The next day, Chu Tianya convened everyone in Qingyun Hall to discuss the matter of "sending an envoy to Western Xia".

Not everyone understands the true meaning of the envoy to Western Xia at this time, and the hidden truth cannot be announced in advance. Therefore, most people feel very confused about this matter raised by the lord. They just instinctively felt that Western Xia was an enemy, and it was too risky to let such an important big leader as Meng De negotiate? What's more, it was Meng De himself who had a feud with Western Xia before. Now, the capital of the Western Xia Kingdom is still offering a reward for Meng De's head, worth five hundred taels of gold!

Among the four military aircraft leaders, Bai Xu is currently in Qixingzhai, and only Chu Tianya, Meng De and Jiao Wentong are present. In advance, Chu Tianya did not communicate with Jiao Wentong, he just wanted to see what kind of attitude Jiao Wentong would have towards him after many days, especially after some subtle changes in the strength comparison and status gap between him and Jiao Wentong.

Since the beginning of the morning discussion, Jiao Wentong has remained silent, allowing everyone to make boundless remarks, he is like an old monk who does not move.

Chu Tianya was not in a hurry, he was giving Jiao Wentong enough time to think. If Jiao Wentong can think clearly about the stakes and true significance of the matter of envoying Xixia, it will be a great blessing, then it proves that Jiao Wentong's mind is still on the public's standpoint. On the contrary, it will make Chu Tianya feel disappointed; As a result, Jiao Wentong's position in Xishan in the future will become more and more insecure.

For Jiao Wentong, Chu Tianya had already thought very clearly. Admittedly, he is a rare talent, but he is also a rebellious wild horse. The reason why he used to serve him like an ancestor was mainly to take care of the feelings of the original team of Qixingzhai, out of the consideration of overall stability; Now that the balance of victory has completely tilted towards Chu Tianya's side, if he blindly tolerates and tolerates him, it is actually unfair and irresponsible to more people.

Dead Butcher Zhang doesn't eat hairy pigs, in fact, the most important thing in the world is talent.

Everyone shouted for a while, but few words really got to the point. After a while, Chu Tianya took the initiative to ask questions, and said to Jiao Wen: "Second Brother Jiao, what do you think about this matter?" ”

Jiao Wentong woke up slightly, bowed to Chu Tianya with his fists, and said, "Since the lord has made a decision, Brother Meng Qi also invites Ying to go, and Jiao has no opinion." It's just that this trip is somewhat dangerous, and Meng Qige is still cautious. ”

"Hmm......" Chu Tianya replied with a smile, and his heart suddenly felt a little depressed - Jiao Wentong, this is a method of "non-violence and non-cooperation" to express his dissatisfaction.

"In that case, my lord-" Meng De shouted, stood up and hugged his fists, "Then the subordinates will set off as soon as possible!" ”

"Okay." Chu Tianya didn't say anything more, and nodded, "Seventh brother, be careful!" I will let Ma Kuo and Liang Xing lead the troops to train in the Yellow River, and let the Xixia people see our military power across the bank, so as to help the momentum and echo each other from afar! ”

"Thank you, my lord!"

This matter is finalized. Many people are still in the clouds, and they can't figure out the significance of Mengde's trip. At most, they knew that Chu Tianya did this to find Xiao Linglong. Although Xiao Linglong is also one of the twelve leaders of the cottage, in the eyes of some people, Chu Tianya's move is somewhat "using power for personal gain". Although no one openly expressed this dissatisfaction, it was subtle.

Of course, Chu Tianya knew what these people under his command were thinking. The more this kind of unfavorable remarks spread among his subordinates, the more his dissatisfaction with Jiao Wentong deepened.

Because of this effect, it may be exactly what Jiao Wentong wants.

Time has passed, and Chu Tianya feels that there is still a layer of estrangement between himself and Jiao Wentong.

After some preparations, Mengde's trip is scheduled for tomorrow. That night, Chu Tianya held a banquet for Meng De, and the big and small leaders also arrived, and Jiao Wentong was naturally an example.

