After the negotiation, he still had to sign a covenant and accept banquets. Feeling tired from the series of rituals, he went home and hurriedly handed over the information and passed it on.
He got into Siqin Mi's arms. As soon as his eyes closed, he fell down. He slept for about ten minutes before he recovered a little.
Si Qin Mi hugged him as before, looking at her lover with pity. Her husband worked hard away from home, and she had to be a good harbor when he came home.
"It's really boring. What do these people do with these things all day long?" Zhuang Xun said dullly, still a little confused when he woke up.
"In order not to appear to be freeloaders, otherwise the Ministry of Etiquette would be in vain. The importance of etiquette is also to regulate people's hearts." Si Qin Mi agreed and explained that things like etiquette are necessary, but they are becoming more and more complicated. The etiquette is a bit bloated.
"Forget it, this is what happened to him." Zhuang Xun said happily, breathing a sigh of relief. He was groggy and sleepy, talking intermittently about the boredom of today's negotiations and copying Si Qinmi's story. What a great answer.
It's a pity that I didn't have enough offensive skills to cut him open.
"As long as you can hold on to the bottom line, the basic bottom line is to exchange Hebei Road for Jiannan Road. The other party is not a fool, and there is no traitor. Attacking doesn't mean much. You have to memorize more things. Attacking is not as good as defense. You need to quote classics. Yes, the other side occupies a dominant position in this battle, and the Yu State is weak, so it would be good to do this." Si Qinmi comforted and praised, saying that both sides knew their bottom line, so the outcome of this negotiation was already determined.
Just when Zhuang Xun was about to take a good sleep and replenish his energy, an unexpected guest came.
"Censor Zhuang, Your Majesty invites you to come to the palace to discuss Taoism." The eunuch in red came to invite him.
Zhuang Xun had also done some facial expression management. He suppressed his heart and looked at the setting sun, resisting the urge to scold his mother and agreed.
I was exhausted at work one day. I went home and chatted with my wife to strengthen my relationship. I was about to go to bed. Suddenly, I got a call from my boss and asked me to work overtime. Who doesn’t want to scold me? If I have something, I can’t talk about it tomorrow.
Feeling dissatisfied, he got on the carriage to the palace again. Seeing that the vendors setting up stalls had also left, Zhuang Xun became more and more upset. Everyone had gone home, and I was the only one working overtime!
It was already dark when we arrived at the palace. The Yu State's residence in Cheng State was in the west of the city. Because the land in the west of the city was cheap, guards could also be arranged to move in. The wealthy families lived in the east of the city. The central axis was a thoroughfare connecting the palace.
"Censor, it is the dream of many officials to be summoned by His Majesty." The eunuch saw that Zhuang Xun had no expression on his face, but there was a hint of displeasure on his body, so he comforted him.
"Xun is very grateful to King Cheng for paying attention to it, but it's getting late now. I wonder if His Majesty has anything important to do." Is there any work that can't be arranged tomorrow? It's already dark today, so why do you have to work overtime?
"This is not something that a young man can know. I can only say that His Majesty's move must have deep meaning." The eunuch said sarcastically, how could he understand King Cheng's thoughts.
"King Cheng, doesn't he usually see people?" Zhuang Xun calmed down his emotions. There was no need to vent his emotions on the messenger.
"Your Majesty devotes himself to cultivating Taoism and does not ask about political affairs. He usually only summons important officials like the Prime Minister and General Li to meet with him." The eunuch's answer made Zhuang Xun stunned.
Why does this template sound so familiar?
The palace city was not brightly lit at night. After passing through the palace walls guarded at all levels, we arrived at the back courtyard of the palace city.
It feels like someone is plotting something, holding a lantern and walking like this.
Arriving at a quaint-looking blue-tiled house, the eunuch knocked on the door.
"Come in..." Cheng Wang's voice was hollow, like a person who has been hungry for several days and cannot speak.
