I, the queen and the father, start with a deer as a horse

Xie Qian looked at the letter in his hand with a complicated expression and was speechless for a long time.

On the side, Bai Qi saw the situation, lowered his voice and said:

"Since it's a negotiation, there will naturally be back and forth. If it fails once, there will be a next time. Don't rush for a while."

The implication is, give you time, go back and think about it.

As the prime minister of a country, Xie Qian certainly understood what he meant. After a long silence, he said firmly:

"Your Majesty has no possibility of agreeing to the three conditions you put forward! This old man advises you to give up this idea as soon as possible!"

After speaking, he stood up and walked out.

Bai Qi didn't hold back, but just stood there, looking at his back.

Left the Xinyi government office.

Xie Qian got on his horse and looked at the guards of the Huben army beside him, with neither joy nor sadness on his face, he said, "What did you hear just now?"

The five Huben army guards looked at each other, not knowing how to answer for a moment.

After a while.

The guard commander stood up and said solemnly:

"Returning to the words of the lord, I heard the humble official, Bai Qi, the thief, the lion, opened his mouth, and asked the court to cede all the land south of Lingbei, and forced the court to sign a contract to pay tribute to the country every year. If the imperial court does not accept such a condition, they will fight until there is only one soldier left!"

The voice fell.

The rest of the guards were startled, and then they seemed to realize something, and they all agreed: "The humble staff heard it too."

Xie Qian looked up at them, said nothing, reined in the reins, and said calmly, "Go back to the city!"

"Yes, my lord!"

The guards saluted in unison and followed closely behind.

Xinyi government office.

A shadow guard came to Bai Qi and reported, "General, Xie Qian has already left the city."

"understood."

Bai Qiqiu nodded, thought for a moment, picked up the pen and paper on the table, and began to write the letter.

After finishing writing, he folded the letter and handed it to the shadow guard, ordering:
"Before the sun goes down tomorrow, be sure to deliver this letter to Prime Minister Fang!"

"Yes, General!"

The next day.

Lying River House.

Fang Xiu received two letters at the same time, one from Xinyi City, and the other from the border between Yongzhou and Yan.

The first thing he read was the one from Xinyi City.

There is not much content, in short, Xie Qian did not make a clear statement on the three conditions proposed by the court, and there is still room for change in the peace negotiation.

In addition, in the following part, he also analyzed Xie Qian's psychological activities.

"Xie Qian didn't make a clear statement. It's nothing more than two concerns. The first is whether what Fang Xiang said is true. If Zhou Guobai's officials agree to Fang Xiang's three conditions, can Fang Xiang keep his promise? The second is The abdication matter is no small matter, just relying on him as the chief assistant of the cabinet is not enough to make things happen, if Xie Qian can dispel these two concerns, there will be no obstacles to the peace negotiation!"

Fang Xiu can naturally think of what Bai Qi said.

The problem is that if Xie Qian wants to dispel these two concerns, it will not be too difficult, not to mention difficult.

At present, the methods Fang Xiu can adopt are nothing more than using both kindness and power, suppressing and wooing at the same time.

The suppression relied on Bai Qi and his army.

In addition to the conditions set out on the surface, wooing must also give certain benefits in private.

Although, for a prime minister like Xie Qian, he doesn't value general benefits.

However, who in the world would dislike that they don't have enough money or power?
With this in mind, Fang Xiu wrote back with a pen, telling Bai Qi not to relax his vigilance and be ready to meet the enemy at any time.

In addition, more benefits can be given to Xie Qian, such as some unimportant official documents, the chief assistant of the cabinet has the power to approve redemptions on his behalf.

In this way, the chief assistant of the cabinet is equivalent to resuming part of the duties of the prime minister, Xie Qian must be happy to hear it.

After a while, I wrote a reply letter.

Fang Xiu opened the second letter, which was the letter from the border between Yongzhou and Yan.

Hold it in your hand and browse from top to bottom.

After watching for a while, Fang Xiu couldn't help showing a touch of surprise.

"The Yan army has actually withdrawn!"

According to the information of the shadow guard.

The 30 Yan troops stationed on the border between Yongzhou and Yan State had withdrawn within three days.

It's not a pretend retreat, but a real withdrawal!
30 is not a small number.

As long as they are still stationed together, no matter what they do, it is impossible to deceive the scouts.

Therefore, Fang Xiu did not doubt the authenticity of this information.

"Emperor Yan is withdrawing 30 troops at this time. If nothing else, he should be planning to abandon Zhou. Why did Emperor Yan suddenly make such a move?"

Fang Xiu frowned slightly. After thinking for a long time, he couldn't get a reasonable answer. In the end, it could only be attributed to Yan Huang's age, which affected his judgment.

or...

