Listening to Yelu Chun's words, Xiao Delit's face turned upside down at this moment.
Xiao Derit's first thought was not where would he go in the future if Song and Liao started a war?
The Song Dynasty must have taken him and Yelu Chun as hostages. Will he surrender to the Song Dynasty at that time? Still not going down?
After surrendering to the Song Dynasty, he became a second minister, but how many people were like Wang Jizhong? What would he do if he was a child in the Liao Kingdom? But if he does not surrender to the Song Dynasty, even if he does not die, he will still suffer humiliation as a prisoner.
Thinking of this, Xiao Delite said: "Your Highness, I, Xiao Delite, will die if I die, but the safety of Your Highness and the safety of Yanyun Sixteen Prefectures is more important."
Yelu Chun was moved after hearing Xiao Delit's words and said, "Xiao Linya, Yelu Hong's theory may not be accurate."
Xiao Derit said: "There is a saying among southerners that 'it is better to believe that something exists than to believe something does not exist'."
Yelu Chun said: "Xiao Linya is right. Once I return to my country, I will never forget Xiao Linya's kindness. The only way for now is to discuss peace quickly. I will report this matter to Your Majesty when I return to the court." , it was not easy to overturn this paper agreement at that time.”
Xiao Delit just wanted Yelu Chun to endorse him and said: "Your Highness, don't worry, I will do my best to deal with the Song people."
Yelu Chun said: "That's right. If the Southern Dynasty breaks out, I will deal with it humbly and submissively. As long as we return to China, it will look better if we ask for more chapters."
Xiao Derit returned to the temporary embassy and sat down. Now that he was in the territory of the Song Dynasty, he was also closely guarded by the Song Dynasty. He was not allowed to hear any information from the outside world, just like sitting in a well watching the sky.
"Bring me the wine!"
Upon hearing this, his subordinates immediately served him wine.
Before Xiaodrit became rich, he enjoyed drinking wine every day. Now that he is in a high position, he drinks wine.
This wine is like blood, and it is particularly tempting when held in a white jade cup.
Xiao Derit drank three bells every day. After he went to the Song Dynasty as an envoy, he warned himself that he must only drink one bell a day.
Today he was upset and couldn't get enough of it after drinking for two minutes. After being dissuaded by the attendants on the side, Xiao Derit still drank for three more minutes before he felt very refreshed and finally fell asleep on the couch.
As he was about to sleep, the muffled sound of horse hoofs suddenly came from outside the house, which woke Xiao Derit from his drunkenness. After a while, he realized that it was the Song Army's armored cavalry patrolling the city at night.
Xiao Derit breathed out the smell of alcohol, his eyes were red, and he didn't know what he was thinking in his heart.
…
At night, Zhang Yue was negotiating with the Liao envoy.
This Liao envoy was the person who had previously sent Beizhu to Zhang Yue by Yelu Yixin.
He was responsible for delivering news between Yanjing and Zhending Mansion. The other party called himself Ma Xiong, but Zhang Yue knew that this was not the other party's real name. However, among the Han people in the Liao Kingdom, Liu and Ma both came from a well-known family. Judging from the way he talked, he should also come from the Yanyun Han family.
Ma Xiong said: "When I came to Song Dynasty this time, I saw that the passes were very strictly guarded. Common people and merchants were only allowed to go south and were not allowed to return to the north. Even the number of Song Dynasty merchants going to and from the market was 50% less than before. I don't know why?"
Zhang Yue said: "Your envoy asked questions knowingly. Your country's army is pressing down on the border, and merchants no longer dare to do business."
Ma Xiong said eloquently: "That's not the case. In the past, no matter how tense the situation was, businessmen would also pursue profit. Now, the reduction of businessmen is your country's deliberate decision."
Zhang Yue smiled and said: "Your Majesty has misunderstood. As far as I know, I have never issued this order."
Ma Xiong said: "May I ask Xianggong Zhang, where is Yeluhong?"
Zhang Yue said: "There are many eyes and ears in Zhending Mansion, so others may know about my relationship with King Wei. I have arranged for him to be in a safer place."
