Chapter 143: Wei Envoy's Visit to Korea (2) [2 in 1]
The next day, Ma Kuo, who served as the palace guard, went to Ji Palace as usual.
Wei Qing, as the name suggests, is the chief of the Wei Rong (army). His powers are similar to those of Wei Wei or Wei General, but his official rank exceeds the latter two, especially since Korea still does not have a Taiwei.
Wei Qing's authority is very broad.
But at present, Ma Kuo's daily task, in addition to inspecting the defense of Jicheng, is to supervise the craftsmen working on the Jicheng Palace and urge them to repair the palace as soon as possible to avoid being laughed at.
However, when Ma Kuo arrived at Ji Palace today, he suddenly heard a report from the chamberlain in the palace, saying that Han Wangran could not sleep last night and actually spent the whole night in the side hall of the main palace of Ji Palace, handling government affairs.
Hearing the news, Ma Kuo was greatly shocked and hurried to the side hall of the main palace.
Sure enough, when he arrived at the side hall of the main palace, Han Wangran was still at his desk handling government affairs and planning for the next development of South Korea.
"Your Majesty?" Ma Kuo stepped forward.
Han Wangran raised his head, glanced at Ma Kuo with a tired face, and then said with a smile: "Ma Kuo, what do you think of this decree I drafted?... I intend to build more cultivated land on both sides of the "Yushui"
, digging canals to divert water for irrigation, if this is accomplished, it will greatly reduce the food pressure on Yuyang County."
Ma Kuo lowered his head and glanced at the summary of the decree written by Han Wangran, but his thoughts were more on His Majesty in front of him. He frowned and asked: "Your Majesty, what happened? As far as I know, Your Majesty has
I haven’t slept a wink yet.”
Han Wangran was silent for a moment. After waving his hand to dismiss the eunuchs and minor officials in the palace, he stood up and walked to the window. During this period, he said: "Last night, I couldn't sleep, so I just got up to deal with government affairs..."
"This..." Ma Kuo frowned slightly and guessed: "Is it because of what the two Wei envoys said?"
Han Wangran held the window lattice with both hands, took a few deep breaths of the fresh morning air, and then said worriedly: "Zhao Run is really a rare and unique talent that is rare in a century. In terms of military strategy, few people are as good as him. In terms of essay Tao,
I am not as good as him. Compared with him, my only advantage is self-denial and diligence..."
"Your Majesty, you are too arrogant." Ma Kuo advised from the side: "Not to mention the minor ministers, Prime Minister Shen also praised you full of praise, Prime Minister Shen assisted two previous kings, could he still look the other way?
"
Han Wangran couldn't help but smile bitterly when he heard this.
It is undeniable that in today's Korean court, both the civil servants headed by Shen Buhai and Kaifangdi, and the generals headed by Baoyuan and Qin Kai all have high hopes for him, and even privately exchanged views on him and his uncle, King Han Jian.
By comparison, it is believed that Han Ran will eventually become a wise monarch like the "Previous King Han Jian" in the future, leading Korea to restore its glory and achieve great hegemony.
In fact, Han Wangran always harbored this ambitious ambition even when he was a puppet.
But his opponent is too powerful...
In the eyes of Han Wangran, the former Duke of Wei, Run, and now the king of Wei, Zhao Run, was an impeccable opponent - he had great talent and strategy, but also knew how to be diligent and practical. How could he defeat such an opponent?
Only diligence!
More diligent than that Zhao Run!
After hearing Han Wangran's heartfelt words, Ma Kuo was silent.
In fact, when I heard the two Wei envoys say that King Zhao Run of Wei rose every day when the rooster crowed and the moon disappeared, his face was ugly at that time. But thinking about it now, compared to him, the young king in front of him was touched.
Bigger.
After thinking about it, he persuaded: "Your Majesty, although diligence is good, if you lose your body because of it, it will not be worth the gain..."
Hearing this, Han Wangran waved his hand and said with a chuckle: "Facing Zhao Run, the only one who still has some confidence is probably the only word of diligence... Since he can persevere, so can I!"
While the two were chatting, suddenly a chamberlain came into the palace and reported: "Your Majesty, the two Wei envoys who entered the palace yesterday came to see you again today and are waiting outside the palace at the moment."
Han Wangran nodded, and after dismissing the chamberlain, he ordered Ma Kuo: "Go and bring those two people into the palace, and I will go freshen up."
