Chapter 192 Current Affairs in the North and South
A great country, a magnificent Ming Dynasty.

Congratulations come from all directions and tributes come from all nations.

The Ming Dynasty had so many vassal states that they were like stars surrounding the moon, highlighting the splendor of the Ming Emperor.

During its heyday, the Ming Dynasty had numerous vassal states, the largest number in all dynasties, with a total of more than 140.

The drums beat on all sides and the snow surged up, the three armies shouted loudly and the Yin Mountains shook.

In the past, the Ming Dynasty’s iron cavalry fought in the north against the Mongolian army, which disturbed people’s livelihood and caused chaos in the country.

The southern expedition involved a small Vietnamese country that murdered its king and usurped the throne, and committed treason.

It's like walking on flat ground, passing through the area like a whirlwind.

The fleet of the Ming Dynasty covers the sky and the sun. If you open the gate, you can enjoy the grace of the Ming Dynasty. If you don't open it, it doesn't matter. The Ming Dynasty can only respond to the call of the people and replace a king who is willing to take the initiative to enjoy the grace of the Ming Dynasty.

This led to a famous saying in later generations: "When your ancestors worked hard, my ancestors suffered."

But what can we do about it?

You are unwilling to surrender, but also unwilling to die. My Ming Dynasty is in a difficult situation!
The Korean envoy Cui Pu knelt below, and after listening to Ou Zanghua's "Memorial to the Vassal States", his expression revealed a hint of surprise.

This envoy was also a legendary figure. When he was serving in Jeju Island, he learned that his father had passed away, so he crossed the sea to go home to attend the funeral. As a result, he encountered a shipwreck on the way and drifted on the sea for fourteen days. He landed at the border of Linhai County, Taizhou Prefecture, Zhejiang Province in the Ming Dynasty and was rescued.

After being examined by local officials and cleared of suspicion of being a Japanese pirate, Cui Pu was escorted by Ming Dynasty officials from Taizhou via Ningbo and Shaoxing to Hangzhou, and then from Hangzhou to the capital by water along the Grand Canal. This made Cui Pu the first Korean to travel the entire length of the Grand Canal in the Ming Dynasty.

Cui Pu raised his head and looked at Ou Zanghua. This young Minister of the Honglu Temple was really handsome, but his attitude towards the vassal states was different from that of his predecessor, Xia Keqing.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look at Emperor Zhengde sitting on the high platform.

The emperor seemed to glow in the sunlight of the first month of the lunar year, making it difficult for him to see clearly.

After Ou Zanghua finished reading, he returned to the civil officials. Then, several important envoys from vassal states came out to greet the emperor.

Leading the way were the Ming Dynasty's good sons, the Korean envoys, as well as envoys from Japan, Ryukyu, Annan, Cambodia, Siam, Champa, etc.

Yes, during the Zhengde period, Japan was still one of the vassal states of the Ming Dynasty.

During the Yongle period, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu wrote to the Ming Dynasty, hoping to pay tribute and receive a title.

Emperor Yongle issued an edict to enthrone Ashikaga as the King of Japan, and Ashikaga also received the crown and robes from the Ming Dynasty and submitted to the Ming Dynasty.

However, when Ashikaga Yoshimitsu died, his son Ashikaga Yoshimochi announced the severance of diplomatic relations and trade with the Ming Dynasty. Later, Ashikaga Yoshinori came to power and re-established diplomatic relations with the Ming Dynasty and resumed trade.

After the Muromachi period ended and the Edo period began, the Tokugawa shogunate learned this lesson and only traded with the Ming Dynasty but did not submit to it.

After completing the procedure, all officials knelt down again to express congratulations and perform the rituals as per etiquette.

After Emperor Zhengde returned the gift, he headed for Kunning Palace and showed himself in front of the ladies. His work for the day was considered completed.

Liu Qing was only a sixth-rank Anren lady and was not qualified to stay for dinner.

Therefore, she followed Madam Xia to the square, and after paying respects to the Grand Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, and the Queen in turn, she had nothing to do.

However, the Empress Dowager only showed up and then returned to her own palace.

However, the Empress Dowager enjoyed chatting with the wives of Marquis Shouning and Marquis Jianchang. The Queen sat beside them with a gentle smile on her face.

Liu Qing had practiced martial arts since she was a child, so standing for a while was fine for her, but many of the noble ladies around her found it difficult.

What surprised Liu Qing was that although Mrs. Xia looked delicate, she was fine after standing for such a long time.

Mrs. Xia noticed Liu Qing's gaze, smiled at her, and did not explain.

After waiting for a long time for the emperor to arrive, Liu Qing followed the other noble ladies in paying their respects. The emperor spoke a few words of encouragement and asked the female officials of the Shangyi Bureau to present gifts. Then the ladies of honor below the third rank could leave.

