Chapter 978 The Prime Minister deceived the Emperor
During the Xuanhe period, an inch of Beizhu was worth two to three million yuan in Bianjing City.
Liang Zimei spent 3 million yuan to buy a Northern Pearl and gave it to Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty, so that he could be promoted. After that, various transport envoys rushed to collect Northern Pearls and presented it to Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty.
As for the box of northern pearls that Zhang Xiaojie gave to himself, during the Xuanhe period, each pearl was said to cost thousands of guan at least, but now it is worth hundreds of guan.
This box contains 20,000 to 30,000 coins.
This meeting gift can be described as precious.
The Liao envoy saw that Zhang Yue's face was always calm and worried that the other party would not understand, so he explained to Zhang Yue specifically: "Northern pearls are produced in the branches of the Liaodong sea. Every year, when the moon is at its fullest on August 15th, this kind of northern pearls are produced."
When they start to mature, you can only catch clams and pearls in October. But in October, the sea has frozen several feet, so if you want to get the northern pearl, you have to cut through the ice and enter the water to get the clams, which really cost you a lot of life."
However, Zhang Yue still had no reaction.
When the Liao envoy saw this, he secretly exclaimed that he was stupid, as Zhang Yue was only one step away from being a powerful minister.
He has never seen any treasures, so this box of Northern Pearls may really be out of his sight.
The Liao envoy still didn't understand the officialdom of the Central Plains. Although Zhang Yue was a prime minister, he was not so pure that he looked down on this box of northern pearls.
He is an upright and honest official, and he is not indifferent to the fireworks of the world.
Five hundred guan, Zhong Tong Fan, three thousand guan, Zhimi Pavilion. This was the market price during the reign of Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty.
The Liao envoy was wondering what Zhang Yue was worried about. Then he thought about whether this person had a big appetite. Was the prime minister of the Song Dynasty so greedy?
Zhang Yue said: "If I accept this Northern Pearl, I'm afraid I will be accused of being a liaison with foreign countries."
The Liao envoy suddenly said after hearing this: "Don't worry, Mr. Zhang, our prime minister has always been tight-lipped. He knows the rules."
"Then I'll accept it."
If officials who hold power want to be successful, they must be careful about collecting any benefits and not just accept everyone's money.
However, the principle of doing things after receiving money is applicable everywhere.
The Liao envoy was relieved when he saw Zhang Yue accepting the money, and then said: "Ms. Zhang, our prime minister is a close friend of you. If I have something to say from my heart, I might as well say it directly. There will be no change on Yelvpo's side.
There is no room for it, because he has to answer to the Emperor of Daliao."
Zhang Yue said: "I understand that although our Song and Liao countries are brotherly states with equal etiquette, they have not been equal for so many years."
"In the past, during the diplomatic relations between Liao and Song Dynasty, whether it was your envoys from the Liao Kingdom to our Song Dynasty or the officials who accompanied my envoys, they had to show their indifference and take advantage of them regardless of words, etiquette and interests. The purpose was
Bullying the weak."
It was a basic operation for the envoys of the Song Dynasty to compete with the Liao State for gifts. When Zhang Yue's teacher Chen Xiang went on a mission to the Liao State, the Liao State prepared a small seat for him, that is, the treatment was changed from a top chair to a small stool with a back chair. Chen Xiang
Xiang was furious and returned to the Song Dynasty. As a result, Chen Xiang was demoted to Mingzhou.
Every time envoys from Song and Liao came and went, it was not uncommon for the Liao Kingdom to 'bully' the envoys from Song.
It's like being friends. Every time the girl goes on a date, the girl makes her boyfriend wait downstairs for an hour.
The principle is the same. In the relationship, correct your attitude. Don’t forget, who chased whom in the first place?
If Song and Liao want to reverse this relationship, just like one day their boyfriend no longer waits, then war or large-scale conflicts will inevitably occur.
The Liao envoy smiled awkwardly, but seeing Zhang Yue talking openly, he felt that communication was easier.
The Liao envoy said: "Ms. Zhang, that's what you said, but if our prime minister wants us to... build a plank road to cross Chencang secretly!"
The meaning of the Liao envoy was very clear. The terms were stated on the surface and could not be changed, but some benefits could be given privately.
