About half an hour later, Zhao Hongrun, accompanied by Du You, the Minister of Rites, met with the Korean envoy in the side hall of Chui Gong Hall.
The Korean envoys who visited Wei this time were called "Han Chao" as the chief envoy and "Zhao Zhuo" as the deputy envoy. They were the two people who were sent to the Wei army by Lihou Hanwu to ask for an audience with Zhao Hongrun during the "Third Battle of Northern Xinjiang between Wei and Han". Personally, Han Chao even fell into the hands of the Wei army for a time when Zhao Hongrun attacked Handan at night and captured the royal capital.
However, this Han Chao was quite courageous. After being captured by Zhao Hongrun, he volunteered to die and only asked Zhao Hongrun to let his family go.
Zhao Hongrun admired this man very much, so he did not embarrass Han Chao and his family, and released Han Chao soon after the two countries were reconciled.
Perhaps it was for this reason that when Han Chao saw Zhao Hongrun today, he bowed deeply and bowed respectfully, which surprised Du You, the Minister of Rites.
You must know that when envoys visit other countries, they are responsible for the honor and disgrace of their own country. Therefore, it is okay to salute the distinguished people of other countries, but it is rare for them to pay such a big courtesy. What's more, Wei and South Korea are still, in essence, powerful enemies that cannot coexist.
Zhao Hongrun was not surprised. After accepting Han Chao's courtesy calmly, he invited Han Chao and Zhao Zhuo to sit at the table.
During this period, he pointed at Han Chao and joked: "It seems that Mr. Han Chao has been promoted. I can see that the clothes on Mr. Han Chao are much brighter than before..."
Han Chao looked at his clothes, and then replied humorously: "His Royal Highness King Su back then is even more valuable today. Therefore, when Lord Han Wu ordered me to go to your country as an envoy, he specially promoted me to the rank of King Su." The position is to complement His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Zhao Hongrun laughed loudly, and the atmosphere in the hall was quite harmonious.
At this time, the eunuchs on duty in the Chui Gong Hall served tea. After each other took a sip, Zhao Hongrun, the most distinguished person in the hall at the moment, took the lead and asked: "I wonder if the two envoys are here this time?" What's the important matter?"
Hearing this, Han Chao cupped his hands and said seriously: "I came here for two things. First, on the order of Mr. Lihou Han Wu, I presented my credentials to His Highness the Crown Prince, wishing that the two countries of Wei and South Korea would live in harmony forever. , can’t afford to fight..."
Zhao Hongrun gently rubbed the edge of the tea cup with his fingers, and looked at Han Chao with his eyes open and talking nonsense with a half-smile.
Because, secondly, both sides know that there will definitely be a war between Wei and South Korea that will determine the status of the two countries in the Central Plains. This is impossible to avoid. The reason why it has not happened yet is simply because both countries are not ready yet. .
Of course, although he knew it well, at this time, he had to be like Han Chao, pretending to be confused, so Zhao Hongrun nodded, showing an expression of deep understanding, and said: "Master Han Wu's The meaning is exactly what I want, and I also hope that Korea and Wei will be reconciled forever." As he said, he probably felt that it was too disgusting to say such hypocritical words, so he coughed, changed the subject and asked: "Then Where’s the second one?”
Of course Han Chao would not mind Zhao Hongrun abruptly ending the topic of "Eternal Reconciliation between Wei and Han". Hearing this, he took out a gift list from his arms and said with a smile: "As for the second thing, Master Han Wu learned that the prince Concubine Mi is almost one year old after giving birth to a legitimate son for His Highness the Crown Prince, so I ordered you to send me a congratulatory gift to express your feelings."
After that, he held a corner of the gift list with both hands, lowered his head and held it up. Gao Li, the young eunuch behind Zhao Hongrun, stepped forward, took the gift list, and sent it to Zhao Hongrun.
The "legitimate son" in Han Chao's mouth refers to the youngest son Zhao Wei, born to Mi Jiang, the Crown Princess of the East Palace. Counting the days, he is indeed almost one year old. However, Zhao Hongrun never believes that Li is far away in Handan, the capital of South Korea. Hou Hanwu would calculate his son's birth date so clearly - could it be that Han Wu was really full and had nothing to do?
Obviously, this is just an excuse that Han Chao came up with. The key thing should be on this gift list.
No, after opening the gift list and glancing at it twice, a hint of smile appeared in Zhao Hongrun's eyes.
Because in the first line of this gift list, it clearly says "A gift to King Donghu's horse 'Red Wind'".
In addition, in the sixth line of the gift list, as if he was worried that Zhao Hongrun would not understand the true meaning of the gift list, the gift list also specifically added "Ten daughters from thousands of households in Donghu, and a hundred daughters from hundreds of households" were specially added to the gift list.
If Zhao Hongrun guessed correctly, the so-called "Daughters of Thousand Households" and "Daughters of Hundred Households" probably refer to the fact that these Hu women are the daughters of the nobles of Donghu, thus conveying a secret to Zhao Hongrun and the Wei State. Message: Donghu is already finished, so don’t worry about Wei State taking the opportunity to attack our country.
I have to say that this method is indeed very particular.
In fact, when he came to meet Han Chao and Zhao Zhuo in Chui Gong Hall, Zhao Hongrun was thinking about how these two people would convey to him the news that "Dong Hu has been defeated". Facts have proved that the Koreans are indeed very capable. The only way to express what you want to express is by borrowing a gift note.
