The ceremony held by the Tang State to welcome the Khitan envoys was very grand. The Khitan State and the Tang State had always had business contacts by sea. This time, Li Yu warmly invited the Khitan envoys to visit. It can be said that he took great pains. He proclaimed himself a minister to the Song Dynasty, and the Song State could not find him in terms of his title.
On the other hand, he had an excuse to attack the Tang Dynasty, and on the other hand, he had high-profile interactions with the powerful Khitan. This move could be regarded as a hidden secret. Now that the Khitan envoys had arrived, he naturally wanted to make a big show of it and build momentum.
Yang Hao didn't pay much attention to the Khitan envoys, but Jiao Haitao became nervous. He sent several people in succession to collect all the details of the Khitan envoys' visit, and complained angrily in front of Yang Hao: "Sir, the Tang State has already asked me
Those who are called vassals of the Song State are our vassals of the Song State. Now, without the permission of the Song State, they are secretly befriending the Khitan. What is the reason? This is unreasonable!"
"How's it going? Well, when Miss Mo leaves the palace, tell me right away. Go ahead and keep staring at her." Yang Hao waved a guard away, turned around and said lazily: "Khitan and I are big friends.
The Song Dynasty has established diplomatic relations and is not an enemy of the Song Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty has nothing to blame for its friendship with the Song Dynasty, right? The Tang Dynasty is just a vassal state of the Song Dynasty, so it still has the right of independence, right?"
Jiao Haitao was angrily silent. After a while, he got some news. Jiao Haitao came to Yang Hao again with a loud voice: "Sir, the Khitan envoy came to visit. The welcome ceremony put up by the Tang State was 360 people, a total of 360 people."
Sir, sir, when we came, there were only one hundred and eighty people. How could we favor one and favor others? The Tang State is a vassal of the Song State, so this is not reasonable, right?"
"So what if he's just 3,600 people? I don't care about that."
Jiao Haitao became anxious: "Sir, this is not a matter of courtesy to us personally. Your Excellency, you are here with a chariot and a chariot, representing the Emperor of the Song Dynasty. In terms of etiquette and regulations, we have lost to the Khitan people. It is our Song Dynasty that is embarrassed."
"Then what do you think we should do? Let Li Yu apologize, and then we go out of the city and send a guard of honor of 360 people to bring us back again? Isn't that a monkey trick? Jiao Sicheng, calm down, I think... someone
I just hope that we will be shocked and upset."
"This is!"
It was noon. Yang Hao had had lunch and had just made a pot of tea. Jiao Haitao came again angrily: "My lord, this is unbearable! The Khitan envoys contributed lamb wine and mink fur and brocade coats to the king.
, the king only gave him gold, pearls and jade, but he also gave him a gold seal and purple ribbon. He is no longer the emperor, does the king also have the right to grant him a gold seal and purple ribbon?"
Yang Hao rolled his eyes and said: "Who doesn't know my official stick? How do I know if he has this power? Do you think he has it or not?"
"Uh, this... I don't remember that there is such a precedent. I will go and check the ancient etiquette and laws carefully. If it is inconsistent with reason, we can make a big fuss based on this, denounce Li Yu, and solemnly protest."
Yang Hao listened to everything and didn't take it seriously, but Jiao Haitao walked around like Gui Cheng, always paying attention to the movements in the palace.
"Your Excellency," Jiao Haitao ran over again: "Sir, the state banquet is over, the Khitan envoy has come to the Concierge Courtyard, hey! The Lord of Jiangnan actually sent it outside the Meridian Gate in person, Your Excellency, you represent me
The Emperor of the Song Dynasty has not received such courtesy when he comes. The move of the Lord of Jiangnan is simply... simply..., this is too inappropriate..."
Yang Hao sighed and said: "Jiao Sicheng, look at how sweaty you are, come on, sit down and have a cup of tea."
