So anxious!
This really made Lu Dazhong and other accompanying officials anxious.
Can't stop it!
There's no way to stop it!
When did the Song Dynasty produce such diplomats with both civil and military skills?
If we can't handle this, we will start a war with the Liao Kingdom!
After coming back to his senses, Lu Dazhong immediately sent someone to investigate the situation of the battle. He must hold Zhang Fei and make sure nothing goes wrong.
result!
The border warriors did not notice the envoy's team at all.
Where are people?
After two or three days of investigation, they were finally able to confirm that Zhang Fei did not go to the border at all, but ran south. It is not yet known where he went.
this.!
How embarrassing!
This is really the cruelest thing to say and the fastest way to run.
Zhang Fei's reverse attack completely paralyzed the entire envoy group.
Fortunately, as a border minister, Lu Dazhong was very aware of the Liao people's tactics. Before each negotiation, he would show off a wave of force. He did the same thing during the last Qingli negotiation, and his purpose was to threaten them outright.
They did not run away, but stayed where they were.
As expected, the Liao army just set up camp on the spot and did not say that they would launch a large-scale attack.
But the problem is that the envoy ran away!
This is how to do?
Therefore, professionals have to do professional things.
This young envoy is really surprising.
The news soon spread to the Liao army's tent, and even the Liao people thought it was outrageous.
"Haha. There is really no one in the Southern Dynasty! We just wanted to move the camp forward, but they were so scared that they pissed themselves and ran away."
Xiao Sushi, the special envoy of the Liao Kingdom, laughed loudly.
Deputy envoy Xiao Ying said: "Since the Southern Dynasty sent such a coward to negotiate with us, why don't we set up the camp over the withdrawal ditch."
Xiao Su smiled and said: "This is exactly what I wanted. I didn't expect the southerners to dare to stop me. I ordered them to go down and break up the camp and go to Chechanggou."
In fact, the Liao Kingdom sent troops this time for two purposes. The first was, of course, to show off their power, and to hint that in the Song Dynasty, I know it is difficult for you now. If you do not agree to our conditions, we will definitely take military action.
Secondly, the border negotiations between the two countries usually involve boundary talks and will not be conducted within the territory of a certain party. They send troops to invade the border in order to move the border southward and take advantage.
Therefore, we must be cautious in diplomacy. We must pay attention to every detail. There are many cumbersome rules. If you don't pay attention to them, you will suffer big losses.
But the Liao people really never expected that the Song envoy would run away directly. This was really the most cowardly Song envoy they had ever seen. So this negotiation was a sure thing!
Being idle is also idle, why not move a little further south.
Not to mention they are Liao people, even our own people can't stand it.
Zhang Fei was very straightforward and ran to Taiyuan without looking back.
If we run again, we will reach Bianjing.
Cao Dongdong, who realized it later, was so angry that he almost fainted.
The great reputation of my old Cao family was ruined at the hands of your surname Zhang.
Break off!
This relationship must be broken off!
I haven't spoken to Zhang Fei for several days, and my brother is really angry.
It's okay if you don't dare to fight, but you actually run away. The key point is that no one is planning a large-scale attack, so why are you running!
Zhang Fei ignored him, disguised himself, and stayed in a brothel in Taiyuan. The reason why he lived here was not because there were beauties here, but because this was actually the headquarters of the Taiyuan Taxation Department.
The Gui Gong here is the person who spoke to the Taiyuan ghost tax police.
At present, there is no Public Security Bureau or Taxation Department on Hedong Road, but these ghost tax police already exist nationwide. They all have to check the situation in advance. Once the Taxation Department arrives, they will start collecting taxes.
"Reporting to Prosecutor Zhang, the matter has been settled."
After Lao Gui reported it to Zhang Fei, he asked worriedly: "But is there really no problem in doing this?"
"Compared to them sending troops directly, my method is much gentler!"
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "If you don't even dare to do this, then you might as well let them row directly."
