Luo Yanran said: "Let's go and greet him quickly." The two women nodded. The three women hurried to the hall. An officer from the Feifeng Female Guard was seen standing in the hall, with two mahogany boxes beside him, while Mr. Luo and others were standing on the left side with bows.
The three women came to the hall and bowed to the female officer: "Welcome, your Majesty!" The female officer clasped her fists and bowed, "There is no need for you to be polite!" Then she pointed to the two mahogany boxes beside her and said, "I I have brought you a gift from your Majesty on your orders, and I also ask the three ladies to accept it." The three of them said, "Thank you very much for your kindness." Luo Yanran added, "General, please go back and let us express our sincere thanks to your Majesty." Female The officer bowed and said, "I will definitely bring the wishes of the three ladies with you!" Then he said, "If the three ladies have no other instructions, I will leave." The three women nodded and said, "Good riddance, general." The female officer Goodbye and leave.
As soon as she left, all the gentlemen who came to visit Mr. Luo rushed to pay homage to the three girls: "The common people pay homage to the three empresses!" The three girls turned around and glanced at them. Luo Yanran said: "Uncles Uncle, there’s no need to be polite!”
Everyone stood up, but still lowered their heads, not daring to look at the three girls Luo Yanran. According to ancient rules, those in lower positions were not allowed to look at the female relatives of the superior, let alone the wife of King Yan, otherwise it would be disrespectful. Sin, although Yang Peng has never paid attention to this, the influence of more than a thousand years is still deeply rooted in all aspects. One of them said: "We are really flattered that the queen calls us uncles! We, the uncles and uncles, should also express our feelings to our niece on her big day! My uncle doesn't have any great abilities, so he just Let’s take three thousand taels of gold and thirty thousand taels of silver as gifts! Please don’t dislike it, my virtuous niece!”
Luo Yanran and the other three girls were all shocked. Then when they met other people, they all expressed their intention to send congratulatory gifts. This one gave 108 Dongzhu, and the other gave a thousand pieces of brocade. They said they were small gifts, but in fact they were extremely heavy. Luo Yanran bowed to everyone and said: "My niece thanks all uncles for their love, but my niece cannot accept these gifts at any cost!"
Everyone was stunned, and one person said anxiously: "Niece Xian, this is the wish of our elders!" Others nodded in agreement. Luo Yanran bowed again, "My niece appreciates your uncles' thoughts, but she really can't accept these gifts! King Yan governs the country according to the law, and he upholds the law strictly. My niece is his wife, how can she know how to break the law! She has no choice but to do so. , uncles, please forgive me!" After everyone heard what she said, it was hard to say anything else, and everyone frowned, seeming to be depressed about not being able to give out the gift. When a businessman gives a gift, he naturally has some intention. If the gift cannot be delivered, he must be anxious.
How could Luo Yanran not understand what they were thinking, so she said: "My niece knows that all uncles want to contribute to Yanyun! In this case, you might as well donate these gifts directly to the national treasury. In that case, the effect will be better !”
Everyone couldn't help but be stunned, and then laughed. One person said to others: "If we want to contribute to Yanyun, there is no need to give this gift. It is the same if we donate these gifts to the national treasury!" The others nodded, and one of them said mockingly: " We were so accustomed to giving gifts under the rule of Zhao and Song Dynasties that we can’t even think of a proper way!” Everyone couldn’t help laughing.
One person said to Luo Yanran: "The good niece must abide by the law, and we uncles must support her! But the uncles have something to say beforehand. If the good niece encounters any difficulties, she only needs to speak up. We uncles can Money will give you money, and your strength will give you strength, no ambiguity!" Others nodded in agreement, all looking generous. When Luo Yanran saw this scene, although she knew they had an agenda, she couldn't help but feel moved and said, "Thank you uncles for your kindness!"
Everyone smiled, and one person said: "We have been harassing you for a long time. My virtuous niece, Mr. Luo, I will leave soon!" Others also waved their hands and left. Mr. Luo returned the gift: "I'll see you off." Then he sent everyone out. An Qian glanced at the two big boxes and couldn't help but become curious and said, "I wonder what Madam Yang sent you?" Then she walked to the two wooden boxes and opened one of them, only to see the whole wooden box. Six bottles of wine were neatly placed, and the note on the bottle said 'daughter's red'. Anxi opened another box, also containing six bottles of her daughter's red wine.
