After traveling through time, I became Han Zhang’s grandson?

Chapter 224 Collection

As time went by, the assassination of the diplomatic mission became more and more widespread, causing the people on the Song-Liao border to feel insecure and keep paying close attention to the development of the matter.

The Song Dynasty delegation has not left the house since they arrived at the Xijin Prefecture Posthouse on October 15th. Most of the purchasing business is handled by Zhou Qian and others from the guard team.

In ancient times, each country had inns in important cities or the capital to accommodate foreign delegations, which basically served as the envoys' base camp and residence during their missions.

During the period of the diplomatic mission's stay, no local citizens or officials were allowed to enter or leave at will under any pretext, thus fulfilling the same function as a modern embassy.

However, after the delegation left, it would become an ordinary building, providing a rest area for foreign friends, businessmen, and military and political leaders along the way. Therefore, it is still somewhat different from a modern embassy.

Since the Song Dynasty delegation moved into the inn, there have been guards from the imperial guards guarding and protecting it inside and outside.

When the Liao Dynasty learned that the delegation was so cautious, it was also affected by the assassination incident and immediately announced that it would send its own troops to protect the inn and patrol the streets outside at all times.

This made He Zhengru and others express their dissatisfaction with the Liao Kingdom, believing that the other party was monitoring and placing the delegation under house arrest.

The Liao Kingdom could only awkwardly state that they would not be responsible if the Song Dynasty delegation encountered any more accidents in Xijin Prefecture.

As a result, before the two sides had even had formal communication, the Song Dynasty delegation and the Liao Dynasty diplomatic agency began to clash, accusing each other of their attitude and irresponsibility.

After all, we are all thousand-year-old foxes, and we know what to do as soon as we raise our tails!

However, the Liao Kingdom was in the wrong after all, so it could only allow the members of the Song Dynasty delegation to vent their anger and secretly suppress the feelings of having been bullied for many years.

Those who play politics are all ruthless and dirty, even for those who are of foreign origin like the Liao Kingdom.

After the Sinicization reforms of Emperor Shengzong of Liao and Empress Xiao, these so-called Khitans became like monkeys in human clothing, imitating the political tactics of the Central Plains dynasties.

Although he wanted to crush the people in the delegation to death, he still had to maintain the most basic demeanor of a great power. After all, Song and Liao were "brother countries"!

Although the members of the Song Dynasty delegation stayed in the inn waiting for Yelu Hongji's summons, they still had no idea about the whereabouts of the delegation leader Han Ming.

As the nominal temporary leader, He Zhengru has been hesitant and has not given accurate information.

On the morning of the 17th, the delegation received an order from the Liao Emperor, His Majesty Yelu Hongji, requesting that they hold a court ceremony on the morning of the 18th, and then hold a banquet to welcome the people who had come from afar.

When they were at a loss, Han Ming and Yong Zeng finally contacted them and asked them to meet at Mingyue Tower, the largest restaurant in Xijin Prefecture.

Looking at He Zhengru, Deputy Envoy of the Three Departments, Du Jiyang, Junior Secretary of the Honglu Temple, and Peng Yi, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, who were exhausted and coming up the stairs, Yong Zeng smiled and bowed, welcomed the three into the private room, then closed the door and stood guard outside.

In the inner room, Han Ming changed into a brocade hat and sable fur coat, a unique garment of the north, and drank alone at the table.

"You three have arrived at the perfect time. Come and try the special food of Xijin Prefecture. This is something you can't find in China."

Han Ming smiled and extended his hand to invite the three of them to sit down and drink.

"Oh! my Lord! You have caused me so much anxiety and worry!"

He Zhengru sighed and pulled Han Ming's arm, which was holding the glass, and told him about his worries and difficulties in recent days, and he was full of complaints.

"Hahaha, Brother Zhengru, this is just the beginning! You'll suffer in the days ahead!"

Han Ming smiled with evil humor, teasing the somewhat serious He Zhengru.

"You..." He Zhengru held his forehead with his hands, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"Alright, alright, am I safe and sound?"

"Don't worry, there are not many people in this world who can defeat me one-on-one, at least not in the Liao Kingdom!"

Han Ming's somewhat arrogant words made He Zhengru and the other two look at each other in surprise.

"Let's start eating first. Don't let this delicious food get cold and lose its flavor. We can talk business after we've had enough food and wine."

Han Ming gestured, picked up his chopsticks and started eating and drinking with the three of them.

. . . . . .

After a long time, the four of them put down their chopsticks at the same time and savored the unique wine of Yanyun North.

"I have to say, the wine from Xijin Mansion is really delicious."

