You have truly caused me great suffering!

When the emperor's dragon boat arrived at Longwan Port in Jinling.

The riverbank was teeming with people, like an anthill meeting water.

Officials, gentry, and elders of Jinling all came to the outskirts to welcome him;
Many people from nearby prefectures and counties also came to visit. To experience something like this even once is enough to be recorded in one's family genealogy.

Sima Qian's father died of anger because he missed the Fengshan ceremony.

It is a deep regret and a source of great dissatisfaction that I cannot participate in such a grand event.

Moving the capital and performing the Fengshan ceremony are essentially the same thing. If the Great Jing Dynasty can enjoy a long and prosperous reign, this day will be even more important.

Of course, this also includes Chen Shao's former subordinates and confidants who migrated from the Northwest, Hedong, and Shaanxi.

They were among the first to receive the news that they were coming to settle here, and many have already brought their families with them.

Soon after the land survey was completed, they would receive a reward and settle down.

Chen Shao stepped off the dragon boat, and the palace maids and concubines in the harem boarded the carriages that had been prepared in advance to enter the palace.

Wu Lin brought Chen Shao a white horse, which Chen Shao mounted, intending to ride into the palace and let the people of Jinling City see the emperor's face.

Everyone came here for this reason, and Chen Shao never liked to spoil the fun.

To be honest, his procession was rather ordinary.

He's no match for the incompetent Duke of the previous dynasty.

In the past, when Emperor Huizong was in Bianliang, even if it was just a short trip, he would lavishly spend money on it.

The roadside was covered with Shu brocade canopies, a dazzling display of flowers.

This was to showcase the wealth and prosperity of this peaceful emperor.

But Chen Shao, riding on horseback and dressed in a yellow robe, surrounded by the elite imperial guards of Lingwu, looked more like an emperor than Zhao Ji.

The Imperial Guards of the Song Dynasty, following the Tang Dynasty system, carried the Golden Guard's fine staffs as their ceremonial weapons, which looked imposing.

The weapons brought by the Lingwu Battalion were indeed genuine large guns, the most common and effective weapons on the Northwest battlefield.

Less flamboyant, more menacing, the gleaming spearheads pointed skyward, escorting Chen Shao.

The surrounding people were all praising the saint, and the shouts came one after another.

Chen Shao smiled and waved from time to time. Although he had seen many storms, he was not entirely calm at this moment. He felt that this was how a true man should act.

Upon entering the palace, Chen Shao felt no fatigue at all; instead, he was full of energy and refreshed.

Inside the Chuigong Hall, all the trusted ministers accompanied the emperor.

After Chen Shao took his seat, he offered seats to the officials. Except for a few senior officials, the rest of them sat on benches.

His Majesty has always been magnanimous and kind, and everyone is used to it.

Chen Shao asked, "How many vassal states have come?"

“Your Majesty, three have arrived,” Wang Xiaojie reported. “Goryeo has dispatched Crown Prince Wang Hyun and the monk Gakgwan from Hyunhwa Temple.”

Chen Shao nodded. He had specifically researched Goryeo's national conditions before opening the port, so he knew a lot about Goryeo.

Of the three sons of the previous king of Goryeo, all except for Wang Kai, who inherited the throne, became monks. This Gakgwan was the younger brother of the king of Goryeo.

“Zhang Chao’s representative is Zhang Bojin, the half-brother of the king. Dali’s representative is Gao Liangcheng, the younger brother of Gao Shuncheng, the powerful prime minister of Dali.”

The Duan family of Dali was a "figurehead ruler," while the Gao family was the "real prime minister," and the internal political situation was relatively stable.

"Just three," Chen Shao chuckled, and the people below looked at each other in bewilderment.

It is true that only three vassal states came, but don't you know why?
The reason why the Great Jing had so few vassal states was not because it was not powerful, but because the surrounding areas were wiped out.

The Western Regions are the cleanest. There is no royal court near Yumen Pass anymore, and other countries wouldn't have enough time to come.

