The guards signaled Zhang Jie to stop and not come forward. Several people stood quietly at the door of the tent, watching the two men's moves, judging each other from time to time. Zhang Ji rubbed his hands and stood there waiting blankly, but he was anxious in his heart, but he did not dare to step forward.
Soon after, the man with gold hair on the right sprinkled a handful of white stones in his hand on the chessboard, and said with a smile: "I lost. I didn't expect that Jiang Sheng, you are already very powerful in chess. In such a short time, you have already won the chess game." The overall situation is determined.”
The man in black fur on the left chuckled and said: "Your Majesty's heart is not on the chessboard, so I was lucky enough to win the game."
The two of them stood up with a smile. At this time, the bodyguard standing at the door of the tent hurried in and reported: "Your Majesty, Duke Ning is here."
"Oh? Are you here? Why didn't you tell me earlier? Please come in."
The man on the right turned to look at the door of the tent while speaking. He had a handsome face and sharp eyes. He was dressed in a neat and meticulous toga, and his expression showed a calm and steady temperament that was inconsistent with his age.
Zhang Jie had met Li Yuan, but things were different now. The young and energetic Wuping Jiedushi was now the emperor of a country. How could Zhang Jie dare to take a closer look at his appearance, so he just lowered his head and walked quickly. Entering the tent, he bowed to his right and said, "I, Zhang Jie, have met His Majesty the Emperor of Chu!"
"You're fine, Sir Zhang." Li Yuan said with a smile.
Zhang Jie hurriedly replied: "I am just a humble person, why should I worry about Your Majesty?"
"Oh, this is my second brother, Ning Guogong Liu Jiangsheng." Li Yuan pointed at the man sitting opposite and smiled.
"Ah, I have met Mr. Ning Guo. I'm sorry." Zhang Jie hurriedly bowed his hand to Liu Jiangsheng, and Liu Jiangsheng raised his hand and smiled in return.
"Shilang Zhang, please take a seat." Li Yuan said with a smile.
Zhang Ji hurriedly said a few more polite words, suppressed the nervousness in his heart, tried his best to behave calmly and appropriately, and sat on a wooden stool next to the small table.
"Secretary Zhang, did everything go well when you came here? I heard that your city gate was blocked. How did you get out, Minister Zhang?" Li Yuan asked with a smile.
"Your Majesty, I fell down from the city with a rope." Zhang Jie answered honestly.
Li Yuan laughed and said: "It seems that you took some risks and came with some sincerity. But I wonder if Zhang Shilang came to our army, was it Li Congjia who sent you?"
Zhang Jie pondered for a while and said: "To be honest, only two living and dead brothers know that I am here. Your Majesty, King Huai and other civil and military ministers in the court do not know. The reason why I chose to come here in the middle of the night is to keep it secret."
Li Yuan and Liu Jiangsheng looked at each other, turned around and asked with a smile: "It's strange that you come as an envoy to my army, but you don't come on behalf of anyone else, so what else can we talk about? I can't talk to you. There’s nothing to say, what can you talk to me about? I’m very curious.”
Zhang Ji reached into his arms, took out a letter, handed it over with both hands, and said in a low voice: "This letter is your personal letter to my Majesty. I brought it back this time. According to your Majesty's wisdom, how can you I don’t know why I’m here today.”
Before Li Yuan reached out, Liu Jiangsheng reached out to grab the letter and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, forgive me for being rude! It's just a letter written by Your Majesty himself. I really want to see it."
Li Yuan was not angry. Liu Jiangsheng was not a reckless person who would rush to see if he dared to offend the emperor. However, ever since the Yangzhou court issued a memorandum against Li Yuan, the security around Li Yuan had been raised to a certain level. Because there was a huge reward order issued in Yangzhou, when I was in Zhongjing Mansion, there were many people in the world who wanted money rather than their lives.
It's just that Li Yuan is the emperor of a country, and the protective force around him is really strong. These people are often crushed by the guard battalion specifically responsible for this matter if they make the slightest move, but this also reminds the people around Li Yuan to always be wary of the other party's assassination. and sneak attacks. Therefore, everything Li Yuan eats and drinks needs to be inspected by a dedicated person, not to mention some letter paper and some things that Li Yuan has handled personally, all of which need to be prevented from being tampered with.
