Chapter 3203
Each of the three demands made by Shi Diwen was aimed at Daming's face. Yue Shizong would definitely not dare to agree at this time, otherwise he would definitely be charged with "losing power and humiliating the country" in the future.
But when it comes to breaking up with Haihan, he really doesn't have the confidence. After all, it's not the other party who is afraid of war, but Daming.
Based on the current situation of the Ming Dynasty, the number of troops that can be drawn out to the battlefield immediately is estimated to be only 100,000 or 200,000. However, the border between the control areas of the two countries was thousands of miles long. The Haihan army could choose any battlefield in North China, East China, and South China to gather troops, and the Ming Dynasty had no time to mobilize troops to respond.
For the current plan, Yue Shizong could only use the "drag trick". If the follow-up processing of this matter can be delayed longer, for three to five months, perhaps the situation may turn around.
Yue Shizong tried hard to calm down his emotions and said in a deep voice: "Master Shi's proposal is beyond my authority. I need to ask the court for instructions on this matter before making a reply to your country."
But Yue Shizong ignored the fact that Haihan had no intention of resolving the matter through lengthy negotiations from the beginning. For Shi Diwen, everything was just to find a high-sounding reason to fall out with Ming.
If Ming agreed to these harsh conditions, it would be a good thing and would save a lot of trouble. If Ming Dynasty refuses to admit defeat, then the next step is to restart the war, and this is the direction Shi Diwen is preparing for.
Shi Diwen shook his head and said: "Master Yue, you want to delay this matter until it becomes a major issue and a trivial matter. That is impossible. The three demands I just mentioned have been sent to your country through other channels. Beijing, if we do not receive a satisfactory reply within ten days, our country will have no choice but to seek justice in other ways.”
Although Shi Diwen didn't say it directly what other methods meant, Yue Shizong already understood.
Yue Shizong hurriedly advised: "Master Shi, please be patient and don't be impatient. Everything has been discussed. Please also consider the common people in the world and never use weapons rashly."
Shi Diwen responded expressionlessly: "This is not my personal wish, but the decision of the Haihan Executive Committee."
Yue Shizong quickly looked at the other people and begged: "My lords, peace between the two countries is hard-won. If the war rekindles, it will not be a good thing for both countries. Please think again!"
Yan Chujie sneered: "When your country planned the assassination operation, did anyone advise them to think twice before committing it?"
Yue Shizong saw that the two men in the military had tough attitudes, and Tao Donglai's position seemed to be more inclined to them. Now he could only place his hope on Ning Qi, who had not expressed his stance. As far as he knew, Ning Qi was a moderate in the Haihan Executive Committee. The peace talks between Ming Dynasty and Haihan were chaired by Ning Qi, and he might be able to win over them.
"Master Ning, to be fair, the current situation should still be at the stage where the problem can be solved through negotiation, right?"
However, this time even Ning Qi's attitude seemed to have become tougher: "Master Yue, although this assassination attempt against us was unsuccessful, it was a serious provocation in nature. If our country does not make a strong response to this, then the people will What do you think of the executive committee? ”
"Also, according to the information we have, this assassination operation was either an individual act or initiated by your country's court. Since it was done regardless, you should bear the corresponding consequences."
Tao Donglai took over the conversation and said: "Master Yue, the purpose of inviting you to meet today is not to discuss the solution to this matter with you, but to inform you of our requirements so that you can arrange and implement them as soon as possible."< br>
"If your country cannot meet our requirements, then there is no need to ask for your opinion on how our country will handle this incident. After all, when this group of people sneaked into Hangzhou, they were not prepared to ask for our opinion, no. ”
Yue Shizong was stunned. It seemed that the other party had no intention of leaving room for mediation and negotiations, and had already prepared to use force. Meeting him is just a formality, so as not to give the outside world an excuse to start an undeclared war. Yue Shizong knew that it would be useless to continue wasting his words, and he suddenly felt despair. He stood up and said goodbye: "My lords, since this is the case, it is useless to talk more, so let's just say goodbye!"
Tao Donglai said: "Master Yue, although the assassination case has been identified, the embassy's lockdown order cannot be lifted for the time being. However, considering that the embassy should have official documents to be sent back to the country, we hereby approve the embassy to send people to leave the city. Of course. , if you want to go there in person, that’s no problem.”
Yue Shizong cupped his hands and responded: "I am the envoy appointed by the imperial court to be stationed in Hangzhou. I dare not leave Hangzhou without the imperial court's order. I accept the good intentions of Mr. Tao."
Seeing Yue Shizong's back disappear, Ning Qi said: "This Yue Shizong is quite courageous. He refuses to leave Hangzhou even if he is given a chance."
Tao Donglai shook his head slightly and said: "It's not that he has courage, but he sees the situation clearly. If he goes back, he will only face greater trouble than if he stayed in Hangzhou!"
Ning Qi was stunned for a moment, then figured out the mystery and nodded in agreement: "You're right, the best way for him to protect himself now is to stay in Hangzhou!"
If Yue Shizong goes back and Haihan starts the war, then he, the envoy stationed in Hangzhou, will become the scapegoat anyway, and being dismissed from his post should be considered a minor matter.
The only way he wanted to escape this difficulty was to stay in Hangzhou for the time being. No matter whether he could persuade Haihan to solve the problem through negotiation, at least he would not be punished immediately by the court.
Shi Diwen said: "The process that should be followed is gone, and the next step is to prepare for war."
Ning Qi said: "I originally thought that you would be like other generals and support the group that puts foreign affairs first and then domestic affairs, but I didn't expect that you would silently point your gun at Ming Dynasty."
Shi Diwen said sternly: "If you don't target the Ming Dynasty, where else can you target? There are only a few neighboring countries in the East China Sea region. It is useless to conquer barren areas such as Ryukyu and Japan. Then the Ming Dynasty will be the only one left. Target? ”
At this point, everyone in the executive committee had actually understood Shi Diwen's intention, knowing that he just wanted to take this opportunity to cut off another piece of flesh from Daming. However, his plan is obviously contrary to the recent trend of military generals from various places expressing their support for external expansion through the sea.
Tao Donglai said: "If we don't come to Hangzhou this time, what are you going to do?"
Shi Diwen said: "If you don't come, then Ming's assassins won't come either, and there won't be any of these things. But since you are here, whatever you do is the decision of the executive committee, and it is not my personal wish. ”
Tao Donglai said: "It seems that you have considered all the factors. The decision of the executive committee will definitely be consistent with your personal wishes."
Shi Diwen said: "That may just be because my personal wishes coincide with the national interests, that's all."
(End of chapter)