After three rounds of drinking, Chu Tianya got up and went to the thatched house, but Jiao Wentong followed behind. Walking to a secluded place, Chu Tianya stood and waited for him.

"My lord." Jiao Wentong took the initiative to step forward and bow with his fists cupped.

Chu Tianya smiled back, "Is there something wrong with the second brother?" ”

"Yes." Jiao Wentong's big black face was expressionless, and he clenched his fists and said, "My subordinates have a reluctant request." ”

"Please."

"Please let your subordinates replace Meng De and send an envoy to Western Xia!" Jiao Wentong said.

Chu Tianya was stunned for a moment, "Why?" ”

"There are three reasons for this." Jiao Wentong didn't drag the mud and water, and said bluntly, "First, it was Meng De himself who made enemies with Western Xia that day. The Tangut people are rewarding his head with a lot of money, and at this time, let him serve as a messenger, wouldn't it be a sheep into the mouth of a tiger? Although in the present situation, our alliance with the Western Xia can easily succeed, but people often make mistakes because of the impulse of the moment, thus changing the overall situation. In case someone takes the initiative to disadvantage Meng De because of personal enmity, it will be very dangerous, and it may lead to a total loss. ”

Chu Tianya pondered his words carefully and nodded lightly, "That makes sense." Go on. ”

"Second, if the lord wants to get along with Xixia, an important purpose is to find the flying fox, right?" Jiao Wentong asked.

Chu Tianya nodded.

Jiao Wentong continued: "The subordinates and the flying fox are like brothers and sisters like father and daughter. If there are still people in this world who can persuade Flying Fox to change his mind, except for the lord, there is no doubt that he must be a subordinate. If Flying Fox is still stranded in the Western Xia Kingdom, then it is no longer appropriate for her subordinates to be responsible for persuading her to return. What does the lord think? ”

"Not bad." Chu Tianya nodded in approval, "What about the third point?" ”

At this time, Jiao Wentong smiled slightly, hugged his fists and said: "Another point, it is that his subordinates used to have a small reputation in the Hedong area, and the heroes on the green forest road in Xixia have also met a few people, and they are not strangers over there. It will be easier for a subordinate to negotiate than Mengde. In particular, my subordinates are quite familiar with the tea lords and salt lords who roam between Hedong and Western Xia, and many of them have vowed to respect me and fight on the green forest roads in the Hedong area under my banner. The subordinates are thinking that if the lord can successfully marry the Western Xia, we can take advantage of the situation to bring this group of people over. Coupled with the relationship between the lord and the government on the side of the government, we in Xishan can completely control the business and travel fields between Hedong and Xixia, including those tea lords and salt lords who smuggle goods. This rolling source of wealth will be inexhaustible. From now on, there is no need to wait for the court to give us money and food. ”

After hearing these words, although Chu Tianya's expression did not change, in his heart, he couldn't help but look at Jiao Wentong and was in awe!

"Second Brother Jiao, you make me so proud!" Chu Tianya exclaimed sincerely.

Jiao Wentong smiled, "Why did the lord say this?" ”

"It's amazing how thoughtful you are. But for me, for the flying fox, and for Xishan, he thought so thoughtfully...... With a good big brother like you, I am grateful and even more proud! Chu Tianya smiled, "But in the morning, why didn't you say these words in public?" ”

"Can't tell." Jiao Wentong smiled, "Some of these things are either related to the future development prospects of our Xishan, or related to the reputation of the lord and the safety of the flying fox, that is absolute confidentiality." Wouldn't it be a big bad thing if it got out and was destroyed by the enemy or taken by someone else? Again...... Jiao has lived most of his life, and he has always been sharp and never knows how to restrain himself, so he has suffered many unwarranted disasters and lost some of the most precious things in his life. Now, Jiao Wentong has pushed the gold mountain and poured the jade pillar to worship you as the lord. You are the master, I am a minister, and to be a minister is to have the duty of a minister. Jiao Mou just said that these lords must have thought of it a long time ago, how dare Jiao announce it to the public without authorization? ”