Zhang Yue pretended to be surprised when he heard this: "I see, then this box of northern beads..."
The Liao envoy immediately said seriously: "I just said that this was a gift from our Prime Minister who admires Mr. Zhang, and is not among them."
Zhang Yue smiled and praised: "The Prime Minister is very considerate in his work. Come and have tea."
The Liao envoy also smiled.
The two picked up the tea soup and each took a sip.
Zhang Yue said: "Since the Prime Minister is so generous, I won't say anything. If the Prime Minister has anything to ask for, just say it directly. Zhang asked himself that it can still count if he talks in Hebei and Hedong."
The Liao envoy was overjoyed. Zhang Yue's attitude towards taking money to do things made him very satisfied.
The Liao envoy said: "Then let me get straight to the point. This time our Liao cavalry invaded the Song Dynasty, and more than a hundred of them stayed with you as guests. If possible, we hope that your husband can release them back to the country. It will be convenient for the Prime Minister
I can’t thank you enough…”
After a pause, Ambassador Liao said: "Of course, we can discuss whatever conditions Mr. Zhang has."
Zhang Yue asked: "Oh? I have heard about this, but are there any big names among them?"
The Liao envoy nodded and said: "There is indeed a close relative of the Prime Minister among them. Can Mr. Zhang show his respect?"
Zhang Yue said: "Oh? Who is it? I will take care of it for you."
The Liao envoy thought for a while and said, "Then it's not convenient for me to tell you."
Zhang Yue said with a smile: "If it's not convenient for you, then it's convenient for me. The prime minister is the son of King Lu, and he's asking me for help regarding Yelu Chun?"
The Liao envoy's expression changed after hearing this. He did not expect that Zhang Yue actually found out Yelu Chun's identity.
The Liao envoy immediately said solemnly: "Since Mr. Zhang knows Yelu Chun's identity, he also knows that he is important to my prime minister. My prime minister is the highest-ranking official in the Liao Kingdom among the Han people, and he has won the trust of your majesty. His majesty once praised the prime minister so much.
, it is said that the former emperor appointed Yelu Renxian and Yelu Hua Ge because they were virtuous and intelligent."
"I have Zhang Xiaojie and Yelu Yixin, but not Yelu Ren first and Yelu Hua Ge below."
"Xianggong Zhang, you know that my prime minister always sticks to his word in front of His Majesty. From now on, if Xianggong Zhang has any difficult matters in the Liao Kingdom, he can go to my prime minister and everything will be solved."
Zhang Yue heard this and asked, "Is it possible that the Prime Minister is very close to the King of Wei?"
The Liao envoy was unwilling to answer, but he still said: "Yes, the Prime Minister and the King of Wei are His Majesty's right-hand men."
"So the Prime Minister is not asking for Yelu Chun for himself this time, but for the King of Wei?"
The Liao envoy's expression of surprise flashed over when he heard this. He didn't know how Zhang Yue deduced this. After a few questions, he found out his details clearly.
Zhang Yue looked at the Liao envoy's expression and confirmed his judgment.
He said: "Yeluchun is a member of the royal family of the Liao Kingdom, and the prime minister is a Han. How can the two be related? Only the King of Wei wants to save Yelv Chun."
Zhang Yue actually knew from Yelu Chun how much Yelu Yixin valued him a few days ago, and this was confirmed now.
The Liao envoy thought that Zhang Yue had seen through everything and said: "Xianggong Zhang, let me tell the truth. The King of Wei and the Prime Minister are very concerned about the safety of Yelu Chun, and we also know that Xianggong Zhang also sticks to his word with the officials of the Song Dynasty.
.Our two prime ministers can ignore the emperor and agree on the terms themselves."
Zhang Yue laughed when he heard what he said. What the other party meant was that the prime ministers of the two families sat down and decided the real terms in private, and then made up the terms on the surface to fool the Liao and Song emperors.
Zhang Yue smiled and said, "Let me think about it."
The Liao envoy immediately stood up to leave, but Zhang Yue smiled and motioned for him to stay, then opened the box, took a handful of northern beads and placed them in his arms.
The Liao envoy was surprised and delighted and said: "Xianggong Zhang, this is..."
