Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

Chapter 2173 - 1570: When the Stars Shine—Tribute in the Capital! (2)

"You arrived in the Capital in September and have already attended court once at the Fengtian Gate. Five days later, on the first day of October, there will be a ’new moon audience’ again at the Fengtian Gate. During the audience at the Fengtian Gate, you don’t need to do much, just perform three kneels and nine prostrations, as before. The Saint will only watch you from a distance for a while, accepting your bows...""On the seventeenth and eighteenth of October, there will be a banquet bestowed. The banquet on the seventeenth is in this Huitong Hall. Representatives of the Saint, from the Middle Officer, will come to bestow tea and food. You need to kneel to thank and show gratitude, familiarize yourself with the protocol. On the eighteenth, when you go to the palace for the formal banquet, the Saint will see you up close, and might even ask a few questions. You must adhere to proper conduct and protocol!..."

"After the banquet, on the first of November at the Fengtian Hall, you will formally receive the ’calendar conferment.’ Your main envoy will accept the new year’s calendar book issued by the Chief Eunuch of the Ritual Supervision. The ’calendar conferment’ is one of the most important rituals, second only to the ’first dawn audience’! The Saint will be on the upper seat, watching all along. Remember! You must formally perform the three kneels and nine prostrations, with a proper posture in your bowing, hands placed well, and show respectful gratitude to the Saint!..."

"On the fifteenth of November, there will be the solstice audience, where you will again go to the Fengtian Hall to ’celebrate the winter solstice.’ On the first of December, there will still be the ’new moon audience’ at the Fengtian Gate. In December, there may be some rewards bestowed, and you will need to submit a memorial to give thanks. There may be another banquet, depending on the Saint’s interest. Of course, most importantly, is the grand audience on the first day of the first month, the ’new year’s dawn celebration’!"

As he spoke, Wei Zhongguan’s expression became serious, his sharp eyes glanced once more at Shi Wende, making this maritime tycoon break out in a cold sweat.

"Have you translated everything I just said?"

"My lord... everything... everything has been translated. It’s just that there’s too much content, I’m afraid the Japanese envoy might not remember it all..."

"Hmm, can’t remember?... Do you know how to write?"

"Yes, yes I do!"

"I’ll repeat it later, and you take notes!"

"Ah! You want me to take notes?"

"Yes. Once you’ve written it down, I’ll review it... Translate properly! If there are any mistakes later, you’ll be held responsible for them!"

"...Yes! Yes, my lord..."

Wei Zhongguan naturally squeezed his fingers, glancing casually at Shi Wende, like pinching a ’little character’ in the palm of his hand. Then, he turned his gaze to Vice Envoy Mori no Kiyoshi, dressed as a monk, and smiled warmly.

"The New Year’s dawn is a grand audience, you must adhere strictly to the protocol! When the Saint comes out in regular attire, it will be ’music plays, takes the seat, stops the music. Upon finish the whip, civil and military officers will enter the ranks to kowtow, after the ceremony, they will stand east and west in attendance’..."

"Then, it’s the introduction ceremony. ’Guide the tributary envoy to the red steps for bowing positions, four bows of praise, ceremonial call to present the memorial, the arranged ranks carry the memorial table from the East Gate to the hall, the inner officials praise and proclaim the memorial, the outer officials instruct the tributary envoy to kneel. After the proclamation of the memorial and the display of the tributes, the envoy bows deeply, rises, bows four times, completing the ceremony.’"...

"Generally speaking, after the Korean envoy has bowed, it’s your turn. Remember well, it’s four bows first, wait for the proclamation. Kneel in worship during the memorial reading. After the reading, bow four times again. It’s ’first four bows, one long bow, then four bows again’! In total, it’s still three kneels and nine prostrations..."

"Hmm, it’s okay if you can’t remember now. These grand audience protocols will be taught here by officers sent before the New Year’s dawn, with at least three rehearsals. At that time, other attendants will be kneeling outside the hall, as long as the chief and vice envoys enter the hall, conduct the ceremony accordingly!"...

"Yes! The noble’s instructions are most considerate, Vice Envoy Mori no Kiyoshi will certainly remember them! Once the chief envoy’s health improves and he can get up, I will personally tell him again. Buddha bless!"

Mori no Kiyoshi smiled respectfully, and Wei Zhongguan returned the gesture with a smile, gaining a very good impression of this sensible and knowledgeable ’Japanese monk.’

The two then engaged in some light conversation, discussed subsequent arrangements for the delegation, the trading rules for foreign goods in the Capital, and also looked at some samples. As dusk approached, Wei Zhongguan picked up the least noticeable small silver bowl from a pile of ’foreign goods’ Mori no Kiyoshi had taken out. He weighed it lightly, and with a swift motion of his sleeve, the silver bowl vanished without a trace.

