Judging from the atmosphere of this meeting, this negotiation is destined not to be conducted in a pleasant atmosphere.
Both parties entered the tent and saw a long table inside, with two rows of wooden chairs beside the table. It was relatively simple. Regarding the design of the meeting place, both parties were staring at it. It was impossible to arrange host and guest seats.
Finally, Zhang Fei asked for a long table to be set up, and everyone sat on one side.
After sitting down, although it was still early, the two sides had established a friendly atmosphere, and coupled with the "accidents" that had happened before, both sides hoped that the meeting would start directly, and not wait until Chenshi.
Ever since, the meeting has just begun.
Xiao Sushi was the first to say: "In the Chanyuan Alliance, we agreed in the south of Guannan to use the Baigou River as the boundary river, and in the contract, it was written clearly and clearly. "Everything in the cities along the border of the two countries is as usual, and nothing can be done.
"Building City Gods". However, in recent years, your Southern Dynasty has built more than ten arrow fortresses at the Baigou Posthouse in Zhantuoguan City, Xiongzhou. This is a serious violation of the agreement between the two countries. I wonder how you can explain it?"
Lu Dazhong and other officials accompanying him secretly frowned.
In fact, they had thought in advance that the other party might attack this first and thus take the initiative in the negotiations, because according to the agreement between the two countries, it was indeed the Song Dynasty that violated relevant regulations.
But if it is true, the Liao Kingdom violated more, but there is nothing that can be done against them for the time being, and in this regard, the Song Dynasty is willing to make compromises.
However, if they compromise easily, the Song Dynasty will be in a weak position in the subsequent territorial negotiations.
Zhang Fei calmly said to Lu Dazhong: "A copywriter."
Lu Dazhong was stunned for a moment, then came to his senses, and was a little confused. After all, it was his first time to cooperate with Zhang Fei, and he didn't know his habits. In the past, he always directly attacked Zhang Fei, because he had memorized the relevant copywriting in advance.
Zhang Fei just gave an order and ignored Lu Dazhong. Instead, he said to Xiao Su: "We have conducted a detailed investigation on the arrow base of Baigou Posthouse. We have determined that this building does not violate the covenant between the two countries.
On the contrary, it is to strictly abide by the alliance between the two countries."
Xiao Su said: "Your Excellency, you must have made a mistake, right? The black and white writing on the paper states that everything along the border city is as usual, and no city gods are allowed to be built. The arrow base over there was newly built in recent years. Doesn't this count as a violation?"
At this moment, Lu Dazhong finally found the copywriting number A and quickly put it in front of Zhang Fei.
Zhang Fei immediately opened the copy and read from it: "On the tenth day of September in the first year of Qingli, dozens of northern thieves crossed the river and robbed thirty households in Guixin County. On the eighteenth day of September in the first year of Qingli, dozens of northern thieves
The thieves crossed the river again and plundered twelve households in Guixin County, in the second year of Qingli...!"
"enough!"
Xiao Su said angrily: "We are talking about the issue of arrow base, why are you reading this?"
Why did he suddenly get angry? This guy said "Northern thieves" to his left and "Northern thieves" to his right, but he knew in his heart that they were all Liao army soldiers, not Liao thieves.
But they couldn't admit that those were Liao soldiers.
Zhang Fei said: "What you just said is not complete. The full text of the covenant is that the two sides will use the Baigou River as the boundary and withdraw their troops at the same time. From now on, any thieves and fugitives who cross the boundary will not be allowed to stay in each other. In the cities along the two dynasties, everything will be as usual, and no one will be allowed to stop."
Build the City God. I wonder if it is?"
Xiao Su said: "Is this any different from what I said?"
"Your Excellency neglected to say that from now on, any thieves or fugitives who cross the border will not be allowed to stay with each other."
Zhang Fei said: "Although I did not participate in the Chanyuan Alliance at the time, we certainly did not expect that so many thieves would cross the border in your country. What I just read was the specific record of Guixin County. In just one month,
, there have been more than ten border crossings in your country.
