Zhang Deng lifted the curtain, and the sunlight outside the window shone in, and the noisy sound of the market poured into his ears. As far as the eye can see, there are crowds of people around you, the intertwined flow of people who trade and sell things, making the city seem extremely busy, and the sound of children chasing and playing, as well as the laughter of ordinary people fetching water and laundry, all show the prosperity and hustle and bustle of this metropolis.

Perhaps, this is the difference between the land of a thousand times and the country of ten thousand times. Zhang Deng thought privately, he lowered the curtain, so as not to disturb his tranquility from the prosperity outside, but his mind gradually became lively.

He did not forget that rainy night not long ago, when he came out of the mansion of Sima Cheng of Xiangbang, the sorrow in his heart was as fine as rain. Because what he has to do is a decision that is difficult for both parties to satisfy. It is also a struggle for small countries to play against big countries, and in this era of winning or losing based on strength, what if a country of a thousand times challenges two countries of ten thousand times?

He also did not forget that just ten days ago, he went to the State of Qi and successfully persuaded Xiangbang Tianying, but this time, he played a small trick, that is, the "Yan Zhao threat theory". He still remembers that he knelt in front of Tian Ying, and explained to Tian Ying for a while that if Qi forced Zhongshan to go to the king, it would only make Zhongshan fall to Yan and Zhao faster, and then persuade the king of Qi that it was better to let Zhongshan be the king for the time being, Zhongshan would definitely isolate Yan Zhao and kiss Qi, so that he would turn against Yan Zhao, and when the time came, Zhongshan would fade the king in order to turn to Qi for help.

Through these words, the whole country of Qi finally agreed to Zhang Deng: recognize the King of Zhongshan, but he must turn against Yan Zhao.

Just when Zhang Deng was overjoyed and was about to provoke the relationship between Yan Zhao and Qi Guo, he didn't expect Zhao Guo to capture Zhongshan's house, and Lingshou was still discussing whether to retaliate with a tooth for a tooth. The keen Zhang Deng immediately felt that it must be difficult for Zhongshan to choose between claiming the throne and retaliating against Zhao, because once he retaliates against Zhao, he will isolate himself from Yan and Zhao, and he will not be recognized by the two countries.

In the same way, if you don't retaliate against Zhao State this time, but can get the recognition of Zhao State, then it doesn't matter if you offend Qi State, because after the establishment of the Yanzhao Zhongshan Triple Alliance, it is not a Qi State that can confront it, and in this way, it will be beneficial to Zhongshan State. The disadvantage is that Zhao Guo will definitely not return Zhongshan's house city.

Zhang Deng was also very embarrassed, because it seemed that no decision was the best choice.

You still have to be self-reliant, so that you can not be limited by others! Zhang Deng thought so.

Just when he was entangled, Zhongshan's letter arrived, it was Sima Xun's handwritten letter, and there were only a few words in the letter, and its fundamental purpose was: to find a way to secretly disagree with the envoy of Zhao, to express Zhongshan's sincerity in being willing to cede land and form an alliance with Zhao, and it was best to get a personal reception from the monarch of Zhao. This is why after he came from Qi State, he went straight to Zhao State. Because he was acting in secret, at first he was worried that his affairs would be snooped on by Wen Ji, who came with him, and was ready to create an incident of her being robbed and killed halfway, but Wen Ji made his decision first because of physical reasons, and successfully let Zhang Deng eliminate her influence on him and save his life.

"Sir, we've already entered the city, should we go back to the post house first, or go to meet people first." Outside the curtain, the voice of the driver asked.

Zhang Deng thought for a moment and replied, "Let's go to the Little Zongbo's Mansion first." ”

"Yes." The driver agreed, dragged the horse, and hurried to the Fuding Mansion. Fortunately, many people know Fuding's mansion, and they can find out after a little inquiry. So as soon as he arrived at the Fuding Mansion, the driver took Zhang Deng's note, and went to knock on the door, asking the people to report, and after a while, the side door opened, Zhang Deng didn't think about it, and followed the slave through the side door and walked in. When I arrived at the main hall, I saw two people kneeling on the hall, one kneeling on the main seat, smiling, obviously Fuding, and the second person kneeling on the right hand side under the main seat, watching Zhang Deng come in, and got up slightly to salute. Although Zhang Deng didn't know who he was, he could arrange to participate in such a meeting, and he should also be Fuding's confidant, so he also returned the salute and sat on his left hand.

The two sides announced their identities, and Fu Ding first asked: "Since Mr. is here as an envoy of Zhongshan, why didn't he pass through the post house to the Dianke Division, but came to my grass hall by himself?" I'm afraid it's not in order. ”

"Fei doesn't want to, but I can't." Zhang Deng said: "Although I am an envoy of Zhongshan, this time I am not from Lingshou, but I have just left Qi and come from Linzi. ”

Fu Ding and Sima Qian glanced at each other, and Fu Ding said, "Why did Mr. come from Linzi?" ”、

"It's not a secret, this time I came from Linzi, it was for my Zhongshan and Zhao State to make friends, if I come from Lingshou, I'm afraid Zhao State will fall under the soldiers of Qi State?" Zhang Deng said.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Since I am from Linzi, my husband should know why I went to Linzi."

"If what a certain expectation is correct, it must be for the sake of Qi to close the pass with Zhongshan State, and even hesitate to do anything about the border with Chen Bing."

