Since the date of marriage between the Eastern Empire and the Tibetan Kingdom, the envoys of the two countries have been coming and going like butterflies wearing flowers. There are three permanent envoys sent by the Eastern Empire to the Tubo Kingdom so far, and Huaru is the third. And this time, Tai Hao, as the special envoy of the Emperor of the Eastern Empire, his mission is not the same as those resident envoys.

The two envoys before Huaru, Yang Wei and Zao Xiong, were both dismissed for being accused of "collaborating with the enemy and betraying the country". Among them, on the way back to the Eastern Empire, Yang Wei was like being struck by lightning and suddenly died. And Zao Xiong is still in Tubo, like a mud cow entering the sea, there is no news, and even his whereabouts have become an unsolvable mystery.

Tai Hao's first step into the city was like falling into a complex dense forest, and his every move was closely watched by the butler of the Slippery Mansion like a sensitive falcon. The butler, with his shrewd eyes hidden under his wrinkled skin, was like a cunning rabbit hidden in the depths of the jungle, ready to report Taihao's every move to his master, Slippery.

When the housekeeper respectfully reported to Slippery Ru that Tai Hao's first foothold in Luoqi City was Shang Jieyunzan's mansion, Slippery looked at the jade cup in his hand, his eyes were as deep as the sea, but he hid unspeakable doubts. Why did Taihao go to Shang Jieyunzan's mansion first? The deep meaning contained in it is difficult to understand for a while.

Then, the housekeeper said that after Taihao came out of Shang Jieyunzan's mansion, he followed a group of Tibetan soldiers to Zhuoer Beizan's mansion. Hearing the news, Slippery held the hand of the jade cup for a moment, and a trace of complicated emotions flashed in his eyes. What is the intention of this Taihao? What kind of unspeakable entanglement does he have with Zhuoer Beizan and Shang Jieyunzan?

When the butler finally reported that Tai Hao's third place in Luo Qi City was the palace, the jade cup in Hua Ru's hand instantly shattered into powder. His heart was burned with fire, and his anger burned with rage. Tai Hao's bold and reckless move is undoubtedly challenging his bottom line! This official from the east was supposed to visit the envoy of the Eastern Empire in the city of Luo Ji first, but he went to the residence of the Tibetan official first, what was his purpose?

At this moment, Hua Ru was full of doubts in his heart, and he urgently needed to find out the true purpose of Taihao's trip. For this may determine where he will go in the city of Logos......

So, the day after Taihao stepped into the city, his steps pointed to the mansion of Slippery. His arrival made Slippery feel an inexplicable surprise. Tai Hao ordered those soldiers to wait quietly outside the door of the mansion, and only walked into the mansion leisurely with the two fire chiefs, Xianzhi and Xuanzhen. They walked through the bustling courtyard to the antechamber.

Hua Ru sat on the main seat and asked in a puzzled tone: "Yesterday, I heard that Lord Taihao was coming, and my house specially prepared a reception banquet, but I didn't wait for the arrival of the adult. He sent the steward to meet him, but he learned that the lord had gone straight to the palace, so he ......"

In his words, he revealed doubts about Taihao's whereabouts and regret that he failed to fulfill the friendship of the landlord. On Taihao's face, there was a hint of a smile, like the beginning of spring snow, full of mystery and profundity.

Tai Hao smiled and said: "As the emperor's envoy this time, on my trip to Tubo, I should have visited Lord Slippery Confucian's Mansion for the first time. However, when he stepped into Tibet, he was joined by the army of General Shang Jieyunzan and escorted all the way here. When I came to the city of Luoqi, I immediately went to the mansion of General Shang Jieyunzan, but due to fate, I was admitted to the mansion of the prime minister by the subordinates of the minister of Zhuoer Beizan. Immediately afterwards, I was sent by Princess Diaotang to the palace. When I returned from the palace, it was already late at night, and I could no longer visit Lord Slippery. Therefore, we ask for your understanding. ”

Slippery bowed and said, "Don't blame, don't blame." Lord Taihao was busy with official business yesterday, how could he blame the adult. He changed his words and asked Tai Hao, "I heard that Lord Tai Hao is accompanying His Royal Highness the Crown Prince on his visit this time?" ”

Tai Hao responded: "Lord Slippery is indeed well-informed, exactly!" ”

Huaru asked, "Where is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince now, and can this official go and see him?" ”

Tai Hao was about to answer, when suddenly a family member came quickly, walked lightly to the side of Hua Ru, and whispered a few words in his ear. Slippery nodded and waved his hand to back down. Then, he turned to Taihao and said apologetically, "Lord Taihao, please wait here for a while, and I will be back later." ”

Taihao thought that Huaru had something important to do, so he nodded and let him go.

After Huaru left, Taihao got up and looked carefully at the decoration of the front hall. The walls of this hall are covered with the finest silk, and the golden veins on them gleone in the light, like the bright stars in the night sky. There are also several landscape paintings hanging on the walls to show the master's refined taste. The undulating mountains and rippling water in the painting seem to tell a kind of tranquility and indifference.