Emperor Yan didn't put him and Dagan in his eyes, and felt that Dagan could not annex Zhou State, even if he annexed Zhou State, it would not pose too much threat to Yan State.

Other than that, Fang Xiu couldn't think of any other reasons for Yan's withdrawal.

anyway.

Yan's withdrawal is a good thing for both Dagan and Fang Xiu.

The pressure on Yongzhou's defense was instantly relieved, and Fang Xiu no longer needed to sit in Wochuan Mansion.

"Counting it all together, it's been almost three months since I left Chang'an, and it's time to return to Beijing."

Thinking of this, Fang Xiu couldn't help but see the elegant and noble figure of the little empress in his mind.

Then came the pure and lovely Yang Yuhuan, and the charming and charming Daji.

I haven't seen them for three months, and I don't know if their appearance has changed.

Has that little girl Yang Yuhuan grown up?

aside.

Seeing a smile on Fang Xiu's face, the guard wondered what the two letters contained.

Suddenly, Fang Xiu's magnetic voice was heard.

"Get ready, return to Beijing in seven days."

When the guard heard this, his eyes showed a look of bewilderment, and he asked in a low voice, "The humble post is dull, what does the Prime Minister mean by returning to Beijing?"

Fang Xiu looked at him, and said calmly: "I am returning to Beijing, accompanied by the guards of Xiangguo Mansion, and the army will continue to be stationed in Yongzhou, led by Qi Jiguang."

"The humble officer understands! The humble officer is going to pass the order!"

The guard thought this was a big deal, saluted hurriedly, turned and left.

Fang Xiu sat on the grand teacher's chair, looked at the guard's back, with a thoughtful look on his face.

I thought in my heart, before returning to Beijing, should I tell the empress.

According to the rules, it is a big event to go to the prime minister and return to the court, so it is natural to report to the emperor.

After winning the battle, the imperial court will also arrange grand etiquette.

Fang Xiu used 20 new recruits to defeat the menacing 30 elites of the Yan Kingdom. Of course, he won a complete victory!
but.

Bai Qi on the other side is in a stalemate with Zhou Guo.

At this time, the class teacher returned to the court with great fanfare, and I always felt that it was not appropriate.

Long thought.

Fang Xiu finally made a decision, how to leave Beijing, how to return to Beijing.

The grand ceremony of the class teacher's return to the court should wait until after the capture of the Zhou Kingdom!
then.

Fang Xiu summoned the guards and ordered:
"Don't publicize the return to Beijing."

"Be prepared in advance. After Qi Jiguang arrives at Wochuan Mansion and completes the handover, he will return to Beijing immediately!"

"Yes, Fang Xiang!"

a few days later.

Chang'an, the imperial palace.

In the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Wu Mingkong looked at the memorial in his hand, his brows were tightly frowned, his delicate face was slightly bored, and he said unhappily:
"This needs money, that needs money. Don't they know that the court is fighting a war, and all the money from the treasury is going to the front line. Where will I get the money for them!"

aside.

When Lin Wan'er heard this, she hurriedly lowered her head, not daring to answer.

In the past few days, His Majesty has gotten angry several times over the matter of silver.

She didn't dare to offend the empress at this juncture, so she could only pretend that she didn't hear anything.

on the dragon chair.

Wu Mingkong threw the memorial on the table, looked at Lin Wan'er behind him, and asked, "How much money can the palace save?"

Lin Wan'er was startled for a moment, then she looked distressed, and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, the palace really can't save money, and if you save money, the slaves will have to go to the street to beg for food."

Hearing this, Wu Mingkong frowned slightly, and said calmly: "I never care about food and clothing, nor do I care about where I live, why does the palace spend so much money every month?"

Hearing this question, Lin Wan'er hurriedly explained: "Your Majesty, compared with the previous emperor, the expenditure in the palace has been reduced by half, and the money spent is necessary to maintain the livelihood of the palace."

Wu Mingkong was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked: "Can some people be dismissed from the palace?"

Lin Wan'er hesitated and said, "Which people does His Majesty plan to dismiss?"

Wu Mingkong looked thoughtful, and said: "There is no one in my harem, so I don't need so many maids, and some of the maids who serve people can be cut off. I don't care about food and clothing. As long as the food is non-toxic, the imperial dining room can be fine." A batch of imperial cooks, as well as the maids and female officials of the Shangyi Bureau will be abolished."

When Lin Wan'er heard this, she didn't know what to say for a while.

After a long silence, he said: "Your Majesty, you don't care about food, clothing and shelter, but there is still the Queen Mother."

The voice fell.

Wu Mingkong fell silent.

Hundreds of good filial piety first.

She doesn't care about food, clothing and housing, and she can dismiss court ladies and imperial doctors.

