Chapter 663: First Volume_Chapter 663: The Sorrow of a Small Kingdom

First Volume_Chapter 663: The Sorrow of a Small Kingdom

Customs differ even within ten li, so the rules between one kingdom and another naturally vary enormously.

Gaoshan Country is narrow in land and sparse in people, its environment extremely barren and harsh, and its population has always been very thin.

Compared with the rulers of great kingdoms, who routinely have a dozen or even several dozen offspring.

Among the successive monarchs of Gaoshan Country, even the one with the most children had no more than seven offspring.

The current King of Gaoshan practiced "quality over quantity" even more strictly, having only three sons and one daughter beneath his knees.

Moreover, because Gaoshan Country is short on materials and supplies, especially medicine, which is even scarcer.

Therefore, the average lifespan has always been low, and cases of princes dying young are too numerous to count.

After all, in these times, no amount of money can buy "antibiotics," and no amount of power can perform "internal surgery."

Between Son of Heaven and common folk, when it comes to birth, aging, sickness, and death, there is really no great difference.

The succession system of Gaoshan Country is usually determined by the will the monarch leaves behind.

If the monarch passes away without leaving a will, then the prince with the greatest merit inherits as the next monarch.

The capable rule, with absolutely no rule of primogeniture or seniority.

"Your Highness Han, please come in at once."

Qin Feng hurriedly received Han Yuming and led him to DaTang for hospitality.

Although Gaoshan Country is a narrow, small kingdom, no matter what, the one who has come is still a prince of a generation.

Added to that, the special relationship between Gaoshan Country and Qin Feng, how could he afford to be discourteous?

Liu Hongyan, upon learning that the Eldest Prince of Gaoshan Kingdom had arrived, hurriedly led the servants and maids, bustling about to attend to him.

Han Yuming caught sight of Liu Hongyan and could not help being greatly struck by her beauty.

"Heavens! Could this be a Celestial Immortal descended to the mortal world?"

Hearing these words, Liu Hongyan gave a faint smile, hurriedly excused herself, and returned to Hou Tang.

Han Yuming's eyes went wide: "The women of our Gaoshan Country have always been born sturdy, no less than the men."

"Now seeing the women of Shedynasty, it truly is that each land nurtures its own people—such beauty is worthy of being called a national beauty."

If it had been before, Qin Feng would have long since slammed the table and turned hostile.

Dare to ogle this old man's woman? Looking for a beating!

However, from Han Yuming's gaze, not the slightest hint of lewdness or lust could be detected.

It was purely admiration.

Qin Feng did not dwell on it, and hurriedly changed the subject: "Your Highness Han, what brings you here?"

"Even if your esteemed monarch has important matters to discuss, sending a minister would suffice—why send you, a dignified great prince, to make the trip personally?"

Han Yuming hurriedly pulled his gaze back.

Although he had never seen a Celestial Immortal like Liu Hongyan before, as a prince he naturally would not be shackled by lust for women.

Besides, this woman was Qin Feng's Jia Guan, so he had to be even more cautious.

"What dignified prince? Not worth mentioning."

"To put it bluntly, a prince of my Gaoshan Country is not worth as much as a Third Rank official of your Liang Kingdom."

"A narrow, small kingdom cannot afford such Platoon."

Originally, Qin Feng already had a very good impression of Han Yuming.

Hearing these words now, he was instantly filled with admiration.

Noble as a prince, yet unconcerned with rank and status, putting practicality above all—such a quality, how precious is it?

As the saying goes, the children of the poor learn to run a household early.

Now it seems, the prince of a narrow, small kingdom is also considerably more outstanding than the prince of a great kingdom.

Han Yuming took a list from his sleeve and handed it over.

"Young Master Qin, I have come to Liang Kingdom this time to pay you a visit."

"First, it is my Father Emperor's intention; second, it is also my own request—mainly to come and see the world."

"Now, because of Young Master Qin, my Gaoshan Country has been connecting with the outside world frequently."

"As a prince, I should all the more have some experience, so as to better handle the situation."

