Early the next morning, the Fo Langji delegation disembarked from the ship and went ashore again. They once again came to the castle where Zhang Yanling lived and asked to see His Excellency the Duke of Ming Dynasty.
This time, Zhang Yanling did not go out. Seeing Helena arriving with the envoy of Fo Langji, Zhang Yanling ordered them to enter the castle hall and take a seat.
The castle hall was newly decorated, and palace lanterns were hung in the hall. On the lawn and flowers and trees outside, a group of Ming soldiers were busy pulling colorful ropes and tying palace lanterns. They were very busy.
"Several distinguished guests came to see me early in the morning. I don't know why. I heard that you were planning to return to China yesterday. Is this happening? The negotiations have not reached a consensus, how can you leave? When I learned the news, I ordered people to chase and stop them at the dock.
, I didn’t expect you to have come back again, which makes me very puzzled.” Zhang Yanling asked with a smile.
Campbell and Athol's faces turned red and they said nothing. They thought to themselves: This is so hypocritical. Don't you know why? You didn't send anyone to chase or stop him at all.
Helena smiled and said: "Dear Duke, because your special envoy is busy with affairs and has never had time to negotiate, we feel that your country's attitude towards negotiations is not sincere, so we decided to leave temporarily. We will come back when you have the idea of negotiation.
But then I thought about it, your special envoy is busy with military affairs, why should we worry about it? We can wait until they are free to discuss it. So I came back. After all, the treaty between the two countries is a major matter and should not be acted out of emotion. I hope your lordship, the Duke, will forgive me."
Campbell and others breathed a sigh of relief. Helena's words were appropriate. They neither covered up the conflict nor caused any loss of face for themselves.
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "I see, your envoy understands the righteousness well and has a sincere attitude. It is admirable. But it is my two special envoys from the Ming Dynasty who are at fault. So what do Miss Helena and several distinguished envoys do when they come here today?
"
Helena said: "Since your special envoy is busy with work and cannot spare time to discuss with us, we decided to take the initiative to come here to discuss the treaty. We hope that the treaty between the two countries will be finalized as soon as possible."
Zhang Yanling looked at Helena with a smile, and then at the several Francois personnel beside her, and said with a smile: "Special Envoy Helena, there is no need to rush the negotiation, just take it slow. I will negotiate with you."
Since the special envoy is busy, it doesn't matter if you wait a few days. As the saying goes, it's never too late to have a good meal, and it's never too late to have a good relationship. It doesn't matter if we have been dating for a year and a half."
Campbell and Athol were watching and rolled their eyes. They thought to themselves: "Let's talk for a year and a half? Wait for you to assemble a fleet to attack our country of Franco? We will not be fooled by you."
Helena said softly: "We are not in a hurry, but His Majesty the King of Franji Kingdom and everyone in the country are waiting for our news. Everyone in Franji Kingdom takes this matter very seriously. We cannot delay, otherwise we will be unable to do so.
We are also responsible for this matter. The terms proposed to us by your country’s special envoys for negotiation, General Wang and General Liu,
The case was quite objectionable, so we walked away. After reflection, we thought that some of our conditions were indeed too harsh. Based on the principle of mutual benefit and respect, we would also like to make some explanations today and some conditions can be removed. In short, in order to reach the treaty, we
We can make concessions, but it might not be a good idea to wait indefinitely."
Zhang Yanling chuckled and said: "Your country's attitude towards negotiations is exemplary. I'm a little touched. Before we raised any objections, you took the initiative to reflect on it. This is good. This is the attitude towards negotiations."
Helena smiled and said: "In that case, why don't we start talking now? How about finalizing the treaty today?"
Athol nodded beside him and said: "Exactly, Your Majesty Duke, the attitude of our country, Franji, is so sincere, and you must also express it. Let's take two steps back from each other. I believe that with this attitude, we will be able to achieve success soon."
Make a treaty."
Zhang Yanling laughed and said: "I know you are in a hurry, but don't worry. You have also seen Miss Helena and a few gentlemen. We are busy celebrating the festival here. Today is the Lantern Festival of my Ming Dynasty. To my Ming Dynasty,
For people, this is an extremely important festival. We are all busy preparing for the festival. On days like this, we usually don’t talk about serious matters. Well, if you want to talk, you have to wait until we have passed the festival."