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was completely incorporated into the territory, while the tribes further up were separated by a long stretch of desert.

The people of Mo Nan wanted to come, but their status was a bit low; they were all loose tribes without a royal court.

Wanyan Bali quickly sent people to deliver congratulatory gifts, but he was not a king and was not considered a vassal.

The northern desert is under the control of the Jin Dynasty and is at war with the Great Jing Dynasty, which is why only three vassal states have come.

In the past, the Song Dynasty had very low requirements for its vassal states, emphasizing titles and neglecting control.
As long as the other party “adopts the official calendar, acknowledges the emperor’s authority, and uses the reign title,” it is considered to be “naturalized” and will not interfere in the internal affairs of the country.

They believed that generous gifts were given in return, and the value of the gifts received in return often far exceeded that of the tribute. For example, if Goryeo presented a horse as tribute, Song would return a hundred bolts of silk to demonstrate the "benevolence of the Celestial Empire".

The Ly Dynasty of Dai Viet even dared not break ties with the Song Dynasty for fear of losing these gifts.

However, with the establishment of Chen Shao's Great Jing Dynasty, the status of these vassal states had already changed completely.

Jiaozhi was effectively destroyed, and the current puppet state obeys the will of the Great Jing without question.

Goryeo has essentially been completely strangled, its life and death in Daejeong's hands.

Dali was initially overjoyed to see the Song Dynasty teach the Li Dynasty a lesson and help them vent their anger. However, as they watched, they felt a deep sense of unease; the devastation on the Red River Plain horrified them.

This level of intensity in the campaign is incredibly powerful as a deterrent.
Especially when Li Qiande's head was sent to the southwest, it gave them a sense of shared sorrow.

Joseon was indeed their mortal enemy, and they were happy to see Joseon suffer, but the fighting had escalated to this point that even their mortal enemies felt sorry for them.

The delegation sent this time was quite sincere and brought a lot of tribute.

Chen Shao was pondering something: Japan hadn't sent anyone.

Closing the country off from the world for too long can make people arrogant and complacent, just like Toyotomi Hideyoshi later wanted to annex the Ming Dynasty. They all overestimated themselves.

“I intend to use Korea as a transit point to enter the Ming Dynasty directly, move the capital to Beijing, make Beijing the capital, rule the world, and then use Ningbo as a port to trade with the Western Ocean.”

He even planned the post-war distribution of fiefdoms: to make his adopted son, Toyotomi Hidetsugu, the "Kanpaku" of the Ming Dynasty and rule China; to make his younger brother, Toyotomi Hidenaga, rule Korea; and to himself, to be based in Ningbo and control maritime trade.

Then he was severely beaten, and his family was replaced.

How does Toba compare to Toyotomi Hideyoshi?
This retired Emperor Toba has already been impolite twice; he suffered from the consequences of the country's isolationist policies.

It seems he won't learn to respect himself until he's been severely punished.

"Issue an edict." Chen Shao pointed to the dragon throne. "Reprimand him severely, and use harsh words."

"Have the Fujiwara clan send someone again."

Han Shizhong stood up and said, "He didn't come when His Majesty proclaimed himself emperor, and he still didn't come when His Majesty moved the capital. This is already extremely disrespectful. Let's just attack!"

His subordinates were urging him to fight every day, and Han Shizhong himself had already given as many titles as he could, so he considered himself to have achieved his goal.

But he had to find a way to serve his subordinates. Chen Shao waved his hand and said, "He is currently fighting with the Fujiwara clan in his own country, and there are also powerful local lords watching from the sidelines. If I send troops directly, it will only help him unite against a common enemy and put aside his hatred. Winning over some and attacking others is the right way."

The military generals saw the military achievements, but the civil officials were genuinely angry.

"This scoundrel is truly rude!"

Chen Shao knew what was going on. If you said he was rude, he wasn't really as ambitious as Toyotomi Hideyoshi. At most, he was just used to ruling his own little territory and wasn't that soft-hearted.

