Chapter 269 Duke Protector, go and negotiate peace!
At dusk, Xu Zhiqiong was sitting on the couch, and Tong Qingqiu handed him a bowl of soup.
Xu Zhiqiong smelled the medicine, frowned and said, "Can it work?"
"The spirit is powerful, and the medicine can be effective for up to two hours."
"Two hours is enough!"
Xu Zhiqiong drank the decoction and borrowed Tong Qingqiu's magic circle to reach the Yamen Gate.
He walked out of the Yamen, and now he crawled back to the Yamen. A group of lantern-carrying men were frightened and quickly helped Xu Zhiqiong into Mingdengxuan. Shi Xun even came to pay a visit: "Xu Qianhu, what are you doing?
What happened?"
Xu Zhiqiong shook his head repeatedly and said: "I am not familiar with the world and offended the master. I suffered a big loss this time."
Shi Xun sighed: "Zhiqiong, I'm not telling you that you shouldn't get such a high position at such a young age. You can get it if you get it. You don't know humility, you don't have awe, and you don't know how high the sky is.
Let’s not talk about it far, let’s talk about it. I am in charge of thousands of households in this yamen. When did you take me seriously? You are the one who brought the loss today. After this lesson, you will know what restraint is..."
Shi Xun finally found a point to vent, talking eloquently, spitting out flying stars, and kept talking.
Stop competing, it’s only two hours!
"Shi Qianhu, could you please ask someone to go to the Ministry of War to find the Minister of Sui and tell him that I have done everything he asked me to do."
Shi Xun was startled and said nothing more.
This guy is the nephew of the Minister of War, and the Minister of Sui is a popular person around the emperor. It is best not to ask too much about matters involving the Minister of Sui.
Shi Xun quickly found someone to deliver a letter to Sui Zhi. Sui Zhi hurried to Zhangdeng Yamen and saw Xu Zhiqiong lying dying on the bed. He sighed and said, "Zhiqiong, why don't you listen to me?"
Xu Zhiqiong waved his hand to signal the lantern holder to leave, and he and Sui Zhi were the only two people left in Mingdengxuan.
"Uncle, after listening to your words, I have sent a message to the prince to persuade him to cease the war, but the energy in my body is still dissipating. I really don't know the reason."
Sui Zhi said with a serious expression: "Zhiqiong, it's about life and death, you can't lie to me."
"I'm not telling lies! If you don't believe me, you can wait for news from the north. I'm afraid I won't be able to wait."
Sui Zhi nodded and said: "I trust you, I will go and ask the Duke to spare you this time for my sake. When you see the Duke again tonight, you must not lose your etiquette."
Sui Zhi left, and Xu Zhiqiong waited quietly on the couch. The water drops kept falling, and Xu Zhiqiong carefully calculated the time.
…
Outside the north gate, in a private house, Sui Zhi met Ren Songde.
Ren Songde prepared several dishes, opened a jar of Huangfeng wine, and invited Sui Zhi to drink a few glasses.
Huangfeng wine is called palace wine, which is a wine rewarded by the emperor. Ren Songde opened this jar of palace wine to show Sui Zhi his extraordinary status.
Sui Zhi praised: "The wine given to the palace by the emperor is truly a peerless wine!"
Ren Songde smiled and said: "When I was the chief minister of the cabinet in the past, the royal wine given by the Holy Emperor was no less than a hundred jars. To be honest, the Minister of Sui Dynasty, I am really tired of drinking this Huangfeng wine.
This wine has been sealed for ten years, just like Ren has been hidden in the snow for ten years, but when you drink it now, it has a different taste."
Sui Zhidao said: "Xu Zhiqiong has sent a letter to the north to persuade the prince to cease the war. However, there is not much energy left in his body and he is extremely weak."
Ren Songde smiled and said: "What's the use of sending a letter? I haven't received the news of the armistice in the north yet, and I'll wait until three or two days later."
Sui Zhidao: "If we wait another three or two days, Xu Zhiqiong will not only lose his cultivation, but he will also lose his life."
Ren Songde smiled contemptuously: "So what? It's just a little thief, why would it be a pity to die?"
Sui Zhi remained silent, and Ren Songde was surprised and said: "I heard that the relationship between the Sui Minister and this little thief was extraordinary. They often referred to each other as uncle and nephew. It seems that the Sui Minister really pities him!"
