The First Yamen of the Great Song Dynasty

Chapter 149

While talking, Zhao Kai had come in with Gao Qiu, and seeing Gao Ming lying on the bed, he walked forward worriedly, "I've been sick for a few days, are you better?" Sitting on the edge of the bed, he spoke to Gao Ming. Kind condolences.

Gao Ming cleared his throat, and said in a hoarse voice: "Your Highness is concerned, I have already seen the doctor, so it really doesn't matter." After speaking, he coughed twice again.

"You're coughing again after speaking, what's the matter?" Zhao Kai said, "I sent someone to inform you about the news from the Liao Kingdom in the morning, but it was reported that you were ill. I'm really worried. Come and see for yourself."

"It's enough for His Highness to send someone to visit, why bother to go there in person, I'm really flattered." Gao Mingkong clenched his fists and coughed slightly, "There's news from the Liao Kingdom, are they ready to negotiate?"

Mentioning this, Zhao Kai smiled, and his smile was full of joy, "It must be because you are afraid. You told Xiao Wenshu that you contacted Wanyan's family and developed powerful firearms. Anyone who is not a fool in Liao Kingdom should We need to weigh more."

"It's not too late, let's leave quickly, so as not to have long nights and dreams."

Wanyan Zongqiang and other people from the Kingdom of Jin are likely to be picked up by Song Jiang soon, and they should have time to receive them when they come back from negotiating with the people from the Kingdom of Liao.

"Don't worry, you should get well first." Zhao Kai urged, "You should rest well and put other things aside first."

If something goes wrong with Gao Ming, no one can replace him, and he is the last one to make a mistake.

Sharpening the knife does not miss the woodcutter, and it will not be too late for him to recover from his illness before going on the road.

"I……"

"Don't talk about it, you'd better have a good rest." Zhao Kai said: "The king will call the imperial doctor to come over to show you later." He looked at Huarong again, and said with a smile: "Tell him to take good care of you, and try to hurry up Get better."

Of course, he also knew that Hua Rong would take good care of Gao Ming without asking.

After Zhao Kai looked at Gao Qiu, he said to Gao Ming: "So many things are on your shoulders alone. It's hard for you to worry about the country, to the point of being overworked and falling ill."

"Whatever your Highness says, it's what a courtier should do." Gao Ming said.

Zhao Kai sighed softly, "Don't say that, I understand it in my heart."

Some people have a vegetarian meal, while others are diligent and frugal.

After expressing condolences to Gao Ming, Zhao Kai got up and left, Gao Qiu and Hua Rong sent him out of the mansion.

After a while, Hua Rong came in with breakfast, put it on the low table to feed Gao Ming, stayed with him for a while, and asked worriedly, "You said you were well this morning, did you really?"

"It's all good. I just pretended to be pitiful when I said what I said to King Yun." Gao Ming smiled brightly, oh, don't worry about me, you can go back and do your work.

Huarong tried the temperature of Gao Ming's forehead again, and it was indeed not hot, "I'll try my cheek again." As he said, he put his hand on his cheek and stroked it, "Well, it's not as hot as yesterday." But it seemed So unwilling to give up, "I'll take another look at myself."

"Picking oil, you?" Gao Ming smiled and took his hand, "Let's go."

"I'm just worried that I'm leaving today, and I don't know how many days will be when I see you again. You can't leave for Liao after three or five days? If I have nothing to do, I can go with you as a deputy envoy, but now Training soldiers can't go away, the trip to Liao Kingdom, this time I definitely don't have my share."

Huarong's analysis is very reasonable. His military training is a major event. This time, he must stay in Tokyo and cannot go to Liao Kingdom together.

Gao Ming sighed, "Yeah, I have to go to my own business. I am safe with King Yun, so you don't have to worry about that. You should also take care of yourself."

Although Hua Rong was reluctant to give up, he had no choice, and after a few exhortations with Gao Ming, he set off to go out.

Gao Ming sat on the bed and looked at his back, thinking, alas, whoever makes himself a member of the military has to endure separation.

Just as he was thinking about it, Hua Rong walked in again with big strides, "Why did you drop something?"

"Yeah." Hua Rong approached, raised Gao Ming's chin, and kissed him, "Forget about that."

Gao Ming laughed, "Is there anything else?"

