"Welcome the King of Jiaozhou and the King of Hezhou." Before Chengdu, the people who welcomed him stretched a long way because they were well prepared.
This time from the South China Sea League, not only Zhao Di, the king of Jiaozhou, but also Wuzheng, the king of Hezhou, was accompanying him.
According to the intelligence, Xu Mu learned that although Hezhou King Wu Zheng was a little older, he was already considered the number one wise man in the South China Sea states.
Unfortunately, during the last siege of Cangzhou, Wu Zheng did not participate in the battle in person due to his age, but sent his legitimate son to lead the troops to join forces.
Xu Mu straightened up his smile without any pretense, walked to the city gate, and bowed steadily to Zhao Di and Wu Zheng with equal etiquette.
"I have met the King of Shu." Zhao Di and Zhao Di did not dare to show any arrogance and hurriedly returned the courtesy to Xu Mu.
"You two, please come into the city. I have prepared a banquet to welcome you two!"
Xu Mu was very concerned about this meeting. He could guess that Zuo Shiren must have sent envoys to win over the states in the South China Sea. But the negotiation probably didn't work out, and Zhao Di entered Chengdu instead.
As Xu Mu thought, after only a few rounds of greetings at the banquet, Zhao Di frowned and spoke.
"Brother Xu doesn't know something. Zuo Shiren from Dongling sent someone to Jiaozhou last month."
"Is it to form an alliance?"
"Exactly." Zhao Di nodded, put down the wine cup, and his expression became serious.
"The envoys from Dongling came to Shu and presented no gifts. Zuo Shiren meant that if we form an alliance with Dongling, Haiyue and Shanyue from the same clan will unite into one big tribe."
Hearing this sentence, Xu Mu frowned. He had seen it before when he went to the South China Sea. The Haiyue people in the South China Sea want to return to their homeland of Yue.
Undoubtedly, Zuo Shiren's move was a good one. Even if people like Zhao Di don't agree, the Haiyue tribe will definitely choose Dongling first.
"That's it. I don't have any problems. However, the Haiyue people have been looking for me many times in order to return to their homeland."
Xu Mu heard the problem. People like the King of Jiaozhou still have Xi Shu in their hearts. There is no doubt that Zuo Shiren took advantage of the Yue people's homeland and was probably going to succeed.
"Brother Wu said that it would be better to go to Shu first and ask the King of Shu for his advice. So... I came over."
Brother Wu is Wu Zheng.
Xu Mu helped the two of them and poured another glass of wine. Deep down in my heart, I felt a little more thoughtful about Wu Zheng in front of me.
It is indeed the best time to enter Shu. In other words, the burden was suddenly transferred to Xishu. Because he wanted to unite with Nanhai, Xu Mu would definitely spare no effort at this time.
"Brother Wu, thank you for your trust." Xu Mu clenched his fists.
"Polite." Wu Zheng also hurriedly returned the greeting.
"You two, how about this? After some discussion with my family's military advisor, I came up with a solution and will let you know."
"In that case, I would like to thank the King of Shu." Zhao Di said excitedly. Things that surpass others are like a fish bone stuck in the throat. You know, it didn’t take long for the Haiyue people to surrender. If he were to be dragged away by Dongling, he would be able to make a big fuss by taking advantage of Shan Yue of his own clan.
Despite the quarrel with Yuan Song, Zuo Shiren even freed up a hand to firmly control the states in the South China Sea.
Unfortunately, Xu Mu would not agree. Regarding the South China Sea states, he is an inevitable ally. The whole of Xishu is like a fish that has broken the net and is about to start a new round of fighting for the upper reaches.
…
In the Western Region, Shuangya Kingdom.
The sad-looking king finally agreed to meet the envoy.
"Invite the envoys from the Central Plains to enter the palace."
In the small palace, a hot oil pan was already burning. The sword and axemen divided into two sides, holding cold long-handled weapons, were ready for battle.
Not long after, a white-robed envoy from the Central Plains stepped in smoothly, then stood up and bowed politely.
On the throne, the king of Double Fang Kingdom frowned, his face extremely dissatisfied.
On the side, a palace guard saw this and started to drink hurriedly.
"Someone kneel down!"
The person coming was none other than Zhao Dun. At this time, Zhao Dun did not move at all. He stood firmly in the small palace, his face raised full of perseverance.
"Sir, if you don't kneel down, could it be that you didn't hear the sound of the frying pan?" King Double Teeth sneered. He wanted to imitate the method of the Central Plains and prepared a boiling oil pan. If the envoy in front of him couldn't explain why, he would just throw it into the pan and fry it.
"I heard that people were tortured by burning in the Central Plains. Have you heard of it, sir?"
"I've heard it." Zhao Dun still stood firm, "But your Majesty should have heard it more. The envoys from the Central Plains represent the dignity of the country. It's okay if your Majesty wants to fry me. But in this way, you have insulted me. Lord, at that time, our two hundred thousand troops from Western Shu will wield swords and bows and fight to the Western Regions."
"Western Shu cannot represent the Central Plains. Unless one day Western Shu conquers the Central Plains, we people will cooperate."
Zhao Dun bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, you know that we, Western Shu, have rebuilt the Protector's Mansion outside Yumen Pass. At that time, more than ten Qiang hostile tribes, plus many exiled troops from the Western Regions, all looked down upon us. Shu. As a result, no one was left alive."
"The Fox Kingdom on the edge of the Western Region still has more than 30,000 troops, but in just one month, it was destroyed by our country, Western Shu. Even the king of the Fox Kingdom is still imprisoned in Zhenlan City."
King Azim's face suddenly changed in shock. He had heard that the Fox Kingdom was indeed destroyed by Western Shu. The general of Xishu who led the army had unparalleled military skills. With only a few men and horses, he destroyed the Fox Kingdom in a surprise attack.
After many people in the Western Regions learned about this matter, they were somewhat panicked.
Zhao Dun calmly observed Azim's expression, and soon said something with a smile.
"Your Majesty, don't be alarmed. We, Xishu, have always been friendly to our friends. My mission this time is not for war or to pay tribute. Rather, I simply want to do business with Your Majesty."
"Business?" Azim frowned.
"Exactly. May I ask Your Majesty, how much can a silver plate made by a craftsman in Shuangya Kingdom be sold for?"
"About ten coins."
"Your Majesty, does he know how much a silver plate will cost if sold to the Central Plains? I can tell your Majesty, at least thirty coins!"
Zhao Dun, who had done his homework, had a sonorous and powerful voice.
"In other words, your Majesty will be able to collect two more taxes on just one silver plate."
Before leaving Chengdu, Zhao Dun heard his lord say that it would be a great thing if things such as gold and silver could be circulated to the six and a half states of Western Shu through transactions with the Shang government.
What was exchanged for equal value was just some Shu brocade tea ceramics.
But this kind of temptation is enough for a king of the Western Regions.
Azim found that even his voice had changed due to excitement.
"Come here, give Mr. Zhao a seat! Also, remove all these oil pans, remove them all!"
…
