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Chapter 167: The Middleman

Li Tingru and Yelu chatted for a while before they got up and said goodbye. ? When I arrived at my mansion, a family member told me: Wei Rong, the waiter of Hedong Zhongshu, came to visit.

Tian Yu was able to create a world in the Khitan, relying on what he liked, and became a drinking friend with the Khitan Emperor Yelujing; Li Tingru was able to become important in Hedong, relying on Tianshi, after the defeat of Gaoping, the situation in Hedong deteriorated, and his attitude towards Chu suddenly improved. Thinking about it, even the yellow pomegranate horse that dragged Liu Chong all the way back to Taiyuan from Gaoping was canonized by Liu Chong as a "free general", not to mention Li Tingru, who followed Liu Chong all the way to defeat and retreat.

Hearing that Li Tingru was back, Wei Rong, who was sitting and waiting in the living room, hurriedly stood up and walked to the door of the living room to greet him. After the two exchanged pleasantries, they sat down in the living room. Li Tingru took a sip of tea and asked, "Lord Wei, you have always been on the Three Treasures Hall for nothing, and you came to visit all night today, I don't know what it is for?" ”

Li Tingru's words were not very polite. First, the two are not so familiar, the relationship is relatively close, and more importantly, the positions of the two are completely different. The state of Chu and the state of Han can form an alliance, in fact, there is a bit of a fantasy. Nothing? In the era of Liu Zhiyuan, the ancestor of the Han Dynasty, whether it was Liu Chong, the envoy of Hedong Jiedu, or Ma Yun, the king of Chu, were in fact courtiers, since the death of Liu Chengyou of Huaizong of the Han Dynasty, the two sides almost simultaneously accused Guo Wei of being a traitor, and the two also successively called the emperor. In terms of blood, Liu Chong and Liu Chengyou are uncles and nephews, and the family is passed down all over the world, and it is not without precedent for an uncle to inherit his nephew's country (Tang Xuanzong is Tang Wuzong's uncle, a famous imperial uncle in history), and he is definitely more reasonable than Ma Yun to be the emperor. In Liu Chong's view, the Chu State in the south of the Yangtze River is actually a betrayal of the Han Dynasty, and in the eyes of the Great Chu, in order to pick up the theoretical weapon against the pseudo-Zhou and seize the moral high ground, Ma Yun has never denied that he is Liu Chengyou's courtier. However, Ma Yun will never admit Liu Chong, and he will not find such a master for himself. The Chu State officially believed that the Han Dynasty had in fact perished, and that Liu Chong's "Han" was nothing more than a feudal town.

It can be seen from this that there is a contradiction between Chu and Hedong. However, when the two stick people were faced with the scorching pseudo-Zhou, they invariably sought common ground while reserving differences. It's just that, especially in Hedong, some ministers are very dissatisfied with the state of Chu. Among these people is Wei Rong.

Wei Rong smiled and said, "Master Li smiled. At present, our two countries have formed an alliance to jointly crusade against the Zhou thieves, so we should move around often and contact each other. Now that the Khitan army is about to be dispatched, and a new round is about to begin, His Majesty the Emperor ordered me to come, in fact, to emulate your country and send envoys to Jinling to facilitate mutual communication. I don't know what you think? ”

Li Tingru secretly speculated about Wei Rong's intentions, and said without moving: "This... That's a good thing! Li Tingru said in his heart: I believe you are an idiot! What to send an envoy to Jinling is a business matter, and the state of Chu has always advocated this, and the small court in Hedong really wants to do this, it can go through normal channels and discuss it openly. Why did you come to find yourself at night, and you knew that you were no longer at home, and you still wanted to wait.

Thinking of this, Li Tingru suddenly sobered up, this Wei Rong came to find himself at this juncture sooner or later, it must be for Yelu to pull the thorn, for the Khitan envoys. At that moment, Li Tingru said with a smile on his face: "This matter is in line with the proposition of my Imperial Majesty. I will write to Your Majesty at once to report the good news to Your Majesty. The envoy of your country can go out now, and when he arrives in Jinling, he will directly find the Honglu Temple, and the officials there will naturally arrange a permanent residence for the envoy of your country. The prosperous land in the south of Jinling is not as dry and simple as this Hedong. Lord Wei, you have to send an upright official, so as not to fall into the Jinling Red Powder Nest and be unhappy. ”

Seeing Li Tingru joking, Wei Rong had a straight face and said: "If he feels so self-defeating, His Majesty will definitely punish him severely!" ”

It was originally a joke, but when Wei Rong said this, Li Tingru became a little uncomfortable, he lowered his head and drank tea with a teacup in his hand. For a moment, the entire hall was silent.

