At the tender age of eight, he was hastily dragged out and made emperor!

"I have considered this."

After a moment of silence, Xiong Yan spoke up: "In order to avoid such a thing from happening, the minister in charge of the reception must make the soldiers drawn from the North and South armies have something to worry about."

"Before the intentions and plans of the two delegations are fully exposed, our country must remain calm and composed and not be swayed by the current situation."

"Does your family have anyone to recommend?"

Chu Ling flicked his sleeves and reached out to help Xiong Yandao.

Chu Ling respects those pillars of the state who are devoted to the nation and care about the world. Even if their views sometimes conflict, as long as it is for the good of the Great Yu and the nation, Chu Ling will not do anything that would hurt his friends and please his enemies.

"Your subject recommends His Highness Prince Rui."

Under the emperor's gaze, Xiong Yan announced the person he wished to recommend.

Chu Ling frowned slightly.

The emperor's subtle changes made Xiong Yan's heart beat faster.

"According to the regulations, when a country sends an envoy to visit, the Ministry of Rites, the Court of State Ceremonies, or other relevant departments should be in charge. The minister in charge should either be selected from among them or from the three departments of the Secretariat, the Chancellery, and the Ministry of Personnel."

Xiong Yan lowered his head slightly and said, "However, this situation is obviously different from the past. I think that the delegations from both countries have come to our dynasty with marriage as the core of their visit, and both involve His Highness Prince Rui. Regardless of what the two countries intend, once this matter spreads in our dynasty, there will inevitably be comments that are unfavorable to His Highness Prince Rui."

"I believe that it is better to guide than to block. Since someone is plotting something, why not let the person involved come forward? This may have unexpected results."

"Furthermore, the Northern Army has a wealth of experienced and fierce soldiers among its various units. Selecting a group from among them would certainly give them a greater morale than the Southern Army. If a suitable candidate cannot be chosen at the central level to serve as the chief minister, it may not be able to keep them in check."

“Prince Rui enjoys His Majesty’s deep trust and is undoubtedly the best candidate.”

“If we don’t choose Prince Rui, then we’ll have to select from the army. But if that happens, it would be too much for our dynasty.”

That's a truly insightful observation.

Chu Ling felt a pang of emotion.

Besides the literal meaning of what Xiong Yan said, there were several implicit messages. The most important point was that he was advising himself not to doubt King Rui because of the actions of the enemy country.

However, Xiong Yan was unaware that during the court meeting held before the emperor, Chu Ling had spoken to Chu Hui in front of them, precisely to get Chu Hui to clarify certain things.

"My younger brother is still young; I wonder if he can shoulder this heavy responsibility."

Chu Ling thought this in his heart, but on the surface he sighed softly.

"Your Majesty need not worry about that."

Xiong Yan hurriedly said, "Since we are welcoming the delegations from both countries, the central government must appoint a chief minister to preside over the event, and it is also necessary to appoint a co-chief minister. As the Minister of Rites, I humbly request that Your Majesty grant me permission to serve as one of the co-chief ministers to assist His Highness Prince Rui in handling this matter."

After speaking, Xiong Yan lifted his robe and knelt down, performing the kowtow to the emperor.

This is the attitude that a subject must have.

This shows that everything he did was for the sake of the central government and the country, and he had absolutely no selfish motives involved.

"Please rise quickly, my lord."

Chu Ling bent down to help Xiong Yan up, gently patted his arm, and said with emotion, "If everyone in our Great Yu could be like you, how could Great Yu not prosper!"

"I will consider this matter."

"However, before that, I need you to recommend some candidates to go to the northern frontier and western Liang to welcome the delegations from the Northern Barbarians and Western Sichuan to the capital."

Without hesitation, Xiong Yan said, "I recommend Sima Zheng, the Left Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, to go to the northern frontier to welcome the Northern Barbarian delegation, and I recommend Wang Dong, the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, to go to the Western Liang to welcome the Western Sichuan delegation."

You can't afford to offend any civil officials.

Hearing Xiong Yan's words, Chu Ling wanted to laugh, but he held it back.

The Northern Barbarian delegation was alright; it was Zuo Shaoqing who went.

The Xichuan delegation was different; it only sent a minor official.

This is a silent counterattack against Nishikawa.

"Furthermore, I humbly request Your Majesty to issue an edict to the Duke of Pingguo." While Chu Ling was pondering, Xiong Yan bowed twice and said, "Select steady generals and disciplined officers from the Northern Army to accompany the welcoming party, so as to avoid any mishaps when the delegations from both countries arrive in the capital."

"I agree."

Chu Ling did not hesitate and stated his position to Xiong Yan, "This matter will be handled according to your wishes."

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Xiong Yan bowed and said.

In fact, ever since the Ninth Prince of Xichuan, Xia Ji, was about to visit Dayu, Xiong Yan had been thinking about how to handle the visit of the delegations from both countries. He wanted to share the emperor's worries and relieve the nation's burdens.

Never fight a battle unprepared; this is Xiong Yan's bottom line.

He was indeed the Minister of Rites, but that doesn't mean he knew nothing about military affairs.

It should be noted that before coming to the central government, he had served as an official in the border regions and had some experience with border wars, although he had not been on the front lines.

"Your Majesty, there is one more thing."

"explain."

Looking at Xiong Yan, who had his head bowed, Chu Ling said calmly.

"Since the delegations from both countries have arrived in the capital region, I believe it would be best to meet them at the Shenwu Palace." Xiong Yan considered for a long time before telling the emperor the appropriate place.

"Regarding the preparations for the Shenwu Palace, I believe that the central government should not be mobilized, but rather the Gyeonggi Province Governor's Office should be responsible for it. When the delegations from both countries arrive, the central government can send the chief minister and assistant minister to lead the welcoming party to the Shenwu Palace to receive the imperial decree."

"This will put considerable pressure on the prefectural governor's office in the capital region."

Chu Ling frowned slightly.

"There is some pressure."

Xiong Yan replied, "If there are not enough people, reliable people can be selected from the central government to secretly go to the Shenwu Prefecture to assist. If there is a shortage of expenses, a portion can be allocated from the Ministry of Rites, the Court of State Ceremonies, and other relevant departments."

"But this matter must be handled by the Governor's Office of Gyeonggi Province on the surface; the central government cannot show that it attaches too much importance to it."

Chu Ling understood what Xiong Yan meant.

This was intended to appease the emotions between the government and the public.

A powerful enemy with a national feud with the Great Yu has arrived, and the central government is rushing to do all sorts of things. What? Is it trying to bow down to a powerful enemy with a national feud?

If such public opinion were to arise, it would be extremely detrimental to the central government.

The one at a greater disadvantage was actually the Emperor of the Great Yu Dynasty.

"We will do as you wish."

Chu Ling extended his hand and said, "I will entrust this matter to you for assistance. I will send someone to convey an oral message to the Governor of Jingji Province, instructing him to ensure that this matter is handled well."

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Xiong Yan felt much relieved. He was genuinely worried that the emperor would not heed his advice, given the emperor's strong personality and past actions. However, dealing with the two countries required a balance of firmness and flexibility; one could not be solely forceful, as this would be detrimental to one's own country.