Changsun Wuji and Yu Wenshi were stunned for a moment, looked at each other, and the former said: "Please."
He ordered the servant standing by to remove the tea set, replace it with a new pot of tea, and buy some snacks...
After a moment, Liu Ji, a thin and capable man in a purple robe, stepped inside. His eyes swept across their faces, and then he raised his hand and saluted: "I have met Duke Zhao and Duke Ying."
Changsun Wuji had a strong posture, said "hmm" and nodded in greeting.
Yu Wenshiji looked smiling and said warmly: "No need to be polite, thinking about it, please sit down quickly and watch tea."
"Sidao" is Liu Jie's name. Originally, it was okay to call Liu Jie by his nickname based on the status and seniority of Changsun Wuji and Yu Wenshiji. However, now Liu Jie is one of the prime ministers and assistants, and one of the chief ministers of the province.
I am here to represent the East Palace, so it is considered a formal occasion, so being so casual would be like bullying someone who is small and looking down upon me.
But Yu Wenshiji's warm smile made people feel like spring breeze, but he didn't feel any harshness at all...
Liu Jie was slanderous in his heart but respectful in his face. He sat under Changsun Wuji, with Yu Wenshi and opposite him. A servant offered fragrant tea and retreated.
Changsun Wuji looked indifferent and said straight to the point: "This thought comes at the right time. I ask you, since the armistice contract has been signed, but the East Palace started the war without authorization, causing great losses to the Guanlong army, how should we compensate for it?"
Liu Jie had just picked up the teacup. When he heard this, he had to put the teacup down, sit upright, and said: "What Duke Zhao Guo said is wrong. Everything has a cause and an effect. If Guanlong hadn't brazenly tore up the armistice contract and attacked Dongneiyuan, causing the Youtun Guards to be huge."
How can the Duke of Yue mobilize all his elite troops to retaliate for the casualties? As for compensation, I would like to hear what the Duke of Zhao has to say."
In terms of eloquence, as a censor, he had defeated many big men in the court. With his impressive appearance, he had gradually reached the position where he is now a very popular minister. He can be said to be invincible with his eloquence.
"Ah!"
Changsun Wuji sneered, disapproving of Liu Jie's eloquence, and said lightly: "In this case, there is nothing to talk about, so please go back. Later, the Guanlong army will unite with the armies of the world's elites to launch a counterattack against the East Palace, vowing to
Revenge for one shot outside Tonghua Gate."
Negotiation is not just about eloquence. It also depends on the balance of power between the two parties. But more importantly, it is important to be able to understand the needs and bottom line of the other party.
What Liu Jie and others want is to promote talks that can save the crisis in the East Palace and hold the initiative in their hands to avoid being suppressed by the military; the bottom line is that the two sides must cease war, otherwise peace talks will be difficult to proceed.
But Liu Ji's understanding of Guan Long was far from satisfactory.
The Guanlong clan headed by Yu Wenshiji urgently needs to advance the peace talks, so as to win the leadership of Guanlong, and exclude Changsun Wuji to avoid being coerced by him. Changsun Wuji is also willing to negotiate, but must be under his own leadership.
…
This is obvious and everyone knows it.
However, behind the scenes, to what extent would Changsun Wuji give in to the other Guanlong clan? Under what circumstances would Changsun Wuji give up the initiative and be willing to accept the leadership of the other Guanlong clan? And what is the determination of the Guanlong clan?
Will he resolutely take back the leadership from Changsun Wuji, no matter what?
Liu Ji knows nothing...
When the needs and bottom line are firmly grasped by Changsun Wuji, but Liu Jie cannot figure out the subordinate relationship between Changsun Wuji and other Guanlong clan officials, he is destined to be at a disadvantage and suppressed by Changsun Wuji in every aspect.
At the very least, Changsun Wuji dared to call for a fight, but Liu Ji did not.
Because once the war expands, the suppressed military will naturally take over all defenses in the East Palace, leaving no room for civilian officials to comment.
Liu Jie looked at Yu Wenshiji and said in a deep voice: "The war continues, both sides suffered heavy losses, both sides were hurt, and the thieves who sat on the mountain and watched the fight between the tigers were benefited in vain. Of course, the East Palace cannot escape the end of destruction, but Guanlong's hundreds of years of inheritance can also
If it is to be destroyed in one day, I dare to ask the Guanlong family if they can bear the consequences."
It's a pity that this method of differentiation and provocation is difficult to work in front of Yu Wenshi and old foxes like this.
Yu Wenshiji laughed and said: "Now that the matter has come to this, what can be done? Guanlong has always obeyed the orders of Duke Zhao. If he says to fight, then he will fight."
When he met the prince at the inner gate, the prince said, "If you want to fight, then fight." Now Yu Wenshi and Liu Ji will be given almost unchanged.
Although peace talks are important, we cannot force peace talks when we have just been hit hard and our morale is low. Losing the initiative means that we need to give up more interests at the negotiation table.
