When the general officer came to report, Prime Minister Zhao Pu was waiting to see him in front of the palace. Emperor Liu immediately spoke to announce his greeting.
"Your Majesty, Zhao Pu, is here to see you. May your Majesty be blessed!"
Zhao Pu's demeanor remains the same, his body is tall and straight, his steps are steady, and he walks in with his head held high. Apart from showing respect when bowing down, he has always maintained his demeanor as a prime minister. At least from the outside, there is no pressure at all. It seems that those rumors in recent days , disturbances and criticisms generally have no impact on him at all.
"Zhao Qingpingshen! Come and give me a seat!" Emperor Liu said with a slight smile and stretched out his hand.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhao Pu didn't feel uncomfortable at all. Yantuo personally took a seat, lifted his robe slightly, and sat down calmly.
Looking at Zhao Pu, Emperor Liu said in a joking tone: "Zhenzhen Prime Minister Zhao Qing, so many gold and silver treasures, pearls and beauties, are you not tempted at all?"
Zhao Pu was silently thinking about how to proceed. When he heard this, he couldn't help but froze for a moment. Facing Emperor Liu's smiling eyes, he understood something and subconsciously glanced at Zhang Dejun, who was waiting quietly aside.
Reacting quickly, Zhao Pu lowered his head slightly and cupped his hands and said: "Xu Xi has a mission and is also in urgent need of seeking peace. He is panic-stricken and has no choice but to surrender in a hurry. Therefore, he is found in the minister's house, which makes His Majesty laugh!"
"I think this Xu Xi is quite smart! At least he knows who to look for. If he looks for the wrong person, no matter how much money he spends and how beautiful the woman is, it will still be like fetching water from a bamboo basket!" Emperor Liu said leisurely: "In the Han Dynasty, there are still Is there anything that Zhao Qing can’t do?”
When Emperor Liu said this, even Zhao Pu couldn't help but tremble in his heart, and said with a slight embarrassment: "Your Majesty's words really frighten me, and I really don't dare to take it seriously!"
Zhao Pu will be panic? Emperor Liu obviously didn't believe it, and of course, he didn't care. Ignoring his pretentious words, he became more serious, picked up the tea cup offered by the chamberlain, lightly smelled the fragrance of the tea, and asked with some deliberation: "Xu Xi, I also let him dry for a while, but things always have to be resolved. Regarding Goryeo, what are the political affairs hall’s considerations?”
At this time, what Zhao Pu probably wanted most was to discuss business matters with Emperor Liu, so he quickly adjusted and said: "I was about to report to Your Majesty. After discussion with the ministers, we all agreed that the King of Korea has bowed his head and surrendered, and sincerely sued for peace. Allow it to stop the war between the two countries and restore old friendship, and also to show His Majesty's generosity at home and abroad..."
"Okay!" Emperor Liu immediately waved his hand: "There is no need to do these formalities, let's talk about reality!"
Emperor Liu wanted to listen to the facts, so Zhao Pu also spoke in more practical words: "Your Majesty, with all due respect, Goryeo has always had good relations with the Han Dynasty since the founding of the Han Dynasty. The two countries are separated by a strip of water and have a deep relationship.
In recent years, although there have been constant disagreements between the two countries, it was really unexpected for them to go to war. Even now, there are still many people in Goryeo who are close to the Han Dynasty.
At the beginning, His Majesty also vigorously supported Goryeo. He wanted nothing more than to help him and jointly deal with the Liao Kingdom. However, it backfired and resulted in disputes, which was a pity. The culprit of the change in Goryeo was its king, Wang Zhao, who was arrogant and arrogant. Now Goryeo has learned a lesson. Wang Zhao also repented, sent envoys to make peace, stopped fighting, and reconciled. It was beneficial to both countries!
In addition, since the first year of Kaibao, the imperial court has launched attacks on all sides and launched repeated conquests. By last year's Northern Expedition, it was almost at its limit. The country's power was greatly depleted and its finances were almost exhausted.
Your Majesty is well aware of the dangers and has already changed course and introduced new policies to support the people. The Han Dynasty also really needs to shrink the front line and eliminate foreign strife to calm the hearts of the people in the world.
The mission has gone to the Western Regions to seek reconciliation. Since Your Majesty is willing to seek peace with the Black Khanate, why not give Goryeo a chance..."
Obviously, the historical origins of Zhao Pu's words and the people of the two countries are not the focus of consideration. The most important thing is the situation of the Han Dynasty itself. Zhao Pu, who is in charge of the center, also knows this very well and has a very thorough understanding.
When Emperor Liu heard about it, he thought about it and said, "I heard that the Donghai Navy has made a lot of money in Korea, and it has also added a lot of extra income to the court!"
"Your Majesty, forgive me for speaking frankly! It's a drop in the bucket!" Zhao Pu also spoke up and replied calmly: "When the navy is dispatched, the expenses are also huge, and the court needs to allocate a lot of manpower, money and food to support it.
Although a large amount of loot was harvested from Goryeo, it was not sustainable. Just relying on looting would make short-term profits, but it would hardly have long-term benefits. In the face of maritime invasion, Goryeo gradually responded by moving people to clean up the border and gathering troops to prepare for war. As of now, Goryeo's maritime territory is no longer plunderable.
If we persist, we can certainly continue to attack Goryeo, but it will not benefit the Han Dynasty any more. If it waits for a long time, the resentment will only become deeper and the two countries will become irresolvable mortal enemies, causing endless disasters. "
Hearing what Zhao Pu said, Emperor Liu suddenly interrupted: "What if we directly destroy Goryeo?"
