Chapter 33 The Purpose of Diplomacy

Style: Historical Author: Xihe ChenhaoWords: 3768Update Time: 24/01/11 08:49:56
The person Li Ran was going to see was none other than a doctor from the Jin Dynasty—Yang Yangui, also known as Dr. Shuxiang.

When he was in the State of Lu, he had promised Yang Tongue that he would definitely pay a visit when he arrived in the State of Jin in the future.

Since he really came to Jin this time with Marquis Lu, it would be a bit unjustifiable not to pay a visit. And he also needs Yang Tongue to lend a helping hand at this Pingqiu meeting to help him complete his plan.

Arriving at Yang Yanji's house, Li Ran successfully met Yang Yanji after being notified.

"My dear nephew has come from afar. It's a shame to greet him from afar. I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Come on, take a seat!"

Yang Yanji was overjoyed to see Li Ran coming to visit, and actually came to greet him in person.

"Hey, who is this?"

Turning his eyes, he saw Ji Le beside him.

"Oh, this is Ji Clan's concubine from Zheng Guo, Ji Le."

"Oh! It turns out that Zheng Guo sacrificed his daughter to Zijia first! Oh, no, no respect, no respect!"

Ji Xian, whose courtesy name is Zijia, is the head of the Ji clan in Zheng Guo today and the father of Ji Le.

Speaking of Zheng Guoji, he is indeed a rather peculiar noble. It is said that the ancestors of the Ji family have been doing business for generations in the Western Zhou Dynasty. Then when Zheng Wugong moved eastward with King Ping of Zhou, the ancestors of the Ji family frequently traveled between Zongzhou and Chengzhou with their advantages in trade and logistics, and served as the representative of Zheng Wugong in Nanzheng. Enclosing land to establish a country and creating a foundation for Zheng State can be said to have made great contributions.

After the death of Duke Wu, Duke Zhuang of Zheng came to the throne. With the help of the Ji family, Zheng Guo dominated the Central Plains. Before Duke Huan of Qi came into being, Duke Zhuang of Zheng was the real talker in the Central Plains! And the first minister, Ji Zhong, controlled the power of Zheng for decades. After three generations, it could be said that it was at its peak.

However, after Zheng Zhuanggong, due to the strong rise of Chu State in the south, Zheng State was frequently attacked. As a result, the merchants of Zheng State could not bear the harassment and had to flee north one after another. As a result, Zheng State's commercial civilization also declined significantly. As for the Ji clan, which has been doing business for generations, they gradually lost their right to speak in the Zheng Dynasty court.

Now, two hundred years have passed, and thanks to the alliance of war-killing decades ago, the north and the south have ceased war and exchange market benefits. The feudal city of Zheng State was located in the north-south trade route.

Therefore, the people of the Ji clan, namely Ji Le's grandfather, took this opportunity to revive Zheng's trade. He made a lot of money, and through various businesses, he became a popular wealthy family in Zheng State and even in the world. He has a strong voice in both political and business circles.

Even the "Qi Mu" Shangqing of Zheng Guo had to sell two cents of thin noodles to the Ji clan. And his descendants can marry into the Shusunbao family of Lu State. Although it is just a side wife of Shusunbao, it also shows how powerful his family is.

As a diplomat of the Jin State, Yang Yangui naturally knew something about such a Ji family, so when Li Ran told the name of Ji Le, he immediately guessed the origin of Ji Le.

"Oh? The doctor actually knows my father?"

Ji Le asked innocently.

Sheeptongue laughed when he heard the sound and said immediately:

"Who in the world doesn't know the name of the Ji clan? After the Annihilation Alliance, the north and south were connected, and the east and west were connected. The caravans of the three kingdoms of Qi, Chu, and Jin all needed to rest and recycle in Zheng Guo Ji City. You, the Ji clan, are seeking to profit from it. Having taken away all the conveniences of merchants from all over the world, it is probably not an exaggeration to say that you are as rich as any other country."

"I heard that now my son is born in the state of Zheng and is in charge of the government, and he often discusses with the imperial court. It can be seen that the ability of the imperial court is no less than that of the ancestors."

It has to be said that Yang Tongue's understanding of the current situation and history of various countries is shocking.

The Zheng Guoji clan had been dormant for many years, but it only took more than ten years for them to regain their strength and become prominent. But the Yangtongue is as valuable as a treasure trove of Ji's family history, which is really admirable.

