The sage said that only women and villains are difficult to raise. Although there are suspicions of feudal and backward thinking, Zhang Ning had to admit that women's thoughts are indeed elusive. Bai Fengjiao was fine when he first came, but he accidentally offended her.
His attitude has always been cold... In fact, he didn't do anything excessive to offend her. In Zhang Ning's opinion, it was just a trivial matter, or not even a trivial matter, something that could not be explained.
However, Zhang Ning couldn't argue with her, and the alliance with the Miao army couldn't be ruined because of such a small detail. So he used his good temper and patience, and greeted her with kind words, hoping that she would be able to help her after she returned.
The relationship between the two parties plays a positive role, not the other way around.
Early this morning, Bai Fengjiao and his party will set off from Gaodu County to Luxi, the base camp of the Miao rebels. The escorting Suzaku Army soldiers and horses are all ready.
It turned out that the old man's army had already moved to the east of Chenzhou Prefecture; but Zhu Yong suddenly occupied Luxi and cut off their retreat. He probably frightened the old man. As soon as the official troops withdrew, they occupied Lu.
River, and set up the base camp here. So now, if you want to return to the Miao army headquarters from Gaodu, you have to cross almost the entire Chenzhou Prefecture; Chenzhou Prefecture is still in the hands of the official army. To prevent accidents, Zhang Ning insisted on dispatching
A team of soldiers and horses escorted the Miao envoy back.
Before leaving, Zhang Ning specially asked Xu Wenjun to cook breakfast, invited Bai Fengjiao to eat with him, and said a few words of farewell. Bai Fengjiao did not refuse, and went to the dining room to keep the appointment.
As soon as they met, Zhang Ning said politely: "Miss Bai has been here for many days, but I didn't even invite you to a banquet. Today, I invited you for breakfast. It's really simple. I hope Miss Bai won't be surprised."
"Your Highness has this kind intention, we should accept it, it doesn't matter how much the food is." Bai Fengjiao also said politely. However, this polite tone seemed very informal and business-like; her attitude became cold,
But she was able to maintain her etiquette, and she was indeed from a well-to-do family who had seen the world. She still wore a hat, but the veil in front of her face had been lifted, and it did not cover her face. She had a single-eyelid face with oval seeds, and she was quite attractive, except for her clothing and appearance.
They look no different from Han Chinese.
Zhang Ning didn't want to be rude again and cause the same setbacks as last time, so he didn't have the nerve to stare at her. He said casually: "What Miss Bai said is true. Although the meal is simple, you still have what you want." He then called out.
The man opened the lid of the pottery pot and said, "Make glutinous rice cakes with fermented glutinous rice. I heard that people in your hometown like to eat this. Although it is simple, the rice wine and glutinous rice are carefully selected and are so white that they are crystal clear, just like our friendship with the Miao people."
Hearing Zhang Ning's words, Bai Fengjiao couldn't help but smile. After a while, she said: "This place is in chaos now. Fortunately, Your Highness has the thought to choose the ingredients."
"Food is the most important thing for the people. In fact, no matter how big a job you do, your life will still consist of three meals and a quilt. You don't need delicacies, but you can't be careless." Zhang Ning also laughed.
Bai Fengjiao smiled and nodded in agreement. The atmosphere was harmonious, and Zhang Ning took the opportunity to remind: "The alliance discussion concerns thousands of lives and the future of the tribe. I hope Miss Bai will put the overall situation first."
After hearing this, Bai Fengjiao put down the white porcelain bowl she had just picked up and said, "Your Highness, you think I am a petty person who doesn't understand the big picture?"
"That's not what I meant, that's not what I meant." Zhang Ning said nicely.
After breakfast, Zhang Ning personally escorted the envoy and his entourage out of the county office, and he breathed a sigh of relief. It was really difficult for Bai Fengjiao to serve as an envoy; she was not as good as Bai Fengjiao from last time, although she looked a little careless.
…
Within two days, Chen Maocai finally came back. Zhang Ning immediately summoned him to meet at the county government office.
As soon as Chen Maocai came in, Zhang Ning asked him what was causing the delay. He explained: "It's ridiculous. Bai Fengjiao, the daughter of King Miao, wanted to be a messenger to see His Highness. She didn't want you to know, so she put me under house arrest! As Your Highness, I
The messengers, but those Miao people followed Bai Fengjiao’s temperament and refused to let me go no matter what, alas.”
"I have already guessed that the woman is Bai Fengjiao, why did she come to see her in person?" Zhang Ning asked.
Chen Maocai picked up the tea, took a sip, and exhaled with a "ha" sound. There was no usual elegance or pretense. He must have just returned all the way and hadn't taken a breath yet. He was indeed thirsty. He glared and said, "Why? I'm looking for a chance to talk to her."
