Lu Xingshi and Murong Xuan left Langya Pavilion's original location and chose an even more remote mountain range to rebuild it.
They did not receive news of the Four Barbarian Tribes marching south or Cai Qiuhe proclaiming himself emperor. Instead, they heard that the Imperial Court's peace negotiations had gone from rumor to reality. The court had even recognized Aha Chu's position as Prince of Liao, inherited from his "sworn elder brother," indirectly acknowledging his legitimacy in Saibei.
Furthermore, they would need to grant the Saibei Prince of Liao an Annual Grant every year.
This was also a way of giving both sides a step down, and Aha Chu tacitly accepted it.
Great Song's "gift" to Northern Liao was called an "Annual Grant."
It meant that Great Song bestowed it upon Northern Liao every year; Aha Chu was a godson and a subject, and could not call himself emperor.
Thus, Great Song preserved its dignity and found a way down from the stage.
An Annual Tribute was given between brothers, signifying equal treatment, while an Annual Tribute was offered by an inferior to a superior. Not only did one have to accept the superior's investiture, but one also had to kneel to welcome the emperor.
If this kept developing, Lu Xingshi suspected that Great Song might next start paying Annual Tribute. He would not even be surprised if, one day, it began offering Annual Tribute instead.
But Lu Xingshi did not care how Great Song developed. He was currently rebuilding Langya Pavilion, and with his abilities in construction, forging, and the like all reaching a value of 1,000, rebuilding it was child's play.
Other than the slight hassle of gathering raw materials, there were no other problems.
The Langya Pavilion he built this time not only had to be waterproof,