Chapter 163 Peace Talks

After the arrival of winter, the road to the northern border has become increasingly difficult to travel. In previous years, the official road was also deserted at this time. After all, even if there were servants to clear the snow, it could not move as fast as the snow fell, and thick layers of snow had accumulated in many places.

But the official road in the northern border was destined to be bustling this year. In front, the Fourth Prince led his army to pass through in a mighty force, and now they welcomed the peace negotiation convoy sent by the Great Zhou.

Because time was tight, the peace negotiation team could not bring too much food and supplies. It was fortunate that the road conditions were bad, otherwise the carriages would not be able to move forward and they would have to ride horses.

Even for soldiers born in the military, riding horses in the cold winter was difficult, not to mention that there were many scholars in the caravan.

In comparison, although this carriage is shaky, it is much more comfortable than riding a horse.

Especially the carriage in the center. Although it looks ordinary and no different from the other carriages around it, it is actually very stable when driving. You don’t need to worry about spilling tea when making tea in it.

The fifth prince was leisurely making tea at this moment. The fragrance of tea filled the small space of the carriage, and it smelled very pleasant for a moment.

After brewing the tea, the Fifth Prince poured out the first cup but did not drink it himself. Instead, he pushed it in front of the person opposite him and said, "Master Su, please try my cooking."

Sitting across from him was Su Fengzhang. He didn't hesitate, picking up the teacup and taking a sip. He smiled and praised, "Your Highness's tea-making skills are getting better and better. I'm humbled by your skill."

Yes, the one who took up the important task of negotiating peace this time was actually the little-known fifth prince who had a bad reputation among the literati.

When the emperor proposed the candidate, many people in the court opposed it. However, the emperor insisted on his own way. In order to improve the status of the fifth prince, he even bypassed the previous princes and conferred him the title of Prince Cheng.

In addition to the fifth prince, the emperor also appointed several old ministers in the court, who were impartial monarchists. Finally, he promoted Su Fengzhang to the fifth rank of Langzhong of the Ministry of Rites and asked him to accompany him!

Su Fengzhang had no words to express his bitterness about this. Although getting promoted and making money were good things, and jumping two levels was something that others envied, everyone knew that this peace talks in the Northern Frontier was a tough job, and many people felt that they would never come back.

But Su Fengzhang was helpless after receiving the imperial edict. The emperor's words would not change. Even the opposition of the whole court could not change the emperor's mind, let alone a small figure like him.

But at this moment, Su Fengzhang couldn't help but look up at the former fifth prince, now Prince Cheng, and thought to himself, maybe the emperor also felt that this trip was too dangerous and he couldn't bear to leave the crown prince. Prince Rong happened to be seriously ill, and he was worried about Master Zhang and others, so he had to send his other son, but was afraid that his son would be dissatisfied, so he sent him here to appease him?

Considering the various rumors about him and the fifth prince, Su Fengzhang speculated that it was really possible for this emperor to do so.

"What is Lord Su thinking about?" Prince Cheng suddenly asked.

Su Fengzhang took another sip of tea and said with a smile, "I'm wondering if I can escape unscathed from this trip to the Northern Frontier."

Prince Cheng chuckled softly and poured himself a cup of tea, sipping it slowly. "If the Xianbei are not interested in peace talks, wouldn't it be better to kill the fourth brother as a sacrifice? Now that they have the upper hand, it can't be to buy time."

After taking a few sips of tea and feeling a little warmer, Su Fengzhang said, "Indeed, the Xianbei seemed to be coming with great force, but in reality, they only captured a few insignificant small towns. Now that the Fourth Prince is in their hands, they have taken the initiative to ask for peace. This shows that they are not as strong as they appear."

Prince Cheng also agreed with this point, but still smiled and said: "If that's the case, it's not a dead end."

After saying this, he continued, "Master Su, in the previous dynasty, it was not uncommon for the Xianbei to kill envoys. If we go there now, we might lose our heads. Have you ever blamed me for being a burden to you?"

Su Fengzhang was slightly stunned. He didn't expect that Prince Cheng would bring this matter to the table.

He looked up at Prince Cheng and saw that he was wearing a black cloak with a circle of white fur at the collar, which made him look even more handsome. At this moment, he was looking at him with a smile, which added a bit of kindness.

Su Fengzhang gave a bitter laugh and said, "If I say I am willing to do this and have no complaints, I am afraid the prince will not believe me. However, as a citizen of the Great Zhou, I must be prepared for this as an official in the court."

"You can't enjoy all the advantages of being an official and not be bothered by any of the disadvantages."

"Furthermore, please, Prince Cheng, please refrain from blaming or dragging me down again. Peace talks are a matter of national importance and have nothing to do with you, Prince."

After hearing this, Prince Cheng burst into laughter, his face brightened, and he said with a smile: "Master Su, you are really interesting."

"Why are you pretending not to know now? My father thinks you and I have some unspeakable relationship, so he wants you to die with him, lest I really die and resent him in the afterlife."