The Sui Shilang shook his head and said with a smile: "My lord, there is no need to test me. Xu Zhiqiong's father is my colleague, and I have always taken some care of him. However, he has repeatedly disobeyed and rebelled, and I have no idea how to avoid him. It's not a big deal."
What's the relationship?
I just think this person is still useful, so I came to remind the Duke that if the Duke wants to keep him alive, he can keep him. If he doesn’t want to keep him, just let him wait for death. Didn’t he say last night that he would hang his head?
Above the city gate?"
After saying that, Sui Zhi stood up to leave, and suddenly heard Ren Songde say: "Wait a moment, Mr. Sui."
He took out a pill from his arms and handed it to Sui Zhi: "As Shilang Sui said, this boy is indeed of some use. Give him this pill."
Sui Zhi took the elixir and asked, "Will Xu Zhiqiong be cured after taking this elixir?"
Ren Songde smiled and said: "I tell you to give it to him, just give it to him, why bother asking so many questions?"
Sui Zhi lowered his face and said, "If I don't ask you, how should I answer when Xu Zhiqiong asks me? If you don't want to tell me, just send the elixir yourself."
Ren Songde remained silent for a long time. How dare he speak so arrogantly for a mere third-rank minister.
I have not been used in the past ten years, but these birds have underestimated me!
Forget it, wait until I regain control of the court, and then we can slowly settle things with you.
Ren Songde squeezed out a smile and said: "Sir Sui, I have something important to do and I can't go there. Please tell the young man that taking this elixir will ensure that he has no worries for a while. If the prince refuses to cease the war, he will
Take care of your own affairs!"
Sui Zhi smiled, turned and left.
He said he had something important to do, but he clearly didn't dare to go.
He was worried that Xu Zhiqiong would call Liang Jixiong and Zhong Shen to ambush him, so that he would not even dare to return to the Duke's Palace.
…
When they arrived at Zhangdeng Yamen, Sui Zhi handed the elixir to Xu Zhiqiong.
Xu Zhiqiong took the elixir, and his painful expression was relieved a lot.
Sui Zhi warned: "My dear nephew, if the prince refuses to cease the war, I'm afraid your life will still be in danger. Please write more letters to persuade the prince to withdraw his troops as soon as possible."
Xu Zhiqiong did not speak, Sui Zhi frowned and said: "Xiannephew, what else do you have on your mind?"
Xu Zhiqiong remained silent. If Ren Songde suddenly appeared and used his skills again, Xu Zhiqiong would have agreed to something again.
Sui Zhi was very dissatisfied and said with a fierce look in his eyes: "My dear nephew, my uncle is doing this for your own good!"
The situation was a little tense, and suddenly someone outside the door said: "Sui Lang, when did you come? You didn't say you wanted to have a drink with me?"
Sui Zhi quickly stood up and said with a smile: "Commander Zhong, it's been a long time."
Zhong Shen smiled and said: "I heard that you were sick a few days ago and you were so sleepy that you recovered now?"
"I just caught a cold. I have already recovered. I was greedy for some free time, so I rested at home for a few more days."
Zhong Shen sighed: "What the Sui Minister said is that we rarely have leisure time. I heard that Zhi Qiong suddenly fell ill, so I came here to visit."
Sui Zhi looked at Xu Zhiqiong and said, "I was also thinking about my nephew, so I brought him some pills. After taking them, he seemed to be getting better."
Zhong Shen was surprised: "Such a good elixir, can you give Zhong a pill?"
Sui Zhi shook his head and said: "Unfortunately, the commander asked, there is only one pill and it has been given to my nephew."
Zhong Shen shrugged his eyebrows: "Then I can only blame Zhong for being unlucky."
After chatting for a few words, Sui Zhi took his leave.
Zhong Shen stepped forward and asked, "Zhi Qiong, what happened?"
Xu Zhiqiong said: "I was tricked by Ren Songde."
"Bitch thief!" Zhong Shen gritted his teeth, "You have done something to me. I must avenge you!"
"Commander, please calm down." Xu Zhiqiong sat up and said, "I'm fine."
Zhong Shen asked in surprise: "Shixun Shixun said that you couldn't even walk, yet you recovered so quickly? Is Sui Zhi's elixir really so effective?"