"Thank you, sir, I'm not thirsty. Do the people of Tang Dynasty think that by promoting the Khitans, they can intimidate us Song people? Huh! It's a wishful thinking. I'll take a look at it again." Jiao Haitao walked away quickly, and Yang Hao couldn't help but look at his back.
He couldn't help but laugh: "This Jiao Sicheng is really cute with his scholarly look, but he also has a bit of the spirit of arguing with reason, hmm... not bad..."
A guard walked over softly and whispered in Yang Hao's ear: "Sir, my subordinates were ordered to keep an eye on Miss Mo. When she saw that she had not come out for a long time after entering the palace, he changed into casual clothes and approached her, and asked her driver to tell her
It’s a cliche, saying that Miss Mo won’t be out until late at night.”
"Oh?" Yang Hao rolled his eyes: "Has she intentionally avoided me for so long...? Humph! Getting rid of me so easily? I'll go take a nap first, and I'll have enough energy to continue spending time with you in the evening!"
Just as Yang Hao stood up, Jiao Haitao ran back with a red face and thick neck: "Sir, do you know who personally sent the Khitan envoy to the Concierge Courtyard?"
Yang Hao glanced at him and said: "It should be Lord Ye Yuye. Isn't he Da Honglu? It is his duty to receive foreign envoys."
"Hey!"
Jiao Haitao stamped his feet vigorously and said angrily: "Of course Ye Yu is coming, but there is also an official accompanying him personally. That person is the chief minister of the Tang Dynasty, the Privy Councilor Chen Qiao. He is now the prime minister of the Tang Dynasty. Sir, please check in.
Why didn't he come with him personally when we visited the embassy? This is contempt and humiliation for our country, Song Dynasty. Your Excellency should immediately enter the palace and express strong protest to the Lord of Jiangnan!"
Yang Hao yawned, spit out a piece of tea, and said calmly: "Is there anything else? If there is nothing else, I will go and take a nap first. People say that spring is sleepy and autumn is tired, and it is true. Although winter has entered Jiangnan, it is still
It’s the feeling of late autumn,
It's easy to get tired. Master Jiao, if you have nothing to do, go to sleep and recuperate your energy. Go to more places and try your best to find out and map out some important roads, rivers, cities, garrisons, etc. in the south of the Yangtze River. This is the right thing to do.
"
Yang Hao stretched himself out and went to Shi Shiran. Jiao Haitao looked at his back in shock for a while.
Yang Hao lay down for two sticks of incense, and just as he fell into a deep sleep, Jiao Haitao came running over again as if his butt was on fire: "Sir, sir..."
Yang Hao turned over and sat up, smiled bitterly and said: "Jiao Sicheng, have you heard any unbearable news again?"
Jiao Haitao said angrily: "I didn't get the news from you, I saw it with my own eyes. As soon as the Khitan envoys settled in Guanyi, they felt that the house was in a remote location and the courtyard was not as elegant as where we lived, so their warriors arbitrarily ordered us to
They moved out to make room for them, and Commander Zhang argued with them, but they actually started beating people, injuring several of our soldiers."
Yang Hao was stunned, and anger showed in his eyes: "We guards are all superior imperial guards. In terms of martial arts, we are not inferior to the Khitan warriors. How can we let them bully us?"
Jiao Haitao said: "Your Majesty, you don't know. They are sincerely causing trouble. Commander Zhang heard that there was a dispute between the sergeants of the other party, so he hurriedly led people to mediate. He never thought of fighting with the other party, and he didn't even bring a weapon, but the other party
You are all equipped with weapons, how can you not suffer a loss? Minister of Honglu Temple
Ye Yu was also present, but he could not stop those arrogant Khitan warriors. Sir, when we are on an envoy to the Tang State, we should be treated as honored guests. The Tang State has the responsibility of welcoming, entertaining, and protecting us. Now that this incident has occurred, the Tang State is in trouble.
