Our family has been rebelling for generations, and you've become the top scholar in the imperia

When Qin Feng hurriedly returned to the small courtyard in the west wing, changed into his official robes, and led his men to the city gate.

Some messengers were waiting in advance to arrive.

According to the document sent by the Ministry of Rites, envoys from four countries arrived with gifts for the Emperor of Great Zhou.

Qin Feng thought.

This job is not a loss at all. On the surface, it is me paying tribute to you, but in reality, how much are the gifts I send actually worth? In order to show the grandeur of the Central Plains, Zhou Zhengde would always bestow many treasures upon you to take back with you each time.

Strictly speaking, it's actually a huge loss.

"My lord, among the many envoys, we can ignore the envoys from the other three small countries. They are just here to make a show of things. In previous years, they would send their gifts and then spend their time eating, drinking and having fun in the capital until the rewards were given, at which point they would take them back with them."

Cao Liang stood to the side, whispering about the situation.

"You must be careful around the barbarians on the grasslands, though; they are not easy to deal with."

"Wild boar hide?"

Qin Feng was taken aback, only then recalling the records about the grasslands in the letter.

Annual Gift!

To avoid war, Qin Feng couldn't understand why they wouldn't just wipe out the grasslands. Who came up with this annual reward system, using gifts to win over grassland tribes and giving them silver every year?

Moreover, it is said that a trade market has been opened on the edge of the grasslands, and subsidies will be provided to the barbarians for the trade.

"Yes, these wild boar skins used to do all sorts of things when they came to the capital. They would eat without paying, seize respectable women, and beat people in the streets. These kinds of things happened frequently."

"Is nobody doing anything about it?"

"Nobody cares. Even the secret police can't do anything about it. The grasslands are of great importance. The civil officials in the court have been urging the emperor to agree to increase the annual silver tribute. If the envoy's matter causes the relationship with the grasslands to deteriorate, no one dares to risk it."

After listening to Cao Liang's story, Qin Feng's lips twitched violently.

This is outrageous!

Are they here to pay tribute to the Great Zhou?

They've come here to act like tyrants and bullies.

"None of the civil officials are good. Ma De, a bunch of spineless cowards. They dare not offend Wild Boar Skin. I don't care. Since I'm in charge of receiving them, Wild Boar Skin must abide by the rules of the capital when he arrives. Whoever makes a mistake, I will deal with him."

Qin Feng gritted his teeth and muttered something in a low voice.

He knows it very well.

The wild boar skins on the grasslands are simply not enough to feed them. Although the Great Zhou Dynasty appears to be powerful on the surface, Qin Feng knows very well what the actual situation is in the court.

When there's nothing going on, it appears prosperous.

However, if a major disaster occurs, the entire court will inevitably be in chaos, and given the incompetence of the officials of the Nanlin Party, something terrible is bound to happen.

By then, no amount of money will be of any use for wild boar hide.

They will raise an army to attack the Great Zhou, or they will raise an army.

Giving money to the other party now is like keeping a wolf by your side, isn't it?

"You must be careful, sir..."

"It's alright, nothing's wrong, everything is negotiable. It's only natural to be punished for making a mistake."

Qin Feng waved his hand.

Besides, he's been so busy lately, he doesn't have time to clean up after Wild Boar Skin all day. Xishan Coal Mine just hired workers and will resume normal production tomorrow. Laying wooden tracks is also a big project, and people need to keep an eye on everything.

"They're here!"

Just then.

On the official road in the distance.

Several horse-drawn carriages, covered in dust, stopped at the city gate.

Before anyone could get off the carriage, the sound of horses' hooves echoed from behind, raising clouds of dust.

A dozen or so wild boars, wrapped in animal skins, bare-chested, and with feathers stuck in their heads, galloped towards us.

"So you're the official in charge of receiving guests from the Great Zhou? I'm starving! Quickly prepare some food, the finest beef. I heard that you people in the Great Zhou can't even eat beef? You're not a real man, no wonder you're so weak."