Perhaps sensing the embarrassment, Wei Rong coughed and said, "Lord Li, I heard that the Zhou thief is reorganizing his army in Huaibei, and he may invade the south in the near future. Your country must have been prepared and prepared, right? ”

Wei Rong didn't go straight to the point, but went around in circles. Li Tingru was naturally not in a hurry, drinking tea while chatting with each other. But his mind was spinning in a hurry, the higher the posture of Yelu Tugging the Thorn, so that the small court of the Han Kingdom in Taiyuan City was at a loss for what to do, this Wei Rong must have heard that he had visited Yelu Tubing and wanted to hear some rumors from himself. Yelu's plan to drag the stab, I have already figured out seventy-seven-eighty-eight, but this matter is a matter of the Han Kingdom and the Khitan, how can I go ** and get some benefits for my Dachu?

Li Tingru said while thinking about it, "Lord Wei, you don't know the situation of our Chu State. In the battle of Bianjing, our Great Chu was indeed defeated. However, there are hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers in Dachu, and my Majesty Huang has mobilized 100,000 troops from other places to enrich the Huainan defense line, and the famous general Zhu Yuandu supervises Huainan, and there are also fierce generals such as Zhang Wenbiao, Zhou Xingfeng, Cao Bin, Pan Mei, and Shentu Congjian. If the pseudo-Zhou doesn't go south, it will be fine, once there must be no return! ”

Looking at Li Tingru's confident appearance, to be honest, Wei Rong was very envious. As long as this person has a high enough IQ, he will continue to yy, how cool it would be if he could be so tough. It's a pity that even if Wei Rong has backbone, the small court of the Han Kingdom behind him does not have enough strength to support him. Wei Rong smiled on his face and said, "That's really good." However, in my opinion, the strength of the Puppet Zhou is not much stronger than that of your country, not to mention that the Puppet Zhou still has a large number of troops fighting in Hexi. If the pseudo-Zhou really attacked Huainan, the Hebei area would inevitably be empty, and if the Khitan army could take advantage of the weakness, the entire Central Plains would not be enough. ”

Li Tingru secretly said in his heart, this is coming. Wei Rong, the old boy, finally brought the topic to the Khitans, and Li Tingru didn't say this. To tell the truth, didn't the Khitan people's plan inadvertently leak to the Han State, and at the same time, they also showed that the Chu State and the Khitan were not very compatible in front of the Han State. However, if there is no need for Khitan, this old boy turned his face and sold himself, then it would be bad.

Li Tingru snorted at the moment, came to push the boat down the river, and said, "Lord Wei, this is wrong. Once the pseudo-Zhou goes south, it will inevitably be a protracted war with my Great Chu. Hebei is empty, that is inevitable. Lord Wei, this is not a great opportunity for the Khitans, this is a great opportunity for your country. Could it be that His Majesty the Emperor of your country is really willing to be trapped in the twelve states east of the river? My Majesty has already said that my Great Chu only needs to be east of Tongguan and south of the Great River, and the rest of the places will be early to make an early profit. ”

Wei Rong smiled innocently and said, "My country is poor, so you don't need your country." In the first battle of Gaoping, the vitality was greatly damaged, and there were really not many troops to drive. Ay. ”

Wei Rong, the old boy, is much more cunning than Yelu Thorn, although Yelu Thorn has discounted himself in the specific number, but it can be regarded as upright. This old boy is good, he doesn't want to give himself anything, and in turn he keeps exploring his hole cards. Thinking of this, Li Tingru said straightforwardly: "This... So what are your country's plans for the Week of Communal Extermination? ”

Wei Rong wants to say: Our plan is that there is no plan. But he knew that if he said so, it would be too frivolous, and if he couldn't figure out the smiling Li Tingru on the other side, he would turn his face with him on the spot.

