The person who jumped out of the street was none other than the dark line of the political secretary in Dadu, and it was also the first person Liu Shimin to see when he came this time, named Ma Lege.

This Marleg, who originally opened a restaurant in Shandong, Li Shousheng often went to his shop, came and went, and somehow caught up with the line. After two or three tests, it was found that this person was trustworthy. Two months ago, Li Shousheng gave him a sum of money and sent him to Dadu to buy the next industry, continue his old business, and then open a restaurant.

Among the guards who came with Liu Shimin and Luo Lilang, there were two people from the General Administration Department who had infiltrated Yidu and met with Maregg, and the two had known each other.

In the non-narrative places on the street, Maregg sent a little servant, a little man named Peter, and led Luo Lilang to the market with leather goods to the bell tower; On the one hand, he led Liu Shimin and others to turn around and go straight to the place where the General Administration Department settled in Dadu. said that it is the place where the General Administration Department stayed, but it is actually his home.

mentioned it on the way, and Liu Shimin knew that this was a complete encounter.

Maregg originally went to the bell tower market to buy goods,—— he has been in business since he was a child, and he has a great talent for business, although in the years of famine, the restaurant opened in the capital and used as a cover is prosperous, and he has to come out to buy ingredients, raw materials and other things almost every day.

Liu Shimin was a little puzzled and asked: "Ma Guanren is the owner, and he is delicate and expensive. Why do you have to do it yourself? Isn't it okay to leave it to the little guys? ”

"Liu Guanren doesn't know. Although I have never been in the capital, I still have a few friends and relationships in the old days. Take advantage of the opportunity to purchase ingredients every day, so you can take a walk along the way. By the way, you can also get acquainted with the streets and scenery of the city. ......, hey, it's not easy to do business, Liu Guanren came from such a far away place in Monan, and he should have a deep understanding of this. ”

Liu Shimin suddenly realized and thought: "People can't look good." Look at him nodding his head, he seems to be slippery, but his temperament is still steady and steady. ”

According to the pre-discussion, Liu Shimin and Maregg should be business partners, and for the sake of prudence, Liu Shimin needs to finalize it with him in person. He asked again, "I don't know who are still in the house of the Ma officials?" When we met, what should Liu be called? ”

"My family members have all stayed in Yidu, and there is no one else in Dadu, only three or two loyal and reliable servants."

Liu Shimin said "oh" and nodded, knowing in his heart that the so-called "three or two loyal and reliable servants" must also be the secret agents of the General Administration Department. They braved the scorching sun and walked in the endless crowd for a long time, and the surrounding environment gradually changed from noisy to quiet, and they didn't know which area they were entering, facing a three-story restaurant.

"This is the shop. He took everyone around to the back of the building, there was a small courtyard, he opened the courtyard door, and asked solemnly: "Humble house, cold house." Ladies and gentlemen, please come in. ”

Liu Shimin and others entered the courtyard and saw that the courtyard was not large, there were not many houses, and the land was very clean. Two or three servant-looking people greeted them, took the mounts of Liu Shimin and others, and led them to the stables. Maregg led the way and took Liu Shimin and a few people to the study. Serve tea and water, and sit down with the guests.

Maregg has been in China for many years, familiar with the Han people's sophistication, diligently asked about the hardships on the road, and persuaded Liu Shimin and others to greet each other.

Liu Shimin's temperament is calm, but after all, this is the first time he has taken on a heavy responsibility, some pressure, a few words of no, and he can't even wait for Luo Lilang to come back, so he directly turned the topic to business, he said: "The purpose of my visit to Dadu this time, Ma Guanren must have known?" ”

"Two or three days ago, I received an order from Governor Lee. Why Liu Guanren came, Governor Li didn't say, and I don't want to know. I have two tasks. First, the responsibility of reception. Second, the duty of assistance. ”

"I'm waiting for this to come and visit a Tartar official."

Liu Shimin's task is to see the Qi clan secretly, but in fact, the Qi clan is deep in the inner palace, and it is not easy to see. The last time Deng She had a private relationship with the Qi family, it was through the relationship between Hong Jixun and Li Chunfu, and they didn't meet in person, but just conveyed the meaning of Tonghao to others. This time was no exception.

What Liu Shimin actually wants to see is Wei Sijian and Pu Buhua.

After the defeat of Liaodong, Wei Sijian returned to Dadu, and with the help of the Qi clan's power, three months ago, he was once again worshiped as the right prime minister of Zhongshu Province. If it was said that before, he and the Qi family were still a little inseparable, and had a little bit of his own little abacus, after this blow, he had already become a member of the Qi family.

As for Pu Buhua. This person met the Qi family when he was a teenager, a childhood sweetheart, and was later sent to the palace of the Yuan court with the Qi family. Far away from home and in the deep palace, the relationship between the two people is naturally getting better and better. "Like glue". With the favor of the Qi family, Pu Buhua's status has also risen with the tide, and his power has tilted inside and outside. Compared with Wei Sijian, he is a well-deserved post-party.

As long as you can see these two people, it will be no different from seeing the Qi clan.

