The envoys of the leaders of the Xi and Khitan finally arrived in Luoyang.

According to the usual practice, Honglu Temple is in charge of reception first. Wu Zetian reformed the official name, and Honglu Temple has now been renamed Sibin Temple. This time, the person in charge of receiving the Xi clan and the Khitan leader was Sibin Chengtian Guidao, and Wu Zetian asked him to directly listen to the reprimand of Xue Shao, the Xia official Shangshu, and asked Xue Shao if he was undecided.

At first, Tian Guidao didn't understand why the diplomatic affairs under the Sibin Temple should be handled by a Xia official Shangshu who was in charge of the military. But when he received the leaders of the Xi tribe and the Khitan and asked them to stay in Sibin Temple, Tian Guidao completely understood.

The representative sent by the Xi people was their "prince" Li Dayu. Of course, "Prince" is just a customary title and is not very accurate. Li Dayu's father's original name was "Kedu", and in his early years, he led the Xi tribe to attach himself to the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty set up the Rao Le Du Governor's Mansion in the territory of the Xi people, appointed the person who could be done as the Rao Le Du Governor and named the Lou Fu County Duke, and gave him the royal family surname Li.

Li Dayu, the prince of the Xi tribe, is strong and strong, can ride and shoot well, and the ox is tall and the horse is as strong as a bear. He said that his father was too old to travel far away, so he came in his place. Tian Guidao believes that Li Dayu did not come to Luoyang out of filial piety, at least not all. Because he had just stayed at Sibin Temple, he was anxious to go out and see the prosperous god capital Luoyang. Tian Guidao refused to let him go out on the grounds of safety, and Li Dayu noisily asked Tian Guidao to arrange a beautiful woman for him to spend the night with him. For this reason, he is willing to pay for it himself, as much as he wants.

Yes, he wants to be a prostitute.

Such a request, as a Confucian minister, Tian Guidao, of course, could not agree. Otherwise, if it spreads, the face of the state of Chinese etiquette will be lost by him. This made Li Dayu very unhappy, and he began to pick his nose and pick his eyes to embarrass the officials and attendants of Sibin Temple, and on several occasions he almost caused a fight.

The prince of the Xi tribe is very restless and very difficult to serve.

But in contrast, the Khitan envoys made Tian Guidao feel even more uneasy.

Similar to the Xi people, the Tang Dynasty also established the Governor of the Litigation Desert Prefecture in the territory of the Khitan tribe. The current governor of the court is named Li Quanzhong, and this time he sent his eldest brother-in-law, Sun Wanrong, to serve as an envoy. Tian Guidao has worked in Honglu Temple for many years, and he knows what kind of person this Sun Wanrong is - the supreme military commander of the Khitan.

To let such a person serve as a diplomatic envoy, Li Quanzhong's intentions can be said to be quite unpredictable. The so-called layman looks at the lively insider, Sun Wanrong is called an envoy, but I am afraid that his more important identity will be a "military agent". The main purpose of his trip is likely to be to spy on the internal reality of Datang. They entered the customs from Youzhou to Luoyang, the capital of the gods, and he must have already found out the many military deployments within the Tang Dynasty.

The prince of the Xi clan, Li Dayu, quarreled over prostitutes in Honglu Temple, but Sun Wanrong was quite quiet, and he was only with his two henchmen, Luo Wucheng and He Axiao. The three masters and servants stayed at home and were mysterious and secretive, and it was easy not to let the people of Sibin Temple get too close. Tian Guidao was therefore quite worried about what kind of activities Sun Wanrong would carry out in private, but he could not guard and detain the state guests like prisoners.

The envoys of these two clans made it very difficult for Sibin Chengtian, who had rich diplomatic experience, to return to the Dao. After thinking about it, he felt that the Queen Mother was still quite good at employing people, and I am afraid that only Xue Shao could deal with the thorny envoys of the Xi and Khitan in this dynasty. He remembered that Pei Gong Pei Wenxi seemed to have a famous saying before his death, Xue Shao would be a nightmare for all grassland people in the next few decades. Even if this is just a rumor, presumably the people of the Xi and Khitan tribes should have heard it.

So Tian Guidao immediately found Xue Shao and reported to him what he had learned.

