Chapter 28: Your Tavern Closed Its Doors to Me... (Please vote!)

"This..."
"This person is utterly rude! It's one thing not to respond to us, but to actually shut the city gates?"
"And telling us to go back to where we came from?"
"These Tang people are truly uncouth!"
"Without the Regent of the South overseeing the Tang court, do they still dare to act so defiant?"
The Zhou official who had questioned Bai Muge was completely stunned by the scene before him.
The rest of the Zhou envoys were equally dazed, their faces brimming with righteous indignation as they grumbled.
Clearly, none of them had expected that, simply for uttering 'Tang's hospitality is lacking,' Bai Muge would order the city gates closed!
Their entire delegation was left outside, denied entry.
Now, barred from entering the capital of Tang, how could they secretly investigate Tang's current strength?
How could they deliver their findings back to the Zhou emperor, for him to decide whether to break off the marriage alliance or maintain ties with Tang?
For a moment, not only did Chief Envoy Lin Xianrong panic, but the other Zhou envoys also wore deep frowns and grew anxious.
After all, their mission to Tang was precisely for this purpose!
But now, at this very moment, they couldn't even get past the gates of Tang's capital.
How could they conduct any investigation at all?
"Lord Lin,"
One of the envoys looked anxiously at Lin Xianrong, hesitating to ask, "What should we do now?"
"Indeed, my lord!"
Another envoy, equally frustrated, chimed in, his tone thick with annoyance. "Who would have thought these Tang people could be so petty?"
"Just because of a single remark, he orders the gates shut!"
"If we can't enter Tang, we can't investigate its condition. We may not be able to fulfill His Majesty's command..."
"How did this become so troublesome..."
Many of the Zhou envoys nodded in agreement.
Lin Xianrong, too, was seething with anger.
But now, the official meant to receive them had not only closed the gates, but refused to engage with them at all.
He was powerless to act.
After pondering for a while, Lin Xianrong suddenly realized that Tang's situation must not be good.
After all, even the officials sent to receive them were so few, not even ten in number.

This was unprecedented!
Tang must be beset by grave internal and external threats, yet this foolish reception official dared to shut out the Zhou delegation?
Let us wait and see who will yield first!
Having reached this conclusion, Lin Xianrong's eyes brightened, and he gave a cold snort. Turning to his men, he declared with confidence,
"Rest assured, gentlemen. Tang has only just settled, and is surely plagued by troubles within and without!
We represent the entire Zhou kingdom here—they dare not offend us!
Such impulsive behavior from this official will surely earn him harsh reprimand once the Tang emperor hears of it.
There's no need for us to be anxious.
After all, the journey has left us weary. Why not wait calmly outside the city? In time, they will naturally come and apologize to us in person!"
Having explained the situation to his delegation, Lin Xianrong felt relieved and walked toward the nearby 'Homebrew Tavern.'
The other Zhou envoys, after brief consideration, nodded in agreement.
Yes, Lord Lin speaks wisely!
Tang is no longer what it once was!
Previously, with the Regent of the South overseeing the court, Tang's borders were impenetrable, and none dared trespass. But on this journey, we have already seen the borders slacken.
Once, the Regent was the very sky of Tang! But now, that sky has collapsed!
In such dire circumstances, for Tang to refuse Zhou envoys entry only strengthens its enemies.
We need only wait; soon enough, the Tang people will bow and apologize!
With these thoughts in mind, the Zhou envoys followed Lin Xianrong to the tavern, sat down, and prepared to wait quietly.
"Waiter, tea!"
Lin Xianrong settled in, feeling quite pleased, his face showing not a trace of anxiety, only calm composure.
The other officials were equally at ease, their moods soothed.
Yet, to Lin Xianrong's surprise, the waiter glanced at them coldly and said, "Please leave. The tavern is closed. We aren't serving guests anymore!"
He began tidying up as he spoke.
"???" Lin Xianrong.
"???" Zhou delegation.
After a moment of confusion, seeing the waiter indeed packing up as if ready to go home, Lin Xianrong asked hesitantly, "Waiter, you're not closed yet, are you?
Surely, you won't turn away business at the door?
We're only asking for some tea—we're paying, after all!"

The waiter merely smiled coldly, not bothering to look at Lin Xianrong and his companions. He poured out the remaining tea, slung his pack over his shoulder, and replied,
"Sorry, though I'm only a tea seller, I'm also a Tang citizen!
Even Young Master Bai refuses to receive you, so it means you are not friends of Tang.
If that's the case, I won't even give you a sip of water!"
With these words, the waiter shouldered his bundle and walked toward the city gate, calling out cheerfully, "Young Master Bai, would you kindly open the gate? My tavern is closed and I'd like to go home."
The guards atop the gate, witnessing the waiter's earlier refusal and hearing his call, immediately responded, "Wait a moment, I'll report to the officer!" and went to inform Bai Muge.
On the city wall, Bai Muge—enjoying a drink—was surprised by the news.
Beside him, Chen Duolong exclaimed, "My lord, the waiter from 'Homebrew Tavern' certainly has some backbone!"
"My lord, should we open the gate?" the guard smiled at Chen Duolong, then turned to Bai Muge to ask.
"Open it! Why wouldn't we?"
Bai Muge looked at the guard and said righteously, "As Tang people, how can we leave our own outside the gates?"
"Yes, my lord."
The guard was moved by his words, his nose tingling with emotion. He immediately issued the order, allowing the waiter inside.
But shortly after, the heavy gates of the capital closed once more.

"???"
Lin Xianrong and the Zhou delegation were utterly dumbfounded.
What in the world is going on...?
Are they really not planning to open the city gates for us Zhou envoys?
Not even an apology?
"My lord."
One by one, the envoys stared blankly for a moment, until one, lips twitching, looked at Lin Xianrong and said, "We... our delegation has run out of water..."
"Hold it in!" Lin Xianrong replied grimly, gritting his teeth in anger.
"Yes... my lord."
Outside, at the 'Homebrew Tavern,' the Zhou officials sat uneasily, a creeping sense of foreboding rising within them.
It seemed...
The gates of Tang's capital would not be opening for them today...