The only choice?
When Zhang Fei heard these four words, his heart was filled with excitement.
I have taught professional governance for so many years, but all my talk about feelings is in vain!
But if you think about it carefully, it seems to make sense.
Zhao Xu really didn't have much choice.
After all, the ministers in the court all have their own interests in this matter, and there will definitely be bias in the handling of some issues.
Although everyone suggested arguing with reason, this was different from their plan.
The key point is that Zhao Xu could not tell them that this was just a delaying tactic, because the underlying meaning of the delaying tactic was to fight against the Liao Kingdom.
This is really scary.
It also does not conform to the current public opinion environment.
...
...
Whether it was Han Qi, Fu Bi, Wang Anshi or Sima Guang, none of them agreed to fight against the Liao Kingdom.
Therefore, he is the only choice.
Zhang Fei had no choice but to agree.
However, it would be fine if they didn't choose a professional, but the key is not giving this amateur time to prepare.
You must set off within a month at most.
Zhang Fei was also completely drunk.
"Send you?"
When Xu Zun heard the news, he was so shocked that his pants almost fell off.
Zhang Fei nodded.
Xu Zun asked again: "Why is this?"
Because this is really outrageous!
"Well."
Zhang Fei said truthfully: "This is mainly because Sima Xueshi and his men blamed this incident on Wang Xueshi's new policy. There are some things that the government can only tell me, so they can only send me."
Xu Zun said anxiously: "But you don't understand anything."
The person who knows Zhang Fei best is Xu Zun. In diplomacy, etiquette is very important. Zhang Fei can't even say fluent greetings, let alone the strict diplomatic etiquette.
The key point is that this is an diplomatic mission to the Liao Kingdom. With Zhang Fei's mouth, there will be problems, and no one will be able to protect him then.
Zhang Fei explained: "I am only responsible for negotiating with the other party at the border. As for the return gift, oh, that is to hand in the letter of credence, and the government will send another minister."
Diplomatic etiquette requires reciprocity. Since the other party sent a special envoy to the capital to meet the emperor of the Song Dynasty, the Song Dynasty must also send a special envoy to the Liao Kingdom to meet the emperor of the Liao Kingdom.
But that is just etiquette, the real negotiations take place at the border.
Xu Zun felt a little relieved, after all, he didn't have to go to Liao, and said, "But this is about territory. If you make a mistake, you may become a sinner for all eternity, and you have no experience."
Xu Zhiqian on the side said: "Dad, what you said is wrong. Territorial disputes are more important than lawsuits. Evidence is more important. I think it is more appropriate to send Zhang San."
She is full of confidence in Zhang Fei and hopes that Zhang Fei can achieve success in this way.
Because in her traditional thinking, a real man should be like this, and should stand up in times of crisis.
"Shut up."
Xu Zun glared at her.
Zhang Fei smiled bitterly and said, "Although I know I don't have much experience, what Zhiqian said makes some sense. In fact, this territory is very similar to some land and house lawsuits. I'm not saying that I can't handle it at all."
Xu Zun said: "But the Liao Kingdom may not be willing to reason with you."
Zhang Fei shrugged and said helplessly: "If they are unreasonable, it doesn't matter who we send."
Xu Zun frowned and suddenly said to Xu Zhiqian: "Qian'er, go back to the room and see if the child is awake."
"ah?"
Xu Zhiqian was stunned. There were still three or four wet nurses at home, plus the attentive Gao Wenyin, so she didn't need to worry about this at all. But seeing Xu Zun's serious expression, she could only nod and say, "Yes."
Then, he went out of the hall.
Xu Zun waved to Zhang Fei again.
His little action made Zhang Fei a little flustered, and he walked forward and asked, "Father-in-law, what's the matter?"
Xu Zun said: "Tell me honestly, what did the emperor tell you?"
Zhang Fei was stunned because Xu Zun seldom asked about his conversations with the emperor. Of course, since Xu Zun asked, he answered truthfully without hiding anything.
Xu Zun stroked his beard and looked a little more relaxed.
Zhang Fei asked: "Why do you ask this, father-in-law?"
Xu Zun sighed: "This is the worst job in the world."
Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "I don't quite understand."
Xu Zun said: "When Emperor Zhenzong sent envoys to negotiate with the Liao Kingdom during the Chanyuan Alliance, he did it secretly. Do you know why?"
"Take the blame?"
"Um?"
"oh."
Zhang Fei said: "My father-in-law means that the government will compromise through the envoys and then put the blame on the envoys."
"That's right!"