After listening to Tian Guidao's report in detail, Xue Shao smiled and said: "I have dealt with Li Dayu's father, Li Kedu, in Dujin Mountain. ”

Tian Guidao was slightly stunned, but immediately remembered it, and said: "What Xue Shangshu said is that time Pei Gong's Northern Expedition, you and General Evil Lai waved their troops deep into the pacification and judgment chaos, and set foot in the battle of Dujin Mountain?" ”

"Yes. At that time, the Xi also joined the rebels of the envoy Dewen Fu. Xue Shao said, "Of course, the explanation of Li Kedu, the leader of the Xi clan, afterwards, is that he was coerced by Wen Fu and had to obey, otherwise he would be in danger of extinction." So I let him go and let him lead the soldiers and horses of the Xi tribe to withdraw from Yudu Jinshan and return to his territory. Otherwise, the Xi clan may really be in danger of extinction at that time. ”

"Then it's no wonder that Li Kedu didn't dare to come in person, but he sent a stunned and confused son Li Dayu to replace him." Tian Guidao said with a smile, "With the painful experience of the battle of Yudu Jinshan, the Xi clan should not dare to have any dissent towards the Tang Dynasty, right?" ”

"What Tian Sibin means is that Li Dayu is just here to go through the motions, and the sincerity of the Xi clan's surrender has long been clear?" Xue Shao asked.

"Isn't it?" Tian Guidao asked rhetorically, "If it weren't for Xue Shangshu's opening up, I'm afraid the Xi clan would have been wiped out long ago." Do the Xi people still want to take another risk against the Tang Dynasty? ”

"This time and that time. If a war alone could decide everything of the moment, there would not have been so many wars in history. Xue Shao said, "The Xi people are weak, and they must choose a strong ally to take refuge in order to protect themselves." In the past, the Tang Dynasty was their only unswerving choice, but until the resurgence of the Turks, especially after the Turks broke away from the Tang Dynasty and established their own state, the confidence of the Xi people was shaken. ”

"What Xue Shangshu means is that the Tang Dynasty has been declining, and these barbarians are not willing to bow down anymore?" Tian Guidao asked.

Xue Shao smiled slightly and did not refute, but said: "The Tang Dynasty is still strong, but in recent years, due to various reasons, it has lost its previous strong control over the Beidi tribes such as the Xi and Khitan. At the same time, a Turkic khanate close to them arose. Isn't there an old saying that it is difficult to quench thirst from far water? Even if the Xi people have the heart to serve the Tang Dynasty, they can't ignore the steel knife hanging around their necks. Coupled with the fact that their good neighbors, the Khitan tribe, have been growing in recent years, leaving the Xi tribe with even less room to choose. More often than not, they can only chase behind the Khitan like echo worms and wave their flags and shout. Weak countries have no diplomatic relations, and Li Dayu is just here to play as a playboy. The main decision-making power may have to fall on the scheming Khitan military commander, Sun Wanrong. ”

"Xue Shangshu, who is familiar with border affairs and is proficient in military affairs, is far-sighted and reasonable!" Tian Guidao was immediately impressed by Xue Shao. In his impression, Xue Shao is a noble son with countless beautiful halos and a supreme height - but maybe just a vain appearance.

It is not difficult for Xue Shao to hear his past prejudices against himself from Tian Guidao's words. But he just smiled indifferently and didn't take it to heart.

Because, he has long been used to it.

Xue Shao has always been very clear in his heart that in today's court, there are not many people who really know Xue Shao. People like Tian Guidao, who rarely have direct contact with themselves and have always looked at themselves with "colored glasses" based on impressions and rumors, are actually very many. There's no way, who calls himself too fast, the top halo is too much, and there was a gentleman's image of a Lantian son in the past? Now it is Xuan He's horse and the queen mother who holds military power, no matter how you look at it, it seems to be a unique sign of a "crony favored minister".

When a piece of stubborn iron and a piece of real gold are painted brightly at the same time, it is difficult for people to distinguish with a pair of naked eyes.

"Xue Shangshu, what arrangements should we make next?" Tian Guidao began to ask for instructions, and used the word "we".

This word made Xue Shao feel a little comfortable when he heard it, and he said: "Let the envoy rest and recuperate for three days to recover his strength and spirit." Three days later, I asked them to shoot in the mountains. ”

"Hunting in the mountains?" Tian Guidao was slightly surprised, "Didn't the previous arrangement be for a banquet in the Qide Palace, and the Queen Mother would personally meet with the envoys of the two clans?" ”

"Changed." Xue Shao said indifferently, "Three days later, I will shoot in the mountains. ”

“…… Be. Although full of suspicions, Tian Guidao still promised to go.

Xue Shaomu sent Tian Guidao away, and smiled secretly in his heart, this Tian Sibin, I am afraid that he looked down on me very much before. But fortunately, he is not as crooked as some Confucian scholars, otherwise I would definitely have to change people.

Without waiting for three days later, Xue Shao changed into a flat suit in the evening of the same day, and came to Sibin Temple with Linlang and a few servants. Tian Guidao hurriedly came out to greet him, but Xue Shao told him not to make a noise, and he first wanted to meet the prince of the Xi clan in his private name, Li Dayu.

