Zhao Tong and Bai Shizhong discussed the reception matters, mostly the red tape. In the end, Zhao Tong really had a headache, so he made an agreement with Bai Shizhong not to attend any other discussions involving etiquette except for the first time, but he could handle the private reception by him. Get ahead.
Afterwards, Zhao Tong left the palace and returned to the palace in a carriage. In the car, he secretly pondered about the Dali delegation. The prince of Dali who came was indeed Duan Yichang, but this Yichang was not from the main palace.
Empress Gao of Duan He Yuzheng Palace was born into the Gao family of Dali officials and had no children.
Duan Yichang was born to Concubine Wang, who also had a daughter. However, this Wang was not from a Dali official family, and few people know her origins.
Since the reign of Ming Emperor Duan Shouhui, the power of the Dali Kingdom has fallen to the Gao family. Even now, even if Duan Heyu is diligent in political affairs and works hard to govern, it is difficult to completely restore it. However, this time he was canonized by the Song Dynasty, which can bring some gains back in the court. Disadvantages...
It was already the end of February, and on this day the Ministry of Rites sent news that the Dali delegation had entered Gyeonggi and was expected to enter the city early tomorrow morning.
Zhao Tong is not very interested in Dali's affairs, but he always wants to meet him on the first day and go through a smooth process.
The next day, a grand welcoming ceremony began. Although it was a courtesy from the upper court to the lower country, it was also very lively and everyone in Tokyo knew about it.
None of the civil and military officials in Zhao Tonguan seemed to care much about this matter. Only Emperor Daojun was proud of it.
In fact, it’s no wonder. Dali is a weak country and is separated by mountains and rivers. There has never been a war along the Yangshan River since the founding of the Song Dynasty. This gave the Song Dynasty the subconscious idea that the other party was afraid of me, and Dali’s external income at the moment was almost It all relied on the Song Dynasty. It can be said that the Song Dynasty still controlled a small half of Dali's economic lifeline.
Dali is rich in medicinal materials such as Gastrodia elata, Panax notoginseng, Angelica sinensis, Dendrobium, etc., which are all sold to the Central Plains. Dali also breeds horses. Although Dali horses are a little too reluctant to be war horses, they are very durable in pulling carts and carrying goods. These are also sold in large quantities. Came here.
Dali was inseparable from the Song Dynasty, so in the eyes of hundreds of officials, this invitation to pay tribute was actually dispensable.
As expected, the good times did not last long. A series of trade matters discussed by Emperor Daojun after granting the title of Dali were boycotted by the ministers. For example, setting up a shopping mall on the south bank of the Yangshan River and opening a market for free trade were regarded as side projects. It is not a blessing for China to open up and bring the captives together.
The Guangzhou observer who was the matchmaker and mediator, Huang Lu, was also impeached for taking tribute and wasted money, and started provocation. In the end, Huang Li was convicted, and the relationship between the Song Dynasty and Dali dropped back to its original point.
The Dali delegation, numbering several hundred people, entered the city in a mighty manner. Prince Duan Yi of Dali was the head of the delegation, and the Dali courtiers Li Zicong and Li Boxiang were the deputy heads. Emperor Daojun received them at the Zichen Palace.
Above the main hall, all the ministers stood, and almost all high-ranking officials from the capital arrived. It was only as lively as the Great Court Meeting. After various complicated ceremonies, the Dali envoy presented a list of tributes, including a large number of good horses, musk, Bezoar, fine felt, jasper, armor, bows and arrows, etc., and even Dali's happy women.
Emperor Daojun was still interested in these Dali musicians and women, so he immediately called them to the palace. After the audition, he was overjoyed and immediately included them in the harem for viewing and banquets, with generous rewards.
The Emperor Daojun, who was in high spirits, immediately ordered that Duan He be canonized as Doctor Zijin Guanglu, Inspector Sikong, Yunnan Jiedushi, Shangzhu Kingdom, and King of Dali. He ordered the Imperial Academy to prepare a decree to record Huang Lubai, and then write an imperial edict.