The floor of the vestibule is covered with luxurious carpets imported from Persia, with intricate patterns and colors, like blooming flowers. Under the carpet are hidden copper pipes that blow warm air as needed. The beams and columns at the top are intricately carved and painted in rich gold, which contrasts with the white marble steps outside. Between the columns, there are ornate lamps and lanterns, which are made of porcelain as thin as the wings of cicadas, and are painted with exquisite flowers, birds and animals.

In the center of the hall is a large mahogany table filled with rare antiques and jade. Around the table, there are several chairs inlaid with gold and jade, and whenever the chairs are pushed open or closed, they emit a pleasant metallic sound.

The entire vestibule is filled with an air of luxury and power, and this decoration shows not only the wealth of the owners, but also their vanity and thirst for power. However, these ornaments are not meant to show the glory of the family or the prosperity of the country, but to satisfy one's own selfish desires and greed.

Tai Hao was puzzled, thinking about how this slippery Confucian, who was just a mere envoy, why did he degenerate into a corrupt official in a foreign country. It stands to reason that the promotion of Tibetan officials has nothing to do with the envoys of the Eastern Empire, so why do they give gifts to Confucianism?

As he pondered, Slippery stepped back into the antechamber. Seeing that Tai Hao was admiring the decoration of the hall, he hurriedly explained: "These furnishings were all arranged by the former envoy Zao Xiong when he was there, and they were intended to show the solemnity and majesty of our Eastern Empire. ”

Tai Hao nodded lightly and did not speak, and Hua Ru asked: "Lord Tai Hao, what is the purpose of your visit to Tibet on the order of the emperor?" ”

Tai Hao said: "The sudden death of the former Tubo Zanpu has caused some small fluctuations in the peace between the two countries, and my visit on behalf of the emperor is of course to consolidate the peace between the two countries. I think these slippery adults should know. ”

The corners of Huaru's mouth curled slightly, and he slowly responded: "I naturally know about this matter, but can Lord Taihao's trip just come for the peace of the two countries?" ”

Tai Hao heard the deep meaning of Slippery Confucian's words, and couldn't help frowning slightly, and said, "Lord Slippery seems to have something hidden in his heart, so please say it directly." ”

Huaru nodded, waved his hand back from the left and right attendants, and waved his hand slightly to the two attendants behind Taihao, and said, "Please wait outside the front hall as well." ”

Then, he clapped his hands, and a butler immediately stepped forward with a delicate box and respectfully delivered it to Taihao.

Huaru said with a smile: "Lord Taihao, this is a little bit of the official's heart, please accept it." ”

Tai Hao lowered his eyes to the box, which contained an ice-clear gem, the unique blue of which shimmered mysteriously and seductively in the light. He could see that the gem was worth a lot.

Tai Hao saw the intention of Confucianism, like ripples in autumn water, and knew it in his heart. He hurriedly excused himself and said, "Lord Slippery, what do you mean?" There was almost a hint of trepidation and uneasiness in his words.

The slippery smile is like spring, but there is a deep city in his eyes. He said slowly: "Lord Taihao, you have trekked through mountains and rivers, traveled through thousands of rivers and mountains, and came to this city, and as a colleague, this official should be well received. Today, I saw my dignity and gave this small gift, which is the treasure of Tibet, and it is very spiritual. I hope that it can always serve by the side of Lord Taihao, drive away loneliness for adults, help with everything, and make the life of adults in this city more comfortable. ”

His words are like a needle hidden in the cotton, and people can't easily get rid of it. After hearing this, Taihao understood more clearly in his heart that this was an attempt by Huaru to flatter him in a subtle way, trying to use this thing to win him over. All kinds of countermeasures quickly flashed through his mind, only to find that they were all cleverly sealed by this subtle word.

Tai Hao humbly replied, "Lord Slippery is really too polite, how can I accept such a precious gift from you?" I am the emperor's envoy, on behalf of the emperor to Tibet for a state visit, every action and every decision I make is carried out under the emperor's divine authority, how dare I accept this precious treasure privately? ”

Huaru smiled lightly: "Lord Taihao, you are really worried. This is Tibet, not the distant Eastern Empire. In this place, we can accept any treasure we like according to our wishes and needs without any worries. ”

Tai Hao said solemnly: "The officials of our Eastern Empire, no matter where they are, should be strict with themselves with high standards, and must not fall into the abyss of greed and disobey the law and morality. The generous money that the imperial court gives me every year is trust and trust, how can this sacred trust be tarnished because of something outside the body? ”

Slippery approached Lord Taihao humbly and said softly, "My lord, this thing is just a gem, and you don't need to be so vigilant. If you're happy, keep it with you and play with it all the time. If you see it as dust, give it to those around you who are loyal. Truth be told, I don't have much appreciation for such treasures, but the ladies of the family are fascinated by them. Come to think of it, Lord Taihao is also accompanied by a beautiful woman, and she can give this gem to her, maybe she will be very happy about it. ”

Tai Hao politely declined again, his tone was full of sincerity and firmness: "Lord Slippery, I really can't accept it, no matter how precious this item is, I can't cross the moral bottom line in my heart." As the saying goes, I can't go against my principles because of this gift. ”