On the lead horse.

A burly, broad-shouldered man, dressed in wild boar skin, stood above Qin Feng, whip in hand, staring down at him.

He shouted with a laugh.

"This is our grassland warrior, Batel, who's in charge of demanding the annual tribute. What are you waiting for? Get to work on it!"

Several envoys in the carriage behind witnessed this scene.

He couldn't help but frown.

He hurriedly instructed his servants not to provoke the wild boars and drove the carriage to the side of the city gate.

They quietly observed the officials from the Great Zhou Dynasty who had been in charge of receiving them for several years.

He looks very young, and hasn't said a word yet, as if he's been scared out of his wits.

"Why did the Great Zhou send such an official to receive us? Where are the officials from the Ministry of Rites? Last year, things were quite good. They kept Wild Boar Skin very happy, and they arranged for more than a dozen women. There was no trouble at all. This year, this one seems to not know the rules."

"Shh, things are different!"

One of the older envoys shook his head slightly.

"I heard that the wild boar hides will be given as a gift of 100,000 taels of silver this year. I'm afraid the Emperor of Great Zhou is not happy about this. Things are not that simple."

Upon hearing this...

Several people nodded in unison.

The grasslands are truly bold to offer such a generous gift of 100,000 taels of silver.

If the Emperor of Great Zhou gives it, then next year he will probably ask for 150,000 taels directly.

If we don't give it to them, the grasslands might...

"Have you arranged any women? Arrange more women. The women of your Great Zhou have delicate skin and tender flesh, we like them very much. Arrange more. Are you perhaps scared out of your wits? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Batel brandished his whip, pointed it at the Zhou official in front of him, and angrily questioned him.

Qin Feng glanced at the guy.

He suppressed his anger and refrained from losing it for the time being.

He walked straight to the other envoys on the side.

"Greetings, esteemed envoys. Qiu Tuizi, please take all the envoys to the West Inn and settle them in!"

"I am a senior official in the Ministry of Works, responsible for receiving you this time. If you have any needs, please send someone to inform me!"

"You've traveled a long way, you must be tired!"

The envoys quickly bowed and followed the others into the city.

Something bad is probably going to happen outside.

The dozen or so wild boar hides were clearly enraged. If they didn't leave quickly, a fight might break out and blood might splatter on them.

"You scoundrel, do you look down on the warriors of the grasslands?"

When Batel saw this official from the Great Zhou, he didn't even bother to acknowledge them, but instead went to arrange for other envoys to enter the city.

There wasn't even a single word.

He was filled with rage.

"court death!!!"

Raising his whip, Batel lashed out at Qin Feng.

"Snapped!"

Niu Wu, who had been following closely to the side, grabbed the whip that had been lashed out at him, puffed out his cheeks, and squinted his eyes.

Before we came, the young master specifically instructed us not to lay a hand on anyone.

If there's anything, just bear with it for now.

Isn't this going to kill Fifth Master?

"Insolence! This is the capital! A bunch of wild boars don't know their place! Take them all down!"

Qin Feng rubbed his wrist in frustration.

He tied up the hem of his official robes.

He waved to the guards following behind him.

"In the Great Zhou Dynasty, anyone who illegally slaughters an ox is sentenced to thirty strokes of the cane. Arrest them all! Niu Wu, what are you doing? Why aren't you doing anything? Take them all to the yamen and give them a beating! Who allowed them to speak to me while on horseback? Make them kneel down and speak!"

Swah——

Hundreds of guards drew their swords in unison and surrounded the attacker instantly.

"kneel!!!"

Niu Wu cracked his whip, grabbed the head of the horse Batel was riding, and instantly twisted it to the ground.

He grabbed the other person's animal hide and kicked him, breaking his leg.

"Young master told you to kneel while speaking, or I'll twist your head off and kick it like a soccer ball..."