While they were talking, the entourage came in and whispered a few words to Zhang Yue. Zhang Yue nodded and said, "I'll go out and see you."
Ma Xiong wondered if it was so late, who else did Zhang Yue want to see?
What Zhang Yue saw in another room was Han Zhen who came to the door in the middle of the night.
But seeing Han Zhen's face full of worry, Zhang Yue said, "Why did Han Daizhi come to see me so late?"
Han Zhen said: "Commander Xuan, I have been to Hebei recently. Soldiers and horses in Hedong have been mobilized very frequently. It is not a slack time for farming, but all the country soldiers under each security guard have gathered. Is it the Liao Kingdom that wants to go south?" Was there a war?”
Zhang Yue said: "Maybe I don't have this worry."
Han Zhen said loudly: "Mr. Zhang, I am also the official envoy of this negotiation. If you have anything to say, please tell me directly and don't keep me in the dark. Does me know what happened?"
Zhang Yue didn't feel dissatisfied when he saw Han Zhen being like this and said, "Yu Ru only needs to negotiate the demarcation of the boundary. You don't need to worry about other matters. Besides, there is nothing else."
Han Zhen was furious when he heard this. When Zhang Yue sentenced Qinzhou, he was still his subordinate. Besides Wu Chong, Zhang Yue's success was not all due to the support of his brother Han Jiang. Now that he is in a high position, he dares to talk to him like this.
Is it in vain to say that I would rather meet a breasted tiger than meet a jade-ru?
Han Zhen said to Zhang Yue: "Since Mr. Zhang said so, why don't you blame me for asking the officials to find out? Or write to the county guards."
Zhang Yue said: "You can ask if you want, I have no comment."
Han Zhen said loudly: "Then I will report to the officials that the troops and horses in Hebei and Hedong will be mobilized for no reason!"
Zhang Yue also said: "It's okay to write a proviso!"
Han Zhen was shocked when he heard this. He suddenly remembered that last year, because the Khitan was aggressive and oppressed the Song Dynasty on the demarcation of the border, there was a lot of discussion between the government and the public at that time. Rather than confronting the Liao Kingdom in Zhending, Hejian, and Hezhong, it would be better to raise troops to attack the Liao Kingdom.
Officials still quite support this theory.
Zhang Yue must have a tacit understanding with the officials.
Han Zhen said: "Zhang Xianggong's move will inevitably lead to Gaoliang River and Qigou Pass. Hebei is not the Xihe River, and the Liao Kingdom is not comparable to the Western Bandits!"
Zhang Yue snapped and said angrily: "When did I say I was going to conquer Liao? As an envoy, you don't have to listen to those nonsense. Just focus on negotiating."
Han Zhen sneered and said, "That's it for Han, let's take our leave!"
Seeing Han Zhen's expression as he left, Zhang Yue shouted loudly: "Come here, capture Han Zhen!"
After hearing this, dozens of soldiers rushed out of the rooms on the left and right and held Han Zhen down on the spot.
Han Zhen was shocked and angry: "Zhang Duzhi, what do you mean?"
Zhang Yue said: "Then Yu Ru, what do you mean by breaking into the commander's palace at night? Take it!"
Han Zhen said angrily: "Zhang San, for your own selfish interests, you have ignored the safety of the imperial court and decades of peace, started provocations, sought credit for trouble, and resorted to militarism. It's pity that the century-old foundation of our ancestors in the Song Dynasty has been ruined by you. in the hands.”
"What nonsense!"
Zhang Yue heard what Han Zhen said and reprimanded him loudly, and then ordered his confidants to take Han Zhen into custody.
…
After Han Zhen was taken away, Ma Xiong re-entered.
Although Ma Xiong didn't hear what Han Zhen said, he had some guesses about the big commotion.
Let’s think about the recent strange behavior on the border of the Song Dynasty and the disappearance of Yeluhong.
Ma Xiong met Zhang Yue and said again: "The King of Wei asked me to come here this time to ask Zhang Xianggong what Chen Bingjie wants?"