"Yes!" Ma Kuo responded and retreated.
After about an hour of burning incense, Ma Kuo led the Wei envoys Tang Ju and Fan Ying to the side hall.
At this time, Han Wangran went to the apse to freshen up and had not yet returned. Tang Ju and Fan Ying asked Ma Kuo curiously: "General Ma Kuo, could it be that His Majesty the King of Han has not gotten up yet?"
Ma Kuo didn't think too much and said truthfully: "Last night, the king didn't want to sleep, so he simply handled government affairs in the side hall. Only then did he learn that the two envoys came to visit him. Taking care of his appearance, he went to the back hall to bathe and change clothes, and also invited the two envoys.
Your Majesty, please wait for a moment."
"oh oh--"
Tang Ju and Fan Ying suddenly understood and nodded. Without Ma Kuo noticing, they quickly exchanged glances. There was a hint of pride in their eyes as if their plan had succeeded.
Waiting for tea to be served by the servants in the palace, Tang Ju and Fan Ying sat in the side hall and waited for about half an hour before they saw Han Wangran slowly walking into the side hall followed by several eunuchs.
"I've kept you two waiting for a long time."
After walking into the side hall, Han Wangran smiled and apologized.
Seeing this, Tang Ju and Fan Ying stood up quickly, cupped their hands in response, and kept saying "How dare you, how dare you".
After Han Wangran walked to the throne and sat down, Tang Ju clasped his hands and explained his purpose: "Your Majesty, King Han, the two of us have come specially to say goodbye to your Majesty today."
Han Wangran was stunned and asked with some surprise: "Are you two going to return home so soon?"
Tang Ju smiled and replied: "The two of us have completed our mission and we don't dare to delay..."
"This..." Han Wangran frowned and said: "The two distinguished envoys have come all the way to Jicheng, and I have not served them with wine to wash their hands... If this matter spreads, people in the world will think that I, the Korean people, do not understand etiquette. It is better to do this.
, how about the two distinguished envoys staying for two more days, allowing us to enjoy the friendship of the landlords, and then returning to the country?"
"This..." Tang Ju and Fan Ying looked at each other, with a look of confusion on their faces.
Seeing this, Han Wangran deliberately said with a straight face: "Don't you two think our Jicheng is dilapidated and don't want to stay for a long time?"
Standing by, Ma Kuo also chimed in in a weird voice: "Our country can still afford a few banquets."
After hearing what the monarch and his ministers said, Tang Ju smiled bitterly and explained: "His Majesty the King of Han has misunderstood. How dare we despise your country and His Majesty the King of Han? Our Majesty once said that among all the countries in the world, he is not afraid of anyone.
His Majesty the King of Duhan is a serious problem in his heart..."
"cough!"
Fan Ying coughed nearby, interrupting Tang Ju's words, and at the same time glanced at the latter.
At this moment, Tang Ju seemed to realize that he had made a mistake and immediately remained silent.
However, Tang Ju's words fell into Han Wangran's ears. Instead of being angry, Han Wangran felt a little happy in his heart - after all, Wei Wang Zhao Run regarded him as a serious concern. Didn't this prove his talent in disguise?
"Oh? My dear friend, does he really think so?" Han Wangran laughed and asked enthusiastically: "What else did your monarch say?"
Tang Ju and Fan Ying had stern expressions on their faces, and they were coy and unwilling to tell the truth.
Fan Ying even changed the subject very abruptly: "I heard from General Ma Kuo that His Majesty the King of Han did not rest last night and has been handling government affairs in this palace?"
Seeing Fan Ying change the topic, Han Wang was not angry, nodded and said with a smile: "My best friend is so diligent, how can I lag behind?"
Having said this, he paused and joked: "In a few days, the two distinguished envoys will return to the country and send a message to the monarch of your country on my behalf. In terms of diligence, I will not lose to him!"
However, after hearing this, Tang Ju and Fan Ying looked at each other with disapproving expressions on their faces.
Seeing this, Han Wangran felt strange and asked curiously: "Do the two distinguished envoys think that I am not as diligent as the monarch of your country?"
"That's not true." Fan Ying said with a smile: "In terms of diligence, His Majesty the King of Han is on par with His Majesty the King of my country. They are both diligent and self-denying monarchs, but efficiency..."