Helena snorted and said: "That's right, then we are being rude. I know about the Lantern Festival. My teacher said that your Lantern Festival in the East is a very important festival."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Miss Helena is well-informed, so it's good to know. Then I would like to ask all distinguished guests to please go back to the ship. We will wait until tomorrow to restart negotiations."
Before Helena spoke, Campbell said in a deep voice: "Dear Duke, we don't plan to go back to the ship. Since it is a holiday, we also plan to spend the holiday with you here. Don't you object? Let's go back to the ship.
Celebrate the festival and talk about things while having the best of both worlds.”
Huo Shijian was listening and shouted: "Go aside, what kind of Shangyuan Festival do you Folangji people celebrate? You are not from my Ming Dynasty. Are you eating and drinking?"
Campbell said: "General, we are very yearning for your country's customs and festivals. Your country is a country of etiquette and hospitality. How can you drive away guests during festivals? During Christmas in our country of Franco, it is
Even homeless people on the streets come to celebrate the festival, and we accept them all."
Huo Shijian frowned and said: "Eh? Are you being a rogue? Why can't you drive it away like a fly? It's buzzing and annoying. Leave quickly. This is the residence of the Duke of Guo. How can I allow you to stay just as you say?"
Campbell, Athol and others pretended not to hear, sitting on their chairs as if they had roots in their butts and refusing to get up. Campbell even took off his belt and tied his feet to the table legs.
Zhang Yanling burst out laughing when she saw this. She waved her hand and said, "Huo Shijian, they want to celebrate the festival together, so just entertain them. After all, they are guests, so we don't have to lose etiquette."
Athol cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty the Duke is still very generous. We can just sit here or look around. We will never offend the Duke and you all."
Zhang Yanling nodded and said: "In that case, please do as you please, I don't need to accompany you anymore."
Athol and others said: "Your Majesty, please excuse me."
Zhang Yanling glanced at Helena and was about to speak. Catherine's charming voice sounded from the stairs: "My dear Lord Duke, what kind of lanterns should we put up today? This is my first time to celebrate the Lantern Festival."
Helena's body trembled, with a complicated expression on her face. Catherine, who was dressed up, walked down the stairs holding Zhu Qingyi who was wearing a jingle. There was an Eastern beauty and a Western beauty. They were dressed in different looks and manners, but they were equally beautiful.
Unparalleled.
Catherine saw everyone in the hall and Helena, and shouted in surprise: "Helena, why are you here?"
Helena smiled and said: "Yeah, it's surprising, isn't it? It's disturbing your holiday."
Catherine walked over quickly and said with a smile: "What are you talking about? It's just the right time to come. Today is the Lantern Festival, everyone has to put up lanterns. You can also put up lanterns together."
Helena remained silent.
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Yes, Miss Helena, during the Lantern Festival of the Ming Dynasty, every household puts up lanterns and lights them up at night. In the evening, we go to enjoy the lanterns together. How about you come and put up lanterns together?"
Of course Helena wanted to, but she couldn't make the decision. Campbell hurriedly said: "Yes, yes, Miss Helena can just go and don't worry about us. We will just drink tea and talk here. Since the Duke invites you, what an honor it is."
"
Helena frowned and said, "Is it okay?"
Assol said: "Of course you can, just don't forget your responsibilities."
Catherine stepped forward, held Helena's hand and smiled: "Helena, you are a special envoy, and you are still asking them? You can do whatever you want, and they dare to disobey your order? Let's go."
Helena half pushed and left under Catherine's pull.
Zhang Yanling stepped forward and reached out to hold Zhu Qingyi's hand, and the two followed behind and left the hall.
On the grassland on the east side of the castle, a place dedicated to making lanterns for the Duke has been prepared. Some bamboo strips and colored paper patterns have been placed on the ground. Making lanterns during the Lantern Festival is an act of occasion. During the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Yanling made it himself
Put up lanterns. Whether they look good or not is secondary, the main thing is to suit the occasion.
After several people arrived, Catherine continued to talk to Helena. Zhu Qingyi stepped forward and winked. Catherine immediately understood and hurriedly excused herself to Zhu Qingyi.
