The playboy county magistrate

The autumn air was crisp and clear, and a golden breeze swept across the ten-mile-long main street of the imperial city.

Today, the Great Yong Dynasty is more expansive than ever before, with its abundant treasury and the people enjoying a more prosperous and peaceful life. All the surrounding vassal states and foreign kingdoms respect the Great Yong Dynasty as the Celestial Empire.

The quinquennial tribute ceremony has arrived once again. Envoys from various countries travel to the capital to pay homage to the emperor and present tributes. This is both a matter of upholding the tributary system and a game of cat and mouse where various powers secretly vie for influence and test each other's strengths.

The previous cabinet turmoil was completely overshadowed by this grand foreign assembly.

The tension of internal bureaucratic infighting in the imperial court was briefly relieved, but a more dangerous and insidious external power struggle was about to begin.

The entire nation was engaged in preparations for the court ceremony, awaiting the arrival of envoys from all nations.

On this day, just as dawn was breaking, the morning light pierced through the thin mist, covering the majestic palace walls.

The thousand-step white jade platform in front of the Zichen Hall is clean and solemn, with banners standing on both sides, fluttering in the wind.

The imperial guards, clad in golden armor, stood in neat rows, their postures upright and their armor gleaming. Their swords and spears reflected the morning light, their imposing presence awe-inspiring.

The officials in charge of rites and music sat on both sides, with bells, drums, sheng, and xiao all prepared, waiting for the auspicious time to play the elegant music.

All the officials, dressed in their court robes, stood solemnly in their respective ranks. The Three Dukes, the Nine Ministers, and the cabinet ministers of the Six Ministries lined up in order, and not one dared to be negligent or lax.

At 3:45 AM, the envoys arrived at the palace gate one after another.

A total of thirty-seven states came to the capital to pay tribute this time, including those in the northern deserts and southern border regions that had been subjugated.

There are Japan and the Southeast Asian countries that are separated by sea and have trade relations.

There were also people from the Western Regions, such as Loulan, Uyghur, and Gaochang, who came from afar and were known for their fierce and warlike nature.

The clothing of the various countries was diverse; some wore fur coats and belts, with blond hair and deep-set eyes. Others were wrapped in brocade with intricate patterns. Still others wore short, tight-fitting clothes, looking sharp and imposing.

A diverse array of styles converged in the capital, creating a magnificent scene of a celestial empire where all nations submitted to its rule.

Yet, even in times of prosperity and grandeur, there is never pure submission and obedience.

The arrival of people from afar to pay tribute is a pretense. Their true intention is to spy on the Great Yong Kingdom and secretly test its limits through strategic maneuvering and checks and balances.

The various forces are deeply intertwined, outwardly appearing submissive and obedient, but inwardly harboring calculations and ambitions.

They were wary of each other and on the verge of conflict, yet they also secretly colluded and formed a group to maintain a delicate balance.

The palace gates opened wide, and the first ceremonial music began to play.

The envoys from various countries had all arrived by this time. They entered in an orderly fashion according to protocol, their steps disciplined, yet each with their own expression and thoughts.

The newly appointed Khan of the Northern Desert sat at the head of the delegation, dressed in a black brocade robe with animal patterns. He was tall and robust, with a rugged and deep-set face, and his brows and eyes carried the innate arrogance of nomadic people.

He had long resided in the northern border region, constantly confronting the border garrison of Dayong. He harbored deep resentment towards Li Xuanzhi for using a scheme to seize their country. He outwardly submitted while secretly amassing military strength.

Upon entering the capital, his gaze consistently swept over the ranks of the Imperial Guards before the palace and the demeanor of the officials in the court. While outwardly displaying respectful obeisance, a subtle, almost imperceptible scrutiny and covetousness lurked in his eyes.

The delegation from the southern border was quite different. The envoys were all dressed in colorful brocade robes, with gentle and humble expressions and beaming smiles. They were impeccably courteous and spoke politely.

Southern Xinjiang borders the territory of Dayong Southern Xinjiang and relies on Dayong's trade protection, sending tribute of precious treasures and local products every year.

Seemingly the most loyal and subservient, they are actually adept at playing both sides and observing from the shadows. They never easily take sides and are well-versed in the art of using others to protect themselves.

The Japanese envoys were positioned on the east side. They were all thin, short, ugly, and had extremely high hairlines.