An Qian smiled and said, "This Madam Yang is really thoughtful!" Luo Yanran thought to herself, "My daughter's red wine is the wine for her daughter's wedding. Madam Yang gave our daughter red wine. It seems that she also considers herself an elder." An Qian said with a smile. Qian frowned and hummed: "Hmph, she really doesn't know her own abilities. Why should she consider herself an elder? In terms of her birth, how can she be compared with us!"
Luo Yanran shook her head, "It is said that the one who starts first is the best. She followed her eldest brother first and shared his sorrows with him. She can be said to be the first among the concubines. What's more, she gave birth to the eldest son of King Yan. The mother is more valuable than the son. She Our current status cannot be underestimated. We have just entered the palace and have no foundation at all, so it is best not to make enemies."
Yan Ji nodded and said: "Yan Ran is right, we can't offend Mrs. Yang rashly." An Qian said angrily: "I didn't say I wanted to offend her. What are you two so anxious about?" Yan Ji smiled. Said: "If you don't have this idea, then there is nothing better!" Then he frowned and said: "'As deep as the Hou Men is as deep as the sea', I didn't expect that I would be willing to take the initiative to participate in it!" These words immediately triggered Luo Yanran resonance. An Qian smiled and said: "As deep as the Hou family is as deep as the sea! But in other families, there are no worries?" Yan Ji and Luo Yanran couldn't help but be stunned.
An Qian said: "If the eldest brother is a scholar, the burden of the family needs to be borne by us wives. If one day he wins the first prize, will he abandon his wife like Chen Shimei? If the eldest brother is a man without much ability, we, the wives, will Being his wife will inevitably attract the covetousness of outsiders. If he can't protect us, what will be our fate?"
Yan Ji smiled and said: "Listening to what you said, it seems that no matter what kind of person the eldest brother is, life will be difficult and he will have troubles!" Luo Yanran sighed: "Who can avoid encountering troubles in this life!" An Qian said: "The eldest brother is the world-famous King Yan, a hero respected by all the people! Although we will have troubles marrying King Yan, we will also have supreme glory! So, it is better for the eldest brother to be King Yan!"
Yan Ji smiled and said: "As long as I can accompany him, what use is glory to me?" Luo Yanran nodded with deep understanding and thought: "I just wonder if the eldest brother's harem is like other kings' Just like the harem, there are overt and covert struggles and mutual strife!"
Yan Ji frowned and said: "Although eldest brother's harem is not as fiercely fought as other kings' harems, there are still open and covert fights! As far as I know, the princesses are divided into several factions, and they seem to be inseparable from each other. The main thing they fought for before was eldest brother's favor. , now it seems that they are more competing for the position of the concubine!"
Luo Yanran sighed. An Qian said: "Sister, don't worry! The three of us are no worse than her princess, and we are not afraid of anyone! Both sisters have the appearance of a country, a woman who is ashamed of the moon! They are better than any of them. They all have to be outstanding! And sister Yan Ji is the leader of the Huaxu Pavilion. My younger sister and sister Yanran have no other abilities, but they can mobilize merchants all over the country. The power of wealth cannot be underestimated! Our strength and Compared with any princess from any faction, she is not inferior, and can even be said to be outstanding! As long as we are united, we are not afraid of anyone!"
Luo Yanran sighed: "The last thing I want to face is this kind of thing!" Yan Ji frowned and said nothing. An Qian said: "It's not up to us. As the saying goes, 'the tree wants to be quiet but the wind doesn't stop.' We don't want to fight, but other princesses will never think so! It would be fine if we weren't so outstanding, but But because we are so outstanding, especially the two sisters, we will definitely arouse the jealousy of others! With this jealousy, we can do anything! Instead of sitting back and waiting for death, it is better to take the initiative!"
