Xiao Li was unwilling to give in and wanted to argue. He turned to stare at Shusunchang and reminded: "Shusunchang, are you sure that the Northern Wei Dynasty can provide so many troops? If the Emperor of the Northern Wei Dynasty cannot provide it, you can But how can I explain to His Majesty Qian Huang the crime of deceiving the emperor?"
Shusunchang ignored Xiao Li, looked at Zhao Shan and said: "Your Majesty, the fifteen thousand elite soldiers of the Northern Wei Dynasty will arrive in Luoyang on time and will be at your Majesty's disposal at any time."
Zhao Shan smiled and said: "Old Prime Minister Uncle Sun is sensible."
His eyes turned to Xiao Li and said in a deep voice: "Xiao Li, are you sure that the Kingdom of Jin cannot provide troops? If they don't even have this small amount of troops, how can I believe that the Kingdom of Jin is willing to honor me as the Khan of Heaven. "
brush!
Xiao Li's heart trembled.
Facing the strong pressure from Zhao Shan, Xiao Li could not withstand it alone.
Xiao Li was alone and unable to support himself, so he immediately followed Zhao Shan: "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, the Kingdom of Jin will also mobilize 15,000 troops to go south. People from various tribes in Ku Yi will definitely be able to gather together and guarantee their support for the big battle."
Zhao Shan smiled and said, "Aren't you afraid that Wan Yanming won't agree if you agree to me? Aren't you embarrassed?"
"Don't be embarrassed, don't be embarrassed!"
Xiao Li looked like he was suffering from the people of the Jin Kingdom and promised: "The affairs of His Majesty Tian Khan are the affairs of the Jin Kingdom. My lord will definitely agree and guarantee to complete the task."
Zhao Shan praised: "As expected of the old prime minister of the Jin Kingdom, he is knowledgeable and insightful."
Xiao Li smiled reluctantly.
After agreeing to Zhao Shan, how should I report to Wanyan Ming after returning to the Kingdom of Jin?
I'm afraid Wan Yanming will punish him.
Alas, it’s difficult to do...
Zhao Shan ignored Xiao Li and Shusunchang's thoughts and continued: "I accept all your wishes. The matter is urgent, so I won't keep you. We will go back and report separately, and let Wan Yanming and Tuoba Hong adjust them." Soldiers, the troops must be sent after spring."
"As you command!"
Xiao Li and Shusun Chang answered simultaneously.
Zhao Shan waved his hand, and Xiao Li and Shu Sun Chang retreated hand in hand.
The two of them were silent all the way out of the palace. When they were about to leave the imperial city completely, Xiao Li stopped and shouted: "Uncle Sun, old thief!"
Uncle Sun Chang frowned and asked, "What does Prime Minister Xiao mean?"
Xiao Li gritted his teeth and said: "Uncle and Sun, old thief, didn't we agree that we should stick to the bottom line and fight Zhao Shan to the end? Facing Zhao Shan's questioning, you can't even let out a fart and just give up. If you don't Damn it, maybe we can still bargain. At any rate, it can be reduced to 10,000 people, which can save 10,000 people."
Shusun Chang snorted and said: "Xiao Li, don't make you look so noble, so loyal, so stubborn. Why don't you think about who Zhao Shan is?"
"Can we resist what Zhao Shan is determined to do? Can we negotiate? The more you negotiate, the worse the consequences will be."
"Rejecting Zhao Shan will not end well."
"Did you forget that the last time I came to Luoyang to negotiate, I refused to agree to Zhao Shan's conditions at first and insisted on confronting Zhao Shan. In the end, the Northern Wei Dynasty paid more compensation and was forced to surrender."
"It's the same now. If you refuse now, you might get more compensation."
Shusunchang said in a deep voice: "I have angered Zhao Shan and he wants to raise an army to attack. Will you resist it for me? Will you compensate the Northern Wei Dynasty?"
Xiao Li mocked twice and said disdainfully: "It's because of your weaklings that fueled Zhao Shan's arrogance. This is because your uncle Sun Chang has no spine, and it's because you are useless and incompetent. That's all, it's a waste of time to talk to you. I'll take my leave. !”
