novelSusiti Chapter 345 I don't have backdoors, I only have rules.
Chapter 345 I don't have backdoors, I only have rules.
Although the Nanyue tribes were based on a tribal society, they were not traditionally confined to deep mountains.
So the carriage hadn't gone far when another village appeared ahead.
This village is larger than the previous two, and the houses are more impressive. The stilted houses are built on the hillside, layer upon layer, like terraced fields.
Several people were standing at the village entrance, led by an old man with gray hair, but he was in good spirits.
He wore a long robe embroidered with gold thread, a tall silver crown on his head, and a cane in his hand, the top of which was inlaid with a ruby the size of an egg.
He saw the carriage, hurried forward, and bowed, saying:
"Your Excellency, Prince Zhenbei, have graced us with your presence; I have failed to greet you properly!"
Lin Chen got off the carriage and glanced at him.
This old man had an extraordinary bearing; he stood there neither humble nor arrogant, unlike those who grew up in the Huang clan.
"Who are you?" Lin Chen asked calmly.
The old man quickly replied, "I am the leader of the Southern Yue Hundred Tribes Alliance, and my surname is Yang."
Lin Chen's heart stirred.
The leader of the Southern Yue Hundred Tribes Alliance nominally governs all the tribes of Southern Yue.
However, their power was actually limited, and the three major tribes of Heishui, Baimiao, and Jinchi were the ones who truly made the decisions.
However, the old man is no simpleton, having managed to navigate between the three factions for so many years and maintain his position as the leader of the alliance.
Lin Chen nodded: "Alliance Leader Yang."
Alliance Leader Yang smiled and said, "Your Highness has had a long journey. I have prepared a feast for you. Please do me the honor of joining me."
He stepped aside to make way and gestured for me to pass.
Lin Chen followed him into the village.
The village is indeed impressive, with stilted houses that are two or three stories high, and red lanterns and colorful flags hanging in front of them.
In the center of the village is a large square paved with bluestone slabs. Next to the square stands a particularly large bamboo building, five stories high, with upturned eaves and corners, and two stone lions are placed at the entrance.
This was considered top-tier pomp and circumstance in South Vietnam.
Alliance Leader Yang led Lin Chen into the bamboo building.
A feast had already been set out inside, even more lavish than that of the Huang Miao tribe.
The tables and chairs were made of mahogany inlaid with gold, the tableware was silver, and the dishes were plentiful.
Roasted whole lamb, roasted suckling deer, steamed fish, braised bear paw, stewed ginseng chicken, and a few other dishes that Lin Chen couldn't name.
The wine was poured from a golden pot, and its aroma was irresistible.
Alliance Leader Yang invited Lin Chen to sit in the main seat, while he stayed by his side.
Lan Fenghuang sat on the other side of Lin Chen, while Ling Bo, unusually, sat on the other side.
Lin Chen glanced at it, smiled, and said nothing.
After several rounds of drinks, Alliance Leader Yang put down his glass and looked at Lin Chen:
"The prince's journey of inspection has been marked by the killing of corrupt officials, the suppression of bandits, and the quelling of rebellions, which has been met with great joy by the people of Dayan."
I've heard about this even in southern Vietnam, and I'm utterly impressed.
Lin Chen smiled and said, "Alliance Leader Yang, you flatter me."
Alliance Leader Yang shook his head: "It's not an overstatement. I've lived for over a hundred years and seen many officials of the Great Yan Dynasty, but I've never seen anyone like Your Highness before."
Lin Chen raised his glass: "Alliance Leader Yang, you're not just entertaining me for drinks, are you?"
Alliance Leader Yang paused for a moment, then smiled: "Your Highness is a wise man."
He paused, his smile fading, and said seriously, "I do indeed have a request."
Lin Chen put down his wine glass: "Speak."
Alliance Leader Yang paused for a moment, then said:
"The Hundred Tribes of Nanyue are nominally under my jurisdiction, but in reality, my word is not law."
The Blackwater, White Miao, and Golden Tooth tribes have been fighting for hundreds of years, none of them willing to submit to the others.
