The Three Lords sat down and talked about it, saying that all difficult things must be done by the person in charge. Tingwei said that the evidence of Young Master Pong's crime of fraud was not conclusive, and Wei Ran and others agreed, but now it was the turn of the embarrassment to deal with the specific matter: how to confirm Young Master Pong's fraud without letting him escape? And this matter will first embarrass Wei Ran: Who does he want to do this?
Most of Prince Pong's entourage have returned to Taiyuan, and only ten people are left in Xianyang. Although there are only ten people, to ensure that nothing happens on the road, it is not enough to send only ten people to follow. Sending out a hundred people seems to be a bit of a fuss; on the other hand, escorting ten people to travel thousands of miles is still on the land of another country, and there is no external force to borrow, so a hundred people may not be enough! Also, where did these 100 people come from? Wei Ran had his own personal camp, but he had no right to mobilize it when there was no war. If criminals are called, they have no relevant experience and the risk is too high. Maybe the other party will run away in a slip-up. After much deliberation, Wei Ran could also use his own retainers and be led by Fu Cheng - although the experiences of Lin and Lishi had proven that Prime Minister Fu Cheng was not fully qualified for such a complicated job.
Since Wei Ran was not from Qin, and he lacked contact with his hometown of Chu, the retainers in the Prime Minister's Mansion were not Wei Ran's relatives, but outstanding figures selected from the fiefdom. They bring their families with them and work as errands in the Prime Minister's Mansion. There are about two to three hundred households in total. He selected fifty people who usually seemed smart and capable. In order to increase the insurance factor and reduce the time on the road and the risk of accidents, Wei Ran asked the Prime Minister to take the waterway by boat as much as possible. He also asked Dianke Mansion to send a pedestrian to go ahead in a fast boat to negotiate in advance for customs clearance for various countries. Although careful preparations were made, Wei Ran was still worried, always feeling that something was going to happen on the road.
The group set off in three boats. Prince Pong was placed alone on a ship, separated from his entourage. The ten followers were also placed on two ships respectively, and they did not communicate with each other. This was already the most rigorous escort plan Wei Ran could think of. However, after the boat entered the Yellow River, it did not appear in Luoyang as planned. Wei Ran hurriedly sent people to inquire. Some people said that the three ships either ran aground on the rocks and were smashed into powder, or encountered a large whirlpool and were buried in the belly of the fish. Someone else said with certainty that he saw the ship's fragments flowing outside Luoyang with his own eyes.
There is no proof! The lower reaches of the Yellow River are not under the control of the Qin State. The place where the boat disappeared is indeed very fast, and all clues cannot be verified! The men sent out went eastward along the Yellow River, hoping to find even a body, but there was none.
Wei Ran appeared in Ganquan Palace in frustration. Hearing his elder sister's scolding, he didn't dare to raise his head or respond.
At this point, there was no need to continue to keep the matter secret. Wei Ran publicly announced King Zhao's betrayal of the alliance at the court meeting, but concealed the news of the disappearance of Prince Pong and his party. The meeting was in an uproar and there were voices of rebuke. Wei Ran was fined a fine for not doing his job well. People in the Qin State were furious, and the traitorous Zhao State must pay the price.
The King of Qin warned that although Zhao was unreasonable, Qin could not be unjust. You can send envoys to Handan in advance to investigate the crime. If they know their faults and can correct them, they can forget about it; if they persist in their mistakes, they can raise another army to attack them. The envoy sent was very famous, and he was Prince Zhen, the second son of King Qin.
The King of Qin ascended the throne with a weak crown, and many women from various countries got married. However, there were many daughters and few sons. After more than thirty years, the only surviving boys were the prince and the prince. The prince is somewhat like the king of Qin, who is diligent in state affairs and has no heirs. Young Master Zhen was in a weak body and could hardly do martial arts. He spent his days at home having fun and having a lot of wives and concubines, but he also gave birth to more than ten children, both men and women.
After receiving the order to go to Zhao as an envoy, Gongzi Zhen could not shirk it. He asked the young master to discuss it, and the young master asked him to meet two people: the Queen Mother and Dian Ke.