Maregg nodded, indicating understanding, and said: "Under the subordinates of the Governor of Wisdom, there is a man named Beli Hutai, who is a fellow countryman with me. Before Liu Guanren came, I had already connected with him. Moreover, I also heard that in the earlier battle in Liaodong, the lord was kind to Wei Sijian and let him go but did not kill him. Therefore, in my estimation, it should not be too difficult to meet him. ”

It's not difficult to see the eunuch, and it's easier to see Pu Buhua. Like the Qi family, Park Buhua is a native of Goryeo Wangjing, and Wang Jing is now under the rule of Deng She, and it is easy to find out a few people who are related to Park Buhua. The connection with Pu Buhua is responsible for other dark lines in Dadu.

——, digression, the reason why Deng She sent Luo Lilang as Liu Shimin's deputy was because Luo Lilang had the identity of a native of Shuangcheng and was half a Goryeo, so that he could communicate with Pu Buhua.

Liu Shimin was a little relieved and said: "The stakes are very high, and it is better to do it sooner rather than later." Ma Guan has worked a lot, give you two days, can you contact Beli Hutai and set a time to meet with Wei Si Supervisor? ”

Maregg patted his chest and promised, "I will give you the letter tomorrow." ”

The next day, the news brought back by Maregg surprised Liu Shimin. Not only did he agree to meet him, but Qi also promised to come forward in person. It was so surprising. It turned out that when Maregg went to see Beli Hutai, Pu Buhua happened to be in the palace of the prison of Wei Si, and went back to tell the Qi family, who was very interested in this for various reasons, and immediately made a decision, she wanted to meet Liu Shimin in person.

Meng Yuan was originally a Hulu, with Hu Feng, not as good as the court of the Han people, and the defense of this humble and male and female was not very serious.

Qi saw it in person, although it was a little surprising, but it was not unacceptable, and it can be said that it was a surprise. However, the time of the meeting had to be postponed slightly, and the place of the meeting was changed slightly. ——, changed from the house of the eunuch to the home of Pu Buhua.

Two days later, Pu Buhua found an excuse to hold a family banquet. Maregg's restaurant is famous for its two flavorful specialties, and Pu Buhua has designated his chef to come and help. Liu Shimin and Luo Lilang pretended to be cooks, and they mixed into the Pu Mansion.

Pu Buhua is about 30 years old, has been in the top position for a long time, pampered, has a big belly, has a white face and no beard, and walks steadily. He sent his henchmen to catch Liu and Luo, and led them into the side room first. Liu Shimin and Luo Lilang looked at it and saw that although it was called a partial room, the interior decoration was extremely luxurious and magnificent.

The leader bowed and retreated, leaving only the two of them in the room, along with a waiting maid.

The maid is not very old, fourteen or fifteen years old, jade and soft skin, light clothes, wrapped in a Goryeo-style silk skirt, and the head and face are full of jewelry. I saw her kneeling on the ground, pouring water and tea, all on her knees, occasionally bending over, revealing her crisp breasts, trembling and fragrant.

"Two masters, please drink tea." The accent has a Korean flavor, soft and pleasant, swinging into the ears and seducing the soul.

Liu Shimin glanced at Luo Lilang, and the two of them thought together: "A little maid, such a good product, the luxury of Pu Buhua can be seen, the power is tilted towards the government and the opposition, and the wealth is rivaled by the country, it is indeed true." Taking the celadon tea bowl from the silver plate, they took a sip lightly, and then looked at each other, what kind of tea was brewed in the tea, the two of them could not taste it at all, only one feeling: they had never drunk such a good tea. It is clear and fragrant, with a long aftertaste.

After sitting for a short time, the door opened, and more than a dozen people hugged each other, and Pu Buhua strode into the room. didn't wait for Liu Shimin and Luo Lilang to meet him, his face was calm, and he said: "The queen mother has arrived, why don't you kneel down quickly to greet him?" ”

Liu Shimin and Luo Lilang were taken aback, they thought that the Qi clan would not appear so early, at least wait for them to talk to Pu Buhua to come up with a result, and then they might have the opportunity to meet. I really didn't expect that the butt didn't sit firmly, and the main lord came. The two bowed down and greeted each other.

Liu Shimin was bolder, raised his head slightly, and looked out along Pu Buhua, only to hear the silence of the birds indoors and outdoors, and saw two or three people slowly coming into the room. On the left is an old man, who has seen the portrait and recognizes it as the Guardian. On the right is a maid. In the middle, a woman about thirty years old, dressed as a noble lady, with white hair and neck, crystal and delicate skin, elegant posture, and noble spirit.