When Zhuang Xun entered, the candlelight illuminated the room clearly. As soon as Zhuang Xun entered, his eyes couldn't adapt to the change from darkness to light. The temperature inside the room was also warmer than outside.
After adapting to the most attractive light, he also saw clearly the people inside the room.
What caught Zhuang Xun's attention the most was not the sinister-looking King Cheng in Taoist robes, but the cold and noble beauty sitting beside her wearing pearls and emeralds on her head. She was unsmiling, with a beautiful appearance, a calm and fairylike appearance, but a pair of fox eyes. She is extremely charming, wearing a royal concubine-level light red tailed palace skirt, looking gorgeous and majestic.
"Foreign Minister Zhuang Xun, I have met Your Majesty, Your Majesty." Zhuang Xun bowed his hands and bowed, not knowing the identity of this charming cold beauty.
"You don't have to be polite, please sit down. It's not a formal occasion, but it's already late at night. I'm sorry to bother you to invite the censor into the palace." King Cheng showed a smile, a little apologetic, but not close.
You already knew it was night, and you still asked me to come?
Of course, this was not allowed to be said, so Zhuang Xun could only cope with it and said: "Don't bother me. It's an honor for Xun to be received by His Majesty. I just don't understand why Your Majesty needs to summon foreign ministers."
"I heard that the censor and the second lady of the Li family have a lifelong date?" King Cheng smiled and asked Zhuang Xun an embarrassing question first.
"That's true." Zhuang Xun didn't quite understand why King Cheng asked this question the first time he came.
"I heard that the censor has got a wife." King Cheng looked at Zhuang Xun. He was wearing a yellow dragon python robe. He had an elegant temperament, fair skin, and the demeanor of a scholar. His eyes were shining, and his expression was modest and confident, making him kind and approachable. a feeling of.
It is indeed worthy of the evaluation of the appearance of a dragon and a phoenix. Her stature is slightly short but she can hold up the luxury of the python robe. The clothes and the person complement each other.
"Yes." Zhuang Xun didn't want to discuss this issue, but he couldn't say it directly. Don't ask this question. It's very embarrassing.
"Then the censor is planning to divorce his wife and marry a daughter of the Li family?" King Cheng asked again, as if to break the casserole and ask the truth.
Don't you care to say hello? Have you ever asked so directly?
At this time, the beauty, who had been cold-faced and silent, also looked at Zhuang Xun, as if she was examining him.
"I'm not prepared. I plan to come to propose marriage and marry Miss Li Er as my equal wife." Zhuang Xun told him simply to avoid him keeping asking.
"The imperial censor is also brave, and he is not afraid that General Li will beat you out." King Cheng smiled, somewhat admiring Zhuang Xun's courage.
When the beautiful woman on the side heard Zhuang Xun's words, her face became even colder and slightly evil. Zhuang Xun could vaguely feel the woman's dissatisfaction with him.
Based on what Li Rusi said about her family's family situation, Zhuang Xun had already guessed her identity. Li Rusi's sister, Li Shaoyun, the imperial concubine of Chengguo, seemed to be the same type of woman. Liu Fufeng looks weak, but she doesn't know if she has the power of Li Rusi to defeat a tiger with three punches.
"If you don't come to the door, it won't be a matter of getting beaten up. Besides, this is also a responsibility and an agreement." You want to run away if you ruin the reputation of the woman. Who gives you such a big face?
"That's true, but judging from the look of the censor, he must have had no choice." No matter how ugly Li Shaoyun's expression was, King Cheng forgave Zhuang Xun and said.
"It can't be calculated. It's because Xun made a mistake, but it's not unethical to marry his wife, so he had no choice but to make this decision." In front of Li Shaoyun, Zhuang Xun didn't dare to say anything even if it was set up by Li Rusi. Besides, this There is no need to tell outsiders about the things that happen between husband and wife.
"The censor is a kind-hearted person, do you want to come tomorrow?" King Cheng continued to ask, very concerned about Zhuang Xun and Li Rusi's marriage.
