Compared with Deng Zhi, Fei Yi and Zong Yu who were envoys in previous missions, Zheng Pu and Chen Zhi are a generation younger than Sun Quan after all.
Therefore, before formally meeting as an envoy, Zhuge Rong claimed to hold a banquet and invite the talents from Jiangdong to join him. This was not only because Zhuge Ke had previously praised Zheng Pu's talent and learning, but also because Sun Quan had the intention of asking him to inspect his character first.
Zheng Pu knew this very well.
After entering Zhuge's mansion, Zheng Pu first transferred the Prime Minister's home letter and the items entrusted by Zhuge Qiao to Zhuge Rong. Then before the evening meal, he invited his deputy Chen Zhi into the house and said with a smile, "Feng Zong, I have been in the army for a long time, my behavior is vulgar and my talents and knowledge are limited. Your family is knowledgeable, talented and has many skills. The next day, when I have a banquet with Jiangdong's talents, the capable ones will work harder."
This was to let Chen Zhi, who was from a high-ranking family, work for those talented people from Jiangdong when they were entangled with the classics and meanings.
"Zijin is humble enough to speak."
Chen Zhi, who had been familiar with the journey and could already describe his words well, smiled sternly after hearing this, "With Zijin's great reputation, can An be able to describe him with a simple knowledge? However, as the deputy envoy, I have the responsibility to share the worries. By then Jiangdong will If Jun invites us to discuss it with you, I will show my ugliness in front of you, and leave Zijin’s beautiful words behind.”
He is indeed a person with long sleeves and good at dancing!
His words are like a refreshing breeze. No wonder everyone in Chengdu praises him as a great man of the times.
With emotion in his heart, Zheng Pu thanked him with a smile.
However, he was worried in vain.
Except for the fact that it was night and Zhuge Rong, who always loved calligraphy, came to ask for Slim Body calligraphy and ink, no one at the banquet on the second day was interested in studying classics or poetry.
I don't know whether it was because Sun Quan saw that the Han Dynasty had returned to Liangzhou but had failed to gain any territory through repeated conquests in Jiangdong, or because he heard that Zheng Pu was capable of planning. The person who arranged the banquet was either already in charge of the army, or he must have military power in the future.
For example, Zhu Ji (Shi Ji) was the son of Wu's chariot and cavalry general Zhu Ran, and he had already inherited the troops of his father, Zhu Cai.
For example, Quanxu, the son of Wu Wei general Quan Cong, and Zhu Yi, the son of former general Zhu Huan, although they are now men, they will definitely control the army in the future according to the feudal military system of Sun Wu military power, where father died and son succeeded.
The most eye-catching person is Zhang Zhao's eldest son, who has led the army for many years and is often awarded the title of commander of the partial division Zhang Cheng and Zhang Zhongsi.
When Zhuge Rong introduced him, Zheng Pu was quite surprised.
Because Zhang Cheng and Zhuge Jin are of the same generation, no matter their age or official position, they should not attend such a banquet.
However, it was not surprising when we later learned that Zhang Cheng's successor was the daughter of Zhuge Jin, and she had a reputation as a recognizable figure in Jiangdong.
Only Gu Tan, the son of Prime Minister Wu Gu Yong and his concubine, was in charge of the army.
However, he was sent by Sun Quan as an assistant to the crown prince Sun Deng very early, and it is difficult to determine what will happen to him in the future.
Perhaps, if Lu Xun’s eldest son hadn’t died young, he would still be here now, right?
When Zhuge Rong introduced everyone, Zheng Pu saluted and said, "I've seen you for a long time," and "I'm glad to meet you," while secretly cursing.
From the birthplaces of the people in Yuyan, Gein can know that the ancestors who founded the business with Sun Ce in the past and the descendants of Huaisi people, there are only a few who hold high positions or have high hopes!
It can also be said that most of the power in the Wu Kingdom today is in the hands of the powerful families in Jiangdong.
No wonder rebellions occur every year in Jiangdong.
Drawing pictures of counties and generals raising troops, and indulging their power in order to gain help from wealthy families, how can the people not suffer!
Naturally, that is not something Zheng Pu worries about, and he is even happy to see it happen.
