Chapter 177: An eloquent speech in the palace and an envoy to the State of Zhou
Yubi City is located to the north of the Yellow River, close to the Fen River. It is also the junction of the Northern Qi Dynasty and the Northern Zhou Dynasty. It is the most important military location. A few years ago, Gao Huan, the powerful official of the Eastern Wei Dynasty, wanted to conquer Yubi City and destroy the Western Wei Dynasty, but failed to capture the city for a long time. He refused to descend into the pool, and later had to retreat due to heavy losses in troops. He died of illness after returning to the army. From then on, the Eastern Wei Dynasty had trouble with Yubi City again, until the present Northern Qi Dynasty.
Wei Xiaokuan became famous because of this battle and became a famous general in the Northern Zhou Dynasty. Emperor Zhou used his merits to build Xunzhou in a jade wall and appointed him as the governor of Xunzhou.
"Why did Yu Wenhu ask me, the envoy of the State of Qi, to go to Yubi City for peace talks with Wei Xiaokuan?"
After receiving the imperial edict, Gao Changgong was very worried about Xiao Jinyu.
"It should be that Yu Wenhu didn't believe that Qi State was sincere in negotiating peace with Zhou State, so he asked Wei Xiaokuan to make this judgment."
"Ayu, Yu Wenhu is suspicious. I'm afraid that if the peace talks fail, he will take risks... After all, he is a powerful minister of the Zhou Kingdom who killed three emperors in a row with extremely ruthless methods!"
Seeing Gao Changgong's even more nervous expression, Xiao Jinyu shook his head and said: "Are you afraid that he will let Wei Xiaokuan kill me? No, the two countries will fight without killing each other. Even if Yu Wenhu is ruthless and unscrupulous, Wei Xiaokuan will not will do something like this.”
"I'm afraid that what I dare not do openly will be done secretly. When I was on a mission to Nanchen, weren't there people who wanted to kill me and provoke a war between our Qi State and Chen State?"
After saying this, he seemed to have made up his mind and shook Xiao Jinyu's hand and said,
"Ayu, I don't trust you to go alone. I want to ask your Majesty for orders to go to Yubi with you first, and then to Jinyang!"
When Gao Changgong mentioned going to Jinyang, he smiled bitterly again.
"Now there is General Duan stationed in Jinyang, and Gao Zhan sent me to Jinyang to train troops in Bingzhou. It is obvious that he wants to drive me away and drive me out of Yecheng. I am afraid the purpose is for you!"
Xiao Jinyu also agreed with his guess and nodded.
"Even if that's the case, then I'll ask Axiu to help me claim that I'm sick at home and not go to the Nancheng Palace!"
Gao Changgong shook his head and said: "No, I will take you to Jinyang!"
…
After Gao Changgong made up his mind, he quickly presented his thoughts to Gao Zhan and said: "Xie Zhen was brought to Qi State by my ministers and recommended him to become an official. I not only treat him as a colleague, but also as a brother." The Zhou Dynasty is using Jade Bi as the place for peace talks this time. For fear of fraud, I sincerely ask you to go on an envoy with Xie Zhen. When the peace talks are successful and Xie Zhen returns to Yecheng, I will immediately go to Jinyang to garrison in Bingzhou! "
Gao Zhan thought about it and felt that this request was not too much. As long as he did not take away his princess and left Xiao Jinyu in Yecheng, everything else was easy.
Thinking like this, he actually asked directly: "Yes, but I heard that you have strict military discipline in training and never approach women. You also require soldiers to be strict with themselves. This is a good habit, and we must continue to carry it forward in the future.
Don’t take your female relatives to the military camp!”
Gao Changgong laughed inwardly. He really didn't know what to say. With such obvious intentions, he was treating him as a fool!
"Yes, then I'm resigning!"
Gao Changgong was about to leave when Gao Zhan seemed to think of something and suddenly said: "Oh, by the way, Sima Maozong and Bi Yiyun said that you brought back a Zhou spy from Pengcheng. Where is this person now?"
Gao Changgong raised his head: "Your Majesty, this person cannot appear in front of others now, otherwise he will be silenced!"
