When the guests came out of their rooms and sat down at the banquet, the chief ministers led the chief ministers to accompany them. They chatted with each other, mainly to get to know each other. Some of them have dealt with each other before, but most of them are meeting for the first time. Xu Jia said "Excuse me", returned to the hall, locked himself in the room, and left everything in the court to Tsukasai to take care of.
It's not that Xu Jia didn't consider the issue of guards, but he never dared to imagine that he could have Lord Xinling's retainers as guards - what level would they be? As the first prince of the Wei Dynasty, Lord Xinling can only be treated as a guest and treated with courtesy: not because of his status, but because of his ability! Whether it is to stabilize the country or to rooster and dog robbers, these people are all experts; it is not like they have never done it before massacring a city at the slightest sign of disagreement! I really don't have the guts to use them as bodyguards. However, this is just a matter of not provoking them. What should they do if they come to their door? Xu Jia has never thought about it. "What's more..." Xu Jia's uneasiness, which he had finally suppressed, resurfaced. If he went out of the city with Lord Xinling's retainers, how would Wei Qi pass this test? The retainer told him that he was a young man from the market who he hired with his own money. However, Lord Xinling's retainer had a good-looking appearance. Even if he wore short brown clothes, he could not compare with the little people who were hired by the market. He could tell at a glance that he was respected by others. , How can a man with plenty of food and clothing be able to hide this from a person like Wei Qi? It would have been okay if he hadn't had the conversation with Wei Qi. Now that he knew that Lord Xinling was tabooed by the King of Wei, still using his retainers was tantamount to clearly siding with Lord Xinling and falling out with the King of Wei. At that time, nothing would happen to Lord Xinling. He would definitely be shattered into pieces, and it would be impossible to save his family.
The more Xu Jia thought about it, the more scared he became. He was sweating all over, but he didn't dare to refuse directly - that would be tantamount to falling out with Lord Xinling, which Xu Jia didn't dare to do. As the royal merchant of King Wei, Xu Jia has a clear understanding of his status: He is a dog of the Wang family. Even the most shabby young master is his master and must not be offended; Lord Xinling? It’s not too late to curry favor! He also thought about the falling out between Lord Xinling and King Wei, but he felt that he could avoid offending both sides: could the dog get involved in the affairs of his master's family? But he shouldn't risk his own life and run to find Wei Qi, waiting until Wei Qi says something like that. ——Would it be better if I had a business-like attitude? But Wei Qi is his supervisor, so before going out to do things, it is essential to go to his supervisor for instructions, right? In the end, no one seemed to be okay, so they were roasted on the fire.
I went through the cause and effect, the past and the next, in my mind several times, but I couldn't get an idea. Suddenly someone in the hall reported: "Everyone is waiting to say goodbye, and I would like to express my special thanks!"
Xu Jia was shocked, you left, what should I do? He blurted out: "Stay here for a moment, I have something to say."
Everyone didn't know why, they all said "hey" and stood at the foot of the steps. Xu Jia also made up his mind and walked out of the house. From the front of the steps, he crossed his hands and bowed to the next step. Then he walked down quickly and bowed again to the guest of Lord Xinling in the west. Everyone hurriedly returned the favor.
Xu Jia said to his guests: "Mr. Xinling ordered me to protect my humble body, and I will not dare to accept what I have given. One day when I say goodbye to worship the temple, and the prime minister asks, what will I do? If I tell the truth, the prime minister will definitely offend me; if If you lie, it will be difficult to stop everyone's mouth, how can you achieve what you want? I hope you will take pity on me."
The leader of the disciples said: "I don't dare to say what you say."
Xu Jia said: "Everyone in front of this stage is here to send envoys on the same day, but it's okay to say so."
The leader of the retainers said: "My lord is going to the camp, accompanied by a hundred chariots of guards, each with three days' worth of grain, and no weapons in his hands. A hundred chariots of leather are all left in the fields. My lord is riding a bicycle to the camp, and has nothing to carry with him." . I personally risked my life, and I had no armor to cover my body, and no food or rice to satisfy my hunger. I have received your kindness from the king, and I am willing to die in return! Unfortunately, the war is urgent, and although I have the ambition, I can't get it. Fortunately, the doctor I am leaving the city, so I am willing to go to the camp and die with my lord without any regrets!"
Xu Jia said: "Is this what the elder ordered you to do?"
The first guest said: "My elders have not ordered me to do it, but I dare not disobey in the camp. I hope the doctor will grant me your permission!" He took his head, and the six of them bowed to the ground. The manager of the East Road was also a little moved and looked at Xu Jia. Xu Jia quickly bowed deeply and returned the courtesy, saying: "I don't dare to say goodbye. The day I say my words, the Prime Minister of Wei will definitely come, and even the King of Wei, why should I say goodbye?"
The retainer said: "Not a lowly person dares to know the words of Taoism. A great man can leave on his own. After saying goodbye, we can just follow him when we leave the city."
Xu Jia said: "When you say goodbye to the temple, you must go outside Daliang Gate. Daliang Gate is directly opposite the west gate. You must also leave the city after saying goodbye. It is difficult to get around."
The retainer said: "If I get the doctor's approval, the remaining matters can be discussed. When I return secretly, I will discuss it with the family elders and the rest of the family, so that the doctor will not be embarrassed!"
Xu Jia secretly thought: How could it not be difficult? Wei Qi personally said that King Wei wanted to destroy Lord Xinling. At this time, any action to assist Lord Xinling would be considered betrayal. But this reason obviously cannot be exported. Apart from that, Xu Jia didn't think of any other reason to stop it. Being forced into this situation, I can only take one step or another. Send them away first, and then deny their proposals one by one. After only a moment of silence, Xu Jia said: "In that case, I dare not say more. As long as the envoys leave the city, all etiquette must be followed and must not be violated. However, if there is any disrespect, the mission will be insulted."