Zhang Yue said: "What if it's not my own desires? It's just that the Liao Kingdom has been humiliated many times and China wants justice."
Ma Xiong said: "I heard that the appointment of the Xuanfu envoy of your dynasty is a general who knows the army, takes orders of the people, and is the master of the country's security. How can Mr. Zhang be so careless as the Xuanfu envoy?"
Zhang Yue said: "Reckless? Since your country is intimidating me by stationing troops and increasing garrison, you must also be prepared to be attacked by me. Whatever you do will make you pay the price."
"If you want to fight the Liao Kingdom, you can fight. If you don't want to fight, you can't fight. Now I have so many soldiers and horses stationed on the border."
"Now you say forget it? Do you want to stop the army? Do I agree?"
Faced with Zhang Yue's tyranny, Ma Xiong changed his expression and said: "The King of Wei came here and told me that as long as the Prime Minister is willing to advocate for your dynasty to negotiate peace, release Yelu Chun, and keep Yelv Hong safe, then everything can be done to the satisfaction of the Prime Minister. ."
Zhang Yue asked: "How to be satisfied?"
Ma Xiong immediately took out a note and said: "This is the deposit given to Xiao Derit by the Emperor of the Northern Dynasty before he went on his mission."
Zhang Yue read the note and revealed the bottom line of Yelu Hongji's negotiation to him. It was absolutely correct to say that Yelu Yixin was a traitor.
Seeing this, Zhang Yue accepted the note and said to Ma Xiong: "Brother Ma, don't say 'your dynasty, my lord' or 'your lord, my lord' from now on. You are also a Han, follow me from now on, I recommend you to serve in the Song Dynasty" Find an official position."
Seeing Zhang Yue win over him, Ma Xiong immediately said: "Xiangong Zhang is willing to say this. I am very grateful. However, my parents have settled in Yizhou. After a hundred years, I am willing to hold Xianggong Zhang's whip."
Zhang Yue nodded when he heard the words and said: "Then it's settled, I can only dream of talents like Brother Ma."
"Please also tell King Wei that if one day he is unable to settle down in the country, then Bianjing will be his place to go, and I will sweep the bed to be there for him.
…
Two days later, during the negotiations between Song and Liao, Tong Guan informed Zhang Yue that there was one missing person returning to the court. This person was obviously a double agent planted by the Liao State in Zhang Yue's capital. Now he must have learned the news, so he sneaked back to the Liao Kingdom to spread the news.
Tong Guan apologized to Zhang Yue, and Zhang Yue said it was fine. At the same time, he also lamented that Liao's intelligence work was indeed good.
Seeing Tong Guan's remorseful expression, Zhang Yue comforted him.
Xiao Derit, the Liao envoy, suddenly discovered that the original negotiator, Han Zhen, had suddenly disappeared.
When asked about the meaning of the Song Dynasty officials, they said that Han Zhen suddenly fell seriously ill and was so ill that he could not afford to get sick all at once.
The Liao officials looked at each other. This was obviously a lie. Yesterday, Han Zhen was very lively when talking to them. He didn't look sick at all. Why did he suddenly become 'sick' today?
This excuse is too outrageous.
In fact, careful Liao officials could also find that every Song official from Li Ping on down was worried and uneasy.
Yes, Li Ping and the others have also heard some rumors. Although they are not sure, there is a high probability that they are true.
At the beginning of the negotiations between the two parties, each was conducted under an extremely depressing and dull stage.
From the beginning, the two sides started arguing over the demarcation. On the matter of demarcation, both sides quoted scriptures and explained the truth. But the truth is just a truth, and it will ultimately be reflected in the national strength of the Song and Liao countries.
Xiao Derit did not dare to let the negotiation drag on any longer, and immediately said: "Our credentials have been issued. I don't know what the terms of Mr. Zhang are. Let's discuss it and submit it to the Lords of both sides."
Zhang Yue nodded and asked Li Ping to hand over the drafted terms to Xiao Derit. After Xiaodrit browsed it, his color changed slightly.