To abdicate the blame, you should lodge a solemn protest with the State of Tang..."
"Protesting is nothing, Mr. Jiao, can you say something else?"
Yang Hao started swearing. He grabbed his clothes and hurriedly put them on while teaching him a lesson: "Most of the protesters are in humble positions, otherwise why protest? There is no point in protesting. Whatever they did, we will do it."
, won’t it end if we beat his gray grandson back?”
"Ah? Do you want... do you want to take action?"
Jiao Haitao stammered. He didn't expect that Yang Hao, who had always had a good temper and was so good-tempered that he was almost cowardly, would become more violent than him. He said in a daze: "This... I'm afraid this is inappropriate. We are foreign envoys and are now in the Tang Dynasty.
Being a guest, what can I do?
For what reason should the master come forward? If we fight with the Khitan envoys in the hotel, wouldn't we be as ignorant of etiquette and domineering and barbaric as the Khitan people? As a result, the Tang Dynasty has lost its face, and if the Jiangnan king pursues the case, we will be in the wrong."
"What a waste!"
Yang Hao put on his boots, stood up and took off the Qingshuang Sword given to him by Zhe Ziyu from the wall. He pressed the sword spring and the half-foot-long gleaming blade popped out with a "choking" sound. He looked at the blade and saw
With a "Chu" sound, he returned the sword to its sheath and hung it on his belt. He tightened his wrists and belt while saying: "
During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, General Li Guangli was killed in the Battle of Dayuan until he was bleeding and his body was scattered thousands of miles away. Wasn't that on the territory of another country? According to you, it was a mistake, so what if it was a mistake? After the victory in that battle,
What did the kings of the Western Regions look like when they saw them? All of them were yellow.
The road was paved with earth, and the streets were splashed with clean water. They were respectful and worshiped like gods, lest the angels of the kingdom would be dissatisfied. When Li Guangli led his troops, the kings of all the countries personally welcomed him out of the city for dozens of miles. When they returned, their kings
He personally accompanied him with rare treasures and came back to meet the Emperor of Central Plains.
What will happen later when the Han Empire is no longer as powerful as it once was? When King Kangju received envoys from other countries, he ranked the envoys of the Han Dynasty after the envoys of the small Wusun Kingdom. King Jibin became even more arrogant and would kill Chijie if he disagreed.
Messenger, as a result, the Han Dynasty could not hold back its anger.
Even sending several envoys to die, why are you so respectful in front and so arrogant in the back? It’s just about strength. You are polite and you expect others to respect you? Then you have to go to a country of gentlemen, but some people are tight-skinned and cheap-boned, and can only recognize you.
Fist, if you don’t know etiquette, leave!”
After Yang Hao said that, he walked out in a hurry. Jiao Haitao was stunned for a long time and stamped his feet hurriedly: "If I had known that you have such a donkey temper, I wouldn't have told him. Now the matter will be big, but Qian Qian
Just don’t let the trouble get out of hand..."
"My condor should have flown to Beijing by now, right?"
Yeluwen looked at the blue sky in the distance and thought for a moment. The wine from Jiangnan was soft and soft. Although he drank freely at the table, it only added two blushes to his face, and there was no obvious change.
Ding Chengye walked up to him and said: "Yes, with the flying speed of 'Harigai', it should have reached Shangjing by now. Alas, the adults are not in Shangjing to take charge of the overall situation in person. The younger one still feels a little guilty, and he doesn't know what to do."
What will happen next time?"
Yeluwen smiled slightly and said: "When I go to Beijing, they will always be on guard. Not only me, but also my tribal army will be under the close surveillance of Xiao Chuo at all times. No one will think that I
When you are far away in the south of the Yangtze River, you will launch an attack. Only by surprise can you have miraculous results."
He stroked his beard and said with contentment: "You Han people's military manual says, show what you can't do, and show what you can't use. This is the principle. When I left Shangjing, Xiao Chuo thought he had a plan, so they would relax their vigilance against me.
