In the passage of time, Princess Diaotang is like a blooming begonia flower, meeting General Taihao again. How can this be summed up by a simple greeting? The entanglements and troubles behind it are like flowers embroidered on brocade, which cannot be easily said in a few words.

She stared at Tai Hao, her eyes flashed with questions, and her tone was eager to hide: "Tai Hao, when you came, did my father say anything to you?" ”

Tai Hao lowered his eyes, his voice was steady and powerful, and replied: "Your Royal Highness Princess, the emperor's will is as clear as flowing water, he does not want to see our two countries meet each other, and he cherishes this hard-won peace even more. There was awe and respect in his tone, as if to state a great vow.

Princess Diaotang opened her mouth, her tone was tactful, and she said: "My father can send an envoy to let you go to Tubo in the dust, and I have already gained insight into his deep meaning." However, I'm not asking about that. What I am looking for is whether my father has a special message, and whether there is a heart that I need to bring. ”

Her voice drifted through the air like a spring breeze blowing through a lake. In the middle of speaking, she suddenly stopped, and Taihao already realized that she was asking the majestic emperor if there was any whisper entrusted to her. After all, she is the pearl of the emperor's palm, the treasure in front of the dragon chair of the Eastern Empire.

Tai Hao replied in a low voice: "Your Royal Highness Princess, the emperor's mind is actually very clear, and letting Weichen accompany the prince on his visit this time is enough to show that he attaches great importance to family affection." The emperor must have been thinking about Her Royal Highness the princess day and night, and now, the son-in-law Yang Wu Rongzan has passed away, and the emperor has his considerations and arrangements. He clearly instructed that if Her Royal Highness the princess had the idea of returning to the Eastern Empire, Weichen would make every effort to arrange and personally escort the princess home. ”

Hearing the word "go home", Princess Diaotang's heartstrings trembled as if they were blown by a strong wind. Over the years, she has deeply regarded this Tibetan land as her home, like a bird returning to its nest and falling leaves returning to its roots. However, as the guardian of Tibet, how could she, just to fulfill her wish to return home, ignore the people and leave the mission of peace behind? This is tantamount to abandoning the basics and deviating from her original intention and mission. Her eyes flickered with contradictions and struggles, a deep and firm interweaving of emotions.

Princess Diaotang said lightly: "Tubo is my home now......"

Taihao heard a faint loneliness from her words, and some indescribable sadness.

Princess Diaotang asked Taihao: "I once ordered the Tibetan envoy Kozha Demba to invite you to come to Tubo to be the prime minister, but you refused, right?" ”

Tai Hao said: "Thanks to Her Royal Highness the princess, I am exempted from coming to Tubo to be an official, and Weichen does not have the ability to come here to become the minister of the Tubo Kingdom." After all, the Eastern Empire is Wechen's home, and Wechen's parents, brothers, and friends are all in that land. Wechen has a deep affection for my motherland. Wechen can't betray my motherland, even if I have a high official position and no matter how much wealth, Wechen will not shake my determination. ”

Princess Diaotang cleared her throat and said, "Let's get down to business...... Taihao, now the situation in the Tubo Dynasty is unstable, the new Zampu is now in his infancy, and urgently needs to elect a regent, and now all forces in the DPRK and China are vying for this important position, who will be the regent, will be directly related to the peace between Tubo and the Eastern Empire and all the surrounding countries. ”

Tai Hao asked, "Are those officials who want to be this regent?" ”

Princess Diaotang slowly spoke: "The world game is like chess, and the chess game is divided into three parts, and each weight is carefully planned by the chess player. The first is led by the great minister Zhuoer Beizan, who is well versed in the affairs of the Eastern Empire, and the things and pro-feasts he pulls have cast the paving stones for peace. Under his command, there is the deputy minister Lobsang Tenzin who assists the state government, the deputy marshal of military affairs who leads the army, the brilliant bachelor Xia Yan Banma, and many officials who work silently. They are a steady force. ”

She paused, took a deep breath, and continued: "The second chess game is presided over by Zu Ren Xide, the patriarch of the Three Dynasties, who has a high status in the court, just like the position of a national teacher. In his chess game, the most important chess piece was the military commander of Tibet, Shang Jieyunzan, who may not have a deep understanding of the Eastern Empire, but he had a lot of treasures about the Nibora in the west of Tibet and the Nanzhao Kingdom in the south. This is a diplomatic force. ”

She smiled slightly, and her tone changed to mysterious: "The third chess game, that is the situation of Nima Sanji." He is only thirty years old, but he has occupied an important position in the court, and has been given the power to supervise the whole thing, which is equivalent to the supervision of the imperial history of the Eastern Empire. On his chessboard, there were Kishimoto Desi Songtsen, who controlled the finances of Tibet, and Buzhashi Du, who was in charge of diplomatic mediation. These are all important chess pieces in key positions in the triple chess game. ”

Her voice was thoughtful, every word was fine, like a complex political rendition, revealing the intertwining of power and conspiracy.

