Negotiation is a big competition that tests the will and patience of both sides, and whoever loses his breath first loses half of the way. Compared with Zhuge Liang, who has insufficient chips in his hand, Guo Jia is not too happy at this time. Zhuge Liang is smart, but it is difficult for a clever woman to cook without rice, her own conditions are there, let your tongue be as bright as a flower, and in the face of a strong opponent, you can only give in in the end. The difference is probably only the price to pay.

There is no diplomacy for a weak country! This is Zhuge Liang's biggest feeling after negotiating these days. The imperial court is powerful, and Guo Jia, as a representative of the imperial court, only needs one inadvertent move, which will make Zhuge Liang and others frightened for a long time. It's not how powerful Guo Jia is, but the court behind Guo Jia makes Zhuge Liang and others feel difficult to deal with. Guo Jia's every move may have hidden mysteries, although it was proved many times afterwards that this was just Guo Jia's personal behavior, but every time Zhuge Liang and others did not dare to take it lightly.

However, this kind of depressing days are coming to an end, and the negotiations have finally come to an end, and in the case of more concessions from the princes and fewer concessions from the imperial court, this negotiation related to the stability of the world has finally not been in vain, and some consensus has been reached.

Three years, this is the maximum period for the court to agree to suspend the war with the princes, although I don't know if the court will abide by it in the end, but with this guarantee, I finally have an explanation when I go back. The price paid by the princes was relatively large, Jiangdong Sun Quan paid Guangling and Lujiang, and fully retreated to the south of the Yangtze River, while Yuan Xi of Hebei paid Qingzhou and fully retreated to the north of the Yellow River.

In addition to asking the imperial court to promise not to use troops against the princes within three years, Zhuge Liang and others had no other gains in Chang'an. A lot of gifts were given, but the magnates of Chang'an were not ancient, and they didn't do anything just by receiving gifts, so angry that Zhuge Liang hated it in his heart but was helpless.

Zhuge Liang and others came to Chang'an, in addition to negotiations, they also had another task, that is, to spy on the military situation of the imperial court. It is best to be able to buy the people who will be the prisoners of the imperial court, so as to obtain all kinds of ordnance and equipment used in the imperial army. Those weapons with long range, great power, and quasi-head feet have long made the princes of all walks of life salivate, and they regretted that they did not pay as much attention to the role of craftsmen as Liu Xie, so that when they regretted wanting to reuse those craftsmen, those skilled craftsmen had almost been wiped out by the imperial court.

Zhuge Liang and others hope to get the drawings of those ordnance productions, so that even if they can't innovate, imitation can still be done. Even if the ordnance produced is not as powerful as that made by the imperial court, it can narrow the gap between the ordnance of the two armies.

It's just that the wish is good, but it is difficult to put it into practice. As a confidential unit of the imperial court, the prisoners stopped at the outskirts of the prisons, and two armies of 3,000 men were stationed for a long time. However, if an unidentified person comes within 100 meters of the prisoner, the defenders can cut it down first, and they do not have to bear any responsibility afterwards.

Although this rule seems unreasonable, as long as people living near Chang'an know this rule, in this way, those who can't stand the temptation of Zhuge Liang's promise of a heavy reward and take risks will die unjustly. Who called you over? You've been warned not to come closer.

Death is always the best means of warning others. After being mercilessly killed dozens of people on the spot, Zhuge Liang also died of the idea of sending someone to infiltrate the general prison. And after the road of infiltrating and stealing didn't work, Zhuge Liang, who refused to give up, started the idea of buying and kidnapping.

What makes Zhuge Liang depressed is that the members of the prison and their families have long been placed together by the imperial court, and there are also troops on the periphery to protect them, and even if someone goes out, there are soldiers around him, and Zhuge Liang's people can't find a chance to start at all. At least until he left Chang'an, Zhuge Liang didn't plan to take risks.

The New Year is approaching, and Zhuge Liang, who has completed the negotiation task, is invited to participate in the New Year's celebration of the imperial court. Zhuge Liang didn't want to continue to stay in Chang'an, Jingnan still had a lot of things to deal with when he went back, how could he waste time in Chang'an. But Gu Yong's proposal made Zhuge Liang change his mind.

With the strength of the Jingnan family alone, it is a little powerless to kidnap the craftsmen who will be in prison, but if Jiangdong is added, the possibility of success is increased. Zhuge Liang originally wanted to call the trial, but the big deal was that the three would share the "fruits of labor". After the negotiation with the imperial court was over, Guo Tu and Xin Bi set off to return to Hebei on the same day, and I don't know why they were in such a hurry.