At that moment, Wei Rong sighed faintly and said: "The small country is weak, and it is nothing more than a horse and a stool for a big country." ”

"Hehe, Master Wei is too modest. Emperor Shenwu is still very influential in Hebei, the emperor of your country ascended to the heights, the army came out, and the people of Hebei probably did not return to the pulp and wine to warmly welcome. When the time comes, Hebei will not be difficult to decide. Li Tingru replied.

Seeing Li Tingru playing Tai Chi for himself like this, Wei Rong knew that this guy on the other side was also quite cunning. If you want to talk from the innermost part of him, I'm afraid it will be difficult to achieve. The most direct reason why he came to Li Tingru today was because Yelu was very cold to the Han Kingdom during the day, which made the court uneasy, and Li Tingru had seen Yelu again, and Wei Rong wanted to get some news from Li Tingru. On the other hand, the current situation is that the three strong countries stand side by side, and when the Zhou thieves are really defeated, then the three strong will be transformed into two poles: the Chu State and the Khitan. It is basically impossible for the Han Kingdom to become bigger, and because of the geographical location of the Han Kingdom, it is not easy to keep the temple of the Han Kingdom and walk the tightrope between the two poles. He even hoped that the Chu State and the Khitan would have some minor awkwardness, so that at least one powerful country would support the Han State.

Wei Rong came with this in mind, he wanted to provoke the relationship between Chu and Khitan, but Li Tingru was not fooled, but talked to himself about the distribution system of "more work and more rewards", and persuaded his big man to "make a move when it is time to act". If you continue to talk like this, you will never achieve the results you want. So, Wei Rong said: "Lord Li, the lower officials have heard that in the covenant between your country and the Khitan, it was once said that your country is not as good as the land of Hebei, and the Khitan will never drink horses to cross the river. This... But really. ”

Li Tingru smiled and said: "Lord Wei, let me tell you the truth, I have been in Dachu for many years, and even my Imperial Majesty's temper, he will definitely not let him do it." Since our emperor has promised your country that he will no longer make requirements for the land of Hebei, then he really does not make requirements. However, with all due respect, we will not take Hebei, but when the pseudo-Zhou perishes, will Hebei belong to your country, I can't pack a ticket. Emotionally speaking, we hope that your country can dominate Hebei, after all, we are people of the same race, good at farming, unlike the Khitan foreign tribes, who are long in conquest and short in government affairs. For the sake of the people of Hebei, we are still very optimistic about your country. ”

Li Tingru is actually still playing with words, Chu State just promised not to enter Hebei, but he didn't agree that Hebei is your Han State, of course, he also thinks that this Hebei should be Khitan.

"But if the Khitans take the land of Hebei, what will happen?" Wei Rong asked.

Li Tingru glanced at Wei Rong, there are really people in Hedong who understand. He was able to understand the intention of the Khitan in an instant, so Wei Rong also understood the intention of the Khitan from the "dragging" of Yelu dragging the five people and six people. This old boy must have heard that Yelu Tart Lie came to power, this guy has always advocated going south, and his coming to power is a precursor to the Khitans going south, and Yelu dragged the stab to Taiyuan to get some benefits from Taiyuan. The places that Chu gave to Han were nothing more than Hebei, Guanzhong, and Hexi. Guanzhong and Hexi are too far away, and there is little chance of convincing the Khitans to go on an expedition, so the goal of the Khitans must be Hebei. But how much land do the Khitans want? If the state of Chu can stand up and speak at this time and press the asking price of the Khitans, the Han state will be able to lose less.

Li Tingru pondered for a while and said, "The Khitans are very profitable. ”

Wei Rong was stunned, and he looked at Li Tingru carefully. saw the smile on Li Tingru's face, which was not at all like the solemn look just now. Wei Rong understood, but he was still more embarrassed. The Han State was even far from Shu, and wanted to spend a sum of money to invite the Khitan people to consume, and then give up the occupied territory. Theoretically, this is perfectly operable. In the old history, didn't Zhao Kuangyin, who became the emperor, just say: he wanted to save money to buy back the sixteen states of Yanyun. This also shows from another side that the Khitan people were not very fond of Yanyun Sixteen Prefectures at that time (when Zhao Kuangyi arrived, the attitude of the Khitan changed), if the price was right, maybe they could really buy it back.