Our border defense is completely incapable of facing so many bandits crossing the border, so we just decided to build an arrow fortress to supplement the border defense's ability to prevent thieves, and it has achieved certain results."
As he said that, he took out a few pieces of paper from the document and handed it to Xiao Su, "This is the record that three years ago, Guixin County handed over four thieves from your country to your country for disposal."
Xiao Su glanced at it and threw it aside, "Don't tell me this. We only know that your arrow base has violated the agreement and must be demolished."
Zhang Fei said: "In order to show that the Song Dynasty abides by its covenant, if your country insists on its request, we are also willing to dismantle these arrow barriers. But your country must also write a statement."
Xiao Su asked: "What declaration?"
Zhang Fei said: "Suppose the rebels in your country cross the border and accumulate strength in our country, your country cannot accuse our country..."
After Xiao Su heard this, he immediately became furious. He slapped the table and shouted angrily: "If you dare to do this, you will definitely be greeted by the 100,000 iron hoofs of Liao Dynasty."
Zhang Fei smiled slightly and said: "The Chanyuan Alliance specifically listed this sentence to prevent this, but the thieves in the north of you are in groups. This is what we did not expect. With the manpower of our border defense,
That is difficult to deal with. What if there are rebels from your country among these thieves and they hide in our court?
We only built the arrow fortress to fulfill the agreement, and as we all know, the arrow fortress is only for defense and cannot be used for offense.
Compared to increasing garrison troops and horses, isn’t this the best choice?”
Lu Dazhong and the others could not help but secretly look at Zhang Fei from the corner of their eyes, secretly appreciating this in their hearts.
In fact, this provision was mainly aimed at thieves, and the Liao people were also worried that their soldiers would be caught by the Song people if they crossed the border, and they would have a reason to come back.
Rebellious thieves are the next best thing.
If the Song Dynasty dares to take in the rebels, it will rise to the national level. If you dare to do this, I will definitely send troops.
But that's what diplomacy is about. Since Zhang Fei raised this point, he had to be careful. If he made a statement, the Song Dynasty could accept the Liao rebels openly.
That's okay.
Xiao Ying on the side couldn't bear it anymore and said: "Why the Northerners are crossing the border? This is all just your words from the Southern Dynasty."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Zhang Fei said: "We have specific records. If not, there would be no ultimatum from our country to return the thieves to your country. Regarding this point
, you can go investigate."
Xiao Su calmed down, pondered for a moment, and said: "According to your wishes, as long as we allow you to keep this arrow base, if there are rebels who cross the border in the future, you will definitely capture them and return them to us."
Zhang Fei said with a smile: "You have misunderstood me. What I mean is that our country attaches great importance to the agreement with your country, and we are very willing to dismantle the arrow base. However, we demolished the arrow base to dispel your country's doubts."
, rather than wanting to arouse deeper suspicion.
I hope your country can understand that our original intention of building the Arrow Barrier is to better implement our agreement and avoid greater disputes. If your country insists on letting us dismantle it, I will definitely dismantle it.
But it is necessary for us to inform you of the ins and outs and hidden dangers. Only in this way can we avoid more disputes in the future by being frank and understanding each other."
This statement was very gentle and the tone was sincere, which made the negotiations less explosive.
Xiao Su frowned secretly. This issue of rebels really hit their weak point, because there has been some internal turmoil in the Liao Kingdom recently, which is not to say that it is impossible to happen.
He made eye contact with Xiao Ying for a moment, then nodded and said, "We still have to investigate this matter first."
Zhang Fei said: "Of course."
The Liao envoys were all a little depressed, and they did not suppress the other party at the beginning, which was different from what they expected.
Because they expected that this coward was a coward, and he would be able to suppress the opponent by holding an arrow base at the beginning, but they never thought that this coward would not be a coward at all when he sat on the table!
But Lu Dazhong and the others felt more surprised that they actually managed to keep those arrow bases.
In their view, this is almost inevitable.
