The Northern Rong delegation’s departure from the capital was naturally a major event.

Fang Zheng thought Paba was a decent fellow! Someone worth getting along with!

After preparing for two days and getting some small gifts ready, he rushed to the Diplomatic Guesthouse.

At this time, quite a few high-ranking officials and nobles had gathered in the guesthouse’s courtyard.

It wasn’t that they valued the Northern Rong delegation highly, it was just symbolic courtesy.

Most people simply exchanged pleasantries here briefly before leaving directly.

Only a small portion remained.

Minister of the Court Chen Hong and Minister of Revenue Zhang Shi were among them, with a group of minor officials around them discussing something unknown.

When Fang Zheng arrived with several reporters, Lu Fa, and the Crown Prince, everyone immediately bowed to Li Yuanzhao.

Even Paba stopped his pleasantries.

Zhang Shi squinted as he looked at Fang Zheng, his teeth itching with hatred.

This bastard! How dare he openly mess with his son during the exam!

There was actually a shit stamp printed on the exam paper!

His son’s exam paper was the only one in the entire capital’s examination hall with a stamp!

Fortunately, the other examiners were perceptive and guessed what happened.

Plus His Majesty had issued an edict, so this stamp didn’t take effect.

Zhang Chang also performed reasonably well and barely made the list, but his actual ability shouldn’t have ranked so low!

This resulted in his son being unable to show his face outside now!

Others didn’t say anything outright, but their expressions said everything.

A Minister of Revenue whose son performed so poorly on the exam… unimaginable.

This guy acted like a turtle in court, impossible to find flaws with, making things quite difficult…

Seeing Fang Zheng arrive, Paba immediately smiled and approached warmly. “Brother Fang, long time no see.”

Brother Fang with so many people around?

Fang Zheng smiled without warmth. “Indeed, I’ve been quite busy lately. I didn’t expect Master to be leaving so soon. You could have stayed longer in the capital to see more of our Great Jing Dynasty’s scenery!”

Paba maintained his polite smile. “I’ve already been to Taoyuan County. Brother Fang, your Taoyuan County truly opened my eyes… Unfortunately, after returning, I’ll never see such a wonderful place again.”

Fang Zheng’s heart began to grow wary.

It seemed this old fellow had done quite a bit of homework. He had probably been thoroughly investigated inside and out.

That made him hard to fool…

“Hehe, Master is too kind! Do you remember when you treated me to a meal? This time I brought you a gift, consider it repayment for that meal.”

“Why must Brother Fang be so polite?!”

Fang Zheng didn’t respond to his words and pulled out a small box from his chest. “Inside here are two catties of Celestial Immortal Tea! I’m giving it to Master!”

Paba took the box and weighed it twice, smiling. “Then I’ll shamelessly accept Brother Fang’s kindness.”

“Master, I have an unreasonable request.” Fang Zheng said.

“Please speak.”

“During your many days in the capital, you should know we have newspapers here. So… I’d like to find someone from your delegation to interview, as a simple cultural exchange between our two countries. Would that be possible?”

Paba stared directly at him, his mind racing.

After such a long investigation, this guy was definitely not some honest person!

He had misjudged initially. Now with this move, could there be some hidden scheme…?

“Such a small matter, of course it’s possible. Who would Brother Fang like?”

Fang Zheng pointed casually. “Him then, is that alright? Actually, anyone would do!”

Paba looked in the direction he pointed and saw an unremarkable attendant from his delegation, so he nodded. “Fine.”

Then he called out in Northern Rong language, “Lihan! Come with Master Fang.”

“No need! Lu Fa, take this little brother and the reporters outside for a simple interview. Master and I still have things to discuss.”

Seeing this arrangement, Paba also relaxed.

Fang Zheng smiled faintly. “Master, they can do their thing while we continue talking.”

“This time when you return, I should also send you some gifts, so I specially prepared…”

Paba looked serious. “Brother Fang, since you’ve already given me tea, gifts aren’t necessary!”

“The tea was to cover your meal expenses. The gift is what I want to give. Master must not refuse!”

Speaking thus, Fang Zheng pulled out a large green glass bead from his chest.

However, this glass bead had small holes at the top and bottom.

Fang Zheng brought the glass bead close to Paba’s eyes, saying mysteriously, “Master, this bead is extraordinary!”

“It looks ordinary on the outside, but inside it has nine curves and eighteen bends! Do you know how to thread a thin string through this bead?”

Paba took the bead and studied it carefully. He could vaguely see that the interior was indeed full of curves and bends.

But why would I need to thread it? Why did Fang Zheng’s thinking jump around so much?

Could there be some deeper meaning here?

After studying it for a while, Paba shook his head with a bitter smile. “I don’t know. Perhaps if the thin string were hard, it might go through.”

Fang Zheng smiled proudly.

This was called turning the tables! I’ll set the puzzle first!

“Wrong! Tie the thin string to an ant and let the ant crawl through!”

“I see!” Paba had a sudden realization. “But… what’s the point of this?”

Fang Zheng smirked. “Master can use this to compete with people when visiting other countries! Show off your wisdom!”

“………”

“Someone! Bring my chessboard!” Fang Zheng called to those behind him.