Dressed in a narrow-sleeved black robe, he lowered his eyes and composed himself. He appeared humble and courteous, but every now and then he would quickly glance up, scanning the layout of the hall and the positions of the court officials, his eyes hiding a deep, calculating glint.

Separated by the sea, Japan's national power was gradually increasing. It had long harbored ambitions and coveted the coastal defenses and trade routes of the Great Yong Dynasty. Each tribute mission served as a comprehensive intelligence supplement.

Li Xuanzhi's usually calm mind suddenly became somewhat agitated after seeing the Japanese delegation.

For some reason, he felt an urge to punch this group of people.

Instead of appearing alone, the delegations from the three kingdoms of Loulan, Uyghur, and Gaochang in the Western Regions chose to travel together as a group.

The three kingdoms of the Western Regions were neighbors, sharing similar customs and intertwined interests. They regularly exchanged goods and acted as a united front.

Faced with the powerful Central Plains states, they dared not openly defy them, yet were unwilling to completely submit. Their glances met with unspoken, probing exchanges.

The northern desert has always looked down on the southern border for being docile and weak, while the southern border has always considered the northern desert to be barbaric and domineering.

Japan feared the growing power of the Western Regions, while the Western Regions were also wary of Japan's treacherous schemes.

The various factions distrusted and were wary of each other. They were constantly at odds, yet in order to counterbalance the Great Yong Dynasty and gain more benefits, they had to temporarily set aside their differences. They secretly coordinated and supported each other. A complex and intricate game of chess quietly unfolded before the Zichen Palace.

The auspicious hour has arrived, bells and drums resound, and the ceremonial music becomes even more magnificent.

The emperor, dressed in a dragon robe with twelve imperial symbols and a jade belt, sat majestically on the dragon throne. He looked down at the envoys from various countries and the civil and military officials, his expression calm and solemn, exuding an aura of authority without anger.

The emperor's aura, which ruled the world, instantly suppressed the foreign atmosphere in the room, and his divine might shook the four directions.

All the officials bowed and knelt in unison, their voices echoing throughout the palace.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The envoys from various countries, following the etiquette of tributary states, bowed their heads in reverence. Though their accents differed, they all offered respectful praise. Their imposing presence further highlighted the prosperity of the Great Yong Dynasty.

After the worship ceremony concluded, the music stopped abruptly, and the palace courtyard fell silent instantly.

The emperor surveyed the surroundings with his gaze, his voice steady and resonant, echoing throughout the entire palace.

"I am greatly pleased that envoys from various countries have traveled from afar to the capital to pay their annual tribute. Today, we gather here, regardless of distance or territory, to celebrate the prosperous reign of the Great Yong Dynasty. You may speak freely, report on your national affairs, and present your gifts."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Khan of the Northern Desert stepped forward, breaking the silence.

He was naturally arrogant and never wanted to be second to anyone. Even though it hadn't been two years since the Great Yong Dynasty had ceded his city, he still carried the haughty air of a nomadic overlord in the Great Yong court.

He slightly cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said in a seemingly respectful tone:

"Our northern tribes, who graze their livestock and guard the border, have never neglected to offer tribute of cattle, sheep, furs, and rare and exotic animals. This year, the grasslands of the northern deserts are lush and the people and livestock are thriving. Therefore, we present a thousand fine horses, a hundred black fox furs, and ten thousand cattle and sheep to the Celestial Empire."

His tone shifted abruptly, and he looked directly at the front of the hall.

"However, the northern border region is harsh and cold, with a vast but sparsely populated area. In recent years, sandstorms have ravaged the land, causing severe degradation of grasslands and making it difficult for the tribes to make a living."

"We earnestly request Your Majesty of Dayong to grant your grace and continue to relax the regulations on border trade and reduce or exempt border trade taxes. Allow the northern tribes of the Gobi Desert to conduct trade deep into the interior to alleviate the suffering of the people."

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the palace subtly changed.

Everyone knows that what the northern desert region seems to be seeking is free trade and tax exemption, and a desire to alleviate the suffering of its people. In reality, however, it is using this opportunity to expand its border trade rights and infiltrate its inland territories.

Once regulations are relaxed, merchants from the northern deserts could take the opportunity to travel to various states, secretly spying on military equipment, terrain, and people's livelihoods, posing a great threat.