After a slight adjustment, Xiao Su added: "As for the dispute over the boundary of Hedong, our country has repeatedly mentioned it to your country, but your country has always responded passively, so that your southerners' intrusion into our country's land has become more and more serious. This time
All must be resolved and must not be delayed any longer.”
Zhang Fei looked directly at Lu Dazhong, as if asking, is this happening?
Lu Dazhong immediately argued with reason: "Whenever there is a dispute in the local area, this government never responds to you, and why does it respond passively?"
Xiao Sudao: "But you are all just perfunctory, and the problem has not been solved. Just like the land of Tianchi, it belongs to our Liao land. Our South Campus King's troops often herd sheep and horses here. Now the pastures there are all
To be invaded by your southerners and turned into farmland is really a great deception."
Lu Dazhong argued: "That Tianchi clearly belongs to our territory of the Song Dynasty. Our dynasty has an ultimatum to prove it. Moreover, during the Qingli period, Han Qi, the prime minister of our country, once presented this ultimatum to your country."
Xiao Ying smiled and said: "Everyone in the world knows that you southerners are good at writing. Regarding the ultimatum, we have never admitted it. We will only focus on the facts in front of us.
If Tianchi belongs to your territory, then why are the herdsmen of this dynasty herding sheep and horses here and not being deported? But we are different. When we learned that you southerners were invading farming, we immediately issued a document to inform you, including this time in
Internally, isn’t this enough to prove that Tianchi belongs to this dynasty’s territory?”
When the envoys of the Song Dynasty heard this, they were extremely depressed.
It was obviously you Liao people who invaded the border, we just tolerated it and didn't say anything, but now you are attacking us, it's really unreasonable and it's too much to bully others.
After all, the Song Dynasty was the weak side, so as long as the Liao Kingdom did not go too far, it would tolerate it.
To put things into perspective, in this Hedong and Hebei area, the right time, place and people are actually on the Liao side, so we will definitely suffer losses in a fight. After all, most of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun are in the hands of the Liao State, and the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun is the richest in the north.
area, where the Liao Kingdom could station large-scale troops.
Later, when Han Qi fought for land, he did not say that he would expel the Liao people here on a large scale. He only affirmed the sovereignty here and moved people here to avoid further occupation of the territory by them.
Lu Dazhong argued: "The reason why we didn't say anything was because we thought about the harmony between the two countries, but we didn't expect that you would go even further."
"Excessive?"
Xiao Ying sneered: "If we didn't care about the harmony between the two countries, why would we discuss it with you and not directly send troops to expel you southerners?"
There is a hint of threat in the voice.
My troops are right behind.
Zhang Fei took over the words, "It seems that neither of us is willing to hurt the harmony between the two countries. This is good. This is exactly why we are sitting here. Moreover, we also come with sincerity this time. We hope to draw a clear line between the two countries."
We must set a very clear boundary, and at this point, there should be no further disputes to avoid causing misunderstandings and damaging the harmony between the two countries."
After hearing this, Xiao Su secretly laughed in his heart. It seems that this guy is just a tough talker. After all, he is still very afraid of our army. He nodded and said with a smile: "I fully agree with your words. We also come here with sincerity this time, hoping to draw a line."
Clear boundaries.
We hope that we can use the watersheds and ridges as the boundaries between the three states of Wei, Ying, and Shuo, so as to avoid further disputes. After all, artificial boundaries can be easily changed, but no one can move these mountains and rivers!"
Zhang Fei asked Lu Dazhong in a low voice: "What does earth ridge mean?"
Lu Dazhong said: "I don't even know where this ridge is, even if I'm a low-ranking official?"
Zhang Fei said: "What I'm asking is what does this word mean?"
"...?"
Lu Dazhong explained: "It means a mound of earth, just like the ridges used by the folks to mark the boundary between two fields. This is also often used to indicate the boundary at the border."
Zhang Fei nodded and said to Xiao Su: "Regarding territory, this is a big matter and we cannot act hastily. We don't know about the soil ridges you mentioned. Otherwise, let's go and see where the soil ridges are."