The leading retainer said: "This is a matter of family and country, and I would never dare to disobey the doctor."
It was then agreed that since these retainers were visiting Xu Mansion, they would attract attention if they left again. Xu Jia ordered the guest to clean the wing for a while, but the retainers refused, saying that they were short brown and could not live in the host's wing, so the tomb was slaughtered. Placed under the stable. After the placement was decided, the leading guest quietly left through the back door, just like a domesticated clansman.
Xu Jia waited all night but did not see any reply from the retainer. He was secretly happy, thinking that the negotiation must have failed and the action was canceled on its own, thus freeing himself.
The next day, everyone got up early, finished washing, and went to the court. The five guests of Lord Xinling strictly kept their status as short-haired men and only prepared the carriage under the stable. Since we are asking for help during wartime, we naturally cannot prepare generous gifts like we do in normal times, but we still need three or five cars. There were about ten or so men and women doing various things, including five of them, who were not conspicuous. What's more, these five people were diligent and quick in their work. They had already established a good relationship with those people overnight. They hitched the horses to the carts that had already been packed with gifts, and prepared three leather carts for the messengers. The various carriages that were harnessed were driven out from the side door and waited by the roadside. The leader lit two torches to illuminate them.
The sky is dimming and the door of the house is open. Xu Jia and the accompanying envoys walked out of the door in high spirits and well-dressed. The stable man brought the leather chariot, and nine people rode on it three times and jumped on it. The rest of the people were also sitting beside the carriage, with about four or five people in each carriage. The rest of the farewell people said goodbye, with the leather cart in front and the baggage cart behind, and headed straight for Daliang Gate. As the motorcade got closer and closer to Daliang Gate, Xu Jia gradually felt relieved: Lord Xinling's retainers have not shown up yet, and they probably won't come again.
Although the Xu family is a franchisee of the royal family, he is only a businessman after all, not a noble. His residence is in the Beicheng business district, a long way from the royal city - much closer to the Wang family warehouse in the north. Outside Daliang Gate is the square where the Wei Dynasty held grand ceremonies, close to Nancheng; in addition, there was no need to drive in Daliang City, so the carriage had to drive slowly. It took a long time to walk through the streets and alleys. When they arrived in front of Daliang Gate, It's daybreak.
Although it was unnecessary, the Xu family still followed the rules and took the gifts off the car, placed them on the leather carpet that had been prepared in front of the door, and covered them with a curtain. Then Xu Jia Yili went to the door, presented the festival talisman, and said his name: "Xu Jia, the high official among the ministers, has been envoyed to Han by the king's order. Now that everything is ready, I dare not do it myself. I dare to ask the king's order to set off."
The gatekeeper took the talisman and entered the gatehouse, where Wei Qi was already waiting. After taking the festival talisman, he came out with a smile on his face, crossed his hands on his chest, and said: "Thank you for your hard work, doctor! Your Majesty, thank you for your hard work!"
Xu Jia Yiyi returned the greeting and wished the King peace and the Prime Minister the country's peace. Guide Wei Qi to the gift stall, present the gift list, and then use his hand to guide him, counting them one by one, and Wei Qi checks them one by one against the gift list. After the verification was completed, Wei Qi said it was good, and Xu Jia asked his family to put the gifts back into the car. It took a lot of time to go back and forth. When the five carriages were all covered with curtains, Wei Qi cupped his hands and said, "Let me face the king." Xu Jia returned the greeting. Wei Qi entered the door, returned to the concierge, sat down, tied the gift list with ox braid, melted a piece of clay, and sealed the knot. I asked someone to warm a bowl of wine and drank slowly. By the time the bowl of wine was finished, the clay was almost dry and hard. Holding it in his hand, he looked at the wine brought out by the people around him, so they went out together and said: "By the king's order, the doctor is setting off. Say your goodbyes!" The warm wine was served on the left and right, and Xu Jia sprinkled half of it on the ground and drank the other half. Everyone behind them chanted: "It's safe to go in and out!"
Wei Qi shouted again: "Worship the temple!"
Xu Jia bowed deeply to the north three times and said, "Jia is an unworthy descendant. He has been ordered by the king to stay away from his homeland. His ancestors knew about it and his ancestors protected him!"
Wei Qi said: "Since you have failed the king's order, please pray for him!"
Xu Jia stood up and bowed again, took the sealed gift list from Wei Qi's hand, and bowed again. The Zaifu and his family members turned the car around and helped him drive away. Xu Jia stayed at the end and exchanged greetings with Wei Qi. He waited until Wei Qi entered the door before turning around and quickly catching up with the convoy. I thought to myself: Mr. Xinling’s guests will probably not come again. But there is still a bit of uneasiness and a bit of expectation in my heart, as if I hope that those powerful disciples will cause trouble without incident and follow me out of the city; and I can not only not worsen the relationship with Wei Qi and King Wei, but also It can bring you closer to Lord Xinling.
After some tossing, it was already bright. Although the streets are being cleared during wartime, people always come out at dawn. After all, life has to go on, not to mention that there is no war outside Daliang City. There are also more beggars, each with a dog-beating stick, half as long as a man, and the part near the hand has been polished. Seeing that there was a ceremony for envoys to pay homage to the temple in front of Daliang Gate, they gathered around. Naturally, the guard couldn't let them get close, so he sent them all away from Daliang Gate - right near the city gate.