Prince Zhen has his own mansion and does not live in the palace. The mansion was not far from Ganquan Palace. Following the young master's advice, he immediately prepared a car and came to Ganquan Palace to see the Queen Mother.
Gongzi Zhen is the grandson of the Queen Mother and has entered Ganquan Palace countless times. Naturally, there is no need to inform him. He only needs to send someone to inform him first and guide him. The servant led the young master to the door of the back house. The female official came out and took the young master inside.
The weather was very hot, so the Queen Mother set up a banquet under the shade of a tree, and she lay half-lying on the banquet. The handsome Wei Choufu accompanied her. The female officials all stepped back five steps away and sat on both sides of the banquet.
The young master came over and greeted the Queen Mother: "I have met my grandmother!"
The Queen Mother said: "Ah, Zhuan'er has arrived! The sun is poisonous there, so when I sit on the mat, it's still cool and shaded!"
Young Master Zhen greeted Wei Choufu again, and Wei Choufu returned the gift respectfully. The young master went to the Queen Mother's table and sat down. The Queen Mother also sat up with the support of Wei Choufu.
Young Master Zhen said: "General Sun will be with Zhao. I won't be able to say hello sooner or later. I'd like to apologize!"
The Empress Dowager said: "Teach you how to send an envoy to Zhao Hu? ... Forget it, the prince of the Qin family has done nothing for the country, so why send Yan An to enjoy his salary! You are an envoy to Zhao and have made great contributions to the country. How good, how good!"
Gongzi Zhen said: "Young master Sun has a lot of ambiguity regarding political affairs. Now that he is sent to Zhao, he will be questioned about his crime. My grandmother may have taught my grandson!"
The Queen Mother beamed with joy and said, "What can I teach you? I am already seventy years old and don't care about anything..."
Gongzi Zhen said: "Grandma is old and has a lot of knowledge, but she has one or two words that are enough to make her wise."
The Queen Mother said: "The fault of this matter lies with Marquis Rang, and I have already taken responsibility for it. He did not do the job well and only offered three cities. These three cities have a great relationship with Taiyuan. Even if they are difficult to protect, if they want to return it to Zhao, they should demand more compensation. Today Then you will get nothing, which is very foolish! You are going to Zhao now to ask for compensation."
Young Master Zhen said: "Wang Jiao, when I enter Zhao, I should ask the King of Zhao how to break the alliance. If the King of Zhao knows that he has made a mistake and can change it, he will repay him; if he persists and refuses to realize it, he will be attacked immediately!"
The Queen Mother said: "That's what the king said. How do you know that King Zhao knows his faults and can correct them? He must also accept money and donate land, so he knows his faults. King Zhao is the leader of a country. He is worried about the humiliation of his ministers. He is the master of the humiliation of his ministers and their death. You go and ask for the crime." , King Zhao, can he accept it? If you just say that you will dedicate the city to receive money, it can be done. If you just apologize in vain, why don't you offer it without thanking him!"
Young Master Zhen said: "I just want to say that our country is offering the king three cities as a gift to the king. I hope the king will repay you with his worth! Is that okay?"
The Empress Dowager said: "The affairs of Jin are left to passers-by. Just sit back and watch the officials of Qin and Zhao quarrel with each other. You are a prince, and you are unusual. You should not speak lightly. You can only treat each other with courtesy."
Gongzi Zhen said: "My grandson is an envoy to Zhao under the instructions. He doesn't say a word. What's the meaning of this?"
The Queen Mother said: "Anyone who is superior should do nothing. Your superior is the sky; your ministers are the sun, moon and stars. When the sky is bright, the sun and moon are not clear, and disasters come unexpectedly. When the sun is in the sky, it will be scorching, and when the moon is in the sky, it will be cool. If you get the stars, it will be bright; if you get the clouds, it will be cloudy. The sky will not move, but all things will come into being."
Gongzi Zhen said: "Grandma Wei, how do you know about my grandson? But my grandson is confused: If everything is handled by ministers, what will happen to the king?"
