Kyushu Island was already a little cold in September. Yao Fang turned back from the pier at Hakata Port (now east of Fukuoka City), and was suddenly frozen by the wind blowing from the sea.

The group came from Tsushima Island, and the sailing distance was not far. They sailed southeastward. After passing Iki Island, they soon arrived at Hakata Port.

The official was not Yao Fang, but Qian Xili, a civil servant in the pedestrian department. In addition, there were more than ten people including hundreds of military generals, guards, translators, officials, etc. Yao Fang had no identity as a businessman and did not allow him to come; but Yao Fang insisted on coming.

Yao Fang knew the military officer Ouchi, who was a Hakata, and the Han monks in various temples. He secretly made up his mind and took the opportunity to meet those people and learn more about it.

Qian Xili was a Jinshi who passed the imperial examination only during the Wude period and was a second-class Jinshi. Because the number of official positions in the pedestrian department was the most vacant, he did not want to be a local official, so he temporarily served in the pedestrian department and then took the initiative to ask for his orders and came to Tsushima Island as a foreign affairs staff. He also clearly mentioned in his words that he hoped to achieve some political achievements so that he could control more important power in the court. From this point of view, he was a relatively straightforward scholar.

Everyone just arrived at the dock and quickly received courtesy from the Daou family. Everything was very satisfying. The person in charge of receiving them was a samurai. Although he was short and very smart, he explained the situation in smooth Chinese and claimed to be "Maori Sadagata".

Mori Sadara bowed many times, and was very respectful. He and his entourage always bowed with him, very polite. Yao Fang and others were a little worried before, but when they saw such a scene, everyone felt much more relieved.

Hakata Port is a relatively lively port with various small wooden boats coming. Many busy scenes of Liv transporting cargo make the dock appear very busy.

Maori also brought some mounts, a kind of short horse, which made everyone ride horses to the city. Everyone got on the horses, and the tension was no longer there. People looked around, watching the scenery of the foreign lands of the East China Sea, and their interest in talking to each other became higher.

Qian Xili, who was in front, asked Maori around him: "What official position is your lord?"

Maori said: "In Shinonai's retainer and a member of the Zhou defense country."

When Yao Fang heard the conversation, he knew about the direction. The place where they were currently located was probably the territory of the "Zhuqian Kingdom". To the east was the "Fengqian Kingdom", and they were all on the south bank of the Guanmen Strait and belonged to the Kitakyushu area. On the other side of the Guanmen Strait, the Zhou Dynasty was the south side of the strait, and the Nagato Kingdom was the north. These four so-called countries currently belong to the territory of the Ouchi clan.

As for the Ishimi Kingdom, which Emperor Zhu Gaoxu paid attention to, the two places were adjacent to the northeast of the Nagato Kingdom.

Maori continued to explain very thoughtfully: "After the 'Mingde Rebellion', the Danai family made contributions to pacifying the Daming clan. They once had the territory of the nine countries, which was the strongest in the western country. They were called the Six-Part One Hall in Luoyang. Later, something happened. When the Danai family declined, there were only two countries, Zhou Fang and Nagato. After the current family governor (Danai Mori) came to Luo, the general was very satisfied with the "loyalty and respect" of the family governor, so he let the family governor take over the four countries.

The Yamaguchi Castle of Zhou Fangguo is the foundation of the Da Nei family. However, in recent years, most of the heads of the family have lived in Hakata. Here are the retainers of the Da Nei family. If you have any questions, you can talk to me first. In a few days, I will introduce them to the head of the family."

The group rode a horse for a long time and finally arrived in front of a village backing. This city was much more spacious than the village captured by Madao. The city walls had stone foundations and bricks on the rammed earth, but compared to the walls of the important city of the Ming Dynasty, it still looked low, just like a courtyard wall.

Maori led everyone into a big house in the city. After settling down, Maori sent someone to invite Qian Xili to meet him and allowed Qian Xili to bring two entourages. Yao Fang asked to accompany him and became one of three of them.

They led by a servant to enter a closed corridor with lattice walls on both sides. The servant walked to a place, knelt down in front of the lattice wall, reached out to pull open a wooden door, and then Fu Bai said a few words in Japanese. Then the servant asked Qian Xili and others to take off their shoes and enter.

Maori had already knelt in the upper position. Qian Xili and others stepped forward to follow the etiquette of the Ming Dynasty, bowed and said, "The Ming Dynasty traveler Qian Xili, pay homage to General Maori."

At this time, the sliding door behind was closed by the servant.

Maori knelt down and bowed, saying, "Please take your seat by the money."

Next to Maori, a woman in a kimono with a pillow on her back was kneeling, but she was just kneeling there. Maori was tinkering with her tea set and continued to make tea there.

The fragrance of tea fills the room, the surroundings are very quiet, and the straw mats on the ground are very clean. This is a comfortable place, but it is a bit closed and the room is very short, which makes people feel a little depressed.

Maori had been fiddling there for a long time and did it very seriously. Yao Fang felt a little uncomfortable with her legs because he was also kneeling and occasionally looked at Qian Xili next to her calmly. The civil servant probably had the same feelings as Yao Fang. However, they all endured it to avoid being rude.