Chu Tianya smiled gratefully and gratefully, and nodded, "Thank you, second brother." Your good intentions, I'm afraid only me and Feihu'er can understand. ”

"That's enough." Jiao Wentong also smiled and hugged his fists, "If the lord agrees, please send Jiao to replace Meng De to the Western Xia Kingdom!" ――Jiao is not talented, he will make this trip a success! ”

"Good!" Chu Tianya praised loudly, "With Second Brother Jiao coming out, he will definitely succeed!" ”

"Inheriting the auspicious words of the lord, Jiao will definitely live up to his mission!"

Later, the two returned to Qingyuntang at the same time, and announced in public that Jiao Wentong would replace Meng De and send an envoy to Western Xia.

As soon as this was announced, everyone was stunned on the spot - "What is the situation?" ”

Meng De was also a little puzzled and insisted on going in person. As a result, Chu Tianya and Jiao Wentong were persuaded for a while, but they had to agree.

At this time, Meng De vaguely felt that the relationship between Chu Tianya and Jiao Wentong had undergone some changes, and it had become more and more subtle.

Only Chu Tianya knew in his heart that Jiao Wentong was already at an absolute disadvantage in terms of military power comparison; The only way for him to stay on his feet and stabilize his position is to take the initiative economically in the future.

Jiao Wentong, he went for those tea, salt, cattle and sheep and real money!

Of course, at least for now, the interests of Chu Tianya and Jiao Wentong are unified, both want to make a good alliance with Western Xia, and both want to seek trade rights and economic interests between Hedong and Western Xia.

Chu Tianya thought to himself, if people don't kill the heavens and the earth for themselves, Jiao Wentong changed hands and changed to the economy, so as to stabilize his position, which is actually human nature. Now the open and secret battle between himself and Jiao Wentong is a healthy competition. In the final analysis, it is all about being able to make Xishan grow and develop.

Without rivals and competitors, it is lonely. Chu Tianya was very fortunate that there was such a good opponent as Jiao Wentong in Xishan. At the same time, he is also very optimistic about the completion of Jiao Wentong's mission.

However, it is really difficult to say whether Xiao Linglong can be recovered.

Although Chu Tianya tried his best to find her but found nothing, he always felt subconsciously that Xiao Linglong had never left. This may be a kind of self-psychological comfort...... Whenever he missed Xiao Linglong, Chu Tianya couldn't help but think of the Jurchen who looked like Xiao Linglong, Wanyan Daike.

"Did I unknowingly use her as a substitute for the flying fox?" Chu Tianya asked himself like this, and the answer was very negative. But the ghost sent the gods, but he thought of her, and even worried about whether she would get used to it if she was left alone in the Seven Star Hall, and whether she would be bullied by that barbaric bearded girl again.

"This may be, love the house and the black!" Chu Tianya thought so self-deprecatingly.

Jiao Wentong set off. Counting the trip, it will take at least a month to go back and forth. According to the prior arrangement, Ma Kuo and Liang Xing brought a team of more than 20,000 people and stationed them in the area along the Yellow River across the river from the Western Xia Kingdom to train soldiers and horses. Meng De continued to preside over various matters in Xishan, and after Chu Tianya watched the military training on the bank of the Yellow River for a while, there was nothing to do except wait for Jiao Wentong's good news.

So, he decided to go back to Qixingzhai. First, the newly recruited tiger rider over there can't leave his master for too long, and his training can't be relaxed; Second, the study of firearms has been forced to be suspended, but it is still necessary to find a way to continue; And then there's ...... In Chu Tianya's heart, he really missed that Wanyan Daike a little.

Chu Tianya knew very well that he himself didn't like this Jurchen woman with a strange background at all, and he didn't even trust it. The reason why she is "missing" is simply because she looks a little similar to Xiao Linglong.

"Love the house and the black, that's all!"