"Vice Envoy Mori, if the Japanese delegation were full of people as clever as you, it would bring such joy!"...

"Not at all, not at all... Noble Wei, this delegation’s Chief Envoy Yao Fu, is the one with broad demeanor and gentle character. Once his health slightly improves, he will certainly also come to greet you!"...

"Hmm. The journey from south to north is arduous, and it’s common to suffer from unfavorable water and soil. There are some medical halls around the nearby neighborhood... As per rules, envoys shouldn’t leave the premises without permission, but seeking out medical halls, saving and treating people, within these two streets in the eastern city, shouldn’t be an issue. The court is lenient with those from afar and won’t say much even if they know..."

Wei Zhongguan smiled kindly and slowly stood up. As a gesture of reciprocation, he found an excuse of ’medical treatment’ to grant Mori no Kiyoshi freedom to travel ’two streets.’ Before leaving, he carefully reviewed Shi Wende’s handwritten notes of the ceremonial texts, frowned at the ordinary handwriting, and then finally spoke to Mori no Kiyoshi.

"No need to see me off extensively, before my house, there’s no need to be so polite! Are you ready to present the memorial on the second of October?"

"Oh! The memorial text has long been written. It’s just that the attached statement of gratitude still lacks some final details, waiting to add a few names... Hmm, may I include your esteemed name?"

"? No, no! Don’t get me in trouble! I understand your intention, but the rules in the palace are different from yours and aren’t something you Japanese can comprehend..."

Wei Zhongguan waved his hands repeatedly, glanced once more at Shi Wende, and sternly said.

"Translate properly! Serve well! Understand?"

"...I understand, my lord."

"Hmm."

With hands behind his back, Wei Zhongguan nodded slightly at Mori no Kiyoshi. Then, he stepped lightly onto the yellow sedan chair, was lifted by a group of servants, floating away like a yellow cloud. In the palace, even the slightest hint of power is a bright imperial yellow. And when the imperial yellow moves away, in front of the Huiwen Hall, there’s only Mori no Kiyoshi gazing, and Shi Wende silently pursing his lips.

At this moment, between the red walls by the Tonghui River, the twilight outlined a splendid afterglow. In the distance, the Forbidden City loomed majestic like palaces in the sky, yet solemn as mountains on earth.

The two stood there quietly for a moment, Mori no Kiyoshi enthralled by the bright and unreachable, yet very present, resplendent palaces, as if sensing the vast, unimaginable power and wealth of this world. After a long time, he sighed softly, looked at Shi Wende, and smiled.

"Mr. Shi, on this journey, we finally reach the heavenly palaces. Su Gong once said, ’The moon waxes and wanes, a truth hard to complete through the ages.’ Matters of the world are often impossible to fulfill completely."...

"..."

Shi Wende remained silent, lost in thought about something unknown. But Mori no Kiyoshi wasn’t ready to let him go. These four to five months of journey, the persistent building of this connection, wasn’t it all for this moment? Now is the time indeed!

"Buddha bears witness! Mr. Shi, the memorial is to be presented tomorrow. I have specially reserved a spot for your name in the appended statement of gratitude! The Chief Guardian of Ningbo, the Zhejiang Governor, the Abbot of Xinglong Temple... Aren’t their names all listed? A hero like you, what hesitation or fear could there be?!"...

"..."

Shi Wende remained silent, only clenching his teeth tightly. After a moment, he spoke coldly.

"Mr. Sen! You write their names, they won’t lose a bit of skin. But if you write my name, it would be taking my life, threatening the very survival of the Shi clan!"...

"Buddha bears witness! I simply wish to establish a great fate with Mr. Shi and make a fortune on the seas... But according to Mr. Shi, it’s as if I’m in the wrong."...

Mori no Kiyoshi sighed, glanced at Shi Wende, and shook his head.

"If that’s the case, then so be it! I’ll seal the appreciation memorial when I return, and hand it over to the incoming officer tomorrow. Our fate together seemingly ends here. However, when Mr. Shi returns to Ningbo, without this life-saving talisman, I wonder how much longer you can live freely under the hands of the Jingchuan Yang Family?..."

"..."

Shi Wende silently clenched his fist, watching Mori no Kiyoshi turn around, watching him wave his folding fan, until he almost walked out the door... then suddenly spoke, a voice emerging from his chest.

"Wait!... Wait!... I said wait!..."

After shouting three times, Mori no Kiyoshi stopped his steps, a smile gradually curving on his lips. Then, he turned around, bringing this smile to Shi Wende, and laughed heartily from the heart.

"Mr. Shi! Look at this setting sun, isn’t it gloriously bright and sunny!~"