A reporter stepped forward and handed over a chessboard. Fang Zheng took it and presented it to Paba. “This is the second gift for Master.”

Paba frowned, already feeling somewhat impatient, but still politely replied, “Brother Fang, if I’m not mistaken, this is just an ordinary chessboard.”

“Correct! It is indeed just a chessboard, but if I place one grain of wheat in the first square, two grains in the second square, four grains in the third square, and so on, how many grains of wheat would be needed in total?”

Paba’s eye twitched violently.

What was he trying to say? Completely incomprehensible!

“I think… it would have to be at least ten thousand grains.”

“Wrong! All the grain in the world wouldn’t be enough!”

Paba couldn’t hold back anymore and said with mixed emotions, “Brother Fang, what are you trying to illustrate? I don’t understand at all!”

Fang Zheng smiled and handed him the chessboard, turning to the reporters behind him. “Did you record everything?”

The reporter continued writing with his head down, replying without looking up, “Recorded.”

Then Fang Zheng looked at Paba. “Master, don’t misunderstand. There’s no special meaning. Our two countries rarely meet, so we should leave behind some beautiful stories!”

“I give you gifts, have the reporters record it, and spread it throughout the world. It’s that simple.”

I just want to be the protagonist of future issues of Reader’s Digest, Intellectual, Story Magazine, and xxx magazines! It’s that simple!

Paba shook his head helplessly. “Brother Fang’s good intentions, I appreciate them.”

“I heard you recently started a textile factory in the capital and recruited many female workers. Is this true?”

Fang Zheng glanced at him. “Master’s information is truly well-informed! Speaking of this textile factory, it might be closely related to both of us in the future!”

“In the future, we might build new factories using wool to make clothes. When our two countries’ trade routes open up, we’ll pay high prices for however much wool you have!”

Paba’s eyes lit up. “Are these words true?”

“True! Absolutely true!”

Paba smiled. “Good! Then I’ll look forward to Brother Fang coming to buy our country’s wool.”

“Now it’s getting late. I should go. Farewell!”

Fang Zheng cupped his hands.

Paba turned and bid farewell to the officials in the courtyard one by one.

After recalling all his people, he boarded the return convoy…

……..

On the road, Chilie rode his horse, towering like an iron pagoda, giving an impression of tremendous strength.

But at this moment, he lacked some vitality.

Looking at Paba resting with closed eyes in the carriage, he said with slight anger, “National Preceptor, why didn’t you let me find Zhang Biao!”

“No need. Losing is losing. It’s not shameful.” Paba slowly opened his eyes. “He’s just a lowlife. Why should you take it to heart?”

“Trade is the important matter. The Khan urgently needs iron tools. If we can forge several more Silver Wolf Cavalry units in the next ten years, then the Jing Dynasty will be like lambs for slaughter. Why rush for a moment?”

“Zhang Biao is nothing. Fang Zheng is the real enemy!”

“Jianjiang flood relief, grain disaster, killing corrupt officials, Taoyuan County, Banshan District… This person can be considered a pillar minister.”

After he said this, Chilie’s attention was immediately diverted. “I remember you saying this person is an anomaly in officialdom. Since his abilities are so strong, why is he still excluded?”

Paba laughed heartily. “That’s the Great Jing Dynasty’s officialdom! Internal strife!”

“You don’t understand! No matter how many achievements he makes, it’s useless. As long as he’s in this court, his colleagues will think his accomplishments are achieved by relying on the court.”

“In other words, in his colleagues’ eyes, without the court, he is nothing. Even if Fang Zheng accomplishes things, they’ll think it’s just luck. It’s that simple.”

Chilie frowned. “How is that possible? Are all the Great Jing Dynasty’s ministers blind?”

“Those involved can’t see clearly! Of course, they can’t all be completely blind.”

Chilie pondered for a moment. “Then… can the things you left at the guesthouse still be useful?”

“The Jing people are very cunning. They’ll definitely look, especially with Zhang Shi present. His discord with Fang Zheng is no secret.”

“In half a day, remember to send someone to retrieve our forgotten items. As for how much trouble it can cause… that depends on fate.” Paba said indifferently, then suddenly seemed to remember something and called to the convoy ahead. “Lihan! Come here!”

Lihan, who had been traveling with the convoy ahead, immediately ran to Paba’s side.

“National Preceptor, what are your orders?”

“When Fang Zheng had you go out with the reporters just now, what did you tell them? Repeat it exactly as it happened!”

“Nothing much really. They just had me say some blessing words to the capital’s people in my native language, then had me repeat it in Great Jing language.” Lihan tilted his head, recalling the previous interview.

Then he stretched his neck, widened his eyes, held up his thumb and declared loudly, “Our↑ Great↓ Jing→ Dynasty↑ is↑ really→ too↑ awesome↑! Northern Rong barbecue doesn’t taste good! Add Great Jing seasonings, delicious! I want to be a Great Jing person in my next life too!”

“Slap!” A swift and fierce slap flew toward Lihan’s face.

Lihan only saw stars, and for a moment his world contained only buzzing sounds…

His vision gradually recovered to see Paba’s iron-blue face squeezing out a single word through gritted teeth.

“Scram!!!”