Zhang Yue's clause was not too harsh, but it hit the bottom line that Yelu Hongji had set for him to negotiate this time, and it was also the maximum scope for him to make the decision.
Xiao Derit said: "This is absolutely impossible. Our country will never agree."
Zhang Yue said: "Then there is nothing we can do."
Xiao Derit argued for a while, but finally realized that he couldn't do anything. But he still didn't give up. He took the terms to Zhang Yue and said, "Ms. Zhang will take a step to speak."
Zhang Yue and Xiao Derit walked aside. Everyone present knew that the two of them were going to discuss something that could not be found in the official records of the two countries.
Everyone pretended not to have seen this scene.
When Xiao Derit saw Zhang Yue, he softened his tone and said, "Xiangong Zhang, for the sake of my relationship with the King of Wei, can't you give me more?"
Zhang Yue said: "Thank you King Wei for your kindness, but the demarcation of the boundary is a state matter between the two emperors' families. How can we, my ministers, make the decision for the emperor? If the king of Wei wants my house in Bianjing, I will definitely give it up. But I I have no authority to dispose of even one mile of the territory of the Song Dynasty for the emperor."
Xiao Derit smiled and said: "If Mr. Zhang said he was righteous, then why did he accept those Dongzhu and gold and silver before? Are you so afraid that your lord will know about it? Are you going to punish someone for the crime of connecting with foreign countries?"
Zhang Yue knew that they had this skill, so he was very honest and said: "If your envoy is interested, you can tell my lord."
Seeing Zhang Yue's helpless look, Xiao Delit thought to himself that Zhang Yue was an important minister of the Song Dynasty, so these things could not threaten him. He planned in his heart that Zhang Yue should not tell the emperor about his intention to send troops, but he could tell the king of Wei, who would definitely excuse him in front of the emperor.
Today's Liao Kingdom would rather offend Yelu Hongji than King Wei.
But Xiao Derit still said: "Mr. Zhang, will you give up another ten miles of land? Are you not willing?"
Zhang Yue shook his head. Xiao Derit became anxious and threatened again: "The two families have been friends for seventy or eighty years. After these things have been reconciled long ago, each of us will stick to the truth and never fight again." Could it be that for these ten miles, Zhang Xianggong really wanted to separate the two families? "
Zhang Yue still refused.
Xiao Derit said dejectedly: "Okay, just follow what Mr. Zhang said."
Zhang Yue looked a little disappointed when he heard this, and finally said: "That's fine."
Xiao Derit looked at Zhang Yue's expression and thought, this man really wants to go to the Northern Expedition.
Finally, Xiao Delit sent Zhang Yue's terms to Yanjing for discussion. After seeing Xiao Delit's agreement, the Song Dynasty negotiating delegation was all extremely happy, but they were afraid of revealing anything in front of the Liao people.
After walking out of the negotiation place, Li Ping couldn't help but asked Zhang Yue in a trembling voice: "Commander, are you going to report the results of this negotiation to the officials immediately?"
Zhang Yue took a look at the terms drawn up by Li Ping and said, "Don't use it for now. After all, it is still unknown whether the Lord of Liao will agree to it."
After all, the contract has only been drawn up and the company has not yet stamped it.
Still subject to seal (credentials).
Of course, even if it is stamped, there are still variables in the future. Zhang Yue wanted to wait until he was sure before telling the emperor.
But Li Ping and other Song Dynasty negotiators were all happy, but after hearing Zhang Yue's words, they still suppressed their joyful expressions.
Among everyone, Zhang Yue may be the only one who is not so happy.
Li Ping thought of this and then thought of all the controversies and doubts about Zhang Yue over the past year. He immediately bowed to Zhang Yue and said as calmly as possible: "Mr. Zhang, it was Li who wrongly blamed you in the past. Li apologizes to you!"
Seeing Li Ping's behavior, Zhang Yue smiled and asked, "What are you wrong about?"
Li Ping didn't know how to answer, but Zhang Yue said: "You and I are all doing this for the sake of state affairs, and there is no blame."