According to the intelligence, Qi and Park Buhua are similar in age, probably less than two years apart. Looking at her demeanor and attitude, Liu Shimin made a judgment and thought: "This woman must be Qi's." Don't dare to look at it more, kowtow and salute, and say, "The envoy of the Great Song Dynasty Haidong Yan King, meet the queen of your country." ”

"Bold! Where did the savages come from? It turned out to be so rude. ......, what is the king of Song Haidong Yan? What is the queen of your country? A little red thief is rebellious, and he dares to call himself King Yan in front of his mother, and he fights against him? Come on, fork out, hit! ”

Park Buhua was furious. He heard what Liu Shimin meant, the Great Song Dynasty and your country clearly regarded themselves as equals. Liu Shimin and Luo Lilang's worship is not because the Qi family is the queen, but because Haidong is a courtier of the Great Song Dynasty. In other words, if they were messengers who came on behalf of King Xiao Ming, perhaps there would be no such worship.

Liu Shimin's expression remained unchanged, calm and composed, and said: "'Where did the wild man come from'?" Is Pu Buhua insulting the queen mother of your country? "They are from Haidong, if they are savages, then what is the Qi clan who is also from Haidong?

Pu Buhua's face flushed. Without waiting for him to get mad, Qi Clan smiled and said, "May I ask the name of the envoy?" ”

"Under Liu Shimin."

Luo Lilang also said his name. However, unlike Liu Shimin, he used Goryeo dialect. Sure enough, he immediately attracted Qi's attention, and a pair of wonderful eyes turned around him twice, raised his jade arm lightly, and said, "Please get up, two of you." ......, this Lord Luo, your Goryeo dialect is very good, are you from Goryeo? ”

"In the next life, I lived in Shuangcheng, and I also lived in Wangjing when I was young." Luo Lilang took out a letter, handed it respectfully, and then said, "Before this mission, I made a special trip to Wang Jing. I specially met with Niangniang and Master Pu's clansmen in Wangjing, and this letter was written by them, and I handed it over to Niangniang and Master Pu. ”

Park Buhua's father died early, and his mother remarried. When he entered the palace, he was of a humble position and could not afford to bring his mother; When he became powerful, there were endless wars in Goryeo and Liaodong. As a result, his mother stayed in Wangjing. The Qi family is very large, and many years ago the king of Goryeo found a mistake, and almost all the doors were beheaded, but there were two or three young people, and they were lucky not to die.

After Deng She's got Wang Jing, he specially ordered Zhao Guo and Yang Wanhu to take care of all the families and clansmen of the two of them, reward them with fields, and even give them official positions.

Qi took the letter, unfolded it and looked at it carefully, his complexion remained unchanged, and his heart was really happy. Wang Qi beheaded her full door, and he hated her all his life. At this time, I suddenly learned that there was still a young brother in the clan who had not died, which was a great joy. She glanced at ten lines, hurriedly looked at it, and said: "The younger brother of the clan is under the care of your lord, and after the two envoys go back, please convey the gratitude of the palace to your lord." ”

"My father-in-law has admired my mother for a long time. thought that Niangniang was actually the eldest grandson of the Tang Dynasty and the Empress Dowager of the former Song Dynasty, virtuous and virtuous, and the female Yao Shun. I am very lucky to be able to do something for my mother. The word 'thanks' of the mother is really not daring. ”

"Your envoy came to my capital thousands of miles away to ask to see the palace, what is the matter?"

Luo Lilang turned his eyes and looked at the people in the room. Liu Shimin said: "I wonder if Niangniang can take a step to speak?" Qi Shi understood, clapped his hands, and the maids and eunuchs retreated one after another, leaving only Eunuch Weisi, Pu Buhua and a few cronies and guards. Qi sat down at the top and said, "Your envoy, please speak, right?" ”

Five people from two parties, from the temptation, and picking, and then bargaining. A seat of negotiation will not be decided until nightfall.

The so-called negotiations, when each side has its own needs, should not be too resolute, too resolute will inevitably fall apart. It can't be too soft, too soft will inevitably suffer. Therefore, it is necessary to combine rigidity and softness. Just as on Haidong's side, Liu Shimin sings blackface and Luo Lilang sings redface, and on Qi's side, there is also Pu Buhua who sings blackface, and he gets angry at every turn. In contrast, Chi's overall attitude is much gentler.

As the negotiations deepened, Liu Shimin and Luo Lilang gradually understood Qi's true purpose and understood why she was willing to meet in person.

At the end of the negotiation, the two of them walked out of the Pu Mansion to the beat of the drum of the second watch. The night breeze is blowing, and the sky is full of stars. Liu Shimin didn't have the joy of being done, he frowned, and said, "I never expected that the Qi clan would have such a request. Lord Luo, did you say that the main guild agreed? ”

Luo Lilang shook his head and said, "It's difficult, it's difficult." ”

The two of them pondered worriedly and walked for a while, Liu Shimin didn't know where he thought, and suddenly spoke again, and a sentence came out: "Lord Luo, do you remember the maid who brought tea and water to us when we just arrived at Pu Buhua's mansion?" ”

"How?"

"Is it a good woman?"

"Lips and teeth, spring melt snow, real beauty."

"How does it compare to the Chi family?"

"Compare with Chi's? The light of rice grains, dare to compete with the bright moon! ”

Liu Shimin sighed: "He has the appearance of a country and a city, and he has surprising ambitions. Qi's family, she is not the Empress Dowager of the former Song Dynasty, she is actually today's Wu Zetian! ”