Chapter 684 Heaven’s Favor
Wei Meng and other envoys entered the camp and were led into an open-air tent.
There, they were told that except for the first and second envoys who were allowed to enter, everyone else had to wait here.
Wei Meng hesitated for a moment, then bowed to the military officer who led them:
"Now that the food is ready, my subordinates are busy with this matter and have not received any water or rice. I wonder if your army can arrange some food for them."
Wei Meng's words made the deputy envoy Zhong Ji next to him frown, and he secretly wondered why this person was saying this? Didn't he lose his own face in vain? Besides, it’s just a hungry meal, so what?
But he didn't say this out loud, as he didn't want to reveal their internal discord in front of the Taishan Army.
However, Zhong Ji did not notice that except for him, everyone else in the mission showed gratitude to Wei Meng.
To put it bluntly, these servants have not had enough to eat for many days. Since Zhu Jun defended Kyoto, there has been no supply of rice and millet on the market.
The people present were all officials working for food or some non-staff attachés, and they couldn't get enough to eat on their salary alone.
So it is always a good thing to have a meal at Taishan Army today.
As for the pain involved, the deputy envoy Zhong Ji, who was the son of the Duke, naturally had no idea. Only Wei Meng, who was also a fighting official, could feel sorry for them.
After hearing Wei Meng's request, the Taishan Army officials were quite easy to talk to. Although there were eighty people in the delegation present, they did not hesitate and sent someone to prepare some meals for these people.
Fortunately, it was meal time, and the logistics of each battalion were making fires to cook, so the Taishan Army prepared food for them in a short while.
A bowl of rice, a plate of pickles, and even a plate of sour plums.
The food couldn't be said to be good, but it was extremely good, which made Wei Meng and others overjoyed.
At first, Wei Meng thought this was the preferential treatment given to them by the Taishan Army, and she felt somewhat confident about the safety of this industry.
But soon, he saw some Taishan soldiers nearby who were also like them. They even had a pot with broth simmering in the pot.
When the aroma of the broth wafted here, the delegation members suddenly felt that the rice and rice in their hands no longer smelled good.
Seeing the misbehavior of these people present, Zangji, who suddenly felt ashamed, reprimanded:
"Let's see what it's all like? Those are just other people's psychological tricks. Do you take them seriously? What's a meal of meat? When I return to Kyoto, I'll treat everyone to a big meal."
The method of cultivating the children of aristocratic families and giving them both kindness and power can be used at any time.
Sure enough, after hearing Zhongji's promise, everyone smiled and flattered Zhongji even more.
At this time, the military officer who led their group came back again, holding a plate in his hand, which contained the same food as those of the entourage, except that there were two more bowls of broth.
After the man came in, he smiled and said to Zhong Ji:
"I thought you were going to meet the king in a few minutes, so I didn't prepare anything for you. I just went over to ask for the report and learned that the king and all the disciples were still discussing things for a while. So I'll get you two some food first. ”
After Wei Meng heard this, he bowed respectfully to the soldier, and then took the food plate.
He wanted to give it to Zhongji, but Zhongji could not appreciate these things. He curled his lips and turned to ask the soldier:
"General, we also have an interpreter. Can he come with us?"
This officer of the Taishan Army was an old brother of the Taishan Army. At first glance, he saw that this kind of editing was like a son of a family. He felt disgusted. After hearing this again, he reprimanded directly:
"What kind of interpreter should I use? Is it because you can't speak Mandarin or is it because our king can't speak Mandarin? Don't think about it, just stay calm."
After saying that, the military officer asked people to remove the food in front of Zhongji, and then walked away.
Zhong Ji was scolded and dared not speak out in anger. His fair face turned red.
But when everyone saw that Zhongji was defeated, they felt funny in their hearts.
Wei Meng on the other side also didn't like that kind of editing. She was so happy that he was embarrassed, so she simply ignored him, crossed her legs and ate the food in front of her carefully.
Don't mention it, these sour plums are really appetizing. I'll let my old wife make some sauce later.
The editor over there lost face, but still did not forget his mission here. Compared to Wei Meng who was ignorant, he was very clear about the true meaning of this trip, which was to see if there was any possibility of peace talks with the thief Zhang.
As a young minister of Kyoto, Zhongji was of course unwilling to make any alliance with the Taishan Army under the city walls, but he couldn't stand the persuasion of his senior bosses, saying that the outcome of a military strategist was unpredictable, so what did it matter even if he tolerated humiliation for a while? With the talents of the Duke of Kyoto, as long as this time is delayed, there is no doubt that he will make a comeback.
Now Zhongji still remembers a senior who was heartbroken and said something like this with great justice:
"If we can bring all the Han Dynasty and all the people, what if we just bear the infamy? Can't we bear it?"
Yes, compared with the Han Dynasty, what is a moment of humiliation?