"The doctor is so complimentary. How could my father have such ability? It is even more embarrassing to be compared to our ancestors."

On the one hand, Ji Le's answer was modest, but on the other hand, Ji Le never expected that the famous Dr. Shu Xiang would actually praise his father so highly and even compare him to his ancestor Ji Zhong.

But as his child, she couldn't feel it at all. The most intuitive feeling her father gave her was that he always had this face and a fierce look.

"Haha, there is no need to be too modest. Since the girl is here with my nephew today, I must have a close relationship with him. I am a straight person, so I will say whatever I have to say. Please forgive me."

"By the way, my nephew came here today for the purpose of forming an alliance?"

When the conversation changed, Yang Tongue looked at Li Ran.

Li Ran was still immersed in the glorious history of Zheng Guo's sacrifice. He suddenly woke up when he heard the sound of sheep's tongue beating and said immediately:

"Yes, the doctor understands everything clearly and I admire him for that."

"For this meeting in Pingqiu, Wan Sheng has an unkind invitation. I wonder if the doctor can consider it."

He also knew that he did not have much friendship with Sheeptongue, so he could only let Sheeptongue consider this request first. As for whether he would agree or not, it would depend on whether his judgment of Sheeptongue was accurate.

Just listen to Yang Tongue and say:

"Oh? My dear nephew, it's okay to talk."

Li Ran heard the sound and immediately said what he was thinking...

This speech was very long, but in Li Ran's mouth, it was very organized. After saying this, Yang Yangui fell into deep thought.

Even Ji Le on the side frowned, his face full of confusion.

After a while, Yang Tongue looked at Li Ran with confusion and asked:

"Is your nephew really going to act like this?"

Li Ran sighed:

"Other than that, there is no other way. The meeting in Pingqiu is the best opportunity for me. Once you miss it, it will be difficult to defeat the Ji family in the future. If you can't take back the power from the Ji family , a widowed king will be nothing more than a puppet, and if there is no hope for the public office, the Zhou rites will be abolished!"

In the end, Li Ran bitten hard on the four words "Zhou's rites are abolished."

Because from the time when he went to Qufu to observe the ceremony, he could see that Yang Yangui was a person who paid great attention to Zhou rites.

If you help Marquis Lu, there is hope for the revival of Zhou rites.

If he doesn't help, Zhou Li will be even more hopeless.

What is Zhouli? This is the order of the world! The emperor checks and balances the princes, the princes check and balance the ministers and ministers, the ministers and ministers check and balance the family ministers, the large sects check and balance the small sects...

Li Ran was betting that Yang Tongue would definitely help him for the "revival of rituals and music".



The Marquis of Lu came to visit the Kingdom of Jin, but he could not see the Marquis of Jin at the moment. At this time, the Marquis of Jin, accompanied by Zhao Wu and other officials, had already set off to Pingqiu to participate in the alliance. So when the Marquis of Lu came to Jiang, the person in power in the Jin State who came to greet him was Han Qi, the military commander in the central army.

Even in terms of this identity, it is not equivalent.

After Li Ran came out of Yangshi Mansion, he got another message. It turned out that it was Han Qi who invited Li Ran to go to the "Golden Dengdai" to talk. On the other side, Ji Sunsu accompanied Lu Hou and had already set off.

Han Qi's banquet was to represent the king of Jin and hold a regular ceremony at the "Dengjin Platform" in Jiangcheng to show the friendship between the two countries.

(Enjoyment: It means the ceremony in which envoys present gifts to the monarch of the betrothal country)

Li Ran knew that no matter what everyone had in mind, this scene would still have to go away.

During the meeting, Han Qi and Lu Hou had a friendly exchange and analysis on the relations between Jin and Lu, as well as the situation in the world. They each expressed their sincere wishes with great courtesy, and those who didn't know thought it was just an ordinary visit.

Li Ran always thought that Han Qi was an old man in his seventies or eighty years old, but when he saw Han Qi, he realized that Han Qi was only in his forties at most. Although he was considered an old man in this era, Han Qi's whole body was full of energy and spirit. Very well, compared to Ji Sunsu's white beard and hair, Han Qi's slightly rough appearance looks more like a powerful minister.

Once the two of them were compared, Ji Sunsu immediately pales in comparison.