Hua Rong thought for a while, "When you come back from Liao Kingdom, I think our current relationship of washing mouth and washing hands can go further."

"I'm in terrible pain, and I'm not coming back."

"If you don't come back, I'll see who dares to keep you, and I'll grab it." Hua Rong smiled, hugged him again, and left.

Gao Ming sat on the bed and thought about life, "Uh... Sure enough, the road of breaking sleeves is very difficult."

Gao Ming took a good rest for two days, announced his recovery, and started to prepare for the affairs of the Liao Kingdom.

Just as Huarong expected, Zhao Kai decided to let Huarong stay for training and to send a deputy.

This time, anyone with a discerning eye can see that the Liao Kingdom is afraid, and this trip will surely gain something.

At that time, those who are named will not only be rewarded, but also be famous in history.

So they all sharpened their heads to fight for the number of deputy envoys, and if they couldn't get it, they put their own people in the mission.

Gao Ming was speechless. Hulala brought so many people into the Liao Kingdom, whether to negotiate or to travel.

Later, Zhao Kai came up with the final decision, and the absence of those members of the regiment last time, the position of deputy envoy Hua Rong, was filled by Ma Zheng from the previous regiment, and Ling Zhen was also brought along.

Resolutely reject members who pick peaches temporarily.

Regarding Hua Rong's absence, Zhao Kai comforted Gao Ming in this way: "You also know what those people look like. It is enough for one person in each family to make meritorious service. If it is too much, it will make people jealous, what do you think?"

Naturally, Gao Ming had no objection, he and Huarong were now considered a family, as the saying goes, he has half of the military medal and his half.

"These are not important, the important thing is to get things done."

Zhao Kai is very satisfied with Gao Ming's attitude, this is the attitude that a person who is doing business should have.

He remembered those who were red-eyed and wanted to squeeze into the mission.

The mission packed up their bags and chose a good weather to head towards Youzhou.

On the way, Gao Ming and Zhao Kai carefully analyzed the situation and made adjustments to some conditions.

Before Zhao Ji left, he had already foreseen the triumphant return, and he had already begun to think about filling in a poem to congratulate the recovery of Youyun in the palace.

Which word card is appropriate to use?This is a problem.

—

Gao Ming and the others entered Youzhou City along the familiar road, rested for one night, and met the Liao State negotiating team again the next day as promised.

The personnel arrangement of the Liao Kingdom has not changed much, and they are still the same old faces, the Prince Yelu Chun, the Prime Minister of the South Court Zhang Lin, and the old acquaintance Yelu Dashi.

Everyone sat across the table.

Song Guo had a smile on his face, while Liao Guo had a dignified expression.

Yelu Dashi first exchanged a few words such as whether the journey was smooth and whether he had a good rest last night as an opening speech.

Gao Ming also responded politely, and even talked about the autumn scenery in Youzhou in a harmonious atmosphere. The fallen leaves are either fiery red or golden, which is really beautiful.

After the formalities are over, it’s time to get down to business. Zhang Lin first smiled and said, “It is said that we people from the Northern Dynasties are short-tempered. I think you people from the Southern Dynasties are not inferior to us. Last time, we rented the area east of Taihang Mountain for 10 years at 30 taels a year. We haven’t had time yet. After thinking about it, you left, and you left so fast. If we didn't pay attention, you all left. Oh, it's a mess, you should wait a few more days. No, you have to bother to come here trip."

The mission of the Song Dynasty kept smiling.

Without our flirting with Jin Guo, and the breakthrough in firearms, would you invite Song Guo to talk again?

snort!

Gao Ming also didn't want to get entangled in these details, "For Youyun, we don't think it's troublesome. We have been waiting for more than 100 years, not bad for a few days, so we are not in a hurry."

Yeluchun squeezed out the word "hum" from his nasal cavity.

The so-called opposition, because he failed to negotiate with the state of Song last time, shortly after he returned to Beijing, Xiao Wenshu sent back two news that Yelu Yanxi was angry.

First, Song Guo blatantly contacted Jin Guo, and even invited Jin Guo Wanyan's noble family to come to Tokyo as a guest.

Second, the firearms of the Song Dynasty have developed greatly, and it is afraid that they will be another sharp weapon like the bed crossbow back then.