You have to fight back and take the initiative.
Liu Ji's face was gloomy, knowing in his heart that a war was inevitable.
Guanlong's army is more numerous, and Donggong's army is more elite. It is basically impossible to determine the outcome in one battle. However, both sides will be severely weakened and lose their troops. Especially once Guanlong takes advantage on the battlefield, he can use it at the negotiation table.
The space becomes smaller and smaller...
He stood up, bowed and saluted, and said: "Since Guanlong is obsessed with evil spirits, it is determined to turn Chang'an City into ruins and let the soldiers on both sides die in internal fighting. I won't say more. The sixth rate of the East Palace and the Youtun Guards
The generals will be ready and we will see the real results on the battlefield!"
He dropped his harsh words and walked away.
Walking out of Yanshoufang, I saw densely packed armies of noble families in different colors entering the city from various city gates. They obviously avoided the more elite Youtun guards and tried to storm Taiji Palace to make progress in the war.
A big war was about to begin, and Liu Ji's heart was heavy and full of depression.
Taking advantage of Xiao Yu's absence, he obtained the support of Cen Wenwen, and successfully won over many civil servants in the East Palace to seize the power of peace talks in one fell swoop. He believed that from then on he could control the situation in the East Palace and become one of the real prime ministers, and even
Because Li Ji led troops abroad this time, and his ambiguous attitude made him suspicious of the prince, he could ascend to the position of chief minister in one fell swoop in the future.
However, when I suddenly took on the big responsibility, I found that it was really difficult every step of the way.
The biggest stumbling block is naturally Fang Jun. The soldiers are self-respecting and guarding outside the Xuanwu Gate. Their influence almost extends to the surrounding areas of Chang'an and even connects with Huamen and other important places where tens of thousands of Guanlong troops are gathered. It's not big at all.
Keep peace talks in mind.
He didn't care whether more benefits of the East Palace were transferred to the negotiation table. In his opinion, the current East Palace was simply about to fall. It was related to the fierce attack of the Long army and Li Ji's eyeing. Apart from the peace talks, there was no trace of it.
A way to survive?
As long as peace can be negotiated, the East Palace can be saved, and any price can be paid.
In the future, the prince will successfully ascend the throne and take charge of the world, and whatever he paid today can be taken back with interest. What does it matter if he endures temporary anger and grovels in front of the rebels? The prince can't lower his head, it doesn't matter, I will lower him.
As a human minister, you should do whatever it takes to safeguard the interests of your emperor. People like Fang Jun and others who advocate "the interests of the empire above all else" all day long are simply unworthy of a human being!
What's the point of groveling?
As long as he can keep the East Palace, he will be the mainstay and follow the dragon's merits!
Taking a deep breath, Liu Jie was full of confidence and strode back to the inner gate.
Fang Jun wants to fight, and Changsun Wuji also wants to fight, so let you fight first. Sooner or later, the situation will be firmly in my hands. I can eliminate this military disaster and make unparalleled achievements in history.
shining.
*****
Tongguan.
Li Ji was dressed in a green shirt, sitting at the desk by the window in the duty room. There was a cup of hot tea on the table, and he was sipping the tea lightly with a white porcelain cup in his hand. He looked more like a person in the countryside.
A squire who heirs poems and books to his family, rather than a marshal who holds military power and can influence the situation of the world.
Outside the window, the spring rain was pattering, but it was still cold.
Cheng Yaojin pushed the door open and walked in. He took off his raincoat and threw it to the soldiers at the door. He strode to the table and saluted slightly: "I've seen the commander-in-chief!"
Then he grabbed the teapot and poured himself a cup, and drank it all in one gulp without fear of burning it.
Li Ji frowned, as if he was very disgusted: "The cow chews the peony, which is a waste of natural resources."
There are not many of this kind of high-quality tea left in the army. Chang'an has been raging with war and almost all merchants have disappeared. There is no place to buy it. If I were not in a really good mood today, I would not be willing to drink it...
Cheng Yaojin wiped his mouth, smiled, sat across from Li Ji, and said: "There is news from Chang'an that Fang Er's fellow has raided the Guanlong military camp outside Tonghua Gate. More than a thousand armored cavalry opened the way with artillery.
Next, he charged into the enemy's formation in one fell swoop, and after a brutal killing spree, he calmly retreated while being surrounded by tens of thousands of troops. It's truly remarkable!"
After praising him, he looked at Li Ji again and said in a deep voice: "Xiao Yu has not returned to Chang'an yet, and we don't know whether he is alive or dead. The peace talks in the East Palace have been taken over by the servant Liu Jie."
Xiao Yu still couldn't suppress Fang Jun, and allowed him to make small moves from time to time to sabotage the peace talks. Now that Xiao Yu is gone and Cen Wenwen is getting old, how can Liu Ji, who once followed Fang Jun and waved flags and cheers, control the situation?