After listening to this, Tai Hao pondered for a moment and said, "I have seen the great minister of Zhuoer Beizan today, and he ......" He paused, and there seemed to be a worry between his eyebrows, "In fact, when I was in Thousand Winds City, Kozha Demba once talked to me, and I can talk to Zhuoer Beizan in detail, and I think he is an upright official." ”

Princess Diaotang asked, "Then how do you feel about him?" ”

Tai Hao shook his head lightly and said, "Although he gives me the feeling of being upright, but his desire to be the regent is too strong, I don't know what his true thoughts will be." ”

Princess Diaotang frowned slightly, and said: "I have a heart with you, such as today Lobsang Tenzin suddenly sent the treasure of Xuanbao over, and he looks like he is determined to win." ”

Tai Hao's eyebrows were tightly locked, and he was full of suspicions, "Didn't you secretly order His Royal Highness the Princess to send His Royal Highness the Crown Prince over?" ”

Diao Tang shook his head, frowning slightly, "I didn't give this order, I didn't know you would come today." ”

Taihao's expression was instantly filled with gloom, Lobsang Tenzin that guy lied, is their purpose just to fight for merit?

Princess Diaotang's gaze fell intently on Tai Hao, and she continued affectionately: "Tai Hao, have you made arrangements for your itinerary in Tubo? ”

Tai Hao was slightly stunned, and then replied firmly: "Not yet." ”

Princess Diaotang smiled slightly, her voice was gentle and resolute: "There is a lack of officials in Luo Qi City that I can trust wholeheartedly, but fortunately you are here now. The position of regent would have been decided by the Queen Mother, but the other Queen Mothers ignored the matter. Therefore, only I can decide the choice of the Regent. I beg you to help me choose one of those three ministers. ”

Taihao thought to himself, this was probably Tubo's housework, and he was about to excuse himself, but he heard Princess Diaotang say: "However, you have to host one thing for your father-in-law first." ”

"Princess, please speak." Taihao said.

"You go and bring to justice the envoys of the Eastern Empire who stayed in the city of Luoqi." Princess Diaotang said.

"This ......" Tai Hao hesitated for a moment, "dare to ask the princess, why did you kill that slippery?" ”

Princess Diaotang said categorically: "That slippery Confucian and his ilk have become more and more emboldened now, relying on his status as the envoy of the Eastern Empire, greedily accepting bribes, and even unscrupulously enslaving some poor Tibetan women. I have long thought of getting rid of him, but every time I think of my fellow countrymen, I have never been able to give up my heart. I sent a letter to my father detailing the matter, but I never received a reply. Now that you are here, please remove this evil for me. Otherwise, if he remains in this world, he will only pose a threat to us. ”

Tai Hao's pupils flashed with doubt and anger, and a deep voice responded, "On this territory of Tibet, how dare he be so unscrupulous and domineering? ”

Princess Diaotang frowned slightly, and said, "It is said that he has colluded with many powerful people in the rivers and lakes. And he himself has also cultivated a superb martial art, and in some cities, no one has yet been able to match him. Her voice was filled with helplessness and worry, and it was clear that she had a deep fear of this powerful enemy.

Tai Hao groaned: "It seems that this matter is not trivial, but ...... When I was ordered to visit Tibet, the first thing I had to do was to kill the envoys of the Eastern Empire. ”

His heart was like a churning river, and it was difficult to calm down. This trip to Tibet, with the king's life, seems to be a simple task, but in fact, it affects the whole body. Taihao's eyes shimmered with complex light, like the starry sky in the night, both deep and confused. He clenched his fists, feeling his knuckles white, and it was clear that he had deep doubts about the appropriateness of the action.

Princess Diaotang said softly: "You just have to let it go, and my father will never blame you." After all, you are sweeping away demons for the Eastern Empire. ”

Tai Hao said in a deep voice: "This matter is very important, I think I should go and meet that slippery man for a while." ”

Princess Diaotang earnestly advised: "You can go, but you must pay attention to safety and beware of him using tricks against you." There was a hint of concern and concern in her eyes.

Tai Hao replied confidently: "Princess, please rest assured, I believe that he may not be my opponent." His tone was firm and confident.

Princess Diaotang asked again: "Did my father mention to you the specific time of this visit?" There was a hint of anticipation and curiosity in her voice.

Tai Hao replied: "The emperor ordered Weichen to stay in Tubo for a maximum of one month. His answer was succinct and clear, without the slightest hesitation.

Princess Diaotang nodded slightly, and seemed to be quite satisfied with this answer: "A month is indeed a bit rushed. When we have elected the regent of Tibet, and the peace between the two countries has been properly arranged, it will not be too late for you to leave. Otherwise, wouldn't this visit be meaningless? Her words reveal consideration for the big picture and concern for the interests of the country.

Tai Hao respectfully saluted Princess Diaotang, expressing his agreement with her teachings and suggestions: "What Her Royal Highness the Princess said is very true, and Weichen also thinks so. His attitude was humble and sincere, showing his respect and loyalty to the princess.

Princess Diaotang gracefully continued: "There is a courtyard outside the palace called 'Nian Dong Hall'. It used to be the place where I had been staying for the past few years, and it had been carefully arranged by me in the style of the Eastern Empire. During your stay with Xuanbao in Tibet, you will live there. I have sent the maid to clean the place and prepare everything necessary. ”

Tai Hao respectfully bowed deeply to Princess Diaotang and expressed his gratitude to her for bothering: "It really bothered Her Royal Highness the Princess." His voice revealed sincere gratitude and respect for the princess.

As the night fell, Princess Diaotang beckoned to Xuanbao. Taehao and Hyun Po saluted her and left the magnificent palace. They took a hundred soldiers sent by Princess Diaotang to Niandong Hall and rested.