Xu Zun nodded.
Zhang Fei hurriedly said, "Please rest assured, father-in-law. If the emperor really wants to take this step, he will definitely replace me with someone else and will not let me take the blame."
Xu Zun was surprised and asked, "How do you know?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Because there are many people in the court who can bear the responsibility, so the emperor will not let me do such a thing."
Xu Zun thought about it and felt relieved. He smiled and nodded, "But you must remember one thing. You must not make any compromises. Otherwise, this matter will trouble you for the rest of your life. You have offended so many people in the court now. They will definitely blame you and make it impossible for you to stay in the court."
Zhang Fei nodded, "Father-in-law, I will keep your words in mind."
After talking with Xu Zun, Zhang Fei went back to the house.
"What did Daddy say to you just now?"
As soon as I entered the door, I was entangled by Xu Zhiqian.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "My father-in-law is just worried that I will become a sinner for all eternity."
Xu Zhiqian blinked and said with a little dissatisfaction: "Then Daddy is too contemptuous."
Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "Madam still thinks highly of me."
Xu Zhiqian said: "Based on your eloquence, they should be worried about the Khitans."
Zhang Fei laughed and said, "Even if you flatter me again, I won't take you there."
Xu Zhiqian asked: "Why?"
Zhang Fei said, "This is a diplomatic matter. I am not very serious myself. If I take you with me, I will be scolded to death. Besides, I still need you to stay in the procuratorate to assist my father-in-law. Don't let others take advantage of you."
Xu Zhiqian pursed her lips and said, "What you said makes sense. Well, then you have to be careful about everything."
After Zhao Xu talked with Zhang Fei, he immediately announced in the court that he would appoint Zhang Fei to go to the border to negotiate the Hedong border issues with the Liao Kingdom. At the same time, he would appoint Han Zhen, the governor of Yingzhou, to carry the letter to the capital of the Liao Kingdom.
This immediately caused great controversy.
Everyone agreed to send Han Zhen, after all, it was just an errand job.
The key is to let Zhang Fei talk to the Liao people.
this.?
I haven’t heard that Zhang Fei has this skill!
How could they send an outsider to handle such a big matter? The key point is that he is so young, wouldn't he be easily captured by the Liao people?
Whether it was Wang Anshi, Sima Guang, or Wen Yanbo, they all strongly opposed it.
However, what they did not expect was that, except for them, almost all the ministers supported letting Zhang Fei go.
All kinds of flattery are heard everywhere.
Zhang Fei's eloquence is rare in a century.
As for territorial disputes, that is a legal issue, and Zhang Fei is the most suitable candidate.
Zhang San is a master of his generation. Since ancient times, every master has been a master of diplomacy.
It’s time to let the Liao people have a taste of the power of my Zhang Dar’s pen.
Even taking Fu Bi as an example, when Fu Bi went on his first diplomatic mission to the Liao Kingdom, he was not yet 40 years old. Zhang Fei was only 27 or 28 years old, not yet 40 years old. There are precedents for this. Sending young people is the right way!
What the hell?
Sima Guang and the others were all stunned!
When did Zhang San become so popular in the court?
There were many supporters of this, and the key point was that Zhao Xu also expressed that he agreed with what they said and was very determined to let Zhang Fei go.
History Museum.
"Oh! It's Mr. Wang. Excuse me! Excuse me!"
A historian saw Wang Anshi coming in a hurry and hurriedly bowed.
Wang Anshi looked anxious and asked, "Is Prosecutor Zhang here?"
"Here I am."
Before he finished speaking, he saw Wang Anshi enter the room in a flash.
When I came into the room, I saw a group of officials sitting there desperately flipping through history books, but there was only one person who was sleeping soundly.
If not Zhang Fei, then who is it?
"This brat!"
Wang Anshi quietly came to Zhang Fei's side, and seeing that he was still sleeping so soundly, he felt itchy in his hands, and he could no longer bear it, so he patted him on the shoulder lightly.
"What?"
Zhang Fei suddenly woke up, looked around, and suddenly saw an old face in front of him. He was startled and jumped up. He took a closer look, "Master Wang."
I slapped you, and you're so scared. How can you talk to the Liao people with this kind of character? Wang Anshi was worried and frowned and asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Sleep! Oh no."
Zhang Fei wiped his saliva, quickly stood up and said: "Looking through the records of Hedong, isn't it the government that asked me to negotiate? I... I have to make preparations!"
Wang Anshi asked, "But you are sleeping?"
