The Happy Life of Small Officials in Northern Song Dynasty

All the ministers understood that the Liao people came prepared this time. Taking advantage of the internal and external troubles of the Song Dynasty, they first stationed troops on the border and then sent envoys.

Under such circumstances, negotiating with the Liao people has become a forbidden area that no one wants to touch; originally, the negotiating envoy between the two countries is a popular official position. lift up.

Taking Dianzhi Cao Yong, the negotiating envoy of the Chanyuan Alliance as an example, Zhenzong Zhao Heng was eager to seek peace, and set a very wide bottom line for indemnity, and millions of silver or millions of silver were acceptable.However, under Kou Zhun's warning, Cao used to suppress Liao's request in order to save his life. In the end, the compensation was reduced to 10 taels of silver and 20 pieces of silk, which was far beyond Zhao Heng's expectations.

It was originally an indemnity alliance that lost power and humiliated the country. No matter how much you pay, it is a matter of shame, but it is regarded as a major victory. It can be seen how much the original negotiation brought about a turning point in Cao Yong's life. In Zhenzong Zhao Heng's heart, Cao Yong was determined to be a capable person.

Of course, in ordinary negotiations, there is no distinction between good and bad, just how much mutual benefit the two parties have, so if it is this kind of negotiation, there will be dozens of people rushing to recommend themselves.Negotiations involving territory and dignity between the two countries are a double-edged sword. If the negotiation is successful, it will naturally rise to the top and become the second Cao. Both.

The current situation is like this. No one asks themselves whether they are sure to complete this negotiation. Since they are not completely sure, most people choose to play wisely and protect themselves. They cover their mouths and keep silent. On the head, it is God's will, if you think you are unlucky, you will not volunteer to volunteer.

Zhao Zhen waited for a long time for no one to speak. He was annoyed, and his tone became severe: "The big event is approaching, and no one from the civil and military courts has come out to speak. I am really chilled. How about I go talk to them in person?"

Everyone was so frightened that they fell silent, Lu Yijian stood up and said: "Your Majesty, the old minister is willing to negotiate, but..."

Zhao Zhen was overjoyed at first, but when he heard only two words, his face sank again.

"If the old minister goes to negotiate with the Liao envoy, he will be too flattering to the Liao people. The Liao envoy Xiao Temo is only a fourth-rank official, and the deputy envoy Liu Liufu is only a Hanlin scholar, a seventh-rank official; If you go to negotiate with them on an equal footing, wouldn't you think highly of them; in terms of etiquette, you will lose a round first."

Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "It's reasonable, how can you give them too much face, who should you choose in your opinion?"

Zhao Zhen nodded, and all the officials above the fourth rank in the court hall breathed a sigh of relief. It seems that if they pay attention to the equality of positions and levels, it must not be their turn.

Sure enough, Lu Yijian said: "The old minister thought that he should choose a person of similar official rank to negotiate with him. If he is fooled, he should choose a person who is steady and practical, familiar with the anecdote, and has a certain degree of advancement and retreat."

Zhao Zhen said: "Is there anyone in your mind?"

Lu Yijian said: "The old minister has the best candidate in his mind."

Zhao Zhen said, "Let's listen."

Lu Yijian coughed and said, "The person I want to recommend is Lord You Zhengyan Zhigao Fubi."

Fu Bi's heart skipped a beat, and all the officials turned their heads to look at him, blushing all of a sudden, and hurriedly looked at Yan Shu's face, only to see Yan Shu's face was ashen and full of anger.

Crazy hands in this chapter)

"It's not suitable for the emperor to play the role. Although Fu Bi is talented, he has no negotiation experience, and his eloquence is hard to say. The veteran thinks he is not suitable for this great job." Yan Shu hurriedly said.

"No, Yan Sansi's remark is absurd. Fu Bi is stable, solid, and knowledgeable. He holds the position of knowing and enforcing patents, which is very popular with the emperor; and the negotiation is not a matter of verbal power, but a word of speech. , the words are seamless, but too much talk will lead to failure; the rich man's position and talent are enough to take on this task."

How could Lu Yijian allow Yan Shu to refuse, and retorted with a smile.

Yan Shu said: "This matter has a lot to do with it. Please think twice, your majesty. Negotiations between envoys of the two countries are nothing more than a game on the battlefield, where soldiers and horses compete with each other. Is it possible that someone with some talent can be competent? You need scheming and sophistry before you can succeed in the end." , Your Majesty is aware."

Zhao Zhen twirled his beard and looked left at Yan Shu and right at Lu Yijian, unable to make a decision.

Lu Yi simply said: "If the emperor is having a hard time making a decision, why not ask everyone for their opinions?"