By chance, this is better than what I had in person in Shangjing
It is easier to succeed if you control the tribal army. She would never have thought that my father, who has always been 'frail and sickly', had quietly left the tribal territory at this time and sneaked to Shangjing to control my tribal army. Haha... I just don't know... when will my father launch his attack?
Woolen cloth……"
Ding Chengye comforted him: "My lord, don't worry too much. The old prince has spent his whole life in the army and has unparalleled rich experience in battle. He will definitely choose the most appropriate opportunity to strike a fatal blow."
At this time, a guard hurried in and reported: "Sir, the Song people refused to move out, and they had a verbal argument with our people, and the two sides started fighting."
Yelvwen's eyes widened and he asked, "Have our people ever suffered a loss?"
The guard chuckled and said: "Don't worry, sir. As ordered by your Majesty, our people went prepared and carried weapons with them. We injured several of them, but our people were unscathed, but they suffered a loss.
The soldiers arriving one after another have brought their spears and spears, and they are probably going to fight."
Yeluwen chuckled and said, "How dare they? They are asking him to bring troops. Come on, I'll go take a look."
Ding Chengye hurriedly advised: "Sir, there is still no definite news from Shangjing, so don't cause more trouble with them..."
Yeluwen smiled knowingly and said: "Of course I won't kill that Yang Hao now, I just want to give him a blow."
Ding Chengye was stunned, and his face suddenly turned pale: "Yang...Yang Hao? Who is Yang Hao?"
Yelvwen said: "The envoy from the Song Dynasty will be called Yang Hao. I heard that this person fought against Yelvxiuge in the northwest. He must be a man of both civil and military skills. I will go meet him later." Yelvwen grabbed the sword and walked out.
, Ding Chengye stood there in a daze.
"Yang Hao, could it be that Yang Hao?" Ding Chengye thought of the enemy who caused him to end up like this. He couldn't help but feel angry and evil. He grabbed a leather hat and put it on his head.
He pressed down and followed him out.
Ye Yu stood between the two aggressive groups of soldiers, bowed and said: "Everyone, everyone, you are all guests from afar. You are all honored guests of our Tang Dynasty. If you have anything to discuss, why bother to hurt each other's harmony over some trivial matter?"
Woolen cloth?"
Zhang Tongzhou shouted: "I, Mr. Zhang, am a well-known man. Now I have injured several brothers. You asked me to settle the matter. The man named Zhang is not that cowardly. Mr. Ye, please get out of the way. Today, I, Zhang Tongzhou, will definitely
We must demand justice from these Khitans."
Standing next to Zhang Tongzhou were some imperial guards, some of whom were still disheveled. They had obviously come in a hurry after hearing the news. Behind him were some soldiers with swords and spears. Because they arrived late, they had already suffered a loss, and the commander was fighting with the other party.
They were negotiating, so they did not rush forward. However, the big Khitan men opposite, wearing leather robes with round collars and long leather boots, and with braided hair, were all wearing weapons, and they looked at each and every one of them. They were obviously prepared.
Come.
After listening to Zhang Tongzhou's words, they laughed and taunted: "You Song people can only talk nonsense. If you have any real skills, just show them. We Khitan people admire real men and heroes. If you have the ability, kill me."
I can only give you a thumbs-up and say you are a good man! If you don’t have this ability, just pack up and leave as soon as possible and make room for us. We will live in this courtyard."
The more the two sides talked, the more angry they became, and they both rushed forward. Ye Yu bowed with a sad face, and even tried to persuade himself: "Can't you just listen to me calmly? Who can go and invite envoys Yelu and Yang Zuo? I am
I really can’t hold it back anymore.”