"Uh, just a nap
Sleep, actually. Actually, I was watching it before. "
Zhang Fei picked up the book on the table awkwardly.
He actually had a lot of patience in looking up information, after all, he was a lawyer by training, but the problem was that today's geographical records were so obscure and difficult to understand that he had no idea where those places were and soon fell asleep.
Wang Anshi frowned. This guy looked unreliable. He winked and said, "Go out and talk."
Arriving in the courtyard, Wang Anshi looked around and saw that no one was eavesdropping. He whispered again: "Are you crazy? Or are you proud and complacent after winning two lawsuits? You don't take anyone seriously. This is no small matter."
Zhang Fei said with a look of injustice: "Master Wang, please understand, I did not take the initiative to go there. It was those people with evil intentions who instigated the government to send me there. They wanted to harm me."
Wang Anshi had already seen this, so he was anxious and asked excitedly: "You knew this, but you still went?"
Zhang Fei said, "I refused. Even my father-in-law wouldn't let me go. If I didn't do this well, I would be infamous forever. But the emperor thought they were right and had great confidence in me. He insisted that I go. What could I do?"
Wang Anshi saw that he did not seem to be lying, so he whispered, "What did the emperor tell you?"
Zhang Fei said: "The government asked me to go, of course, to demarcate the border according to the law, it can't be more, nor less, so I came here to check the historical materials."
Wang Anshi thought for a moment and said, "But you have to understand one thing. This is not a lawsuit where a judge makes a fair judgment. This is a military and national affair. There is a difference between the two."
Zhang Fei understood and nodded, "Master Wang, please rest assured. I know that our country's focus is currently in the northwest, and we cannot start a war on two fronts. I will not anger the Liao Kingdom."
Wang Anshi was relieved when he heard this. It was easy to talk to a smart person. This was what he meant, but he didn't dare to say it. He nodded and said, "It's good that you understand this, but it's not an easy job. Don't be fooled by the Liao people. Any mistake in this territorial issue will not only cause losses to the country, but also be very disadvantageous to you."
Zhang Fei nodded, "I know. My father-in-law has reminded me about this."
Wang Anshi nodded and said, "Yes! Zhongtu must be very clear about this matter."
He did not say much. For this kind of thing, the more you say, the more mistakes you make. There are many things that cannot be said too clearly. Firstly, he was afraid that it would get out, and secondly, he was afraid that it would affect Zhang Fei's judgment.
But worry is always inevitable. This task is really not easy. We have to maintain dignity, defend the territory, and avoid war with the Liao Kingdom.
This is a job that most people cannot do.
Few people can do this. By meeting these three points, when Fu Bi was sent as an envoy to the Liao Kingdom, he was able to defend the territory under extremely unfavorable circumstances, but he also increased the annual tribute.
Fu Bi himself was ashamed to mention this matter.
He thought it was a shame.
But there was no way out. After all, Emperor Qingli lost the war against Western Xia so badly that the Liao Kingdom had to mediate.
How embarrassing.
Diplomacy also depends on strength.
After Wang Anshi left, Zhang Fei was still standing in the courtyard. When the passing historian saw him, he couldn't help but come forward and said, "Prosecutor Zhang, it's cold outside, you should go sit inside."
You’re very welcome.
Now everyone was polite to Zhang Fei. If Zhang Fei made any mistake, Zhao Xu would kill him. Even if Zhang Fei spat at the scholars, they would not dare to say a word.
Whoever wants to speak up can go!
"Forget it, someone else might come later." Zhang Fei said with a headache.
After hearing this, the historian stopped arguing and left.
moment!
It really is just a moment!
Sima Guang rushed here and, like Wang Anshi, started questioning.
Why are you getting involved in this kind of thing?
It's not that I question your ability, but this matter is very scary, especially for you, Zhang Fei. Even if you lose an inch of land, those who hate you will definitely attack you in groups.
You have such a bright future, but it will be ruined by this. It's not worth it!
Zhang Fei took out the speech he had just used to deal with Wang Anshi.
After hearing this, Sima Guang sighed helplessly and pointed at Zhang Fei and said, "A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind."
The implication is that, you see, in court, you were always right and unyielding, and now the government believes you.
Zhang Fei laughed and said, "Fortunately, I am young and resilient, and I can't be broken."
Sima Guang also laughed after hearing this, "It's rare that you are still so optimistic."
At this point, he suddenly seemed to remember something, "Did Wang Jiefu come to see you?"
I knew you would ask this. Zhang Fei nodded.
Sima Guang asked again: "What did he say?"
