Zhao Hongjin and Han Zeng had the same idea. Zhang Shou, the Minister of Rites, was a loyal and down-to-earth person who was steady and reliable in his work. He was indeed the best person to negotiate and handle this matter.
"Han Xiangguo has the same idea as me, so the matter is settled and Zhang Shou is sent there. Due to the inconvenience of my identity, I directly expressed my apology, so Han Xiangguo wrote a letter for Zhang Shou to take to the border between the two countries to report to the mission. The envoys must give some explanations and apologize by the way. However, in order not to damage the country's prestige, we still have to make some condemnations for their private detention of my officials during the negotiations, and hope that they can also apologize for this matter."
Han Zeng still agreed with Zhao Hongjin's arrangement. Although the little emperor in front of him was still very young, he was smart since he was a child and was deeply loved by the late emperor. Now that he was assisting the little emperor, he hoped that he could soon shoulder the important responsibility of the country of Southern Zhao. .
Although both his monarch and his ministers are now being restrained by Fu Zuoliang at every turn, he can see that Zhao Hongjin will definitely be a wise king in the future, but he is just trapped for now. Therefore, Han Zeng was already prepared to help Zhao Hongjin regain power and eradicate powerful officials in the DPRK during his lifetime, even if it cost his own life.
"The Holy Master had better issue another edict and ask Zhang Shou to take it with him, so as to prevent the other party from making things difficult again. With the Holy Master's Holy Order, Zhang Shou will have some confidence to go to negotiate."
"The Prime Minister has thought carefully, so I am going to issue an edict and order Zhang Shou to serve as the envoy for negotiations to negotiate with the envoy from Jingyuan's mission."
Han Zeng turned to an official in the civil service team and said, "Zhang Shou, why don't you come forward and listen to the edict?"
Among the many civil servants, an official emerged. He had a good appearance and a long beard. Although he was a civil servant, his expression and behavior were somewhat heroic as a military attaché.
"Weak minister Zhang Shou is willing to take the imperial edict and go to the border between the two countries to negotiate with the envoy of the Jingyuan mission about the official detention, and complete the important task of receiving the mission. He will live up to the trust of the Holy Lord and the Prime Minister."
Zhao Hongjin nodded with satisfaction and said: "I believe that Zhang Aiqing will be able to handle this matter properly, without losing the prestige of our southern Zhao country, and at the same time, he can successfully lead the delegation to the capital and complete the major event of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. Zhang Aiqing, this matter will be done." It’s all up to you.”
"I accept the order, please rest assured Holy Master, I will not disappoint Holy Master and will definitely handle this matter well."
After Zhang Shou received Zhao Hongjin's edict, he hurriedly set off for the border between Southern Zhao and Jing Yuan Kingdom. This matter should not be delayed for a long time.
He also knew very well that Fu Zuoliang's obstruction in every possible way was because he was afraid that the two countries would formally establish diplomatic relations. In this case, they would not be able to continue to control the government on the pretext of the war in the north. As a member of the civil service group, Zhang Shou naturally understands the difficulties of the young emperor Zhao Hongjin, so this matter is not as simple as it seems.
I wonder what the temperament of the envoy from Jingyuan’s mission is? If it's difficult to talk, it's really difficult to deal with it. It doesn't matter if it's soft or hard. Acting too weak would be a loss of national integrity, and acting too tough might cause diplomatic conflicts between the two countries. Zhang Shou was also in a state of confusion at this time.
Since the reception group was already in front, Zhang Shou didn't make too many preparations and set off lightly with two servants. The three horses traveled day and night just to arrive as soon as possible to avoid any complications. If any other accidents occurred, it would be even more difficult to deal with.
It was already three days before Zhang Shou and his servants arrived at the border between the two countries. They were still traveling lightly. If the large group of people had traveled slowly, they would not have arrived in seven or eight days.
The matter was urgent, and the three masters and servants had a hard time along the way. As soon as they arrived at the border, they hurriedly contacted the reception team and asked about the cause of the matter.
The clerk at the reception team couldn't tell exactly what happened. He only said that a few days ago, an official from the Qingyuan Mission invited Mr. Wang, the leader of the team, to go to the Sheriff's Mansion in Nanshui County because he had something to discuss. How did he know that he would be there when he got there? He was detained, and several people accompanying him were also driven back. They only said that officials from Nan Zhao crossed the border privately and broke into Jingyuan territory before being detained, and asked Nan Zhao to send officials with corresponding official ranks to negotiate.
As soon as Zhang Shou heard this, he understood what the other party meant. This was because the receptionist was only an eighth-rank official, which made the other party feel humiliated by Nan Zhao, so he was taken into custody and forced Nan Zhao to send a person of equal rank to receive him. Although it is indeed a bit excessive, it is excusable. Anyone who does this kind of thing would feel very angry.
"It's all Fu Zuoliang's good deeds. If he hadn't proposed to have an eighth-rank official come to do this reception, there wouldn't be the trouble we are having today. He really had ulterior motives."
Now that the other party's motives have been determined, the next thing will be much easier to handle. It is nothing more than satisfying the conditions proposed by the other party and allowing the other party to regain face. After all, there is still room for change.
It seemed that the other party didn't want to make things right, but just wanted to teach Nan Zhao a lesson.
Since it was his side that was at fault, his attitude should naturally be lowered. Zhang Shou quickly ordered someone to send a greeting card to the governor of Nanshui County, hoping that the other party would send a written invitation so that he could go to negotiate with the mission more conveniently.
Unexpectedly, the person who went to send the greeting card came back not long after he left, saying that he had prepared the written invitation document a long time ago. He took the greeting card and handed it to him directly, asking him to come back and tell Zhang Shou that he could come at any time. Go to Nanshui County Sheriff's Mansion.