The old turtle nodded anxiously.
Zhang Fei asked again: "I walked around this city today and found that there are quite a lot of businessmen here."
Lao Gui immediately explained: "First of all, there is a market for trade with the Liao Kingdom. Secondly, after the emperor came to the throne, he issued many trade restrictions on the Xixia trade. Taiyuan is bordered by Xia to the west and Liao to the north. There are many trade restrictions here. Liao merchants saw business opportunities and started reselling, selling some goods from the Song Dynasty to Xixia, and at the same time secretly smuggled Xixia salt into Taiyuan."
Compared with the big dog in Hezhong Prefecture, the old turtle from Taiyuan is obviously more rigorous and answers questions meticulously.
Zhang Fei asked: "Smuggling Xixia salt? This is a capital crime!"
The old turtle sighed: "Although the government strictly prohibits our merchants from smuggling Xixia salt, some Liao merchants secretly enter the country and sell it. Even if they are caught, it is difficult to give him a heavy punishment. As long as it is not excessive, the government will turn a blind eye. If you close your eyes, after all, the salt is sold from Xixia to the Liao Kingdom and then smuggled into our country. The price of this salt is not much lower, and it can satisfy the local salt shortage."
Zhang Fei nodded slightly.
The old turtle added: "In addition, regarding the dispute provoked by the Liao State in Hedong, although there is news that it is related to Yelu Yixin, it is said that the Liao State also intends to use this matter to increase its troops here in order to control our dynasty. Regarding Xixia’s attack.”
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "So, does the Liao Kingdom intend to go to war with our country?"
Old Turtle shook his head and said: "There is no specific news yet that can confirm that the Liao Kingdom wants to use this to provoke a war, but the Liao Kingdom has indeed sent more troops to this area, so no one dares to make any judgments."
Zhang Fei nodded in understanding and said: "It doesn't matter if you don't know. After this test, you can see the reality of Liao Kingdom."
The Liao envoy over there intensified his efforts. He took his troops and horses directly to Chechanggou to station, and invited the Song envoy to come here for talks.
This made Lu Dazhong and the others very angry.
This is a serious violation of the border, and you actually have the nerve to let us talk about it.
Talk about chicken.
But there is no way. These areas were all no-man's land before. People were slowly introduced into this area during the Qingli period. There are only a few fortifications in this area, but the Liao people have entered here for farming long ago. The Liao people in this area are actually Song people. Five times, they could only watch the Liao envoys swaggering around inside.
There is nothing I can do except get angry.
The most important thing is that they have not found their immediate boss yet.
The boss is not here, so we can talk about anything.
But they can't say that their boss was scared away. When Lu Dazhong was negotiating with the Liao envoy, he insisted that they were seriously invading the border and we couldn't talk about it.
You are talking about demarcation in my territory, and we want to talk to you. Isn’t that stupid?
Car park ditch.
Liao envoy camp.
"It's just an excuse to invade the border."
Xiao Su chuckled and said: "I already know that they are looking for the escaped envoy everywhere now. Wait, they will come, as long as we don't know how to beat them. Haha!"
All the Liao officials in the tent burst into laughter.
Xiao Su then told the reporting officer: "Go and tell the Southern Dynasty that our Daliao is a country of etiquette, so they don't have to worry, we will wait patiently."
A Liao official said: "Special envoy, why don't we withdraw some soldiers? Otherwise, I think they won't dare to come!"
Xiao Su nodded: "That's okay."
"Ha ha!"
Another burst of laughter.
At this moment, deputy envoy Xiao Ying suddenly walked in.
Xiao Su asked: "Deputy envoy, you came just in time. We are discussing how to get the timid southerners to come here to negotiate with us."
Xiao Ying looked solemn and asked all the surrounding officials to go out.
"What happened?"
Xiao Su asked.
Xiao Ying said depressedly: "This matter may be a big deal."