"Efficiency?" Han Wangran asked puzzledly.
"It means to accomplish more things within a certain period of time." Tang Ju explained from the side.
"Oh." Han Wangran mistook the word "efficiency" for the unique dialect of Wei, but did not care. He asked in confusion: "Do the two envoys think that the efficiency of my work is not as good as that of your country?"
monarch?"
Tang Ju smiled and said nothing, while Fan Ying said with a smile and full of pride and admiration: "Hasn't His Majesty the King of Han heard that our Majesty has a photographic memory since he was a child, can read monuments on horseback, and can count them all at once?
Use it, wave the pen in your hand, give orders with your mouth, listen to the words in your ears, orderly and without any mistakes!"
"..." Han Wangran opened his mouth, in disbelief.
But thinking back carefully, there are indeed stories in this regard among the anecdotes he has collected over the years about "Wei Gongzi Run".
For example, in the story of "Eight Kings Seize Zhao Li Liyan" that is much talked about among the people of Wei Dynasty, it is said that when the eight kings Zhao Run was fourteen years old, he read the previous one after only seeing it once.
Prince Zhao Li recited the book he wrote to make his speech verbatim, accusing the former prince Zhao Li of stealing and plagiarizing, thereby destroying the latter's speech.
Han Wangran had also heard of this anecdote, but he had never imagined that Zhao Run's extraordinary talent would be so... frustrating if used in a righteous way.
"...Can he defeat me several days in one day?"
Han Wangran's heart skipped a beat. The fighting spirit he had finally built up was almost defeated.
But having said that, the more this happened, the more Han Wangran wanted to know more about Zhao Run. Isn't there a saying that if you know yourself and your enemy, you can fight a hundred battles without danger? - Only by knowing your enemy better can you have a chance to find a way to defeat him!
Because of this, Han Wangran had previously hoped that the two Wei envoys, Tang Ju and Fan Ying, could stay in Jicheng for a few more days, so that he could find out more about Zhao Run's current situation, no matter how big or small, all of these can become
Clues for him to defeat Zhao Run in the future.
Therefore, when King Ran of Han held a banquet in honor of Tang Ju and Fan Ying, he deliberately winked at Ma Kuo and asked Ma Kuo to find a way to frequently pour wine to Tang Ju and Fan Ying so that they could get drunk and ask for information.
Under Ma Kuo's warm invitation, Tang Ju and Fan Ying were indeed drunk. When they were drunk, according to Han Wangran's thoughts, he intermittently reported Zhao Run's daily life in the palace and the handling of government affairs.
Said it out.
"...Our Majesty spends at least eight hours a day in Chui Gong Hall to handle government affairs. Sometimes late at night, he simply stays in Chui Gong Hall. For this reason, Empress Mi and the concubines in the harem complained a lot...
…”
"...The most respected thing is that when His Majesty was suffering from illness, he still thought about state affairs. He once said that the state was entrusted by the late king and did not dare to slack off. For a period of time, the doctors of the Imperial Medical Department worked day and night.
Hou is outside the Chui Gong Hall... Fortunately, Your Majesty, he is young and strong, and he recovered from his minor illness quickly..."
Listening to Tang Ju and Fan Ying drunkenly talking about Wei Wang Zhao Run's daily life, Han Wangran listened with great interest. While they regarded him as a confidant, he was secretly worried: Zhao Run was so talented and so diligent, how could Han Ran catch up with him?
It was a pity that Tang Ju and Fan Ying didn't seem to drink much, and they soon became so drunk that they could no longer talk normally. Therefore, Han Wangran, who was a little regretful, could only ask someone to send Tang Ju and Fan Ying back to the post house.
.
Of course, he would not have thought that Tang Ju and Fan Ying, who seemed to be very drunk, immediately sobered up and smiled at each other when there was no one else around after returning to the post house.
.
They were quite proud that they could get them drunk even with Korean drinks? Don't these Koreans know that the first test for him as an official in the Ministry of Rites of the State of Wei was his drinking capacity?
You can't even drink as well as others, but you still want to join the Ministry of Rites and be sent as an envoy to other countries?
After looking at each other and laughing, Tang Ju said to Fan Ying in a low voice: "Most of the things your Majesty ordered have been implemented. Now it's time to say goodbye."