, and then we’ll discuss it more.”
Xiao Su nodded and said, "That's very good."
That concludes today's meeting.
After returning to the residence where he was resting, Lu Dazhong immediately said to Zhang Fei: "Prosecutor Zhang, you must not agree to their request."
Zhang Fei asked: "Why?"
Lu Dazhong said: "There are clear boundaries here. Even if we suffer a little loss, we will just take a step back. We have also built trenches in what they call 'disputed' areas. This was requested by Xianggong Han back then.
They now demand demarcation based on watersheds and ridges, and their purpose is to destroy the previous border. There are so many mountains here, and they can take the opportunity to encroach on our territory."
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "But what they said is unclear, and it is difficult for us to refute it. Therefore, we must first know their specific demarcation plan, and then we can refute them one by one."
This is just like a lawsuit. You have to ask clearly before you can refute him. If he doesn't explain clearly, your rebuttal will be weak.
After all, this ancient boundary demarcation did not say that every plant or tree was drawn, and there were indeed a large number of Liao people here. This was actually a very sharp Liao people.
The key is that you can't drive away these Liao people.
...
The next step was to go on an on-site investigation to see what the ridge mentioned by the Liao envoy was. As a result, the group wandered around the mountains for seven or eight days, but failed to find the so-called ridge.
This is really embarrassing.
To be honest, Zhang Fei didn't understand which song the other party was singing.
Or, they really just talked about it casually.
But there is a saying that goes well, as long as I am not embarrassed, if I am embarrassed, then I am someone else.
Returning to Dahuangping again, Xiao Su immediately changed his mind and emphasized that what he meant was to take the watershed of Wei, Ying and Shuo as the boundary.
Dirt ridge?
What ridge?
Did I say this?
Zhang Fei didn't bother to argue with them, but said with a serious face: "I have said before that we are here with enough sincerity. We hope to draw a clear boundary and reduce misunderstandings, so that the two countries can have eternal good relations.
It is also for the sake of benefiting future generations.”
Xiao Su nodded immediately and said, "So are we."
"But I don't feel your country's sincerity at all."
Zhang Fei said: "I have said before that the territorial issue is a very important matter for both countries. It cannot be decided by just a few words or drawings. It must be investigated on the spot.
, and then make the final decision.
But if we use watersheds to draw it, let’s say that the border between our two countries near here has an extremely complex terrain, with numerous mountains and winding rivers. It may take us a year or two just to inspect it.
This will not resolve the dispute immediately."
Having said this, he took out a copy and said, "This is the demarcation plan formulated by our court based on the records in the ultimatum. It has a very clear boundary demarcation. Please take a look at it."
"Why!"
Xiao Su didn't even answer, but stretched out his hand to stop him, saying: "Since Your Excellency emphasizes sincerity, if you are not willing to wait for even one or two years, how can you be sincere?"
Zhang Fei paused for a moment with his hand hanging in mid-air, and then slowly took it back, thinking, do they also want to drag it? It can't be such a coincidence, right? He asked tentatively: "So you are willing to discuss this issue,
Talking about it for a year or two?"
Xiao Su asked back: "If we can make a clear distinction in one or two years, it will be better than arguing for decades."
Zhang Fei frowned and thought for a while, "We have to consider this matter carefully."
Xiao Su was confident and said: "Then let's talk about it another day."
"Um."
This turned out to be a big deal, so Lu Dazhong anxiously turned to Zhang Fei, "Prosecutor Zhang, be careful of falling into a trap!"
Zhang Fei asked: "How do you say this?"
Lu Dazhong said: "These northerners obviously hope to delay the issue, rather than trying to resolve the border dispute immediately."
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "I can see this, but what do you think their purpose is? What benefit will it bring to them if this continues?"
Police officer Lu Dazhong replied calmly: "I think this may still be related to our army's border expansion in Xihe. If the border is agreed upon immediately, then they have no reason to station so many soldiers here. Now they use this as an excuse.