"Shangshu, oh no...... Childe, please! Tian Guidao led the way, and he was very curious when he saw the servant led by Xue Shao carrying a wooden tube, so he asked what it was?

"Give Li Dayu a good medicine for color madness." Xue Shao said with a smile, "Tian Sibin, today I will let you see the unique characteristics of Xue-style diplomatic relations. ”

Tian Guidao was stunned for a moment, and then smiled - Xue-style diplomatic relations? Well, I'll see!

The weather was hot, and Li Dayu, who was already half-drunk, walked around the room restlessly with his chest open, scolding and scolding in his mouth.

The door was open, and Tian Guidao led Xue Shao here and quietly retreated.

Li Dayu glared angrily when he saw Xue Shao, "Who are you?" What are you here for? ”

Xue Shao listened to his Chinese dialect a little turtle-footed but generally fluent, so he did not communicate with him in Turkic, but said in Chinese: "I will bring wine to the prince." ”

"Wine? - You mean this kind of horse urine that makes you sick to your stomach and vomit? Li Dayu unceremoniously picked up a wine jug and smashed it to the ground, "You call it Xinghua Village?" Could it be because it's the swill used by the village to feed the pigs? ”

Debris and wine splashed and spilled onto Xue Shao's body. Linlang was furious, if it weren't for Xue Shao's words first, they would have rushed up and pierced this impudent barbarian through one hundred and eighty holes.

Li Dayu glanced at Linlang who was standing outside the door behind Xue Shao, and suddenly walked forward with bright eyes, and stretched out his hand to pick Xue Shao away, "Get out of the way, I forgive you." ”

Xue Shao nailed hard, and Li Dayu wrenched a few times and didn't move. Then he was annoyed, and he pushed hard with all his strength, but Xue Shao still didn't move.

And with a smile on his face.

Li Dayu's eyes finally left Linlang, and settled on Xue Shao, who kept looking up and down, "You have a lot of strength." You're very good at martial arts, aren't you? ”

"Not strong. Just enough to protect my concubine. Xue Shao just smiled, "I'll bring wine to the prince." Wouldn't the prince want to give it a try? ”

Li Dayu automatically ignored the second half of Xue Shao's sentence and asked, "Are they your concubines?" - Very good, make an offer! ”

"No need to talk." Xue Shao said indifferently, "I know that you Xi people treat their wives and concubines as cattle and horses, and they can be exchanged and shared at will. But this is Datang. ”

"You're wrong. Our concubines can be exchanged at will, but horses, cannot. Li Dayu smiled, "Also, I know your customs. In the southern country—well, in your Datang, there are many people who exchange concubines every day for fun. ”

"I'm not."

"Could it be that you bully me as a barbarian and deliberately prevaricate and reject me? Are you defying me?! Li Dayu's eyes turned to Linlang again, his eyes were red, and he was almost drooling.

"Looks like I can't hide it from the prince." Xue Shao said indifferently, "That's it, I know that you Xi people respect warriors." If you can show enough strength, I can consider arranging for two girls to accompany you, although not my own concubines. ”

Li Dayu's eyes suddenly lit up, "Are you serious?" ”

"Seriously."

"You can count when you speak?" Li Dayu expressed doubts again, "What about that Tian Guidao, if you let him come out to testify, I will believe you." ”

Xue Shao smiled slightly, "Okay." ”

Tian Guidao really came, although he was very puzzled and disagreed with Xue Shao's behavior, but in desperation, he had to agree to "be a witness".

"Let's get started, it's better than anything else in this yard!"

The tall and tall Li Dayu had already taken off his shirt, and his muscles were shining from sweat, like a high-ranking gladiator who had come out of the ancient Roman gladiatorial arena. And his eyes kept staring at Linlang, and he even swallowed a few mouthfuls of saliva.

Linlang gritted her teeth and spewed fire, if it weren't for Xue Shao's strict order, they would have dismantled this stupid barbarian with this essence worm dozens of times.

"Thou shalt not maim or kill." Xue Shao said to Linlang: "But you don't have to endure it." Let's go! ”

"Yes!"

Linlang happily responded to a promise, rolled up her sleeves neatly and stepped forward.

Li Dayu was stunned on the spot, pointed at Linlang and then at himself, and shook his head desperately, "Me? They? Fight? - No, you can't! No! ”

Xue Shao smiled: "Why can't you?" ”

Li Dayu shook his head and grinned: "Because the warriors of the Xi clan will only women, not women." ”

As soon as the words fell, Li Dayu fell to the ground and curled up in a ball, unable to move. Linlang stepped on him with her feet left and right, and said coldly in unison: "There is still being beaten by a woman, right?" ”

Tian Guidao's eyes widened, and he almost fainted on the spot - my God, this is the unique feature of the Xue family's diplomatic relations?!