"One more thing to go." Fan Ying nodded and said, "Tomorrow you and I will meet with King Han again, and then you and I..."
As he spoke, he whispered a few words into Tang Ju's ear, and Tang Ju nodded repeatedly.
The next day, Tang Ju and Fan Ying went to Jigong again to ask for an audience with Han Wangran.
Han Wangran had a rest last night, which is no wonder. After all, he had been diligently handling government affairs for two days and one night. Even though Han Wangran was strong, he still felt a little overwhelmed.
But maybe he was stimulated by Wei Wang Zhao Run's diligent deeds, so Han Wangran got up early to deal with government affairs after only sleeping for less than three hours.
Not to mention, because of the firm belief in his heart to "catch up with Zhao Run and surpass Wei Guo", Han Wangran was still in high spirits even though he only slept for less than three hours.
After a while, Tang Ju and Fan Ying were summoned by Han Wangran.
After seeing King Han, Tang Ju said with a wry smile: "Your Majesty, King Han, we must leave today."
At this time, Han Wangran was still trying to get more information about Wei Wang Zhao Run from these two people, but he was not willing to let them go easily. So he smiled and said, "Why are the two envoys so anxious to return home?
Although Jicheng is not as prosperous as Daliang, it still has scenery that Daliang has never seen before.
Furthermore, Jicheng's unique "chestnut wine" is a treasure that nourishes qi, strengthens the spleen, and strengthens the stomach and intestines. I am not boasting. Most of the chestnut wines in the world come from Korea, and Yuyang chestnut wine is even more famous.
A treasure among wines. It’s rare for these two distinguished envoys to come to our Jidu, so don’t miss it.”
After hearing this, Tang Ju and Fan Ying showed a look of yearning on their faces.
It cannot be denied that Han Wangran is not boasting. Yuyang chestnut wine is really a rare treasure among wines. It is not that it is delicious, but that this wine is indeed good for qi, spleen and stomach. Therefore, Wei Guo
The chambermaid often went to Bolangsha Port City to purchase this wine and prepare it for Zhao Run and the concubines in the harem.
Compared with Shangdang wine, the price of Yuyang chestnut wine is not low. Although Tang Ju and Fan Ying, as officials of the Ministry of Rites, could not afford it, drinking it every day was indeed difficult to support financially.
However, in the end, Tang Ju and Fan Ying politely rejected Han Wangran's kindness.
Seeing that the two of them were determined to leave, Han Wangran couldn't help but feel a little puzzled, and asked curiously: "The two envoys are eager to return home, do they have something important to do?"
"It's nothing important." Tang Ju shook his head and explained, "It's just that the domestic court's regulations have been stricter recently, and we don't dare to abolish public affairs for personal reasons."
Fan Ying, who was standing by, said with a smile: "My Majesty is also so diligent, how can we, the ministers, be lazy?"
After hearing this, Han Wangran nodded solemnly and said with a smile: "Since the two of you have decided to go, I will not try to persuade you to stay. Let's do it this way. Today, I held a banquet to see you off. You two drank this meal.
How about we start the journey again after drinking?"
"Forget it, forget it."
Tang Ju and Fan Ying waved their hands repeatedly, looking frightened, as if they were afraid because they were so drunk yesterday.
Seeing this, King Han did not force himself, so he nodded and allowed Tang Ju and Fan Ying to leave Jicheng and return to Wei.
Looking at the departing figures of Tang Ju and Fan Ying, Han Wangran couldn't help but murmured: "What goes above and below will lead to results..."
In his opinion, it was precisely because Wei King Zhao Run was so diligent that the ministers of Wei State would also abide by their duties, and in this way, the country would become stronger and stronger.
This is really not good news for South Korea.
After sitting for a while, Han Wangran suddenly ordered: "Ma Kuo, tell someone to announce that General Bao Yuan, Han Chao, and Zhao Zhuo will enter the palace."
"yes!"
Ma Kuo clasped his fists and retreated.
About half an hour later, Han Chao and Zhao Zhuo arrived at Ji Palace.
After bowing to Han Wangran, Han Chao asked: "I wonder why the king called you?"
Han Wangran said: "I have also summoned General Baoyuan. When the general arrives, I will talk to you in detail."
Han Chao and Zhao Zhuo nodded.
After about an hour of burning incense, the Korean general Bao Yuan came to the side hall and saluted Han Wangran with clasped fists.