"Tomorrow and the next two days, we have to deal with official matters before considering private matters. The official matters are related to General Li, and we don't want to damage General Li's reputation due to private matters." Zhuang Xun handed over, visited the enemy general before the negotiation, and even went to propose marriage. The originally clear exchange of territory seemed to be a behind-the-scenes deal.
Although everyone knows that Zhuang Xun may get married to Miss Li Er, appearances must be done, otherwise Zhuang Xun does not know etiquette.
"Avoid suspicion? You should. The reason why we invite the censor here today is to thank the censor." King Cheng gently revealed the matter and said to Zhuang Xun in a rational Taoist robe.
"The foreign minister is unknown?" Thank me? no need thank me? What do you, a foreign king, want to thank me for?
Zhuang Xun was on high alert, fearing that he would be accused of being a traitor if he was not careful.
"This time the Immortal was able to help us, Cheng and Yu, all thanks to the coordination of the Yushi. General Li's battle report also stated that without the Immortal's cover-up of the enemy's monster detection, and without the Immortal's slaying the monsters on the battlefield to boost morale, it would not have been possible to obtain it so easily. For the great victory in Xishui, I think the censor should take the secondary credit."
King Cheng smiled and said, acknowledging Zhuang Xun's role in this war that determined the fate of the Three Kingdoms, which was his second greatest contribution after Li Pingyuan.
"I don't dare to take credit for the Immortal's work. The Foreign Minister dare not take the credit for the Immortal. The Foreign Minister didn't even know that the Immortal would appear on the front line. The Foreign Minister didn't even go to the battlefield, so how can he be considered a minor credit." Zhuang Xun quickly denied, What's his is his, and he doesn't want to claim it if it's not his.
"Immortals don't care about fame and wealth, so they go away with their swords. This credit is not given to you, the censor, but to whom? Besides, the censors in the Yu Kingdom are all supervisory censors who accept this merit and are promoted to lead the Jiannan Road on their behalf. Isn't that just acknowledging this connection?" King Cheng's words were well-founded, and Zhuang Xun couldn't say anything to refute him for a moment. Could it be that he was told that he was specially taken care of by King Yu?
"It seems that the censor has also admitted that this battle is of great significance. In five or even ten years, the You country will not be able to engage in war, and the Cheng country and the Yu country will gain peace and stability. This great achievement deserves my gratitude." King Cheng said clearly, It looks like he is living in the palace to practice Taoism and doesn't care about worldly affairs.
"Your Majesty said something serious, but you are just being loyal to the country." Zhuang Wen saw that he couldn't refuse and had to admit it. Otherwise, would he deny the reward he received in the Yu Kingdom?
Not to mention that he has normal EQ, even someone with low EQ and normal IQ wouldn't do this. Doesn't this deny the legitimacy of his identity?
"That's why it is even more important to reward the censor. He can be loyal to the country and risk such great contributions." King Cheng said with appreciation.
"The foreign minister is a minister of the Yu State. How can he accept your majesty's reward? Please be careful what you say." Zhuang Xun quickly refused after hearing this.
Accepting a reward from another country, or acting as a diplomatic envoy, will this not lead to impeachment to death? Even the people will wonder if you have betrayed the country, otherwise why would the other party reward you?
"You don't need to be nervous, Censor, and I won't make things difficult for you. General Li and Censor have done such a great job this time. It would be inappropriate not to reward them. Since Censor wants to marry Miss Li, I will act as a matchmaker and ask Li The imperial concubine will act as an intermediary to persuade General Li to agree to the marriage between the censor and Miss Li."
King Cheng took the initiative, then looked at Concubine Li next to him and said, "What does Concubine Li think?"
You have promised to go out, how can I see it? Do you think I don't agree?
"My concubine has no objection. Zhuang Yushi has an elegant temperament and is a good match for my sister." Concubine Li said naturally, her expression even colder towards Zhuang Xun.
If you are satisfied, can you change your expression?
