Chu State, Jianye City.
Ji Shu finished handling the government affairs in his hands early and went home to tease his infant daughter. Looking at the baby's chubby face, Ji Shu couldn't help but kiss and hug her, making Huang Yueying next to her roll her eyes.
"Master, the envoy from Shu has arrived."
Xu Tu hurriedly walked into the room holding a roster of Shu envoys.
The smile on Ji Shu's face faded and he looked helplessly at Xu Tu. Huang Yueying at the side had already taken the child and carried it aside.
Seeing this, Xu Tu handed the roster to Ji Shu and said.
"The credentials of the Kingdom of Shu have been sent to the palace, and the envoys have been arranged to stay in the post house. Head of the family, would you like to arrange for someone to receive them?"
Just after the war, military affairs were extremely heavy. Seeing that Yueying had just given birth to a daughter, Zhou Yu took over all the military affairs and left Ji Shu in charge of the relatively relaxed government affairs. The reception of the mission is indeed under the control of Secretary Ji.
News of the Shu envoys had already been reported to Jianye, and Ji Shu had already given instructions to the officials below to receive them. However, Ji Shu had not yet issued an order as to whether to send an important minister to contact the Shu envoys first.
He took the mission's roster and looked at it carefully. In fact, he didn't need to look too carefully. When he looked up, the name "Zhang Song" appeared.
Zhang Song! Zhang Song.
This man was an important figure in history who led Liu Bei's army to seize Shu.
It is disgraceful to betray one's master and surrender to the enemy.
But there is no doubt that gaining Zhang Song's support can greatly reduce the casualties of the Chu army.
Zhang Song. Zhang Song.
Ji Shu's fingers unconsciously tapped the roster in his hand.
This person is not an ordinary villain. According to history, he first went to see Cao Cao, then went to see Liu Bei after not receiving courtesy, and finally defected to Liu Bei. Ji Shu was worried that if he left it alone, he might not get what he wanted.
Of course, Zhang Song should have brought that thing with him. Ji Shu could still find the thing after killing all the envoys. However, when the two countries were at war and did not kill the envoys, breaking the rules would ultimately damage Chu's reputation.
"Come on, Xu Tu, let's go meet this Lord Zhang Song."
Huang Yueying and Xu Tu were both a little stunned. They didn't expect that Ji Shu planned to receive them in person. While he was talking, Ji Shu had already walked out of the door, and Xu Tu quickly followed.
······
When he arrived at the post house, he asked the lower-level officials to lead the way. Ji Shu soon met Zhang Song.
Zhang Song is short in stature and has fairly regular facial features. However, he is nearly middle-aged and has a poorly groomed beard. Some people may look at him and think he is bold and unruly, while others may look at him and think he is unruly.
Ji Shu observed Zhang Song, and Zhang Song also observed Ji Shu. The officials around him introduced Ji Shu to Zhang Song, and then introduced Zhang Song to Ji Shu. After some official talk, both of them opened their mouths and said "Long time admiration" and sat down one after another.
Ji Shu asked the reception officials to go down and prepare the food and drinks, and asked Zhang Song in a pleasant manner.
"Sir, along the way, how are the customs and customs of our Chu people?"
Zhang Song had just stayed here not long ago, and he didn't expect Ji Shu to visit suddenly. He was not sure of Ji Shu's purpose for the moment, so he simply said.
"All industries are prosperous, farmers walking in the fields are happy, and workers walking in the streets are full of vitality."
This is indeed the most intuitive feeling Zhang Song has seen since traveling from the west.
Ji Shu nodded secretly when he heard this, and it seemed that he left a good impression. Seeing the servants of the post house bringing food and wine, he picked up his wine glass and toasted Zhang Song, and then told others to leave and not to disturb them.
Ji Shu then asked.
"How does Chu compare with Shu?"
A sharp light flashed through Zhang Song's eyes as he lowered his head to drink. He looked at Ji Shu with a smile and said.
"My king has had a truce for many years, and all the barbarians from all over the world have surrendered. The talents in Shu have been put to their best use. The people are rich and the treasury is full. It is no better than the Chu State who has been fighting for years."
hehe!
Ji Shu smiled silently.
Do you think I believe it or not?
"Really?"
The situation in Shu was really as good as Zhang Song said, so how could he have any different intentions. Although Ji Shu had not asked the intelligence department about the situation, he had already guessed about it.
"The Shu Kingdom is in danger of tigers and wolves from the Qin Kingdom in the north, and there is the danger of the Southern Barbarians in the south. I have even heard that the country's aristocratic families and powerful powerful people are seriously annexing land, and the people are in poverty. The poor people have no desire to change, but they have no way to serve the country. Mr. Zi Qiao is a great talent, why don’t you join my king?”
Zhang Songgang thought that Ji Shu was here to inquire about the intelligence of the Shu Kingdom, but he did not expect that the other party would reveal everything about the current situation of the Shu Kingdom with just one mouthful, and even openly solicited him to betray the King of Shu.
Is Zhang Song afraid of death?
What a joke, what fear does death have for him?
He had never told anyone about his alienation, he just silently made his own preparations, but why did Fazheng reveal his intention to betray the Lord in one word before? Now Ji Shu in front of him opened his mouth and invited him to surrender to the enemy!
"you you!"
Zhang Song's brain suddenly shut down. He shouldn't have lost his temper like this. It was really the behavior of Fazheng and Ji Shu that made him doubt his life.
After a moment of astonishment, Zhang Song immediately thought whether this might be a further test by Ji Shu, and he did not intend to make such a hasty decision to seek refuge with Sun Ce. He bowed slightly and thanked.
"Ji Lingjun fell in love with someone by mistake. Zhang Song is living well in Shu and has no plans to find another place for the time being."
