"This Southern Tang Dynasty is really extremely rich!" Liu Chengyou couldn't help but pick up the gift list presented by Han Xizai, glanced at it briefly, and couldn't help but sigh.
One hundred pieces of silk, two hundred pieces of silk, five hundred pieces of cotton, a thousand pieces of porcelain, a hundred pieces of jade, and a number of various rare jewelry...
"The wealth of the Southern Tang Dynasty is suddenly before our eyes!" Liu Chengyou muttered.
The so-called wealth should not be revealed. I have always known about the wealth of the Southern Tang Dynasty, but I really don't have an intuitive impression. Just with this gift list, I can get a glimpse of it. Liu Chengyou was so afraid of poverty that he was instantly aroused.
If Li Jing hadn't gone north to sue for peace this time, Liu Chengyou's greedy heart wouldn't be so hot, but he couldn't help but be jealous when he took the initiative to "show off his wealth". For Liu Chengyou, Southern Tang was just a big fat piece of meat that only needed to be plucked and skinned before he could enjoy it. Now, what he needed to do was sharpen his teeth and prepare meat-eating utensils!
"I happily accept Li Jing's generous gift!" Liu Chengyou calmed down his restless greed, closed the gift list, and told Zhang Dejun: "Pass this message to me, and get the silk, silk, porcelain, jade, and rare jewelry that the Tang Dynasty envoy paid tribute." In the harem, let the queen mother, empress, and noble concubines choose some, and keep the rest of the silk for the internal funds. The queen mother and the others are virtuous and reasonable, and they never enjoy luxury. This can be considered as compensation for my debt to them!"
Zhang Dejun responded: "Yes!"
After thinking about it, Liu Chengyou added: "The other weapons are used to trade money and food. Compared with gold and jade, what I need more is food and drink!"
The Concierge Courtyard, which belongs to Honglu Temple, specializes in entertaining guests, and its presence is not strong. The main reason is that the external environment of Han Dynasty has been too poor since the founding of the People's Republic of China. The only envoys and guests received internally and externally were the Uighurs, Jingnan, and Wuyue. The Southern Tang Dynasty was the fourth visitor to the court.
In the hall, Taogu leader Wang Pu and the officials of the Liyuan had been negotiating with the envoys from the Southern Tang Dynasty to the Han Dynasty for many days on the terms of the peace negotiation between the two countries. It was called a consultation, but in reality it was more like a debate. Tao Gu, with Liu Chengyou's instruction, was confident and not in a hurry, while Han Xizai was more calm and unhurried, as if he had gained insights from traveling north for sightseeing and studying.
Tao Gu could be said to be a sharp-tongued person with a sharp mind, but he did not take any verbal advantage when talking to Han Xizai. Tao Gu was not a broad-minded person. After a few days, he felt that he had lost face and no longer had any patience left.
Therefore, when they met today, Tao Gu stared at Han Xizai's showdown very forcefully: "Since ancient times, there has never been a person who did not cede territory, claim vassal status, pay tribute, and make peace when seeking peace. We, the dynasty and the two countries, have diplomatic relations for the sake of harmony between the military and the people. We don't need you." I cede the land, and I don’t want you to be my vassal. I have already been generous and tolerant, but you really don’t know how to advance or retreat. Once the tribute is paid, there is no reason to be short of it. Jianghuai is rich. If the Tang Dynasty Lord is really sincere, how can he be stingy with the promised money and food?"
The top of Tao Gu's beard was arrogant, but in Han Xizai's eyes, he looked stern and stern. Showing his signature gentle smile, Han Xizai still looked tepid and said calmly: "I would like to emphasize again that my lord has sent envoys here with great hospitality for the sake of the well-being of the two countries. If the emperor and his ministers of the Han Dynasty have no intention of negotiating peace, relying on The power is overwhelming, and the Tang Dynasty has absolutely no reason to seek perfection at every knee!"
Han Xizai was neither humble nor arrogant in front of Liu Chengyou. Faced with Tao Gu, after several exchanges, he seemed to have seen this person clearly and no longer planned to save face for him.