Li Ping was so moved that he couldn't speak. Just as a cool breeze suddenly started to blow, Li Ping immediately turned around and covered his face with his sleeves.
Zhang Yue looked at the fallen leaves on the trees and unknowingly realized that autumn had arrived in Zhending Mansion early.
…
After showing the terms of the peace negotiation to Han Zhen, the other party looked in disbelief. It was unimaginable for him that the Liao Kingdom actually made such a big concession in the end.
After Han Zhen taught Zhang Yue the terms, he asked, "Is all this planned by my husband?"
Zhang Yue said: "No."
"So does my husband really want to go on the Northern Expedition?"
Zhang Yue was speechless.
Han Zhen knew that Zhang Yue was unwilling to tell the truth, and knew that he could not ask whether Zhang Yue had any intention of attacking Liao.
Zhang Yue said: "But no matter what, if you want to convince the Liao people, you must first believe it."
Han Zhen praised: "This is a very pertinent statement. Please forgive me for my shallow vision and ignorance of my husband's strategy before."
After saying this, Han Zhen stood up and confessed to Zhang Yue.
Zhang Yue said: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter."
"I'm thinking that future generations of scholars who read history at this point may laugh at me for being so cowardly that I didn't take advantage of the great defeat of Xixia to miss the opportunity to conquer the Liao Kingdom in the north and regain the sixteen states of Yanyun."
After a pause, Zhang Yue sighed: "When I read history, I laugh at my predecessors, and future generations laugh at me when they read history. The purpose of an emperor's achievements is to make others laugh at himself, and then let others laugh at him. It's nothing more than this, nothing more than this."
Han Zhen laughed and raised his wine cup and said, "With that, I respect you, Mr. Zhang!"
The two drank it all, and Zhang Yue said: "Brother Han, just don't blame me."
Han Zhen said: "Not only do I not blame it, but I want to thank Xianggong Zhang. If it weren't for Han's trick, how could the Liao people fall into the trap?"
Zhang Yue and Han Zhen both laughed when they heard this.
…
The autumn wind has begun to blow in Bianjing, and the official is wearing a cloak and looking at a sycamore tree in the courtyard.
The autumn wind blows, the sycamore trees rustle, and a few leaves roll off the trees.
The official said to Shi De on the side: "This tree was newly planted when I came to the throne. Since then, I have been paying attention to it and have visited it once a year. For ten years, this tree has become a towering tree."
Shi De said: "The mind of an official contains all things. A big man knows the universe, and a small man can see a tree and a leaf."
The official said: "I don't have the ability to know the autumn leaves. I just thought that it has been ten years since I took the throne."
At this time, a chamberlain came forward and presented a copy of the manuscript and whispered: "Your Majesty, Zhang Yue's manuscript!"
"I wonder if there is any good news?"
The official nodded and opened the papers and looked over them. Shi Deyi quietly raised his head to see whether the official's face was happy or angry.
But the officials looked calm.
After a while, the official put down his clothes, then walked to the middle of the courtyard, stepping on the fallen leaves, and walked forward.
The official's pace was so fast that Shi Deyi and other servants could not keep up.
He didn't stop until the official reached the imperial pavilion. At this moment, he held on to the pillars of the pavilion and panted, and then said to Shi De: "Ten years... no, it took one year to finally reach an agreement with the Liao Kingdom. Yelu Hongji has returned to Shangjing, taking his 300,000 Pishi troops back to Shangjing..."
"Congratulations to your majesty, congratulations to your majesty!" Shi Deyi knew that the official's heart was finally relieved.
The official continued to pant and said: "Congratulations... But the greater joy is yet to come... With the Liao incident settled, I can go all out to control the summer, wash away the shame of my ancestors, and become the master of the ZTE!"
At this point, the official turned around and said to Shi De: "Immediately draw up an imperial edict. I will leave my post as the envoy to Xuanfu in Zhangyue, Hedong, and the envoy to Xuanfu in Hebei. Return to Beijing immediately!"
"I am authorized to participate in political affairs and plan to destroy Xia!"
Ps: Put tomorrow’s update on today.