After saying that, Xiao Li left angrily.
Uncle Sun Chang curled his lips, looking contemptuous of Xiao Li. If from another angle, he first expressed his rejection of Zhao Shan, and Zhao Shan questioned Xiao Li alone, could Xiao Li withstand Zhao Shan's pressure?
Xiao Li couldn't bear it either.
It's just that I can stand and talk without pain in my back, and put all the responsibility on him.
Shusun Chang returned to the posthouse angrily, and had no intention of seeing the colorful world of Luoyang. He packed up and left.
This trip was so frustrating.
In other words, it is like this every time I come to Luoyang.
Shusunchang also had a better understanding of Zhao Shan, the Emperor of Daqian.
For a normal emperor from the Central Plains, when foreign envoys came to pay tribute, he would definitely host a banquet, and the standard would not be low. At the same time, there will be generous gifts, and many gifts will be given to show the magnanimity of a great country.
As an envoy of the Northern Wei Dynasty, he came to see Zhao Shan. There was no banquet to receive him, not even a sip of hot water, and no gifts at all, so he impatiently asked him to return to the Northern Wei Dynasty.
Zhao Shan is the only one who disregards etiquette and rules like this.
This was an extraordinary Daqian Emperor. The Northern Wei Dynasty must deal with it carefully, otherwise the Northern Wei Dynasty may be destroyed by a slight mistake.
Shusunchang became more and more cautious and did not even go to see Tuoba Yanran, because Tuoba Yanran was thrown out by a married woman and had no regard for the life and death of the Northern Wei Dynasty, so it was useless to ask for an audience.
Shusunchang led his people all the way north. Although he was old, he was still strong, in good health and in good spirits. He ran all the way north and arrived at Lulongsai in the shortest time.
Shusunchang also rushed on his way after leaving the customs.
From beginning to end, Shusun Chang did not stay and returned to Longcheng, the imperial capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty, in the shortest possible time.
When Shusunchang returned to the palace and saw Tuoba Hong, he knelt on the ground like he was pushing a mountain of gold over a jade pillar, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I am incompetent, please forgive me."
Ding!
Tuoba Hong's heart sank.
My heart was extremely nervous.
Shusunchang went south to Luoyang this time to deliver benefits to Zhao Shan. He wanted to respect Zhao Shan as the Khan of Heaven, or the Khan of Saints, but why did he look like he was losing his power and humiliating the country.
Could it be that Zhao Shan is no longer a human being?
Did something go wrong again?
Tuoba Hong cheered up and said, "Prime Minister Uncle Sun, what is going on?"
Shusunchang replied: "Your Majesty, after I arrived in Luoyang, I honored Zhao Shan with the title of Heavenly Khan, and even sent him many congratulatory gifts arranged by your Majesty. Zhao Shan said lightly that I am deeply comforted, but there was no more words. "
"On this mission, there was no banquet reception, let alone gifts in return. Instead, Zhao Shan ordered the Northern Wei Dynasty to dispatch 15,000 elite soldiers south to Luoyang to help him attack Zhao Gou, King of Wu."
"Your Majesty, Zhao Shan is not a human being!"
"The situation at that time was very bad. Zhao Shan stared at me with a fierce look, as if he would kill me if he didn't agree."
"I have no choice but to agree."
Shusunchang knelt on the ground respectfully, stuck his butt out, and kowtowed with his head on the ground to plead guilty: "I am incompetent and have ruined the dignity of the Wei Dynasty. I have agreed to Zhao Shan's arrangement. Please forgive me and deal with me severely."
Tuoba Hong frowned.
I feel very bad.
He arranged for his uncle Sun Chang to go south to deliver congratulatory gifts to Zhao Shan, and gave Zhao Shan many benefits.
Zhao Shan didn't restrain himself at all. Instead, he pushed even further, which made people angry.
The anger in Tuoba Hong's heart was difficult to suppress, which made him want to turn over the table and start a fight, and wanted to break up with Zhao Shan. But when he thought of the battle of Lulongsai, and of Zhao Shan beating up the Iron Pagoda of the Jin Kingdom and destroying Xiliang, all the fighting spirit that Tuoba Hong had raised disappeared in an instant.
