Entering the southern country in early spring, the wind of recovery warms the earth, and as the most prosperous capital in the Jiangdong region, Jinling has recovered from the cold winter ahead of schedule.

The canal that connects the inside and outside of the city slowly surges, and a flock of white ducks flutters and rattles in the pond of the owner's house. Across the water fence, there is an endless stream of all kinds of southern boats, with different loads, shuttling through the city.

Standing in the attic of the hotel, looking out over the railing, Tao Gu stroked his beard in style, contrasting Tokyo and Jinling. In Tao Gu's view, in terms of the prosperity of the market and the abundance of products, the current Tokyo is not as good as Jinling, and the living standards of the people are even less comparable.

Tao Gu envied the prosperity of Jinling, the beauty of the scenery, and the grace of the beauty. Of course, it is a kind of envy with a desire to conquer and destroy, as a close minister of the Son of Heaven of the Han Dynasty, Tao Gu still remembers his identity, and his ass will not be crooked.

sat alone on the table, ordered the official to serve the tea set, prepare the charcoal fire, and take out the good tea given by the Tang lord Li Jing...... Summoned the envoys, did it themselves, the two sat opposite each other and tasted, two or three pots of strong tea, turned into fresh water, and the time passed.

"Winter goes to spring, living in a lonely house, drinking tea lightly, I don't know how long it will take to ...... like this" Tao Gu couldn't help but sigh with emotion, his face was boring.

When the envoy heard the words, he couldn't help but ask: "Tao Gong, we have been coming to Jinling for more than a month, and the envoy's edict has been reached, why are you still staying here?" ”

Seeing his question, Tao Gu shook his head and said, "The old man has unspeakable suffering!" ”

"Could it be that the imperial court has another opportunity to secretly grant it?" The envoy asked.

Tao Gu raised his finger, nodded at him a few times, and said in a warning tone: "Since you have guessed, there are some things you need to know, so you shouldn't ask more!" ”

"Yes! Xia Guan is too talkative! It's just ......" Seeing this, he hesitated.

"Just what?" Tao Gu was a little puzzled.

"It's just that the officials have heard that the Jinling people have been talking about it recently, and our dynasty wants to unite with the Southern Tang Dynasty and share the matter of Ma Chu......"

"What!" Tao Gu was shocked, a little incredulous: "The secret affairs of the imperial court have been leaked to the people? ”

"Only staring at the pseudo-Tang monarchs and ministers, but not taking care of the market!" After thinking about it, Tao Gu was in a trance, first shook his head, and then laughed: "The pseudo-Tang monarch and the minister are so secret, and the military affairs are discussed by the people, how can it be my opponent?" ”

Since last winter, it has been a month since the envoy to Jinling, and there is no problem with normal etiquette. Of course, the "discussion of dividing Chu", which is the key point, has not been fruitful since Tao Gu put it forward......

Tao Gu originally thought that the Southern Tang monarchs and ministers would either be tempted, or refuse, or hesitate, but he didn't expect to be entangled for so long, and he hadn't come up with a result to reply to the Northern Han.

In this way, it has bitter Taogu, and he lives in a hotel all day long, drinking and drinking tea. Qin Huai's Qinglou Chu Pavilion is still attracted to him, but because of the "idle talk" of the Son of Heaven before leaving, he always has a thread in his head and does not dare to be arbitrary.

In this way, the more difficult it is to live, without red sleeves to add fragrance, it is very boring to compose poems and lyrics. It was only when the Tang lord was summoned to the palace several times for banquets that he could take the opportunity to feel the extravagance of the Southern Tang court.

"Hey...... It's not a way to keep waiting! I have to ask to see Lord Tang again! Tao Gu Dao.

After that, he fell silent, looking suspicious, as if he was pondering his next plan.

At this time, the envoy asked with a little flattering smile: "Tao Gong, this guest post is very boring, do you want to make arrangements for entertainment?" ”

For some of Tao Gu's habits, the envoy still heard of it.

"Huh?" When Tao Gu heard this, his spirits perked up, and he noticed that his person had some flattering smiles, and he was moved, but when he gritted his teeth, he still waved his hand again and again: "No!" No! No! ”

Holding back the impulse, he sighed heavily and let the entourage retreat. Ordered the postman to serve wine, pour himself a drink, until he was slightly drunk, took pen and ink, walked to the side leisurely, and wrote on the wall of the room: Xichuan dog, people's eyes, horse bags, imperial kitchen rice......

When Taogu was hungry and thirsty in the pavilion and it was difficult to sit and stand, Jinling Palace, ** Palace, a palace banquet, had come to an end. Singing and dancing, pushing the cup and changing the lamp, so unhappy.

As soon as the excitement came, some people brought up the old things. After eating and drinking, it is time to discuss state affairs.

