"Provincial Administrator, sir! This humble one... this student... still has one more... one more 'question of learning' he does not understand. I beg to consult Your Excellency!"
When Shi Wende heard Provincial Administration Commissioner Wang Zhe order tea to be served, anxiety instantly rose in his heart, and he had no choice but to call out carefully.
In a formal meeting like this, once the host began serving tea, it was the same as lifting the teacup to send off the guest—driving him out. Yet the purpose of his visit this time had not even passed his lips! And if he wanted to see the Provincial Administrator again next time and raise this matter, it would be almost impossible...
"Hmm? You still have one more 'question of learning' you do not understand?..."
Provincial Administration Commissioner Wang Zhe's brows creased slightly, and there was a chill in his eyes. He lifted the tea that had been brought over, took a gentle sip to moisten his throat, and only then spoke indifferently.
"Si Cheng, get up and have some tea. If there is anything else you do not understand, you may mention it in one sentence."
"One sentence" meant he could only say one sentence. Shi Wende respectfully gave a bow, only then rose, held the teacup in both hands, and said in a low voice, "Provincial Administrator, if there is a barbarian Kingdom from Eastern Barbarian Island that sails to our Ningbo Port Maritime Trade Office, seeking to pay tribute to the Imperial Ming... would the court accept them, or not? Is there any standard by which this is judged?..."
"A barbarian Kingdom from Eastern Barbarian Island? Eastern Barbarian Island barbarians? Seeking tribute?..."
Hearing this, Provincial Administration Commissioner Wang Zhe was slightly startled. He recalled the records on Eastern Barbarian Island,