The Queen Mother said: "It's just that I got him! In the past, Duke Huan of Qi used Guan Zhong. Someone asked Duke Huan to ask for something. Duke Huan said: 'I'm going to sue Zhong's father.' He asked again, and he replied, 'I'm suing Zhong's father'. If it's three. Learner Said: "One is Zhongfu, the other is Zhongfu, it is easy to be a king!" Duke Huan said: "It will be difficult before I get Zhongfu, but after I get Zhongfu, why is it not easy?" This is the way to be a king. It’s not about Zhaoming becoming a martial artist, it’s about winning the right person!”
Young Master Zhen said: "Young Master Sun is presiding over political affairs, but I don't know his ministers. What can I do?"
The Queen Mother said: "You can ask the young master for internal affairs, and you can ask the Dian Ke for foreign affairs." Young Master Zan bowed and retreated.
After leaving Ganquan Palace, Gongzi Zhen went directly to Dianke Mansion. After reporting the festival talisman, Dian Ke did not dare to see him. He asked the young master to go back to his house and go to see him himself. How could Mr. Zhen be willing? He asked to see him again and again. The Dianke had no choice but to open the ceremony door wide and bring the young master in. After the two parties finished reciting the rituals, Young Master Zhen said: "I follow the king's teachings and will be a ambassador to the State of Zhao. I am a young man who is not accustomed to etiquette and has no skills in speaking. I am afraid of insulting the king's order. You must be able to teach me."
Dianke said: "The young master's behavior is to blame Zhao. But if the minister is bold and dares to speak out, and rebukes him face to face, the young master will be restored to life."
Gongzi Zhen said: "It's true as you said. However, I have another thought. Qin has lost three cities and is willing to pay for it. If Zhao pays for it, even if there is no thanks, I will still consider it thanks."
Dianke said: "What the Master said is true. It is beyond the reach of the minister. I should carefully select those who are good at speaking and eloquent, and who can observe their appearance to serve as the Master's assistant!"
Gongzi Zhen said: "If you are sincere, you will benefit a lot!" Then he said goodbye and left.
After seeing off Gongzi Zhen, Dianke hurried to the Prime Minister's Mansion to see Wei Ran and tell him what Gongzi Zhen said. After hearing Dianke's words, Wei Ran thought deeply and said: "Zhen's words are true. Ruzi has such a view! Qin lost three cities. If they get compensation, it will not be a loss. They will definitely find someone who can speak well. , follow the temptation, and you will find the way."
After receiving Marquis Rang's approval, Dianke visited the other three nobles, but none of them had any other objections. Then he went into the palace to see the King of Qin and prepared a message for Prince Zan. The King of Qin remained calm and said calmly: "I have a lot of worries but only one success, so I need you to plan well and make the best use of your people." Dian Ke retreated.
After returning home, Dianke took the list of his pedestrians and thought about it again and again, and selected ten people from them to serve as members of the mission. At the end of the court the next day, Dianke summoned the ten people one by one and explained to them the mission of the envoy and the strategies to deal with it. After some discussion, everyone believed that if they could get adequate compensation from King Zhao, it would be the best policy; if they could get symbolic compensation, it wouldn’t be considered a failure; even if they didn’t get any compensation, as long as they apologized, it could be considered a success; at the very least, King Zhao must clearly bear the responsibility for betraying the alliance.
Gongzi Zhen is also preparing at home. He selected the retainers who were traveling with him and brought all five of his sons who were thirteen years old and above as his entourage. Since none of the family had any experience of going on missions, Dianke Mansion specially sent people to teach etiquette and conduct queue drills at Gongzi Zhen's Mansion, working from morning to night every day.
When the King of Qin heard that Gongzi Zeng was very diligent in performing rituals and that all his sons also participated, he was very impressed and asked the Weiwei Mansion to dispatch ten swordsmen to protect him.
After more than ten days of preparation, Gongzi Zhen and his party finally set off. The carriages and gifts were all loaded onto the boat. They first arrived at Hangu, then left the Confucius Road to Luoyang. After crossing the Yellow River, they went straight to Handan along the highway. A few days later, they entered the territory of Zhao State.
