The tired bird returned to the forest. Song Xiance went out early in the morning. After making a fuss at Daming Gate, he met Chang Yu outside Dongchang Hutong. After the two talked, he was greatly moved and couldn't calm down for a long time, but he was still cautious. Keep in mind the purpose of this trip, no matter what happens in the future, for now, as a loyal person, help Li Chuang finalize the peace talks. If he can help both parties shake hands and make peace in one fell swoop, then he can justifiably follow the eunuch and see how big the world is. I no longer feel guilty about Li Chuang.
If this trip and the peace talks fail, it will be a waste of human resources, and the rest will be God's will, and I will still feel no regrets.
Song Xiance was a little surprised that Chang Yu did not participate in the negotiations, but he was also secretly relieved. Otherwise, with his strength, he thought he would not get any benefits. He did not want to be a direct enemy of such a person because there was no chance of winning, but at this time He didn't have much admiration for Chang Yu, but was more attracted by his miraculous origins. On the contrary, Chang Yu admired him very much and tried to win over him with his words.
When they returned to the inn, the two attendants also came back. They couldn't hide their joy when something was done, and they kept talking and asking for credit. Song Xiance praised them casually and asked them to tidy up and prepare to entertain guests.
As soon as it got dark, the shopkeeper came over and knocked on the door, and then brought some wine and food in. It was very rich. One of the attendants couldn't help but teased: "We didn't even ask for the food before it was delivered. We started to rape each other." Buy and sell by force."
The shopkeeper smiled slightly: "This meal is for me today."
The attendant was very surprised. When he looked at Song Xiance, he saw that his face was expressionless and he just said lightly: "Thank you, shopkeeper."
After a while, there was a knock on the door, and the entourage was about to open the door. Song Xiance stopped him and went in person. When the courtyard door opened, there were six or seven people standing outside, all of whom looked like officials. In front of him was an old man of nearly sixty with a cold face. Shuang, a middle-aged man in his forties next to him, said with a spring breeze on his face: "Shi Kefa from the Ministry of War, this is Master Ci Fu, and he has come to harass the Song military advisor."
"It turns out that Mr. Cifu and Master Shu have come a long way, please forgive me." Song Xiance hurriedly saluted and invited the two people into the courtyard. Shi Kefa then introduced the people behind him. They were all court officials, including subordinates of the Ministry of War, and Ducha. The censors of the court were all involved in this discussion.
Song Xiance saw the gifts one by one. Some of these officials returned the gifts, while others turned a blind eye like Wu Sheng.
Although Wu Sheng's move seems unprofitable, it is understandable. After all, he is an important minister of the imperial court and a traditional official. How can you make him look good in the face of a rebel like Song Xiance? He was even a little dissatisfied with Shi Kefa.
At this point, he still agreed with Chang Yu's approach, and treated him with courtesy.
Everyone entered the hall and sat down in order. The entourage was busy making tea for everyone. Wu Sheng raised and lowered his eyes to stare at Song Xiance. The man in front of him was short in stature. Although he was smiling, his eyes were shining. This was definitely not an easy person to deal with. people.
"Let's stop talking. Can you come here to fully represent Li Chuang?" Wu Sheng spoke first, and Song Xiance nodded slightly: "Of course you can!"
"In this case, let's get straight to the point. In the past ten years or so, you have caused chaos and misfortune to the lives of the people, and you have done endless evil. If you can abandon the dark side and turn to the bright side this time, it will be a blessing for the people." Wu Sheng cursed first, and then After a while, he said: "If you surrender, what are the conditions? First tell me and listen."
"Master Cifu, we are negotiating for peace, not surrender," Song Xiance said unhurriedly. Wu Sheng was immediately furious and was about to slam the table. Shi Kefa quickly said: "Song Military Advisor, there is not much difference between surrender and surrender. Let's not talk about words here and talk about business."
Song Xiance nodded and thought for a moment: "The imperial court ordered Li Zi to become king and grant Xi'an a vassal. All his generals will receive rewards one by one. The soldiers will not disarm and the horses will not take off their saddles..."
Before he finished speaking, Wu Sheng snorted: "You're dreaming!" Song Xiance smiled and looked at Shi Kefa. Shi Kefa also frowned but still advised Wu Sheng: "Master Cifu, please listen to what he has to say first. ".
"You want to be crowned king, but also keep troops and horses. You are really talking nonsense!" Wu Sheng scolded angrily, while Song Xiance smiled slightly: "How can we serve the imperial court if we don't keep troops and horses? I think the imperial court will not be in vain. We will not be willing to make a vassal king without any reason, and must be exchanged for conditions. The reason why we keep soldiers and horses is to provide thieves for the internal peace of the court and fight against the Tatars to fulfill this condition."