The etiquette of kneeling should come from China. However, since the Central Plains dynasty developed more comfortable furniture, this posture has been no longer popular many years ago. So everyone feels uncomfortable after kneeling for a long time.

Maori finally made tea. The woman next to him respectfully handed the guests a few dark tea bowls. There was only a little tea inside, so Yao Fang picked it up and tasted it.

The taste is not very delicious. Yao Fang said in his heart: Mom, is this kind of tea so careful and serious?

When Maori picked up the tea bowl, he held it in his hand and gently rotated it around, taking a sip with great pleasure. He glanced at Yao Fang and said, "Tuo tea was originally from Zhongyuan. However, the meaning of etiquette is very different."

His meaning was probably to say that Yao Fang was a little rude just now. Yao Fang didn't say anything, but he didn't understand this at all. After all, everyone is a martial artist, so why are you pretending?

Qian Xili said: "The general is actually a elegant person, and I admire him."

Maori said: "Feng Ya dare not be accused of it, I just hope that you can understand the meaning of 'harmony' and 'respect'."

Qian Xili seemed a little embarrassed when he heard this. According to the way of interactions in the Ming Dynasty, others respect themselves and they should be grateful. As the saying goes, respect people one foot, respect others one foot.

Qian Xili immediately said sincerely: "Our dynasty uses troops to the Tomashima Zong clan because of the Japanese pirates. Zong clan really protects the Japanese pirates. The emperor and the court's attitude towards Japan are still valued as peace. The former general of the conquering Yiman, Gen Yoshiman, was willing to accept the imperial enthronement and communicate sincerely. However, Gen Yoshik is a bit powerful in treating diplomatic relations. When the lower officials come here this time, Yu Gong also wants to resolve the misunderstanding. The two countries send envoys to discuss the etiquette of the monarch and his subjects."

Maori nodded seriously: "My country and Jinling are far apart, so there are indeed misunderstandings."

Qian Xili said in a deep voice without hesitation: "Our dynasty is particularly close to the Ouchi clan. I have troubled General Maori and must tell the governor of the family to the sincerity of the court."

"The Qian Envoy is well aware of the profound meaning of Tuo tea, and he values ​​harmony and values ​​the great internal family so much, which is actually a 'respect' meaning." Maori said politely, "Why did the Ming Dynasty value the great internal family so much?"

Qian Xili said: "The family of the country attaches great importance to commerce and urgently needs copper coins. They have also obtained the right to pay tribute for many years and have obtained real profits through 'exploring and trade'. Such a demand is consistent with the national policy of the Ming Dynasty."

Maori sighed and said, "It's true that the Fanmuromachi Temple wants to cut off the tribute, and the family governor is not satisfied with this."

Qian Xili thought for a moment and asked, "Is there any possibility of exhorting Muromachi Temple?"

Maori said: "The envoy is at ease and stay for a few days. When the governor of the family arrives, the envoy can talk to him in detail." He then said in a low voice a little mysteriously, "Next time you send envoys to come, you can wear kimono instead of wearing official uniforms. The envoys of the great family and the envoys of the money may be able to establish some friendship in private."

Qian Xili immediately showed a hint of joy, and he nodded immediately and said, "This is not difficult."

If Qian Xili established a relationship with the Ouchi clan, then Qian Xili, a new Jinshi, would have the weight of speaking in the court in relation to the diplomatic relations between Japan. No wonder he could not hide his joy immediately.

Maori said again: "Don't be impatient with the money messenger. This is not simple, let's take your time."

Qian Xili nodded and said yes.

At this time, Maori said, "You have settled here for several days and waited for you. The next time you meet, the governor will come in person."

"If you have time, General Maori mediates from it." Qian Xili said.

After he said that, he called Yao Fang and the other two followers to get up, then folded his fists and bowed, "Goodbye."

Maori still knelt on the ground and bowed to return the greeting.

They went to the door to put on their shoes, and still went out of the narrow and closed corridor, and returned to the room they were staying before. After the servant who sent them left, Yao Fang immediately went to Qian Xili's room.

"I think something is wrong." Yao Fang said in a deep voice.

Qian Xili said, "What's wrong?"

Yao Fang took a breath from hers in front of her teeth, "I can't say it for a while, maybe I think things are going too well."

Qian Xili smiled and said, "Calmly. The Maori general is very good, humble, polite and polite. I think it is much more particular than many warriors in our Ming Dynasty. If the Danai family doesn't like us, why should they spend a lot of effort?"

Yao Fang glanced at Qian Xili and felt that although this guy could pass the imperial examination, he really didn't have much worldly experience. When he was drinking tea, he couldn't calm down at all. When others were a little polite and respectful, he showed his thoughts on his face.

"It's better to be careful." Yao Fang sighed.

Qian Xili said: "Don't be impatient, wait a few days, and I will have a visit to Ouchi Mori before I say that."

Yao Fang had no choice but to go back to his room. He wanted to go out to visit Da Neisheng, but his intuition might not be allowed, so he followed Qian Xili's words and rested in the room for the time being.
Chapter completed!