Zhao Zhen nodded and said, "Do you think Fu Bi can take on this job?"

The ministers nodded one after another: "This matter must belong to Mr. Fu."

"Master Fu's words are clumsy and simple, and the Liao envoys are arrogant and domineering. They just use their clumsiness to break the emptiness and restrain the Liao people."

"Your Majesty Fu is very knowledgeable, he knows everything about ancient and modern times, the imperial court's strategies, articles, poems, and books. When he goes there, his bearing alone is enough to frighten Xiaoxiao."

"..."

Everyone's words were nothing more than trying to push the errand to Fu Bi, so as not to let this bad luck happen to him; Lu Yijian was an old man, and he knew everyone's thoughts well. He knew that if he asked such a question, everyone would only agree and not object. As he expected, there was almost general support.

Yan Shu sighed secretly, he made a mistake today, and was suddenly raped by Lu Yijian, the decline has already been done, and it will be difficult to get back.

Zhao Zhen said to Yan Shu: "Yan Aiqing, since everyone thinks Fu Bi is suitable, what do you think?"

Yan Shu said helplessly: "In that case, it's up to the emperor to decide."

Zhao Zhen rejoiced and said: "Okay, I will appoint Fu Bi as my special envoy to deal with the negotiations with the Liao people with full authority, and grant the title of direct bachelor of Wenhua Palace, and prepare related matters immediately."

Fu Bi stepped forward to bow down and thank him, feeling agitated in his heart, but there was nothing he could do.

Du Yan couldn't close his mouth with a smile. Lu Yijian's move was too good, and he slapped Yan Shu with a big slap in the face without making a sound.

Du Yan decided to take advantage of the victory to pursue. Since Lu Yijian was already on fire, he should follow up and add a spoonful of oil, so he coughed, and Shi Shiran stepped forward and said: "Qi Zou Emperor, I still have a Zou."

After finalizing the candidate, Zhao Zhen felt a little relieved, and said with a smile, "Du Aiqing, please tell me."

Du Yan said: "The envoys of the Liao Dynasty are divided into chief and deputy. Since Mr. Fu Bi is a special envoy, how can there be no assistant to assist in the negotiation? Is it impossible to be flanked by the principal and deputy envoys of the Liao people with one enemy and two? I feel that Lord Fu should be equipped with a deputy envoy. , to facilitate the negotiation matters.”

Zhao Zhen clapped his hands and said: "That's right, I'm confused. How can one mouth be as powerful as two mouths, and one punch is no match for four hands. It should be equipped with a deputy to assist. Is there anyone for Du Aiqing?"

Du Yan shook his head and said, "The candidate is ready-made. Isn't Su Jin, the grain envoy who has made great contributions and has just stepped down, the best candidate? He needs to be capable, capable, eloquent, and eloquent. Even the ministers and the huge people in the palace of ri were speechless after being refuted by him; moreover, this person was officially in charge of the seven-rank history museum, and the fourth-rank envoy was the fourth-rank envoy, and the seventh-rank deputy envoy was the seventh-rank deputy envoy. , isn’t it a seamless choice?”

Everyone shouted, and there was a hint of a smile on Lu Yijian's handsome face. Du Shumi can be regarded as a child who can be taught, and he has learned his own skills in a blink of an eye. Regarding this Su Jin, everyone has been upset recently, so they dragged him into the water. It's a good way to vent your anger.

Zhao Zhen was taken aback, and frowned, "Is Su Jin?" Zhao Zhen knew that Su Jin must be very busy recently, and he had to study for exams and set up a bank, so if he was asked to negotiate now, he might be too busy; and this The kid has a stubborn temper, maybe he doesn't want to take up this position at all, so why should he be angry with him over this matter?

"Your Majesty, the veteran thinks that Du Shumi's words are justified, and Su Jinzhi is very suitable for the post of negotiating deputy envoy. Please grant the emperor's decree." Lu Yi said briefly.

Zhao Zhen looked at Yan Shu. He didn't want to embarrass Yan Shu too much. The relationship between Su Jin and Yan Shu was no longer an ordinary recommendation relationship. After knowing that Su Jin was going to marry Yan's daughter, Zhao Zhen had to reevaluate Su Jin's status .Zhao Zhen decided that if Yan Shu said no, he would categorically reject Du Yan's play, even though Su Jin was indeed a good candidate.

To everyone's surprise, Yan Shu nodded and smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I second the proposal, Su Jin is indeed the best candidate for deputy envoy."

The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty originally thought that Yan Shu would obstruct him, but they didn't expect to hear this sentence, their mouths opened like cracked leather boots, and there was an unbelievable panting sound.