Xiao Su asked: "What do you mean?"
Xiao Ying said: "Just now the King of Nanyuan sent someone to ask if we should lead our troops south to fight the Song army?"
Xiao Su was surprised and said: "We just burned a few houses and shot a few arrows. This was a common thing in the past, and it was also allowed by the superiors. How could we cause trouble in the South Courtyard?"
Xiao Ying said: "Because at several major shopping malls on the border, those Southern Dynasty businessmen got the news from unknown sources that our army was going south, killed the Southern Dynasty envoys, and was going to launch a full-scale war with the Southern Dynasty, so they fled one after another. , and this has also caused great panic in our country, and many nobles are asking the Southern Court why they want to provoke a war with the Southern Dynasty without permission."
"ah?"
Xiao Su was shocked and stood up suddenly, "Someone is trying to harm me, but we didn't do anything. I didn't even see the Southern Dynasty envoy."
Xiao Ying said: "I have sent people to inquire and see what is going on over there."
Five days later, the spies finally arrived with news.
This result made Xiao Su dumbfounded.
According to legend, it was because the envoy of the Song Dynasty threatened to lead troops to fight, but he disappeared without a trace. The accompanying officials from the Song Dynasty were looking for him all over the world, so the news came out that the envoy of the Song Dynasty had died on the border.
Killing the envoy is a major diplomatic matter.
It’s definitely time to start a war!
Therefore, when the Song Dynasty merchants in the border market learned the news, they ran away as soon as possible, because if the two countries went to war, the market would be the first battlefield. The first reaction of profit-seeking businessmen would definitely be to protect their property.
The people on the border of Liao Kingdom also became frightened and uneasy, and they didn't hear that there was going to be a war!
The key point is that the Liao and Song Dynasties have been in an unknown war for decades. In terms of trade, there is already me among you, and you among me. Moreover, the merchants of the Liao Kingdom who are mainly engaged in trade are almost all nobles of the Liao Kingdom. At the same time, the border prosperity is also The people on the border have greatly benefited from it.
If you, a merchant from the Song Dynasty, run away, they will suffer huge losses.
The key point is that they haven't received the news that they are going to war with the Song Dynasty. How could such a big thing be hidden from us?
The entire border was suddenly filled with public dissatisfaction, and the Liao nobles were so angry that they went straight to the South Courtyard.
The king of the South Courtyard is Yelu Yixin, who is currently the most powerful official in the Liao Dynasty. He is the one who wants to stir up trouble here.
But if you want to make trouble, don’t do it!
The key point is that you didn't talk about it, you didn't ask for it, and you didn't even say that you wouldn't agree to it, so you're going to fight. You're simply making fun of national affairs!
Facing everyone's questioning, Yelu Yixin was also in a state of confusion. He did not give an order for them to fight, so he quickly sent someone to ask, what are you doing, and who asked you to kill the general.
Xiao Su quickly replied to Nanyuan.
King!
Misunderstand!
TM is all a misunderstanding!
We burned down a few houses but didn't kill anyone. Then the Song Dynasty commander himself ran away without knowing where he was. No wonder we were there!
On the other hand, I quickly sent someone to send a message to Lu Dazhong and the others. You quickly refute the rumors and help your envoys to talk to them. Don't let the whole big incident happen.
Take your own life.
So unafraid.
Lu Dazhong and the others don't know yet and are confused, but the Liao Kingdom keeps sending people to urge them. Please hurry up and clarify. We are not going to war, we are just looking for a negotiation location, and the burned fortifications are just for Ask for negotiations to create a safe environment.
It's true that he spreads rumors with just one mouth, and then refutes the rumors and breaks his legs.
Lu Dazhong panicked at first, and quickly sent people to investigate. It turned out that someone had spread rumors that Zhang Fei died heroically in battle, which caused panic in the market. Now all the businessmen have fled, and the entire market is deserted.