Liu Qing received a piece of treasure banknotes. She looked at the four-season flowers embroidered on her purse and knew that different levels of imperial wives would be rewarded with different treasure banknotes. After thanking the emperor, she followed Madam Xia out of Kunning Palace.

Madam Xia looked at Liu Qing, who had a serious expression, and said with a smile, "You can relax a little at this point. Didn't you notice that the other ladies are already chatting?"

Liu Qing looked around and found that the fourth-rank Gongren ladies and fifth-rank Yiren ladies were gathered together, chatting in low voices as they walked out.

At this time, a kind-looking woman saw Liu Qing and asked with a smile: "Could this girl be the wife of the new Minister of the Honglu Temple?"

When Liu Qing took a look, he saw that the other party was wearing the court dress of a fourth-rank lady.

Among this group of ladies with imperial titles, Liu Qing was the youngest. When the woman finished speaking, she immediately attracted the attention of others.

"That's the wife of Mr. Wang, the Minister of Public Security." Madam Xia reminded in a low voice beside Liu Qing.

"Hello, Madam Wang!" Liu Qing greeted immediately.

Madam Wang looked at Liu Qing and said cheerfully, "Look at this face, so pretty, you can tell at first glance that she is a blessed person."

Another fourth-rank lady looked over and said with a smile, "Indeed, otherwise she wouldn't have locked up the most handsome third place winner so early on! At that time, I was even thinking of asking the master to invite the third place winner to visit the mansion!"

Before Liu Qing could speak, Madam Wang smiled and retorted for her: "They are childhood sweethearts. If you want to make a move, you have to do it ten years in advance!"

Liu Qing stood beside Madam Xia, keeping in mind Li Shuyan's advice to talk less, listen more and watch more. She was not like those noble ladies who had learned the Four Books and Five Classics, music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and women's accounting since childhood. She would be easily exposed if she talked to them.

With the help of Madam Xia and Madam Wang, she managed to get out of Xuanwu Gate safely.

When the two of them parted, Madam Xia patted Liu Qing's hand and said with a smile, "You did a great job today. If there is such an event in the future, you should do the same."

"Madam Xia, let's go together next time!" Liu Qing took Madam Xia's hand and invited her happily.

"Next time," Madam Xia shook her head and said, "I will probably go back to my hometown with the master, but Madam Ou doesn't have to worry. Madam Wang likes you very much. When you are free someday, you can visit her and keep in touch with her. Madam Wang likes calligraphy, so you can bring your husband's original works."

"Ah? Thank you, Mrs. Xia, for your advice!" Liu Qing quickly bowed and expressed her gratitude.

Mrs. Xia returned the greeting with a smile, then reunited with the maid from the Xia mansion and left.

Liu Qing watched them leave before walking to Li Shuyan and Li Huaiwei, got on the sedan chair and returned to the Ou Mansion.
At the same time, in the courtyard under the Lion Mountain in Nanjing, Yue Buqun was taking the pulse of a boy with a serious face.

Not long after, Master Dingyi, who had received the news, rushed over with Yilin: "Senior Brother Yue."

"Master Dingyi, please take a look at my little disciple." Yue Buqun stood up and said excitedly when he saw the person coming.

"it is good!"

Nun Dingyi sat down beside the bed and felt the pulse of the boy. Her expression froze, she looked up at Yue Buqun and asked, "How could this be? There are seven internal forces in the body of this little boy?! If one of them is not well controlled, his meridians will be broken and he will become a cripple."

"Rebel!"

After hearing this, Yue Buqun's face turned cold. He looked at Linghu Chong who was bowing his head and said coldly: "Why don't you explain it to the nun quickly?!"

Linghu Chong looked at his junior fellow apprentice Lingsong lying unconscious on the bed, a trace of pain flashed across his expression, and he murmured, "It's like this. A mysterious demon kidnapped my two junior apprentices Lingsong and Lingqing, saying that their muscles and bones are suitable for being his successors."

"A few friends and I followed their tracks from Huashan in Shaanxi to Jiming Mountain in Nanzhili before we caught up with them. When they were trying to rob him, the demon saw that he was no match for his opponent and, in a frenzy, injected his inner strength into Junior Brother Lingsong's body."

"In order to prevent that overbearing internal force from breaking through Junior Brother Lingsong's meridians and acupuncture points, my friend and I can only forcibly suppress the internal force in Junior Brother Lingsong's body."

"result."

“Okay, no need to say more.” Master Dingyi sighed, looked at Yue Buqun and said, “Brother Yue, don’t be too angry. Junior Nephew Linghu also has good intentions.”

"Kindness?!" Yue Buqun sneered, but was secretly pulled twice by Ning Zhongze, so he didn't say anything else.

Upon seeing this, Yilin walked over to Linghu Chong and comforted him in a low voice.

(End of this chapter)