What's more...
Zhong Ji glanced at Wei Meng, who was silently chewing sour plums, and snorted:
"It's nothing more than a dirt hammer. It's an honor for such a person to bear the infamy. Otherwise, how could a person like him leave a name in history?"
Zhong Ji knew very well that such an important matter as suing for peace with Taishan's army must not escape the historian's writing, otherwise he would give him the position of chief envoy?
While everyone was eating, Zhong Ji secretly observed the situation in the Taishan Army's camp.
Although the view was blocked by the tent, Zhongji concluded from the shadowy figures and the frequency of Taishan's army changing ranks that this must be an elite force.
Wu Ziyan said that in order to govern the army, one must be courteous when one is in position, and one is powerful when one is moving. When advancing, one must not be able to hold back, and when retreating, one must not pursue.
After making this judgment, Zhong Ji also had a hint of agreement with the ministers' idea of seeking peace.
This Taishan army really cannot compete with them. They can only lie dormant for a while and then prepare their troops for the future.
So Zhongji squinted his eyes and thought about how to say this for a while.
It's just that the smell of sour plums is really fragrant, making his saliva keep secreting.
Hungry!
……
After Wei Meng and others had eaten, they rested on the straw mat for a while before waiting for the summons from King Zhang.
After leaving a group of people behind, Wei Meng and Zhong Ji went out of the military tent alone, and then saw that the military officer leading them had changed.
Leading them was a rough-looking military officer with bandaged legs and armor. He had a round mirror on his chest that shone in the sun.
Wei Meng was a junior official and didn't understand this. He just thought the armor was very dazzling. But Zengji was different. He could tell at a glance that the armor was extraordinary, but he didn't dare to look any further.
The rough military officer was accompanied by a dozen armored men of different colors, but they all looked capable.
After they confirmed the identities of Wei Meng and Wei Meng, they continued walking towards the Chinese army's tent with them without saying much.
Along the way, Zhong Ji kept peeking at everything in the camp.
After crossing a huge gallop, they entered a felt area. There are about twelve or three felts inside, which is quite a bit futuristic.
After that, they passed through a halberd path, and then a gleaming golden tent came into view.
Under the sunlight, the golden roof reflects the sun brilliantly, showing infinite deterrence to the world.
He knew about this golden tent. Someone from the Zhong family also participated in the war to quell the Yellow Turbans in Hebei. He also mentioned in his family letters that the tent of Zhang Jiao, the leader of Taiping Road and the great sage, was a big tent with a golden roof. This one is overwhelming. Gorgeous is very gorgeous, but Zhong Ji still sneered at it, only feeling a strong sense of local tyrants. Compared with the centuries-old majesty and dignity of the Han Dynasty, it is simply a rustic in the countryside.
But the three to four hundred soldiers standing outside the military tent had to make Zhongji look at him with suspicion.
These people all wore Sichuan embroidered blouses and iron armor, carried feathered hoods on their heads, and held golden spears and halberds. They started to separate from the gate of the military tent.
The group on the left is all in green sash armor holding apricot and yellow flags, and the group on the right is all in black sash armor and holding black and black flags. Hundreds of people surrounded the military tent, solemn and solemn.
At this time, after seeing the Han envoy coming, these people squinted their eyes and looked over.
For a moment, Zhongji felt as if he was being stared at by a wild beast, and his body suddenly became stiff.
At this moment, he suddenly understood something.
He has entered the Deyang Hall of the North Palace countless times. It is indeed luxurious and luxurious, with carved beams and painted buildings, and every wood and stone is of the highest quality in the world. But compared with the golden-domed tent in front of me, it feels like sunset.
The problem was not with the palace tent itself, but with the people inside.
In Deyang Palace, all the people who came in and out were a group of ministers exuding rotten wood temperament, but what about here? But they are a group of energetic and capable warriors. Compared with them, doesn't Deyang Palace feel like the sun is setting in the west?
Here, Zhong Ji fell into a state of self-doubt after seeing the Taishan Army's military power. However, Wei Meng, who was walking in front, was already high-spirited and striding forward.
Since I have to perform eventually, let it be my stage so that I can live up to my talent.
……
At this time, Zhang Chong and a group of staff and generals were sitting on their horses in the golden tent, waiting for the Han envoys to enter.
Just before Wei Meng and the others were having dinner, Zhang Chong had a discussion with a group of people.
You want to say what the Han army is here for. Would people like Zhang Chong not know? It's just that I was discouraged by Chang Optimistic's battle a few days ago, and now I'm asking for peace.
Reward the army? Fortunately, the officials in the city figured out this reason.
So the question is, should Zhang Chong accept the peace talks with the Han army?
Regarding this answer, the military is obviously divided into two attitudes.
