In the palace, Han Xizai's face showed worry for the first time. He maintained his demeanor, bowed his head again, and explained calmly: "My Lord intends to have good relations with the two countries. He has already issued an order that no soldiers in the fourteen prefectures in the north of the Yangtze River are allowed to go north to commit crimes." Han. In the past, there was hostility between the north and the south, and there were disturbances and strife on the border. As a result, thieves from the two Huaihe Rivers sprang up and fled north and south, committing many crimes. I think it was the thieves from the Huaishang who invaded, and the Han army in Xuzhou mistakenly thought we were the Tang army!"
After saying this, Han Xizai looked calm again, his eyelids slightly drooped, waiting for Liu Chengyou's reaction. Since the interview, Emperor Han's attitude had made him suspicious. He kept making things difficult with his words, which was somewhat beyond his expectation.
To be honest, Liu and Li's peace talks were beneficial to both the Han and Tang Dynasties, especially the Han Dynasty. But Liu Chengyou's performance seemed too casual, and he really couldn't tell how much he cared.
The expression on Liu Chengyou's face gradually returned to calm, and he still glanced at Han Xizai, but he felt that his interest was waning. Xuzhou's report was of course made by Liu Chengyou on the spur of the moment, but the fact was just as Han Xizai had guessed, what Cheng Deqin had defeated was a group of bandits running in Xuhuai.
At this moment, Liu Chengyou no longer had the intention to have those fruitless exchanges with Han Xizai. With a flick of his hand, he asked: "Does Mr. Han have full authority over the Tang Dynasty when he goes north to negotiate peace?"
After hearing the question, he realized something, and Han Xizai became cautious and responded: "I have been entrusted with the authority to make decisions on the fly by the order of my Lord!"
After listening to his answer, Liu Chengyou completely put away his interest and spoke forcefully: "Mr. Han, it's not up to me whether we want to negotiate for peace! Meng Shu invaded my country last year, and both sides mobilized nearly 100,000 troops to seek peace. The Lord of Shu, Meng Chang, offered us one hundred thousand hu of dendrobium as proof of our agreement. The Lord of Tang would not think that by sending you north, giving me some gifts, and making some sophistry in front of me, you would be able to achieve peace and eliminate old grudges! Nothing in this world is so easy!"
"I wonder what your Majesty wants?" Han Xizai asked intently.
He is really a smart man. Liu Chengyou nodded without being pretentious and responded directly: "Let's talk about peace and negotiation. I will send Tao Gu from Zhongshushe to be responsible for this matter. The specific affairs will be left to Tao Sheren and Han Gong. Let’s talk!”
After saying that, Liu Chengyou resumed his vigorous and resolute style, and showed no intention of being verbose with Han Xizai anymore, and ended the interview.
"Second Minister, what do you think of Han Xizai?" Liu Chengyou asked.
This time Liu Chengyou summoned Han Xizai and specially asked Wang Pu and Wang Pu to accompany him. Faced with the emperor's interrogation, Wang Pu immediately replied, with admiration in his words: "With majestic bearing, wit and calmness, he really lives up to his reputation!"
Wang Pu frankly commented that he and Han Xizai had some similarities. They were both gentle and elegant people with outstanding talents. The villain may be jealous, but he can't help but have a good impression of Wang Pu, but more of a curiosity and sympathy.
Wang Pu was nearby, it just happened to happen. In response to Liu Chengyou's question, he thought about it for a while and said: "Han Xizai is a man of inherent talent. However, for more than 20 years, he has been traveling south from the north to assist the two masters of the Southern and Tang Dynasties, but his arrogance has not been tempered. "
"Wang Qing's eyes are like fire!" Liu Chengyou immediately agreed with Wang Pu's emotion and said: "Han Xizai just spoke to me, although he was humble and polite, but his words were constantly quarrelsome, and his arrogance really made people feel uncomfortable!"
"Your Majesty, although Tao She is good at poetry and writing, if we discuss the matter with Han Xizai, who is opposite him, I'm afraid..." After hearing Liu Chengyou's words, Wang Pu couldn't help but remind him lightly.
Liu Chengyou waved his hands and said calmly: "Let's discuss it first!"
