"How dare you sign such a humiliating peace treaty? With just a piece of paper, you can stop the war and enjoy eternal peace? The Northern Han Dynasty's intention to conquer the world is known to even the youngest children, but all the princes in the court are unaware of it?
Just wait, in a few years, those who advocate peace today will regret it in the future! The money and food paid as tribute will be used by the Han army to attack Guancheng and kill our soldiers and civilians! "Wang Zhaoyuan stepped out of the palace cursing, his expression full of anger, and it was rare for him to lose his composure.
The sky above the palace was a bit bleak, just like Wang Zhaoyuan's bad mood at this time, full of gloom. He took a deep breath and punched his fist: "Oh!"
"Prime Minister, be careful what you say!" the Privy Councilor who followed him reminded him.
"Since you have done it, are you still afraid of what others will say?" Wang Zhaoyuan replied angrily. At this time, Wang Zhaoyuan felt like "everyone is drunk and I am sober", and his heart was filled with a sense of powerlessness.
"Prime Minister Wang, your Majesty is hosting a banquet for the Han envoys. Please come to the banquet!" A chamberlain quickly caught up with Wang Zhaoyuan and informed him.
Standing still, Wang Zhaoyuan turned his head and stared at the chamberlain, with a stiff expression on his face, and said: "Please reply to Your Majesty, please tell me that I am feeling slightly unwell and need to return home to recuperate. It is not appropriate to participate in the state banquet. Please forgive me!"
After two days of negotiations, Han and Shu finally reached an agreement on peace. Moreover, after that night at the banquet at Prime Minister Li Hao's house, the Han envoy's attitude softened significantly and he became much gentler and more sensible.
In order to restore peace to the soldiers and civilians of the two countries and to permanently cultivate friendship, the two sides reached an alliance and stopped fighting to make peace. The specific terms were naturally changed on the basis of Zhao Puna's four articles.
First, the Shu Kingdom must lose its imperial title, be called the Lord of Shu, and be a vassal of the Han Dynasty.
Secondly, starting from next year, the Shu Kingdom will pay tribute to the Han Dynasty every year, one thousand or two thousand pieces of brocade, one hundred thousand shi of rice, fifty thousand catties of wine, and one hundred thousand catties of tea.
Third, the Shu Kingdom reduced its garrison in Lizhou to no more than 5,000. In contrast, the Han garrison in Xingyuan Prefecture did not exceed 10,000.
Fourth, the two countries open border markets to each other to strengthen non-governmental trade exchanges.
Zhao Pu simply gave up on his territorial claims from the Shu Kingdom, especially Lizhou and Jianmen, as there was no need to discuss them at all. Originally, Meng Chang and his ministers wanted to spend more money to redeem Hanzhong, but Zhao Pu refused sternly. In order to prevent him from opening his mouth again, the Shu monarchs and ministers finally held their noses and admitted. Of course, they probably also understand that it is delusional to try to regain the lost territory through negotiation.
As for Meng Chang's desire to retain the title of emperor and establish a brotherhood with the Han Dynasty, Zhao Pu refused to give in and disagreed. I still decided to follow the example of Jinling, nominally a subordinate, closed the door, and still be his emperor.
Zhao Pu also proposed that Meng Chang send his sons to Kaifeng as hostages, but Meng Chang refused because they were still young and could not stay away. But he still agreed to go to Tokyo two years later, when King Meng Xuanzhe of Qin turned twenty years old. Zhao Pu didn't take it seriously either. This was just his improvisation. As for two years later, maybe Meng Xuanzhe wouldn't have to go as hostage, but Meng Chang and his family would pack up and go to Tokyo together.
Meng Chang also proposed that he would like to redeem the captured Shu army prisoners in Huaqian, in order to allow them to return home and reunite with their families. In this regard, Zhao Pu didn't even leave any room for discussion. The number of prisoners was quite large, and the emperor had made arrangements. If he dared to make arbitrary decisions in this regard, he would probably be punished if he returned to Kaifeng. This was in Zhao Pu's heart. Very clear.
Generally speaking, the peace treaty between Han and Shu was much more tolerant than the original peace treaty between the Han and Tang Dynasties. For the Southern Tang Dynasty, it sucked the blood and marrow. Although Shu lost Qin, Feng and Hanzhong, it only lost the hope of going north. South of Hanzhong, there are still dangers in mountains and rivers. As for the Southern Tang Dynasty, a large river stretched for two thousand miles, and the north of the river was lost. How could we talk about danger?
Therefore, the monarchs and ministers of Shu were actually very satisfied with the peace agreement finally reached, and even felt that Zhao Putai was "merciful". The only thing that is really more practical is the annual tribute, and those are really nothing to the Shu Kingdom.
The only person who expressed dissatisfaction was Privy Councilor Wang Zhaoyuan. In his opinion, there was no need to ask for peace and pay such a high price. The Han army can't defeat it now. In the future, if the Han army is ready, why will they care about a peace treaty?
At the same time, a group of Shu generals guarding the pass in the north, led by Zhao Chongtao and Han Baozhen, also disagreed with the peace talks, but as defeated generals, they really had no say.