This is the complete opposite of what happened in Goryeo.

The current King of Goryeo is a staunch admirer of Chinese culture. He is knowledgeable in music, skilled in calligraphy and painting, loves reading, and is always engrossed in books.

But he was also a staunch believer in "serving the greater good".

At the beginning of his reign, he was extremely respectful when the Song Dynasty envoys arrived. Historical records describe him as "wearing a purple robe, ivory tablet and jade belt, bowing and dancing with great deference, and being extremely cautious in his duties as a subject."

Later, he submitted to the Jin Dynasty, which was said to be "not out of Renzong's pure intentions." However, he was very respectful to the Jin Dynasty. When a court official wrote a poem in response to the emperor's request, he referred to the Jin Dynasty as a barbarian. After reading it, Renzong was surprised and said, "How can a subject serve a great nation and be so disrespectful?"

Such a person is very flexible; he can bend over when it matters.

Therefore, he agreed to Chen Shao's conditions in exchange for Chen Shao helping him eliminate the powerful and treacherous Li Ziqian's family.

Emperor Toba was inherently stubborn and arrogant, and in recent years he had paid little attention to the situation in the Central Plains.

He probably thinks, "I'm just not congratulating you, I haven't offended you, at most we'll just stop interacting."

But the Central Plains see it differently. We have unified the Central Plains and established the Great Jing Empire. We have clearly made contact with each other. It is outrageous that you do not come to pay homage.

Li Tangchen stood up and said, "I'll do it!"

Having said that, someone brought over pen, ink, paper, and inkstone. Without the slightest hesitation, he wrote down in a huff:

Emperor Dajing rebuked Toba for not congratulating him on his accession to the throne.
The edict said:

Having received the mandate of heaven, last year the Jin dynasty was swept away, the capital was moved south, and I ascended the throne in the Jinling Palace, receiving the blessings of the nine ancestral temples and the support of the four seas. I changed the era name to "Jianwu" and proclaimed this to all within and outside the country, so that all may know.

All those who served under the vassal states flocked to pay homage: Goryeo sent envoys with memorials, Jiaozhi presented tribute and congratulations, and Dali crossed mountains to pay tribute. Only you, the Eastern Kingdom, separated by vast oceans, have long been influenced by the teachings of China.

Now that I have been on the throne for more than a month, all nations are celebrating, yet you, like birds, have concealed envoys and refused to send them, kept secret letters and remained silent, treating the new dynasty as mere ornaments, and treating grand ceremonies as mere ornaments. Have you forgotten the distinction between ruler and subject?
Why should one become arrogant and conceited simply because the ocean waves act as a barrier?
I am deeply concerned for the people in these remote coastal areas, who have long admired the Chinese culture, and I cannot bear to hastily resort to war.

However, propriety cannot be disregarded, as it concerns the proper conduct of the people. Therefore, this edict is hereby issued for Bidar to heed:

Immediately dispatch a high-ranking official with official documents and gifts to the imperial court to express gratitude and congratulations. Failure to arrive within the stipulated time constitutes a severing of ties with the Celestial Empire, not a lack of regard for past relations!

Alas!

If the sea yields to the will, the waves will be calm; if the island barbarians know etiquette, the boats will always be able to pass.

Reflect on your mistakes and faults, lest you regret it later!
Chen Shao nodded. The edict left room for maneuver, which was roughly what he had expected.

If the wording is too harsh, it may easily incite their resistance and cause them to unite, which is not what I want to see.

Such an imperial edict would greatly damage Toba's prestige, and the Fujiwara clan would likely be pleased to see it.

In Chen Shao's eyes, fighting was always of utmost importance. Even when the Flying Dragon was on the front lines and had a huge advantage, he would try his best to minimize losses and reduce the difficulty.

The imperial edict had been written and stamped with the central government's seal. Once the ink had dried, they immediately dispatched an envoy to question the emperor.