After inviting Bao Yuan to sit down in a seat on one side of the palace, Han Wangran took a look at Bao Yuan, Ma Kuo, Han Chao, and Zhao Zhuo in the palace to see what the Wei envoys Tang Ju and Fan Ying had come to Jicheng for.
I said it once - mainly to Bao Yuan, so that the general would not be confused.
"The State of Wei intends to organize a national alliance in Daliang?"
After hearing this, Bao Yuan frowned slightly.
As if he had guessed Bao Yuan's thoughts, Han Wangran calmly analyzed: "General, don't worry too much. This time Wei is hosting the alliance, it has nothing to do with us, Korea. In the final analysis, Zhao Run just wants to show off his force and use it."
All the countries in the Central Plains surrendered to him, at least in name."
After a pause, he continued: "I would like to ask the general for this matter."
After hearing this, Bao Yuan immediately clasped his fists and accepted the order: "Yes!... But I don't know when the general will set off?"
"There's no rush."
Han Wangran waved his hand and said: "According to what the two Wei envoys said, the date of the alliance meeting will be after the beginning of the next spring. However, considering the inconvenience of traveling from Jidu to Daliang, the general will leave as soon as possible."
"Yes!" Bao Yuan nodded.
"This time I am going to Daliang of the State of Wei, the two beloved ministers Han Chao and Zhao Zhuo are accompanying the general." Han Wangran pointed to Han Chao and Zhao Zhuo, and then told them: "When I go to Daliang, I have three things to ask you.
1. Try to negotiate with Qin’s envoys, try your best to persuade them, and end the war between Qin and Korea. If Qin asks for benefits, the three of you will discuss it on your own. But if Qin is greedy, then drop the matter...
Although the war with Qin has hindered our country's development, Korea will not be reduced to the point of compromising with the border barbarians."
Han Chao and Zhao Zhuo nodded and kept this matter in mind. After all, General Bao Yuan did not know how to negotiate, so in the end this matter would have to fall on them.
"Second, try to find out the current status of the Wei State and its actions in the next few years." Han Wangran looked serious and said in a deep voice: "Although we, the Republic of Korea, were defeated miserably in this battle between Wei and South Korea, we are not discouraged. Thinking from the distance.
At that time, the Wei State was defeated by our country, lost its Shangdang, and its three rivers were stolen by Yin Rong. However, King Zhao Si of Wei knew his shame and became brave. He worked hard for more than 20 years and finally defeated our country in Zhao Run's generation...Since
Wei can grow from weak to strong, and so can I, Korea!"
After a pause, he continued: "In order to defeat the Wei State, conspiracies and tricks are just heresy. The key lies in whether we, Korea, can break through and stand up again, and catch up with the Wei State in terms of national strength... The Wei State is currently vigorously building up.
Domestically, when you go to Wei State, you need to pay attention. If you know of any decrees that apply to our country, keep them in mind, so that our country can follow the example of Wei State and not be left far behind by Wei State."
Han Chao and Zhao Zhuo nodded.
Compared with negotiating with Qin's envoys, this matter is the most important thing.
"As for the third thing, that is to find a way to form an alliance with Wei... Since we can't defeat this behemoth for the time being, we should try to become his ally. In short, as long as our country is not involved, we might as well give in and let it go for the time being.
"Follow it and wait for the future!" Han Wangran said sternly.
After hearing this last paragraph, everyone in the hall felt a little uncomfortable.
I think back then, he was the largest country in South Korea, suppressed Wei in the southwest, and competed with Qi in the southeast. He seemed to be the leading power in the Central Plains.
But now it has fallen to this point, and can only humblely show its favor to Wei in exchange for precious opportunities to develop itself.
But no matter how unwilling he is, no matter how uncomfortable he is, there is nothing he can do. Now South Korea can only hide its capabilities and bide its time, curb all the sharp edges that will arouse Wei's vigilance, focus on developing itself, and quietly wait for the opportunity to defeat Wei.
Two days later, South Korea sent General Bao Yuan as an envoy, and Han Chao and Zhao Zhuo as deputy envoys, and embarked on a journey to Daliang, the capital of Wei Dynasty.
At the same time, Qi, Chu, Wei, Lu, Qin, Yue and other countries also received news from Wei one after another, and each had their own thoughts about the "alliance".