Even though Su Fengzhang had experienced many things, he still felt embarrassed when he heard what Prince Cheng said.

The emperor asked Prince Cheng to come forward for peace talks. This matter was indeed a bit strange. After all, one son was in prison, and now he was sending another one. Wasn't he afraid that both of his sons would die together?

If he didn't love Prince Cheng, why did he indulge him all these years? If he loved him, why did he like to use this person as a shield every time something went wrong?

Prince Cheng's attitude towards the emperor is also very interesting. He does not show respect in his words, but he does not seem to be resentful because of this matter.

Su Fengzhang quickly replied: "The innocent will be innocent, why bother?"

"Besides, if it weren't for the help from the Duke, it would not be easy for me to get promoted. Blessings are intertwined with misfortunes, and misfortunes are intertwined with blessings."

"You are really open-minded." The more he interacted with him, the more Prince Cheng felt that Su Fengzhang was a strange person.

As a scholar of great talent and promising future, Su Fengzhang seemed to have no resentment for being involved in a messy relationship with him, being talked about behind his back, and now being stuffed into the peace negotiation team by the emperor.

Su Fengzhang added, "Before the Prince left the capital, he took me to visit Prince Rong and asked him to look after the Su family. For this alone, I am deeply grateful."

Prince Cheng laughed heartily and said, "Even if I don't take you there, you can still find Prince Rong."

"After all, they are different." Su Fengzhang knew very clearly who he was. Yes, he had some connection with Prince Rong, and he still had Prince Rong's token in his hand, but after the incident with Princess Jing, Prince Rong probably didn't have a good impression of him.

In his previous life, he was an adventurous man, but he settled down only now that he was old. He was not afraid to participate in the peace talks, but he was worried that if he really could not come back, there would be no one to take care of his female relatives and younger brother at home.

The arrangements made by Prince Cheng before leaving Beijing made Su Fengzhang feel more at ease.

The two of them talked for a few more words and drank a cup of tea before Su Fengzhang said goodbye and left Prince Cheng's carriage.

As soon as he left, He Jun jumped in and looked at Prince Cheng with a sly smile on his face.

Prince Cheng was already packing up the teapot. When he saw him come in, he said calmly, "The tea is all gone. You're late."

He Jun leaned over with a smile and said, "Hey, I say, you are not really interested in this Su Fengzhang, are you? I have never seen you interested in men before."

Prince Cheng glanced at him and said calmly, "Su Fengzhang is a talented person who can be used."

He Jun raised his eyebrows and asked, "What you said seems to mean that you look down on those old adults."

Prince Cheng simply said, "Those elders are naturally talented, but unfortunately they are a little too old. Sometimes I worry whether they can reach Yunzhou safely."

I don’t know what the emperor was thinking. The people he sent were experienced, old and weak, and the rest were young and incompetent. After counting them all, there were not many people who could be used.

How could they know that the emperor was also distressed. If it were not for this incident, he probably would not have thought that there were only a few civil and military officials left in the court who could work for him conscientiously.

The rest are either incompetent or have some connection with the Crown Prince or the Fourth Prince, which is really a headache.

Su Fengzhang left Prince Cheng's carriage and quickly walked towards his own carriage. Given his rank, it was naturally impossible for him to have a carriage alone, as there was also an official of similar age in the carriage.

When the man saw him coming back, he asked repeatedly, "Master Su, does Prince Cheng have any instructions?"

Su Fengzhang had no choice but to answer: "There was nothing to explain, just a few small talks."

After hearing this, the man's eyes became even more strange. He glanced at him secretly and said with a smile: "That's right. Prince Cheng has always liked you, Lord Su, and he has to summon you whenever there is something."

Su Fengzhang smiled slightly, his eyes looking at his nose and his nose looking at his heart, obviously not taking his words to heart.

The official also thought he had been too nosy and quickly changed the subject. He asked with a hint of concern, "Master Su, do you think we can really get away with it this time?"

Su Fengzhang said helplessly: "Master Liu, if you ask me, who can I ask?"

Lord Liu wanted to tell him to go ask the Fifth Prince directly. Everyone knows your relationship, but he swallowed his words back on second thought. He glanced at him and said, "The Fifth and Fourth Princes are both princes. They should be able to live in peace and stability. But the rest of us may not be so sure. You know the Xianbei are barbarians who enjoy killing envoys!"

"It has been a hundred years since they killed the messenger." Su Fengzhang said.

Lord Liu was still worried and continued, "Even if five hundred or a thousand years have passed, they are still barbarians. Have you heard that the Xianbei people still eat raw meat and drink blood?"

Su Fengzhang could only say, "Master Liu, these are just rumors among the people and cannot be trusted. Furthermore, it was the Xianbei who proposed peace talks. If that's the case, they can't possibly be trying to capture another prince. After all, as long as it's not His Majesty or the Crown Prince, one or two makes no difference."

Lord Liu thought so too and felt a little relieved. He wanted to speak again but saw that Su Fengzhang had closed his eyes to rest, so he had to swallow back all the words in his mind.