When they learned that the Qin people had penetrated deep into the city of Zhi, the ministers of the Wei state were at a loss what to do. In the end, they only agreed to use the prince as a hostage to force the Qin state to retreat. Those who are sent as envoys must not only be eloquent, but also have a high position of authority, and be able to handle matters on the fly when necessary, without having to ask back and forth for instructions. Everyone thought of joking! But Duan Ziqian declined, saying that he was the one who lost power and humiliated the country during the two peace negotiations in Qifeng and Huayang, and his image in Wei was very bad. Now that he is going to Qin as an envoy, he may have to make a lot of concessions to achieve his goal. ; In the end, I am afraid that it will get to the point where "everyone in the country is said to be killable".
Wei Qi said: "The peace talks were all accomplished under the king's orders. It's not Duanzi's fault! It may stop everyone talking, or calm down the crowd, but if there are one or two disrespectful words, they will be followed by high titles. I hope Duanzi will notice them!"
Lord Xinling said: "Duanzi's trip is not to discuss peace, but to discuss retreating from the Qin Dynasty. As the saying goes, to win a decisive victory thousands of miles away in Zunzu, this is what a man would do!"
When Duan Ziqian heard what Lord Xinling said, he knew something was wrong, so he led Lord Xinling's army instead and asked, "I have no idea. I hope you can teach me!"
Lord Xinling said: "The prince is in Daliang. This is the most important thing for the Qin State. With the prince in Daliang, will the Qin people have no way to retreat? Where should they put the prince?"
Duan Ziqian said: "The Prince of Qin has entered Daliang and Baotao has been in contact with Xianyang. He will do no harm to Wei. Now if we use him to retreat the Zhi soldiers, we may not be able to subjugate them! If the Qin people don't retreat, will the king be able to cook the Crown Prince?"
Hearing that Duan Ziqian was obviously talking to the people of Qin, Lord Xinling couldn't help but feel angry and said, "I just want Duan Ziqian to move Qin with his words. Why do you say Gu Ye instead?"
Duan Ziqian said: "Whatever you say to others, you must first say it to yourself. Once you have obeyed yourself, you will be able to obey others. Now I think that if Qin uses these words to question the ministers, I will not be able to do anything right, so I ask you to teach me!"
Lord Xinling said: "Wei should not harm the prince, we will use our ears! Duanzi can say that the king of Wei is furious and will not be good for the prince, but Duanzi tries his best to protect him. Now that we are entering Xianyang, I hope Qin will temporarily withdraw its troops. Welcome the prince back and wait for him in the future!"
Duan Ziqian said: "The relationship between countries depends on trust. Wei dare not be rude to the prince, and this person knows it. If you threaten him, you will be harmed."
Lord Xinling said: "I hope the story will be difficult for you!"
Duan Ziqianfu asked: "I am about to enter Xianyang, will I visit the prince?"
Lord Xinling said: "This is a must-visit. A word from the prince can be worth many jokes."
Duan Ziqian said: "If the prince has nothing to say about himself, what will he do? I will definitely say that the king will not be good for the prince. I hope the prince will appeal to the king of Qin and order him to retreat to the east of the river with his head!"
Wei Qi said: "This is unreasonable! Duanzi has other ideas."
Duan Ziqian said: "I may say that I will go to Xianyang, and I would like to use the prince's words to influence the King of Qin!"
Lord Xinling said: "I dare not say this. Duan Zi is retreating from Qin for Wei. I hope Duan Zi can make good plans."
Duan Ziqian said: "Zhi Shou saw that he was in Zhi, and it was not Qin's battle to overthrow him. How could he be blamed? The king sent envoys to Zhi, and they were beaten by the Zhe people. It was not Qin's fault. He said that both Yuan and Zhi were in Wei, and they were not here. Qin, how can I respond to this?"
Lord Xinling was so angry that he trembled all over and shouted: "You want Duanzi to move Qin with your words, but Duanzi's words often turn towards Qin and turn away from Wei. What is the meaning of this?"
Duan Ziqian said: "If you use words to move people, your words must be based on reason, and your words must be emotional. You will also benefit from it in Wei, and you will also benefit from it in Qin. We benefit from each other, but we may not expect success. How much more benefit from Wei? Minister?" I didn’t get the answer, so I didn’t dare to go!”