We can only compromise.
Tuoba Hong took a deep breath, waved his hands and said, "I can't blame you for this, it's because we are too weak. If Wei Dynasty is strong, I can naturally refuse, and I can also take the opportunity to send troops to get Zhao Shan to give an explanation."
"Now, we can't afford to offend Zhao Shan, so let's send troops. Who makes the situation compelling? If I were Zhao Shan, after gaining the upper hand, I would do more excessive things than Zhao Shan. Uncle Sunqing, get up. "
Shu Sunchang breathed a sigh of relief.
But with emotion.
In the past, Tuoba Hong was wise and mighty, but now Tuoba Hong has changed, losing his former fighting spirit and self-confidence.
Everything was left to Zhao Shan's disposal.
This is lying flat.
Shusunchang also understood Tuoba Hong's helplessness, and bowed respectfully and said: "Your Majesty, I will arrange the deployment of troops immediately."
Tuoba Hong waved his hand.
After Shusunchang left, Tuobahong sat alone in the hall, thinking about Zhao Shan's arrangements, and felt endless helplessness in his heart.
Finally, all the helplessness turned into a sigh, and he ordered: "Come here, arrange the largest song and dance, three hundred people will dance together, play music and dance, and have fun."
Tuoba Hong's order was issued, and the government took action, mobilizing the singers to dance. While Tuobahong was immersed in pleasure, the atmosphere of the upper class of the Northern Wei Dynasty was also rapidly changing.
In the past, Tuoba Hong worked hard to govern, calling on all officials and people to be frugal, to be diligent, frugal, to work together, and to forge ahead together, so that the atmosphere in the Northern Wei Dynasty was relatively simple.
Now Tuoba Hong is addicted to pleasure, and so are the people below.
The atmosphere of the entire Northern Wei Dynasty quietly underwent fundamental changes.
…
The Golden King's Court.
In the king's tent.
Xiao Li slowly returned to the royal court.
It's already December, and it's snowing everywhere in the Kingdom of Jin. The Wanyan royal family of the Northern Wei Dynasty suffered successive defeats and made compensation to Daqian, which led to the weakening of the country's power, and internal fighting led to local chaos.
After a heavy snowfall, countless herdsmen emerged, and countless people in Jin Kingdom lost their lives.
Wan Yanming didn't care.
Now Wan Yanming only cares about his own life and death, and it would be best if he could secure his position as the Emperor of the Jin Kingdom.
Wanyan Ming will not get involved in any other matters.
In addition, Wan Yanming is also playing power to create checks and balances, supporting his younger son Wan Yanzhuang to check and balance others. While Wan Yanming was drinking hot wine and watching the singer dance, a eunuch entered and saluted, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Xiao is back."
Wan Yanming ordered: "Let him come in."
The eunuch went to inform, and after a while, Xiao Li entered the king's tent and saluted: "Your Majesty, Xiao Li, pays homage to your Majesty."
Wan Yanming drank a cup of warm goat's milk wine and said relaxedly: "Prime Minister Xiao has completed his mission, so go down and rest. You have worked hard too. I don't want to hear the news about Zhao Shan, so there is no need to report it. We will not provoke Zhao Shan. , just live your own life.”
Xiao Li said: "Your Majesty, we will not provoke Zhao Shan, but Zhao Shan wants to cause trouble."
Wan Yanming put down his wine glass, leaned forward slightly, and asked, "What's going on?"
Xiao Li explained: "Reporting to Your Majesty, Zhao Shan accepted the title of Tian Khan and accepted all the supplies sent. However, Zhao Shan said that he would solve the hidden dangers within Daqian after the year and asked the Kingdom of Jin to allocate 10,000 Five thousand elite soldiers will be gathered in Luoyang before spring. Not only that, but a month's supply of food, grass and supplies must also be prepared."
"Zhao Thief, you've gone too far!"
Wan Yanming directly grasped the hilt of the sword at his waist, stood up and slashed hard at the corner of the desk, cutting off part of the desk.
Wan Yanming paced back and forth with his sword in hand, roaring: "Does Zhao Shan really regard himself as the Khan of Heaven? Does he regard me, the Kingdom of Jin, as his lackey?"