Back then, the bed crossbow directly shot to death Xiao Talin, the commander-in-chief of the Liao army who conquered the Song Dynasty, and only then did the Chanyuan alliance come into being.

The Song people were not good at fighting, but they could make up for it by inventing weapons.

What kind of bed crossbow, god arm bow, Yelu Yanxi paid great attention to the news reported by Xiao Wenshu when he was not hunting.

If the State of Song united with the State of Jin after it had firearms, the situation of the Daliao State could be imagined, so Yeluchun was ordered to immediately take Zhang Lin and Yelu Dashi to negotiate with the State of Song.

This time, only success is allowed, not failure.

There may be appropriate concessions on the rent.

Yeluchun had no choice but to come to Youzhou to negotiate with the people of Song Dynasty again. Remembering the emperor's stern words before leaving, Yeluchun's tense face was covered with frost.

Gao Minghun didn't seem to see Yeluchun's expression, and said unhurriedly: "Same as last time, we came to negotiate with great sincerity this time."

Yelu Dashi smiled and said: "We are very sincere with the Liao Kingdom, so how much sincerity is it with the Jin Kingdom?"

He stopped beating around the bush, and asked straight to the point about the relationship between Song Guo and Jin Guo.

Gao Ming said: "Our relationship with the Kingdom of Jin is rooted in you. Our Song Kingdom has limited energy, and if we are three points weaker than the Liao Kingdom, then we will be three points better with the Jin Kingdom."

It is clear that the State of Song is stepping on two boats between the Liao and Song Dynasties.

Both Zhang Lin and Yelu Dashi frowned, but they couldn't do anything to Gao Ming, just like the Liao Kingdom can't do anything to the Song Kingdom now.

Zhang Lin laughed twice, and said kindly, "If you successfully leased the Youyun area today, and the Wanyan family arrives in Tokyo, what do you plan to do? Wouldn't you still form an alliance with them?"

"Of course it can't. However, since we have found people across the sea, we can't ask them to go back, which is not in line with diplomatic etiquette. With the support of the lease agreement, after we treat the people of Wanyan's family with courtesy, then Send it back in a friendly manner. But if things don’t go well here, we can only have in-depth exchanges with the Wanyan family.”

After we sign the contract, I will take the Wanyan family to eat, drink and have fun, and then send them back.

If we don't sign a contract, I will have a good chat with the Wanyan family. As for the content, you can guess for yourself.

Zhang Lin shook her head, "Master Gao, we were negotiating peacefully, but your words were aggressive and seemed threatening."

"Eh? Prime Minister Zhang's words are wrong. He strangled the Song Dynasty for hundreds of years and forced to pay the old coins. Is it a threat? The Liao Kingdom is so good at threatening, why can't I stand it after just a few words. This is inevitably a bit Don't you have the demeanor of a big country?" Gao Ming said with a smile.

Insane, much more insane than last time.Zhang Lin and Yelu Dashi shouted together in their hearts.

The smile on the corner of Gao Ming's mouth grew stronger, he didn't care about their opinion at all.

At this time, Yeluchun couldn't take it anymore, besides the threat of Wanyan's family coming to Tokyo, the biggest threat was Song's so-called firearms, why didn't he believe that they were so powerful.

He had never seen the broken rockets that Song Guo fired when he was fighting Xia Guo, but according to those who have seen them, there is no difference between the broken firecrackers that can be bought anywhere. Besides a face of black and gray, what else is there to do?

Once the steed got used to the noise the rocket made, these things were of little use.

Yeluchun said expressionlessly: "You invited Xiao Wenshu, our envoy from Daliao, to watch the explosion of firearms. I heard from him that the firearms were amazingly effective. I was not in Tokyo at the time, so I didn't see it with my own eyes. It's a pity. However, Xiao Wenshu Manjusri loves the south wind a lot, and his personality likes to be surprised, so I don't know how much of his words are true or false."

The missions of the Song Dynasty all frowned, and their words were too harsh. What does it mean that Duo Mu Nanfeng loves to be surprised?Doesn't this mean that the wind of the Song Dynasty made Xiao Wenshu impetuous, pointing at Sang and scolding Huai?

Gao Ming laughed and said, "It's not easy. Your Highness will know the truth of what Xiao Wenshu said when he saw it with his own eyes."

Yeluchun was surprised, "How can seeing be believing?"

