"How dare you sign such a humiliating peace treaty? With just a piece of paper, you can put an end to the war and enjoy eternal peace? The Northern Han Dynasty's intention to conquer the world is known to even the youngest children, but the princes of the Manchu Dynasty are not aware of it?
Just wait, in a few years, those who advocate peace today will regret it in the future! The money and food they paid as tribute will be used by the Han army to attack Guancheng and kill our soldiers and civilians!" Wang Zhaoyuan stepped out of the palace with a curse and a look on his face.
The room was full of anger, and it was rare for him to lose his composure.
The sky above the palace was a bit bleak, just like Wang Zhaoyuan's bad mood at this time, full of haze. He took a heavy breath and punched his fist: "Alas!"
"Prime Minister, be careful what you say!" the Privy Councilor who followed him reminded him.
"Since you have done it, are you still afraid of what others will say?" Wang Zhaoyuan replied angrily. At this time, Wang Zhaoyuan felt like "everyone is drunk and I am alone", and his heart was filled with a sense of powerlessness.
"Prime Minister Wang, your Majesty is hosting a banquet in honor of the Han envoys. Please come to the banquet!" A chamberlain quickly caught up with Wang Zhaoyuan and informed him.
Standing still, Wang Zhaoyuan turned his head and stared at the chamberlain, with a stiff expression on his face, and said: "Please reply to Your Majesty and say that I am feeling slightly unwell and need to return home to recuperate. It is not appropriate to participate in the state banquet. Please forgive me!"
After two days of negotiations, Han and Shu finally reached an agreement on peace. Moreover, after that night banquet at Prime Minister Li Hao's mansion, the attitude of the Han envoys also softened significantly and became more gentle, kind and reasonable.
In order to restore peace to the soldiers and civilians of the two countries and to build friendship forever, the two sides reached an alliance and stopped fighting to make peace. The specific terms were naturally changed on the basis of Zhao Pu's four articles.
First, the Shu Kingdom must lose its imperial title, be called the Lord of Shu, and become a vassal of the Han Dynasty.
Secondly, starting from the next year, the Shu Kingdom will pay tribute to the Han Dynasty every year, one thousand pieces of brocade, two thousand pieces of silk, one hundred thousand shi of rice, fifty thousand catties of wine, and one hundred thousand catties of tea.
Third, the Shu Kingdom reduced its garrison in Lizhou to no more than 5,000. In contrast, the Han garrison in Xingyuan Prefecture did not exceed 10,000.
Fourth, the two countries open border markets to each other to strengthen non-governmental trade exchanges.
Zhao Pu simply gave up on his claim to Shu territory, especially Lizhou and Jianmen. There was no need to talk about it. Originally, Meng Chang and his ministers wanted to spend more money to redeem Hanzhong, but Zhao Pu sternly refused.
He opened his mouth again and again, and the kings and ministers of Shu finally held their noses and admitted it. Of course, they probably also understood that it was delusional to try to regain the lost territory through negotiation.
As for Meng Chang's desire to retain the title of emperor and establish a fraternal alliance with the Han Dynasty, Zhao Pu refused to accept hard and soft policies. He decided to follow the example of Jinling, nominally a vassal, behind closed doors, and still be his emperor.
Zhao Pu also proposed that Meng Chang send his heirs to Kaifeng as hostages, but Meng Chang refused because they were still young and would not be able to stay away. However, he still agreed to go two years later, when King Meng Xuanzhe of Qin turned twenty years old.
Tokyo. Zhao Pu didn't take it seriously. This was just his improvisation. As for two years later, perhaps Meng Xuanzhe would not have to go as a hostage, but Meng Chang and his family would pack up and go to Tokyo together.
Meng Chang also proposed that he wanted to spend money to redeem the captured Shu army prisoners in order to allow them to return home and reunite with their families. In this regard, Zhao Pu did not even leave any room for negotiation. The number of prisoners was not large.
Young Master, the emperor has made arrangements. If he dares to make arbitrary decisions in this regard, he will probably be punished if he returns to Kaifeng. Zhao Pu knows this very well.
Generally speaking, the peace treaty between Han and Shu was much more tolerant than the original peace treaty between Han and Tang. It sucked the blood and marrow of the Southern Tang Dynasty. Although the Shu Kingdom lost Qin, Feng and Hanzhong, it was only broken.
There is only hope of going north. South of Hanzhong, there are still dangers in the mountains and rivers. As for the Southern Tang Dynasty, a big river stretches for two thousand miles, and the north of the river is lost. How can we talk about dangers?
Therefore, the monarchs and ministers of the Shu Kingdom were actually very satisfied with the peace agreement finally reached, and even felt that Zhao Putai was "kind". The only thing that was really more practical was the annual tribute, and those, for the Shu Kingdom
As far as I'm concerned, it's really nothing.
The only one who expressed dissatisfaction was Privy Councilor Wang Zhaoyuan. In his opinion, there was no need to ask for peace and pay such a high price. At present, the Han army could not defeat it. In the future, if the Han army was prepared, how could it care?
A peace treaty?
