Paba’s expression froze!

Damn it! I just try to show off a little, and you start trash-talking!

Sure, Chilie is a bit ugly, but do you have to keep harping on about it?

“Master, please get in the carriage. I’ll take you to see the famous Banshan District in the capital!”

Fang Zheng made a welcoming gesture.

Paba got in the carriage, with Fang Zheng following right behind.

As the wheels began to turn slowly, the carriage headed toward Banshan District.

Paba lifted the carriage window curtain and asked while observing: “Lord Fang, I hear the capital has one hundred and eight districts. What’s so special about Banshan District?”

Fang Zheng smiled: “Banshan District is at the very edge of the outer city. Its only distinguishing feature is that it’s poor!”

“Poor? If it’s poor, why is Lord Fang taking us to see it?” Paba was confused.

“Speaking of poverty, it was indeed quite poor before, but things have improved recently.”

“His Majesty put the Crown Prince in charge of Banshan District, and in just a few months there have been significant changes. Master has come from afar firstly to show goodwill to Great Jing, but you should also probably scout out our situation.”

Paba fell silent.

He couldn’t figure out Fang Zheng’s angle at all.

All the Great Jing officials he’d met so far spoke in flowery language, and when asked anything they’d beat around the bush.

This was the first time he’d met someone so direct.

“Lord Fang is truly… frank.”

Fang Zheng said proudly: “Naturally! Though I’m a civil official, I hate all those formal customs!”

“Isn’t it better if everyone just says what they mean? Why hide things? It’s pointless!”

“Sigh, though this mouth of mine has offended so many people that I was demoted to the Court of Diplomatic Receptions. You don’t mind, do you, Master?”

From their first meeting, this man had spoken without restraint – perhaps he really was straightforward.

This person is quite interesting!

Paba smiled: “Of course I don’t mind. I admire Lord Fang’s honesty.”

Fang Zheng said: “Ah! If only everyone thought like Master!”

“Being straightforward isn’t always good. Those bootlickers at court all look at me with disapproval, and I hate those sycophants the most! A bunch of fawning flatterers!”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng began to show signs of indignation.

“Master, I hear the Northern Rong people are bold and unconstrained. Your customs must be much better.”

Paba shook his head, sighing: “Official circles reflect human nature. Where in the world isn’t it like this? It’s all more or less the same.”

“Well said! Excellent!” Fang Zheng clapped in admiration. “I can see Master is also a loyal minister who speaks truth to power in the Northern Rong, no wonder you got stuck with this thankless diplomatic mission!”

“Let’s drink until we’re drunk later! Master, do you eat meat?”

I’m not a damn monk!

Paba’s mouth twitched stiffly, and he couldn’t be bothered to explain anymore.

“Yes.”

Seeing the moment was right, Fang Zheng asked: “Since Master and I are both straightforward people, let me speak frankly about something.”

“May I ask if this diplomatic mission to Great Jing includes plans for a political marriage?”

Paba was taken aback: “Is it appropriate to discuss such things in private?”

“What’s inappropriate about it? Master must not consider me a friend! It’ll have to be discussed sooner or later, I’m just curious! Tell me, Master, I might even be able to give you some advice!”

Who’s your friend?! You get overly familiar way too quickly.

Though discussing whether there would be a political marriage or not wasn’t really a big deal – a minor official couldn’t influence the emperor’s decision.

He might even be able to learn something from him.

After thinking for a moment, Paba spoke: “Very well, since Lord Fang is so direct, I’ll be frank too. We did come with plans for a political marriage.”

“I hear your Fifth Princess is of marriageable age, and our Second Prince is still unwed. What does Lord Fang think?”

The smile gradually disappeared from Fang Zheng’s face.

These bastards really did have marriage plans. Why wasn’t this mentioned in the diplomatic letter? Trying to spring it on us as a surprise!

Is this something that should be negotiated now?

Seeing Fang Zheng’s displeased expression, Paba also grew serious and asked: “What’s wrong? Does Lord Fang find something inappropriate about this?”

“Indeed!” Fang Zheng’s expression was grave. “Though the Fifth Princess isn’t married yet, from what I know, His Majesty already has someone in mind for her husband. I’m afraid… you’ll return empty-handed!”

“Who is it?!” Paba asked hurriedly.

Fang Zheng shook his head: “I only happened to hear His Majesty mention it. No one else knows who it is. I can’t say, and Master had better not ask around – it concerns the royal family’s face.”

Paba’s expression grew serious: “Don’t worry, I absolutely won’t ask anyone else. Could Lord Fang tell just me?”

“Absolutely not! Please stop asking, Master! However, I can point you in a better direction.”

“Please do!”

Fang Zheng leaned close to Paba’s ear and whispered: “We may not have a princess to marry over there, but you could have a princess marry over here!”

“His Majesty only has one son. Think about it – if a woman from your side married over here, wouldn’t our two countries become family? The effect would be the same!”

Good brother! For the sake of my happiness, I’ll have to trouble you!

Paba’s eyes widened as he turned stiffly to look at Fang Zheng.

“You’re not joking, are you? Would the Great Jing royal family marry a foreign woman? Besides, our Khan doesn’t have any daughters!”

I thought you might say something profound, but you’re just an idiot! What a waste of emotion!

Fang Zheng waved his hands repeatedly: “What’s all this about foreigners? The current Emperor and Crown Prince are no ordinary men!”

“What do those little customs matter? It doesn’t matter if your Khan doesn’t have daughters – write back and tell him to hurry up and have one!”

“The Crown Prince is still young, he can wait!”

Paba leaned back, frowning as he looked at Fang Zheng, feeling somewhat regretful.

He shouldn’t have come out with this fellow – it would have been better if Chen Hong had come. He felt like he couldn’t keep up with this way of thinking…

“Let’s forget about it then. If a political marriage isn’t possible, we won’t mention it.”

Fang Zheng smiled again.

Good, that’s how it should be! Now everything’s back on track.

When discussing state affairs, we should stick to state affairs. What’s the point of using women as bargaining chips?

“Then I’m afraid I can’t help. That’s all I could think of – marrying the princess is definitely impossible.”

Paba composed his expression and smiled: “Since the Emperor already has someone in mind, a political marriage would indeed be inappropriate.”

“Many thanks to Lord Fang for this – it would have been rash to bring this up when meeting the Emperor.”

Fang Zheng nodded: “No need for thanks, I love helping others! I can tell big matters from small ones.”

“Though Great Jing and Northern Rong are friendly nations, we’re also rivals.”

“But personally, I greatly admire warriors like Master and Chilie. In small matters that don’t harm Great Jing’s interests, I’m happy to help you.”

After hearing Fang Zheng speak, Paba’s wariness toward him decreased considerably.

This person… probably really doesn’t have any hidden agenda…