"If there really is such a locomotive, we can use it to take a trip to the Western Capital during Mr. Gao's lecture at the Imperial Academy."

  "Cut! Fantasy Country, did you know it's a fantasy country?"

  Changbai Anfu Shi was the grandfather of Chu Sheng's family. The eldest grandson of his benefactor had an accident in his jurisdiction, and he feared it would be difficult to escape being implicated...

  "I think it's unlikely. The official system of Fantasy Country is quite different from that of our country..."

  When the young masters of Zishantang started discussing Fantasy Kingdom, Zhao Xi knew that what he had been hoping for was on the right track.

  It's just me... forced to be a miserable writer every day after school.

  Not to mention others in Bianliang City, even the empress and those concubines and palace maids were eagerly waiting to see what would happen next. They were all urging for updates.

  So Zhao Xi was thoroughly trapped by "Fantasy Realm" and shouldn't think about messing with anything else.

  Let's just stop all the fuss, even the imperial court is not worth fussing over. What else is there to fuss about? Fan Zhongyan has left, Fu Bi has left, and even Han Qi was taken away by the Imperial Censorate for speaking out of turn and hasn't stopped being criticized since he left.

  Originally, Du Yan, this good old man, was still able to keep some of the new government's measures from being completely abandoned. But somehow, someone actually manipulated his son-in-law, and as a result, Old Du was also driven out of the imperial court.

  Immediately afterwards, even Ouyang Xiu and Yu Jing of the Imperial Censorate were successively demoted to regional posts.

  It's Wang Su, with deep roots and lush leaves, who hasn't been swept away.

  What's going on? Jia Changchun, the old master, and then Chen Zhongzheng came up with something, deceiving Father, and one by one, all the new policies were called off.

  Zhao Xi knew what his father had done... That was his father, no matter what, he would keep quiet and just be a bystander.

  Even if he's a big shot, he doesn't have the qualifications to participate in court affairs. Although these few people are very pleasing to his eyes, he still left a deep impression on these several gentlemen, but it's all useless, and it's still up to old dad to take charge, continue to avoid trouble and save trouble, let the so-called national affairs of the country continue to be muddled.

  "Xi'er, tomorrow is a day off from school. Dash Xia sent an envoy to ask for rewards, and the king's son Ning ordered his brother to attend the court. Dash Xia sent an envoy to request an audience with our Great Song Dynasty prince to congratulate him, and it has been decided in the imperial court that you will receive them at the imperial court tomorrow."

  Zhao Xi listened and was a bit stunned. Did this still need to be met with equal treatment?

  Daxia, which should be the country later known as Western Xia. For now, let's just call it a country. In Zhao Xie's impression, this so-called Daxia territory was also the land of one province in later generations.

  The question is, didn't the imperial court itself define it as a vassal state?

  Since it's an imperial visit and also a tribute from a vassal state, can it be settled with just a few words from an envoy?

  "Your Majesty, I have never had this experience before. I don't know the etiquette for meeting at court or what taboos there are."

  Although there were too many doubts, Zhao Xi did not refuse the matter that had already been decided by the imperial court.

  Otherwise, those who make a living by talking will say all sorts of frightening things.

  "In a remote village, how can they understand etiquette? My child only needs to follow the national court's etiquette, don't worry about dignity."

  It's just like that, although I'm timid in my heart and have lost several confrontations, I've never admitted to being on an equal footing.

  They have already let this prince meet with the king of a lower country, and yet they still call him a humble commoner from the border regions. Even the empress speaks in such terms, so what about the officials at court?

  Early in the morning, Zhao Xi hadn't even had time to go for a run when there was already someone waiting inside.

  It turns out that Zhao Xi really hasn't worn formal court attire, such as a seven-ridged forehead crown, a pheasant hat, a gold-plated silver pen holder, a jade pendant, a sash, a gold-plated silver leather belt, and black leather boots.

  Zhao Xi listened to Nei Jian Bai Hu, and was manipulated at will by others, anyway he didn't understand either.