"We brought firearms, although not many, but enough to show." Gao Ming said.

He had expected that a diehard like Yeluchun would not shed tears when he saw the coffin, so he brought some gunpowder between the suitcase and the vehicle.When passing through Baigou, the guards simply checked the luggage on the surface and let them go.

Zhang Lin opened her mouth slightly, and dared to bring weapons into the territory of the Liao Kingdom, how courageous you are.

Yelu Dashi was dissatisfied and said: "You brought such dangerous things into the Liao Kingdom without declaring them?!"

Gao Ming calmly said: "So the gatekeepers in the Liao Kingdom should be replaced? Last time we were asked to leave the country without anyone noticing, but this time we were asked to bring dangerous goods in."

Your own guards are flawed, don't blame us.

Yeluchun was very angry, "You—" trembling a few times, took a breath, and endured it.

Yelu Dashi knew that apart from a few words of verbal protest, he couldn't do anything to them, "Since you've brought them here, why don't you show them off?" Looking at Yelu Chun, who was nodding, he called a follower and ordered Go down and find a suitable location.

During this period, the two countries did not talk to each other, and it was all exchanges within the country.

Gao Ming beckoned Ling Zhen over, "Are you ready? Don't make any mistakes this time."

Ling Zhen knew the burden on his shoulders, "Please rest assured, my lord, the purity of the saltpetre in the gunpowder we brought is better, and the effect is even better than what was shown last time."

Zhao Kai didn't say much, just looked at Ling Zhen trustingly.

Because Yelu Dashi only asked people to find the location nearby, so it was found quickly.

It is a stone courtyard wall in the backyard of the Yamen in Youzhou City.

Everyone set off to come here, Gao Ming took a look at the surrounding environment, this courtyard wall was the dividing line between the office area and the living area of ​​the yamen.

"There are a lot of people here, let's choose another place, it's not good to hurt people." Gao Ming kindly reminded.

Yeluchun didn't care, "Let's talk about it first if it hurts someone." Don't just set off a firecracker to make everyone listen.

"Okay." You don't care about it yourself, why are we worrying so much.

Gao Ming nodded to Ling Zhen, and Ling Zhen was ordered to go down.

Yelu Dashi carefully observed the actions of the Song people, to see how they operated, and to find out.

Who knew that several people from the Song Dynasty were pulling a piece of long cloth that was one person tall, blocking their sight, and they couldn't see what happened inside the cloth.

Gao Ming smiled apologetically, "It cannot be passed on."

Although it was just to bury the gunpowder box under the wall, as long as the Liao people didn't tell it, they would think it was a difficult operation.

Although Yelu Dashi didn't see it, he also heard the sound of digging and guessed that the thing was buried. As for what was put in the pit, he couldn't see it.

After a while, Ling Zhen finished his preparations, pulled out a lead wire, and said to everyone: "Okay, everyone back off!"

Gao Ming and Zhao Kai both retreated consciously, and the people of Liao Kingdom saw that they took many steps back, so they also learned to do so.

Unconvinced, Yeluchun only took a few steps back and stood in front of everyone to show his courage and his contempt for Song's firearms.

Gao Ming said to Yelu Dashi in a low voice: "It's better to ask His Highness to back off a little bit, if something goes wrong and it's our fault, we can't afford it."

It is simply: surprise!The Song Mission actually used this method to kill the Liao Emperor!

Yelu Dashi stepped forward to persuade Yelu Chun, Gao Ming saw what Yelu Dashi said to Yelu Chun, but the other party was unmoved, and finally Yelu Dashi couldn't do anything, he said to Gao Ming: "That's it, you just ignite it. .” Then he stood in front with Yeluchun.

Gao Ming said to Zhang Lin again: "You can see clearly, they are the ones who are willing to stand so far forward."

Zhang Lin nodded, "Yeah, it doesn't matter. It goes without saying that the prince has been a soldier all his life, but Yelu Dashi is also a brave man. If they say no, they don't need it."

All right, you've been crushed by gunpowder, so don't throw the blame away.Gao Ming motioned to Ling Zhen to move.

After Ling Zhen took the order, Gao Ming hurriedly dragged Zhao Kai back a few steps, and the Song people saw that the prince and Mr. Gao had retreated, so they all followed suit.