Luo Yanran thought: "Let's not fight with others, just do our duty as wives!" Yan Ji nodded and said, "Yanran is right!" An Qian frowned and wanted to continue to persuade, But then I thought: 'I'm afraid the two sisters won't listen to anything I say now, and I don't have to say anything. After entering the palace, facing the pressure of other princesses, the two sisters just don't want to fight! 'As soon as I thought about it, I said nothing more. Then he thought: 'This child is an important bargaining chip in the harem competition. After entering the palace, no matter who the three of us are, as long as we can give birth to a child, especially a boy, we will be invincible! '
Zhang Xiang shouted: "Kneel down!" Cao Bin glanced at Zhang Xiang and said proudly: "I am an envoy of the imperial court, how can I bow to you!" Zhang Xiang was furious and about to explode, Yang Peng waved his hand and said: "That's it! "Zhang Xiang endured it.
Cao Bin was the nephew of Zhang, the concubine of Guo Wei, Taizu of the Later Zhou Dynasty. He served as a tooth general in the Chengde Army during the Later Han Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Shizong of the later Zhou Dynasty, he was ordered to send an envoy to Wuyue, and after exhausting his official duties, he introduced envoys. Cao Bin was strict in running the army, especially military discipline. He was trusted by Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin and made great contributions in the Unification War of the Northern Song Dynasty. In the second year of Qiande (964), he participated in the attack and annihilation of Hou Shu. He was famous for not killing indiscriminately and was promoted to the envoy of Xuanhui Nanyuan. In the seventh year of Kaibao (974), he led an army of 100,000 troops to attack and destroy the Southern Tang Dynasty, and conquered Jinling the following year. He also decided to attack the Northern Han Dynasty and the Liao Dynasty, and promoted the Privy Envoy with his merits. In the third year of Yongxi's reign (986), Song Taizong divided his troops into three groups to attack Liao, with Cao Bin serving as the commander-in-chief of the East Route Army. Because he advanced alone, was exhausted and had no food, he withdrew his troops. He was defeated in the battle of Qigou Pass, causing the Song army to retreat across the board, and was demoted to the rank of General Youxiaowei. Later he resumed his duties as Shizhong and Wuning Jiedushi. After Song Zhenzong ascended the throne, Cao Bin was reinstated as Privy Envoy.
Yang Peng took a look at Cao Bin and saw that he was an old man in his seventies or eighties with white beard and hair, but a strong temperament and a strong spirit. He couldn't help but secretly praise Cao Bin in his heart, and he was full of good impressions of this old man. Yang Peng has heard many legends and stories about Cao Bin since he was a child. His respect for this man has been ingrained in his heart since he was a child. When he saw him today, he couldn't help but be very excited. Yang Peng said: "I have heard of Cao Bin a long time ago. I am very excited to meet him today!"
Cao Bin snorted and said loudly: "I have heard of the name of King Yan a long time ago. I am also very excited to see you today! I didn't expect that a traitor comparable to Cao Cao would be so young!" Yang Peng was stunned and smiled. laugh. Zhang Xiang shouted: "Presumptuous!" Cao Bin, however, was not afraid and looked at Yang Peng with a sneer.
Yang Peng raised his hand to signal Cao Bin not to get excited, and said to Cao Bin with a smile: "Whether it's a traitor or a tyrant, I don't care what outsiders think of me. I just need to do what I should do!"
Cao Bin couldn't help but was filled with anger and said loudly: "The King of Yan eats the king's salary and is supposed to be loyal to the king and serve the country. But now he betrays the king's favor and commits rebellion. It is really shameless!" Yelu Hanyu mocked: "Be loyal to the king and serve the country? I'm afraid it's for the Zhao family. Become a slave! King Yan is a great hero, why should he be a slave for the Zhao family?" Cao Bin said proudly: "The glory and wealth of King Yan are all given by the official family. If you don't use the official family, it is treason! How can such behavior be established in the Zhao family? Between heaven and earth?" Then he said to Yang Peng: "King Yan must not make a mistake that will lead to eternal hatred and become the object of reviled for eternity! It is still too late to rein in the situation now!"
Yang Peng laughed. Yelu Hanyu said: "Master Cao Bin is so righteous! But I want to ask you, how did the Zhao family come from?" Cao Bin was stunned for a moment, then frowned.
Yelu Hanyu said: "Zhao Kuangyin took advantage of the new death of the Chai family emperor and the orphans and widows to suddenly attack and seize the country! I don't know what this kind of behavior would be considered by the upright Lord Cao Bin?" Cao Bin couldn't help but His mind was a little confused. It was not that he had never thought about this problem in the past. However, whenever his thoughts came to this question, he quickly avoided it. Now that Yelu Hanyu asked him directly, the previous confusion couldn't help but come back. In his heart, the moral concept that had long been formed in his mind made him feel that he could not explain this problem at all. It seemed to be contradictory everywhere, and his thoughts suddenly fell into an endless loop.
