Lin Te pursed his lips and replied in an uncertain tone.
"The former Kou Zhun and the Queen Mother were incompatible with each other. With Kou Zhun's temperament, he probably would not attend the Queen Mother's birthday banquet."
That's right.
According to the information obtained by Ding Wei, Kou Zhun was invited to attend the Queen Mother's birthday banquet.
This is quite reasonable.
In Ding Wei's view, the official wanted to be the peacemaker this time and hoped that through the birthday banquet, the conflict between the Queen Mother and Kou Zhun could be alleviated.
Everything in the world is never static.
Just like he and Wang Qinruo, both southern scholars, had a good relationship at first, but later, didn't they part ways?
Besides, there is no irresolvable conflict between the Queen Mother and Kou Zhun.
What happened in the past has long since passed. Now Kou Zhun is just staying behind in Xijing. Even if he returns to the court and is regulated by officials at home, the Queen Mother and Kou Zhun will not have any major conflicts.
After all, the source of conflict is gone.
The fundamental reason why the Queen Mother and Kou Zhun are on the same page is nothing more than the fact that the heroine is coming to court.
Now, the Queen Mother has shown a tendency to give in.
Without this, the two of them might be able to bury the hatchet.
"I hope I'm overthinking it."
At this time, Ding Wei's tone was full of helplessness. He seemed to have returned to the past, and the feeling of powerlessness that he could not control his own destiny came to his heart again.
Even if you are the prime minister, so what?
Still can't control destiny.
Even, to put it bluntly, even if you are the emperor, you will not be able to do everything as you please.
"Prime Minister, actually I think we don't need to worry too much about this matter."
Lin Te's mentality has changed since he was awarded the title of "Messenger". He knows very well that reaching the rank of "Messenger" is probably the upper limit of his life.
Taking another step forward is almost impossible.
Otherwise, the officials would not give him the title of envoy or prime minister. This is both a favor and a fetter.
Not long ago, Lin Te quietly made a decision. In a year and a half, he would write a letter begging to become an official.
This year is the first year of the official reform of the Yuan Dynasty. As the saying goes, once the emperor has one courtier, the official family has given him enough.
There is no need to continue to occupy the position.
If he retreats, the people behind him will have a chance to take over.
Looking at Guan Jia's performance after Linxuan, Guan Jia is definitely not a peaceful emperor.
The tea law was first changed, and then the Xiang army was reduced. Recently, the trend of promoting learning has spread to more than 300 states in the Song Dynasty.
The age of change has arrived.
At this time, it is better to step aside with some knowledge than to be asked to leave by an edict, right?
In fact, Lin Te also thought about persuading Ding Wei. The two of them had gone through so many ups and downs together, and even if they noticed that Ding Wei was deliberately alienating him, Lin Te still did not forget Ding Wei's kindness in promoting him.
But Lin Te was just thinking about it.
He could see Ding Wei's thoughts very clearly.
Even if he reminded him, Ding Wei probably wouldn't care anymore.
That seat is so tempting.
Changing places, if he were sitting in that seat, I'm afraid he wouldn't be so determined.
"That's all."
"Let's not talk about such troublesome things."
Ding Wei sighed slightly and turned to ask.
"How are the statistics from Uncle Ping (Zu Shiheng)?"
"Have the results come out yet?"
Although Zu Shiheng was the Prime Minister and was in charge of the financial power of the imperial court, he was only promoted temporarily.
His qualifications are not enough to handle such a large financial system.
Therefore, Ding Wei sent Lin Te there to give advice to Zu Shiheng from time to time.
In fact, it is better to say that it is ‘guidance’ than instruction, which includes both guidance and orders!
The 'results' Ding said refer to statistics on the expenditures of the Xiang army across the country, as well as the current accounts over the years.
"Not out yet."
In order to avoid Ding Wei misunderstanding, Lin Te quickly explained.
"The Third Division has so many accounts over the years that several rooms can't be filled. The project is huge. The Third Division really needs time."
"Hurry up and get him as soon as possible!"
Although Ding Wei also knew the difficulties of Sansi, who didn't have difficulties?
Didn't he?
It's harder for him than anyone else.
Although the official family is young, it is not easy to serve the current official family, and it is also difficult to fool them.
What the officials want is accurate figures!
And it’s a number after detailed verification!
"Okay, I will go to Uncle Ping's place later to urge him."
…
…
…
The next day.
The Khitan envoys arrived in the capital. After the Chanyuan Alliance, the Khitan and the Song Dynasty became brotherly countries.
Now, the Khitan sent an envoy to celebrate the Queen Mother's birthday, and this was the first time. Therefore, the imperial court also paid great attention to the arrival of the Khitan envoy.
As we all know, the official system of the Song Dynasty was notoriously chaotic.
There are three diplomatic authorities alone.
One is the Privy Council.
There are four rooms under the Privy Council: soldiers, officials, households, and rites. Among them, the rites room is responsible for etiquette and diplomatic matters.
In fact, it is not difficult to understand at all. The diplomatic ties between the two countries are likely to involve defense issues.
Of course, the ceremonial room under the Privy Council only provides guidance and is not specifically involved in reception issues.
Similarly, Honglu Temple and the Ministry of Rites are not involved in the specific reception. The Privy Council, Honglu Temple, and the Ministry of Rites provide more programmatic guidance.
As for the specific diplomatic execution agencies, there are about a dozen.
For example, the National Information Office was responsible for the exchanges between the Khitan and the Song Dynasty, and the Concierge House was responsible for the tribute of the Uighurs, Tubos, Jurchens, Dangxiang and other tribes.
In addition, there are executive agencies such as Huaiyuan Station, Tongwen Hall, Guangou Office, Hakka Province, Introduction Department, Sifang Hall, etc.
In short, the diplomatic agencies of the Song Dynasty had a clear division of labor and were very professional.
Looking at this point alone, it seems to be in line with the senses of later generations. Professional people doing professional things are like different subsidiaries under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and different regions are responsible for different departments.
But what are the conditions for transportation in later generations?
It only takes one day to fly from the east side of the earth to the west side of the earth. Even if it is farther away and requires a connecting flight, forty-eight hours is enough.
However, what were the traffic conditions like during the Song Dynasty?
It is not uncommon for the two countries to visit each other for several months, half a year, or even a year.
Setting up a separate department that may not be used once a year is a waste of time.
If you don’t have redundant officials, who will?
Funing Hall.
Although Li Jie had received a foreign envoy before (during the mourning period of Zhenzong, the Khitan sent people to mourn).
But this is the first time since the Yuan Dynasty was changed, and it is also very important.
Therefore, not only Honglu Temple sent people over, but also the Ceremonial Court and the Privy Council.
After listening to the red tape of the reception, Li Jie looked "tired" and deliberately pretended to be impatient.
"Maoze, send an edict to Taichang Liyuan, ordering them to consolidate the government offices that receive foreign envoys. Merge them where they should be merged, and abolish where they should be abolished."
As soon as these words came out, the expressions of everyone present changed.
merge?
Abolition?
Although it is only related to diplomacy, is the attitude of the officials too casual?