After traveling through time, I became Han Zhang’s grandson?

"The envoys from the Xuan Song Kingdom are here to see you—!"

"The envoys from the Xuan Song Kingdom are here to see you—!"

"The envoys from the Xuan Song Kingdom are here to see you—!"

"..."

With shouts coming from far away and getting closer, Han Ming led the delegation into the palace.

After taking a quick look at the newly built imperial palace in Xijin Prefecture, Han Ming couldn't help but secretly curse Yelu Hongji for being such a waste of money and manpower.

Although they had a "Nabo" as their camp, they still spent a lot of time and effort to build an inner palace in the imperial city.

Most of this was exchanged for the "annual tribute" from the Song Dynasty!

Han Ming's heart was bleeding. He couldn't help but clench his hands under his sleeves and secretly vowed in his heart: "Yelü Hongji, when I recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun one day, I will make the Liao Dynasty pay tribute to the Song Dynasty every day!"

Perhaps it was because Han Ming's expression was too stiff, but the people in the delegation behind him also imitated him and held their heads high with a serious expression.

This made the eunuch who was leading the crowd feel the murderous aura rising behind him, and his calves trembled unconsciously.

I guess this young eunuch is regretting taking on today's duty now, because the Song Dynasty delegation behind him is no ordinary person.

These people came to the Liao Kingdom with resentment of being assassinated, and now they seem to be in high spirits under Han Ming's "three-piece set of fueling the fire".

"Squeak—!"

As the palace guards pushed open the heavy door of the hall, strands of sunlight filtered in.

It shone on every minister standing in the hall, and finally fell on one person, that is, His Majesty the Great Emperor of the Liao Dynasty - Yelu Hongji.

And when the door of the hall was pushed open, everyone in the hall squinted their eyes and looked at the group of people who were slowly walking in from outside.

As Han Ming's tall figure walked into the hall through the dazzling sunlight, everyone couldn't help but gasp.

The Liao emperor and his ministers felt that the visitor was like an immortal from heaven, floating in from the palace gate, passing through the center of the queue, and heading towards Yelu Hongji who was on the higher ground.

He was wearing a solemn and dignified Song Dynasty robe, a scarlet silk robe and skirt, lined with a white flowered silk midriff, tied with a large belt, and a scarlet silk knee-pad tied with a leather belt, a square curved collar, white silk socks and black leather shoes as an outer garment.

He wears a Jinxian crown and a white brush pinned behind the crown, looking like a heroic figure who has walked out of the portraits of famous officials and wise men in ancient times.

He has the romantic and unrestrained appearance of the famous scholars of the Wei and Jin Dynasties, as well as the ability to plan and win battles from afar of the old-school famous officials. He can be said to be a combination of two eras.

Such a brilliant and extraordinary person made everyone in the Liao Dynasty excited and they couldn't help but look at him.

As for the great emperor Yelu Hongji and empress Xiao Guanyin who were on the high ground, they also looked at Han Ming who was approaching step by step with astonishment in their eyes.

Han Ming took a quick glance and knew that his outfit and appearance were enough to intimidate these foreigners.

Han Ming chose the right time, angle and position. His move of walking slowly under the sunlight shocked the Liao king and his ministers.

It was worth it that I spent a whole night thinking about it. I finally managed to show off. I have to give myself a nine out of ten for this. The remaining one point is because I was afraid that I would become too proud!

"The envoy of the Great Song Dynasty, Foreign Minister Han Ming greets His Majesty the Great Emperor and His Majesty the Empress of the Liao Kingdom—!"

Han Ming used the same voice his grandfather used to use in court debates, and with a single "scratch" he delivered a second critical blow to the Liao monarch and his ministers, causing the entire hall's beams to tremble.

Because of this roar, everyone's soul was called back. After calming down, everyone looked away slightly, trying to cover up their previous loss of composure with some embarrassment.

"Everyone, please get up!"

Yelu Hongji stretched out his hand to help Han Ming and others get up.

"Thank you, His Majesty the Great Emperor—!"

Han Ming's voice was still as loud as a bell, which surprised many people. They thought of the skinny old man from the Han family who had such a loud voice here many years ago.

As expected, Yelu Hongji's next words were filled with a nostalgic tone: "Han Ming, your grandfather Han Zhang also met with me and the late emperor in this palace."

"I never thought that after so many years, his grandson would grow up to be so outstanding. He is truly even better than his father!"

Han Ming looked at Yelu Hongji, who was just in his early thirties. At this moment, he was at the peak of his energy and spirit, but unfortunately, it was the beginning of the decline of the Liao Kingdom.