Zhang Fei said: "He just gave me some advice and passed on some experience to me."
Sima Guang snorted, "I wonder if he is trying to persuade you to give in."
Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "No."
"impossible!"
Sima Guang said: "He is in a hurry to find you, he must have plans in this regard."
Zhang Fei said: "Master Wang just told me that I must try my best to avoid fighting on two fronts."
Sima Guang hesitated for a moment and said, "But you should know what he is thinking."
Zhang Fei nodded.
Sima Guang said: "War with the Liao Kingdom is of course something we should try to avoid, but you must also remember that you must not let the Liao people make the decision. I have discussed this with Duke Fu and Duke Wen.
They all believe that going to war with the Song Dynasty would be very disadvantageous to the Liao Kingdom, so they dare not start a war easily. You don't have to be afraid. You should still fight for what you should fight for, and don't be influenced by others."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "I understand. By the way, can Master Sima arrange for people to go to Taiyuan to build the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs?"
Sima Guang was stunned for a moment, "What do you want to do?"
Zhang Fei said: "I want to go there to build the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs."
"You still have this idea!" Sima Guang was amused.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "On the way!"
Sima Guang waved his hand and said, "You should focus on this matter now, and don't think too much about the rest. Besides, I don't have any people here, and Hebei and Jiangnan haven't been properly arranged yet."
There is indeed no one left.
The public security, procuratorial and judicial organs have only been in existence for a few years, and there are only a few people who truly understand them. This expansion is already extremely reluctant. Almost every day, Sima Guang wrote letters to court presidents in various places, sending them some of Zhang Fei's precedents, using these precedents to inform them how the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs should operate when encountering these cases.
Zhang Fei shrugged and said, "Okay, I'm just asking."
Due to time constraints, Zhang Fei did not have much time to prepare. After only half a month, he set out with his men. After all, the Liao Kingdom was closer, and since this was initiated by the Liao Kingdom, they were already prepared.
This time he was going to the border of Daizhou, which is Dai County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province.
Northern suburbs.
"Good brother, you are really loyal. You didn't forget me when doing such a good deed."
Cao Dongdong grabbed Zhang Fei's shoulders tightly with both hands and said excitedly.
Zhang Fei broke free, "Yanei, everyone says this is a tough job, I'm embarrassed to ask you to accompany me."
Cao Dongdong snorted, "They are afraid of the Liao people, but my Cao family is not. My great-grandfather fought against the Liao people back then."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Okay, stop bragging, let's go."
He called Cao Dongdong for no other reason than that he trusted Cao Dongdong. Although Zhao Xu had found a group of civil servants to accompany him, Zhang Fei did not trust those people.
In front of a teahouse not far away, there were several old men in Confucian robes standing, staring at Zhang Fei and others.
"Great! Great! We finally got this kid off. I won't feel at ease until he leaves!"
"Just wait. If he makes the slightest mistake, he'll be finished."
"But do you think he will be able to complete the task perfectly?"
"Impossible. The Liao Kingdom is here to take advantage of our misfortune. If there is no benefit, how can the negotiation be successful? Even if we let Mr. Fu go, we have to give him some benefits."
Now, many powerful people in the court are really hoping for Zhang Fei's death. This time, the warehouse tax really hurts their interests. They cannot hoard grain, which is a huge blow to them.
They hated Zhang Fei to the core, so they fully supported letting Zhang Fei go.
Everyone knows the current situation.
Rich mansion.
"Zhang San has set off?"
Fu Bi asked Sima Guang who had just arrived.
Sima Guang nodded.
Wen Yanbo, who was standing by, sighed, "I really don't understand why the government insisted on letting Zhang San go. It would be very dangerous for him to go this time."
Sima Guang said: "But that guy is not one to suffer a loss. He is more petty than anyone else and will take revenge for any slight. It is not easy for the Liao people to take advantage of him."
Wen Yanbo said: "The danger Zhang San faces is not in Liao, but in China! We are controlled by others, so we are at a disadvantage during the negotiation and will suffer some losses.
Even if he does a good job, someone will make a big fuss about it.”
Sima Guang said: "I was also worried about this and reminded him, but he seemed quite optimistic."
"Yeah?"
Fu Bi suddenly said: "Based on my observation of Zhang San, he rarely fights unprepared battles.
If he really doesn't want to go, will the government really force him to go?"
Wen Yanbo asked in confusion, "Does Mr. Fu think there is something else going on here?"
Fu Bi said: "It's hard to say!"