Due to the inconsistent identities of the two parties, this meeting will not be recorded in the history books, and no one will pay attention to it, as if it never happened.

But this meeting was of far-reaching significance to Li Ran.

Because from this meeting, he could basically determine what kind of person Han Qi was. And this is the most important thing in all diplomatic processes.



In the pavilion.

After Lu Hou came back, he immediately communicated with Li Ran and asked Li Ran what he thought of today's meeting with Han Qi.

"Although it is a bit disrespectful for the prince to meet with the minister, it is very worthwhile."

Li Ran replied without thinking.

Marquis Lu was surprised when he heard the sound.

Just listen to Li Ran continue to say:

"The meeting in Pingqiu is coming soon. Sir, do you know why Han Qi wants to take this opportunity to meet us alone?"

In Li Ran's mind, Marquis Lu's visit to Jin to pay homage to the Marquis of Jin was originally only part of his plan. Whether there was a meeting in Pingqiu or not, this trip to Jin was a must.

However, when the Pingqiu League Meeting happened and the Marquis of Lu paid a visit to the Marquis of Jin, it became insignificant under its influence.

Han Qi is the real initiator of the Pingqiu Alliance, and the importance he attaches to this alliance is naturally unmatched by others.

But even under such circumstances, Han Qi still arranged time to have a private meeting with Marquis Lu.

You must know that the kings of other vassal states have arrived in Pingqiu one after another at this time, but Han Qi still chose to delay his departure, delaying it until now, just to receive the king of Lu and his party before setting off. Han Qi seems to treat the issue of Lu somewhat differently from other vassal states.

Why is this?

"Could it be because of the Ji family's sacrifice to heaven?"

Marquis Lu looked thoughtful, obviously not sure about this answer.

Maybe just to celebrate myself as the new king? Or maybe he wanted to give Ji Sunsu a chance to repair their relationship? By the way, get some more benefits from the Ji family?

To know this kind of relationship between powerful ministers and powerful ministers is particularly important in today's era.

Unexpectedly, Li Ran shook his head, with a faint smile on his face.

"This is just one of them."

"Oh? What about the second one?"

When Marquis Lu heard this, he was indeed a little confused.

He didn't know why Han Qi would meet him alone.

Li Ran turned his attention to Ji Le beside him.

"When we destroyed the Ji family's sacrifice to heaven, we borrowed the power of Zheng Guo's sacrifice. If my prediction is correct, Han Qi chose to meet with the monarch this time because he thought that the relationship between the monarch and Zheng Guo's sacrifice was A lot."

What benefits can the State of Lu bring to Han? You can figure it out with your toes.

The Lu State was sandwiched between Qi and Jin, and its geographical location was very awkward. Moreover, with the exploitation and oligarchy of the Ji family and the Meng family, the people's livelihood in the Lu State was not easy, and commercial trade was not developed.

In other words, what benefit can Luhou give him to Han Qi? Basically no.

What about Ji's family? In fact, it is pitiful.

But what the State of Lu could not give him, the State of Zheng could offer sacrifices to his family.

These days, being rich is king.

Ji Le arrived in Jiang one month in advance. Zheng Guo Ji had previously helped Shusun Bao. This made Han Qi think that the Marquis of Lu had a close relationship with Zheng Guo's family sacrifice, so he was particularly concerned about the Lu delegation and even met with the Marquis of Lu in person to go through the motions.

And this cutscene is either for others to see, or for the Zheng Guoji clan.

He just wanted Zheng Guoji to know that he was also very friendly to Lu Hou.

The benefits that Zheng Guo's sacrifice to Han Qi can bring are the most immediate. Moreover, this is still far beyond the reach of the Ji family of Lu State. After all, these days, who hasn’t decided that the family business needs to be managed from top to bottom?

"Huh? It's because of me?"

Ji Le stuck out his tongue, and then realized how valuable his identity was.

Li Ran smiled and continued:

"Han Qi is a man who loves justice on the outside, but has many desires on the inside."

"He knows that the prince cannot give him the benefits he wants, but Ji Shi can, so he specifically asked us to bring Miss Ji Le with us in order to build a good relationship with Zheng Guo Ji Shi."

"Yesterday Ji Le and I went to see Yang Tongue, and he had the same evaluation of Han Qi. Not only that, but he also told me another story."