Wen Yanbo was sitting on the couch drinking tea. He looked very comfortable, but the fatigue all over his body was clearly visible. He was obviously much older than when he entered Chang'an more than two years ago.
Power and responsibility always complement each other. Now that he is the minister Zuopu She, he has a heavy responsibility. He is always busy with government affairs and has endless people to meet.
He had moved out from his brother's house last year, and the front door of his new house immediately became busy with traffic. New friends, old friends, disciples and old officials came to visit in an endless stream. Naturally, most people could not see Wen Yanbo himself, but they could see his nephew.
Not bad either.
This is the moving part of power, with all the stars supporting the moon and giving orders.
Now sitting opposite Wen Yanbo is Gao Biaoren, the minister of Honglu Temple. Naturally, the conversation is not about personal friendship, but about serious state affairs.
The arrival of Turkic envoys is not a trivial matter. It is also such a sensitive season that important officials in the DPRK cannot ignore it.
Therefore, Wen Yanbo simply invited Gao Biaoren, the minister of Honglu Temple, to meet at his residence. Before the emperor summoned his ministers, he did his homework to avoid making mistakes when he asked questions.
I think Xiao Yu, Feng Deyi and others will be no exception.
Now is the time when the world is settling down, and government affairs are a bit more arduous than before, which makes Wen Yanbo feel a little breathless. But on the other hand, at this point in his life, it is a time of success.
Although he was tired, Wen Yanbo also enjoyed it.
"Although the Turkic Khan is the heroine, she should not be underestimated..." Wen Yanbo sighed with emotion, and then said: "The two times we sent people to Chang'an were at the time when the old and the new were changing. It can be seen that the timing was so precise.
The picture is not small.
Gao Siqing is responsible for receiving envoys, how can he gain anything?"
Gao Biaoren had already said that he came to see Wen Yanbo first, not Xiao Yu or Feng Deyi. In fact, he also meant to recommend his own political ideas.
Xiao Yu had relatives with the Turks, and Feng Deyi was more difficult to deal with, and as a servant, he often had to look at the emperor's eyes to act. They would definitely not be as fair as Wen Yanbo in how they treated the Turks.
Moreover, Wen Yanbo was an old man from Jinyang and had the emperor's trust. With Wen Yanbo's support, his suggestions would be more easily accepted by the emperor.
It can be seen that Gao Biaoren had high political ambitions and wanted to make achievements in the exchanges between the Turks and the Tang Dynasty. His goal was Changsun Sheng, Pei Ju and the like.
"The Turkic envoys are still mainly Ashina Peony. She is the daughter of Qimin Khan and has won the trust of the Turkic Khan. It is said that she has come south several times to discuss important matters with the Supreme Being.
This is my first time meeting her, so if there is anything I say that is wrong, please let me know."
Wen Yanbo smiled and said to himself that the Gao family had just been unlucky. It seemed to have a great impact on them, and they spoke so tactfully. Gao Shen and others were not like this in the past, they were very "straightforward" people.
"It's okay for Mr. Gao Si to speak frankly. His Majesty has always had his own opinions on these matters. What we have to do is actually simple. We just follow His Majesty's instructions and see if there are any flaws."
He was obviously aware of Gao Biaoren's intention, so he mentioned something in his words. Whether he heard it or not was up to Gao Biaoren.
As for Ashina Mudan, he had met her when he was in Jinyang and knew her origins and her status in the Turkic royal court. There was no need to say anything more.
Gao Biaoren nodded slightly and said: "I talked several times when receiving the envoys. From my point of view, the Turks and I have a sincere intention to make peace with each other, and there is nothing false about it.
I also heard from the envoy that Jieli Khan Ashina Qura was reprimanded by the Turkic Khan in the royal court in the winter, and he was ordered to go back to his tent to reflect. Whether it was true or false, he meant to give an explanation.
I also mentioned to her the news about Ashina, the Turkic Khan, but the envoy only mentioned it briefly, saying that he had not returned to his tent for many years and did not know his current situation. If this is true, the Turkic Khan repeatedly sent envoys to repair it, which is reasonable.
between."
Hearing this, Wen Yanbo was a little surprised. Is it so obvious? He couldn't help but think of the past when Ashina Mudan came south and asked Daizhou to send troops to help the Turkic Khan ascend the throne.
Could it be that he came here to ask for something again? Wen Yanbo thought uncertainly.
But he still asked, "You went to see the Supreme Being, what did the Supreme Being say?"
Gao Biaoren answered truthfully, "The Supreme Being was noncommittal. He probably wanted to make a decision after receiving the Turkic envoys, right?"
……………………
The two people gradually deepened their discussion and expressed their opinions on how to get along with the Turks. They were generally consistent. They both felt that they should accept the Turks' good intentions and agree to some of their conditions, so as not to disrupt the increasingly good exchanges between the two countries.
Of course, there are also inconsistencies. For example, Gao Biaoren felt that it would not matter even if he surrendered to the Turks, and he could not pay the annual tribute on the grounds that the world was newly settled and the country was weak, etc.
Wen Yanbo felt that with his supreme temperament, there was absolutely no room for discussion on this matter. He had followed Li Po for many years, how could he not know that the emperor had an irreversible hostility towards the Turks.
Being able to calmly make friends with the Turks is the limit, and be a vassal? He believed that the emperor did not have this option in his mind. Anyone who dared to propose it would be unlucky in the future.
For another example, Gao Biaoren vaguely stated that the emperor was receiving envoys in the palace and would not allow people to accompany him. He should advise the emperor and not make decisions based on personal likes and dislikes.
Wen Yanbo felt that what he said was reasonable. When he was in the north, the foundation was not yet completed. In order to avoid leaks and incur criticism from his subordinates or princes, it was okay to forget it.
Now that he is holding a great treasure and surrounded by talented people, the emperor's secret meetings with foreign envoys should not happen again. Maybe the emperor wants to make some promises in private?
Wen Yanbo shook his head. The emperor has never acted arbitrarily in major matters over the years. He should know the importance and would not do such stupid things...
If you make a promise privately, you cannot win people's trust at all, and the promise may be broken at any time, which is not a good thing for the two kings.
After sending Gao Biaoren away, Wen Yanbo thought about it and had a plan in mind.
Some of Gao Biaoren's words were due to the unknown emperor's temperament and need to be considered carefully. But in general, there is nothing wrong with him. He and Li Po feel similar. Gao Biaoren is more suitable to serve in Honglu Temple than Tang Jian.
Sir.
During the conversation, they reached an agreement. They all believed that the Tang Dynasty was in dire straits and needed to be revitalized, and that making good relations with the Turks was a top priority.
If it goes wrong, like in the early years of the founding of the Emperor, the Turks repeatedly invaded the border, and there is a chance of winning against them. But for the Tang Dynasty, once the battle is defeated, the Tang Dynasty cannot bear the consequences. Even if it wins, it will not be able to bear the consequences.
It is tantamount to losing both sides.
The war in the Central Plains has lasted for too long, and it has been too tragic. There is no need to be afraid of a collision with the Turks. And a comprehensive foreign war, regardless of victory or defeat, the result will not be very good...