Although the Liao Dynasty began to decline in the late reign of his father, Emperor Xingzong of Liao, Yelü Zongzhen, the one who started the decline the fastest and laid the foundation for the Liao Dynasty's downfall was none other than this stubborn and conceited Emperor Dao Zong of Liao!

Han Ming carefully observed Yelu Hongji across from him and couldn't help but smile: "Your Majesty is too polite. I, an outsider, cannot deserve praise for being better than my master."

"Hahahaha, Mr. Han, you're being a bit modest. You should know that your name is now well-known in the territory of the Liao Dynasty!"

"Victory over the Western Xia externally and initiation of internal reforms—none of these things can be accomplished by an ordinary person."

Yelu Hongji seemed to be full of heroic spirit, but everyone could feel the sadness in his words.

"Your Majesty, you're joking. Our victory over the Western Xia was entirely due to the bloody battles of our soldiers. Our internal reforms were entirely due to the wisdom and bravery of our Majesty, the careful planning of the senior officials in the Secretariat, and the unwavering support of the entire court and the people of the country. It actually had little to do with the foreign ministers."

Han Ming's neither humble nor arrogant answer made He Zhengru and others behind him exclaim inwardly that it was wonderful and there was nothing wrong with the answer.

However, these words and actions were seen as somewhat confrontational by the Liao Dynasty's rulers and ministers, including Yelu Hongji.

"Little Han, do you think I'm easy to fool?"

Yelu Hongji's gentle tone suddenly changed, he leaned forward, and there was a hint of coldness in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, what do you mean? What the foreign minister said is true. If you don't believe me, you can discuss it with the other leaders of the delegation and you will find out."

"Or, Your Majesty, you can send an envoy to the Song Dynasty to personally inquire with our Majesty, the ministers, and the court officials."

Han Ming pretended to be very surprised and confused, and even had a shocked expression. This pretentious and stupid performance made everyone sigh: What a talented person!

"Oh, really?" Yelu Hongji looked at Han Ming with a smile.

"Your Majesty, I believe that people should maintain some basic trust with each other."

Han Ming also gave the same expression in return.

The two of them had been arguing with each other without realizing it. He Zhengru, Du Jiyang and Peng Yi looked at each other and nodded slightly.

"Your Majesty, our diplomatic envoys are here to conduct exchanges between the two countries. Your Majesty, when should we schedule a meeting?"

"Your Majesty, we have encountered many misfortunes along the way. You and the Liao Dynasty promised us a thorough investigation. I wonder when we will reach a conclusion?"

"Your Majesty, although the Song and Liao dynasties established the amount of 'annual tribute' to be paid in the 'Chanyuan Alliance', the late Liao Emperor, His Majesty Xingzong, arbitrarily changed the amount."

"As a result, the Great Song Dynasty is at a loss as to what to do. Your Majesty should draft a new charter and determine the amount of the 'annual tribute' between us and the Great Song Dynasty."

He Zhengru, Du Jiyang and Peng Yi came out together, and fired at Yelu Hongji like a machine gun, drawing his attention away from Han Ming and towards them.

Seeing that the people from the Song Dynasty delegation were so excited and a little aggressive, Yelu Hongji frowned slightly.

He didn't expect that Han Ming was so popular in the Song Dynasty. He just put a little pressure on him and gave him a warning, and these people came out to defend him crazily.

"Hahaha, it seems that Mr. Han has a very high prestige in the Song Dynasty!"

Yelu Hongji looked at Han Ming with a forced smile, and the other party stared back at him as usual.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me for laughing. As the saying goes, those who are righteous enjoy many supporters, while those who are unrighteous have few. I, the foreign minister, am simply stepping on the general trend."

Han Ming did not indulge Yelu Hongji at all, and directly and secretly expressed that the other party was the "unrighteous king".

Yelu Hongji's head suddenly became bloodshot, and the blood color in his eyes gradually spread. He stared at Han Ming, who had an extraordinary temperament.

"Young Master Han is indeed sharp-tongued and eloquent, truly worthy of being a renowned capable and wise minister of the Song Dynasty!"

"In that case, starting tomorrow, the Ministry of Revenue will discuss the issue of 'annual tribute' with you first, and then discuss exchanges between the two countries."

"As for the assassination at Qigou Pass, I have already made some progress. I hope everyone in the delegation can rest assured that I will give you an explanation."

Yelu Hongji regained his composure and began to give orders on every matter.

Seeing that Han Ming and others did not confront him again, Yelu Hongji snorted coldly, announced the adjournment of the court and the start of the banquet.

When Han Ming saw Yelu Hongji hurriedly leaving with Xiao Guanyin, who was a young woman, the corners of his mouth finally curled up without any concealment.

"Your intentions are not pure..."