One group is what Tian Feng, Xun You and others mean, that is, they can talk. You can take advantage of the luck mentality of the officials in the city, constantly test and force the officials in the city to retreat, and let them continue to bleed for the sake of the trouble in front of them. Finally, when they are extremely weak, they can attack the city again.
This strategy is undoubtedly very realistic and very operational. But military generals generally reject this approach.
For example, Feilong General Li Hu once pointed out such a problem, that is, the king gave a military lecture in front of the army a few days ago, specifically saying that it was necessary to capture Kyoto in order to overcome the injustice of the past.
For this goal, the lieutenants and soldiers in the army were ready to sacrifice themselves in order to capture Kyoto in one fell swoop.
And now, if suddenly there is news in the army that they want to negotiate peace with the Han army, even if it is not a real peace negotiation, the straightforward officers and soldiers in the army will not understand.
When the time comes, the three armies will only be shocked and doubtful, and the most terrifying thing will be the damage to the king's prestige.
Because this is where the Taishan Army's condensed military spirit lies.
Even if we can't take Kyoto, we can't coax everyone to negotiate peace.
What Li Hu said was very reasonable, and all the staff also fell into deep thought.
Even Zhang Chong, who had always been decisive, could not make up his mind. Until this time, external reports:
"The envoy of the Han Dynasty wants to see you!"
Zhang Chong stopped everyone and let the Han envoys enter the account.
When he saw the person in front, Zhang Chong was surprised at first, then laughed, and then he took the initiative to walk down, grabbed the arm of the person in front, and was delighted:
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"Wei Jun, how are you? I didn't expect that you and I would meet here today after saying goodbye to Jishui!"
That's right, it was Wei Meng who Zhang Chong grabbed, and this person turned out to be the young Han official who stayed with Zhang Chong in Jishui when he was doing labor service.
I really didn’t expect that there is no more wonderful fate in the world than this.
At this time, Wei Meng was also stunned.
He also recognized Zhang Chong at a glance. After so many years, he could still remember the little Jian Fu in the past. It was not because Wei Meng had a photographic memory, but because Zhang Chong did give him a kind of memory back then. An extraordinary feeling.
Zhang Chong may not have known at the time that he was still short when he came to this world. But in fact, many people, even his father, younger father, and eldest brother, saw it at the time.
That's why Zhang Chong is different.
Everyone has his or her own temperament, which is a combination of environment and personal free will. And a modern person suddenly came to ancient times. Although the people were the same, their temperaments were completely different.
What was Zhang Chong's family background like at that time? At most, he was at the level of an ordinary yeoman farmer. Although he knew Braille, he still had a timid and humble temperament.
After all, what kind of temperament do you think a person has if he doesn't have enough to eat all day long?
But suddenly, just one night, people close to Zhang Chong noticed that Zhang Chong was different. His eyes became clear, his speech became organized, and he even had his own opinions. He knew what he would do every day and was no longer confused. .
So Zhang Chong didn't know how much of a surprise it was to his father and brother when he started visiting Lishe on the second day after his arrival.
Because a child as old as Zhang Chong would sit on the ridge in the fields all day long, and he would only respond when his father and brother called him.
In other words, when Zhang Zhan suddenly started to explore Lishe and talk to others, this was actually beyond what a child of his status and age should be.
But the father and brothers did not panic. Instead, they believed that this was the birth of a heavenly being and a favor from heaven. In this world where gods and ghosts are worshiped, all "differents" are also "gods", and they realize that Zhang Chong must be extraordinary.
And what about Zhang Chong? He was unaware of it at first. He thought everything was normal. He didn't even restrain his "modern" temperament at all and provoked people everywhere.
And what kind of temperament is this? This is a spirit nourished by a long and prosperous life, with its own morality and the concept of equality for all.
And this kind of temperament was such a noble existence in this cruel rural community during the Han Dynasty.
So Sun Tou, the elder of the pavilion, saw it and was very blue-eyed. Wei Meng, a junior official, saw it and had an unforgettable memory.
Even Yang Mao, the former attendant of the King of Jibei, whose status was higher than Zhang Chong's.
Even though Yang Mao, Wang Zhang, and Li Wu would be at the end of their rope, with their skills they could find a local wealthy family to take them in even if they were on the run.
But it happened that these three people bowed their heads in front of Zhang Chong.
Because only these middle- and upper-class people know what noble temperament is after seeing the most noble princes.
But for a humble gardener and a farmer to have such a temperament, what else is that but a blessing from heaven?
So, everything happens for a reason.
There is no appreciation without reason, and there is no allegiance without reason.
So, when Wei Meng saw Zhang Chong again, she was first surprised and then relieved. He understood that if the so-called King Zhang was the person in front of him, everything would seem to be natural.
But the reminiscence between Zhang Chong and Wei Meng made the people around them panic.