"Sir, the officers and soldiers have come to the post house, and they have surrounded us." Just when Zhuge Liang and Gu Yong were discussing the details of the kidnapping plan, Zhou Budo, the little servant beside Zhuge Liang, hurriedly ran in, and reported with a panicked expression.

Zhuge Liang and Gu Yong glanced at each other and found that the other party was confused, and they didn't understand why the imperial court suddenly sent troops to arrest him. I was planning to take a few craftsmen back who would be the prisoners when I left, but I hadn't done it yet. Could it be that the imperial court could not predict the prophet?

Cao Zhang, who came to get people, was quite polite, and did not act rudely to Zhuge Liang and others, but just detained Zhuge Liang and Gu Yong in the east and west courtyards respectively to prevent him from colluding with each other. Zhuge Liang also tried to find out the tone through conversation, but Cao Zhang ignored Zhuge Liang's inquiry.

"Guo Fengxiao, what does the court mean?" When Guo Jia appeared, Zhuge Liang immediately asked with an angry face.

"Yohe~ You're quite good at wicked people suing first." Guo Jia smiled when he heard this, and then pointed at Zhuge Liang and asked: "Zhuge Kongming, the imperial court has been waiting for you a lot, and you will take revenge because of He En, and the kidnapping will not kill people, is this the sincerity of you to come to negotiate this time?" ”

Zhuge Liang was stunned when he heard this, and the eight words of kidnapping people made Zhuge Liang think of the matter of the trial and others leaving Chang'an in a hurry. It wouldn't be that the judges and others had already planned to do so, so they didn't say hello and acted alone. As a result, the matter was revealed, and the black cauldron was thrown on him.

I have always had to throw the pot to others, and when did I carry the pot for others. Zhuge Liang immediately denied it: "No, although I envy the fact that the imperial court has a large number of skilled craftsmen, I have nothing to think about. ”

"Hmph, if there is any, you have to search to find out." Guo Jia snorted coldly.

Zhuge Liang suddenly felt cold in his heart when he heard this, he hadn't taken action yet, but he had a plan, if this was to be searched out, it would be really yellow mud falling off his crotch, not but, I can't explain it clearly.

People are swordsmen, I am fish and meat, although Zhuge Liang has the intention to stop it, but if he really gets up to stop it now, I am afraid that he will be even more guilty of killing people and killing people. But if you don't stop it, once you find out the kidnapping plan you discussed with Gu Yong, you won't be able to explain it at that time.

Rao is Zhuge Liang is wise, and he is helpless in the face of this situation, so he can only watch the officers and soldiers rummaging through boxes and cabinets in his room. When he was in a hurry, he suddenly heard a noise outside, and then saw the officers and soldiers escorting Zhou Budo and walked in.

"Captain Cao, this kid just climbed over the wall and wanted to escape, just so our brother bumped into him, so he was arrested." Wu Chang reported to Cao Zhangyu.

"Well done, take it to Jingzhao Mansion and interrogate it strictly."

"Stop! This man is my dear, and you cannot take him away. Seeing this, Zhuge Liang hurriedly stopped. But Cao Zhang, who would ignore Zhuge Liang's protest, waved his hand, and Zhou Budo asked the officers and soldiers to take him down. Seeing this, Zhuge Liang was in a hurry, and hurriedly rushed over to stop him. It's just that Cao Zhang's natural power was born, and when he saw Zhuge Liang rushing over, he immediately stretched out his hand and pushed Zhuge Liang back a few steps, but he didn't stand firm under his feet, and sat on the ground with his ass.

"Ziwen must not be rude." Just when Zhuge Liang was about to get up and fight with Cao Zhang, Guo Jia rushed over from Gu Yong's side and said urgently.

"He is a thief, do I still let him spill with me?" Cao Zhang retorted unconvinced.

"Shut up and step back with your men...... The Holy Lord has just passed an edict to him, and he must not be rude to Zhuge Liang and Gu Yong. Guo Jia glared at Cao Zhang angrily and said.

Cao Zhang originally planned to argue with Guo Jia, but when he heard Guo Jia say that this was the word of the saint, he didn't dwell on the matter anymore, but just pointed to Zhou Budo and said to Guo Jia: "This person just wanted to escape over the wall, but was intercepted by the patrolling soldiers, how to deal with it?" ”

"Let's stay first, and order the soldiers to strictly guard the post house, and no one will be let go." Guo Jia thought about it when he heard this, and said to Cao Zhang.