His eyes swept over Tao Gu, and paused for a moment on the young Wang Pu next to him, and said quietly: "Tao Sheren, I'm afraid I don't have the right to agree. Such boring discussions have no practical results. I'd like to thank you, Sir. Emperor of the Han Dynasty, the peace between the two countries is actually for the benefit of both sides. There is no distinction between superior and inferior, high and low. It is the right thing to communicate with each other and help each other. However, if you seek frivolous wealth, it is difficult for the Tang Dynasty to agree!"
Han Xizai's words were extremely harsh, which embarrassed Tao Gu. He glanced uncertainly at Han Xizai, who had regained his composure. A look of anger flashed across his face. He flicked his sleeves and said in a cold voice, "I will tell your Majesty the truth, and I will never let you down!"
"Thank you!" Han Xizai raised his hand, looked around in a graceful manner, and took the initiative to end the meeting: "My envoy, I will leave for now!"
After saying that, he stood up and left the table. The deputy envoy wanted to explain to Tao Gu, but thinking of Han Xizai's strong and conceited appearance, he didn't bother and followed him.
Looking at the back of the Tang envoy and Tao Gu who was still very angry, Wang Pu took the initiative to salute and said: "Mr. Tao, it is true that we can't come up with anything. The Tang envoy's patience has run out, so it is better to return to the officials." Bar!"
But after hearing Wang Pu's suggestion, Tao Gu quickly regained his composure. He tilted his face and responded with restraint, maintaining his airs, but unwilling to continue to lose his composure in front of this young man.
On the side of the Tang envoy, the deputy envoy followed Han Xizai closely, returned to the Binyi, and faced him when he sat down. His words were very rude, and could even be described as questioning: "Han Gong is so trustworthy, if he offends the Han monarchs and ministers, Have you considered the serious consequences?"
Han Xizai still looked elegant and easy-going, and said calmly: "You must remember that we came north to discuss peace, not to ask for peace and mercy. The emperors and ministers of the Han Dynasty want to intimidate me with power, but I have a heavy burden How can your majesty's great trust ruin the reputation of the Tang Dynasty and allow it to take whatever you want?"
"A little money and food are just a drop in the bucket in the Tang Dynasty, so why be stingy?" The deputy envoy curled his lips slightly.
The requirements of the Han Dynasty were not high, and gradually decreased, until they reached one hundred thousand guan of money and one hundred thousand stone of grain. However, Han Xizai firmly disagreed.
Hearing this, Han Xizai's expression suddenly became serious, as if a layer of frost had condensed on it. His eyes were like thorns, and he pointed at the deputy envoy: "Even a penny or a grain is a tax collected from the people of the Tang Dynasty. How can I give it to others so easily?" Shu has 100,000 hu of dendrobium grain, but he is still trying to cut Qin Fengjie into four states. He is opening his mouth to us. He clearly despises our dynasty and blackmails us. How can we be deceived by him?"
Han Xizai's anger was still quite powerful. The deputy envoy lowered his head, his eyes flickered slightly, and muttered: "But if we go north this time and return without success, how will we return to His Majesty after we return to the court?"
"If you agree to make such an agreement that humiliates the country and the promise of the family, what will you do to your majesty when you return to the court?" Han Xizai asked, staring directly at the deputy envoy, making him extremely uncomfortable. .
In fact, the deputy envoy really had some ideas, such as coming here in a fit of excitement and bringing back a humiliating agreement. By then, their party would be able to take advantage of the opportunity to make a big fuss.
After returning to his room, Han Xizai completely restrained his energy in front of outsiders when he was alone. There was deep thinking in his majestic and normal face. According to his thoughts, there was no need to go north to negotiate peace. As a representative of the northern scholars who crossed south, his political direction was basically set, with the main station being the leader of the Northern Expedition.
However, the good opportunities in the past two years were missed. In the future, if there is such a good opportunity again, I am afraid it will have to depend on fate. Of course, he also knew in his heart that the Southern Tang Dynasty had not unified the south of the Yangtze River after all. There were too many hidden dangers in the rear, and it would be too difficult to fight against the north with all its strength. It is precisely because of this that I feel sad that the monarchs and ministers of the Tang Dynasty wereted no time two years ago and did not seize the opportunity to invade the Central Plains.