This left Lu Dazhong speechless and immediately sent someone to communicate with the government that this was just a misunderstanding and asked them to appease the businessmen.
After arranging these things, Lu Dazhong then thought about it. He didn't know where Zhang Fei was now anyway, so he responded to the Liao envoy. Chechanggou invaded the border and was not in line with diplomatic etiquette. We can't talk about it.
Xiao Su didn't press much this time, and simply returned to Dahuangping on the northwest side of Chechanggou.
But in fact, Dahuangping also belonged to the Song Dynasty, but it was said to be a little better than Chechanggou. Therefore, Lu Dazhong still said that it was not in line with diplomatic etiquette.
But this time the Liao envoy did not obey and insisted on negotiating in Dahuangping.
Lu Dazhong said that he couldn't make the decision, so Zhang Fei had to come back and make the decision.
Xiao Su was very unhappy, where is your boss now?
Where are people?
Get them out quickly!
After a good negotiation, this guy made him feel like he was in a frenzy, and even made the noise in the south courtyard.
Taiyuan Prefecture.
"Based on the situation on the border of Liao Kingdom, they should have no plans to go to war with our country for the time being." Laogui said to Zhang Fei: "Whether they are the people, businessmen, or civil servants and generals on the border, they are all very surprised, even Panic.”
Zhang Fei asked: "Are you sure it's just temporary?"
Lao Gui nodded and said: "It's not easy to be sure. After all, the Liao Kingdom has indeed added some troops here. It is still not possible to accurately determine what the Liao Kingdom hopes to get from this negotiation.
In addition, judging from this incident, trade with our country has also had a great impact on the Liao Kingdom. When the merchants ran away, their south courtyard was directly alarmed. It is said that this was because it affected many nobles in the Liao Kingdom. Buying and selling, including Yelu Yixin himself.
At the same time, the people on the border of the Liao Kingdom were also very dissatisfied with this, and the people in the Liao Kingdom were boiling with dissatisfaction. However, according to our observation, the reason why the people are so resentful is not just because of the dispute. It may be that the treacherous ministers of the Liao Kingdom have been in power in recent years, which has led to the people's hardship, and the people took this opportunity to vent their anger. "
Zhang Fei nodded and thought to himself, it seems that what Mr. Han said is not false. A war between the two countries is indeed not in line with the public opinion of the two countries. The question now is what the Liao Kingdom wants.
Of course, this was all arranged by Zhang Fei, because the most concentrated place of ghost tax police on Hedong Road is in the market. Coupled with his methods, he is fully capable of creating panic in a short period of time.
The purpose was to test the reality of the Liao Kingdom.
According to the news, the Liao State is indeed increasing its troops here, but it is impossible to judge whether the Liao State is trying to make a profit by provoking trouble, or whether it is using this matter to start a war.
At the same time, Zhang Fei also wanted to test the attitudes of the officials and people on both sides towards war.
However, the Song Dynasty currently has very little capital for negotiation and only has economic advantages.
It happened that the other party came to invade the border and cause trouble, so Zhang Fei took advantage of this to create a misunderstanding, and by the way, he found out about the Liao Kingdom's reality and prepared for future negotiations.
Zhang Fei asked again: "What are Lu Dazhong and the others doing now?"
Laogui said: "On the one hand, they are negotiating with the Liao envoy, and on the other hand, they are looking for Zhang Prosecutor everywhere. Now the Liao envoy has moved the camp to Dahuangping, but Lu Dazhong and the others still have not agreed."
"Well, it seems that's all they can do." Zhang Fei sighed and said, "Get ready, we are going back."
"yes."
After Lao Gui left, Zhang Fei went to the private room opposite.
"snort!"
Cao Dongdong, who was drinking in the house, saw Zhang Fei entering the house and immediately said: "Coward!"
Zhang Fei waved his hand and motioned for Tao Zi to go out first. After Tao Zi left, he immediately sneered back: "You are a coward."
