"Dali's envoy Duan Suzhen has arrived!" A civil servant looked up from the list, looked at the clothes of the comers, and shouted.

Immediately, a few people walked to the gate of this mansion and bowed to the civil officials. The civil official who received him smiled kindly, and said a few words to the envoy in the midst of the commotion.

Then the envoy and several others walked to the door one after another, spread their arms, and let the martial artist standing in front of the door touch his feet from head to foot.

The street outside the gate was very crowded, and the carriages and horses were crowded with people, as if they were rushing to a market. On one side of the gate, a large group of soldiers in armor lined up motionless, and the ranks were straight, as if they had been bounced with a carpenter's ink rope.

In this meeting, not only Xu and Liao participated in the alliance, but also all places where Tokyo had a little contact, they were invited in advance. Even Dali sent people, but only Jiaozhi did not send people...... It is said that in the past few years, there has been civil strife in Cochin, and Ding Buling has just recently pacified the ministries and established the "Great Quyue", but Tokyo does not recognize the legitimacy of this country.

…… Guo Shao came to this mansion left by the bureaucrats of the previous dynasty very early, but he decided not to appear on the occasion of the official alliance, and would appear again at the banquet.

Because the officials of the Ministry of Rites believed that the Liao State sent the king of the Northern Courtyard, and Xu only needed to send ministers of the same level to sign the alliance. Privy Council officials also suggested that Xu Liaozhi's hatred could not be resolved overnight, and that the emperor did not have to stand on the cusp of discontent, as long as the minister presided over it.

But Guo Shao decided to meet the Liao envoys in private.

He waited in a room in the back garden, looking forward to meeting Xiao Siwen...... But ten years ago, he would have looked forward to meeting Siu Siwen's daughter.

At this time, he noticed an old painting hanging on the wall above the coffee table, and when he looked up, he saw that the paper of the painting had turned yellow. In black and white ink painting, an old man in a coat sits by the river and fishes, and the background of the snow-capped mountains and forests is outlined with ink lines.

Fishing alone in the cold river and snow. Guo Shao first thought of this poem, but this painting should not be a famous painting, there is neither an inscription nor a seal of the artist's name.

Guo Shao didn't understand why he was attracted by such an old painting that was not a famous painting, he stood by the wall and carefully observed the painting for a long time.

Until Jing Niang's voice came from behind him: "The official family, Xiao Siwen, the envoy of the Liao State, and others have brought it." ”

Guo Shao didn't look back, nodded, his eyes still didn't leave the painting, and his mind was catching the faint hint of understanding.

After a while, I heard a Chinese with a jerky accent: "The envoys of the Great Liao pay a visit to Emperor Xu." ”

Guo Shao turned around, looked at a few people, and said casually: "No courtesy." ”

The middle-aged man with good facial features standing in front should be Xiao Siwen, he and several other people straightened up and looked at Guo Shao. From their gazes, Guo Shao knew that they were a little surprised.

"I heard that I was rumored to be a three-headed and six-armed monster in the Liao Kingdom, and was used by the people to scare disobedient children?" Guo Shao said with a smile.

Xiao Siwen said calmly: "Emperor Xu is famous all over the world, and it is inevitable that there will be foolish rumors. ”

Guo Shao is obviously more ordinary than they imagined, with rough skin, ordinary face, and a relatively burly and tall figure, but there are many tall ordinary men in the world. In this back garden, he didn't even wear a hat, combed his hair in a bun, and pinned it with a wooden hairpin. The purple crewneck robe was flat, but old, and the cuffs and collar were slightly lighter than the other materials.

Guo Shao was also observing Xiao Siwen, who had been thinking about him for a long time, just looking at his appearance, he completely believed that he was a decent person. As for who Yang Gon is, Guo Shao can't be sure, and he doesn't want to mention it specifically...... Just wait a while and ask Jing Niang who is standing aside.

After a short silence, Guo Shao saw that Xiao Siwen had finished reading himself, and his eyes looked at the painting he had just seen on the wall from time to time.

This time he was summoned privately, and there was no need to talk about the affairs of the alliance, such a matter could be done as long as the minister could do it, and Guo Shao did not need to discuss it with Xiao Siwen in person. Seeing that Xiao Siwen noticed the painting, Guo Shao found the topic, raised his hand and pointed at the painting: "Xiao Zhijun knows this painting?" ”

"Fishing alone in the cold river and snow." Xiao Siwen said.

Guo Shao praised: "Xiao Yuanjun is very knowledgeable. ”

"The famous poetry of the Central Plains, I dabbled in it a little." Xiao Siwen said, "This painting is based on the artistic conception of Liu Zongyuan in the Tang Dynasty. ”

Guo Shao nodded and said quietly: "There is another layer." The painters of this kind of painting were generally not only literati, but also bureaucrats. If the time is a few years earlier, most of them are from the door valve. ”

"Oh......" Xiao Siwen nodded thoughtfully, and couldn't help but look up at the painting again.

At this time, more and more people in front of the courtyard arrived, and they were about to prepare for major events between countries, but Emperor Daxu and the king of the northern courtyard of Liao were talking about poetry and painting. The three deputy envoys and the interested Jing Niang all listened very patiently and did not speak easily...... Because the emperor can talk about whatever he wants.