Therefore, the positions of Yelu Chun and Yelu Dashi are quite forward, and it is not an exaggeration to call them the front line.

Yelu Dashi looked back at this moment, and seeing Gao Ming and the others retreated even further, he began to feel uncertain, with a vague premonition.

He saw that the fuse was burning rapidly, and the sparks were getting fewer and shorter, and it burrowed into the ground like a poisonous tongue.

At the last moment, he became more and more sure of his premonition, and slammed Yeluchun down, "Lie down!"

Then there was a loud bang, the ground shook, bricks flew around, and smoke billowed.

Gao Ming and the others covered their mouths and noses and breathed hard. At this moment, noises in Khitan language came from the surroundings. It should be that other people working in the yamen heard the loud noise and rushed over.

The thick smoke gradually dissipated, and Yelu Dashi and Yelu Chun were half lying on the ground, coughing continuously.

When the Liao people saw it, they all surrounded them, and Zhang Lin was even more frightened. You must know that Yelu Chungui was the emperor's uncle, and there was a mistake, and Yelu Yanxi was the first to attack the people around them.

Yeluchun shook off the dust from his hat and body, and stood up, "I'm fine, don't make a fuss."

Yelu Dashi got up and beat the dust off his body, thinking with lingering fear, it was fortunate that he fell down at the last moment, otherwise the consequences would be disastrous.

He looked at the courtyard wall, and not only did a large gap collapse, but even the ground was a pit, which showed the force of the impact.

If the weight is more sufficient, perhaps the city wall can collapse.

The more he could understand Xiao Wenshu's mood of rushing to the emperor after watching it.

Song Guo has been tinkering with new gadgets again!

Not good, very bad!

Yelu Dashi didn't dare to imagine what would happen if Song and Jin joined forces and cooperated with this firearm.

And he could feel that Yeluchun was also frightened, although he was still pretending to be calm, but he was so close to him, he could clearly see the terrified look in his eyes when the explosion happened.

At this time Gao Ming shouted loudly: "Let's go back!"

Yeluchun was still ringing in his ears and couldn't hear clearly, but he could guess what the other party was saying.

He glanced at Zhang Lin who looked sad, and nodded helplessly.

So far, there is no other choice.

He looked up at the sky, feeling endless sadness in his heart, perhaps, the sunset in Daliao is coming.

Everyone returned to the negotiating table. This time, Yeluchun stopped, disheartened in every sense.

Gao Ming inspected the gloomy faces of the Liao Kingdom mission before slowly saying: "The Song Dynasty proposed to lease Youzhou City for 10 years with 30 taels of silver per year, but you did not agree. Today is different from the past. Our terms It's changed too."

Yelu Dashi clenched his fists, "I admit that your firearms are powerful, but you don't need to achieve a little achievement to get carried away and deceive others too much!"

Yeluchun and Zhang Lin's complexions also turned pale.

People in the Song Dynasty don't even plan to give 10 taels a year?

"Don't worry, listen to us. After we returned to China last time, we discussed it. What you are short of now is not silver, but grain. For three years from this year, we will provide Liao with 10 shi of grain every year. Later, it was converted to an annual payment of [-] taels of silver."

Yelu Dashi was stunned, if Song Guo could provide food, it would really be a timely help.

The north was cold, and many cattle and sheep froze to death. If it hadn't been for emergency food dispatch from the Han people in Nanyuan ruled by the Liao Kingdom last year, more herdsmen would have died of starvation.

The faces of Yeluchun and Zhang Lin also softened, "Food?"

"That's right, food." Zhao Kai said: "You know how much silver you pay can go to the people's rice bowls. The Liao Kingdom has been plagued by white disasters for several years, and we are also worried for you. How much food can be saved with [-] shi People, it depends on whether you can distribute it properly."

This idea was suggested by Gao Ming to him on the way here.

Because this time Youzhou came, at least they could take back the cities in the eastern part of the Taihang Mountains, including Youzhou where various ethnic groups lived together.

If you can't handle the conflicts among the people inside, even if Youzhou is brought back, once a riot breaks out, it won't be so simple that money can solve it.

Therefore, it is necessary to buy people's hearts and try to reduce the hostility of the Khitan people and Han people who are pro-Khitan people to the Song Dynasty as much as possible.

