Chapter 104 Visiting Ding Yuan (1/2)

Chapter 104 – Visiting Ding Yuan

June 15th. Jinyang City.

Ding Yuan was sitting on the throne of the City Governor in the government hall. He was reading two reports from scouts.

On the right report, an army of Dong Zhuo was approaching from the south. However, it carried white flags with them. The scouts also made a contact with the group to inquire about their objectives, and the answer they got was that Zhang Ji and his men were paying Ding Yuan a visit. They wanted to give him gifts to form up a friendly relationship between the two Lords. They were expected to be here tomorrow.

On the left report, it described the details of the incoming visitors from Julu City. The leader of the caravan was Zhang Tong and his aide Zhou Cang. They came with 2,000 escorts. However, there was a special note that these people traveled light without a provision cart or any caravan with gifts behind them.

Currently, they were escorted into the city and were waiting for an audience with Ding Yuan.

After finished reading the left report, Ding Yuan harrumphed in a bad mood.

What irked him was that these people traveled light. There was neither a convoy of provision nor a gift, which was unusual for an ambassador group.

'This little boy is looking down on me. He said that he wished to form an alliance, yet he didn't bring any gift. Does he even know how the world works?'

Although he was annoyed by the news, he was mature enough to differentiate between personal interest and politic. He ordered the guards to allow Tong and Zhou Cang inside.

Two people were led inside. One of them was a bald man with imperial armor suit, while the other one was a young man who was not even in the 20s yet. However, the young man had a majestic aura as if he was a prince. His eyes also showed a depth of a politician.

'That bald man must be the escort. The young man must be Zhang Tong.'

'To have that aura at such age, he has more potential than Fengxian.'

Tong stepped in forward and bowed to Ding Yuan as a courtesy. Zhou Cang also bowed, but he kept his silence.

”Greetings, Lord Ding Yuan. I'm Zhang Tong, son of Zhang Jiao. I've come as an ambassador of Julu City.”

Ding Yuan nodded.

”Please rise. Make yourself at home. You've come a long way.”

'At least he possesses a good manner. I wish Fengxian has half of his.'

Although Tong did not bring any gift with him, Ding Yuan still welcomed him as he did to other guests as he was a practical politician.

Tong raised his head up to look at Ding Yuan, then he bowed his head down again.

”My apologies for the inconsideration. I've brought gifts with me, but I forgot to order my servants to carry them here. I beg you for your forgiveness.”

Ding Yuan raised his eyebrows in surprise. The scouts clearly reported that Tong did not have a gift or any provision with him. Then where could Tong procure the gifts?

Zhou Cang had seen Tong's signal. He bowed and rushed out of the hall. After a minute of waiting, a carriage which carried barrels of beer and whiskey was brought in front of the government building. There were also large wooden boxes that had soap bars in them.

Ding Yuan stared at the carriage in confusion. He turned around and glanced at his scout leaders, who were terrified by the reprimand gesture.

'A bunch of fools! Zhang Tong has been carrying tributes with them. Why did you moron report that he doesn't have any!? I guess I need to discipline my scout teams again.'

…

The gifts were taken by Ding Yuan's servants and a barrel of beer was carried inside the government hall. Tong personally served the beer to Ding Yuan himself as it was the specialty product of his city.

”This is good wine! It's soft and light. What does this call, young master Zhang?”

”It is called 'Beer', Lord Ding. Unlike common rough wine, we won't get drunk easily.”

”Oho? So this is your city specialty that I've heard of.”

”That's correct. There is still another beverage that I've gifted you. However, it was too heavy for a happy occasion like this. I believe you should enjoy it in private.”

”Hoho! Well, indeed. A hard drink is not something to be enjoyed in public. You are very good, young master Zhang.”

Both of them exchange pleasantries as they enjoyed a simple welcome banquet that Ding Yuan held for Tong in exchange for the gifts.

Ding Yung's mood got much better after he thought that his scouts made a mistake about Tong's gifts. As a result, Tong managed to persuade him to form an alliance easily.