Zhang Shou also felt a little dumbfounded. This showed that they were ready and waiting for him to come. It seemed that all his reactions and responses were calculated by others.
They are deliberately using this method to force Nan Zhao to send a fourth-grade official, and it seems that they already know what they are thinking and what they are going to do. It seems that the envoy of the Jingyuan mission is not an ordinary person. He can predict everything in advance. He can be said to be thoughtful, flexible, bold, careful, and decisive.
"Okay! In that case, I will go meet with the envoys from the Jingyuan Mission to see what kind of person can force our Southern Zhao court into such a situation? It's really curious. "
Zhang Shou and his entourage, dressed in formal official robes, made some preparations before setting off for the Sheriff's Mansion in Nanshui County. To solve the immediate trouble, some sincerity must be shown, so Zhang Shou asked his subordinates to prepare a generous gift.
Speaking of this generous gift, it is a deep-sea clam pearl from the South China Sea. Although Southern Zhao is short of resources, and food, salt, iron, and cloth are all expensive, it is adjacent to the South China Sea and there are many rare things produced in the sea, such as the tree that the envoy of Southern Zhao presented to Xiao Changyi last time. The red coral tree can be said to be a unique treasure in the world.
But the problem is, these things are not suitable for eating or wearing, and no amount of them can solve the problem of lack of supplies in Southern Zhao. Therefore, if Southern Zhao can strengthen border trade with the Jingyuan Empire, they can exchange these treasures from the sea for the living materials needed by Southern Zhao, which can be said to be a good complement.
Because of this, Zhao Hongjin and Han Zeng have always advocated establishing diplomatic relations with Jing Yuanguo and strengthening commercial trade between the two countries.
The relationship between countries is like this. They should give full play to their strengths and make up for their shortcomings through the exchange of interests. Many things can be solved through peaceful means, but there are always people who want to satisfy their desires through force and plunder. This is the fundamental reason why human society has been in constant war for a long time.
Between exchange and plunder, it seems that more people will choose the latter, because that can indeed maximize benefits. However, the ultimate victims of war are ordinary people. If those in power cannot be considerate of the people, care for the people, and only think about completing the ideal of a thousand years of achievements, even if they finally win the world, they will lose the people's support. The result of losing the people's support will be nothing in the end.
It is a pity that many people do not understand this truth, or they understand this truth but cannot resist the temptation before them.
When Zhang Shou and others were taken to the county governor's house by the reception officials, they were stunned by the scene in front of them. What were they doing? The entire county governor's mansion was demolished to pieces! There are many plasterers and craftsmen working on the site, and it is a lively reconstruction scene.
Looking at the Sheriff's Mansion with bricks and tiles everywhere in front of him, Zhang Shou was stunned! Where is this office? Where will they be received? Since the Sheriff's Mansion is like this, why not lead them directly to the post house? Why bring them here?
I saw Tao Qingyun wearing a coarse cloth shirt, with his cuffs and trousers rolled up, his hands, feet, and face covered in mud, and he came to Zhang Shou with the appearance of a small plasterer.
He cupped his hands and cupped his hands, and said with a smile: "This must be Mr. Zhang Shou, the Minister of Rites sent by the Southern Zhao Kingdom, right? I'm so sorry! The governor's mansion is being renovated and rebuilt recently, and Mr. Zhang is really unlucky to come here. You Seeing that there was no place to sit here, I had no choice but to sit down under the big locust tree next to Mr. Zhang. I ordered people to boil some water to quench Mr. Zhang's thirst, and then informed Mr. Shao Xi of the mission. Come and meet Mr. Zhang. It’s really a mess. Please forgive Mr. Zhang for the poor reception.”
Zhang Shou also looked embarrassed and could only reply politely: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter! Mr. Tao, you are too polite. The main reason I came here this time is to discuss with Mr. Tao and Mr. Shao about the detention of our imperial officials and their departure." Regarding the reception, Lord Lao Tao also invited Lord Shao to come over and discuss it together."
With a smile on his face, Tao Qingyun raised his hands covered with mud to gesture at the stones under the big locust tree, and said enthusiastically: "It's easy to talk, easy to talk! Mr. Zhang, please sit down first! I'm here Then go and ask Master Shao to come and meet you."
As soon as Zhang Shou sat down on the stone, he heard Tao Qingyun pulling his neck and shouting to the roof of the courtyard: "Master Shao, Master Shao! Nan Zhao sent a fourth-grade official, the Minister of Rites, Zhang Shou, to visit. Please come and meet Master Shao!"
"I know! Ask him to wait for me for a while until I finish installing this row of tiles."
When Zhang Shou heard this, he was like, what a guy! Not only is the county guard doing small work on the house, but the fourth-grade envoy, Mr. Shao, is also working on the house! Are all the officials of the Jingyuan Dynasty so diligent and caring for the people? You have to do it yourself when repairing the house.
This is also a rare thing in Southern Zhao! It seemed that the envoy sent by the emperor of Jing Yuan Kingdom was indeed no ordinary person.
Zhang Shou felt a little curious, so he put up a pergola and looked at the roof of the main hall of the county governor's mansion. He saw a young man covered in dust squatting on the roof and putting tiles on the roof with the master bricklayer, with a bright smile on his face. One after another, it looks like a little cat, but it can't hide its handsome appearance.
"This is the envoy of the Jingyuan mission? How is it possible that he is already a fourth-rank official at such a young age? Is this person not a relative of the Jingyuan Dynasty? Otherwise, how could he be of the same rank as me at such an age?"
Zhang Shou was greatly surprised when he saw that Shao Xi was actually a young man.
Some people died, but not completely...