At the same time, a group of Shu generals guarding the pass in the north, led by Zhao Chongtao and Han Baozhen, also disagreed with the peace talks, but as defeated generals, they really had no say.
"He really said that!" Meng Chang was a little surprised to learn Wang Zhaoyuan's reply.
"Your Majesty, I don't dare to stir up trouble, it's all Prime Minister Wang Shu's words!" the chamberlain replied carefully.
Hearing this, Meng Chang's eyes slowly darkened and he murmured: "He is so arrogant and dares to touch my face? Has he forgotten who promoted him?"
"What else did he say?" Meng Chang asked again.
"Young man, I heard that..." Seeing Meng Chang's unkind expression, the servant did not dare to neglect him, and he couldn't wait to recount what he heard Wang Zhaoyuan said when he left the palace.
"Haha! He doesn't take me seriously, and he dares to criticize my national policy like this. Is he the only loyal minister in Shu? Since he took charge of military affairs, how many defeats have we had in Shu? How many soldiers and horses have been lost?
Money and food? If not, why do I need to lower my status and negotiate peace with the Northern Han Dynasty? He wants to be the Marquis of Zhuge and Wu, but I am not Liu Adou!" Meng Chang rambled coldly, full of heart-wrenching words, his tone never changed.
He was harsher than ever before, venting the resentment and dissatisfaction he had accumulated in his heart.
In fact, how could Meng Chang really believe that with a peace treaty, he could restrain the Northern Han Dynasty? How could he not be aware of the ambition of the Northern Han Dynasty to unify the world? The Later Tang Dynasty was strong, so the former Shu was destroyed, and now
The Northern Han Dynasty was more powerful, and its military fronts were directed towards the world. What would be the future of Shu after him?
After several years of fighting in Longyou and losing repeatedly, Meng Chang's ambition and confidence have been very frustrated. He is tired and tired. Now, he is more willing to spend some money and food to buy a new one than to continue to resist the strong man.
Peace. Even if it only delays the Northern Han Dynasty's deployment of troops, he can stay in seclusion and entertain himself.
In order to celebrate the conclusion of the peace agreement between the two countries, the Crystal Palace where the banquet was held was decorated with colorful satin hangings everywhere, and the palace maids came and served. The ministers of Shu were also immersed in the atmosphere of joy, exchanging cups and cups, and interacting enthusiastically, as the two countries reached an agreement.
The peace is celebrated with ecstasy.
Meng Chang changed his smile, feeling relieved and returned to his usual gentleness.
"Shilang Zhao, I... I'll give you a toast!" The corner of his mouth twitched. Meng Chang obviously couldn't change his twenty-year self-portrait, but he still said to Zhao Pu with a slight smile.
"Thank you so much, Lord!" Zhao Pu also completely lost the arrogance and arrogance he had when he first came, and became low-key and humble. He held the cup in both hands and said, "For the sake of the reconciliation between the two countries and the well-being of the people of Li, I drink first as a token of respect!
"
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Seeing that although Zhao Pu's face was full of alcohol, his eyes were always clear, Meng Chang couldn't help but feel that this person was not as greedy and disgusting as he had shown before.
Come to think of it, how could the Emperor of Han use a wine and rice bag? It's ridiculous that some Shu officials silently despised and criticized Zhao Pu.
After summoning their hands, several beautiful palace dancers entered the palace, and the band of musicians played music. The mesmerizing music kept hearing the music, and I was intoxicated at the same time. Of course, what was even more intoxicating was the beauty dancing.
The beauties in the Crystal Palace are all called stamens, and Concubine Xu Hui is the most mature and beautiful flower blooming among them. To celebrate, Concubine Hui went to the palace in person and led a dance. Her unparalleled appearance was truly amazing.
"General He, why don't you move the wine glass? Are you amazed by this luxurious and gorgeous crystal palace, or are you fascinated by the peerless beauties of Shu Palace?" Zhao Pu turned his head and looked at He Jiyun who was sitting at the table.
After hearing the question, He Jijun's square face turned slightly red, he picked up a wine glass and whispered: "The general just sighed with emotion. Meng Chang has a good reputation among the people of Shu and is known as a virtuous man. But he didn't expect that this
The palace is so luxurious and splendid. Although Shu is rich, if all the money is spent in these palaces, how can the country not be destroyed?"
"General, that's right!" Zhao Pu smiled faintly: "The Lord of Shu was still diligent and frugal in his early years, but he has fallen into depravity recently!"
"The glitz and glamor here is something you can't experience in Tokyo. Since the Lord of Shu warmly invites you, general, let go and enjoy yourself! Come, please!" Zhao Pu acted as if he was doing as the Romans do.
Although Zhao Pu did not come from a noble family, he was considered an official and married a wife from a wealthy family. He did not suffer too much and even lived a wealthy life.
After arriving in Chengdu, Zhao Puke's eyes were opened to the luxurious enjoyment and exquisite life of the monarchs and ministers of the Shu Kingdom. The monarchs and ministers of the Northern Han Dynasty in Tokyo were really incomparable...
However, wealth can move people and wine can intoxicate, but Zhao Pu did not indulge in it, and even silently praised the scene in the Shu court.