Wei Qi said: "If you read the paragraphs in detail, you will definitely gain something later. If you consult with the gentlemen, you will be able to correct them. Please compare them with the paragraphs in order to understand their words!"
Lord Xinling realized that he was angry, and felt very unhappy. He bowed down and said, "If you dare to ask Duan Zi to think of Wei, you will definitely get his words! But if you get something, you must offer it as a gift!" Wei Qi and Duan Zi talked about each other and resigned.
Lord Xinling invited some of his retainers to come to the house for discussion and asked them to suggest what words he should speak to Qin. Dr. Zhongyue said: "A gentleman's words cannot be trusted, and quality is of no use. He should be clear about forgiveness, and he must be polite. Even if there is no quality, who can stop him? If he takes the prince as his explanation, he will not make progress. "
Lord Xinling said, "I would like to hear what you have to say, sir."
Mr. Zhongyue said: "Qin and Wei are in alliance. Wei does not govern the city, but Qin does it, and Wei appreciates its virtue. Now Wei does not dare to trouble Qin too much, and is willing to govern its city with good ministers. I would like to offer you money and food as a thank you! "
Lord Xinling said: "If I redeem it with money and food, how much will I pay?"
Mr. Zhongyue said: "Zhi is the capital of Nanyang, where merchants and merchants of money and grain gather. It must be redeemed if it exceeds the price of Zhi."
Lord Xinling said: "One zhi is still unobtainable, but it's worse than that!"
Mr. Zhongyue said: "But what I have to say is that the prince's appointment lies with Liang. Liang may be unprepared. I hope the prince will say it, but my king dare not say goodbye!"
Lord Xinling said: "Sir, what you say is very wonderful. I will turn it into a joke."
Mr. Zhongyue said: "I hope your Majesty won't say anything. If you argue with a joke, you will have nothing to say! But you have nothing to say to me, but if you use the prince as a word, you will have nothing to say. If you use money, food, land, As for Ci, if the prince is his assistant, then he will definitely be able to move his heart!"
Lord Xinling said: "I don't see things clearly and I am stingy with money. Sir, I thank you in the paragraph: My Lord sees things unclearly, and what I say is meaningless, and my words are useless. Now that I know it, I dare not say anything more, but I would like to hear it." Yu Duanzi!" Mr. Zhongyue took the order and left for Prime Minister Wei's Mansion. When he was young, he came back and said, "Young Master Xie, Duanzi, is reckless and unclear about things. Now that I have his words, I will tell you." Lord Xinling was relieved at this.
Duan Ziqian first visited Prince Qin to inquire whether the prince's life in Liang was well and what other needs he had. The prince expressed that he was satisfied with everything and asked for nothing more. Duan Ziqian explained that he would surrender to Xianyang because Qin quietly occupied Wei's two cities, Yuan and Zhi. He is about to go to Xianyang and ask Wei Wei for what crime he was punished for. The prince just denied it and assured Qin that he would never betray his alliance. Duan Ziqian asked the prince what he wanted to say to King Qin, but the prince just said it was nothing.
With the prince's statement, Duan Ziqian felt confident. After some solemn temple speeches and Taoist speeches, Duan Ziqian and twenty others set off for Xianyang by car. This is the first time Wei has sent an envoy to visit Qin since the Battle of Huayang.
After entering Hangu Pass, Duan Ziqian verified the Jiefu. Hangu Lieutenant immediately flew to Xianyang and arranged for Duan Ziqian and his party to rest in the post.
At the same time, the news that Wei's envoy Duan Zigan was sent to Qin quickly spread throughout the five Shandong countries, and countless sentinels came to Xianyang either overtly or covertly.
As early as when Duan Ziqian was on the road, Qin Ting received intelligence that the Wei envoy was coming. The news he received from the Qin Prince was that Duan Ziqian would ask for Yuan and Zhi in the future.
Marquis Rang smiled coldly and said, "Let's see what it's worth."
A few days later, there was an emergency report at Hangu Pass. Wei sent Duan Ziqian into Hangu with twenty vehicles, all made of rice, flesh, bamboo, wood, and clothes and brocade. Marquis Rang ordered the carriage to stay in Hangu and only sent the envoys to Xianyang.
