Painting Doctor Jinhua

Chapter 176: Eloquent in the Palace, Diplomatic Mission to Zhou

Yubi City is located north of the Yellow River, close to the Fen River. It is also the border between Northern Qi and Northern Zhou, and the most important military location. Several years ago, Gao Huan, a powerful official of the Eastern Wei Dynasty, wanted to conquer Yubi City and destroy the Western Wei Dynasty. However, he failed to capture the city after a long siege. Later, he had to retreat due to heavy losses in troops. He died of illness after returning. Since then, the Eastern Wei Dynasty has had difficulty conquering Yubi City again until the current Northern Qi Dynasty.

Wei Xiaokuan became famous because of this battle and became a well-known general of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. In recognition of his merits, the Zhou Emperor established Xunzhou in Yubi and appointed him as the governor of Xunzhou.

"Why did Yuwen Hu ask the envoys from Qi to go to Yubi City to negotiate with Wei Xiaokuan?"

After receiving the imperial edict, Gao Changgong was very worried about Xiao Jinyu.

"It should be that Yuwen Hu did not believe that Qi would sincerely negotiate with Zhou, so he asked Wei Xiaokuan to make this judgment."

"Ayu, Yuwen Hu is suspicious. I'm afraid that if the peace talks fail, he might take risks... After all, he is a powerful official of the Zhou Kingdom who killed three emperors in a row with extremely ruthless means!"

Seeing Gao Changgong's increasingly nervous expression, Xiao Jinyu shook her head and said, "Are you afraid that he will ask Wei Xiaokuan to kill me? No, when two countries are at war, they do not kill envoys. Even if Yuwen Hu is ruthless and unscrupulous, Wei Xiaokuan will not do such a thing."

"I am afraid that what I dare not do openly will be done secretly. When I was on a diplomatic mission to Southern Chen, wasn't there someone who wanted to kill me and provoke a war between Qi and Chen?"

After saying this, he seemed to have made up his mind, and shook Xiao Jinyu's hand and said,

"Ayu, I'm worried about you going alone. I'm going to ask His Majesty to let me go to Yubi with you first, and then go to Jinyang!"

When talking about going to Jinyang, Gao Changgong smiled bitterly again.

"There is already General Duan stationed in Jinyang, and Gao Zhan sent me to Jinyang and Bingzhou to train troops. It is obvious that he wants to get rid of me and drive me out of Yecheng. I am afraid his purpose is for you!"

Xiao Jinyu also agreed with his guess and nodded.

"Even if that's the case, I'll let Ah Xiu help me stay home on the pretext of being sick, and not go to the South City Palace!"

Gao Changgong shook his head and said, "No, I'll take you to Jinyang!"

……

Gao Changgong had made up his mind, and he quickly presented his idea to Gao Zhan, saying, "I brought Xie Zhen to Qi and recommended him to the government. I have not only a colleague's friendship with him, but also a brother's. This time Zhou used Yubi as a place for peace talks, and I am afraid it is a trick. I beg to go on the mission with Xie Zhen. When the peace talks are successful and Xie Zhen returns to Yecheng, I will immediately go to Jinyang and Bingzhou to garrison!"

Gao Zhan thought about it and felt that this request was not too much. As long as he did not take his princess away and left Xiao Jinyu in Yecheng, everything else would be easy to deal with.

Thinking of this, he actually asked directly: "Okay, but I heard that you are strict in military discipline during training, never get close to women, and also require soldiers to be strict with themselves. This is a good habit, and you must continue to carry it forward in the future.

You are not allowed to bring women to the military camp!"

Gao Changgong sneered inwardly, he really didn't know what to say. The intention was so obvious, they were treating him like a fool!

"Yes, I'll take my leave then!"

Just as Gao Changgong was about to leave, Gao Zhan suddenly said, as if he had thought of something, "Oh, by the way, Sima Maozong and Bi Yiyun said that you brought back a Zhou spy from Pengcheng. Where is this person now?"

Gao Changgong raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, this person cannot show up in front of others now, otherwise he will be killed!"

"Can't you even tell me?"

