Chapter 193

As youtiao (Chinese fried dough sticks), salted egg yolk zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), tofu pudding, and spicy-sour noodles were unloaded from boats and lined up on the shore, the people of Chu State gathered there like hungry baby birds waiting to be fed.0

The previously rowdy Chu people on the shore had somehow managed to bring tables and chairs from somewhere, arranging them of their own accord.0

Many tea shops and cooks from Chu State had arrived as well!0

They weren't there for anything else but to prepare hot dishes!0

"This batch of tofu pudding has cooled down a bit... Quick, heat it up!"0

"I'm thirsty. Has the milk tea arrived yet? Give me a bowl of tea, please..."0

"We're running out of tables and chairs. Where can we get more?"0

"Are there none left in the temple? Damn it, I remember there's a private school nearby that has some!"3

The Chu people organized themselves spontaneously, as if they too were hosting their own elegant gathering, full of life and color.0

Many educated individuals who could do arithmetic even stepped forward, voluntarily taking on the role of accountants, responsible for collecting money and distributing food uniformly.0

[Tsk tsk, when there's food involved, our initiative is truly unparalleled~]1

Xiao Chuchu observed with amusement.0

[If you didn't know better, you'd think Chu State was hosting their own elegant gathering.]0CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

[How amusing.]1

Xiao Yunzhou also wore a smile, recognizing this as what his fairy daughter called the influence of a great nation.0

Look at how Jing Country was influencing Chu State!3

In the future, as long as Jing Country continued to prosper, it would influence neighboring countries in various aspects!2

Xiao Yunzhou felt that although the road ahead was long, there was a clear goal in sight.3

He truly didn't want to meet the tragic end his fairy daughter had foreseen, where he would only live for three years.0

He wanted to see the day when Jing Country became the most powerful nation!0

Xiao Yunzhou took a deep breath and spoke to the prefect waiting for orders beside him, "After this round of eating is done, bring out the board games."1

"And the surgical suturing techniques."1

"The silk reeling machines."0

"Have people bring over whole pigs!"0

"And the marketable hot pot base."0

Sure enough, before he had finished giving instructions, the people on the Chu side of the river were already savoring the experience and developing new desires.0

"Jing Country isn't hosting the elegant gathering anymore, what should we do? That pork belly was so delicious..."0

"Hot pot, who would have thought it could be so fragrant?"3

"The Jing emperor is really like this?"3

Zheng Qiru nodded, "Jing Country opens its doors to all talented and virtuous individuals. We don't like war; we only wish for all people under heaven to prosper together!"3

[Oh, that rhetoric has a bit of modern thinking~]0

Even Xiao Chuchu admired Zheng Qiru.0

Hearing his daughter's inner voice, Xiao Yunzhou cleared his throat lightly.0

Before setting out, he had specially summoned Zheng Qiru to the palace for training!0

[This time, Zheng Qiru is Jing Country's publicity ambassador for welcoming talent!] Xiao Chuchu chuckled.3

Publicity ambassador?0

Xiao Yunzhou nodded with satisfaction, thinking the name was good and fitting.0

On the Chu side, indeed many scholars were moved by Zheng Qiru's appearance.0

In the world, there were actually quite a few people with less handsome features, insufficient stature, or congenital or acquired leg injuries.0

However, in the past, with these flaws, they could never be highly valued by the court.3

But now...0

Zheng Qiru was telling them, in front of them, that it was possible!1

As long as they were willing to study and work hard!0

Since Jing Country didn't like fighting and wouldn't go to war with Chu State, only wishing for all people to prosper, then—0

"I... I have a sister who married into Jing Country, so I guess I'm half Jing..." Someone in the crowd suddenly called out.0

In an instant, this shout was like a boiling stone thrown into the river, stirring up a thousand waves.0

"Hey, my mother's sister's son's neighbor's husband went to Jing Country to do business, so I guess I'm... a little bit Jing too?"0

"My name includes the character for 'Jing', to be honest..."0

Some people joked, while others had a glimmer in their eyes, silently looking towards the Jing Country city across the river, with a hint of expectation!0

[Holy crap, the system says we've collected two elite individuals!]0

Xiao Chuchu's eyes widened.0

Xiao Yunzhou couldn't help but hold his breath, looking towards the opposite shore, utterly amazed.2

On the other side of the river, the Chu people were packed so tightly that individual faces could barely be distinguished.1

But surprisingly, there were two elite individuals inside who, just moments ago, had been won over by Zheng Qiru's persuasive—ahem, impassioned—speech?0

Xiao Yunzhou was overjoyed and pricked up his ears, only to hear Xiao Chuchu's voice next.0

[Liu Han, Intelligence 95, possesses a photographic memory. However, because his mother was a renowned courtesan in Jing Country, he is viewed as the most lowly illegitimate child in the family. Born with a lame foot, he is unable to take the imperial examinations.]0

[Cheng Xing, Intelligence 91... At the age of four, he was blinded in one eye by a bear attack, resulting in a fierce appearance. He is unable to take the imperial examinations.]3