"I bother!"
Cao Dongdong slapped the table and stood up, "I want to go north to fight the enemy, but you want to flee south. Who is the coward?"
Zhang Fei said: "Can you use your brain? Why do the Liao people do this? They just want to anger us, wait for us to go, and then humiliate us. We only have a few soldiers, and they have more than 10,000 people. You are still stupid." Run, do whatever they want you to do, you are not a coward. I am different. They want me to go north, but I want to go south. This is what a tough guy is."
Cao Dongdong was driven crazy by his sophistry.
"Don't get excited yet, the result says it all."
Zhang Fei said: "Now the Liao envoy is looking for us everywhere, and even retreated, crying and begging us to negotiate."
Cao Dongdong said suspiciously: "Really?"
Zhang Fei said: "Of course it's true. If you don't believe me, ask Tao Zi to ask. I'm telling you, I won't go yet and let them wait there. Am I not a tough guy enough?"
Cao Dongdong blinked and said: "Zhang San, we still have to go. This is a very important matter. If we really mess up, how can we report to His Majesty?"
When the other party came to provoke him, he naturally couldn't bear his violent temper and had to fight back. But if you said he didn't want to negotiate, he wouldn't dare. He can still live to this day without being beaten to death by Cao Ping, just because he was in the big right and wrong. He still knew what he was doing.
"Don't go!"
Zhang Fei said: "At first they ignored me, but now I have made it impossible for them to climb up. Today we brothers will never return unless we are drunk."
As he spoke, he sat down, poured himself a glass of wine, and drank it leisurely.
Cao Dongdong's eyes rolled around a few times and he said: "Okay, we won't go, for fear of what he will do. Let's have a drink when I come to the hut."
"Wait for you!"
"wait for me!"
Cao Dongdong ran out in a hurry, immediately called Taozi over, and whispered: "Taozi, hurry up and find out if everyone is looking for us outside."
"Why!"
After only one day, Zhang Fei finally set off at the urging of Cao Dongdong. To be precise, it was Cao Dongdong and Tao Zi who carried him into the carriage.
When he showed up, Lu Dazhong and others quickly learned the news, because now the officials in the entire region were looking for them, and they were afraid that Zhang Fei would return to the capital.
After several days of traveling, Zhang Fei returned to the vicinity of Tianchi.
The moment they saw Zhang Fei, Lu Dazhong and the others were about to burst into tears. This was really torturous!
"Sorry! Sorry! I got lost. I'm not very familiar with the road conditions here, so I just ran to Taiyuan."
Zhang Fei cupped his hand and apologized.
One is south, the other is north, you can get lost.
I believe you.
Lu Dazhong didn't argue with Zhang Fei. He just came back and said: "Prosecutor Zhang made mistakes. If prosecutor Zhang hadn't escaped, ahem, got lost, the Liao envoy would not have asked us about sending troops." Explain, and return to Dahuangping from Chechanggou."
Zhang Fei said happily: "Really?"
"Yes Yes Yes."
The accompanying officials also agreed one after another.
Now in terms of momentum, the Liao people are no longer fierce.
Lu Dazhong added: "However, Dahuangping still belongs to our country. I have negotiated with the Liao envoys several times, but they still refused to give in. In addition, they invaded the Hengdu Valley before and went directly to Chechanggou. It seems that their bottom line is It is bounded by the ancient Great Wall.”
Zhang Fei asked: "Do you have any drawings?"
"It's worth it."
Lu Dazhong immediately took out a drawing and spread it on the table.
Zhang Fei stepped forward and took a look. Although the map was very irregular, it was not difficult to find that Hengdu Valley, Dahuangping, and Chechang Valley were running from east to west, almost a parallel line. Hengdu Valley was the deepest to the south, and Chechang Valley was the deepest to the south. It is the deepest to the east. Dahuangping is located in the middle of the two places, relatively to the north.