Chen Shao then sent someone to communicate with the Goryeo envoy, explaining that they would be increasing troops at the port, with the target being Japan across the sea, and that they should not panic.

Although it was already time for a meal, Chen Shao smiled and said, "I must return to the palace, so I will not keep you all any longer."

The ministers were somewhat disappointed, but they understood and rose to take their leave.

Chen Shao, accompanied by eunuchs and palace maids, arrived at the Funing Palace, where, as expected, a group of concubines had gathered.

He added with some concern, "Most of you are from the north, and you are new to Jiangnan. Be careful to avoid dampness. It is springtime now, hot and humid with frequent rain, especially the princesses and princes, who need to be extra careful."

Chen Shao retained the title "Imperial Princess" that Zhao Ji and Cai Jing had changed, and did not change it back to Princess, because he felt that Imperial Princess sounded better than Princess.

Lady Lin bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. I have ground some stomach-soothing powder and instructed the Imperial Kitchen to prepare plenty of ginger and perilla, which can help dispel dampness and foul odors."

"With you here, I can rest assured."

Chen Shao said nothing, as he was not knowledgeable in this area. However, he was still quite surprised by the Song people's obsession with and fondness for Jiang.

The Song people's love for ginger went far beyond that of a mere condiment, permeating all aspects of their lives, including diet, medicine, health preservation, etiquette, and even economic life.

Ginger is not only the top of the "Four Spicy Foods in the Kitchen" (ginger, garlic, leeks, and pepper), but it is also regarded as a "food and medicine of the same origin" that can dispel cold and dampness, detoxify and prevent disease, and prolong life.

Lin Niangzi had been living in Chen Shao's household for a long time. Once, when she was in Taiyuan, she was decocting medicine and bent over. Chen Shao noticed the full and rounded shape of her figure under her dress. He liked big buttocks.

So he went up to her, lifted her skirt, and took her in.

Madam Lin was very compliant and cooperative. She knew she definitely couldn't get out, because living together meant she knew too much about Chen Shao's inner quarters; letting her out would be disastrous.
If there are any rumors circulating outside, even if you didn't say them yourself, you will inevitably be treated as a suspect.

Moreover, in her opinion, Chen Shao was indeed a good match. Lin Niangzi was a woman, but she had loved practicing medicine since childhood, which made her disliked by her family and even caused her to be jilted.

Being granted the title of Zhaoyi this time can be considered a blessing in disguise, better than dying alone in the original history.

On his first day in Jinling, Chen Shao asked Zhong Lingxi to stay overnight in Funing Palace, a treatment she deserved as Empress.

As night fell, Chen Shao lay in bed, still thinking about the affairs of state that had occurred during the day.

Huanhuan huddled close to him, chattering incessantly. Chen Shao gently stroked her back, but to be honest, he didn't hear a word she said.

When she's in a good mood, she likes to talk nonstop.

On the contrary, Chen Shao could clearly hear the chirping of insects in the corner of the wall outside the palace, which also indicated that early summer was coming soon.

After a summer rain, even in the imperial palace, one could occasionally hear the croaking of frogs from afar, giving one the illusion of being in the countryside.

In fact, this is already the most prosperous urban city, and at this moment, the garden-style palace is indeed integrated with nature.

After dinner, Chen Shao felt a bit tired. After all, he had traveled south by boat and hadn't rested as well as he had in the palace.

He couldn't help but yawn, a wave of drowsiness washing over him.

But Huanhuan clung to his arm, rubbing against him shyly.

Chen Shao was slightly surprised, but also found it amusing. He turned around and poked her, "Aren't you afraid I'll bully you? That hurts!"

"I'm not afraid!" Huanhuan clung to him, blushing and lowering her head shyly, saying, "I like my husband more and more."

Soon, soft humming, accompanied by some sobs, mingled with the chirping of insects outside the window, creating a unique melody.

(End of this chapter)