Then there were some exchange matters between the two countries, but these matters could only be discussed in general terms by the government, and the specific finalization would have to be discussed in detail with the Ministry of Rites.
The court meeting dispersed near noon, and the first meeting began in the afternoon at the Huihong Hall of the Ministry of Rites, with Zhao Tong and Bai Shizhong presiding over it.
Zhao Tong was naturally sitting in the main seat, but apart from the polite words at the beginning, he almost said nothing during the meeting and was only secretly observing Duan Yichang.
This Yi Chang was not very old, only about fifteen or sixteen years old. He was born with red lips and white teeth, a face as pink as a powder, and was extremely handsome. He spoke and behaved with a lot of etiquette, and looked like he was in good shape in everything.
It's just... Zhao Tong discovered why Chang Yi was peeking at him from time to time?
Others may not be able to detect it, because the look in Yi Chang's eyes is very hidden. It is the kind of person with martial arts skills and quick and agile movements that is extremely difficult for ordinary people to detect.
In that hidden glance, Zhao Tong noticed a little pride and even some faint hostility.
This... Zhao Tong wondered, he had never seen Duan Yichang before, not to mention Duan Yichang, he had definitely never seen anyone from Dali Kingdom, so what did his look mean?
Zhao Tong remained calm, drinking tea slowly, and spent two or three hours discussing and talking. During this period, Chang Yi peeked at him no less than ten times, which meant there was something wrong.
In the evening, Emperor Daojun held a banquet of very high standard, with silk and bamboo singing and dancing, attended by all the ministers, which lasted until midnight.
After the banquet was over, Zhao Tong breathed a sigh of relief. This was basically the big deal. As for the private reception, it was just a matter of having a corresponding name. Although Dali is a small country, after all, it is called the emperor. They sent the royal family to Dali. The Song Dynasty would like to have a corresponding or even higher-ranking member of the royal family to show the grace and attention of the great power of the Celestial Dynasty.
Zhao Tong originally thought of having a banquet with Duan Yichang, after all, it was a courtesy, but Duan Yichang was actually hostile to him, so he had to settle for now.
The next day, after breakfast, Zhao Tong sat in the pavilion and played with the birds. The birds were sent by Sun Gaosheng, the commander of the Ma Army Division. Last time the Long Wei Army lost their horses, Sun Gaosheng took out several large boxes of gold. Silver jewelry was sent to Zhao Tong, so he was not punished and still kept his position.
The bird is a clear water lark. It looks like it has been trained since childhood. It is not afraid of people or light. It is cheerful and lively, and its call is melodious and melodious.
Zhao Tong teased the bird for a while, and Lei San trotted over and reported: "Your Majesty, the prince of Dali Kingdom, Duan Yichang, wants to see you."
"Oh?" Zhao Tong smiled. It seems that the prince of Dali really has something to do with his family. Otherwise, why would he be in such a hurry to visit?
He nodded and said, "Invite him here." After saying that, he walked to the front hall holding the birdcage.
Arriving at the front hall, as soon as he sat down, Lei San led Duan Yichang in.
Duan Yichang only brought a few followers, who carried many gifts. The two deputy heads of the mission did not follow him. He ordered his followers to carry the gifts into the hall. After greetings and greetings, Zhao Tong ordered tea to be served.
The prince of Dali was born extremely well, free and handsome. He felt Zhao Tong's gaze, smiled shyly, and said: "Yi Chang has heard of the prince's name for a long time when he was in the country, and he admires him very much. I pay my respects abruptly today, and I hope you can Don’t be surprised, Your Majesty.”
"Oh?" Zhao Tong also smiled and said: "Prince Duan is too polite, but it's just a false name and cannot be taken seriously."