"Can't even I tell you?"
Gao Zhan's expression became obviously gloomy. Gao Changgong looked up and saw He Shikai looking at him with a proud face, but Li Mi looked worried.
"Your Majesty, I think it would be better to wait until the peace talks with Minister Xie are successful and then capture this person in front of Your Majesty when he returns?" Li Mi added.
As soon as Li Mi finished speaking, the monk said: "Your Majesty, the matter of the spies of the Zhou Dynasty will be more dangerous if you stay for one more day. The sooner you interrogate, the sooner you can rest assured!"
Hearing this, Gao Changgong frowned in displeasure, and was about to retort when the voice of a chamberlain came from outside the palace: "Your Majesty, thank you, Chamberlain, for asking to see me!"
Gao Zhan paused for a moment and said, "Let him in!"
"yes!"
Under the summons of the chamberlain, "Xie Zhen" had already dressed in the third-grade official uniform and came to Zhaoyang Hall where the meeting was held.
"See Your Majesty!"
"Get up!"
Xiao Jinyu stood up, and Gao Zhan asked, "Is Xie Qing here because of the peace talks?"
Xiao Jinyu said: "No, Your Majesty, your Majesty has issued an imperial edict for the peace talks, and I will go there. This is a settled matter. I am here today to confess to your Majesty that Peng Chengfeng came to live as a spy in the Zhou Dynasty. Lanling that day The king and his wife crossed the river from the Southern Dynasty to Pengcheng, and their ministers also accompanied them.
Because she was assassinated by the Jianghu assassin Nie Yinniang on the way, the princess used her wonderful medical skills to save the subordinates of Prince Lanling who were knocked unconscious by the assassin's poison. We defeated Nie Yinniang and took her under our command. After that, Nie Yinniang reported to the ministers, Prince Lanling and Princess Lanling. After confessing Fenglaiju as a hidden stake base, Nie Yinniang went to capture Fenglaiju's shopkeeper Jia. It was also found out from shopkeeper Jia's mouth that he had been working as a man in Pengcheng and a man from Yecheng. The master communicated with Zhou Guo, but because of this he was very stubborn, and we have not yet been able to find out from him who this master is.
The matter is of great importance, and I am afraid that this person will bite randomly, so I think it is not convenient for him to see His Majesty, lest this spy has the intention to assassinate the king!
Because this person is also very good at using poison and can kill people invisible! "
Hearing the last sentence, Gao Zhan became a little scared, coughed twice, and said: "That's it, that's it, it's gone!"
At this time, "Xie Zhen" knelt down again and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, please give me some time. I will give you an answer when I come back from my mission!"
"Does Xie Qing have any suspects?" Gao Zhan asked again.
Xiao Jinyu answered truthfully: "Yes, I have a suspect, but I don't have enough evidence to identify him, so as not to be suspected of slandering His Majesty!"
As soon as she said this, He Shikai's face darkened, and Gao Zhan laughed again.
"Jun Jun Lu has been giving me instructions in recent days, saying that she has confessed to assassinating you. It was just a misunderstanding. She mistakenly regarded you as a spy of the Zhou Kingdom, so she sent Gao Anagang. She went to assassinate you, but she complained about another matter to Prince Lanling, saying that there were descendants of the judge Murong hiding in Prince Lanling's palace. How do you explain this? "
Gao Zhan's question gave her a chance to explain.
Xiao Jinyu then replied: "Your Majesty, I don't know that there are descendants of the Murong family in the Lanling Palace. I don't know who told this, and I want him to identify him face to face. Who is this person?"
"Isn't he the Xianbei boy who saved Princess Lanling on the Tongque Platform that day?" He Shikai answered.
Xiao Jinyu laughed.
"Your Majesty, the person you mentioned to the attendant is one of Princess Lanling's subordinates, right? This child has been following Princess Lanling since before she was married. The two of them have already signed a master-servant contract, so they are just the princess. It's just a subordinate of the family. Not to mention that this matter has nothing to do with King Lanling. Even if he is a descendant of the Murong family, what does it have to do with it?