The maid Bai Kui said a few words, it seemed that she said that His Highness was handsome and wanted to meet him..."
"This is no time for jokes." Zhang Ning said.
Chen Maocai hurriedly bowed and said: "Even if you are a late-born child, you are a crazy child, and you don't dare to joke in front of His Highness."
Zhang Ning sighed: "There is still a difference between barbarians and us in the Central Plains."
"No." Chen Maocai said, "By the way, let's not talk about it for now. I have something very important when I come back this time." After saying that, he took out a letter from his clothes, "This was sent privately by Bai Fengjiao.
The letter said that Duke Zhu Yong sent an envoy here, but it is not yet clear what the purpose is."
Zhang Ning hurriedly opened the letter and saw that the handwriting was delicate and looked like it was written by a woman. He did not bother to ask Chen Maocai to see if it was Bai Fengjiao's handwriting. His attention was completely attracted by Zhu Yong's messenger.
Chen Maocai said: "When Zhu Yong first sent soldiers to Luxi, he first dealt with the Miao rebellion. He should not be willing to make peace with the Miao people...could it be the imperial court's opinion?"
"Regardless of whether we really want to negotiate peace, Zhu Yong's intention is very obvious. He wants to divide the Suzaku Army and the Miao Army so that they can attack them separately." Zhang Ning said with certainty. He still had a few words left to say. If
The Miao people really agreed to be recruited by the court. Zhang Ning and others were surrounded by enemies in Gaodu County, and the situation was very bad. In any case, even if the Miao people stood by and watched from the other side, it would be better than accepting the government's recruitment.
Much stronger.
Zhang Ning stood up and paced back and forth in front of the chair. He could no longer pretend to be calm and seemed a little restless. Lao Xu, Hou Mao and others who accompanied Chen Maocai to the side couldn't help but look sideways.
"You must quickly return to the Miao people and show them your interests. This is not enough. You have to give them benefits. Promise them that our Suzaku Army will help them capture the capital of Chenzhou, which has been unable to be conquered for a long time, in order to express the sincerity of the alliance."
Zhang Ning thought for a moment, "I'll go with you personally!"
Lao Xu and others who had been silent all this time couldn't sit still and tried to dissuade him one after another. Hou Mao said that the Suzaku Army could not do without him to take charge of the overall situation. Lao Xu was more direct: "Those Miao people sent envoys to show their goodwill at one moment, and then with them again.
How can you trust your sworn enemy Zhu Yong when he flirts with you? Once your boss is gone, what if they catch him and take credit for it?"
Chen Maocai also immediately expressed his position: "If His Highness can trust Bucai, I'd better go and we can set off soon."
Zhang Ning looked around and sighed: "Everyone has good intentions in what they say, but the risk is not just this one. If the Miao people change sides, what is more serious, the danger or the danger of joining the Miao army? It's not that I can't believe Mr. Chen's eloquence.
It's just that I have to go and talk about the pros and cons in person before I can rest assured. It only lasts a few days, and the delay is not long. These days, the military and political affairs are handled by the Council Department. I will meet with the commander Wei Bin later and set off in the afternoon."
Seeing his decisive attitude, Lao Xu asked to go with him. Zhang Ning said decisively: "Old Xu has to stay in the Council of Ministers. I will be the envoy for this trip, and Chen Maocai will be the deputy envoy. I will be escorted by Wang Xian and other twelve people. Others.
No one needs to ask for help."
As soon as he finished speaking, a man walked out from behind the curtain and said, "Let me go with Ping An. We have some friendship with Bai Fengjiao. If we meet in private, it will be more convenient for me as a woman."
The person who spoke was none other than the Peach Blossom Fairy. Zhang Ning paused, then nodded and said, "Okay, you come with us."
The trip was a bit rushed, and the plan could not keep up with the changes. If something like this happened, he could not make a decision immediately, for fear of having long nights and dreams. Lao Xu was worried that Zhang Ning's so-called personal soldiers were unreliable, because after all, they had only arrived for a short time, so he went out to find the man named Wang Xian in the back hall.
The team was about to explain, but unexpectedly Wang Xian patted his chest and said: "If we were afraid of death, we wouldn't have asked for a way to vote in the first place. Mr. Xu, just don't worry, anyone who dares to touch the Third Highness will unless we all die in battle."
Zhang Ning roughly packed up the things he had brought with him. When he picked up the letter, he couldn't help but ask Chen Maocai next to him: "Look at the handwriting on it. Is it written by Bai Fengjiao?"
Chen Maocai thought about it for a while, then nodded and said, "It should be, but I've only seen her handwriting once, so I'm not sure."
Why did Bai Fengjiao privately send a letter to Chen Maocai to reveal the news? Zhang Ning couldn't help but try to figure out this woman's thoughts again. Maybe she really played some role in this matter.