Chapter 939

Qingzhou City.

Schroeder looked at the embassy, adorned with the Prussian flag, and smiled knowingly.

For almost a month, he had stayed here. Besides meticulously inspecting Qingzhou Province’s industry and commerce, the main reason for his presence was this embassy.

Originally, they had planned to purchase an empty plot of land to build the Prussian embassy, but time constraints prevented him from doing so. So, with the assistance of the Great Yu Empire’s Foreign Affairs Department, he spent seventy thousand Golden Dragons to buy this three-story building from a merchant.

Although this building retained the Great Yu Empire’s traditional architectural style of carved beams and painted pillars, its building material was a substance called concrete, spoken of by Great Yu Empire merchants. He carefully tested it, and this building material was very strong, which astonished him.

In addition, all the windows in this building were made of glass, running water was supplied to the rooms, and the toilets had clean and beautiful ceramic toilets and bathtubs.

Such an advanced municipal system left him no choice but to admire it. Although their cities had already popularized running water and glass, the Great Yu Empire’s design was clearly more rational, and its glass and water quality were even slightly superior.

“Mr. Schroeder, congratulations, congratulations. In the future, if you have any diplomatic matters, you can directly have the embassy staff go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to consult with us.”

Tang Wenjie said to Schroeder with a smile.

He was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, responsible for diplomacy with other countries and implementing the imperial court’s foreign policy.

Five years ago, he was still a student at the School of Government Affairs. At that time, by a strange twist of fate, he studied diplomacy. He had thought his life would be wasted, but unexpectedly, an imperial decree from the imperial court placed him in the Foreign Affairs Department. In just five years, relying on his professional knowledge, he became the chief official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, rising to the fourth rank.

“Of course. But I also hope Lord Tang can take good care of the embassy, so that relations between our two countries can flourish,” in one month, Schroeder had learned some of the Great Yu Empire’s polite phrases.

“This embassy was established by imperial decree, so Mr. Schroeder can rest assured,” Tang Wenjie said, communicating with Schroeder in fluent Prussian.

The primary skill for becoming a Minister of Foreign Affairs was mastering foreign languages. Through diligent study over the years, he could speak seven languages, including Prussian.

“This way, I can safely return to Prussia with Great Yu Empire goods,” Schroeder chuckled. Having come to the Great Yu Empire this time, he had prepared a considerable amount of gold and silver in advance.

It was with these funds that he exchanged for quite a bit of Great Yu Empire currency. Otherwise, this trip would probably have been delayed for another year.

Tang Wenjie smiled faintly. “I hope that when Mr. Schroeder visits next time, the relationship between the Great Yu Empire and Prussia can be further improved. At the same time, don’t forget that our common enemies are Britain and France.”

“Oh, we certainly won’t forget that. But I also hope Lord Tang can convey my suggestion to His Majesty: British India and Indochina have always provided vast wealth to Britain and France. If they lose these Asian colonies, they will suffer immense losses.”

“I will convey it to His Majesty.” Tang Wenjie’s expression showed no change, but he was not influenced by Schroeder.

The Great Yu Empire would decide what diplomatic strategy to adopt and how to implement it according to its own methods, and would not follow Prussia’s lead.

After all, he knew very well that Prussia was also an extremely ambitious country. The Great Yu Empire needed them now, but only to stir up chaos in Europe.

For a nation, there were no eternal enemies or eternal friends. The only thing to follow was its own interests. Perhaps at one moment, it was at war with a country, and the next, it would become a staunch ally.

Schroeder bowed to Tang Wenjie. His mission to the Great Yu Empire had been accomplished, and it was time for him to return to Prussia.

At this time, his luggage and ticket to Dengzhou were all ready. It was time to leave.

At eleven o’clock, Tang Wenjie saw Schroeder off onto the steam locomotive bound for Dengzhou. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief. His mission was complete, and it was time for him to report back.

Just as he was preparing to return, he suddenly noticed someone stepping out of a steam locomotive that had just arrived in Qingzhou from Dengzhou.

This person wore a white robe and had somewhat dark skin, but he felt very familiar.

Gazing at this person, he racked his brain in recollection. Suddenly, a memory flashed in his mind. This person was clearly Xiao Qi, the former Prince of Ning’s son, who had been wanted by the imperial court after the conquest of the State of Wei.

Thinking of this, he was about to call for the station guards to apprehend Xiao Qi. But just then, Xiao Qi suddenly produced a banner, on which a large character for “冤” (injustice) was written, with a smaller line of text below: “Xiao Qi, Son of the Prince of Ning.”

Seeing this, before he could speak, the guards swarmed forward and apprehended Xiao Qi.

Tang Wenjie’s eyes narrowed at this point. If this person was indeed Xiao Qi, the imperial court would likely become very lively soon. However, it was good to inform the Emperor of this news beforehand.

So he quickly entered the palace to meet Xiao Ming.

“What! Xiao Qi!”

In the imperial study, Xiao Ming asked in surprise, completely ignoring Schroeder’s suggestion.

“Your Majesty, it’s true. This person was carrying a banner and has been arrested by guards. The security bureau will likely send news very soon,” Tang Wenjie said.

Xiao Ming nodded gently. He had forgotten about this Xiao Qi for a long time. He hadn’t expected him to be brought up again now. In fact, for him, this person was no longer that important. Whether he lived or died, as long as he didn’t cause him trouble, that was fine.

“Hmm, I understand.” Xiao Ming decided to wait and see what the security bureau’s actions would be.

Tang Wenjie understood his mission was over, so he bowed and left.

No sooner had he left the imperial study than the commander of the Qingzhou security bureau approached him, looking anxious.

“Your Majesty, we have captured the rebel Xiao Qi. Please issue your command,” Luo Feng, who had just been promoted to commander, said anxiously upon entering the imperial study.

“Is it really Xiao Qi?”

“Absolutely. He requested an audience with Your Majesty, saying he had an important matter concerning the dignity of the Great Yu Empire to report to Your Majesty.”

Frowning, Xiao Ming said, “Let’s go. Since he speaks so solemnly, I will meet him and see what tricks he has up his sleeve.”

With that, he had Luo Feng escort Xiao Qi to the palace.

Luo Feng responded and left. Half an hour later, Xiao Qi, tightly bound, was escorted before Xiao Ming.

“I said back then that the Prince of Wei wouldn’t have such a young Chief Clerk as you. I didn’t expect your identity to be truly extraordinary,” Xiao Ming said calmly.

At this time, Xiao Qi’s expression was grim, like an old, withered man. He gazed at Xiao Ming and remained silent for a long time before saying, “My Emperor above! I, Xiao Qi, a commoner of the Great Yu Empire, today represent the common people of the Hwayeon Kingdom in seeking Your Majesty’s help. I hope Your Majesty will dispatch troops to avenge my Great Yu Empire common people. As for me, Xiao Qi, whether Your Majesty kills me or cuts me to pieces, I will have no complaints whatsoever.”