During the banquet, he exchanged cups with everyone, chatted and laughed, occasionally lamenting the mutual benefits of the Han and Wu countries since their alliance, and sometimes praising Wu Sunquan and the great achievements of the fathers of the people present.
It can be said that they were drinking and drinking, talking and laughing.
After everyone was half drunk, Zhuge Rong and Gu Tan found a reason to appreciate calligraphy and painting, and invited Chen Zhi, the deputy envoy, to go to another room. After the kabuki music stopped, Zhang Cheng, the senior official and the eldest, Then he lowered his eyes and stroked his beard. The old god was there.
When Zheng Pu saw it, he said in his heart, "Here we come."
Messengers are also lobbyists.
Since you are here just to show off your words, it is inevitable that someone will deliberately make things difficult for you.
Just like when Zhang Wen went to the Han court as an envoy, although the Han Dynasty treated him warmly, he could not escape being lectured by Qin Mi for a while until he was speechless.
In other words, although the two countries have mutual alliances, they will not be stingy in verbal disputes if they have the opportunity to stand out.
Moreover, people like Zhu Ji, Quan Xu, Zhu Yi and others were all juniors in the Wu Kingdom. If they spoke harshly or were rude, they would be punished by being accused of being young and energetic and having conflicts of spirit.
If Zhang Cheng is closing his eyes to rest his mind now, he will have the intention to deal with the situation later.
Sure enough, after Zhuge Rong and others left, Zhu Yi took the lead in bowing his hands in salute and asked, "I heard that the late emperor of your country was praised for his benevolence and righteousness all over the world, and the emperor of your country was also known for his kindness. However, when your envoy was supervising the army in Hexi, there was something wrong The killing of prisoners and the construction of the capital. Is this the rumor that your country is wrong in the name of your country's benevolence? Or is your country now trying to imitate the cruelty of Cao Mengde of Wei? I can't explain it to myself! Please forgive me for your kindness."
"It's not because the rumors are wrong, nor because our country's customs have changed."
Hearing this, Zheng Pu said loudly without thinking, "Because of eliminating evil, good people will be promoted." Chen Tang of the former Han Dynasty said, "Anyone who offends a strong man will be punished no matter how far away." Kewu's thieves are originally foreigners and have a cruel nature. Violence can be compared to animals that dare to slaughter the common people. I kill the animals to restore the prosperity of our Han family. Moreover, "The Analects of Confucius·Zilu" says, 'If there is a king, he will be benevolent in the world.' Today, our country's first emperor restored the Han Dynasty, Zuo , the time has not come yet, how can benevolence and righteousness punish evil?" [Note 1]
After finishing speaking, Zhu Yi asked him back, "Furthermore, if there were rebellions in many places in your country last year, how can we conclude that it was caused by the unkindness of the emperor and the herdsmen of your country and the corruption of the officials? In my opinion, it is a small matter. People are happy and in chaos. We should raise troops to fight against it. We cannot tolerate it in the barbarian mansions in Xantouji Street!"
Well.
Suddenly, Zhu Yi was speechless.
Even though he knew that Zheng Pu was making strong arguments, when Sun Quan was mentioned, as a minister, he could not argue any further.
Moreover, Sun Ce in Jiangdong had committed many massacres since he started his business. If they argued with each other again, Zheng Pu might ask Sun Ce and Sun Quan whether they were benevolent or righteous, so he had no choice but to cover his face with his sleeves and run away.
"To eliminate evil is to promote good, and it is important to make people's words enlighten the deaf and enlighten them!"
Seeing that Zhu Yi was speechless, Zhu Ji quickly praised him and invited him with a gurgling smile, "Yuan Xun once came back from a mission in the past and praised your envoy's magnanimity, which is very unusual. Now I can see that it is true. We are honored to have a banquet with him." , it should be clear to you! Your envoy, please!”
"Nai Gejun praises you so much that you don't dare to take it seriously."
Zheng Pu was sincere in his words, and he also raised a cup to drink together, "Your Majesty, please!"
But just as he put down his wine cup, and before his smile faded away, Zhu Yi's question came as expected, "Your Majesty, I have something to ask, please enlighten me."
——
[Note 1: Xu Shen's "Shuowen Jiezi" of the Eastern Han Dynasty notes that "one life" is thirty years.]
