Chapter 591: Deterrence, Withdrawal, Fang Tianqing’s Loneliness |
The Xia people’s reputation for politeness only rose in the past six months.
It all began in March, when the Great Xia Lord Leader’s madam, Li Xuanling, and Caiqiu’s Little Fang Bo, Cai Qiuhu, formally signed a ceasefire agreement in Guangning City, and the two regions simultaneously opened trade channels. Once commerce flowed, exchanges naturally increased in frequency.
The people of Caiqiu discovered that the Xia people from the south were very courteous. Whenever they met elders, regardless of status, they would clasp their fists and bow, and the gesture was executed with meticulous refinement: the left palm spread open to cover the right fist.
This particular salute struck the Caiqiu people as strange. They were used to clasping their hands in front in the common fashion, but covering the fist with an open palm was unusual and felt oddly formal. Over time, merchants and officials began copying it, seeing that the gesture visibly impressed visiting Xia delegations and made negotiations smoother.
The political ramifications were clearer. After the ceasefire, the Xia contingent stationed at Guangning City grew more visible. They maintained a controlled military presence while promoting commerce and diplomacy. This combination of restraint and display conveyed a subtle but unmistakable message: the Xia were not only courteous but also formidable. Their civility served as a veneer that masked a latent power capable of enforcing order.
As a result, many local minor lords reconsidered their stance. Faced with the Xia’s steady, composed demeanor and their growing economic influence, some opted to step back rather than risk confrontation. The Xia’s strategy—politeness paired with calm strength—proved an effective deterrent.
Fang Tianqing, however, was an exception. Once a proud commander among the Caiqiu forces, he now found himself edged into the background. The new diplomatic climate left him with fewer opportunities to exercise authority. He watched as others embraced the Xia’s etiquette and benefited from the budding trade, while his own influence waned.
Fang Tianqing’s isolation deepened. Surrounded by shifting loyalties and new alliances, his voice grew quieter at council tables. He felt the keen sting of being sidelined, as decisions that once required his input now proceeded without him. The march of commerce and conciliatory gestures had reshaped the balance of power—and in that new order, Fang Tianqing stood increasingly alone.