"On this list are the goods and Commodity that our country needs, please…"

Before Han Yuming could finish speaking, he noticed Qin Feng casually hand the list to Qin Xiaofu, wave his hand, and signal Qin Xiaofu to go prepare.

Han Yuming could not help slightly furrowing his brow.

"Young Master Qin, aren't you going to look it over…"

Qin Feng shrugged, his face full of indifference.

"What's there to look at? What your esteemed country needs are all things for People's Livelihood, and preparing them is not difficult."

"Besides, given the relationship between me and your esteemed country, let alone ordinary items, even rare treasures—I would think of every way to gather them all, so that Your Highness Han can return and report."

At these words, Han Yuming's eyes could not help but light up.

Han Yuming was very clear in his heart about the gap between himself and Qin Feng.

Although he himself was a prince, Qin Feng had already been stripped of his Marquis title and was now only a minor "Baron of Anle."

But with Qin Feng's strength, he need only wag his tongue to wipe out the entire Gaoshan Country.

Yet, ever since they met.

Qin Feng had everywhere adopted a low posture, treating Han Yuming as a noble prince.

This respect, and the open generosity in preparing the goods, both moved Han Yuming beyond words.

Han Yuming could not help but stand, bow once more with cupped hands, to express his gratitude.

"Young Master Qin, great righteousness!"

"No wonder Father Emperor said that whether Gaoshan Country prospers or not depends entirely on Young Master Qin."

"Father Emperor has made countless decisions in his life, but befriending Young Master Qin is surely the most correct of them all."

"Young Master Qin, please rest assured."

"No matter who sits on the throne of Gaoshan Country, we shall maintain friendship with Young Master Qin for generations!"

Seeing Han Yuming react so strongly, Qin Feng could not help but find it amusing, and at the same time could not help but sigh with emotion.

In this world where strength commands respect, small countries have never had much say.

Even a dignified Prince, when away from home, must be cautious and discreet.

One must understand that even if Han Yuming died in Jingdu, Gaoshan Country was far away, its National Strength weak, utterly unable to seek revenge.

This is the helplessness of a small country.

Qin Feng rose and returned the courtesy, then gestured for Han Yuming to take his seat, and asked softly.

"For Your Highness Han to come to Beijing in person this time, surely it is not only for trade?"

Han Yuming already trusted Qin Feng completely, and did not beat around the bush.

"Naturally I cannot hide it from Young Master Qin."

"Now all under Heaven know that Liang and Di are holding State Peace Talks."

"My Gaoshan Country's alliance with Young Master Qin's Tianji Camp — the Northern Di already know all of it."

"As early as when the National War ended, quite a few Officials of the Northern Di openly declared they would take revenge on our country."

"And the Snow Wolf Brigade, skilled in fighting in bitter cold, has already been transferred to the Border region of our country — clearly, these threats of revenge are by no means baseless."

Qin Feng was not surprised in the least.

After all, the Northern Di, as the foremost military power, naturally would not tolerate any Betrayal.

Gaoshan Country's defection directly caused the defensive pressure on the Northern Di's Xi Xian to surge sharply, becoming one of the causes of their Military Defeat.

The Northern Di taking revenge on Gaoshan Country was only a matter of time.

Qin Feng blurted out: "You want me to dispatch Northern Border Troops to reinforce you."

"Or to pressure the Northern Di into withdrawing?"

Han Yuming shook his head: "Neither."

"Whether reinforcement, or pressuring the Northern Di at the Negotiation Table, both would cause Young Master Qin unnecessary trouble."

"After all, these State Peace Talks are aimed at Shedynasty itself — how could one spare the energy to seek advantage for our country?"

"Even if Young Master Qin did not mind, I fear the officials of Liang Kingdom would raise objections."

These words were not false.

At the Negotiation Table, it was indeed improper to bring up matters outside the two countries.

Han Yuming said softly: "I hope that Young Master Qin, taking the interests of Liang Kingdom as his starting point, will warn the Northern Di not to threaten the trade routes between Liang Kingdom and my Gaoshan Country."