Cao Zhang did not refute, nodded and ordered his subordinates to loosen Zhou Budo's bonds, and then withdrew from the west courtyard of the post house with people. When Cao Zhang left with the people, Zhuge Liang said to Guo Jia: "Guo Fengxiao, the kidnapping has nothing to do with me. I admit that there was indeed an intention to kidnap people to return to the south while leaving, but I have not yet acted. Isn't it a sin to have an idea? ”

"Whether it's a sin or not, it's not that you have the final say, I don't count if I say it, it depends on what the saint thinks. Don't worry, this kidnapping has nothing to do with you, otherwise the Holy One would not have ordered someone to come and inform us that we must not be rude to you. But don't be too happy, even if the Holy God doesn't doubt you, but the evidence left after the incident is not in your favor, and you'd better be prepared to explain as soon as possible. ”

"Who's doing that?" Seeing that Guo Jia was leaving, Zhuge Liang hurriedly asked.

“…… Zhuge Kongming, the saint once said that you are almost a demon in your wisdom, don't you think of who is the real murderer in this matter? Isn't it obvious who left in a hurry after the negotiations were over? ”

Before, Zhuge Liang was just guessing, and he was not sure, but now when he heard Guo Jia say this, he was eighty percent sure in his heart, I am afraid that the abduction of people this time is inseparable from Hebei trial and others.

Sent Guo Jia away, Zhuge Liang stayed in the post house honestly, it was impossible to be honest, now that he was a suspect, it would be polite if he didn't put him in prison, if he really wanted to move around, Cao Zhang, who was in charge of guarding this place at this time, would not be polite to him.

Zhuge Liang had already learned Cao Zhang's confusion, and his identity had no effect on him at all. I'm afraid that even Guo Jia, if he didn't bring the holy oracle, I'm afraid Cao Zhang wouldn't buy it.

Those who know the times are Junjie, in order not to feel uncomfortable for themselves, Zhuge Liang can only stay honest. At the same time, I was full of resentment towards the trial and others who left early. It's so unkind! It's okay if you want to kidnap someone, but you can say it before you do it, so that those of us who have nothing to do with it can be a little mentally prepared. But it's good that you did it quietly, and what is even more infuriating is that it failed, making those who have not yet left Chang'an scapegoats, which makes Zhuge Liang have to suspect that the trial and others are trying to kill people with a knife.

"Trial, Guo Tu, Xin Bi, count you ruthlessly, I Zhuge Liang wrote down this account, and sooner or later I will have to pay it back." Zhuge Liang secretly swore an oath, and Zhou Budo, who was on the side, asked with a bitter face: "Sir, what should we do for today's plan?" ”

"Don't panic, this matter has nothing to do with us. As long as you bite the bite, even if you will suffer from flesh and skin, you will not have to worry about your life. It's just that you don't want to be beaten into a trick. Zhuge Liang comforted Zhou Budo when he heard this, and then said uneasily.

"Sir, don't worry, don't doubt that you understand." Zhou Budo swore to Zhuge Liang and assured. It's just that Zhuge Liang doesn't have much confidence in Zhou Budo's assurance.

……

Chang'an Imperial Palace

When it came to the fact that the kidnapping could not kill people, Liu Xie was naturally very angry. The craftsmen who will be imprisoned are all treasures, and the loss of any of them makes Liu Xie feel distressed. There were three craftsmen killed this time, and the murderer also committed suicide decisively after discovering that there was no hope of escape, leaving not too many clues for the imperial court.

went to the post house to get people before, but it was just a trick by Liu Xie to deliberately startle the snake and get more clues. Judging from the scene of the crime, there is no evidence to prove that the murderer is related to Hebei. The faces of those murderers have been scratched so badly that they can't distinguish their true faces, and there are no signs on their bodies that can represent the power of one side.

However, the harvest from the post house is not small. Zhuge Liang and Gu Yong did not admit that they had a premeditated plan to kidnap people, and the behavior of Hebei trial and others who left in a hurry after negotiation happened to be reminiscent of this abduction incident.

But the problem is that there is not enough evidence to prove that Hebei is the mastermind behind this abduction. If the army is used against Hebei in order to export gas, Hebei will be called to fight back, accusing the imperial court of taking the lead in tearing up the negotiation agreement.

"So, I don't have any choice but to endure this?" Liu Xie asked Guo Jia, Fa Yan and others reluctantly.