"Yes, of course I'm running around for that. Moreover, what can be told to the adults is that the State of Qi has promised that once Zhongshan removes the title of king, the State of Qi and Zhongshan will rebuild the old friendship, and the relationship between the two countries will be restored, and even the State of Qi is willing to send troops to help Zhongshan recapture the house and even the city. Zhang Deng said solemnly.

Fu Ding glanced at Sima Qian, who bowed slightly to him, and said to Zhang Deng with a smile: "In that case, why does Mr. take the risk of coming to Handan to talk about it?" If the State of Qi really attacks the State of Zhao, the State of Zhao does not mind entangling with the State of Qi, maybe the Pingyi on the north bank of the Yellow River will be at your fingertips, and it is not known. ”

"Sir's words are wrong, since I have come to Handan, I naturally express the position of Zhongshan Kingdom. That is, Zhongshan Kingdom firmly hopes to rebuild the old friendship with Yan and Zhao, and jointly resist the oppression from the three kingdoms of Qin, Qi and Chu, after all, those who are dependent on these three kingdoms must only be vassals. ”

Sima Qian and Fu Ding looked at each other and smiled, knowing that Zhang Deng's so-called vassals were nothing more than saying that once they were attached to these three kingdoms, they would not be qualified to be kings. He also expressed the attitude of Zhongshan through this sentence: to be the king, not to be a vassal of the Qi state.

Sima Qian pondered for a while, smiled and said, "In this case, I think Zhongshan's attitude is generally clear. My lord will convey Mr.'s words to the king, and I believe that with the great talent of my family, I will be able to welcome the Zhongshan Kingdom to join. ”

"Wait, I have one more request." Zhang Deng stretched out his hand to stop Sima Qian's words, and instead said, "The day before yesterday, because the two countries may have been a little discordant before, so that Zhao sent troops to attack our house and city, causing the loss of our Zhongshan country, and I also ask the king to return it to our country as a witness to the friendship and alliance between the two countries." ”

As soon as Zhang Deng's words came out, Fu Ding and Sima Qian were both slightly stunned and glanced at each other. The two of them were still thinking just now, but they didn't expect the negotiation to be so simple, Zhang Deng didn't even mention the battle of the house, it seems that Zhongshan Guo is ready to swallow his anger this time, but he didn't expect that Zhang Deng raised this question so soon.

Ignoring the reactions of the two, Zhang Deng said in a gullible voice: "The house is the lifeblood of my Zhongshan, and it is also owned by my ancestors in the bloody battle, how can it be handed over." Besides, after the king, the three kingdoms will be allies of each other, how can they hinder the friendship between our two families because of a temporary grievance. I believe that with the foresight of the king, it should not be seen that my two families will meet each other. ”

"Sir's words are very rude. The house is an important pivot in Zhongshan, but for my Handan, it is also a northern barrier. Mr. said that this place was obtained by the ancestors of Zhongshan in a decisive battle, could it be that my Zhao Kingdom got this important place, and did not die a single soldier? "Sima Qian is also a well-spoken person, and in this kind of debate, he really does not necessarily lose to Zhang Deng," Mr. said, the three countries are allies of each other, and they will treat each other as friends and jointly resist the three kingdoms of Qin, Qi and Chu. If this is the case, then what difference does it make between the house and the other and the other? ”

As for the words of fighting each other, this is even more redundant. Since Mr. Zhongshan is a native of Zhongshan, he knows that since Zhongshan returned to the country, he has repeatedly joined forces with Qi and Wei to attack my Zhao State, and the land he has obtained is not only a house city? Since the two countries have been in exchange, there have been constant wars, so it is ridiculous for the gentleman to say that "we should not see our two soldiers fighting each other". "Fu Ding, as a small uncle, is also the actual person in charge of the Dianke Division, and in the handling of foreign relations, he has adhered to the style of Zhao Guoyi: If you dare to come, I will come, if you dare to violate me, I will dare to play with you.

Zhang Deng listened to the fierce words of the two, and knew that the battle of the house made Zhao Guo see that Zhongshan was not strong, not invincible, and the worries about Zhongshan that he had cultivated for many years had been alleviated. If at this time, continue to let Zhao State go on like this, I am afraid that the monarch and ministers of Zhao State will no longer be afraid of Zhongshan, and the young monarch will probably no longer be afraid of Zhongshan. In the end, it was not good that Zhao Guoguo turned the gun around and began to clean up Zhongshan.

When you think the enemy is no longer to be feared, that's when the enemy dies.

Zhang Deng's face was expressionless, he didn't take the passionate expressions of the two to heart at all, and said indifferently: "Although my Zhongshan is only a country of a thousand times, but the brave warriors don't know how many. A few days ago, it was only restrained by the soldiers of Qi that Zhao State was able to sneak attack the house city. If the two armies set up a position, it is not known what the victory will be. Zhang Deng continued: "Therefore, my lord sent me here to calm the conflict between the two countries and forge a sword into a plowshare. to return peace to the people of the two countries. But if Zhao Guojun and his ministers thought that Zhongshan was so weak and could be bullied, they would be too naïve. I think that once our country and Qi are united, the armies of the two countries will be there in a moment. Imagine that when the time comes, will the monarchs and ministers of Zhao Kingdom cheer? Or are you running away in embarrassment? ”