I remember that Emperor Shenwu re-employed the Murong family because of their strong military skills and bravery. Murong Shaozong's son has also been serving the Bohai Gao family. Although I don't know why he was later accused of judging me, his son was young. , has nothing to do with what his father did, right?
It is not that our court has not reactivated the judge, that is, Lord Lu. She is also the widow of the judge, isn't she? "
"You——" He Shikai was so angry that he was speechless.
However, Gao Zhan had a smile on his lips with unknown meaning, and then heard "Xie Zhen" say very seriously: "Your Majesty, I think it is easy to kill a person, but compared to killing a person, it is better to destroy the person." Using chess can also show your Majesty’s wisdom!”
"What's the use of useless chess?" Gao Zhan asked with great interest.
"Xie Zhen" then replied: "If that child is really a descendant of the Murong family, he will surely have a certain prestige in the army. Why not let him perform meritorious service on his behalf and guard the border with King Lanling!"
At this time, Heshi sarcastically said: "You are admitting that the child is a descendant of the Murong family, right?"
"I didn't say it! I don't know. It's because you and the waiter firmly believe that the child is a descendant of the Murong family, so I expressed my opinion based on this!" "Xie Zhen" once again put on a show An innocent expression.
He Shikai was about to say something else, but Gao Zhan laughed again, interrupting what he wanted to say.
"Okay, Yantong, I like Xie Qing's eloquent and serious demeanor. I am relieved that he will be the peace envoy!"
Having said this, Gao Zhan glanced at King Lanling again.
"Okay, you and Prince Lanling should go back!"
"Yes, then I will resign!"
King Lanling stood up and was about to leave with Xiao Jinyu when he heard Gao Zhan say: "Oh, by the way, although you are the staff of King Lanling, you have now become an official in our country of Qi. It is not a problem to always stay in the palace of King Lanling." , I should give you a mansion... Then I will give it to you after your peace talks are successful and you come back!"
Gao Changgong wanted to say something, but Xiao Jinyu immediately intercepted him first:
"Yes, Your Majesty! If Your Majesty gives me a mansion, let me be neighbors with King Lanling!"
Gao Zhan glanced at "Xie Zhen" and then at Prince Lanling, showing a look of surprise and understanding again.
"Yes! Then let's do it! Tomorrow I will hold a banquet in front of the Tai Chi Palace to bid farewell to Xie Qing and Prince Lanling for their envoys!"
…
The news that Xie Zhen, the newly appointed minister of Zhongshu, wanted to go to Zhou Dynasty for peace talks with King Lanling soon spread throughout Yecheng. After hearing the news, Mutiva once again brought the news to Dali Temple Prison. In the past half month, in order to To save his mother, he had gone to lobby all the officials who had flattered their mother and son. At the same time, he also cried and complained about his grievances in the ears of Prince Gao Wei. A child of seven or eight years old had no ability to distinguish right from wrong, so he just listened to what was said. He also asked for Lord Lu's pardon many times in front of Gao Zhan.
Gao Zhan kept silent, neither ordering her to be sentenced to a felony nor agreeing to release her from Dali Temple Prison, so he ordered Sima Maozong to be detained like this, and Bi Yiyun privately arranged an excellent single cell, so She was fed and entertained, and even when Mutipo came to "visit" her mother sometimes, she ordered the jailer to leave and not to disturb her.
At this time, Lu Lingxuan's lips raised when she heard that Mutipo conveyed the news that King Lanling and Xie Zhen were about to go on a mission to the Kingdom of Zhou.
"Mother, this Xie Zhen is very respected by His Majesty. He has been sent as an envoy to the State of Zhou. If the peace talks succeed, won't he have to be promoted to another level when he comes back?"
"He is now a third-rank minister of the Secretariat. Where can he be promoted? His Majesty has always been so ridiculous. He just rewarded him with an official position on a whim. As for whether he has real power, it depends on his ability!"
