After some discussion, the matter of lobbying the Marquis of Jin was finally decided.
On the way back to Guanyi, Zichan and Li Ran coincidentally talked about Wu Ju, the envoy of Chu State.
"Wu Ju is said to be one of the top talents in Chu State. Now that this person has taken the lead, it is extremely disadvantageous for us. Is Ziming really sure of this lobbying of the Marquis of Jin?"
Just now, Li Ran told Zichan and Yangsheji not to worry about Wuju, but Zichan and Yangsheji also believed in Li Ran's ability, so they didn't ask any more questions.
But after all, this matter was very involved. If the Marquis of Jin could not be successfully persuaded to reject the Guo Di meeting, Zheng Guo's situation would become quite dangerous.
Moreover, Wu Ju had already met with the Marquis of Jin once, and he had obviously gained the upper hand. Therefore, Zichan still hoped that Li Ran could be absolutely sure, or at least be able to think more carefully about his words. If he could directly suppress him with his words,
Living in Wuju is the best option.
"Doctor, don't worry. After all, this matter is related to the face of the Jin people, and the face of the Jin people is the overlord of the world. Therefore, Chu State now wants to dominate the world with Jin State, no matter what the reason is
Considering the purpose, no matter which force it is from, as long as you are a Jin person who always cares about face, there is no reason to persuade the Marquis of Jin to send people to make an alliance. Therefore, this matter should not be difficult to say. "
Since Li Ran was in charge of strategizing, he naturally knew the ropes well.
The so-called overlord, in that era, was actually just a high-sounding title to a large extent. In fact, looking at the world, no one has ever had the opportunity and strength to sweep Liuhe and dominate the world. Just like Qi Huan and Jin Wen, that is at most
Just do it to the point of commanding the heroes.
Nowadays, the strength of Chu State is not even comparable to Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin. Even compared to King Zhuang and King Cheng back then, it is already much inferior.
Therefore, if the Jin State rejects the Chu State's request for an alliance, does not give the Chu State this face, and does not recognize that the Chu State has the strength to dominate the world with the Jin State, it would be too easy for the Jin State to reach an agreement on this point.
.
What's more, the Xia states have always disliked the Chu state, and the Chu people have always called themselves barbarians. The Jin state has always been the sufferer of the Chu state, and there are many things that don't give face to it, not just the immediate one.
This one?
"Furthermore, although the Marquis of Jin does not care about political affairs, everyone has heard what the Marquis of Jin said at the meeting in Pingqiu. The Marquis of Jin is by no means a cowardly, timid person, so how can he be?
Are you allowed to let the Chu State run wild like this?"
According to Li Ran's guess, when faced with Chu's request for an alliance this time, not only Yang Yangui and the Six Ministers would not agree, but the Marquis of Jin himself would definitely not agree either.
However, due to the fact that the Chu State was convening an alliance in Guo, it was at the door of one's home. If one really did not go, he would be afraid of making others laugh.
And this was what really made them hesitate, so they never gave Wu Ju a straight answer.
Of course, based on this, Li Ran had naturally prepared his words a long time ago.
Seeing that Li Ran was so ambitious, he knew that he had already prepared a plan in his mind. Zichan felt relieved.
…
It was night, and Yang Tongu was not idle. He quickly brought the news that Zichan and Li Ran had entered the Jin Dynasty and reported it to the Marquis of Jin.
Originally, tomorrow was the day when he would take Zichan and Li Ran to pay a visit to the Marquis of Jin, but he thought about it again in the evening and felt that he needed to inform the Marquis of Jin in advance about this matter, so that the Marquis of Jin could have a meeting tomorrow.
prepared.
"Your Majesty, now that the Chu barbarians want to ally with the princes in Guo, they are really trying to bully me, the Jin Dynasty. Why don't you reject it directly, so as not to have long nights and dreams?"
"I think if our country of Jin categorically rejects this matter, who among the other princes would dare to respond?"
After all, Jin is the world's recognized overlord. As long as Jin takes the lead in refusing to participate in the alliance, other vassal states in the hinterland of the Central Plains will most likely follow.
"Well, what you say makes sense. But..."
The Marquis of Jin is not stupid, and of course he knows the stakes of this matter. However, he is also afraid that he will leave a reputation for the Chu State to say that he, the Marquis of Jin, is a weak and incompetent person.
"By the way, your Majesty, Zheng Guo Zichan has arrived in the city now. Moreover, Zichan seems to be strongly opposed to this alliance! Why don't you ask him for advice?"
When the Marquis of Jin heard this, he couldn't help but be overjoyed.
"Oh? Zichan is here?!"
Where does this joy come from? Obviously, if Zheng can be used to refuse the Chu Alliance's request, wouldn't it be possible to protect the dignity of the Jin State for him?
Originally, there was only one opera singer missing, but now, the number of opera singers has just happened to be filled, and he himself is just as good as a donkey. So, how can this not be a good thing?
"Well, now that Zichan is here, this matter will be much easier to handle. Let's bring him to the court to discuss matters together tomorrow morning."
The Marquis of Jin did not hesitate to ask, so he readily agreed to the matter. Tomorrow, we will have to see how they perform.
"No! I understand."
Seeing that the Marquis of Jin had made up his mind, Yang Tonji was quite happy. He thought that if Li Ran and Zichan went to the palace tomorrow to discuss matters, then the matter would be finally settled.
No matter how eloquent Wu Ju was, I am afraid that when he met Li Ran of Zheng State this time, he would only return in vain.
…
The next day, at Lingtai Palace.
After Zhongjun Zuo Hanqi led all the civil and military personnel of the Jin State to meet with the monarch, the issue of court discussion was also put on the agenda.
So, under the leadership of the guards of the inner palace of Jin Dynasty, Li Ran climbed the stone steps of Lingtai Palace for the first time.
Although the majestic Lingtai Palace is not as good as the Forbidden City that Li Ran saw with his own eyes in the later era, the ability to build such a large-scale and magnificent palace complex with today's labor force and construction skills is enough to illustrate the strength of the Jin State at that time.
Not vulgar.
Even Li Ran couldn't help but sigh at the strength of Jin.
However, the current of history is always rolling forward. Those who sit back and enjoy the success without thinking about progress will be eliminated sooner or later. This is also the iron law of history.
"Meet the Marquis of Jin."
After entering the palace, Zichan and Li Ran kowtowed and saluted under the watchful eyes of a large number of civil and military officials from the Jin Kingdom.
The Marquis of Jin firmly sat in the chief position, and when he heard the sound, he only raised his hand to signal.
"Thank you two distinguished guests for coming all the way. It's really hard work."
"Come and sit down."
It was said that it was a place to sit, but it was actually a cushion so that Zichan and Li Ran could kneel and line up beside them.
The position where the waiter next to the Marquis of Jin fell after taking the mat was quite interesting.
According to ordinary principles, Zichan and Li Ran cannot be ranked in front of the officials of the State of Jin. After all, they are foreign ministers. How can they overshadow the guest?
However, at the signal of the Marquis of Jin, Zichan and Li Ran were placed at the front, that is, in the middle position between the Marquis of Jin and the central army Zuo Hanqi. They actually had the intention of leading the ministers.
Han Qi, Yang Yangui and others didn't have any objections, but other courtiers frowned and looked a little ugly for a moment.
The two envoys from the State of Zheng are not distinguished guests from the state. In terms of seniority, why can they sit in front of them?