Especially after what he saw during this trip to the north, what worried Han Xizai even more was that as long as the Northern Han Dynasty restored its national strength, it would be a situation where the north was strong and the south was weak again. The Southern Tang had made so many small moves in Lianghuai, but they were nothing. It was just scratching the surface, and it did not cause much actual harm to the Northern Han Dynasty.
As a result, blocking the exchanges between merchants from the two countries and preventing grain from the south from being transported north would do even more harm to the Han Dynasty. In the two years since the founding of the Han Dynasty, in addition to the disasters of war, tens of thousands of Li people died of cold and starvation. Therefore, we can get a glimpse of the situation in this negotiation when the Han Dynasty, regardless of its appearance, was so naked and straightforward about money and food.
While concentrating, Han Xizai almost saw the scene of the iron hooves of the Han army crossing the Huai River and plundering the states in Huainan. After meeting with Liu Chengyou, Han Xizai was almost convinced that as long as the north did not change, it would be inevitable.
While Han Xizai was thinking deeply in the guest post, Liu Chengyou was sitting safely in the Chongzheng Hall, calmly listening to Tao Gu's report.
"Your Majesty, Han Xizai is arrogant, arrogant and rude. He is incapable of talking to me. I have spent all my time trying to find good words to talk to him. Instead of recognizing his good intentions, he is arrogant." Tao Gu's mouth was full of words. They were all complaints about Han Xizai. He tried his best to put eye drops on Liu Chengyou in front of him: "In my opinion, I am afraid that the pretended emperor and ministers of the Tang Dynasty have no sincerity in negotiating peace."
Although Liu Chengyou was a little surprised, it was not enough to make him moved. He expressed emotion calmly: "This Han Xizai has some character! You are using force to intimidate him. It is unlikely that an accident will occur, but it is not surprising!"
Seeing that all the talk he had wasted seemed to have no effect, the emperor praised Han Xizai in return. Tao Gu couldn't help but said: "Your Majesty, the Han Dynasty has a lot of grudges with the pseudo-Tang Dynasty. If nothing is gained, why do you need to make peace with them? Is it just because of the North? The sharp talk of the envoy to the Tang Dynasty blocked my garrison's southward operation along the Huaihe River?"
Tao Gu directly ignored the heavy gift presented by the Tang envoy, and looting was looting. When it fell into Tao Gu's mouth, he changed it to a more elegant term: management.
Liu Chengyou was not affected by Tao Gu's words. He pondered a few words seriously, with obvious doubts in his muttering tone: "Han Xizai came here under orders, but he doesn't seem to care much about whether he can accomplish his mission?"
Glancing at Wang Pu who was standing next to Tao Gu, he saw his calm expression and couldn't help but ask: "Wang Qing, you have been with us for many days, what do you think?"
Wang Pu bowed and bowed in reply: "Returning to your majesty, I see that Han Xizai was a brilliant man of the moment, with a lot of knowledge and perhaps some arrogance. However, because he is so confident, I am afraid that he has seen that your majesty also has the intention of making peace. Moreover, given the current situation, our country needs to kill troops to restore peace and reduce the burden of border defense. As for the Puppet Tang Dynasty, even though it is exhausted by the invasion of our northern troops, it is difficult to hurt its bones!"
After a pause, Wang Pu organized his speech, and then said: "In my opinion, although Han Xizai was sent to negotiate peace, his heart and will, I am afraid he would rather fight against the big Han..."
"Why do you see it?" Liu Chengyou asked.
Wang Pu responded calmly: "I tried to talk with the envoys and officials, and found out some news. The Nandu scholars headed by Han Xizai in the pseudo-Tang Dynasty had the ambition to enter, and they were not people who preferred peace of mind... "
"If your majesty agrees to the peace negotiation, he will return to the court with his achievements as an envoy to the Han Dynasty; if your majesty refuses, and the two sides continue to be at odds, then there is no harm in letting him display his ambitions!"
Hearing Wang Pu's explanation, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but nodded: "Wang Qing is really agile and has done some research on the Southern Tang Dynasty! In this case, I will never do what Mr. Han wants!"