But for the Han Kingdom, it really doesn't work in practice. The treasury of the Han State basically has no money, and it can't afford to invite the Khitan masters to spend. Wei Rong said with a bitter face: "Master Li has been in Taiyuan for a long time, and he also knows the suffering of our country, if there is less money, our Han Kingdom can still do it, if... If you ask too much, my big man will be weak. Just like the Great Chu Emperor said, the people of Hebei are also of our same clan, since the Han State is unable to protect, it is better to ask your country to protect, how about it? ”

Li Tingru was stunned for a moment, Wei Rong was a little tempted by this, but he quickly saw the true face of the Han Kingdom. This guy still adds some sand between Chu and Khitan. The two great powers had a conflict, and the Han State was able to have fun on the side and get by.

Li Tingru said: "My emperor is full of words, and what he has said is naturally golden-mouthed, and there is absolutely no regret about it." As for the situation in your country, the Khitan people also understand, and they must not be too demanding. ”

Wei Rong added chapped lips and said, "What Master Li said is extremely true. Well, I heard that Master Li had just gone to meet General Yelu, I wonder if you have heard of General Yelu's intention? ”

Li Tingru pondered for a moment and said, "I've heard of this, but... ”

Wei Rong stood up from his seat, bowed deeply at Li Tingru and said, "Please ask Lord Li to tell the lower officials that everyone in my Han Kingdom is grateful to Dade." ”

"Hey, to be honest, we can be regarded as of the same origin and roots. I'll tell you. But you can't just talk nonsense. ”

Seeing Wei Rong nodding again and again, he swore a curse. Li Tingru hesitated and said, "General Yelu said that the Khitan Emperor hopes to be able to get the area north of the Yellow River and east of Taihang. ”

"Huh?!" Wei Rong's face turned pale. Although he had also guessed the Khitans' asking price, he never thought that the Khitans' asking price would be so high. This... This is completely inconsistent with the law of value. Back then, Yelujing's father, Yelude, set up Shi Jingjiao and helped Shi Jingjing get about 120 states of territory, and then took the sixteen states of Yanyun. Now Yelu Jing is just helping Han Guo get back the territory of more than 30 states, and he will ask for 20 states, which... It's ridiculously expensive!

"Huh." Li Tingru coughed and said, "There are still 600,000 tributes per year." ”

"What?!" Wei Rong was stunned. This... Where is this to help the Han Kingdom fight the world, this is to ask for the life of the Han Kingdom. Forget it, Lao Tzu is gone, can we launch the alliance, you love to crusade against the Zhou thieves, you play by yourself, we will not accompany you. In an instant, Wei Rong even wanted to regret it and withdraw from the Four-Power Alliance. This... Once the pseudo-Zhou was destroyed, the Han State had more than a dozen states in Hedong, but the burden increased several times. After working hard for several years, returning to the pre-liberation period overnight, this ... It's too much to lose.

Li Tingru drank tea slowly and leisurely, while admiring Wei Rong's expression. Wei Rong's stiff expression lasted for a long time before he came to his senses. The first sentence is: "This... Is this condition negotiable? ”

Wei Rong is not an idiot, since Guo Wei usurped the country, Hedong was tied to the Khitan chariot. This luxury chariot can obviously only be put on and not off. Since the Khitans said so, they can only bargain, and they must not say: Lao Tzu is gone. If you don't do it, he'll you right away.

Li Tingru shook his head in embarrassment and said, "This... This subordinate is indeed not very clear. My visit to Jerod was purely courtesy. This kind of secrecy is not a matter if it weren't for Yelu's stabbing and stabbing, and the lower officials wouldn't be able to hear it. ”

"Less or more?" Wei Rong listened to this evaluation, and his stiff expression relaxed a little: "General Yelu, are you kind to others?" ”

Now it's Li Tingru's turn to stay, what does this mean?