Monarchs and ministers gathered for banquets, drank and wrote poems, Li Jing was always interested, and he couldn't help but sigh when he mentioned the things that made him hesitate recently. coughed heavily, attracting the somewhat scattered attention of several courtiers, and asked: "Zhuqing, what the Northern Han Dynasty discussed has been delayed for a long time, and I always have to give a reply, what is the decision of Datang?" ”

The puppet Tang Junchen also had several discussions on this matter, and as usual, they were divided into two factions, the Northern Scholars Group and the Jianghuai Bureaucracy. It's just that this time, the northerners group, which has always been "enterprising", supported and refused, but the southerners advocated agreeing and took the opportunity to take Hunan.

At this time, as soon as Li Jing spoke, Han Xizai stood up, didn't drink much, his eyes were clear, and he said loudly: "Your Majesty, the country of tigers and wolves in the Northern Han Dynasty, highlighting this proposal, must have impure motives, harbor evil intentions, and conspire with it, it is tantamount to seeking the skin of the tiger, I hope Your Majesty will be cautious!" ”

Han Xizai, the leader of the northern scholars who has always advocated aggressiveness, tried his best to dissuade the Southern Tang Dynasty from mobilizing troops this time, which was quite unexpected. When Tao Gu first came to propose this proposal, he was the first to oppose it, and his attitude was resolute, and he fought with the courtiers according to his will, and there were several fierce disputes.

And sure enough, when his words fell, Feng Yansi, who had returned to the center of the Southern Tang Dynasty to pay respects, stood up, glanced at Han Xizai, and said lightly: "Han Shilang has repeatedly said this, so please explain, how impure the motives of the Northern Han Dynasty are, and what kind of evil intentions are hidden?" ”

Although Han Xizai is conscious and has a sense of crisis, it is not easy to guess what the intentions of the Northern Han Dynasty are.

was about to turn a corner and persuade, but when he heard Feng Yansi continue, his words were already sarcastic: "A few years ago, Han Shilang also strongly advocated external expansion, opening up territory, and taking the Northern Expedition to the Central Plains all day long, and taking Chang'an as his ambition? What's wrong now, is it possible that he is short of breath? Ma Chu was in turmoil, a huge piece of land, right next to Datang's mouth, ready to eat, but so cowardly, it was really despicable! ”

was ridiculed like this, and with Han Xizai's arrogance, he suddenly felt angry. However, he couldn't help it, didn't argue with Feng Yansi, turned to Li Jing, and said earnestly: "Your Majesty, the ambition of the minister is small, and the safety of the Tang Dynasty is great." The major affairs of the country of soldiers are related to life and death. Fujian has not yet been decided, and Wu Yue is harassing from behind from time to time, so how can he rashly meddle in Hunan again. Since the Northern Han Dynasty proposed this proposal, it must be concerned, under its watch, how could the Tang Dynasty easily eat it? ”

"Hehe......" Feng Yansi smiled: "In the old man's opinion, Han Shilang is the spirit of the Changbei Hezhi, and he will destroy my Tang prestige!" Since the last mission, it seems that he has always been afraid of the Northern Han! ”

"Your Majesty!" Feng Yansi solemnly saluted Li Jing: "After the civil strife of the Ma brothers, the national strength was greatly reduced, the people were weak and the soldiers were tired, and Ma Xicao seized the throne, arrogant and lascivious, political chaos and unkindness, which not only aroused the people's resentment, but also lost the morale of the soldiers, and it was already a country that died quickly. The Tang Dynasty has 100,000 troops, which is close at hand, even if there is no initiative of the Northern Han Dynasty, the ministers also want to suggest that His Majesty attack and seize Chu in one fell swoop! ”

"Han Shilang is worried, but there is a conspiracy hidden in the Northern Han Dynasty!" As he spoke, Feng Yansi glanced at Han Xizai and continued: "However, the ministers think that no matter how much the Northern Han Dynasty plans against Hunan, after all, it is far away in the Central Plains, separated by the three states of Jingnan. Its mobilization is an expedition for labor, and our army is in the south, so it can be easily controlled. The Northern Han Dynasty only had 2,000 soldiers and horses in Lizhou, which shows that their hearts are weak. According to the ministers' expectations, the Northern Han Dynasty came up with this proposal, I am afraid that I want to use the power of my Tang Dynasty to destroy Chu, and then take the opportunity to get a piece of the pie! ”

"The minister thinks that if I can take all the Chu land at his invitation, even if I divide some states and counties, it will eventually be food in my mouth, why am I afraid of it?"

"Your Majesty, please don't miss this opportunity!"

After listening to the words of Han and Feng, Li Jing fell into a tangle again, look at Feng Yansi, look at Han Xizai.

"Your Majesty, be very cautious!"

"Your Majesty, don't miss the opportunity!"

After a long time, Li Jing suddenly asked, "What about the Han envoy Tao Gu?" ”

Mentioning this, Feng Yansi smiled and responded: "It is reported that Tao Valley, the guest hotel, is struggling to survive!" ”

Li Jing said to Feng Yansi: "Feng Yanqing, please set up a banquet in private, invite Na Tao Gu to talk about it, and then explore this person's tone!" ”

"Yes!" Feng Yansi hurriedly responded.

On the side, seeing Li Jing's commission and Feng Yansi, Han Xizai suddenly felt bad in his heart.