Shao Xi's answer made Feng Xianpei somewhat embarrassed. The person who rushed back to deliver the news had already told him about the attack on the mission on the road. Originally, he was just polite, but he didn't expect Shao Xi to be so direct.
But the embarrassment is embarrassing, after all, they are guests when they come, not to mention that the attack is indeed true, and it is reasonable for them to express some dissatisfaction. I came to your house as a guest, but as soon as I entered your yard, I was bitten by a dog. What's wrong with complaining? Quite reasonable, right?
"Haha, I have also heard about this matter. I really didn't expect that something like this would happen on the road. We really didn't take good care of it. Please forgive me, Mr. Shao. Our court will definitely investigate this matter strictly and the assassin must be found. , I hope that this matter will not affect the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. We will definitely make corresponding compensation for what happened to Mr. Shao and everyone in the mission, and we also ask Mr. Shao not to worry about it."
Shao Xi waved his hand indifferently and said to Feng Xianpei: "I personally don't care, but the people who came with me from the mission were disturbed for no reason, and some of them were injured. I just hope that you can ensure their safety. This request It shouldn’t be too much, right? I think if something happens to anyone in the mission, it won’t be a good thing for you.”
Feng Xianpei quickly replied: "Not too much, not too much! Ensuring your safety is the most important thing for me at the moment. Lord Shao, please rest assured. I will immediately go to the palace and mobilize the imperial army to strengthen the protection of the mission's station to ensure that the same thing will not happen again." matters, especially to strengthen the protection of you, Mr. Shao."
Shao Xi was made to laugh by Feng Xianpei's attitude. He was obviously a higher rank than his own, but he was very humble when he spoke, which made Shao Xi feel a little embarrassed about his bad attitude in his previous speech.
They say you should never hit someone with a smiling face. Since the other person's attitude was already so sincere, Shao Xi couldn't say anything more.
The mission moved into the arranged residence. It didn't take long for a group of imperial troops to arrive and clear the streets around the mission's residence.
This method of protection made Shao Xi feel as if he was under house arrest, but Feng Xianpei repeatedly explained that this was only for the safety of the mission. If Shao Xi and others wanted to go shopping, they were completely free. If necessary, they could send some guards. follow.
Of course, guard Shao Xi is not needed. What Shao Xi is thinking at this time is, if it takes two days to go to Hajj, then should he take advantage of his free time in these two days to visit those who need to visit? After all, if you get to know each other in advance, it will be easier to talk to you when you go to Hajj.
The first person to visit was naturally Prime Minister Han Zeng. Shao Xi asked Xu Maocheng to select some classics and history books written by people from the Central Plains from the gifts brought by the mission, plus a copy of "The Theory of World Governance" co-authored by Bai Jinggong and Liu Xingzhai. I took the outline with me to visit Han Zeng.
Because he might be called into the palace for an audience at any time, Shao Xi had to seize the time and visit all the people he wanted to visit before going to the palace for an audience. Therefore, he did not wait until the next day, but directly found Zhang Shou.
It happened that Zhang Shou also planned to go to the Prime Minister's Mansion for business, so Zhang Shou led the way and took Shao Xi and Lao Wu to the Prime Minister's Mansion.
The Prime Minister's Mansion is not big, just as Shao Xi imagined. It seems that the place in Southern Zhao is small and there is not much available land. Therefore, the houses built here will not be as tall and spacious as those in the Central Plains. They will just be enough to live in. It's quite economical.
After being informed, Han Zeng hurried out of the house and was overjoyed to see Shao Xi visiting in person. In his eyes, the envoy from the Jingyuan Empire came to visit him at his house just after entering the city, which gave him a great deal of face.
"Oh my! It's such an honor! I didn't expect that the envoy would come to my humble house as soon as he entered the city, which made the humble house shine! Mr. Shao is worthy of being the envoy of the Central Plains Kingdom. He is indeed very polite. This seems to me a little bit. That’s rude. Logically speaking, I should be the one to pay a visit, but it’s so rude! I’m ashamed, and please forgive me, Mr. Shao.”
Shao Xi felt a little awkward seeing Han Zeng being so polite. Shao Xi felt a little uncomfortable that the prime minister of a country had such respect for himself, a foreign envoy.
"What did the Prime Minister say? You are the Prime Minister of a country. How noble is your status? Besides, you are older than me and are my elder. Naturally, you should be a junior who comes to visit me. How can I let the Prime Minister condescend to me?" Going to meet the juniors?"
Han Zeng was surprised to find that the young envoy in front of him was not only extraordinary in bearing, but also courteous and respectful to the elderly and virtuous. He couldn't help but like him a little more, and hurriedly let Shao Xi and others into the house.
Shao Xi took the prepared gift from Lao Wu and handed it to Han Zeng. Han Zeng looked surprised after taking it.
He had never collected these precious classics and historical books, especially the "On the Governance of the World", which was to be co-authored by two celebrities, Bai and Liu, which amazed him, saying that it was really a classic of the governance of the world.
After entering the mansion and taking their seats, everyone was polite again, and then they talked about the mission's journey after entering the country, and naturally they also talked about the attack on the mission. Han Zeng's face was as dark as water and he questioned Zhang Shou.
"Zhang Shou, the Holy Lord and I thought that you were prudent and prudent in your daily life, so they decided to let you go to receive the envoy. Why did this happen? Did you know that the envoy from the Jingyuan Empire came to me this time? Is Nan Zhao discussing a major matter of diplomatic relations between the two countries? If something unexpected happens on the way, how will our country, Nan Zhao, explain to the Jingyuan Dynasty? It is about the relationship between the two countries, how can you be so careless?"