Ji Shu smiled. He was no longer the young boy he used to be. He already knew it from Zhang Song's instant reaction. Fortunately, Ji Shu was not in a hurry. This was their first contact. Once Zhang Song met his eldest brother, he would see what kind of work he should do.
Thinking of this, Ji Shu bowed and returned the courtesy.
"Haha, it's okay. My king is very thirsty for talents. This door is always open to talents like Mr. Zhang. Mr. Zhang must be tired from the journey, so I will take my leave today."
After speaking, Ji Shu stood up and left.
······
The next day.
Sun Ce solemnly summoned Zhang Song in the palace meeting hall.
Zhang Song was wearing official uniform and walked into the gate with his deputy holding the credentials. He glanced at the civil and military officials on both sides of the palace, walked forward and asked the deputy to hand the credentials to the palace people in front of the steps.
The female official placed the credential of the Kingdom of Shu on Sun Ce's desk, but Sun Ce did not turn it over. He had already read the contents, and now he was just going through the process to show the solemnity of the diplomatic relations. In fact, he was quite annoyed by this false etiquette.
"Why did the messenger come?"
Sun Ce began to look at Zhang Song at the foot of the stairs.
Hearing this, Zhang Song raised his head and spoke calmly.
"Come to negotiate peace."
Sun Ce raised his eyebrows, feeling a little disdainful.
Liu Zhang was cowardly. Even though dozens of princes in the Central Plains had fought against each other until the current situation, he still didn't dare to send troops to fight for the territory. There had been news that Zhang Ren sent troops privately. Liu Zhang was obviously afraid and sent people to sue for peace. What the messenger said sounded nice.
Sun Ce curled his lips and pretended to be angry.
"I had no offense with King Qiu of Shu, but Zhang Ren took advantage of my northern expedition to attack Jingzhou. It's a pity that he had great ambitions but no plan, and returned in defeat. Since the King of Shu wants to seek peace, how dare you, Zhang Song, be so arrogant?"
Hahaha~~
What surprised everyone in Chu State was that Zhang Song burst out laughing when faced with Sun Ce's questioning. After laughing, Zhang Songcai cupped his hands and said.
"The six counties in the east of the Yangtze River are originally rich in food and grass. Jingzhou is also where merchants gather. Xuzhou connects the north and the south and is a battleground for military strategists. Half of the world's wealth belongs to Chu!"
"Right now, your Majesty is already Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao's biggest enemy, and he still wants to turn against Shu. Do you really think he is invincible?"
Good guy!
There is something!
Ji Shu secretly thought that Zhang Song was right. After Xuzhou was captured, the situation in the world became more subtle. This is tantamount to taking the crisis in Shu that Ji Shu ran against Zhang Song yesterday and applying it to Chu.
Sun Ce's face darkened, his eyes narrowed slightly, but he had already put away his contempt in his heart.
"How brave!"
At this time, Zhou Yu slammed the table and shouted.
"In this battle, we, the great Chu, fought alone against the coalition forces of Cao Cao and Liu Bei in the north, and finally conquered Xuzhou, and then went west to repel Zhang Ren and Qin's troops who attacked Jingzhou. I dare not say that I am invincible in the world, but who among the princes in the world is Dare to face the Chu army alone?"
"The envoy is arrogantly provocative. Do you really think that I, the great Chu, dare not destroy the Shu Kingdom?"
The deputy envoy next to Zhang Song was already sweating on his forehead and trembling slightly after hearing this. What Zhou Yu said was exactly what Shu feared the most. The Chu army's combat power really impressed the world.
Zhang Song shook his sleeves and chuckled.
"Why should Taichang Ling be angry?"
"Wherever the king's troops go, the battle will be won and the attack will be captured. I have known it for a long time. For example, when I was besieged by Liu Biao in Jiangxia, when I was besieged by the Jiangdong family while drinking wine, and when Liu Bei chased him to the edge of Wujiang River At that time. That was really invincible in the world!"
Good guy! Good guy!
I'm afraid Zhang Song had planned this statement a long time ago to humiliate his eldest brother!
Is there anyone who relies on you like this? How is this different from seeking death? Historically, it was considered generous of Cao Cao to spare his life!
Ji Shu looked around and saw that the officials were furious.
"Shu Zi! Looking for death!"
Huang Gai, Su Fei, Zhang Xun and other generals had already jumped up in anger, and were about to step forward and tear Zhang Song apart.
If it had been anyone else, Ji Shu would have wanted to go up and punch him twice, but Zhang Song had what Ji Shu wanted in his hands. Ji Shu should have said something to stop him at this time, but something moved in his heart and he couldn't help but turn his attention to Sun Ce.
"Everyone stop it!"
Sun Ce frowned slightly, but he didn't look angry at all, he said in a deep voice.
"What's it like? If word spreads, people in the world will think that I, Sun Ce, can't tolerate others!"
"But Your Majesty, what this Zhuzi says is really unpleasant!"
Sun Ce didn't care.
"That's also true."
Sun Ce looked at Zhang Song with a bit of a smile in his eyes.
"I have been fighting for so many years, and many generals have been defeated in front of the battle, but there are not many who are as sharp-tongued as Mr. Shu. It seems that the King of Shu also has a few capable people."
Seeing Zhang Song bowing slightly and nodding, Sun Ce waved his sleeve with his right hand and said.
"Okay, envoy, let's go down and rest today. Whether King Shu wants to sue for peace or war, come back and tell me in detail tomorrow."
Under the glare of the civil and military officials of the court, Zhang Song and others withdrew from the palace. The deputy next to him quickly complained.
"Master Zhang, you scared me to death today. You really pissed off the King of Chu. What will you do with what the King told you?"
Zhang Song turned back and smiled calmly.
"Don't be anxious, King Chu is quite easy to talk to."
