For three days in a row, Xiao Xiaoxian returned without success.
No matter what methods he uses, he can't get any accurate information.
Including those ministers who were friendly to Khitan, they all thanked guests behind closed doors.
He wanted to give a gift, but he couldn't even get through the door.
The military situation was extremely urgent, but the monarchs and ministers of the Song Dynasty avoided him.
If it had been left in the past, Xiao Xiaoxian would probably have walked away at this moment.
But now.
No way.
The 100,000 troops on the front line are still surrounded by Song troops.
One hundred thousand people consume a lot of food and grass every day. Although the Song army did not take the initiative to invade the main army, the food routes to the rear were almost cut off.
In a month and a half at most, the army's food and fodder will be exhausted.
Before the food and grass are exhausted, either break out or surrender, there is no other way.
However, the price of breaking out was too high.
Previously, the Song army used thunder and fire bombs to clear the way, and established more than a dozen military strongholds in a row. These military strongholds were all strategic pass points that were easy to defend and difficult to attack.
Now in the hands of the Song army, the Khitan army must pay a heavy price if they want to break through.
Because of this, the Khitan monarchs and ministers rushed to the Song capital to seek peace.
This way.
Xiao Xiaoxian remembered that like an ant on a hot pot, over there, the Political Affairs Hall was slowly sorting out the list of applicants for the manufacturing department.
Among this list, the most eye-catching one is Fan Zhongyan, a professor at Yingtian Academy.
Because this person was personally recommended by Kou Xiang.
Many ministers secretly speculated that maybe Kou Zhun was just acting on behalf of the emperor, and the person who really recommended Fan Zhongyan was probably an official.
After all, Fan Zhongyan and Kou Zhun had little social contact.
Political Hall.
Although half a month had passed, Kou Zhun was still immersed in the sea of literature and books. In order to familiarize himself with the court situation as soon as possible, he had to do this.
Such as now.
What Kou Zhun was reading was the memorial sent from Shouzhou. To be precise, it was the memorial sent at the end of the year.
The memorial records in detail the situation of Huoshan Farm in Shouzhou last year.
The contract system has indeed greatly stimulated tea merchants’ enthusiasm for growing tea.
The contracting system has been implemented for nearly two years now. According to the original plan of the government, the three-year period is about to come.
Maybe it's time to introduce it to other tea farms.
Thinking of this, Kou Zhun picked up a red pen and drew a circle on the memorial to indicate the focus.
At this time, Kou Zhun vaguely heard a noise.
"Here comes someone."
As soon as he finished speaking, a clerk who had been waiting outside the door quickly walked away.
"What are your orders, Prime Minister?"
"Go outside and see what's going on, how noisy and inappropriate it is!"
"yes."
After saying this, the scribe hurried out of the hall.
After a while, the clerk left and returned. As soon as he stepped into the room, he immediately reported back.
"Replying to the Prime Minister, there is a Khitan barbarian outside the door in the busy city. I inquired about it and found out that the man seems to be the chief envoy of the Khitan this time. His name is Xiao Xiaoxian, the Taifu of the Khitan."
As he spoke, the scribe's tone was rather contemptuous.
A barbarian is a barbarian. He was a great master, but he was so shameless.
In addition, this barbarian looks like he is only in his forties, yet the Khitan Emperor actually granted him the title of Taifu.
In the Song Dynasty, to whom were the Imperial Tutors granted?
Either he is a retired husband, or he is granted the title after his death. No matter which way he is, a minister in his forties cannot be awarded the title of Taifu.
Therefore, a barbarian is a barbarian, and even his body is so casual.
"oh?"
"It's him."
Kou Zhun nodded slightly, then waved his hand.
"Okay, you go down."
If the Khitan people wanted to make trouble, they could let him make trouble. Anyway, it was not the Song Dynasty that was anxious.
It is expected that the other party will not dare to do anything excessive.
However, it has only been three days, and the Khitan people are really unable to calm down.
at the same time.
Xiao Xiaoxian stared at the sergeant blocking him with cold eyes.
"When guests come to visit, they don't even let them in?"
"Is this the way of hospitality in the Song Dynasty?"
"To act like this is in vain for a country of etiquette. When I return to the country, I will make a good announcement to my colleagues in the DPRK and China."
Just as Xiao Xiaoxian was protesting righteously, a voice suddenly came from behind him.
"Is this Taifu Xiao ahead?"
Turning around, he saw an old man wearing purple official uniform and a jade belt walking towards him.
This person is none other than Zhang Shixun, the Deputy Privy Envoy.
Xiao Xiaoxian was on his first mission to the Song Dynasty. He was not familiar with the ministers in the court, so he looked at Zhang Shixun with confusion.
Fortunately, another envoy who was following him quickly leaned into his ear and briefly introduced Zhang Shixun's identity.
"He was originally the Privy Envoy of the Song Dynasty."
"I have met Privy Zhang."
Immediately afterwards, Xiao Xiaoxian immediately changed his face and greeted him with a warm smile.
"Teacher Xiao, come with me."
There was only a wall between Zhongshu and the Privy Council, and the distance between the two mansions was very close. Not long after, Zhang Shixun led Xiao Xiaoxian into the Privy Council Office.
After sitting down, Zhang Shixun was ready to be polite to Xiao Xiaoxian, but Xiao Xiaoxian didn't have the time.
I finally met a great Song Dynasty official. If I don’t ask now, when will I wait?
Therefore, as soon as he sat down, Xiao Xiaoxian couldn't wait to ask.
"Privy Zhang, may I ask when the Emperor of the Song Dynasty will receive us?"
"Master Xiao, please be patient and don't be impatient."
Zhang Shixun smiled slightly and said calmly.
"Perhaps, Mr. Xiao is not aware of something. His Majesty is currently preparing for a wedding, so he has been slow to do so. Don't be surprised."
In fact, what Zhang Shixun said was not entirely a lie.
After a while, Li Jie will indeed accept the queen.
Now, the three women who were promising in advance have all entered the final selection.
The three daughters are Guo, the granddaughter of General Guo Chong, Zhang, the great-granddaughter of General Zhang Mei, and Queen Mengzheng, the king of Shu.
There is no doubt that Wang's family background is the lowest. Her ability to reach the end depends not on her family background, but on her beauty.
The other two girls, Guo and Zhang, explained that although they are good-looking girls from famous families, they are still slightly inferior to Wang.
the other side.
Upon hearing that the Emperor of the Song Dynasty was preparing to establish his throne, Xiao Xiaoxian, even though he was impatient, could only hold back for the time being and asked instead.
"Privacy Zhang, can you give me an exact date?"
"this……"
Zhang Shixun looked troubled: "This matter was organized by Taichang Liyuan."
Although Zhang Shixun didn't finish what he said, everyone understood the implication.
Playing football!
About a quarter of an hour later, Xiao Xiaoxian walked out of the Privy Council Yamen with a cold face.
At this point, he finally saw things clearly.
Song Ting had no intention of peace talks at all, or in other words, even if Song Ting wanted to have peace talks, it would not be now.
It's actually not incomprehensible to be in a different place.
After all, it was not the Song army that was besieged, and it was not the Song people who were anxious.
After returning to the official post of Sifangguan, Xiao Xiaoxian had already prepared for the failure of the peace talks. As a result, the east was not bright and the west was bright.