Adding more troops here will definitely increase the pressure on Taiyuan Prefecture, and we can only mobilize Western troops from Fuzhou to defend it.
This undoubtedly relieved the pressure on Xixia on the northern front, allowing them to deploy some of their troops and go south to prevent me from moving toward the Xihe River.
Therefore, in my opinion, they want to delay this matter first, most likely because they want to observe our country's military operations against Xixia first, because the Liao Kingdom is absolutely unwilling to see us destroy Xixia.
Then, once we really send troops and the situation is very unfavorable to Xixia, they can use this border as an excuse to send troops to the east of Hedong. In this way, they can force our country to withdraw from Xixia without completely breaking the alliance between the two countries."
After all, Song and Liao had a treaty, and the treaty also included Sui coins. If the Liao Kingdom wanted to send troops, it had to find an excuse.
With this controversy, the Liao State could go to war without declaring it. As Xiao Su said, he could send troops to expel the Song people here, because judging from previous actions, the Liao State did not want to go to war with the Song Dynasty, but
The Liao Kingdom was definitely not willing to see the Song Dynasty destroy Xixia.
By creating this controversy, the Liao Kingdom could very well influence the situation here.
Because this happens to be the junction point of Xixia, Song and Liao. If Song goes to war with Xixia and Liao sends troops from here, the pressure on Song Dynasty will be very great.
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "Your analysis makes sense. This is probably their plan. So how do you think we should respond?"
Lu Dazhong thought for a while, then sighed helplessly: "If they intend to drag it on, unless we unconditionally agree to their request, we can only deal with them slowly."
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "You think the same as me, so just deal with them slowly."
This made him really happy, because the result was much better than he imagined, because he also wanted to delay and buy enough time for domestic development, but he did not expect that the Liao Kingdom also wanted to use this to delay the development of the country.
Song Dynasty.
Judging from the current situation, the Liao Kingdom's plan is very strategically correct. If they can get involved here, it will definitely make the Song Dynasty feel very uncomfortable.
The reason why they made this judgment was mainly because of Wang Anshi's reform, because they believed that Wang Anshi's reform was preparing for war against Xixia.
I have to admit that their judgment is actually very accurate.
The final result of Wang Anshi's reform was to send troops to Xixia, and nothing else. Otherwise, he would have no reason to think of so many ways to make money for the country. He is not a person who is greedy for enjoyment. If he makes so much money for the country, he cannot give it to officials.
Spend it well.
Wang Anshi was not that great yet.
Just to fight.
The Liao Kingdom saw this very accurately.
But the Liao people ignored one thing, which was the reform of the public security system and law.
It may not be that they ignore it, they may not understand this thing at all. If it is not just a law, what else can it be?
The Song Dynasty's strict judicial system did not pose any threat to the Liao Kingdom. In comparison, Wang Anshi's reforms could make them feel a real threat.
If you enrich the country and strengthen the army, I will definitely be the victim.
.....
Two days later, the delegations from both sides met Da Huangping again. Zhang Fei pretended to make a last-ditch effort to persuade them to accept the Song Dynasty's plan, but Xiao Su and the others were resolute and wanted to divide them by watersheds.
In the end, Zhang Fei did not agree to this division, but said that both parties would first send some professionals to conduct on-site inspections. Every inch of the land must be inspected to understand the intentions of both parties.
And this is only verbal. The two parties have not signed any agreement, nor have they promised anything verbally.
Xiao Su did not force Zhang Fei to sign any agreement, but he did mention that the status quo must be maintained before the dispute is resolved. The underlying meaning is that you cannot build more fortifications here.
This meaning is very obvious, it is to ensure that if the Liao Kingdom really wants to send troops from here in the future, it will not face too many fortifications.
It can be seen that what Lu Dazhong guessed was absolutely correct.
Zhang Fei verbally agreed, but the condition was that no more Liao people would cross the border, otherwise, they would still build fortifications.
Xiao Su readily agreed.
If I really want to send troops, if you try to repair it, it will be too late.