Ye Yu suddenly raised his head and saw Yang Hao and Jiao Haitao coming. Ye Yu was overjoyed and couldn't help complaining: "Jiao Si Cheng came just in time. Please restrain your subordinates. Confucius said that the purpose of etiquette is to use harmony. The way of the former kings, this is
It’s for the sake of beauty. It’s outrageous to be so noisy and treat our country of Tang as if it were nothing.”
Prime Minister Jiao Si originally wanted to come forward to persuade Yang Haoda to make peace, but he was very unhappy when he heard this. He couldn't help but hold his neck and retort: "How can Ye Hongxu take the words out of context? The Master said: 'The purpose of etiquette is that harmony is the most precious thing.
The Way of the First Kings,
This is beautiful.' There is also a saying, 'You can't do it if you don't do it. It's impossible to be harmonious without etiquette.' Now the Khitan people are disrespectful first, and Ye Honglu can't control them.
Are you accusing me, a Song Dynasty, of being rude?"
The warriors on both sides were at war with each other, but the two literati squeezed in the middle started to debate each other, quoting scriptures and talking about doctrines. Not only did the warriors on both sides not understand, but even Yang Hao didn't understand. It turned out that Ye Yu
This is a quote from Confucius, who talks about the application of etiquette and the importance of harmony.
, this is the principle pursued by various countries since ancient times. The people of the Song Dynasty intensified conflicts, which was disrespectful to etiquette. Jiao Sicheng rebutted him, saying that although Confucius said that harmony is the most beautiful thing in all things, Confucius also said that if no matter how big or small, everything will be peaceful.
To make peace for the sake of peace without restraint by laws and regulations is to lose the principle."
The two poor scholars were pushed around by the warriors on both sides, like weeds in the sea, but they still insisted on defending themselves for the sake of the road. Yang Hao became impatient, strode forward, and shouted in a deep voice: "Confucius will solve this matter."
If it doesn’t work, let me solve it!”
When the soldiers of the Song Army heard the sound, Huo Di moved to the left and right. Yang Hao, like Moses parting the sea, held his sword and stepped forward step by step between the two human walls.
"My lord, we have our reasons first. We must not hurt others with our hands and leave others with excuses. Sir, we might as well go to the palace to express our gratitude to..."
"Come here, Mr. Jiao Si Cheng is tired. Help him go down and have a rest!"
"Follow your orders!" Two tall, eight-foot-tall Forbidden Army men rushed up, grabbed Jiao Sicheng in the middle, and dragged him down.
Ye Yu's face turned pale and he said: "Yang... How does Yang Zuoshi plan to resolve the dispute?"
Yang Hao's face darkened and he said solemnly: "Use the sword in my hand!"
Ye Yu became anxious as soon as he heard this: "Young Master Yang must not do it. If you guys start a fight and things get serious, how will it end? I'll be lowered..."
"Come here, Master Ye is tired. Help him go down and have a rest."
This time it was not Yang Hao who spoke, but one of the Khitan generals. He imitated Yang Hao with a smile. At that moment, two Khitan warriors came up with a smile and picked up Ye Yu like a chicken.
and put him aside.
"You can't use force, you can't kill!" Ye Yu and Jiao Haitao were being held hostage, stretching their necks and shouting.
Yang Hao glanced at the tall Khitan general, who was standing there firmly like a mountain standing still in the abyss. His steps were steady and his momentum was as strong as a mountain. His big hand was holding a huge curved horse tightly, and the brass of the scimitar was swallowed.
Shining brightly, he had been touched by his thumb countless times. He squinted his eyes and said in a deep voice: "I am Li Kai, the commander of the Khitan tribe army. Who are you?"
Yang Hao's eyes narrowed slightly: "I, Yang Hao, the young minister of Honglu Temple in Song Dynasty, are you the one who led others to harm me?"
With a "hurrah", all the Khitan and Song soldiers dispersed and formed a circle with a radius of several feet. There was a civil official, a general, a sword, and a horizontal sword. The two eyes collided like swords.