Yelu Hanyu sneered and said: "If it is just for the Zhao family to gain the country, then it is even more worthy of destiny for King Yan to dominate the country! Compared with Zhao Kuangyin bullying the orphans and widows left behind by his master, the rise of King Yan is completely The Khitans were expelled through bloody battles in the Central Plains. This country was conquered with one sword and one spear! If there is a destiny, King Yan has proved with practical actions that he is the one who has received the destiny!"
Cao Bin frowned and was speechless. Cao Bin was not a clumsy eloquent person, but Yelu Hanyu used facts as the basis and used his spear to attack his shield at every turn, making it impossible for a figure like Cao Bin to refute.
Yang Peng said: "Who can tell clearly who is righteous and who is evil? Aren't they all discussing issues from their own standpoint?" Cao Bin's expression moved slightly. Yang Peng said: "Don't talk about these unclear things. Mr. Cao Bin, please explain your purpose of coming." Cao Bin recovered his chaotic thoughts and said: "I am here to give orders to King Yan on the orders of His Majesty the Emperor of Song Dynasty. Give up the intention of invading the south!"
Yang Peng said with a smile: "An order?" Cao Bin frowned and said: "The King of Yan is still a minister of the Song Dynasty. It is better not to do such a thing in the future, so as not to make people angry!"
Yang Peng smiled. Yelu Hanyu smiled and said: "I remember an old saying, 'There is no owner in the world, only the virtuous live in it'! In other words, it is impossible to say who belongs to this world. They are all human beings, and they are also subject to birth, old age, illness and death. Why should we say that?" Whose world does it belong to? Only people with high moral character are qualified to lead the world. So what is a person with high moral character? I think a person who can bring peace, wealth and dignity to the people can be called a person with high moral character. !" He glanced at Cao Bin and asked: "Are those people in the Zhao family like this? They used to favor traitors, treat the people of the world as pigs and dogs, and use the flesh and blood of the people to satisfy their own selfish desires, causing the people to become homeless and robbers everywhere; After the Khitan invaded, the entire court and the officials you mentioned were cowardly and fearful, and did nothing, resulting in the loss of the Central Plains, even the land of their ancestors, and putting the people in dire straits. Zhao Heng only cared about a corner of peace! This way! The imperial court, how can such a person lead the world?"
Cao Bin frowned. Yelu Hanyu continued: "The Central Plains was restored by King Yan, and the current prosperity was also achieved by King Yan! Master Cao Bin came all the way, and he must have seen the people living and working in peace and contentment. How does it compare to the time of Emperor Zhao's family?" Cao Bin was speechless.
Yelu Hanyu said: "So, Zhao Song has long lost the qualifications to lead the world, and King Yan is like the rising sun in the east, destined to dominate the world and build the Later Han Empire!" Cao Bin was shocked and looked at Yang Peng glanced at it, frowned and asked: "So, King Yan has made up his mind to invade the south?"
Yang Peng shook his head and said: "It's not about invading the south, it's just about unifying the country! If I can't unify the country, wouldn't I be just like the cowardly and incompetent Zhao Song? Then I'm not qualified to lead China!"
Cao Bin sighed and said: "The official said that as long as the King of Yan can give up going south, he is willing to hand over half of the taxes from Jiangnan to the King of Yan!" Yang Peng shook his head and said: "The country cannot be used for business! I The decision has been made and it is impossible to change!" Cao Bin frowned and said, "Can King Yan just bear to watch his fellow roommates fight against each other and lose their lives?"
Yang Peng said calmly: "I don't want to have a civil war, but I have to do it to unify the country!" Cao Bin could hear Yang Peng's unswerving determination, and couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart. Yang Peng said: "Master Cao Bin, once our Yan Yun army goes south, it will be a thunderous force. It is impossible for Zhao Song to withstand it with his ability! Why should the royal family engage in meaningless fights for their own selfish interests? I can promise that as long as they If you give up resistance, you can not only save your life, but also preserve the endless glory and wealth you will enjoy throughout your life!"
