Fang Zheng was sitting in the carriage, still thinking about the issue of ducks and mandarin ducks. He and Yanran argued about this issue for a long time, but they could not come to an outcome. Both of them had their own opinions. Later, Fang Zheng had no choice but to resort to
Yan Ran had to admit shyly that the dragon claw hand she had drawn was indeed two ducks.
Now Fang Zheng was planning to go to the residence of Wei Chengde, Secretary of the Ministry of War. There were only two days before the Turkic envoys arrived in Beijing. Young Master Fang had a heavy responsibility and really had no time to chat with Yan Ran. He said goodbye to Yan apologetically. Then, Fang Zheng got on the carriage.
.
The driver was none other than Feng Qiudao. This guy seemed to have a great interest in the profession of driver. He often drove Fang Zheng's driver away and whipped himself, which made Fang Zheng very embarrassed and wanted to think about it several times.
I asked him if the dignified General Longwu Army was short of money and wanted to find a part-time job.
The carriage ran slowly and steadily along the street paved with bluestones. Feng Qiudao, who was sitting on the shaft of the carriage driving the carriage, said nothing. From time to time, he would whip his horsewhip into the air with loud cracks. His movements were skillful and beautiful, and Fang Zheng was on the carriage.
I looked at him and sighed in my heart.
I really don’t understand why the emperor sent him as the deputy negotiator. Apart from fighting and killing, this guy doesn’t look like a negotiator. Young Master, if I am having a good conversation with the Turks, he will come from the side.
What should I do if I suddenly pull out a knife to scare people? Wouldn't that mean that I, the young master, will be cut off from my wealth?
"Brother Fang, the emperor has ordered Feng to fully cooperate with you in negotiating with the Turks. Is there anything you need Feng to do?" Feng Qiudao said without looking back.
"Nothing happened in the first few days. I just protected these customers... Well, messenger, they are just guests from afar. No matter how much hatred we have, we have to let them return to the grassland." Fang Zheng decided to take precautions.
Better.
Feng Qiudao nodded vigorously: "Of course Feng knows this, and I will send more sergeants to protect their safety day and night."
"As for how we should cooperate during the negotiation, we will discuss it with Mr. Wei later."
"Brother Fang, it's all up to you this time. Feng is a rough man and doesn't know how to speak. I will do whatever you want me to do."
Fang Zheng snickered in his heart, you are a rough person, Master, I am also a rough person, but you are rough in character, I am rough in other places...
The carriage drove for more than half an hour, but it still hadn't arrived at Wei Chengde's house. Fang Zheng impatiently lifted the curtain and took a look, seeing that the carriage was almost driving out of the city. He couldn't help but be surprised.
"...Huh? Mr. Wei lives in the suburbs? I didn't expect Mr. Wei to be so upright and upright, willing to live in poverty." Fang Zheng was in awe of Wei Chengde. This old man was dressed in rags, but he lived an upright life. He should really propose to the imperial court to make him a hero.
A model worker, a model of honesty and integrity. Let those corrupt officials see how shameless it is to accept bribes and suck people's blood. Of course, Master Fang is not shameless. He is a coward official who failed to accept bribes.
Feng Qiudao nodded deeply when he heard this, then stopped the carriage, jumped out of the carriage alone, opened the curtain, and looked at Fang Zheng expressionlessly.
Fang Zheng stuck his head out of the car: "We're here now?" Outside the car was the wilderness in the north of the city, a lush green forest. Not to mention the houses, there wasn't even a tile in sight.
Feng Qiudao shook his head: "No, I have something to ask you."
"What's up?"
"Don't you know where Mr. Wei lives?"
Fang Zheng opened his eyes wide: "How do I know?"
Feng Qiudao spread his hands: "That's it. - I don't know either."
Fang Zheng's eyes almost popped out when he heard this: "Don't you know why you drove the carriage to this wilderness?"
Feng Qiudao said coolly: "I thought you knew, and I've been waiting for you to tell me to stop."
"…………"
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Fang Zheng sighed as he sat on the carriage back to the city. What's the name of this trip today? Outdoor self-driving tour?
After returning to the city to inquire about it for a long time, they finally learned about Wei Chengde's residence from a passerby. Fang Zheng and Feng Qiudao came to the door of Wei Chengde's house with eye to eye.
The person who answered the door was an old servant, dressed like a beggar, but polite and courteous, like a modest and elegant gentleman with many years of education. He straightened his back and led the two of them to the front hall, where they were served tea.
He bowed and left.
Wei Chengde's home is very shabby, with a two-entry courtyard, a dilapidated house, earthen tiles and rammed walls, and an old locust tree planted in the middle of the yard. The whole house looks like a scene from a ghost movie.
Before Wei Chengde came, Fang Zheng tugged on Feng Qiudao's sleeve and whispered: "Hey, Brother Feng, did Mr. Wei's family just suffer a disaster, or was it robbed by robbers?"
Feng Qiudao said sternly: "Brother Fang, Mr. Wei is known for his integrity in the court. He never accepts bribes and lives a miserable life with only the meager salary from the court. This is known to many ministers in the court.
Even the emperor knows Master Wei's clear name, and he tried to issue orders to award gold and silver several times, but Master Wei refused."
Fang Zheng was stunned when he heard this. Could it be that this old man has masochism? He has to live a poor life even though he has a good life. What kind of mentality is this? Is it necessary to suffer like this for the sake of a reputation for integrity?