Wei Rong's old face flushed, and he said: "When the lower official greeted General Yelu 3o miles away, the general happened to be out of Gong, so he just asked a small soldier to pass the word back and forth, and the lower officer... The lower officials did not see General Yelu himself. ”

Li Tingru laughed in his heart, this Yelu thorn is too spoofed. It's so arrogant. There was a calm look on his face, and he said: "The stabbing general just loves to play, he is a good person, and he speaks quite kindly." However, this mission, he was entrusted by his brother, and he must have a responsibility on his shoulders. Of course, this negotiation is possible, but if the general is willing to lower his bargaining chips, it is not something that the lower officials can guarantee. ”

"General Yelu walked all the way, and when he saw that my Hedong was so ruined, he must have felt pity, right?" Wei Rong comforted himself.

But Li Tingru listened to these words, he smiled indifferently, and said: "Children of the family, how do you know the suffering of the people? In the past, Emperor Hui of Jin didn't know about meat porridge, and all dynasties were so much. ”

Li Tingru figured it out a little at this moment. He was in front of Yelu just now, and persuaded Yelu to hang the kings and ministers of the Han Kingdom for two or three days. Now it's better to let Wei Rong go to Yelu to negotiate and negotiate, and let Wei Rong be deflated two or three more times, so that Wei Rong and Yelu can't answer, and he can only come to himself when he is cornered. Give them two sides by themselves, wouldn't Han Guo also have to express himself to Da Chu. Why can you pay tribute like the Khitan and not pay tribute to Dachu? Well, let him eat deflated, and I'll add some spices to him, so they won't take the bait.

Wei Rong was stunned, Li Tingru's words were also true. In case this Jerudron is a gentleman, looking at the barren fields, maybe he will think that the scenery is beautiful. He felt uneasy again. In fact, Wei Rong can be regarded as an old fox, but his strength is limited, no matter how cunning and slippery he is, he doesn't dare to do many things.

Wei Rong, who was instructed by Li Tingru, went to the post station the next day, asked Yelu to stab him into the palace, read the edict of the Khitan father, and negotiated at the same time. Unexpectedly, Yelu said that he had come by trekking through mountains and rivers, and he was very tired, so it would not be too late to wait for two or three days. Fortunately, Liu Chong has such a son as Liu Chengjun, otherwise like Yelu's procrastination method, some people may think that the Khitan Emperor is dissatisfied with Liu Chengjun. Even so, the hearts of the people up and down the Han Kingdom became even more panicked. Moreover, a lot of rumors suddenly came out of the market inexplicably, and it was said that the Khitans were dissatisfied with Liu Chengjun and wanted to attack; It is also said that Liu Chong died violently, Liu Chengjun killed his father and usurped the throne, and he was not in the right position; It is also said that the Zhou army is about to go north, and the Khitans are going to abandon Hedong. In short, rumors spread, and even the people in Taiyuan City suddenly became nervous.

There is no love without a reason, and there is no hate without a reason. Since Yelu did this, it must be for a reason, and he must want to hang himself. When it's not about you, you can naturally be a bystander. When a major event like this involves one's own body, how many people can be calm?

Wei Rong ran a few times, but to no avail. The higher-ranking prime minister Zhao Hua came out of the mountain, and the gifts he brought were richer, but Yelu's thorn was still missing. In the evening of the next day, Wei Rong came to visit Li Tingru again.

"Master Li, the lower officials are here to disturb again."

I haven't seen him for two days, and this Wei Rong seems to be a little older. His eyes were red and he couldn't walk steadily. Li Tingru smiled and said, "Lord Wei, you are too polite. You came to visit Xiaguan, Xiaguan is full of brilliance. When I am in your country, I very much hope that the high-level leaders of your country can often walk around, explain doubts, and enhance friendship. ”

Seeing that Li Tingru gave himself another move of Taijiquan, the Tai Chi master and the head of the door Wei Rong had no horn, but he didn't have the heart to play a roundabout way anymore. After he sat down in the hall, he said, "I don't know if Master Li has gone out in the past few days, but can you know that my Han has reached the point of life and death." ”

"Oh? Could it be that the pseudo-Zhou sent troops to Hedong? Li Tingru said differently.

