Today I went out in casual clothes, visiting Dong Shu was just one of them.
After having a cup of tea at Dong Mansion, Xiao Yuan chatted with him about education-related issues for a while and then left.
After he left, Dong Shu's son seemed very happy and couldn't help but said: "Father, your majesty has such a high status that you came to visit him in person, which is enough to show how much you value your father."
Dong Shu said: "Because of this, I feel even more ashamed."
His son said: "Your Majesty is a wise king. Coming to visit my father shows that Yan Ming's impeachment has no effect, so my father should not worry about it."
Dong Shu nodded, but couldn't help but sigh: "Yan Shangshu's attacking words are as sharp as a sword."
Yan Ming's attack on Zhangtai Pavilion was purely a political enemy, and he was trying to fight with him to become the chief examiner of the imperial examination in the future.
On the streets of Chang'an.
Xiao Yuan and the others found a tea shop to sit down and listened to public opinions at close range. This was also the main part of today's itinerary.
Just like Liu Yuzhi, the prime minister, he sometimes travels to various places so that he can better understand the national conditions.
There are many customers in the tea shop, all of whom are ordinary people. The topics of conversation after tea and dinner are basically related to the ghost clan.
Because what happened at the border has spread to the people.
Someone said: "I heard that over at Northeast Pass, His Majesty the Emperor appointed General Wei Qing as a general to launch several military attacks on the ghost tribe."
"I've also heard about this, and now everyone is discussing it."
"It should have been like this a long time ago! Our Great Qin has a vast territory and a strong military. How can we be afraid of that little ghost tribe!"
"Well done! Great Qin soldiers are all good men who protect their families and country!"
"Don't forget that the ghost tribe invaded the Central Plains many times, burning, killing, looting, and committing all kinds of evil. This revenge must be avenged!"
"This is a national disgrace and a blood feud. How can we forget it!"
"Damn it! The more I talk about it, the angrier it becomes. I just don't know when the country will actually use troops against the ghost tribe. If your Majesty wants to recruit troops by then, I will be the first to sign up to fight against the ghost tribe!"
"I am willing to fight to the death to defeat the ghost clan!"
The common people are all patriotic, especially on the issue of ghosts. This kind of national hatred inspires everyone's empathy.
From time to time, Xiao Yuan and the other three would interject a few words and talk about some more profound views, such as military ideas, etc., but these things would mean nothing to ordinary people. People only knew that it was right for the country to attack the ghost tribe! Very relieved! It’s long overdue!
After staying here for a while, Xiao Yuan visited Chang'an Market and picked some small gifts.
Seeing him like this, Peng Shuang couldn't help but joked: "Your Majesty, is this for the Queen?"
"Didn't you see? They are all there." Xiao Yuan pointed to the six or seven gifts in his hand: "You can't ignore one and lose the other."
"Haha, Your Majesty is really, really caring." Liu Yuzhi didn't know what to say.
Xiao Yuan patted him on the shoulder: "Prime Minister, sometimes women should be coaxed."
Peng Shuang murmured: "Then I will also bring some gifts to Madam, lest she keep saying that I don't understand style."
The three of them dressed in casual clothes, walked here and looked there, and heard about border affairs on almost every occasion.
In the afternoon, the three of them walked back. Xiao Yuan got down to business and said, "In the Prime Minister's opinion, what will be the public opinion of our country when we start a war with the ghost clan?"
Liu Yuzhi said: "The people's aspiration to eliminate the ghost tribe is almost universally supported. From what I have seen and heard, this is the case in Chang'an alone. I dare to say that the situation in Huandi is even more intense."
This is certain. Huandi was originally a ghost tribe massacre and enslavement area, and the people hated it to the core. The state's attack on the ghost tribe had the greatest response there. It is estimated that many young people still have the enthusiasm to join the army.
"The people have only seen the surface and have not understood the far-reaching impact of the country's use of troops on the ghost clan." Liu Yuzhi said seriously: "This is not just revenge, but to stifle future aggression and lay the foundation for a prosperous age."
Xiao Yuan nodded: "What the Prime Minister said is absolutely true."
In mid-October, Iles arrived in the city of Sais.
This is the border of the ghost tribe. When he learned that his country's envoys were coming, Yuriluo did not dare to neglect and hurriedly greeted them personally.
When the two sides met, Yuriluo ordered a banquet to be held in honor of him. During the banquet, he said, "Lord Iles, didn't His Majesty the King send troops?"
"It's too early to send troops now. If we start a war with Qin like this, it will most likely be a national war." Iles said: "So His Majesty the King asked me to come here first, in the name of an envoy, to ask what Qin is. What's the meaning."
Yurilo was a little anxious: "But Lord Iles, the Qin army has been extremely arrogant recently and often invades our territory. If we don't fight back, it will be really unacceptable."
Iles glanced at him and asked: "General Yurilo, you are responsible for guarding the border, and you have 30,000 warriors under you. Don't you know how to destroy the Qin army when they enter? His Majesty the King has not yet found out about this matter. You are accountable."
He came here on behalf of the Ghost King. Yuriluo did not dare to offend him at all, so he spoke very carefully: "Lord Iles, you don't know that Qin's cavalry is very fast, which makes us very passive in many cases."
"Is this your reason?" Iles asked.
Yurilo said hurriedly: "No, this is not what I meant. I also arranged for warriors to ambush and intercept, but the effect was not ideal."
"Okay." Iles said in a dissatisfied tone: "I am here to deal with this matter. First, I will put pressure on Qin diplomatically and try to get them to compensate for this incident."
Hearing this, Yuriluo couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Lord Iles, please forgive me for being frank, Qin may not accept any of the conditions we propose."
After these days of border fighting, he has seen that the Qin army has a clear attitude that it wants to invade and fight, and will not talk nonsense to you at all.
Under such circumstances, I am afraid that the other party has already made preparations for a national war. How can they still negotiate compensation with you?
Congress still doesn’t understand enough.
However, Iles said: "We have invaded the Central Plains many times before, and whenever the envoy came forward, the Central Plains paid us compensation. After questioning Qin this time, doesn't Emperor Qin need to give an explanation? "
That was before, but now someone else is invading us!
Yurilo shouted in his heart, but he did not dare to say it. Instead, he said helplessly: "Well, since it is His Majesty's wish and Lord Iles has already come, let's talk to Qin."
Then he added: "However, the Qin Army's cavalry has been dispatched frequently recently. For the sake of your safety, it is better for the warriors to escort the envoys."
He was afraid that Iles would be attacked by the Qin cavalry in the wild, and he would definitely have to bear the blame.
Iles did not make excuses, and nodded: "Then you can make arrangements later. We will set off tomorrow. We just need to contact the Central Plains. The safety of the envoys is still no problem."
(End of chapter)
