In the banquet hall, a long table covered with giant snake skin was filled with delicacies.
The table has been widened and lengthened, and can seat more than eighty people.
Zhang Yi sat at the top of the table in the middle, General Wang sat in the VIP seat on the right, Xiaolong, Niu Ben and Song Laohei sat on the left, and the village leaders lined up on both sides.
The ten entourage brought by General Wang, including the mysterious middle-aged man, were placed at the other end of the long table. They had to be treated politely so as not to meet again in the future. The gentleman complained that they were not even provided with a good meal.
The banquet was extremely sumptuous, bringing together specialties from the east, west, north and south, showing the wealth of Mopan City and astonishing General Wang and others.
Zhang Yi raised a toast and delivered a passionate New Year's greeting to express respect for the distinguished guests from the Kingdom of China. Both the guests and the host were happy. Zhang Yi noticed that even the middle-aged man smiled.
After three rounds of drinking, the atmosphere became more and more lively. People were chatting and laughing, and the banquet hall was buzzing with excitement. Zhang Yi and Xiaolong even walked over to toast the ten entourages and asked their names in a friendly manner. The middle-aged man People say his surname is Wu, Wu Feng, and not much else is said.
During the banquet, Anu and Yue Ya'er organized girls from the song and dance troupe to perform, mainly in ancient style. The girls wore gorgeous ancient dresses and danced to the accompaniment of pipa, guzheng and flute, which was stunning. Awesome.
"General Zhang, I really didn't expect that the level of luxury in Mopan City exceeds that of Chang'an City. Even the king's palace does not have such luxury. General Zhang is really blessed with so many beautiful concubines." General Wang shouted. After sixty minutes of drunkenness, he sighed.
Zhang Yi almost fainted. This misunderstanding was too big. He hurriedly explained that everyone is usually frugal, but during the Chinese New Year, they were entertaining distinguished guests, so they were extravagant. The girls in the song and dance troupe usually have jobs, and Zhang Yi even Don't even recognize them.
"Hahaha, I understand, I understand." General Wang refused to believe it, thinking that Zhang Yi was trying to deceive others. He had already seen that Zhang Yi was the local emperor of Mopan City, and everyone worshiped him to the point of obeying orders.
Zhang Yi asked, dumbfounded: "General Wang, is your King Liu Kai very frugal?"
"Yes, yes," General Wang nodded repeatedly and sighed, "our king is very frugal, and the clothes he wears are all covered with patches. Your king is diligent and loves the people, and he is most unaccustomed to corrupt officials."
Zhang Yi was speechless, didn't General Wang slap him in the face?
This is strange, Liu Kai is so frugal, why are his officials more greedy than the others, especially a big official like General Wang?
It shows that there are big problems in their system. Liu Kai seems to be unable to control his officials. The kingdom is in danger.
It is understandable that Liu Kai remained frugal. The first generation kings who conquered the country were all like this and knew the hardships of starting a business. Liu Kai was not corrupt. Zhang Yi admired him, but he also saw that Liu Kai was an ambitious person. people who have not given up the goal of unifying China by force.
Zhang Yi thought about it and said frankly.
"General Wang, to be honest, your king is very generous and thinks highly of us, giving generous salaries to high-ranking officials. However, we must remain independent in order to maintain the peace and stability of China. You think, once we accept the reward from the king, that means Old China directly borders Greater China, and Greater China has long wanted to send troops to attack Old China. The Mopan City area is bound to become a bloody battleground. Our industrial and commercial achievements will be destroyed, and the people will lose their foothold."
General Wang was startled when he heard this. He couldn't help but turn his head and glance at Wu Feng at the other end of the long table. He was silent and didn't move his chopsticks very much. In the noisy atmosphere, even though he was more than ten meters away, he listened to Zhang Yi's words.
Less than.
"Brother Zhang, you have to think carefully!" General Wang said earnestly, "Your Majesty is really determined to solve China's problems this time. He is not afraid of going to war with Greater China. It is inconvenient for me to tell you more about the situation. I will tell you the truth.
,
Even I was surprised by the large reward the king gave you. It must be because you got rid of General Cao that he valued you very much. Brother Zhang, don't worry, your king is famous all over the world and he keeps his word, and he has no intention of harming your interests.
"
Zhang Yi was shocked, bad, it seems that the Kingdom of China has solved the problem of the northern border and is preparing to gather its army to march eastward. Once the Mopan City area is occupied, Liu Kai will be able to take the strategic initiative and launch a condescending attack on Greater China and even Little China.
offensive.
The storm was coming, and Zhang Yi smelled the smell of blood.
He suddenly felt filled with grief and anger. China had become a wasteland, and the people had just eaten and lived a decent life. Why did those kings and leaders still think about conquering each other with force, even at the cost of ruining all living beings?
"Brother Zhang has nothing to worry about," General Wang advised. "If you don't want to participate in the war, the king will never force you. You can take your people to Chang'an to enjoy a peaceful life. The king will give you thousands of acres of fertile land to protect your children and grandchildren."
Sun Ping An is rich and noble."
Okay, Zhang Yi has even thought of the way out.
But Zhang Yi is a person who covets wealth and honor.
He said resolutely.
"General Wang, I promised the people in the Mopan City area that I would never let any force set foot here. We must maintain our independent status. I want to be an envoy of peace between the three countries, facilitate friendly talks between the three countries, and bring benefits to the Chinese people.
For the sake of China, we should embark on a development path of coexistence and common prosperity.”
General Wang was so shocked that he couldn't speak. He opened his mouth wide and stared at Zhang Yi, as if he had never known him.
He did not have the concept of peaceful development in his mind, so he could not understand Zhang Yi's painstaking efforts. Instead, he felt that he was too idealistic and naive.
"Do you mean to refuse the reward from the king?" General Wang asked after a long time.
"That's what I mean." Zhang Yi answered clearly.
"If you don't ask, what do your brothers think?" General Wang refused to give up.
But they saw Xiaolong, Niu Ben, Song Laohei and others on the opposite side smiling and nodding.
Zhang Yi’s team has already unified their ideas.
"Your Majesty will be very disappointed, and so will I." General Wang sighed, "Then we have no choice but to say goodbye."
Seeing that he was about to get up, Zhang Yi advised him.
"General Wang, I hope you can think about it calmly, put down your swords and make friends. In the next two days, senior officials from Greater China and Little China will come to Mopan City. I hope General Wang can participate in the tripartite talks. There is a conclusion.
You might as well go back and give the king an answer."
"What, people from both countries are here?"
General Wang was shocked. Ever since he came to Mopan City, he has been constantly shocked.
"Yes, this is a good opportunity for contact between the three countries. I hope General Wang will not miss it." Zhang Yi said.
"Hehehe, hehehe, I won't miss it. I would like to see who is coming." General Wang sneered.