Chapter 3486
On the Qiantang River outside Fengshan Gate in the south of Hangzhou, a fleet of boats was slowly sailing towards the river bank.
Although this fleet did not fly any flag, judging from its tonnage that far exceeded that of ordinary ships, it was obvious that it was not a civilian merchant ship. Most of the passengers on board were wealthy or noble people.
The Jiang'an Pier has already vacated its berths in advance, and a team of black-clad policemen have arrived on the shore. They are driving away the idle people and clearing a safe area on the pier.
An idle person with no business came forward to inquire who the distinguished guest was, but was driven away by the police impatiently: "Get out of the way quickly, don't interfere with official business!"
At this time, dozens of armed cavalry on tall horses came to the pier. It seemed that they were going to take over the defense after the police cleared the area.
The idler, who was still a little dissatisfied with the police's attitude, now became more honest and swallowed back the words that came to his lips.
The appearance of armed cavalry is enough to show the importance of the identity of the visitors on the river. If they dare to talk nonsense, they may be charged with "disturbing public order" and taken away.
After the assassination case that occurred in Hangzhou during the National Day last year was solved, many of the captured assassins were later executed outside the city. Locals know that they must not cause trouble in the travel areas of big shots. If they are misunderstood, they will be treated as assassins. , the consequences would be too serious.
However, the idle people watching did not leave the pier immediately. They must continue to watch the lively scene in front of them, or go back to brag to their acquaintances and show off their knowledge.
After the cavalry quickly completed their defense, several more carriages drove up to the pier, and several people got out of the carriages. Among them was a Haihan official in a dark gray coat. Others present took the initiative to step forward to greet him. Greetings.
Someone among the onlookers already recognized this official: "Oh! That's Mr. Ning from the Executive Committee! What kind of god has arrived and actually allowed Mr. Ning to come out of the city to greet him in person?"
At this time, the largest ship in the Jiangshang fleet had docked, and workers on the dock pushed a mobile gangway to the side of the ship and connected it to the side of the ship.
Later, a man with gray temples appeared on the gangway holding a six or seven-year-old child.
After the man landed, he walked straight to Ning Qi, bowed his hands, bowed deeply, and said: "Xiao Wang, see Mr. Ning!"
When the children around him saw this, they also imitated his example and saluted Ning Qi.
Ning Qi raised his hand to support him gently and said with a smile: "Li Yan, we haven't seen each other for many years. How are you always?"
To be able to bring a high-ranking official of Ning Qi's level out of the city to greet him, he must be a person of comparable status. This person is none other than the King of North Korea, Li Shi.
When Haihan established diplomatic relations with North Korea in the early years, Li Shi was still the crown prince. At that time, he went to Sanya to study for a period of time. Many time travel disciples taught him. Speaking of which, Ning Qi can also be regarded as one of his teachers. one.
Although due to Li Zhi's special status, there was no formal apprenticeship ceremony, the two of them were indeed masters and disciples. In front of him, Li Zhi did consciously uphold the etiquette of a disciple and did not insist on showing the style of the king of Joseon just because this was a public occasion. However, few of the nearby onlookers could recognize Li Xie's identity. His fleet did not display any flags, nor did he display the ceremonial guard of a king when he landed. It was difficult for anyone to associate him with his identity.
The most important thing is that he did not wear the Gonlong robe that symbolized the status of the king of Joseon, but instead wore a woolen coat that was obviously Haehan style.
Since the Ming Dynasty, the clothes of the Korean kings have been made according to the level of the Ming princes. Although it is also a dragon robe, it is still obviously different from the dragon robe of the Ming Emperor.
The Ming emperor's dragon robe has nine dragons, the prince's dragon robe has five dragons, and the prince's dragon robe has only four dragons. In addition, the color of the dragon robe worn by the King of Korea is also strictly restricted. It can only be red or blue, and yellow cannot be used.
Ning Qi obviously noticed this, and after a few words of greeting, he took the initiative to mention this section: "Li Zhen, you travel very low-key now. Outsiders should not be able to tell your identity at all!"
Li Yan understood what Ning Qi meant and quickly explained: "Xiao Wang has been reorganizing the clan in recent years and feels that it is time to change some of the rules left by our ancestors. There is no need to continue those things that were established in the Ming Dynasty! ”
North Korea broke away from the control of the Ming Dynasty and has recognized Haihan as its suzerain state for many years. However, after all, it has been a slave state of the Ming Dynasty for more than two hundred years. Many of the structures set by the Ming Dynasty cannot be changed in a short time.
However, in recent years, Li Zhi has gradually realized that he must further strengthen his ties with Haihan in order to stabilize his family's rule on the Korean Peninsula. Erasing the many traces left in North Korea during the Ming Dynasty became one of the measures in this plan, which also included canceling the previous dragon robes and switching to Haihan-style clothing.
This may seem to be just a minor problem, but Li Zhi knows very well that as long as Haihan's senior management sees him, they will definitely notice such details, and the painstaking efforts he has spent will not be in vain.
Although Ning Qi was noncommittal after hearing his explanation, judging from his expression, he was obviously very happy to see Li Xie make such a decision.
Ning Qi reached out and touched the head of the child next to him, and asked Li Yan, "Is this your youngest son?"
Li Zhen responded respectfully: "This is Xiao Wang's fourth son Li Xuan. He has just turned six years old. I specially brought him out to see the world."
Li Yan's tone was relaxed, but Ning Qi had already thought that the purpose of bringing his children to Haihan was probably not just to let them see the world.
Li Zhen's eldest son, Li Bai, the crown prince of Joseon, has been studying abroad in Haihan for several years. Calculating his age, he turns eighteen this year. Ning Qi thought that Li Zhen wanted to take Li Bai back to China and then send a younger child to study in Haihan.
The essence of this kind of thing is of course not just about studying abroad. Li Zhi sent his children to live in Haihan. In fact, he sent his children to the sovereign country to serve as hostages to ensure that the two countries maintain stable relations.
Ning Qi was Haihan's senior official in charge of cultural and educational affairs. Li Zhi knew that he was coming to pick up the ship, so he specially arranged for his children to meet with Ning Qi first, and then talk about studying abroad, so that it would not be too abrupt.
Ning Qi said: "Li Bai went on a study trip recently. When he returns to Hangzhou in the next two days, we will arrange for your family to reunite."
After Li Xie thanked him, he introduced his accompanying officials to Ning Qi. Bingcao Yanshu Shen Xueyi and Imperial General An Daoshi were both high-ranking generals with military power in Korea, and they all had close relationships with Haihan. Li Xie brought them along on this trip, which is in line with the theme of this Zhoushan forum.