Gao Zhan's expression became noticeably gloomy. Gao Changgong raised his head and saw He Shikai looking at him with a smug look on his face, while Li Mi looked anxious.

"Your Majesty, I think it would be better to wait for Minister Xie to succeed in the peace talks and then capture this man in front of Your Majesty when he returns. Wouldn't that be better?" Li Mi suggested.

As soon as Li Mi finished speaking, He Shikai said, "Your Majesty, the longer we keep this Zhou spy, the more dangerous it will be. The sooner we interrogate him, the better!"

Hearing this, Gao Changgong frowned in displeasure and was about to retort when a eunuch's voice came from outside the palace, "Your Majesty, thank you for your audience, Minister!"

Gao Zhan paused for a moment and said, "Let him in!"

"Yes!"

At the summons of the eunuch, "Xie Zhen" had come to the Zhaoyang Hall for meetings wearing the official uniform of the third rank.

"See Your Majesty!"

"Get up!"

Xiao Jinyu stood up, and Gao Zhan asked, "Are you here for the peace talks, Mr. Xie?"

Xiao Jinyu said, "No, Your Majesty, Your Majesty has issued an imperial decree regarding the peace talks, and I will definitely go. This is a foregone conclusion. I came here today to confess to Your Majesty that Feng Lai of Pengcheng was a spy for the Zhou State. On that day, Prince Lanling and his wife crossed the river from the Southern Dynasty to Pengcheng, and I also accompanied them.

During the boat trip, they were assassinated by the Jianghu assassin Nie Yinniang. The princess used her wonderful medical skills to treat Lanling Wang's subordinates who were drugged by the assassin. We defeated Nie Yinniang and took her under our command. Later, Nie Yinniang confessed to me, Lanling Wang and Lanling Wang's princess that Fenglaiju was the base of the secret agents.

Afterwards, Nie Yinniang went to capture Fenglaiju's shopkeeper Jia, and learned from him that he had been working as a spy in Pengcheng for a master in Yecheng to communicate with the Zhou Kingdom. However, because he was very stubborn, we were unable to find out who the master was from him.

The matter is of great importance, and I am afraid that this person will make random accusations. I think it is inconvenient to let him meet Your Majesty, so as to prevent this spy from intending to assassinate the king!

Because this person is also very good at using poison and can kill people without them even noticing! "

Hearing the last sentence, Gao Zhan was a little scared. He coughed twice and said, "That's it, that's it, just disappear!"

At this time, "Xie Zhen" half-knelt down again and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, please give me some time. After I go out to deliver the jade disc, I will give you a reply after I come back!"

"Does Xie Qing have anyone he suspects?" Gao Zhan asked again.

Xiao Jinyu answered truthfully: "Yes, I have a suspect, but I don't have enough evidence to identify him, so as not to be suspected of slandering him in front of Your Majesty!"

As soon as she finished speaking, He Shikai's face darkened and Gao Zhan burst into laughter again.

"In recent days, Lady Lu has been submitting a petition to me, saying that she has confessed to the assassination attempt on you. It was just a misunderstanding. She mistakenly regarded you as a spy of the Zhou Kingdom, and therefore sent Gao Anagong to assassinate you.

But she also accused Lanling Wang of another matter, saying that there were descendants of Murong, a judge, hiding in Lanling Wang's mansion. How do you explain this matter?"

Gao Zhan's question gave her a chance to explain.

Xiao Jinyu replied, "Your Majesty, I did not know that there was a descendant of the Murong family in Lanling Palace. I do not know who told this story. Please ask him to identify this person in person. Who is this person?"

"Isn't he the Xianbei boy who rescued Princess Lanling on the Bronze Sparrow Tower that day?" He Shikai continued.

Xiao Jinyu started laughing.

"Your Majesty, the one you talked about with the Minister is one of Princess Lanling's followers, right? This child has been with Princess Lanling since she was still married. The two of them have already signed a master-servant contract. He is just one of the Princess' followers. Not to mention that this matter has nothing to do with Prince Lanling, even if he is a descendant of the Murong family, what does it have to do with him?