Supporting the grain of the Liao Kingdom first made the people of the Liao Kingdom have a little confidence in their emperor, and then resisted the attack of the Jin Kingdom.

The longer the Liao Kingdom lasted, the more time it would give Da Song.

Second, it is to build momentum for Song State in Liao State to buy people's hearts and build the country's image.

If one day the Liao Kingdom really collapsed, it would be better for the generals and soldiers of the Liao Kingdom to come and surrender to the Song Dynasty instead of surrendering to the Jin Kingdom and charge for them.

For the same reason, even if the state of song is now strangling the neck of the state of liao and forcing them to cede the city, they can't oppress it too hard and have a good measure.

After all, the Liao Kingdom was a wealthy nobleman, and they were proud of themselves. The coercion was too ruthless, which aroused their hatred.

If you really pinch it, Yelu Dashi can kill [-] Song troops with his own soldiers, so let's take it easy.

The joy in Yelu Dashi's eyes could not be concealed. The white disaster is the frost and snow disaster. The north has been hit by disasters for several years, and food is really needed.

Looking at it this way, the Song State is still righteous, and it is not rampant just because it has firearms, and it is very sympathetic to the Liao State.

Even Yeluchun was thoughtful, and the resistance in his eyes almost disappeared.

Zhang Lin also raised her head and let out a long sigh, Song is indeed a friendly country.

"That's the condition, you guys discuss it, and whether it's okay or not, give us a letter." Zhao Kai said: "We'll go back to the embassy and wait."

Just when Zhao Kai got up, Yeluchun suddenly said loudly: "You don't have to go back, the king agrees!"

Gao Ming, Zhao Kai and others were overjoyed.

"But you can only lease the city east of Taihang Mountain. We don't consider the west of it for the time being."

Gao Ming said with a smile on his lips: "Your Highness, what do you think of our Da Song's actions? Can it be regarded as righteousness? I have been actively negotiating with you, and I have always given priority to your country between your country and Jin country, and even willing to It is really disappointing that it is you who support the people of your country with food instead."

Yeluchun let out a long sigh, "The king is telling the truth. We didn't plan to leave Yunzhou from the very beginning. Yunzhou is the Xijing of our Daliao, and it is the last place of refuge."

Yunzhou is Datong, the westernmost capital of the Liao Kingdom. Excluding the Liaoyang Mansion in Tokyo, which was occupied by the Kingdom of Jin, Shangjing and Dading Mansion in Zhongjing are both too close to Jurchen, and Youzhou was ceded to the State of Song, leaving only Xijing the most Safety.

If it doesn't work, go west from here and go to the vast world further west to look for vitality.

This is really the truth, Yunzhou Datong was the accompanying capital when the Liao Kingdom was planning to subjugate the country.

Since it is a shelter, it will definitely not be given easily.

Yelu Dashi said: "With the city to the east of Taihang Mountain, the gap in the national border can be closed by [-]%, and the pass that is easy to defend and difficult to attack belongs to Song Dynasty. Hua Rong has already analyzed it for you."

Gao Ming looked at Zhao Kai, and saw that Zhao Kai was also frowning in thought, and finally nodded slightly at him.

Gao Ming understood, and said: "Since this is the case, we will definitely not take it by force. Then, the city east of Taihang Mountain will be included in the Song Dynasty!"

Yeluchun closed his eyes and nodded, "Prime Minister Zhang, come and draft the document."

He was sore in his heart, because he was afraid that the Song people would see the tears in his eyes when he opened his eyes.

From tomorrow, this Youzhou city will no longer belong to Daliao in name.

Will the glory of the ancestors usher in decline here?

Yelu Dashi encouraged in a low voice: "This is an expedient measure. After Daliao passes this hurdle, there will be a day of comeback."

Yeluchun comforted himself, yes, it was only 30 years, at least he could use this reason to comfort himself.

As for the Mission of the Song Dynasty, seeing that the Liao Kingdom finally nodded, they felt like they were dreaming.

Did it really happen?Although I knew that there was a great chance of getting Youzhou this time, it still felt like a dream when it really happened.

It has been 130 years since Taizu failed to attack Liao and take Youyun.

In 130, it was finally recovered.

For a while, someone from the Liao Kingdom secretly wiped their tears, and someone from the Song Kingdom secretly wiped the corners of their eyes.

Each has its sorrows and joys.