Zhang Shou was scolded by Han Zeng and remained silent. His face turned red and he lowered his head, as if he had really messed up the matter.
When Shao Xi saw that Han Zeng seemed to be really angry, he hurriedly explained to Zhang Shou: "Master Xiangguo, you cannot blame Master Zhang for this matter. Master Zhang has taken good care of him along the way and has done everything cautiously. In this case, The attack was intentional and not Mr. Zhang’s fault. Besides, Mr. Zhang also reminded the junior in Jiakou Valley that it was the junior who insisted on entering the valley to spend the night, and he did not suffer any losses in the attack. , there were no casualties, but a few people were arrested alive, and the person behind the scenes was questioned. In fact, from this point of view, Mr. Zhang not only had no fault, but actually made meritorious deeds, Mr. Xiangguo should not be too harsh. "
Han Zeng felt relieved when he heard that the mission had not suffered any losses, and immediately asked Shao Xi: "Master Shao just mentioned that he had captured some assassins alive, and also asked about the person behind the scenes. If I guess, If you are right, the person behind this is General Fu Zuoliang?"
Shao Xi was slightly surprised when he heard this. Before he could say anything, the Prime Minister had already guessed it. It seemed that he and General Fu Zuoliang had worked together for many years and knew each other very well. As soon as this incident came out, he Then you can think of the other person.
"Lord Xiang Guo guessed well. The person captured alive confessed to was General Fu Zuoliang, but I don't understand. Why is the general so hostile to me and the Jingyuan Dynasty's envoys? Why do you want to do this all the time? Ruining this junior mission? Ordinarily, wouldn’t it be beneficial for both countries to establish a friendly relationship?”
Han Zeng snorted unconsciously and said with sarcasm in his tone: "How can he care about the interests of the two countries? He only considers his own interests. Now that the Holy Lord has grown up, he should start to take charge of the government. However, as an auxiliary minister, he is greedy for power and is unwilling to return power to my pilgrim master. He wants to continue to control the government during foreign campaigns by establishing foreign enemies. This matter is no longer a secret. Therefore, I might as well tell Mr. Shao bluntly that he sent people to assassinate him just to destroy the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. At the same time, the mission was attacked in our southern Zhao territory, which is very likely to damage the relations between the two countries, and even the two sides will fight against Jingyuan at the border. The extremely tense relationship between the two countries is exactly what he needs."
Shao Xi showed a gossipy look and asked Han Zeng curiously: "I have heard this before. I heard that when the Lord of the Holy Land came to the throne at a young age, the Prime Minister and the General assisted the government. The Prime Minister was in charge of internal affairs and foreign affairs, while the Great Lord The general holds the military power and is responsible for defending the territory and opening up borders. Now, according to Mr. Xiangguo, your pilgrim master should have control over domestic and foreign affairs now, but the military power is still in the hands of the general. I wonder if this is the case? "
Han Zeng raised his hand to smooth his beard, nodded and replied: "What Mr. Shao said is exactly what I said. Now I am assisting you in the affairs of the government. You have to ask the Holy Lord for everything. I no longer make the decision privately. However, after all, the Holy Lord is in charge of the government for the first time." , I still have to assist and remind you. It’s just that the mobilization of troops and horses is still in the hands of Fu Zuoliang. This person is arrogant, unruly, and disrespectful to the Holy Lord. Such a person has always been in control If you have military power, there is no guarantee that one day you will not be obsessed with power and do something rebellious."
"Master Xiangguo, this is a matter for your Southern Zhao Dynasty. Maybe I shouldn't ask more questions, but I am a little curious. Doesn't Master Xiangguo have any troops at all? Ordinarily, even if he has military power, he wants to mobilize the troops of the whole country. It is not an easy task. Now, according to what Mr. Xiangguo said, if the general controls the government, he must control the troops and horses of the capital. And Mr. Xiangguo can compete with the general. If he does not have some trump cards in his hand, I am afraid he will not be tough in his words. ?”
At this time, Han Zeng had the same feeling as Zhang Shou. The young man in front of him was not simple.
It seems that he is asking a question, but in fact he is using his words to point out himself. He and Fu Zuoliang each hold half of the troops in the capital, and now he is accusing Fu Zuoliang of holding military power and controlling the government. There are indeed some crows in the dark. Pigs only say others are bad but cannot see themselves being bad.
"Master Shao doesn't know. If I hadn't held two of the four flags in the capital, I'm afraid that Fu Zuoliang would have led his troops into the palace to kill the king and usurp the throne. Fortunately, I have soldiers now. If it hadn't been like this The matter of diplomatic relations between Jingyuan and Nanzhao is probably just empty talk." m.
Shao Xi frowned and asked tentatively, "I wonder if Mr. Xiangguo has thought of any way to deal with this? After all, continuing this stalemate is not a long-term solution."
Han Zeng said angrily: "I don't hide it from Mr. Shao. He colluded with some people in your Jingyuan Dynasty and wanted to cooperate with each other to gain power in their respective courts. He thought no one would notice. I just There is no evidence in hand now.”
Shao Xi was shocked.
"Master Xiangguo is saying that there are people in our Jingyuan Dynasty who want to seek power and usurp the throne?"
Some people died, but not completely...