At this point, Lu Lingxuan smiled happily: "However, this is an opportunity. Since Your Majesty has sent out both Prince Lanling and Xie Zhen, Xiao Jinyu is the only one left in Prince Lanling's Mansion in Yecheng, and so is Your Majesty. He wanted to get this stunning beauty onto his bed, so he deliberately found an excuse to keep the two of them away? "
After hearing this, Mutipo's eyes lit up.
"That means that during this period, we have many opportunities to deal with Princess Lanling?"
"If it can prevent Xie Zhen from returning to Yecheng, or the peace talks fail, that will be an even bigger achievement!"
Lu Lingxuan looked at Mutipo and said sternly.
"yes!"
"We can have Xi Zuo, who is ambushing Zhou Guo, come out to ruin this peace negotiation. It is best to let Wei Xiaokuan kill Xie Zhen and King Lanling!"
"Yes, mother!"
Mutipo took a ring from Lu Lingxuan and walked outside the Dali Temple prison. Before leaving, she deliberately tried to lure Bi Yiyun with threats and benefits.
"Take good care of my mother, otherwise I will report the assets and houses you bribed to Your Majesty immediately!"
"Yes, General Mu!"
"If you work hard, my mother will not treat Bi Shangshu badly! I think it won't be long before His Majesty will issue an order and let my mother out!"
After whispering an order in Bi Yiyun's ear, Mutipo walked out from the main gate of Dali Temple Prison in a swaggering manner!
…
The palace of Prince Lanling was also very lively at this time. Not only Li Mi and Cui Heng came after hearing the news, but also Gao Yanzong, Gao Xiaoheng, and Gao Xiaowan also came to visit Prince Lanling. There was worry in their expressions.
Especially Gao Yanzong, he asked Gao Changgong in private: "You have all gone on a mission, what will you do if the fourth sister-in-law is alone in the house? Your Majesty's intention is too obvious. It is obvious that he wants to drive you away, and then deal with the fourth sister-in-law... Also, fourth brother, when did you have a staff member named Xie Zhen, and he is such a talented person!"
Gao Changgong then brought Gao Yanzong into the study, and asked Lu Yu to stay outside and talk in secret with serious words.
"Yanzong, there may be a long period of time in the future. I will not be in Yecheng. I need your help to protect Xie Zhen!"
"Why protect him? Then who will protect the fourth sister-in-law? No, fourth brother, you won't treat this Xie Zhenye... Fourth sister-in-law is such a good person, you can't do anything wrong! Don't you love her very much?"
Gao Changgong laughed and replied: "Yes, I love her very much, whether it is him or her, I love her to the core...
She is more important than my life..."
Gao Yanzong looked at him with a dazed expression, and after a while he sighed: "Fourth brother, you are indeed... this is the first time I have seen you like this...
If that's the case, you shouldn't... Then Xie Zhen is good and a talented person, but Long Yang is so good. Otherwise, the fourth sister-in-law will be angry, right? "
"She won't, because..." Gao Changgong paused and whispered in a very low and nostalgic tone, "He is also her!"
Hearing this, Gao Yanzong almost fell off the bench in shock.
After a while, he asked, "What do you mean?"
He didn't believe it, so in order to confirm whether he was having random thoughts, he asked again, "Does that mean what I think?"
Gao Changgong was silent for a long time, nodded and said: "Yes!"
"Don't be too excited. Let me tell you, I need your help to keep this secret. In Yecheng, apart from Li Mi and Cui Heng, I can only trust you. But Li Mi and Cui Heng are both scribes. They don’t have military power, and they also have a pampered family behind them. I’m still worried. Only you..."
"Okay, fourth brother, you don't have to say anything, I understand!" After finally calming down the sudden shock, Gao Yanzong calmed down for a long time before asking, "Fourth brother, did you accompany her to Yubi after the peace talks? , you will go to Jinyang immediately, right?”
"yes!"
"So, you need me to go with you as an envoy to Zhou?"
"Yes! Your Majesty doesn't have any errands for you anyway!"
Hearing this, Gao Yanzong was a little angry, but then he said excitedly: "Okay, fourth brother, don't worry, this matter will be taken care of by me!"
"One more thing is how to deal with His Majesty here in Yecheng?"
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(End of this chapter)