Peng Yi, the Minister of Rites, is a gentleman of integrity, or rather, the literati of the Song Dynasty, who basically act very serious for the sake of so-called reputation, which makes people feel boring.

However, my grandfather Han Zhang did not have so many twists and turns. When he was young, he had interesting anecdotes about "wearing flowers in his hair" and was a very romantic person.

"It's a pity that such good wine is in the territory of Liao..."

Du Jiyang, Shaoqing of the Honglu Temple, also expressed some emotion.

"Well, I don't think it's a big deal. If you want to drink this wine, there will definitely be plenty of opportunities in the future."

Han Ming smiled as he looked at the three of them. After all, if they were to go to war with the Liao Kingdom in the future, the first step would be to take over the long-held 'Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun'!

"(⊙o⊙)..."

"(⊙_⊙)?"

"Σ(⊙▽⊙"a"

He Zhengru and the other two all sensed the deeper meaning in Han Ming's tone and couldn't help feeling a little surprised.

"But speaking of which, we will go to the palace to pay homage to the Liao emperor tomorrow. There might be even more delicious wine at the welcoming banquet."

When they heard Han Ming start talking about tomorrow's worship, He Zhengru and the other two quickly sat up straight.

"My Lord, during this mission to Liao, the Emperor specifically instructed us to follow your instructions. If you have any ideas, please let me know."

He Zhengru was not only the newly promoted deputy envoy of the Three Departments by the court, but also a backbone of the Han Party and the right-hand man of the current envoy of the Three Departments, Wang Jiefu.

He has always had a positive view of Han Ming and recognized his series of measures in reform and innovation.

"I don't have any special plans, but it would be unkind of me to keep it a secret from you all at this point. So, let me tell you the real purpose of this mission to Liao..."

Han Ming then recounted in detail the relevant matters of this mission to Liao, which involved all aspects of the new policy military reform, the imperial guards' march north, and the diplomatic mission to Liao.

At this moment, the three of them understood the plan of the emperor and Han Ming. It turned out that they wanted to use the pretext of sending an envoy to Liao to cover the imperial guards' march north to the border.

"That means we need to use the exchanges between the two countries and the negotiations on the 'annual tribute' to delay the Liao people's intention to look south, thus providing cover for the imperial army's advance north."

He Zhengru made a brief summary and quickly went through a few thoughts in his mind. He felt that this matter was much simpler than the mission to Liao in previous years.

"It seems that Brother Zhengru has made up his mind?"

Han Ming took a sip of wine and smiled at the other person's thoughts.

"My Lord, please forgive me for laughing. I feel that this mission has a lot of room for maneuver and is not as difficult as the previous missions to Liao."

He Zhengru's words represented the words of the other two. After all, when they were sent to Liao in the past, it was even more difficult to argue with these foreign races about some minor matters involving national sovereignty and dignity.

"The difficulty is indeed different from before, but the danger is greatly increased. Once the Liao Kingdom realizes our intentions, they will probably sacrifice us and immediately lead their troops south to invade the Song Dynasty!"

Du Ji Yang, the newly appointed Shaoqing of the Honglu Temple who was promoted in the last two years, used to be a mid-level official accompanying the diplomatic delegation to handle specific business.

"That's unrealistic. Although the Liao are a foreign race, they are not fools. Moreover, they have a powerful intelligence organization like 'Long Xijin'. How could they not see our purpose in choosing to send troops to the Liao at this moment?"

Peng Yi, the Minister of Rites, stroked his long beard lightly, shook his head and sighed helplessly.

"Even if they know, they won't be afraid. The emperor and I don't intend to hide it from them. Besides, it's impossible to hide it. It's better to be straightforward."

"Also, we need to contact Yelu Chongyuan, the Liao emperor's uncle and the Grand Marshal of the Army. He has always had a bad relationship with the previous Liao emperor and the current one, Yelu Hongji."

"We can use this as an opportunity to implement the 'strategy of sowing discord' and let the uncle and nephew, Yelu Chongyuan, have a fierce fight."

"At the same time, this person is also the key to our successful completion of this mission and escape."

Han Ming stroked the rim of the wine glass, his eyes lost in deep thought.

"This shouldn't be difficult. Although Yelu Chongyuan and his son held high positions within the Liao Dynasty and enjoyed great splendor, they were feared by two generations of Liao monarchs, making it easy for them to harbor rebellious thoughts."

He Zhengru nodded in agreement with Han Ming's idea.

"There's another person we can try to contact. Of course, I think it would be difficult for him to oppose Yelu Hongji as openly as Yelu Chongyuan did."

Han Ming's mysterious words made He Zhengru and the other two think for a moment, and they immediately realized who it was.

"Yelü Yixin!!!" x3