The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 678

The Annamite governor hurriedly said.

If the envoy sent by the imperial court were someone else, the Annam Provincial Governor would not need to be so humble. After all, he is the Annam Provincial Governor, with fifteen prefectures under his jurisdiction, making him a powerful regional official.

But the envoy happened to be Wen Zhengming. Not only was Wen Zhengming the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, but he also had another identity: he was the teacher of Zhou Chu, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Duke of Dingguo, Left Pillar of State, and Grand Master of the Palace.

Who is Zhou Chu? It is probably known to everyone in the Ming Dynasty officialdom. As Zhou Chu's teacher, Wen Zhengming was naturally not someone that a mere Annam Provincial Governor could afford to offend.

In the past, before the railway was built, he could have relied on the fact that the emperor was far away and acted as a local tyrant in Annam. But now it's different. The railway is open, and it only takes five or six days to get from the capital to Annam. Any news here can quickly reach the capital, which has completely given up his thoughts of causing trouble.

"Thank you for your trouble, sir."

Wen Zhengming smiled.

Soon, the provincial governor sent over a very luxurious carriage and a group of fine horses.

The carriage was extremely luxurious, drawn by four horses. Wen Zhengming had never ridden in such a luxurious carriage before, but he did not refuse.

Because at this time, Wen Zhengming was not only Wen Zhengming, but also an envoy of the Ming Dynasty. His every word and action, and even the procession he took, represented the Ming Dynasty.

"Thank you for your trouble, sir."

As Wen Zhengming spoke, he boarded the carriage and bowed to the Provincial Governor.

"I have specially installed a soft couch in this carriage for you, sir. You must be very tired after traveling by train all the way. You can rest well in the carriage."

The provincial governor was a man of good character, he said.

"Thank you for your trouble, sir."

Wen Zhengming nodded, bid farewell to the Annamite governor and Li Chun, and then sent his entourage straight to Champa.

Wen Zhengming was exhausted after five or six days on the train. Even though he could sleep on the train, the beds were extremely cramped, and the noise from the train made it difficult to sleep soundly. After getting into the carriage, he lay down on the soft couch and began to rest with his eyes closed.

The Ming delegation took about two days to travel from the capital of Annam to Champa. When they arrived in Champa, they were able to travel without any obstacles thanks to the Champa envoys who cleared the way.

When Wen Zhengming arrived in the capital of Champa, King Bo Jie of Champa led his officials to greet him respectfully.

If we were to say which Southeast Asian country was most loyal to the Ming Dynasty, it would undoubtedly be Champa. Champa was weak and had little ability to resist, whether it was the Le Dynasty or the Toungoo Dynasty. If it weren't for the Ming Dynasty's continued support, Champa would probably have been destroyed long ago.

Therefore, Champa was extremely loyal to the Ming Dynasty, and the tribute it sent was never adulterated.

"This humble prince pays his respects to the envoy of the Celestial Empire."

Bo Jie approached Wen Zhengming and respectfully bowed.

"Your Majesty need not be so polite. Since you have come to my Great Ming for help, my Emperor will naturally not ignore you. The Toungoo Dynasty is nothing but a shrew. If you withdraw your troops, that's fine. But if you don't know what's good for you, my Great Ming army will arrive in an instant."

Wen Zhengming didn't utter a single unnecessary word or use any diplomatic rhetoric. His few words were concise and to the point, instantly putting Bo Jie and the civil and military officials behind him at ease.

This is the confidence that comes from the Ming Dynasty.

Champa was not a large city, and the Toungoo Dynasty had already reached the west gate of Champa. Wen Zhengming and his party entered through the north gate.

These days, the Heavenly Waves gathered all the soldiers of Champa and barely managed to withstand the attack of the Toungoo Dynasty.

"Xiao Wang has prepared a banquet for the envoy to welcome him and wash away the dust of his journey."

Bo Jie said respectfully.

"The banquet is not urgent. I will first go to the city wall to identify myself and mediate for you."

Wen Zhengming waved his hand and said.

Upon hearing this, Bo Jie was overjoyed. He hadn't expected that the envoy sent by the Ming Dynasty would be such a pragmatic person, acting immediately without delay. Originally, they were worried that the Ming envoy would give them empty promises and ask for benefits, but now it seemed that they had worried for nothing.