Ten official ships, decorated majestic and majestic, decorated with Wei flags, sailed toward Xianyang on the Wei River. They were guarded by Qin troops on both sides of the river and marched at a daily pace. Every time they pass through a county, they will be greeted and sent off by county officials, and a guard team will be organized. Five days later, when the ship entered Weishuijin in Xianyang, Dianke led a group of pedestrians to greet it at Jinkou, with bands organized by Yuefu on both sides. The Xianyang Order also organized a welcoming team, which was crowded and huge.
The ship was near Jinkou. Duan Ziqian stood on the bow early, and his followers all stood at the bow and stern. All the boatmen rowed together, and the boat was flying across the river. The Wei people were blown by the wind, with their faces spread out, fluttering in the wind, and making a whirring sound. When the ship arrived at Jinkou, the cables were gathered on the shore and the springboard was set up. The band struck the urns and fou and formed a rhythm. A group of female voices sang loudly: "Gathering bean sprouts, putting them in baskets. When a gentleman comes to court, why should he give it to him? Even if he doesn't give it to him, he will ride on a chariot or a horse. How can he give it to him? Xuangun and Fu." Then a group of male voices sang: "Looking at the boiling spring, I pick the celery. When a gentleman comes to court, I look at the flag. The flag is straight and the luan sounds. The gentleman carries the horse and the foursome." Amid the sound of drum music, Duan Ziqian stepped out of the boat. , meet the guests with courtesy.
At this time, a guest behind him asked: "When the Wei Dynasty entered the Qin Dynasty, the alliance recruited each other. It is not the princes who want to see the emperor, so how can they play "Cai Shu"? It is not polite."
A passerby behind Dianke replied: "In the past, when Prince Chong'er came to Qin, Qin Bo wrote a poem called "Cai Shu", and the son paid homage. Now the king of Qin is respected by his uncle; Duanzi is a foreign minister and inferior to the son. The memorial is "Cai Shu". "Shu", show it!"
Prime Minister Wei Guobin obviously did not expect that his critical words would lead to a merciless reply. He was speechless and had to bow and retreat. Duan Ziqian quickly changed the subject and praised: "I have always heard that Zhou's etiquette is all in Lu, but I don't think it's in Qin's view!"
Dianke said: "The land of Qin is the hometown of Zhou, so there are many Zhou Dynasties. I hope that the world will be happy to see it, not only Zhou." Duan Ziqian was greatly embarrassed when he heard this.
Amidst the elegant music of "Picking Shu", the entire Wei delegation boarded the south bank of the Wei River. Dianke introduced the distinguished guests who came to greet them today: Prince Wan of Chu and Huang Xie, the left disciple of Chu. Duan Ziqian asked: "Why did the prince hold Qin hostage for so long?"
Prince Chu said: "I dare not leave without the king's order!"
Dianke said: "The prince has lived in Qin for a long time, and the queen mother is very happy to return as a princess. Now she may have a son!"
Duanzi said: "The prince is so happy that he doesn't want to go back!"
Huang Xie said: "I heard that Prince Qin has been in Wei for a long time and Wei is not very polite. Is this true?"
Duan Ziqian said: "The prince lives in Liang, and he has hundreds of guards, all of whom are ordered to live in the post office. He is not allowed to come in and out, and the officials are always asking questions. But there is something missing, and he dare not wait for it. Why is it so rude?"
Huang Xie said: "The prince has lived in Daliang for more than a year, and the inner curtains have been empty for a long time. The king of Wei has nothing to give him?"
Duan Ziqian said: "Zuo Tu doesn't know something! The prince is newly established, and the previous king entrusted the princess to hold the broom. The prince and the King of Wei are brothers."
Huang Xie said: "Although Wei Nu came in, the curtains were still empty. This is because Liang and his brothers were disloyal."
Dianke said: "The prince has always been a young man. Now he is in Liang Dynasty, but he has three servants, all of whom are old. It is not Wei's fault."
Huang Xie said: "When my prince entered the Qin Dynasty, he did not have any servants. But the king gave the king's daughter, concubines, concubines, and female concubines. The king's favor is so great! How can the prince be such a good wife?"
Duan Ziqian saw that Huang Xie was determined to save face, so he had to retreat and said: "I have not thought carefully about this. I am so negligent!" Huang Xie gave up.
Amidst the music of drums and the singing of "Picking Beans", the Wei envoys boarded three leather chariots and slowly came to the post office, with the rest of the people following behind the chariots. Since the gifts were all left in Hangu, there were only a hundred people in the mission, either armed with swords or halberds. They were like an army, caught in the middle of the road by the Qin people.