"As a match and reward, the counties adjacent to Jiannan Dao and Henan will be handed over to the censor. The conferment also confer the second lady of the Li family. It is not only a reward to General Li, but also a reward to the censor." The emperor took out Great reward.
"Your Majesty, no, I'm afraid the soldiers will be disheartened and the court officials will object fiercely." Concubine Li quickly stopped her. King Cheng's decision affected the cakes of many people.
Although the cake has not been cut yet, some people are already looking forward to it, and this decision is too willful. Half of the land that was just exchanged will be spit out. Who can accept it.
"If you don't give it, it will make the soldiers feel cold. General Li has now become a prince and has no title. The country does not allow ministers to be granted land. It is better to give General Li some dowry to give him some respect. It will reward Li." General, his contribution this time can be regarded as a reward for the censor to ask the immortals to kill the monster this time." King Cheng's words seemed to be okay.
According to Li Pingyuan's merits, it seems that there is really no fault in doing so, and the people can understand and support it. Concubine Li remained silent.
"To prevent General Li from being in trouble, I will grant the marriage and avoid conflicts between General Li and Yushi Zhuang." King Cheng said kindly, and Concubine Li nodded. This is true.
After all, they knew that their daughter was going to marry someone else as an equal wife. These fathers with status could not bear it, so they had to make some gestures. Their strong refusal hurt the second sister's feelings. The marriage grant from King Cheng was a bit of a decoration for him. Facade.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the marriage." Zhuang Xun said gratefully. It turned out to be a marriage. He breathed a sigh of relief. It was just not a conspiracy.
"The Censor deserves what he deserves. I'm just pushing the boat along. Censor, do you know anything about the Immortal family?" King Cheng accepted Zhuang Xun's gratitude, and then changed his tone and asked about the Immortal.
"This..." Zhuang Xun hesitated, thinking of the King of Wheels.
"The censor really has a path to the immortal family. I have a strong desire to seek the Tao. Can the censor do something convenient for me?" King Cheng saw Zhuang Xun's hesitation and immediately knew that he had the real thing, and his eyes became eager.
At this moment, Zhuang Xun suddenly realized why King Cheng wanted to give him the so-called secondary merit and why he wanted to help him marry Li Rusi. It turned out that this was the trap. He wanted to get the immortal's way of practice from himself, or how to find the immortal. .
"..." The problem is that Zhuang Xun doesn't know where the immortal is, and he doesn't have the magic method to practice it.
"If you have any difficulties, just pretend I didn't tell you." King Yu looked disappointed when Zhuang Xun didn't reply for a long time.
"The foreign ministers don't understand the matter of cultivating immortals, but I once heard an immortal say that if you cultivate virtue and make meritorious deeds, you will naturally have a destiny of immortality." Although it is in the next life.
"Which immortal is he and where does he practice?" King Cheng became interested again.
"The foreign ministers can't be found here, and your majesty won't be found either. If your majesty is diligent in cultivating virtues, and the fate comes, immortals will naturally come to your door." Zhuang Xun thought for a while and said, how can he find it in the underworld? He can't find it, and he can't. lie.
Moreover, after King Cheng dies, he will definitely go to the underworld. This is not a lie, but I don’t know how his merit accumulation will be by then.
"I understand. Please tell Yushi Zhuang. I'm sorry to have you come here to talk. Concubine Li, help send Yushi Zhuang off. You guys can discuss how to get to Li's Mansion." Zhuang Xun's words were like the immortals he had seen before. Just like that, King Cheng suddenly became irritable and ordered him to be kicked out.
Zhuang Xun obeyed and waited for Concubine Li, walking on the courtyard road. Concubine Li was obviously not in the mood to talk to him, so she led him out and first went to the palace maid Yang Mei who was waiting outside the courtyard.
"This slave has seen your Majesty, Your Majesty." Yang Mei shouted in Zhuang Xun's python robe and in the dark night environment.
(End of chapter)