"Your Majesty is the most talented man in the Song Dynasty. I, Dali, have admired the culture of the Central Plains for a long time. How could I not know?" Duan Yichang picked up the tea bowl and gently touched his lips: "Your Majesty's poems are popular in Dali. When you go up to the court, you go down. In the market, as long as everyone is literate, no one knows the name of the prince."
kindness? Zhao Tong narrowed his eyes when he heard this. His tone was a bit sour, and he said: "I can only carve out some poems and verses. I don't talk about good or bad. I'm probably just a foil to my colleagues."
"Your Majesty is indeed outspoken." Duan Yichang laughed, thinking to himself, this Prince Qi is arrogant, just like what he had guessed. What kind of peer support, doesn't it mean that others are inferior to you?
He said: "The prince's Sauvignon Blanc is expensive. Dali paper is expensive."
Zhao Tong laughed and said, "What you did casually is not worth mentioning."
Duan Yichang shook his head and said: "Your Majesty doesn't know that this poem is a huge sensation in Dali. To put it bluntly, after this poem is spread, all my sons in Dali will fight against the Prince."
The corner of Zhao Tong's mouth curled up. What he said was a bit too much. What a joke. Is this what you, the Prince of Dali, should say? Why did you come to DaSong? My poems are good, so my son-in-law who cares about Dali will fight me to death? Then are you a Dali son? Do you also want to fight with me?
Zhao Tong said: "Why is this?"
Duan Yichang continued: "Your Majesty doesn't know something, so I won't be afraid of His Majesty's ridicule if I tell you. Now there is a saying in Dali that when there is a daughter, everyone sings Sauvignon Blanc."
Zhao Tong smiled again and said: "I have always heard that Dali's daughter is affectionate, and I am yearning for her. I just wonder about my virtue and ability. I really feel unworthy of receiving such favor."
A trace of anger flashed across Duan Yichang's face when he heard this, but he covered it up just right and said with a smile: "That's why I, Dali Erlang, want to fight the prince to the death."
Zhao Tong shook his head, stretched out his hand to hold up the bird cage next to the chair, teased the lark inside, glanced at Duan Yichang, and said: "What's the point of fighting with fists, feet, guns and sticks? Besides, I have only heard that Dali Erlang is good at fighting. Singing songs, there is no need to work hard, and what I like is poetry and music. If it really comes, I might as well write two songs so that they can match each other, wouldn't it be a beautiful thing? "
When Duan Yichang heard this, his face was slightly ugly, but he still smiled and said: "This is because the prince has misunderstood. I, Dali Erlang, am also a bloody man and proficient in martial arts..."
"Hey..." Zhao Tong waved his hand, interrupting Duan Yichang's words: "Playing chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and wine, the waist is slender and the palm is light, but talking about martial arts is a big disgrace!"
Duan Yichang's face did not change when he heard this, but he held a fist tightly in his sleeve. The King of Qi not only looked down on their Dali, but also looked down on their martial arts with guns and sticks. He also said that Dali's daughters were affectionate, and Dali's sons liked to sing in antiphonal songs. It's simply frivolous and shameless!
He said: "Your Majesty... you are right!"
Zhao Tong secretly smiled in his heart. This young man is quite tolerant, which is rare among his peers. But he said this deliberately. Firstly, he wanted to test where the other party's hostility came from. Secondly, he wanted to see where the other party came from. What is the real purpose.
Now observing, the hostility is probably related to the Sauvignon Blanc. He himself did not expect that this poem could spread so far. However, Dali envied the Central Plains culture and was more concerned about this aspect. It is estimated that there are booksellers and the like who spread it. Make profits and show off your skills.
As for the purpose of the other party, it stands to reason that the mission just arrived yesterday and would definitely not come to the palace today carrying gifts to pay a visit. This must have some purpose. They want to establish a good relationship first and then make some plans.
But whether it is the exchanges between the two countries or the business exchanges, he is not in charge of it. He can't help at all in this regard. As for wanting him to say a few good words, it is better to give Bai Shizhong a gift directly, or even directly To flatter the Taoist emperor.