"This old man, the leader of this alliance, is just a peacemaker. He's tried to persuade one side of the alliance, then another, and after a lifetime of trying, he's never gotten anything out of it."
He sighed, picked up his glass, and took a swig, staining his gray beard with wine.
"Southern Vietnam is poor, with many mountains and little land, and there's nothing of value."
The only things they can offer are mountain delicacies, tea, and medicinal herbs.
However, the three departments undermined each other, with one undercutting the other's prices and the other stealing the other's business, making merchants afraid to come.
The merchants from Dayan arrived, but they were also frightened away by them.
Lin Chen listened quietly without saying a word.
Alliance Leader Yang looked at Lin Chen, his eyes pleading:
"Your Highness, if I may be so bold as to ask, could Dayan possibly set up a trading post in Nanyue?"
The government doesn't need to intervene; it just needs to establish rules so that merchants have a place to reason things out.
"If anyone breaks the rules, Dayan can refuse to do business with them."
Lin Chen's eyes flickered slightly, and he thought for a moment:
"Alliance Leader Yang, Nan Yue is not part of Dayan's territory. Dayan has no right to set up trading posts in Nan Yue, nor does it have the right to interfere in Nan Yue's affairs. This is the rule!"
Alliance Leader Yang's expression darkened.
Lin Chen paused for a moment, then continued:
"However, when merchants from Dayan come to Nanyue to do business, Dayan has a responsibility to protect their safety."
"If anyone breaks the rules in Nanyue and steals a caravan from Dayan, Dayan will not stand idly by. As for business within Nanyue..."
Lin Chen picked up his wine glass and said slowly,
"That's your own business; Dayan won't interfere."
Leader Yang was stunned for a moment, then his eyes lit up.
He wasn't stupid; he understood what Lin Chen meant.
The Dayan people will not set up official posts in Nanyue, but if Dayan merchants come, Dayan will take care of them.
Anyone who dares to touch the caravans of Dayan will face retaliation from Dayan.
As for the internal strife in Nanyue, Dayan doesn't care, but whoever can establish rules, Dayan's merchants are willing to do business with them.
He stood up and bowed respectfully:
"Your Highness, on behalf of the people of the Hundred Tribes of Nanyue, I thank you."
Lin Chen waved his hand: "Don't thank me, I'm not helping you, I'm helping the merchants of Dayan."
As the business grew, the amount of tax revenue from Da Yan increased.
With more tax revenue, the imperial court would have more money.
With more money, the imperial court can support more soldiers, build more roads, and establish more schools—it's a win-win situation.
Leader Yang nodded repeatedly, sat down again, and the wrinkles on his face smoothed out.
He raised his wine cup: "Your Highness, this old man toasts you."
The two clinked glasses.
After finishing his drink, Leader Yang put down his glass and suddenly remembered something:
"Your Highness, I have another matter to discuss."
Lin Chen raised an eyebrow slightly: "What is it?"
Alliance Leader Yang said, "I heard that His Highness dealt with Jiang Zhen in Nanjing."
This old man would like to ask—what does Your Highness think of Jiang Zhen as a person?
Lin Chen looked at him without saying anything.
Alliance Leader Yang quickly explained, "I am not inquiring about the military affairs of Dayan."
Jiang Zhen has spent fifteen years in the southern border region and has dealt with many Southern Yue tribes. This old man simply wants to hear Your Highness's opinion.
Lin Chen picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and said calmly:
"Although Jiang Zhen has some minor flaws, he has guarded the southern border for 15 years without making a single mistake, which is a great achievement. Therefore, I will pardon him this time to see how he behaves in the future!"
Alliance Leader Yang seemed to be deep in thought, and quickly cupped his hands in praise:
"What Your Highness says is true. Over the years, the Hundred Tribes of Nanyue have dealt with Jiang Zhen and, although they have suffered some losses, they have not caused any major trouble."
Someone else might not be as good as him.
Lin Chen narrowed his eyes slightly; this old man was no ordinary person.
He smiled and raised his glass: "Alliance Leader Yang, you are a smart man."
Alliance Leader Yang quickly smiled apologetically, "Your Highness is too kind."