After hearing what he said, Tao Gu couldn't help but said: "Your Majesty, is this just what you want?"
He raised his hand and wiped a circle on his chin. There was no trace of worry on his face from beginning to end. He looked at the two of them and said, "Second Qing, are you interested in going to Jinling?"
"Your Majesty wants to send his ministers to the Tang Dynasty!" Tao Gu said.
"It's not rude to come back without reciprocating!" Liu Chengyou's eyes almost narrowed to a slit.
"I wish to go!" Tao Gu and Wang Pu said in unison.
Although the two people have different considerations, they are both extremely interested in going to Jinling to see something.
The reaction of the two did not go beyond Liu Chengyou's expectation. He said a little cunningly: "With Han Xizai, we can't get money and food, but with Li Jing, the leader of the Tang Dynasty, that's not necessarily the case. How much benefit can be obtained for the Han Dynasty depends on the second Qing's ability." It’s time to do something!”
After looking at each other, the two ministers bowed again and asked for a guarantee.
...
Unable to reach a consensus and "seeking peace" to no avail, Han Xizai finally decided to return south and resume his life. It was said that he had full power, but how could he have expected that Han Ting would make so many rude additional requests.
In Chongzheng Hall, Han Xizai resigned in person.
"Mr. Han is leaving now. Why don't you stay a little longer? Could it be that I didn't entertain you well?" Liu Chengyou expressed his sincere wish to stay.
"Your Majesty's warm hospitality, I am deeply moved by it!" Han Xizai still looked neither humble nor overbearing, with a strong implication: "But since Your Majesty has selected the envoy to go south, I am willing to be the one who leads the way!"
As soon as his eyes flew, Liu Chengyou suddenly became extremely solemn. Corporal Li Xian said: "I really admire the great talent of Han Gong. Why not stay in Tokyo and assist me in our common achievements? I will definitely use him highly."
As if he saw Liu Chengyou's hypocrisy, he declined tactfully: "The Han Dynasty has many talents, but not many people like Han!"
Liu Chengyou didn't give up: "Mr. Han is originally from the north. Doesn't he have the intention to return to his roots and live his whole life outside his hometown?"
"Once I am a minister of the Tang Dynasty, I will always be a minister of the Tang Dynasty!" Han Xizai looked very determined, without any emotion.
Seeing this, Liu Chengyou's face was filled with regret, and he said helplessly: "It's a pity that I can't do business with the public!"
"That's all. Mr. Han has returned south, so you can say hello to the Lord of Tang Dynasty on my behalf." Liu Chengyou's face changed quickly: "As a courtesy, I have also prepared some gifts..."
He did prepare some gifts, but he couldn't explain it himself. Thirty cows and one hundred sheep were of course not comparable in value to Li Jing's gifts. However, it can be explained by the importance of courtesy and friendship... ...
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"The foreign minister resigns!"
After Han Xizai withdrew, Liu Chengyou was slightly happy. He asked to keep Han Xizai, which was of course intentional. It is not a good thing for the Han people to have such a radical group in the south.
He also summoned Tao Gu, Wang Pu, and Liu Chengyou to explain their journey south. As a rule, you can talk as much as you can, and you won't lose if you control the big man, but the premise is that the talks don't really collapse.
In addition, the two were asked to carefully investigate the situation in the Southern Tang Dynasty, including government affairs, military affairs, folk customs... and accompanying officials. Liu Chengyou also assigned them some spies from the Wude Department and the Military Intelligence Department. .
By the way, Liu Chengyou told the two of them that after arriving in Jinling, they mostly promoted Han Xizai, such as how Han Gong was not afraid of power, how he did not lose national power under the coercion of the Han monarchs and ministers, how he showed favor to the Han Dynasty, and how the Emperor of Han valued him and wanted to stay. As an official...
In short, Liu Chengyou did not hesitate to attack this flag of the Southern Tang Dynasty, which was used to cross the northern people from the south. Liu Chengyou doesn't care whether it has any effect or not. If it works, whether it will cause changes in the political situation of the Southern Tang Dynasty is not among his considerations. That is something that the leader of the Tang Dynasty, Li Jing, needs to weigh.