"He really said that!" Meng Chang was a little surprised to learn Wang Zhaoyuan's reply.
"Your Majesty, I don't dare to stir up trouble, it's all Wang Shuxiang's exact words!" the chamberlain replied carefully.
Hearing this, Meng Chang's eyes slowly darkened and he murmured: "He is so arrogant and dares to touch my face? Has he forgotten who promoted him?"
"What else did he say?" Meng Chang asked again.
"Young man, I heard that..." Seeing Meng Chang's unkind expression, the chamberlain did not dare to neglect him, and he couldn't wait to recount what he heard Wang Zhaoyuan said when he left the palace.
"Haha! He doesn't take me seriously, and dares to criticize my national policy like this. Is he the only loyal minister in Shu? Since he took charge of military affairs, how many defeats have we had in Shu? How many soldiers and horses have been lost? Money and food? If not, why do I need to lower my status and negotiate peace with the Northern Han Dynasty? He wants to be Zhuge Wuhou, but I am not Liu Adou!" Meng Chang rambled coldly, full of heart-breaking words, and his tone never changed. He was harsher than ever before, venting the resentment and dissatisfaction he had accumulated in his heart.
In fact, how could Meng Chang really believe that he could restrain the Northern Han Dynasty with a peace treaty. How could one not be aware of the ambition of the Northern Han Dynasty to unify the world? The Later Tang Dynasty was strong and powerful, so the former Shu was destroyed. Now that the Northern Han Dynasty is even more powerful, with military frontiers heading towards the world, what will be the future of the latter Shu?
After several years of fighting in Longyou and losing repeatedly, Meng Chang's ambition and confidence have been very frustrated. He is tired and exhausted. Now, he is more willing to spend some money and food to buy a new one than to continue to resist the strong man. Safety. Even if it was just to delay the Northern Han Dynasty's mobilization of troops, he could stay in seclusion and entertain himself.
In order to celebrate the conclusion of the peace agreement between the two countries, the Crystal Palace where the banquet was held was decorated with colorful satin hangings everywhere, and the palace maids came and served. The ministers of the Shu Kingdom were also immersed in the atmosphere of joy, exchanging cups and cups, and interacting enthusiastically, as the two countries reached an agreement. Celebrating peace.
Meng Chang changed his smile, feeling relieved and returned to his usual gentleness.
"Shilang Zhao, I... I'll give you a toast!" The corner of his mouth twitched. Meng Chang obviously couldn't change his twenty-year self-portrait, but he still said to Zhao Pu with a slight smile.
"Thank you so much, Lord!" Zhao Pu also completely lost the arrogance and arrogance he had when he first came, and became low-key and humble. He held the cup in both hands and said, "For the sake of the reconciliation of the two countries and the well-being of the people of Li, I will drink it first! "
Seeing that although Zhao Pu's face was full of alcohol, his eyes were always clear, Meng Chang couldn't help but feel that this person was not as greedy and disgusting as he had shown before.
Come to think of it, how could the Emperor of Han use a wine bag and rice bag? It's ridiculous that some Shu officials silently despised and criticized Zhao Pu.
After summoning their hands, several beautiful palace dancers entered the palace, and the band of musicians started to play. The melodious music kept listening to my ears, and I was intoxicated at the same time. Of course, what is even more intoxicating is the beautiful dance.
The beauties in the Crystal Palace are all called stamens, and Concubine Xu is the most mature and beautiful flower blooming among them. To celebrate, Concubine Hui went to the palace in person and led a dance. Her graceful appearance was truly amazing.
"General He, why don't you move the wine glass? Are you amazed by this luxurious and gorgeous Crystal Palace, or are you fascinated by the peerless beauties of Shu Palace?" Zhao Pu turned his head and looked at He Jiyun who was sitting at the table.
After hearing the question, He Jijun's square face turned slightly red, he picked up a wine glass and said in a low voice: "The general just sighed with emotion. Meng Chang has a good reputation among the people of Shu and is known as a virtuous man, but he didn't expect that this The palace is so luxurious and gorgeous. Although Shu is rich, if all the money is spent in these palaces, how can the country not be destroyed?"
"General, that's right!" Zhao Pu smiled faintly: "The Lord of Shu was still diligent and frugal in his early years, but he has fallen into depravity recently!"
"The glitz and glamor here is something you can't experience in Tokyo. Since the Lord of Shu warmly invites you, general, let go and enjoy yourself! Come, please!" Zhao Pu acted like he was doing as the Romans do in his hometown.
Although Zhao Pu did not come from a noble family, he was considered an official and married a wife from a wealthy family. He did not suffer much hardship and even lived a wealthy life.
After arriving in Chengdu, Zhao Pu's eyes were opened to the luxurious enjoyment and exquisite life of the monarchs and ministers of the Shu Kingdom. The monarchs and ministers of the Northern Han Dynasty in Tokyo were really incomparable...
However, wealth can move people and wine can intoxicate, but Zhao Pu did not indulge in it, and even silently praised the scene in the Shu court.