Lu Dazhong pointed at the drawing and said: "The original limit was at the Niutoushan watershed, almost the Great Wall. If they succeed, it will be expanded seventeen or eight miles south."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Magistrate Lu, during the negotiations, you will be my adjutant."
"Yes." Lu Dazhong nodded subconsciously, but then added: "But I don't know how Prosecutor Zhang plans to respond."
Zhang Fei said: "Let's talk while we talk."
Lu Dazhong asked again: "Does Prosecutor Zhang promise that they will talk in Dahuangping?"
Zhang Fei sighed: "They are so shameless that they want to talk there. If they don't agree, what can they do?"
Seeing that he answered so casually, Lu Dazhong felt a little anxious. How could diplomacy be so casual? But on second thought, he ran away at every turn, which might be considered rigorous.
Zhang Fei added: "But negotiations are negotiations. Neither party can station there. The venue must be vacated. Otherwise, I won't go."
Lu Dazhong's eyes lit up, this was a good idea, because the other party is now stationed in Dahuangping, which is equivalent to asking them to move out first. He nodded hurriedly and said: "Yes, I will send someone to negotiate with the other party right away."
When Xiao Su and the others learned that Zhang Fei was back, the big stone in their hearts fell to the ground. They were really speechless after encountering such a lunatic. However, they were a little hesitant in the face of Zhang Fei's request.
If it were anyone else, they would definitely ignore it, but this guy was too unfazed. They were stationed at Dahuangping, and the guy really didn't dare to come, so he agreed.
They withdrew their camp from Dahuang Ping, but only to the edge of Dahuang Ping. In fact, Dahuang Ping is just the same camp. It is not very big. There is not much difference between the outside and the inside. It is just that in terms of diplomacy, one step more or one step less is the same. Big problem.
Zhang Fei then agreed to come to Dahuangping and hold negotiations with the other party.
At dawn, Zhang Fei rushed to the agreed place with the accompanying officials, but unexpectedly he met Xiao Su, Xiao Ying and other Liao envoys outside the big tent.
None of the Liao envoys looked good.
Because the appointment was for Chen Shi, but Zhang Fei came early, which proves that I am the master here and I am here to greet the guests early.
The Liao people had been monitoring the Song Dynasty mission. When they saw that they were leaving so early, they immediately understood and set off quickly.
No one slept well.
Can you not feel angry?
"Morning!"
How could Xiao Su still have the mood to carry out the polite and hypocritical greetings? He said angrily: "But if I remember correctly, we agreed on Chen Shi."
Zhang Fei asked, "Then why did you all come so early?"
Xiao Su said excitedly: "It's obvious that you guys arrived early."
Zhang Fei said: "But we seem to have arrived together. Could this be a tacit understanding?"
tacit agreement? Xiao Su almost cursed when he suddenly looked at the young official and said, "Are you Naerbi Zhang San?"
Zhang Fei cupped his hands and said, "Exactly."
He doesn't resent others calling him that. There are still people in the capital who call him Zhang Dayerbi.
Xiao Ying on the side suddenly smiled and said: "You are so young, no wonder you are so strong."
Insinuating that he ran fast.
Zhang Fei couldn't help but smiled bitterly and said: "To tell you the truth, I was wondering before why the Holy Father sent me, a young man, to negotiate. This is for negotiation, and it's not to lead troops in war. Shouldn't the more experience the better? It turns out that they are interested in my strong skills!"
Xiao Su couldn't help but frown.
Lu Dazhong secretly glanced at Zhang Fei and realized that the special envoy in front of him was completely different from the one who escaped.
Zhang Fei suddenly stretched out his hand and said: "All envoys from the Northern Dynasty, please come inside."
Xiao Su was startled, then stretched out his hand and said, "All envoys from the Southern Dynasty, please come in."
Whoever goes in first is the guest.
Everyone wants to be the master here.
In the end, the envoys from both sides entered the big tent side by side.