I remember that Emperor Shenwu valued the Murong family because of their military prowess and bravery. Murong Shaozong's son has also served the Gao family of Bohai. I don't know why he was later accused of sentencing me, but his son is young and has nothing to do with his father's actions, right?

There are also examples of re-employing judges in our dynasty, such as Lady Lu, she is also the widow of a judge, isn't she?"

"You——" He Shikai was so angry that he was speechless.

Gao Zhan had a smile on his lips that was not clear, and then he heard "Xie Zhen" say very seriously: "Your Majesty, I think it is easy to kill a person, but compared to killing a person, it is better to make use of the waste chess pieces, which can also show your majesty's wisdom!"

"How do you make use of the waste chess pieces?" Gao Zhan asked with interest.

Xie Zhen replied: "If that child is really a descendant of the Murong family, he must have a certain prestige in the army. Why not let him take the blame and make meritorious contributions, and guard the border with Lanling King!"

At this time, He Shikai said sarcastically: "You are admitting that the child is a descendant of the Murong family, right?"

"I didn't say that! I don't know. It's just that you and the Minister firmly believe that the child is a descendant of the Murong family, so I just expressed my opinion based on that!"

"Xie Zhen" once again put on an innocent expression.

He Shikai was about to say something, but Gao Zhan burst into laughter again, interrupting him.

"Okay, Yan Tong, I like Xie Qing's eloquent and serious demeanor. I feel relieved to have him as the peace envoy!"

Having said that, Gao Zhan looked at King Lanling again.

"Alright, you and Lanling Wang can go back now!"

"Yes, I'll take my leave then!"

Lanling Wang stood up and was about to leave with Xiao Jinyu when Gao Zhan said, "Oh, by the way, although you are Lanling Wang's staff, you have now joined my Qi State. It is not a good idea to always stay in Lanling Wang's mansion. I should give you a mansion... Then I will give it to you after you succeed in the peace talks and come back!"

Gao Changgong wanted to say something, but Xiao Jinyu immediately interrupted him and said:

"Yes, Your Majesty! If Your Majesty grants me a mansion, then I will be neighbors with Lanling King!"

Gao Zhan glanced at "Xie Zhen", then at Lanling King, and once again revealed an expression of surprise and enlightenment.

"Yes! That's it! Tomorrow I will hold a banquet in front of the Taiji Palace to send off Xie Qing and Lanling Wang on their diplomatic mission!"

……

The news that the newly appointed Zhongshu Shilang Xie Zhen wanted to go on a diplomatic mission to Zhou Kingdom with Lanling King to negotiate peace quickly spread throughout Yecheng. Upon hearing the news, Mu Ti Bo once again brought the news to the Dali Temple Prison. In the past half month, in order to rescue his mother, he has lobbied all the officials who had flattered them. At the same time, he also cried and complained to Crown Prince Gao Wei about his grievances. A seven or eight-year-old child had no ability to distinguish right from wrong, so he believed whatever he heard. He also asked Gao Zhan to pardon Lady Lu many times.

Gao Zhan remained silent, neither ordering a serious crime to be committed for her nor agreeing to release her from the Dali Temple Prison. He allowed Sima Maozong to keep her in prison like this, and Bi Yiyun privately arranged an excellent single cell for her, treating her to good food and drink. Even when Mu Ti Po sometimes came to "visit" his mother, he ordered the jailers to leave and not disturb her.

When Lu Lingxuan heard Mu Ti Bo convey the news that Prince Lanling and Xie Zhen were about to go on a diplomatic mission to the State of Zhou, the corners of her lips curled up.

"Mother, this Xie Zhen is now highly valued by His Majesty. He has even been sent as an envoy to the Kingdom of Zhou. If the peace talks are successful, won't he be promoted to a higher rank when he returns?"

"He is now a third-rank official, how high can he go? Your Majesty has always been so absurd, and it was just a whim that he gave him an official position. As for whether he has real power, that depends on his ability!"