Seeing this, Wang Pu couldn't help but look suspicious. After thinking about it, he asked tentatively: "Your Majesty, the Puppet Tang Dynasty is a big country in the south of the Yangtze River. The two sides are at odds with each other and the north and the south are in conflict. The Han Dynasty is often busy in the south. Now the Han Dynasty is recuperating and restoring its national strength. At this time, the Lord of the Tang Dynasty took the initiative to send people to negotiate peace and restore diplomatic relations. For the Han Dynasty, the benefits outweighed the disadvantages. Is it inappropriate for Your Majesty to be so negligent to the envoys of the puppet Tang Dynasty? "
There was caution in Wang Pu's advice. Liu Chengyou replied: "I know what you mean, but some things are too easy to get. I'm afraid the arrogant Jiangnan Yelang will underestimate me!"
As he spoke, Liu Chengyou's tone turned cold: "I can hear that the deputy envoy sent to the Han Dynasty from the Tang Dynasty came from the north. He was very contemptuous of our Han style and the people of Tokyo. He was frivolous and conceited, and was arrogant!"
"No wonder..." Wang Pu thought thoughtfully.
"Your Majesty, I would like to ask you to assist the Taoshe people and discuss peace together!" At this time, Wang Pu took the initiative to ask.
Liu Chengyou pointed out: "You want to meet Han Xizai for a while!"
"Your Majesty has a keen eye!" Wang Pu complimented.
Liu Chengyou had no problem, so he agreed.
Wang Pu retreated, and Liu Chengyou picked up another volume. It was part of the "Xing Tong" newly compiled by the Hanlin Academy, with thirty volumes of laws and regulations. After Fan Zhi and more than ten people from Dali and Xingbu worked tirelessly to organize and explain it, it is indeed much easier to read than before. Liu Chengyou could also read it thoroughly and clearly understand its meaning. Compared with the obscurity and difficulty of the previous dynasties, such simple words are more suitable for learning, promotion and utilization.
Wang Pu studied astronomy, and after passing the imperial examination, he has been compiling books and revising laws in the Hanlin Academy. He was old enough and knowledgeable, and he soon won the recognition of many literary talents, especially the respect of the bachelor Chengzhi Fanzhi.
This time he was summoned, but he was ordered to come and report on the compilation of the "Han Dynasty Criminal Code". Obviously, this was Fan Zhi deliberately giving Wang Pu an opportunity to make a statement to the king.
Although there have been many revisions since the Tang Dynasty and the Three Dynasties, it has been picked up again from scratch, combined with current conditions, deleting and deleting old laws and ancient examples, streamlining explanations, rewriting formats, and organizing edicts into categories. It is indeed a detailed and complicated book. of work.
It took about a year in total, and later talents like Fan Zhi and Wang Pu were added, and now it has finally entered the final stage.
When Liu Chengyou was reviewing, Wang Pu stood by and continued to report to him: "I have compiled thirty volumes of laws and regulations, nine volumes of styles, twenty volumes of styles, and twenty-five volumes of laws and essays. There are still some catalogs to be determined. . After exhaustive research on the source, the imperial edict was compiled by category, and a total of more than 200 typographical errors in stipples and meanings were corrected. According to the imperial edict, the penalties were lightened, the plans were innovated, and the crime of involvement and dismissal was also eliminated and reclassified... ....”
"Well..." It can be seen from Liu Chengyou's tone that he is in a good mood and is very satisfied.
He raised his eyes to look at Wang Pu, and his eyes became more kind, and he said: "The principles of law are the foundation of the world. Three generations of wars and the loss of the law books resulted in the lack of legal support in the Han Dynasty. I am deeply aware of the omissions during this period. The old law has simple ancient meanings and complicated entries. Ordinary people, even if they try their best to read it, still can't understand it, and what's more, in today's world where literature is not prosperous. What you and others have done is to strengthen the foundation of the world's governance!"
After expressing some emotion, Liu Chengyou asked: "With the current progress, when can we announce it to the world?"
Wang Pu's answer was more conservative: "After the catalog is completed, it will be published again. Before the beginning of summer this year, an imperial edict can be issued!"
"The establishment of a law is only the first step. It is more important to promulgate and promote it, so that the world can become a Dali, and those who promote official affairs can learn and use it!" Liu Chengyou couldn't help but sigh.
Hearing this, Wang Pu bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"