Xiao Li gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister of the Northern Wei Dynasty is such a waste."
Wan Yanming asked: "What do you mean?"
Xiao Li replied: "I arrived in Luoyang together with Uncle Sun Chang, the Prime Minister of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Before meeting Zhao Shan, I and Uncle Sun Chang met privately and reached an agreement. They said that they should advance and retreat together in the face of Zhao Shan, stick to the bottom line, and protect the country. national interest."
"When I met with Zhao Shan, Zhao Shan arranged for the Jin Kingdom to mobilize 15,000 troops. I objected to Zhao Shan's conditions, but Uncle Sun Chang had no bottom line and directly agreed to Zhao Shan's conditions."
"Zhao Shan stared at me so aggressively that he had to agree."
Xiao Li gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, it's all Uncle Sun Chang's fault. If he didn't give in, he wouldn't have agreed directly."
"Damn it, Shu Sun Chang is an old dog."
Wan Yanming was even more angry. After a long time, his anger was relieved a little. He sat down and said, "We can't afford to offend Zhao Shan, so let him do it. He is recruiting troops to join the war this time. Is it possible that he will be a follow-up? He has the nerve to recruit our troops again." Troops?"
Xiao Li cursed in his heart.
Zhao Shan may be really embarrassed to mobilize the Jin army. If there is a first time, there will be a second and third time.
This is not a good thing.
Xiao Li was glad that thanks to Wanyanming's agreement, he was not dealt with further, otherwise he would have been in trouble.
Wan Yanming waved his hand and said: "Xiao Li, go and make arrangements for the army and food and grass."
"I accept your order!"
Xiao Li bowed respectfully and left.
…
In Luoyang City at the end of December, the cold wind was miserable and extremely cold.
Fortunately, after several expansions, Luoyang City continued to expand outwards and could accommodate countless people.
During the years when Zhuge Shang was in power, he also devoted himself to resettling the refugees and appeasing the local area, making the local people's lives more comfortable. Even in the cold winter, it has not had much impact so far, and people's lives are normal.
The Prime Minister's office is in the Yazhong.
When Zhuge Shang was handling government affairs, the sound of rapid footsteps came, and Prime Minister Shi Zhong Wuji arrived.
Zhong Wuji looked anxious and said quickly: "Prime Minister, something serious has happened."
Zhuge Shang asked: "Wuji, what happened?"
Zhong Wuji explained: "A large number of White Lotus Sect appeared in Jingzhou, and Su Wei, the governor of Jingzhou, died."
brush!
Zhuge Shang's expression changed greatly.
Su Wei's death is definitely a big deal.
Su Wei was the governor of Jingzhou and a frontier official of the imperial court. At the same time, Su Wei was also the eldest brother of Su Yunxi, the concubine of Zhao Shan. With such an identity and background, Su Wei's death is destined to cause a big storm.
Things are not going well.
Zhuge Shang did not mess up and asked: "Is there any more news?"
Zhong Wuji quickly said: "Reporting to the Prime Minister, there is not much news at present. We know that Su Wei died very strangely. He was not assassinated, but died after sleeping."
"The doctor diagnosed that Su Wei died in his sleep, and there was no problem. However, there were rumors in Jingzhou that Su Wei resisted the White Lotus Sect, disrespected the Inanimate Mother, and was seduced to death by the Inanimate Mother."
"So much news."
"Jingzhou is still investigating, and Qi Yuanjing has also imposed martial law to avoid unrest."
Zhong Wuji said quickly: "For more information, it will take time to investigate."
hiss!
Zhuge Shang took a breath.
He didn't know the specific situation, but he knew that he was involved with the White Lotus Sect, and Su Wei's death was related to Zhao Gou.
Zhuge Shang got up and left the prime minister's office and went to the palace to see him. When he saw Zhao Shanhou, he saluted and said: "Your Majesty, something big happened in Jingzhou. Su Wei, the governor of Jingzhou, is dead."
Zhao Shan's eyes turned cold, and his whole body was filled with murderous intent. He said in a deep voice: "What's going on?"
