The contrast between the two nations was now extremely clear to the Dragon-Emperor. His homeland was one of rather strict formalities based on traditions and faith, meanwhile it appeared the Cenneg, while still clinging to traditions, were happy to freestyle their way through events. Perhaps though Finley was a master of making events seem rather carefree and free-form. A trip to a traditional Cenneg public house had not been on the agenda and Tielin was unsure exactly what he should be doing now but he suspected to turn down the hospitality from his neighbour would be seen as an extremely bad thing. He accepted the beer and examined the dark liquid. Lijiang was not a nation where there was heavy consumption of alcohol but it wasn't something taboo either. "Thank you" Tielin replied as he followed Finley. "As for my son he is free to try if he wishes."
Chun had the odd glass of Baijiu with meals in the various Palaces but like his father he was not a heavy drinker. He was though excited to try the new drink and so accepted a smaller glass. He sampled the liquid and found it a little harsher than drinks back home but enjoyable non the less. The sat next to his father sipping his drink.
Queen Dandan however was unsure what to do, the drink was not elegant as such beverages back home would have been and so was unsure how to proceed so instead watched Queen Riona and did her best to mimic the Cenneg Queen's behaviour.
Tielin wondered exactly what the King would like to know about him so having taken another mouth full of his beverage. "My life was very much like those of most sons of a High Lord in Lijiang. Well as much as growing up in the period of mourning would allow. My father though was a forward thinker compared to many. So many of the High Lords believed that everything Lijiang was made us the envy of the world and to some extent life was great. The problem is over the 120 years we just coasted along and my father did what he could to ensure that at least our family and our province of Baoshan tried to progress. We failed miserably now I've had a chance to witness other nations. Take Royal Seleucid's engineering projects, there was a time huge Palaces and imposing compounds were commonplace. Now we struggle to build even oil platforms. I was educated in the Baoshan Shūyuàn which is a kind of academy for those who intend to undertake service in the employment of the Empire. The problem was of the eight Shūyuàn only two remained operating and this has put us back significantly as the Shūyuàn prepared our civil service, our lawyers, our generals and a whole host of other positions. My father kept us out of the various uprisings and rebellions that plagued that last few decades of the mourning and I was content in doing what I could to support him. When my father died it became clear that sooner or later a full blown civil war would begin unless we took action and so me and my brother did what any true loyalist would do and supported the Dragon-Priestess as she attempted to restore order. Sadly that is a regret I have, I left the physical fighting to other men contending myself to believe my duties lay in organisation and management not combat. My brother served and in some way it could be argued he should have had the throne, he fought for it after all. Meanwhile I inherited an Empire in need of some modernisation, some change will come but we are also a nation as proud of our history and culture as you are. I was fortunate to be handed the throne and everything that comes with it. Now I must ensure Chun here is in a better position to inherit the throne than I was." It was perhaps the first time Chun had heard his father speak in such a manner and understood the high expectations he had been set. The months of intense education by foreign tutors combined with the long hours at the Shūyuàn of Yansheng which was the oldest and most prestigious of the Imperial Academies. Chun was not an amazing student and was ranked 22nd in his class of 30 but he was a hard worker and his father suspected that would be what mattered. "I now need to ensure we walk the tightrope between not being a clone of other nations while ensuring we are not left as a relic of the past." He took another sip of his drink. "It is with that I hope you can help us. It is strange our two unique cultures have lived side by side and remain so different. How do you think your people will react to us having such talks?"