At Li Sui's request, Hou Yan and the nobles of the other families came together to pay their respects.
Everyone looked down on Li Sui. What ability could a mere down-and-out noble possess, one who had lucked into becoming the Top Scholar in the Civil Service Examinations by memorizing the answers?
Apart from being young, he had nothing but youth. Even with the title of imperial envoy, he would surely leave with his tail between his legs.
Hou Yan and the officials of the commandery governor's residence exchanged greetings, clasping their fists to one another. Though he thought little of Li Sui, he believed King Zhou had sent him specifically to soothe Hou Yan after his memorial laying out the stakes, offering a few kind words and royal favor. Thus, he did not wear a stern expression, but instead displayed the practiced, false smile of an old hand.
Everyone went inside and took their seats one by one, and Li Sui walked out slowly.
Li Sui was somewhat nervous. Everyone seated there was a great noble, while he was merely a down-and-out one. Yet his positions as imperial envoy and Court of Judicial Review Assistant did not permit him to show even the slightest weakness.
Li Sui silently bolstered his courage. Once seated, he said, "Li City lies on the frontier, neighboring the Qiang and Rongdi, yet it has suffered no warfare. The people's livelihoods are stable, and they live and work in peace. Surely this is thanks to your collective efforts."
Li Sui understood courtesy before force. If he tore away all pretense from the outset, things would be difficult for everyone.
"Not at all, not at all! The credit belongs entirely to Commandery Governor Jiang! Not only did he repel the Rongdi, but when the Qiang marched south