Zhao Tong continued to test and said: "The prince also thinks that I am right, right? What is the meaning of dancing with a spear and a stick? Chanting the wind and praising the moon is romantic. I don't know what poems the prince has written. Can you discuss it with me?"
Duan Yichang heard this, even though he claimed to have mountains and rivers in his heart, he couldn't stand it anymore. This King of Qi...why is he so shameless? Did he really write those poems? Is it true? !
Seeing that he didn't speak, Zhao Tong asked again, "Is it possible that the prince doesn't write poetry?"
When Duan Yichang heard this, he gritted his teeth secretly, but his face turned slightly red, and said: "Your Majesty, Yi Chang's poems are not good, how dare you show your embarrassment in front of the prince?"
Zhao Tong saw his strange expression and couldn't help but said: "Why show off one's ugliness? If you don't write well, I will give you some pointers."
When Duan Yichang heard this, he took a deep breath and said slowly: "Your Majesty, Chang Yi did carry a poem with him, but I'm afraid it won't fall into the eyes of the Prince."
Seeing how hard he was acting, Zhao Tong shook his head and said, "Bring it to me and have a look."
Duan Yichang took out a piece of paper from his arms, stood up and respectfully presented it to him. Zhao Tong glanced at him and took it.
The paper is pink Xue Tao's paper, narrow and not very large. There is a poem written on it with the name Yu Linling written on it.
The word "Yulinling" was not easy to fill in, and Liu Yongzao's words were all difficult. Duan Yichang did not return to his seat at this time, but stood aside, as if responding to Zhao Tong's words, pretending to be listening to the instructions.
Zhao Tong read this poem once, then a second time, then a second time, then a third time, and then a smile slowly appeared on his lips.
Duan Yichang's eyes did not fall on the paper, but he was observing Zhao Tong's expression vaguely.
Zhao Tong gently placed Xue Tao's note on the tea table next to him and said, "It's well written."
"Is it really good?" Duan Yichang asked immediately.
"It's really good, but..." Zhao Tong said, "Does the prince know Su Huang?"
Duan Yichang said cautiously: "Is the prince talking about Su Dongpo and Huang Tingjian?"
Zhao Tong nodded: "I would like to advise the prince to read more of these two's lyrics."
Duan Yichang couldn't figure it out, so he had to ask: "Please make it clear, Your Majesty."
Zhao Tong pointed at Xue Tao's paper on the table and said with a smile, "It smells like powder!"
"Ah?" Duan Yichang's expression changed instantly when he heard this, and then he said awkwardly: "You made the prince laugh."
Zhao Tong shook his head and said: "The writing is indeed good, but for a brand like Yulinling, what you sing is not all about the golden wind and jade dew, but more about sadness and pathos. You have to fill in the feeling of loneliness and loneliness. But as a prince, you, Of course, I don’t have Liu Sanbian’s downfall experience, so if I try to write it down, I can’t.”
Duan Yichang looked stunned when he heard this, and then said: "Thank you very much, Your Majesty, for your teaching. Chang Yi suddenly became enlightened."
Zhao Tong smiled. Even though he was the one who brought up the matter of appraising poems, the other party was planning on him step by step.
First, he talked about admiring himself, eliciting the title of the romantic and talented man and Sauvignon Blanc. He also said that when he has a daughter, he sings Sauvignon Blanc. After praising him, he then talks about bloody martial arts. He will definitely not like to hear it and wants to change the subject. , then according to the normal thinking, you should use poetry to overwhelm the other party, compare and contrast, and then the other party will follow suit and take out the lyrics to show to you!
This guy is acting from beginning to end!
I obviously want to read the poems myself, but I have made many twists and turns. However, I am afraid that this poem review is just an appetizer. This section of Yi Chang definitely has other purposes.
(End of chapter)