Cao Bin said angrily: "It's not certain who will win and who will lose!"
Yang Peng sighed and said with some disappointment: "I originally thought that Mr. Cao Bin was a good official who devoted himself to the people! But I was wrong. You are just a slave of the Zhao family! You have no plans for the people. You clearly It’s just for the Zhao family’s plan!”
Cao Bin frowned and said: "You can say whatever you like, King Yan! But the reason why I, Cao Bin, want to fight against King Yan to the end is for the welfare of the people! You may indeed be more wise and powerful than the previous emperors of the Zhao family, but You are resorting to militarism and do not follow Confucianism. Sooner or later, this approach will lead the whole world to follow the same path of violent Qin Dynasty! At that time, all the people in the world will be miserable! Therefore, for the sake of the well-being of the people of the world, the court must not surrender to you! "
Yang Peng laughed and said: "It seems that I can't convince Lord Cao Bin!" Cao Bin said: "Both and each other! Since King Yan insists on going south, the imperial court will have no choice but to rebel and fight you to the end!" Yang Peng said: "It seems that we There’s nothing more to say.” Cao Bin clasped his fists and said, “Goodbye!” He turned around and strode away.
Zhang Xiang clasped his fists angrily and said: "King Yan, this person is too rude, we can't just let him leave so easily!" Yang Peng smiled nonchalantly: "He just said a few words from his heart. Very good, why are you angry?" Zhang Xiang said worriedly: "I am only worried that this person will incite the court and the people to fight against us, Yan Yun, after he returns!"
Yang Peng said: "Even if Cao Bin is put under house arrest, there are still Cao Yong and the Guo brothers. Besides, putting Cao Bin under house arrest seems too reckless on our part, so it's better to let him go." Zhang Xiang felt that what King Yan said was reasonable. , cupping his fists and saying: "The King of Yan is wise, but his subordinates are stupid!"
Yang Peng frowned and thought: "Although the imperial court is not worth mentioning, there are people like Cao Yong, Cao Bin, and the Guo brothers assisting us. I'm afraid this battle will not be easy!"
Later that day, Yang Peng met with Han Derang, the Liao envoy. On behalf of Wang Jun, Handerang extended his sincerest greetings to Yang Peng and hoped that the two sides would further expand trade. Since the two sides stopped fighting and made peace, border trade between the two sides has resumed. The Liao Kingdom has benefited a lot from it, and its previously depleted energy has been quickly restored. The main task of Handerang's trip was to discuss expanding trade with King Yan. Yang Peng gave a positive answer to this, and Handerang was very happy.
Before evening that day, Handerang returned to the State Guesthouse. As soon as he sat down, a follower rushed in, presented a letter to Han Derang, and said: "My lord, someone has sent a letter to your lord."
Handerang was very surprised and murmured: "Who could it be? Could it be the princess?" After thinking about it, he quickly accepted the letter, opened the envelope, took out the letter paper, unfolded it and read it. There was a look of surprise on his face. After thinking for a moment, he said to his attendant, "Come out with me." The attendant bowed and agreed.
Handerang changed into casual clothes and led his two entourages out of the State Guesthouse, all the way to the door of a private room in Tianjing Hotel. Handrang glanced at a follower, who understood, stepped forward and knocked on the door, bang bang. "Come in." An old man's voice came from the private room.
The attendant opened the door and three people filed in. Handerang saw a vigorous old man sitting at the wine table and asked, "Are you the envoy of the Song Dynasty?"
The old man stood up, clasped his fists and said, "Cao Bin, I have met the Prime Minister." Handerang walked to the opposite side of Cao Bin and sat down. Two followers stood behind him, one on the left and the other on the right. Cao Bin also sat down, clasped his fists and said, "I take the liberty of inviting you, but please don't take offense!"
Han Derang said: "My lord, there is no need to be polite. Please explain your intention." Cao Bin asked: "Do you know the purpose of my trip?" Han Derang said with a mocking smile: "The Yanyun Army is deploying troops and generals on a large scale. The purpose is Obviously, we want to cross the river south to join the Han Dynasty! The purpose of your trip is probably to seek peace on the orders of your emperor!"
What happened after all, let’s see what happens next.