Guo Shao said again: "The mansion where we are now has a former owner who is a former court official, and the person who owns this painting should have been him. Xiao Yuanjun walked in, what do you think of the scenery? ”

"Very delicate." Xiao Siwen said seriously, "The customs of the Central Plains are settled, and they really put more effort into their residence than the Liao people. ”

Guo Shao said: "Before Xiao Yuanjun came in, I looked at this painting and had some thoughts. What was the mood of the bureaucrat here when he took a fancy to this painting? ”

Xiao Siwen muttered: "If I speculate, it may be to appreciate that indifferent and quiet realm." ”

"Xiao Zhijun really has a good understanding of the Central Plains culture." Guo Shao's tone is gentle and calm, and if he praises him from time to time, he doesn't look like Xiao Siwen's enemy and enemy at all, "My country has always been ruled by man, and the concept is also 'the original nature of man is good', and I hope for the personal cultivation of officials." When officials flaunt this realm, they are also showing the world, and even themselves, that they are capable of the role of rulers. ”

Xiao Siwen listened very carefully and responded, "Emperor Xu established the country with force, and now looking at it, the emperor also has a lot of experience in Wenzhi. ”

Guo Shao smiled and continued: "When the person who appreciates the painting stands here, the fame and fortune he is chasing have been obtained, and he imagines that he is the old man in the painting, withdrawing in such a lonely environment. Maybe there's a feeling ......"

"How does it feel?" Xiao Siwen looked very interested. It can be seen that this Khitan is not a completely unstable person.

Guo Shao took a "hiss" breath and said thoughtfully, "The huge wealth and power that I once thought were the source of joy, once I succeeded, I didn't feel that it was the source of pleasure. The real meaning is not the result, but the desire and expectation when chasing. ”

Xiao Siwen seemed to be more and more interested, and immediately asked, "Then why are you still chasing?" ”

Guo Shao looked at him and said, "Wealth and power are not the source of happiness, but they are the source of most pain and helplessness. The implication is that people don't want to be abused, even if they don't get joy. ”

Xiao Siwen thought and nodded slightly.

Guo Shao suddenly raised his voice, and said with a sense of empowerment: "I am looking forward to Xiao Yuanjun's next performance, how he can get out of the painful and helpless situation." I hope that Xiao Yuanjun will not let me down, but let me hear that you have overcome the difficulties, and then applaud Xiao Yuanjun from the bottom of my heart. ”

Xiao Siwen raised his head to meet Guo Shao's smiling eyes, but his own face was blue and red, and his expression was extremely subtle and complicated.

Guo Shao's words are a blatant provocation and undisguised schadenfreude!

But his words are respectful, even if Xiao Siwen is not necessarily an opponent worthy of respect, Guo Shao respects the opponent, as if he is respecting his own demeanor.

Xiao Siwen's original method was to plot poison by unscrupulous means, and when Guo Shao fought back, it was on the table. Tell Xiao Siwen his purpose, remind him to take the call, and advance step by step openly.

It's not quite the end yet, but it seems to be a verdict...... That's what Guo Shao wants!

The two faced each other for a while, and Guo Shao said: "The business in the hall is about to begin, and I will not keep Xiao Yuanjun." ”

Xiao Siwen saluted: "This envoy is leaving." ”

Guo Shao said: "The conversation between me and Xiao Yuanjun is very interesting, I hope there will be another time." ”

Several envoys from the Liao Kingdom withdrew from the room, and it was quiet again, and Guo Shao stood alone in the room, just like the lonely fishing on the wall.

After a short time, Jing Niang returned to the room to return.

Guo Shao asked, "Which one is Yang Gon?" ”

Jing Niang said: "The one on Xiao Siwen's left." ”

Guo Shao suddenly said: "I guessed the other three just now, and I guessed the same one." ”

Jing Niang is not a talkative person, she looks like she wants to say something, and then stands there silently.

Guo Shao glanced at her and said, "I also guessed it intuitively, and I didn't see anything, Yang Gon is really a person with a city government and a mind." However, as far as I know, Yang Gon is a Khitan from Zhangda, Hebei, and his temperament is somewhat similar to Xiao Siwen, but it is different from the other two Khitans anyway. I didn't figure out what the difference was, and I didn't bother to think about it. ”

Jing Niang said: "I asked Yang Shiliang who Yang Gon was." ”

Guo Shao said while glancing at the south, he was waiting for the result of the alliance. Until the results are confirmed, there doesn't seem to be much else to deal with. Guo Shao is not the kind of person who is completely indifferent and calm as Shilin praises.

His gaze slowly moved from Jing Niang's wound, as if something invisible gently brushed the outline of her body-propped up clothes. Jing Niang could feel Guo Shao's gaze, but she was neither shy, nor flattering.

Guo Shao said: "The women I can see now are all vying for favor. ”

Jing Niang's face did not change and said: "My background is not noble, but I have seen rich and noble people since I was a child. There are many women with good looks around them, but those who rely on their good looks usually stay with the owner for less than a month. No matter how beautiful a person is, there will always be a time when they are bored. ”

Guo Shao looked sideways at the painting and said casually: "This is the reason why power and wealth are not the source of pleasure." ”