Zhao Pu hesitated and then showed a hint of anxiety, but after noticing Emperor Liu's calm expression, he calmed down and said: "If this is the case, it would be contrary to the current national policy of the Han Dynasty! With the strength of the Han Dynasty, it may not be possible to destroy a corner of Goryeo. It is not difficult, but how much troops, how much people, and how much food need to be invested in a cross-sea expedition to Goryeo and fighting in a foreign land are no less difficult than the battle with Liaodong.
What's more, Goryeo is not a barbaric land. It may not be difficult to obtain the land, but it is not easy to convince them. The king's expedition may actually arouse their common enemies. If you are not careful, you will be stuck in a quagmire, and it will be difficult to extricate yourself.
My concerns are superficial, I only hope that Your Majesty will make a prudent decision! "
After saying that, Zhao Pu sat down and waited for the holy teaching. Of course, Zhao Pu still knew in his heart that Emperor Liu would not make this decision to attack Goryeo and destroy his country. Even if he had that intention, it would not be at the moment.
He was thinking in his mind, but his eyes fell directly on Zhao Pu. This prime minister was calm and rational, saw the problem thoroughly, argued clearly about the gains and losses of interests, and always made decisions based on reality. This was probably Liu The reason why the emperor used it so easily.
"That's it!" After a long time, Emperor Liu finally relented and instructed: "I'm afraid Zhao Qing has already discussed this! In this way, Zhao Qing will talk to Xu Xi personally, and I will disappear. You have full authority to handle this matter!"
"I am under orders!" Zhao Pu stood up and responded, then bowed and said: "As for the peace talks, I ask for your Majesty's holy will!"
After thinking about it for a moment, Emperor Liu said: "I have no requirements. You can discuss the specific conditions with the officials! By the way, let the prince also participate. He should also participate more in these foreign-related negotiations!"
"Yes!" Zhao Pu responded.
Although he agreed to let Goryeo go, Emperor Liu still felt a little unhappy in his heart. His eyes wandered a few times, and he raised his finger and said: "At the moment, the situation in Goryeo is very difficult!"
"Refugees are everywhere, people's hearts are in confusion, and the political situation is in turmoil!" Zhao Pu said: "It can be said that it is in turmoil. This is why the King of Goryeo is eager to beg for peace!"
"Wang Zhao's tough reforms in the past must have offended many people. Now in Goryeo, there must still be many people who oppose him!" Emperor Liu's voice was cold and faint.
Hearing this, Zhao Pu thought slightly and couldn't help sighing secretly. It seemed that the emperor was still unwilling to let go of the matter, and he obviously still had some considerations. However, the main goal was achieved, and Zhao Pu agreed: "As your Majesty said, this is inevitable! I wonder if your Majesty has any instructions?"
"That's good!" Emperor Liu's smile had a hint of sinisterness: "You just said that Wang Zhao was primarily responsible for the changes in Goryeo. Although I am willing to negotiate peace and give peace to his subjects, is this the culprit? Can you make him sit on the throne?"
"Koryeo, let's change the king!" Emperor Liu's tone gradually became colder.
In this regard, Zhao Pu couldn't help but feel a little headache. He didn't think Emperor Liu's proposal was fanciful, but he was resisted by his unwillingness to suffer any more setbacks.
However, facing Emperor Liu, he really couldn't raise any objections. After just thinking about it for a while, he clasped his hands and replied: "Your Majesty, the current chaos in Korea is actually caused by foreign invasion and civil strife. As long as the news that the court is willing to negotiate for peace is sent back to the country and the navy stops invading, then the situation will definitely turn around.
Moreover, Wang Zhao has been in power for a long time and has a deep foundation. No one in Goryeo has the strength to challenge his position. It is not easy to change his king or his position! "
"This is not something I need to worry about!" Emperor Liu was strong and almost arrogant: "I can issue an edict to stop the invasion, but I don't care if he creates conflicts, rebels, usurps the throne, or even whether Wang Zhao can keep his throne. I only want a little bit to bring chaos to the country!"
Hearing Emperor Liu say these words calmly, Zhao Pu, who had seen a lot of the world, couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart. It was really unfortunate that Emperor Liu was thinking about him.
"Your Majesty, this matter must be carefully considered and planned. It requires the cooperation of military ethics, military intelligence and even the navy!" Zhao Pu reminded.
"This matter is not urgent, but we can wait for a while!" Emperor Liu probably noticed Zhao Pu's "headache" and smiled, looking like he was very patient.
"How about the reception when the Khotan envoy comes to Beijing?" Emperor Liu mentioned another matter.
Zhao Pu responded with a slight smile: "Your Majesty, I have met with the eldest prince. Khotan has the mentality of a small country, cautious and cunning. The envoy said that Khotan is willing to obey the command of the Han Dynasty and cooperate with the king's army in the Western Region operations. But we can see Their intention is only to cooperate in fighting. If the king's division does not advance westward, they will not rashly turn against the Black Khanate or even start a war!"
"It's understandable! A small country has its own way of survival!" Emperor Liu said with a tolerant attitude: "I will meet him later! You can talk to him and say that I am willing to grant Yanqi and Qiuci. Khotan! As long as Khotan can drive the Black Khan back to Shanxi, the towns, land, pastures, and waterways owned by the two places will all belong to them!"
"Your Majesty, this..." Seeing Emperor Liu making another mistake, Zhao Pu didn't even think about the pros and cons of the country. He hesitated for a moment and then said with a bitter smile: "In this case, the peace negotiation with Hei Khan may have another setback. !”
"Even if we want to shrink and stop the war, the big man must take the initiative!" Emperor Liu said calmly: "If you throw a bone and make two dogs compete for food, wouldn't it be more beneficial to the big man? If other countries are in civil strife and conquer each other, Wouldn’t it be more convenient for the big man to enjoy peace?”
"Your Majesty is wise!" Zhao Pu expressed his compliment somewhat helplessly.