"Yes, it's a very effective elixir!" Xu Zhiqiong grasped the elixir in his sleeve.
The function of this thing should be similar to the lotus seeds of the copper lotus.
…
At noon the next day, the emperor received news from the northern border. The prince led his troops to retreat ten miles, and the difficulties in Qingge City were slightly relieved.
Emperor Zhaoxing was overjoyed and immediately summoned Ren Songde into the palace.
"Ren Aiqing, it's true that the sword is still young!"
Ren Songde lowered his head and said: "Although His Majesty has abandoned me, I dare not slack off in the slightest."
Emperor Zhaoxing frowned slightly, then smiled and said, "Does Ren Aiqing still hold grudges against me?"
Ren Songde hurriedly saluted and said: "I don't dare. I want to leave for the northern border now. Firstly, I want to see what the situation is in front of the battle. Secondly, I also want to contact the Lord of Qingge City first to discuss peace."
Emperor Zhaoxing nodded and said, "It's a long way to go, so I'll send Yin and Yang cultivators to accompany you."
Ren Songde shook his head and said: "Your Majesty, there is no need to worry. I have my own means. However, I have some concerns, and I need your Majesty to make it clear."
"My dear, please speak."
"The prince has been victorious in successive battles, and his arrogance is at its peak. If his edge is not dampened, it may be difficult to achieve peace. I would like to help Tunu defeat him in a few battles, and please forgive me for my sins."
Emperor Zhaoxing smiled and said: "Ai Qing, just let go and do whatever you want. There is no need to worry about this matter."
Ren Songde added: "When the two armies fight, it is inevitable that there will be casualties."
Emperor Zhaoxing said: "The army of traitors will die if they die!"
"His Royal Highness is in the army and will inevitably be implicated. If something goes wrong..."
Emperor Zhaoxing said with a calm expression: "But for the great promotion of the country, Yuyang died in front of the battle, and he was considered a well-deserved death!"
Ren Songde leaned down and bowed again: "Your Majesty has said this, and I will no longer have any worries."
…
That night, Ren Songde came to Qingge City, entered the city tower, and met Mu Shujian, the lord of Baiyuan Province and the lord of Qingge City. Mu Shujian and Ren Songde were old acquaintances. When they signed the "Yunwo Peace Letter", Mu Shujian
Was also present.
When old friends reunited, I thought Uncle Mu Jian would welcome him warmly, but I didn't expect him to be extremely indifferent to Ren Songde.
"Duke Protector, are you here to persuade me to surrender?" Mu Shujian lowered his eyes and looked at Ren Songde, "If you are here to persuade me to surrender, you should get out of here as soon as possible. I have soldiers and food, and I will never bow to your dog!"
The soldiers in the city tower shouted "Xuan Dog" from left to right, then "Xuan Dog" again, and kept barking and scolding.
Ren Songde was not angry, and always had a humble smile on his face: "Great feudal lord, please be patient. I am here to discuss peace with the great feudal lord."
"Negotiating a peace?" Mu Shujian sneered, "Do you think I'm so easy to deceive? You Xuan people took advantage of us on the battlefield, but now you are willing to negotiate a peace with us?"
Ren Songde smiled and said: "The fierce battle ten years ago was finally at the hands of Ren. Can the lord of the vassal still not trust me?"
Yes, that’s right!
Ten years ago, Daxuan also had the upper hand, and with Ren Songde's mediation, Tunu took advantage of it.
This person may really be here to negotiate peace!
Mu Shujian's attitude changed. He first asked Ren Songde to sit down, and then asked: "If you really come to negotiate peace, I wonder if the Lord Protector can show some sincerity?"
Ren Songde smiled and said: "How long has it been since the Xuan army attacked the city?"
Uncle Mu simply said: "It's been two days."
Ren Songde said: "Why don't the great feudal lord lead his troops to rob the camp overnight and see if the Xuan army dares to send troops?"
Mu Shujian waved his hands repeatedly and said: "This is your Xuan army's trick to lure troops. I have been a soldier all my life. How could I not know this trick?"
Ren Songde said: "If the lord of the vassal can't trust me, he can send a group of soldiers to test it and see if the Xuan army has the ability to fight back. If he wins this battle, it shows Ren's sincerity. If he loses this battle, he is willing to accept the lord's offer."