"Holy Lord, from the current point of view, this is indeed the most appropriate way to deal with it. Ten years is not too late for a gentleman to take revenge, let alone just three years. Three years later, the imperial court destroyed Hebei first, seeking justice for the anger that the saint has suffered today. Fa Yan opened his mouth to persuade Liu Xiedao.

Fa Yan is the old man next to Liu Xie, and he has helped Liu Xie a lot, since he also thinks that it is better to endure this breath for the time being, then Liu Xie will not continue to think about finding trouble in Hebei. As Fa Yan said, it's not that he doesn't report it, the time has not come, and after three years, it will be the time for the imperial court to settle the general account with Hebei.

"Fengxiao, what do you think of Zhuge Liang and Gu Yong?" Liu Xie asked Guo Jiadao again.

"Shengshang, although Zhuge Liang and Gu Yong can rule out suspicion at the moment, they don't know if the imperial court will let them go at this time. And among them, there is an article to be written. ”

"Fengxiao, Ji will be released?" Fa Yan asked with interest when he heard this.

"Hebei Yuan Xi, Jiangdong Sun Quan, Jingnan Liu Bei, these three Hebei and the other two are not adjacent, once the imperial court uses troops, Hebei can only fight alone. And Jiangdong and Jingnan have cold lips and teeth, and the two will cooperate more closely than when the imperial court uses troops. Although the imperial court is not afraid of the two families joining forces, the Holy Lord is sympathetic to the people, and I am afraid that he does not want to suffer senseless losses. ”

"Fengxiao, are you trying to use a divisive strategy?" Fa Yan asked Guo Jiadao.

"Mr. Fa is smart, Guo Jiazheng has this intention." Guo Jia nodded and admitted.

"If Feng Xiaozhen wants to use a divisive strategy, then there is something that you still need to know, I just received news not long ago that Sun Quan intends to marry Liu Bei."

"Marriage?" Guo Jia was stunned when he heard this, and blurted out: "Liu Bei has a woman under his knees?" ”

"Liu Bei has no daughters under his knees, but Sun Quan has a sister." Liu Xie said. In the romance, Liu Bei has two daughters, who were born to Mrs. Mi, and their whereabouts in Changban Slope are unknown. But now that Mrs. Mi is married to Xu Shu, Liu Bei, a bad old man who is almost fifty, naturally only has Liu Chan, a son born to Mrs. Gan.

"Sun Quan's sister? Sun Shangxiang? That girl doesn't seem to have passed the double ten, right? Guo Jia was stunned again, and then said.

"Yes, a pretty woman of twenty-eight is going to marry a bad old man who is almost fifty. Not...... I suddenly thought of a poem, eighteen brides and eighty langs, pale hair and red makeup, mandarin ducks are lined into double nights, and a pear tree presses begonias...... Good poetry, good poetry. Liu Xie said that in the end, he shook his head and boasted about himself, Fa Yan couldn't help but shake his head and smile bitterly when he heard it, but Guo Jia said more truthfully than Liu Xie: "Holy Lord, Liu Bei is not eighty." ”

“…… Do you understand the spirit of comprehension? Liu Xie glanced at Guo Jia and said. I hate these people who are more serious than themselves, don't you know that art comes from life and is higher than life?

Seeing that Liu Xie confessed himself, Guo Jia diverted the topic and asked Fa Yan: "What does Mr. Fa mean, is it to stir up the family matter?" ”

"Yes, Sun Quan's marriage to his sister is just to consolidate the alliance between Sun and Liu, as for Sun Shangxiang's personal happiness, I'm afraid it is not in Sun Quan's consideration."

"But even if someone is sent to stir up this family affair, it may not necessarily cause distrust between Sun and Liu. The purpose of the marriage between the two families is for the overall situation, and how can a woman's gains and losses be controlled. Guo Jia frowned.

"If you only mess with Huang's relatives, it naturally has nothing to do with the overall situation, but ......" Fa Yan suddenly stopped when he said this, and peeked at Liu Xie, who was listening happily.

"Huh? Mr. Fa, why don't you say it, but what? Seeing that Fa Yan suddenly stopped in the middle of his words, Liu Xie couldn't help but ask in wonder.

"The saint forgives the sins, the old minister suddenly felt that what he thought was inappropriate, and he still needed to sum it up with Fengxiao." Fa Yan stroked his beard and explained to Liu Xie in a slow voice.

"Oh, then I'll trouble you and Fengxiao about this matter." Liu Xie did a perfect turn.

"Rest assured, the old minister will satisfy the saint in this matter." Fa Yan assured Liu Xie with a smile.