"How can the imperial court not know what you are thinking about?" Wu Sheng sneered: "Retaining soldiers and horses is not so much to serve the imperial court as to protect yourself and defend against the imperial court. Even if the imperial court makes Li Chuang king, how can we ensure that he can really Serve the imperial court and never rebel again."
"That time, Mr. Fu, how do you think we can win the trust of the court?" Song Xiance asked back. Wu Sheng snorted: "It was you who proposed peace talks. How to win the trust of the court? Shouldn't it be you who show sincerity?"
It has to be said that Wu Sheng is a veteran in verbal wars. He took the initiative with his backhand. It was impossible for him to reveal his bottom line first, thus putting Song Xiance in a passive position, but he was not in a hurry to go back and watch again. Xiang Shi Kefa asked: "What do you think, Master Shangshu?"
Shi Kefa was not fooled: "You come first!"
Song Xian's strategy seemed awkward, and he lowered his head and thought for a while: "How about we first send troops from Jingxiang to help the imperial court regain Chongqing?"
Wu Sheng sneered and said nothing, Shi Kefa smiled but did not speak. Song Xiance understood in his heart that his move was not attractive to the court and was not sincere, but he did not want to reveal his bottom line, so he said: "Business is about bargaining. , but we must also show sincerity.”
"You were the one who shouted to sell it first, of course you show your sincerity first." Wu Sheng refused to give in: "You used Jingxiang troops to assist Chongqing, but in fact you just wanted the imperial court to order Zuo Liangyu to stop attacking Jingxiang. ! Just let go of this little thought.”
Song Xiance couldn't help but blush. Li Zicheng and others did think so before they came, because Zuo Liangyu was attacking Jingzhou at this time. Although he spent three days fishing and two days drying nets, he was still a threat, and he didn't know when he would As for the sudden desperate attack, if Jingxiang troops were proposed to assist Chongqing, the imperial court would definitely order Zuo Liangyu to stop the attack. This was actually self-protection.
Unexpectedly, Wu Sheng, an old fox, saw through it at a glance.
"Then you pay the price." At this time, Song Xiance finally understood that since they were sent by the imperial court, they were masters of bargaining. Although he was good at planning, he might not be able to take advantage in front of these old foxes. In terms of fighting, These people may not be good at it, but when it comes to talking heads, they are only half as good! Definitely no worse than him, a wanderer.
"Withdraw to Tongguan, Chaoyi, and Hancheng." This time it was Shi Kefa who spoke.
Song Xiance immediately sneered. The other party's price was too harsh. It was impossible for Li Zicheng to agree. Tongguan, Chaoyi, and Hancheng were the three coastal cities on the west bank of the Yellow River from south to north. They were also the frontline and most crucial of the Yellow River defense line. Disarming these three places is undoubtedly equivalent to opening the gate of Xi'an, and the officers and soldiers can march straight into the city of Xi'an.
At present, the reason why Li Zicheng has the confidence to come to peace talks with the court is because of the Yellow River defense line, and the reason why the court has no choice but to negotiate with him is also because of the Yellow River defense line.
This line of defense is not so easily broken.
But if once this line of defense is removed, the court still wants to talk to you, the door is open, why don't they get in, is it stupid?
Of course, Song Xiance was not stupid, and flatly refused: "You guys just laughed at me for thinking about good things, why are you so shameless and imitating me?"
Wu Sheng still sneered, not angry because of Song Xiance's scolding, and Shi Kefa still smiled: "It's just half-assed, but if you continue to talk nonsense like this, there is no need to discuss it."
"Then let's stop talking nonsense and show some real sincerity to each other." The smile on Song Xiance's face also disappeared: "The current situation has made it clear to both of us. Although the life on King Chuang's side is not very prosperous, But it may be more difficult for the imperial court."
"It's not bad. Although we can barely make ends meet, we still have some food, some soldiers and horses, and some fighting power. More importantly, we also have an invincible Admiral of Dongchang. This person is Song Junshi. It's strange, there are quite a few people from Li Chuang on down who have suffered under his hands." Shi Kefa smiled lightly.
Song Xiance's color changed, and he couldn't help but be moved when he mentioned Chang Yu.
But he still tried to restrain himself. The most important thing right now is negotiation and discussing matters as they arise!
"The imperial court has the admiral of Dongchang, but King Chuang has many capable warriors under his command. The imperial court is also aware of this. It has suffered a lot of losses in recent years, right?" Song Xiance immediately counterattacked with an army, and Wu Sheng and Shi Kefa's faces changed. It was a bit unbearable. In the past ten years or so, the imperial court had indeed lost many famous generals in order to suppress thieves.
