger;
Some people were filled with resentment and couldn't help cursing the twists and turns and helplessness of fate.

For some, after a long period of hunger and weariness, these hearty meals became like an invisible corrosive agent, breeding a complete servility in their hearts. Thus, some disregarded their dignity and applauded, even shouting towards Dali, wishing the Emperor of Dali a long life.

The sound echoed in the air, full of sadness and absurdity, like a funeral song for the messenger.

A scholar turned away from the crowd and walked towards the outer corner of the government office.

He used stones to carve a chapter of facing death with indifference.

[The integrity of a nation is the foundation of a country.]

If one has no backbone, it is like a building without a foundation. Even if it has a magnificent stele, it will not stand for long.

At this time, flattery is prevalent and servility is common. Everyone has lost their integrity and only knows how to curry favor with the powerful and survive in a cowardly manner.

Even if the country's territory still exists,
However, the people have no desire to make progress, the soldiers have no ambition to be generous, and the army has no courage and perseverance.

The court is full of flatterers;

Most of the people in the market are despicable and greedy.

It is like a bird with broken wings trapped in a cage. Although it wants to fly high, it has no strength to flap its wings.

The future of the country is but a fleeting dream that will eventually vanish into thin air.

Inside the Xibian Palace, there was a bustling atmosphere as everyone was busy preparing for the princess's marriage ceremony.

In the magnificent palace, rare treasures were piled up like mountains, all of which were the generous dowry prepared by the young emperor for his sister who was marrying far away in Li Dynasty.

The little emperor had a fawning smile on his face, but his eyes could not hide a hint of helplessness and calculation. He called her "Imperial Sister" affectionately, and his voice echoed in the palace.

"Imperial sister, you are marrying far away to the Li Dynasty this time. You must not be petty. Once you arrive there, you must do everything you can to win the favor of the Emperor of the Li Dynasty. You must endure whatever you can and must not let your temper ruin the greater good."

"Royal sister, Xibian is now plagued by internal and external troubles, and its national strength is weakening. It cannot withstand the slightest disturbance. I hope that Royal sister will prioritize the overall situation and secure a few years of stability for Xibian."

Although the little emperor's words were full of concern, the utilitarianism hidden behind them was obvious.

The princess stood quietly by the side, wearing a gorgeous wedding dress, but it could not hide the loneliness in her eyes.

She nodded slightly, her expression calm, and bowed gently:

"Your Majesty, rest assured. I will live up to my mission and devote myself to Xibian."

From today on, she only knows the etiquette between the monarch and his subjects, and no longer has the love between siblings.

After saying that, she turned and looked outside the palace wall. The high palace wall not only isolated her freedom, but also cut off the warmth in her heart.

Once upon a time, she also dreamed of spending her life with her beloved, but now, fate has pushed her to this distant foreign country, and she has become a bargaining chip in the political game between Xibian and Li Dynasty.

With the fate of the country at her fingertips, she couldn't even ask for death.

　The Messenger

　　With generations of noble family background and lofty aspirations, he studied the writings of sages diligently under the lamp.

　　His talent surpasses all others and his name is famous, and his love for his beloved girl makes him have a long-lasting dream.

　　I wish to help the king to build up the country, but I don't know that the country has already declined.

　　He was so weak when traveling in Lishui that he was filled with hatred for the humiliation he suffered and the humiliation he suffered.

　　I have no basis for asking for help in a verbal battle, and I feel hurt and guilty for failing to repay my beloved.

　　Returning home with honors, I go to die with my body broken and desolate.

　　Blood splattered on the wheat fields in front of the steps, the soul returned to the hometown and was hurt in dreams.

　　Only sighs remain for thousands of years, unable to express the pain and sorrow of those years.

　　(End of this chapter)