After casually scanning the gift list, Zhao Hongrun handed the gift list to Du You, the Minister of Etiquette who was sitting next to him. After Du You saw the contents on the gift list, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and showed a half-smile. His expression: He casually made an excuse to celebrate the emperor's legitimate son's first birthday and gave it to more than a hundred daughters of Donghu nobles. This gift list is really interesting.
At this time, Zhao Hongrun handed over his hands to Han Chao and Zhao Zhuo and said: "I am really embarrassed to let Marquis Li spend so much money... I hope that when you two return to Handan in the future, you can convey your gratitude on my behalf."
"His Royal Highness, your words are serious." Han Chao and Zhao Zhuo immediately bowed their hands and bowed.
Immediately, Zhao Hongrun asked some more about the current situation of Lihou Han Wu.
As far as he knew, Lihou Hanwu's political opponent "Kang Gong Hanhu" had been gradually suppressed by the former in Handan.
There was nothing that could be done about it. After all, during the "Five Sides Attack on Wei", Kang Gong and Han Hu thought they could destroy South Korea in one fell swoop, so they blatantly tore up the armistice agreement between South Korea and Wei and provoked a war.
Unexpectedly, Wei State actually survived with one enemy against five. Not only did it survive this disaster, but later it even took the initiative to win over Qin State and defeat Chu State. In addition, Zhao Yuanzuo, the king of Nanliang, deliberately led Due to Lin Hu's vicious plan to invade South Korea, Wei finally gave South Korea a defeat.
In this case, after the war, Kang Gong and Han Hu, the culprit who did not hesitate to tear up the armistice agreement but also brazenly provoked the war, were criticized by many noble families in Korea. Who allowed Kang Gong and Han Hu to coax with sweet words before the war? As a result, the nobles and aristocratic families in South Korea not only did not get any benefits from this war, but also had to pay a huge amount of money to repay South Korea's war compensation against Wei, which was no longer enough. It can be described as "stealing the chicken but losing the rice".
As a result, amid the domestic opposition, Kang Gong and Han Hu had no choice but to temporarily withdraw from the center of power even if they were reluctant. This allowed Han Wu, the Marquis of Li, to take the opportunity to control the Korean temple and become the most noble power minister in Korea besides Han Wangran—— To be precise, Lihou Hanwu was already equivalent to the regent in Korea.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness the Crown Prince. All is well with Marquis Li in our country."
After saying this politely, Han Chao casually mentioned a few trivial matters concerning Marquis Han Wu, and Quan Chao dealt with them accordingly.
In fact, Zhao Hongrun really wanted to ask about Han Wangran's current situation, but after thinking about it carefully, he gave up. After all, Han Wu, the Marquis of Li, was very powerful in South Korea, and Han Wangran should not be of much help to Wei.
Furthermore, Zhao Hongrun is now the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace of Wei State, and the power in his hands is much greater than before. Therefore, some of the original decisions may not be vetoed now.
For example, find ways to support Han Wangran to seize power in South Korea.
One is Han Wu, the Marquis of Li, who now dominates South Korea, and the other is Han Wangran, who keeps a low profile and has a deep palace. To be honest, even Zhao Hongrun cannot judge which of the two is in charge of power in South Korea and is more beneficial to Wei.
Since I can't think of any clues for the time being, I simply put it on hold and wait and see what happens.
Immediately, after chatting for a few more words, Han Chao and Zhao Zhuo stood up and left.
Seeing this, Zhao Hongrun asked Zongwei Zhou Pu to send the two Korean envoys outside the palace, and asked Zhou Pu to ask the Ministry of Rites to entertain the two envoys well.
After thanking them profusely, Han Chao and Zhao Zhuo left.
Seeing the two people walking out of the Chui Gong Hall, Du You, the Minister of Rites, pinched the gift list in his hand and praised loudly: "This hand... is really beautiful."
After that, he murmured slightly suspiciously: "The Koreans even got King Donghu's horse. So, Donghu has been completely destroyed?"
"God knows." Zhao Hongrun shrugged and said casually: "Maybe the Koreans just brought a horse over casually and lied about it as the mount of King Donghu... How could Donghu call himself a king? It's just a fool's errand. people."
Du You smiled slightly, and after a while he raised his hands and asked Zhao Hongrun for instructions: "In that case, regarding South Korea, I would like to ask His Highness the Crown Prince for instructions."
Zhao Hongrun knew that Du You was asking for instructions as the "Minister of the Inner Dynasty", so he thought deeply and said: "Just follow Han Wu's wishes, bow down the palace to the Inner Dynasty, and continue to maintain the current false peace between the two countries... As for Other matters, such as preparations for war, I will consider."
Seeing the contemplative look on the face of the Crown Prince in front of him, as if his eyes were shining with wisdom, Du You felt quite at ease for some reason.
"I obey!" Du You stood up and bowed.
He had to admit that when His Highness the Crown Prince became serious, he was really a reliable king. Even a few understatement words could make people feel at ease.
However, this peace of mind only lasted less than half an hour.
Half an hour later, when Du You was reviewing the memorial with his colleagues in the inner court in the Chui Gong Hall, a guard from the palace hurried in and said: "Master Du You, His Royal Highness is trying out the Han Dynasty in the Imperial Garden. That red war horse, others can’t stop trying to persuade me, please go and have a look..."
"..."
Amidst the different expressions of the ministers in the Chui Gong Hall, Du You put down the brush in his hand, raised his hand and gently pinched the bridge of his eyebrows, and let out a long breath.