On the other side, Zhang Fei and Cao Dongdong traveled day and night, and in less than twenty days, they arrived at the border of Daizhou.
The person waiting here was Lu Dazhong, the magistrate of Jincheng County in Shanxi Province. He was also ordered to assist Zhang Fei in this negotiation.
Before he came, it was Lu Dazhong who negotiated with the Liao envoys and discussed matters such as the negotiation location.
"Reporting to Prosecutor Zhang, the Liao envoy refused to negotiate with us."
Lu Dazhong came to the big tent and reported to Zhang Fei.
Zhang Fei asked: "Why? Are they not ready yet?"
"That's not the case."
Lu Dazhong hesitated to speak.
Zhang Fei asked: "So what did they say?"
Lu Dazhong said, "They said that it was impolite for our dynasty to send Erbi to talk to them."
Zhang Fei suddenly pointed at Cao Dongdong and said, "Shut up."
Cao Dongdong, who had just been furious, was suddenly calmed down and muttered, "Anyway, they are humiliating you, not me."
Zhang Fei smiled and asked Lu Dazhong, "Did Magistrate Lu explain to them that I am now a deputy minister of the Ministry of Rites and a direct scholar of the Privy Council?"
He could not come on this trip as a prosecutor, so Zhao Xu was generous and gave him a pair of titles.
Lu Dazhong nodded and said, "I explained it to them."
"That'll do."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Let's wait and see, there's no rush. By the way, County Magistrate Lu, is your brother Xizhou Grand Court Chief Lu Dajun?"
Lu Dazhong nodded and said, "That's right."
Zhang Fei asked again: "Do you have any correspondence with your brother?"
Lu Dazhong was stunned for a moment, then said, "Yes."
Zhang Fei asked again: "Did he mention the police, procuratorate and courts to you?"
Lu Dazhong nodded and said, "Yes. Brother is full of praise for the public security, procuratorate and courts."
Zhang Fei asked: "Then you know about the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs."
Lu Dazhong nodded slightly and said, "I have done some research."
Zhang Fei asked: "Now if I ask you to be the chief judge here, can you do it?"
"ah?"
Everyone in Lu Dazhong was confused.
The officials accompanying him couldn't stand it any longer and said, "Prosecutor Zhang, we are here to negotiate."
Zhang Fei said: "But they don't want to talk to me, what can I do?"
The official said: "The other party is just trying to intimidate us. We have to find a way to deal with it."
"For example?"
".?"
The official thought to himself, if I had a solution, it would be for you to follow me instead of me following you.
As he was speaking, a lieutenant suddenly walked into the camp and said, "Reporting to Prosecutor Zhang, the Liao people suddenly led their troops to invade our border, burned our wooden fences and camps, and clashed with our army. We are currently in a state of confrontation."
Everyone was shocked when they heard this.
After hearing this, Zhang Fei couldn't help but frown. This was more difficult than he had imagined!
Without saying a word, the other side marched forward with their army.
The basic tone is not to talk about reason, but about strength.
"How can this be possible!"
Cao Dongdong jumped up and said, "They are really going too far. I'm going to meet them."
"stop!"
Zhang Fei stopped him immediately.
Cao Dongdong said: "Zhang San, can you still bear this?"
Zhang Fei said: "What are you talking about? I asked you to wait for me to go together."
Cao Dongdong couldn't help but be overjoyed, "Zhang San, I really didn't recognize you wrongly, brother. Let's go together and kill them all without leaving a single piece of armor."
Lu Dazhong and his accompanying officials were immediately frightened out of their wits. Was this the rhythm of going to war? They hurriedly dissuaded Zhang Fei.
"They are so deceitful. If we don't go and meet them, we will be humiliated in this negotiation. You stay here and I will be back soon."
After Zhang Fei gave them an impassioned and righteous reprimand, he left the house with Cao Dongdong.
Leaving behind a group of civil servants trembling in fear.
Is this a diplomat?
Isn’t his name Zhang Fei? It should be Zhang Fei!
Over there, Zhang Fei and Cao Dongdong called on the escort team and mounted their war horses.
"Zhang San, the enemy is in the north, why are you going south?"
Cao Dongdong looked back at Zhang Fei who was marching in the opposite direction, and couldn't help but wonder.
Zhang Fei sighed, "Small path! Small path! There is a small path over there that can go around the enemy's tent. Have you read the story of Huo Qubing? Let's make a surprise attack."
Cao Dongdong blinked and said, "Really? Don't lie to me."
Zhang Fei asked: "When have I ever lied to you?"
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