  He thought he was a prince, probably dressed similarly to his father's two older brothers. He looked at himself in the copper mirror for half a day... it wasn't the same thing.

  Zhao Xi didn't mind these, the clothes were still quite plain and simple in color, although not elegant, but at least they didn't make her feel disgusted with herself.

  Anyway, he just went through the motions and showed that the Great Song had someone to inherit. As for how the two families clashed, it shouldn't be his turn to take action.

  Led by Nei Mongol, Wang Zhongzheng also followed in formal attire... This kid is now considered to have a certain status and has corresponding attire.

  Although the country has never formally recognized Dashan as an equal nation, this ceremony... even Zhao Xie doesn't understand it, but feels that it is of a very high standard, completely preparing to receive a national envoy.

  The sky had just brightened a bit, and not only did he get himself all ready, but his old man was also fully prepared.

  Is it also a vassal state?

  This is the first time since Li Yuanhao established the country and built the dynasty that an envoy was sent, and the national letter clearly stated that it was to pay homage and seek enfeoffment.

  Zhao Zhen was very concerned about this meeting with the emperor.

  Li Jiqian's rebellion began, and the country was repeatedly attacked, all of which ended in defeat. Later, Li Yuanhao established a state, and again there were repeated attacks, but still suffered a crushing defeat.

  The imperial court of China had to acknowledge the existence of Daxia in fact, although the official documents beautified the act of buying peace with money and called it "annual gifts". Even Zhao Zhen knew in his heart that it was just a thin veil to cover up the shame.

  There is this fact of seeking an audience and asking for a title, it's not in vain that he called a halt to the new policies of the revolutionary Qing dynasty.

  If it weren't for the repeated defeats, Zhao Zhen wouldn't have had the idea of making trouble. Now that there's a fig leaf to cover his shame, Zhao Zhen has lost interest in governing the country... too much bother.

  It's just a matter of money, and my son said it too, that money doesn't count for much.

  Today, Dash Xia sent an envoy to ask for a seal, I suppose Fan Xiang and others can understand my intentions?

  "Xī ér..."

  Zhao Zhen saw Xier dressed up and seemed to recall his own past... At that time, he also had the idea of striving for self-improvement... Alas, it's too complicated.

  "Dad, I've never experienced..."

  "It doesn't matter, there are officials in the imperial court and servants who will handle it, Xi'er just needs to wait calmly."

  The father and son didn't have much to say to each other. Zhao Xi followed his old man but didn't have the same closeness as he did with his mother.

  Don't mention blood ties... He doesn't even know how to explain his own identity.

  In addition, Zhao Xi didn't know where his father slept every day and they rarely had any parent-child time. So the father and son just sat there stiffly.

  "Xī ér, rǔ jìn xué zhī shì rú hé?"

  Translation: "Xi'er, how is your school going?"

  "Returning to Father, the child does not know how to express himself. The gentleman thinks that if it were not for canceling the imperial examination for children, the child could have been the top scorer in the Kaifeng examination."

  This is really not boasting, it's Zhao Xi lowering the standard. In Sun Fu's words: If Wang Ye can take the imperial examination, even if he doesn't get first place, second place is still possible.

  As for Sun Fu's repeated failures in recommending outstanding talents, Zhao Xi didn't quite believe it. To say that he was confident about the child prodigy exam would still be an understatement.

  Zhao Zhen saw Zhao Xi being so confident and felt quite pleased in his heart.

  Just as Xi'er's current reputation, whether it is among the scholars or the common people, has even surpassed that of this emperor. This is also his only comfort...

  Zhao Zhen picked up the topic and chatted with his son, occasionally revealing some imperial insights, intentionally or unintentionally mentioning some court gossip... This is probably what they mean by "teaching by example".

  However, Zhao Xi did not agree with these ideas. On the surface, he listened very obediently, but in his heart, he really disapproved of some of Lao Die's methods.

  Old man is nothing more than: balance, compromise, tolerance, and courtesy. In short, it's just muddling through.

  But, Dad, this person is just not used to it, and if he gets too used to it, he'll get spoiled.