After Catherine and Zhu Qingyi left, everything was quiet. The sun shone warmly on the grass, and there were birds chirping and people laughing in the distance. It made everything warm and relaxing.
Helena's heart suddenly calmed down. She had been on tenterhooks for many days, and the days of tension, sadness, and fear had left her with no peace of mind. Now standing on the grass in the sun, with Zhang Yanling next to her, it felt like a dream.
Zhang Yanling looked at Helena who was in a daze and smiled, squatted down, played with the lanterns and colored paper on the ground, and began to tie the lanterns. He first weaved the frame with bamboo strips, then tied them with colored threads. Finally, he used colored paper to tie the frame of the bamboo strips
Paste it with rice paste. A big red-tailed carp appeared in Zhang Yanling's hand.
"Helena, how do you think of the carp lanterns I put up?" Zhang Yanling looked up at Helena and smiled, her smile was very warm.
Helena smiled and said: "It's very beautiful. It means there will be more than enough every year, right?"
Zhang Yanling nodded approvingly and said: "You really know a lot about the customs of our Ming Dynasty. This is exactly what it means to have more than enough every year."
Helena said: "It's great. Many of your Ming Dynasty's cultures are very attractive and fascinating."
Zhang Yanling said: "You can tie one too. You can tie a white sky lantern and let it fly into the sky at night, and all worries and sorrows will be gone. I will tie one for you. I remember a song I heard when I was a child called: Let It Go
Sky lanterns, release sky lanterns, all worries and sorrows will be cleared away. Every year becomes more prosperous."
Helena was extremely moved. Listening to Zhang Yanling whispering the ballad, she suddenly felt uncontrollable grief for some unknown reason and burst into tears. She could no longer stop the tears.
Zhang Yanling stood up and looked at her, and said softly: "Commander Almeida passed away, right?"
Helena sobbed and nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.
"My condolences. In fact, you and I both know that it is a miracle that he persisted until he returned to his country. Commander Almeida passed away in his homeland, which was his blessing. According to your words, he went to heaven. There is no need to worry about it anymore.
So don't be sad." Zhang Yanling said.
Helena wiped her tears and nodded, unable to hold back her sobs.
"You must have suffered a lot these days. I heard Bishop Arthur tell you about you. You were wanted and were hiding. It was Bishop Arthur who found you and recommended you to be the special envoy of this kind of thing."
?”
Helena whispered: "Yes. The king issued a notice to vindicate my father. He wanted to find my whereabouts and give me a reward. I was hiding in the countryside and dared not show my face. My mother saw the notice and informed me of the matter. I
I don't want to be this special envoy, but I can't help it. I...I...can't tell you the reason."
Zhang Yanling looked at Helena's emaciated body and whispered: "I know even if you don't tell me. Someone told what happened between you and me, and your king asked you to negotiate to get more good terms. You don't
Ken, they are threatening you with the lives of your mother and family, right?"
Helena raised her head in surprise, looking at Zhang Yanling with two strings of crystal tears.
"How do you know?"
"It's not difficult to guess. You are not a candidate for negotiation, let alone this kind of negotiation between the two countries. You are not a suitable candidate at all. I am not belittling you, but your talent is not in this area. Let
You must have come for some other reason. You must know this yourself, and you must not be willing to take office. So they will blackmail you. And your biggest weakness is that you are kind and filial, so they can only use your mother and family's
Someone is threatening you." Zhang Yanling said.
Helena smiled and said: "Nothing can be hidden from you. So, you let others negotiate with me, but you just refuse to face me, lest I put forward excessive conditions in front of you, and you can't refuse, right?"
"
Zhang Yanling shook his head and said: "You are wrong. I will refuse any excessive conditions. Even if you propose it, I will not agree to it for you. I will not influence military and national affairs because of personal emotions. What a smart person you are.
, you know it in your heart. So you pretend to be cold, just to remind me that you can't help yourself, right?"
Helena looked at Zhang Yanling blankly and said: "You have seen through everything. So now that you know my situation, will you change your mind for me? For the safety of my mother and the people in my family, I agreed.
What are our conditions? I know this is excessive, but my current situation is very difficult."
Zhang Yanling laughed and said softly: "Let's tie up the lantern. We'll talk about these things later. I'll teach you."