"Master Li, don't be joking. General Yelu canonized my emperor on behalf of the Khitan Emperor, but I don't know why, but he hid in the post station and never came out, and he didn't take out the edict of canonization. Alas, even though my lord ascended the throne as emperor, it was all up to my country. But since Emperor Shenwu, every time it has been canonized by the edict of the Khitan Father Emperor, this time, I don't know what it is. Wei Rong said.

Li Tingru laughed secretly in his stomach, what is it called being canonized by the Khitan Emperor every time, and there is not only one Liu Chong in front of Liu Chengjun. Li Tingru was surprised: "There is such a thing." The relationship between your country and the Khitan has always been harmonious, and it stands to reason that the Khitan emperor will not have the idea of comparison. Besides, if the Khitan emperor is dissatisfied with your country, he will also send an envoy to condemn him, and there is absolutely no reason why he can't live in the post station. This... I'm afraid there is something else going on with this General Yelu. ”

"Could it be for the Khitan going south?" Wei Rong said.

"Presumably. As we said last time, General Yelu is most likely doing this to ask too much. Your country must be calm, and don't be in a hurry. Otherwise, they will fall into their calculations. Li Tingru said kindly persuaded.

Keep calm? I couldn't hold my breath anymore. Sink any further and it will fall to the ground. Wei Rong said: "Master Li, having said that, but the Khitan and Han kingdoms are the kingdom of father and son, and when a father is angry with his son, how can a son ignore it and wait for his father to say soft words and reconcile the truth?" Therefore, my emperor's intention is to let us take a step back first. ”

"In that case, it's a big deal. Adults should act quickly! Li Tingru said.

Acting. I can't see it. Last time, it was okay, I could still see a butt, but this time, I didn't even smell a fart. Wei Rong said in embarrassment: "This... Lord Jerod was not in good health and did not see any guests. My monarch and ministers always have sincerity, but it is difficult to express it. So, therefore, we would like to ask you to visit General Jerod on our behalf. I don't know what Master Li thinks? ”

"Lord Wei, the relationship between our two countries is harmonious, and the two of us are also good friends. When something happens, you come to me for help, and I should respond to my requests. However, today's incident is different from other things. This is a matter between your country and the Khitan father and son country, and it is really not good for me to intervene rashly. Please forgive me. ”

"No... No... This is not our business with the Khitan. We are all allies now, and if there is a misunderstanding between the alliances, we can just ask your country to come out to arbitrate, which is also human nature. Wei Rong was a little anxious.

But his words made Li Tingru immediately shake his head and said: "This is not right, although we are the Four Nations Alliance, but my Da Chu has always been the leader of the alliance, and I definitely have no intention of being the leader of the alliance." Therefore, it is really difficult for us third countries to talk about this matter. ”

Wei Rongleng paused, he understood what Li Tingru meant this time. Chu State doesn't care, but it is necessary to give Chu State a reason to manage. He immediately thought of a plan. is still the old saying, about who is the best successor of Liu Chengyou, there is a contradiction between the two countries. It seems that the state of Chu hopes that the Han state will also be a vassal to them, completely give up the hope of inheriting the Han dynasty, and become a local vassal king from then on.

Wei Rong said: "The Great Chu Emperor is all over the world, and the world is salty. The lower officials also hope that Hedong can be called a minister, but this matter needs the consent of our lord. Please wait a moment. ”

Li Tingru smiled and said, "Since your country is a subject of my Great Chu, I should contribute to the affairs of your country." Lord Wei went back to discuss with the monarchs and ministers of your country the expression of the minister, and the lower officials met the Khitan envoy for the king of Chu and Han. ”

As a result, Li Tingru was like a middleman to pass the word for both sides. Because Yelu was anxious to return to Beijing and preside over his own business, he was not in the mood to go back and forth with Liu Chengjun in Taiyuan, and finally the two sides reached an agreement with five states plus 2o long live tribute. And Li Tingru won a great righteousness for the Great Chu, and also forced the Han State to agree to pay 100,000 tributes to the Chu State every year. Of course, except for the vassals, these agreements need to wait until the pseudo-Zhou is at least driven to Guanzhong before they can take effect.

Li Tingru and Dragthorn have achieved a win-win situation, and in their opinion, Pseudo-Zhou seems to have gone over. However, Guo Rong obviously doesn't think so.

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