At this point, Lu Lingxuan smiled happily: "However, this is an opportunity. Since Your Majesty has sent Prince Lanling and Xie Zhen out, Xiao Jinyu is the only one left in Prince Lanling's mansion in Yecheng. I think Your Majesty also wants to get this stunning beauty to his bed, so he deliberately found an excuse to send those two away, right?"

Upon hearing this, Mutibo's eyes brightened.

"That means, during this period of time, we have plenty of opportunities to deal with this Princess Lanling?"

"If we can prevent Xie Zhen from returning to Yecheng, or if the peace talks fail, that would be an even greater achievement!"

Lu Lingxuan looked at Mu Tibo and said sternly.

"Yes!"

"We can send out our spies hiding in Zhou to ruin this peace talk. It would be best if Wei Xiaokuan kills Xie Zhen and Lanling King!"

"Yes, mother!"

Mu Ti Po took a ring of Lu Lingxuan and walked out of the Dali Temple Prison. Before leaving, she threatened and bribed Bi Yiyun.

"Take good care of my mother, otherwise I will immediately report the assets and houses you embezzled to His Majesty!"

"Yes, General Mu!"

"Work hard, and my mother will not treat Minister Bi unfairly! I think it won't be long before His Majesty issues an order to release my mother!"

After whispering something in Bi Yiyun's ear, Mu Ti Po swaggered out of the main gate of the Dali Temple Prison!

……

The Lanling Prince's Mansion was also bustling with activity at this time. Not only did Li Mi and Cui Heng rush over upon hearing the news, but even Gao Yanzong, Gao Xiaoheng, and Gao Xiaowan also came to visit the Lanling Prince's Mansion, and each of them had a look of worry on their faces.

Gao Yanzong, in particular, asked Gao Changgong in private: "You all went on diplomatic missions, what about the fourth sister-in-law who is alone in the mansion? His Majesty's intentions are too obvious. It is obvious that he wants to send you away and then deal with the fourth sister-in-law... And, fourth brother, when did you have an aide of Xie Zhen by your side, and he is such a talented person!"

Gao Changgong then took Gao Yanzong into the study room alone and asked Lu Yu to wait outside, and they had a serious conversation in secret.

"Yanzong, I may not be in Yecheng for a long time from now on. I need your help to protect Xie Zhen!"

"Why protect him? Who will protect Fourth Sister-in-law? No, Fourth Brother, you won't do this to Xie Zhen... Fourth Sister-in-law is such a good person, you can't do this recklessly! Don't you love her very much?"

Gao Changgong laughed and replied, "Yes, I love her very much. Whether it's him or her, I love them to the bone...

She is more important than my life..."

Gao Yanzong looked at him in a daze, and after a long while he sighed, "Fourth brother, you are really... This is the first time I see you like this...

If that's the case, you shouldn't... Xie Zhen is good, a top talent, but this Long Yang is not good enough, Fourth Sister-in-law will be angry, right?"

"She won't, because..." Gao Changgong paused, and whispered in a very low and nostalgic tone, "He is also her!"

Hearing this, Gao Yanzong was so frightened that he almost fell off his stool.

After a long while, he asked, "What do you mean?"

He was a little unconvinced, and to confirm whether he was just imagining things, he asked again, "Is that what I think it means?"

Gao Changgong was silent for a long time, then nodded and said, "Yes!"

"Don't be too excited. I'm telling you, I need your help to keep this secret. In Yecheng, besides Li Mi and Cui Heng, I can only trust you. But Li Mi and Cui Heng are both scholars and do not hold military power. Besides, they also have powerful families behind them. I'm still worried. Only you..."

"Okay, Brother Four, you don't need to say anything, I understand!" After finally calming down the sudden shock, Gao Yanzong calmed down for a long time before asking, "Brother Four, after you accompany her to Yubi and finish the negotiation, you will go to Jinyang immediately, right?"

"Yes!"

"So, you need me to accompany you on your diplomatic mission to Zhou?"

"Yes! His Majesty hasn't assigned you any errands anyway!"

Hearing this, Gao Yanzong was a little angry, but then he said excitedly: "Okay, Brother Four, don't worry, I'll take care of this!"

"There is one more thing, that is, how should we deal with His Majesty in Yecheng?"