While thinking about it, Wei Chengde wore patched uniforms and walked out of the back hall with a smile. He cupped his hands and said, "I really don't dare to invite Mr. Fang and General Feng to visit me in person."
Fang Zheng and Feng Qiudao cupped their hands and said in unison: "Don't dare, don't dare."
Fang Zheng secretly laughed in his heart, others were being modest when they said his home was a humble abode, but this old man was telling the truth when he said it was a humble abode.
The three of them sat down separately. Wei Chengde stroked his beard and said slowly: "This time, I and the two new nobles in the court have accepted the emperor's order to participate in the negotiations with the Turks. Lord Fang is the envoy and the person in charge of this matter. I would like to hear from Lord Fang."
Good advice, General Feng and I will do our best to help."
Fang Zheng tried his best to look dignified. He imitated Wei Chengde and put on official airs. He slowly picked up the tea bowl and took a sip of tea. As soon as the tea came into his mouth, Fang Zheng's eyes popped out. - Damn! That old servant is
Are you trying to play tricks on me? This is not tea, it is clearly swill.
"Why does Lord Fang have such a weird face?" Lord Wei asked curiously.
After trying hard to swallow the tea in his mouth, Fang Zheng smiled at Old Man Wei with an ugly face: "The taste of tea is very...unique."
As he spoke, Feng Qiudao encouraged Feng Qiudao: "Hey, try it, it tastes really good."
Feng Qiudao glanced at Fang Zheng with a half-smile and said, "I'm not thirsty."
There were really not many stupid people in ancient times.
Next, Fang Zheng carefully explained the three conditions proposed by the emperor to the two of them. After pondering for a long time, the two looked at each other and finally nodded, indicating that they understood.
Wei Chengde said: "I understand what the emperor means, but I wonder if Mr. Fang has specific regulations on the negotiation? Tell us and we can discuss it together."
Fang Zheng rolled his eyes and said: "What kind of charter can I have? Just take it one step at a time. After all, there are only eight words, 'coercion and inducement, both soft and hard'. Well, this is considered a charter. The eight-character policy is both concise and clear."
, how nice.”
Dude is so talented!
Wei Chengde and Feng Qiudao both stared at each other: "This...is this the charter?"
Fang Zheng scratched his head in embarrassment: "It's not a charter. It can only be said that it is a means to achieve the goal."
Wei Chengde tugged on his beard and said tremblingly: "Can I hear what Mr. Fang is planning to do... use coercion and inducement, both soft and hard?"
Old Man Wei's words finally scratched Young Master Fang's itch.
Fang Zheng perked up, rubbed his hands and said loudly: "It's very simple, when the Turks are coming, we will set up a few guillotines at the city gate. They don't need to be too high-end, just dog-head guillotines. Then the people of the whole city will gather at the city gate.
Surrounding the guillotine and watching the Turkic brats entering the city, it would be better to put a huge slogan on the city head with two big words: 'Compensate!' If we don't beat him or scold him, we will scare him to death! Negotiate.
At that time, we ambushed five hundred swordsmen outside the corridor. If we couldn't reach an agreement, we would let me break the cup as a signal. Five hundred swordsmen rushed in at the same time, holding swords and axes in their hands and dancing hula.
At the same time, I lifted up my grass skirt to show them the inner beauty of our Chinese men, and we were disgusted to death..."
Speaking of excitement, Fang Zheng couldn't help but rolled up his sleeves and stood up. Just as he was about to continue his impassioned speech, he saw Wei Chengde and Feng Qiudao staring at him stupidly, their eyes dull and lifeless, as if they had suffered a heavy blow.
, as if he had seen a ghost.
Fang Zheng touched his nose and smiled: "Hey, actually I was joking with you just now. Can you guys have a sense of humor?"
Wei Chengde was so angry that he pulled off a strand of his beard and said with an ugly expression: "Master Fang... stop joking, let's discuss business."
Fang Zheng helplessly spread his hands and said: "It's not that I won't tell you. The problem is that negotiation can only rely on improvisation, listening to the other party's point of view, analyzing their conditions, and judging their intentions. These cannot be prepared in advance. As for the
The preparations for receiving the Turkic envoys are not my responsibility, naturally someone from the Ministry of Rites will take care of it."
Wei Chengde and Feng Qiudao looked at each other. Although Mr. Fang was suspected of being passive and sabotaging his work, he had to admit that what this lazy playboy said was indeed reasonable. Negotiations mainly rely on improvisation. No matter how much discussion is done in advance,
it's useless.
Today we specially discussed the negotiation, but after a few words, the first meeting between the three of them ended in such a hasty way. Wei Chengde seemed very unwilling, he frowned deeply and said: "Master Fang, we, we have to do it today.
After discussing something, is it like you said, without any preparation, just talking to the Turks like this? This... this is too hasty? "
Fang Zheng said with a smile: "Master Wei, for some things, the simpler the better, don't make it too complicated. For example, why did you go to the brothel? Isn't it just to reveal your feelings to the brothel sister?
To vent your anger, since this is the purpose, is it necessary to tell Sister Yao falsely and say nonsense like you love me and I love you? You can just go up and knock her down..."
Wei Chengde frowned deeply and thought: "But you have to flirt with Sister Yao beforehand? Otherwise, you will inevitably lose the fun..."
When Fang Zheng and Feng Qiudao heard this, they immediately stood in awe: "Oh - it turns out that Mr. Wei is the vanguard of the Fengliu Formation! The real person does not show his face, I really admire him very much!"
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