Now that there is a war, letters handed over by enemy messengers need to be checked by others first to prevent the possibility of smearing poison and hiding poison. Although Li Yuan personally felt that there was no need to be so nervous, the people around him unanimously decided so, and Li Yuan could only acquiesce.
Liu Jiangsheng took the letter first, just to see if there was anything unusual. Originally, this matter was specially responsible for it, but now that there was no one else around, Liu Jiangsheng took the initiative to reach out.
Liu Jiangsheng took out the letter and checked that it was correct, so he simply started reading it. The letter was not long, so Liu Jiangsheng finished reading it quickly, and then handed the letter to Li Yuan with a surprised look on his face.
"Your Majesty wants to use the hands of my Majesty to kill Zhang Wenbiao, so as to cause civil strife in the city and achieve the result of victory without a fight. I have to say that your Majesty is indeed very discerning and can understand the internal situation of Yangzhou at this time at a glance."
Li Yuan folded the letter, stuffed it into the envelope, and mused: "Since you understand my plan, I have to say that you still have some abilities. I won't hide it from you. This is indeed my intention. However, What do you want to explain with this trip? Do you want to show me that you are wise?"
Zhang Jie shook his head and said: "I am not showing off myself, I just want to tell your Majesty that your Majesty's thoughts are not unknown to anyone. If I intend to publicize this matter in Yangzhou City, your Majesty's plan will be self-defeating. I am here to tell you. On this basis, I will discuss some matters with His Majesty."
Li Yuan frowned and said, "Oh? Are you using this as a handle to blackmail me?"
Zhang Jie hurriedly waved his hands and said: "It's not a threat, it's cooperation. Your Majesty, this is a matter of benefit to both parties. I will not expose your majesty's plan, but your majesty must also agree to the conditions proposed by you, so that everyone can gain something." .”
"How brave!" Li Yuan sneered: "You entered the camp alone, and you dare to negotiate a deal with me? Tell me, what do you want me to promise you?"
Zhang Ji swallowed his saliva and said: "It's very simple. What I mean is that if I have a way to cooperate with Your Majesty, besides Zhang Wenbiao, even the city of Yangzhou can be given to Your Majesty without any loss of life. But if I can really achieve this feat, can I ask Your Majesty to give Taizhou to you?" Haizhou and other lands in Huaidong will be returned. From now on, the Tang Dynasty will be freed from the title of emperor. I wish to be a small country under the vassal state of Chu forever. I only ask that your majesty cease the war and cease hostilities."
A strange expression appeared on Li Yuan's face, and he suddenly laughed and said: "You have a good idea. Use my hands to get rid of Zhang Wenbiao, a giant thief of the Tang Dynasty, and then you will take over the power and support Li Congjia to separatize Huaidong. This plan is a good one." Smart, good, good.”
Zhang Ji looked shy and smacked his lips and said: "Your Majesty, this is a strategy that benefits both sides, but it is not for my own benefit."
Li Yuan suddenly stood up, and Zhang Jie stood up hurriedly for some reason. Li Yuan smiled and said, "Shilang Zhang, I invite you to see a few things. I can't teach you to go all the way in vain, right?"
Zhang Jie said in astonishment: "Your Majesty, can we go and see it after we have settled the matter? I have to rush back before dawn."
Li Yuan smiled and said: "As guests do, it won't delay your time. It only takes a moment to talk about things, but it won't take a few hours. If you don't go, I can only send you out of the camp."
Zhang Ji had no choice but to smack his lips and be speechless, wondering what Li Yuan was up to. But Li Yuan summoned Zouping and whispered a few words in his ear, then waved to Zhang Jie and led Zhang Jie out of the tent, and walked to an open space at the east end of the central camp surrounded by all the guards.
There was a row of unknown objects covered with oilcloth in the open space. When Li Yuan and Zhang Jie arrived here, Luo Erhu was already waiting here.
"Erhu, we have an old friend in the army. Let's welcome him with a salute." Li Yuan said with a smile.
"Okay!" Luo Erhu smiled coldly, then turned around and ordered. Thousands of firearms battalion soldiers rushed over and took off the covering oilcloths one by one, revealing rows of black and shiny weapons. The cannon is coming.
