9. Visitors from Another Land
Following Baiyao Sheng were the people from the most mysterious country, Chang.
This country was a very special existence in the novel.
Although it was also one of the Four Kingdoms, there was basically no mention of it in the novel. It could even be said that it had no presence at all.
They had never participated in the long years of war between the Four Kingdoms, nor did they have the kind of connection and influence on the entire continent as the Youhan Dynasty did through the Youcang Court.
When other countries mentioned them, their impression of them basically stopped at the accession of the new king, Zhongli Ziqing, decades ago, when he had invited envoys from various countries to witness it.
However, although they basically had no participation, the neighboring Baiyao Dynasty and Youhan Dynasty did not dare to underestimate them.
It was said that a hundred years ago, the Baiyao Dynasty had sent troops to chase after demonic beasts into the territory of Chang, but these people were sent back by the people of Chang not long after—in coffins.
With the Baiyao Dynasty’s martial prowess, they had originally wanted to take this opportunity to stir up a border dispute, but the people who were sent back did indeed have fatal injuries caused by demonic beasts.
And their explanation was basically no problem. These people had simply been ambushed by the demonic beasts while they were chasing them.
The then Baili Emperor accepted this explanation, mainly because he was also worried that if this matter was really as they described, it meant that there might be a demonic beast in the territory of Chang that could wipe out an expeditionary force, or there might be a capable person who could control the demonic beasts.
No matter which was possible, it meant that before they had a clear understanding, they could not rashly act against Chang, and this matter had been shelved until now.
Now, these envoys, wearing tall hats and deep blue robes, were the ones sent by Chang.
“Strange…” Seeing their arrival, Gong Yiling couldn’t help but frown. “I vaguely remember that I didn’t send them any invitations.”
She had no contact information for this group of people, so she naturally had not sent anyone to inform them. But they had actually appeared here, which was a bit puzzling.
“Don’t look at Chang as having no presence. In fact, their presence is very strong.” Yan Chuyue explained on the side, but just as she was about to explain this matter clearly, Gong Yiling suddenly reached out and covered her mouth.
“Mmmph?”
“You’d better not speak.” Gong Yiling said, “The subsequent things might be harmonized by the system again.”
Hearing this, Yan Chuyue reacted and immediately nodded, and her mouth even made some sounds like “I know.” “Mmm… mmmph.”
Not long after, these envoys took the initiative to come to Yan Chuyue and said to her, “On behalf of Chang, the regent Zhongli Xu, I came uninvited. I hope you will forgive me.”
This person looked extraordinary, and his every move had a royal demeanor, but his appearance seemed to be sealed by this set of clothes, and it was hard to tell whether he was handsome or just average.
Regent… this title was a bit special.
In the other three countries, there was no such thing as a regent. This title sounded a bit like a regent.
However, without understanding the situation, Gong Yiling couldn’t judge what his identity was, and could only see how Yan Chuyue would respond to him.
“Your Highness the Regent is of noble status. On the contrary, it is our negligence that we did not send an invitation to Your Highness.” Yan Chuyue replied with a simple lady’s curtsy. “I will have someone prepare a place for you to stay. Please wait a moment.”
“You’re too kind.” Zhongli Xu cupped his fists and said, “Then we will wait here. Miss Yan, please.”
“Please.”
On the way to inform the servants who were arranged by Bi Yao, Yan Chuyue tested out some words that could be said now.
“Chang uses a dual-king system.” Yan Chuyue said, “But Chang’s dual-king system is not the same as the Baiyao Dynasty’s and other places’. The emperor of this dual-king system is basically a figurehead, and the imperial power is in the hands of this regent.”
“There’s such a thing?” Gong Yiling asked, puzzled. “Then what does this emperor do?”
“To ensure that there will be no internal strife within the clan and to prevent external relatives from influencing the political situation, the two sons of the founding king of Chang agreed to hand over the imperial power to the descendants of the other lineage every generation, and the other peer would automatically become the regent.”
“Originally, the regent’s power was not so great, but as the next successor of the late emperor, the regent, on the contrary, could not get the power he deserved because of the political system, and would inevitably feel resentful. Therefore, the power of the regent was gradually amplified, until now the regent not only controls the total military power outside the capital, but can also join the discussions of the civil officials.”
“However, the final decision of the entire country is still in the hands of that emperor. The regent only has the qualification to propose in this regard, and has no qualification to make decisions for the emperor.”
Although the final interpretation was still in the hands of the emperor, the regent’s military power, in a sense, could already force this emperor to do some things against his will.
“This political system has actually stood for a thousand years without falling. I’m afraid the people inside are all kind-hearted rabbits.”
Gong Yiling couldn’t help but complain, “If Murong Jing were the regent, this emperor might not even know how he died.”
“Instead of seizing the position of the emperor, the regent’s power is already great enough. There’s really no need to do such a thankless thing.”
As she spoke, Yan Chuyue casually instructed the servants to clean up another room for the regent and his entourage, and the two returned to their original place.
However, at this time, some uninvited guests were already standing at the door.
“Your Highness the Regent,” the old man seemed to know this regent of Chang and said very politely to the regent Zhongli Xu, “I have long heard that the regent is a person with great talent and ambition. Now that I see you, your demeanor is indeed extraordinary.”
“This…” Zhongli Xu sized up this old man and quickly judged his identity. “It should be Elder Yin Tianchou of Shenqi Daoist Mountain, right?”
“Indeed, it is I.” Yin Tianchou said, “But it is surprising to me that the regent can recognize my Shenqi Daoist Mountain.”
“Decades ago, my father once invited the people of Shenqi Daoist Mountain for a small matter. I had the honor of meeting you.” Zhongli Xu chuckled softly and cupped his hands in a bow. “But you may have already forgotten me from back then.”
“So it has been so long.” Yin Tianchou sighed with emotion. “Times have changed. I don’t know how that little boy from back then could become so independent.”
Just then, a female voice suddenly interjected. “Just like Elder Yin has become now, right?”