But you can't ask the queen mother and the concubines of the first emperor to do the same.

As long as the expenses of these people in the harem are not moved, not much money will be saved.

Thinking of this.

Wu Mingkong sighed in his heart, and gave up the idea of ​​withholding money from the palace.

just
Fighting in the north.

Disaster relief in the south.

There are still several yamen in Chang'an that need to be repaired.

Outside Chang'an, there is still an archway that she ordered before to be built.

Silver is everywhere.

The treasury just couldn't get the silver.

There is still some silver left in the Royal Bank of internal funds, but it cannot be withdrawn, otherwise the Royal Bank will be run on in an instant.

For a while, the little empress really couldn't think of a suitable solution to solve the money problem.

"If Fang Xiu was here, he would definitely be able to figure out a way. That traitor is the best at making money!"

This thought popped into Wu Mingkong's mind.

After a while, he sighed again in his heart.

"The current expenditure of the imperial court is really too high. Even Fang Xiu has nothing to do."

"After all, before this, he has used almost all the means of raising money."

"If you want to raise a large amount of money in a short period of time, I guess you can only copy Fangdang's house."

Thinking so, the little empress shook her head lightly, raised her eyes to look at Lin Wan'er, and asked:
"If you count the days, Qi Jiguang should have arrived in Yongzhou a few days ago. Is there any news about him?"

Lin Wan'er nodded and said, "Back to Your Majesty, there's news from Wochuan Mansion that Qi Jiguang has reported on his duties."

"When will Fang Xiu return to Beijing, is there any news?"

The little empress asked immediately.

Lin Wan'er replied: "As far as I know, Prime Minister Fang has already set off to return to Beijing. I don't know when I will arrive."

Wu Mingkong was slightly taken aback, and asked, "Didn't Fang Xiu write to me before leaving?"

"No."

Lin Wan'er shook her head lightly.

"This traitor didn't tell me when he returned to Beijing, how would I know when to pick him up!"

Wu Mingkong was a little annoyed, and said angrily.

Lin Wan'er hesitated and said: "My servant feels that Fang Xiang's secret return to Beijing should be out of safety considerations."

"What do you mean by that?"

Wu Mingkong frowned slightly and asked.

Lin Wan'er said: "My maidservant heard that many secret agents of the Yan Kingdom have been eyeing Prime Minister Fang, and plan to assassinate him on his way back to Beijing!"

Hearing this, Wu Mingkong was startled, and was about to ask what to do when he heard Lin Wan'er say:
"However, Your Majesty needn't worry too much. Fang Xiang is surrounded by the shadow guards of the First Manor, and no one knows the route back to Beijing. If there is no accident, there will be no danger."

"What if there is an accident?"

Wu Mingkong said hurriedly.

"."

Lin Wan'er was silent for a while, and then replied: "I think there should be no accidents."

Wu Mingkong fell silent when he heard this.

After a while, he said: "In that case, it might be a good thing to return to Beijing secretly."

Speaking of this, she seemed to have thought of something, looked at Lin Wan'er, and ordered: "Go to the Ministry of Rites and let me know that there is no need to prepare the etiquette for welcoming Prime Minister Fang, which should save a lot of money."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Lin Wan'er responded, and was about to step away, when she suddenly realized that it was already night, and the officials from the Sixth Ministry had already returned to the mansion, and stopped at the same place.

"Your Majesty, it's late at night, it's time for you to rest."

Lin Wan'er stood behind the little empress and said softly.

Hearing these words, Wu Mingkong was slightly taken aback, his eyes were in a trance.

It wasn't until I saw the candlelight beside me that I realized that it was late at night when I was dealing with the memorial.

"In the past when Fang Xiu was around, at night, he would always..."

"He has been away from Beijing for three months, and I will almost be separated from day and night."

This idea suddenly popped up in Wu Mingkong's mind.

Immediately afterwards, some unspeakable scenes appeared in front of my eyes.

"Fang Xiu, that bastard, bullies me all day long, and is not used to being with me now."

Thinking of this, Wu Mingkong blushed slightly on his exquisite face, looked at Lin Wan'er, and ordered: "I want to take a bath, go get ready."

Seeing the slightly rosy face of the little empress, Lin Wan'er immediately realized that His Majesty missed Fang Xiang again, and replied:
"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After half an hour.

Wu Mingkong soaked in the bathtub, enjoying the coolness of bathing in summer, and felt that the distracting thoughts in his heart were much less.

In the tub.

Bright rose petals and bright yellow sweet-scented osmanthus exude a moving fragrance.

Wu Ming Kongqiong's nose moved slightly, and there was a sense of satisfaction between his brows and eyes.

aside.

Lin Wan'er stood where she was, watching quietly.

Just now.

There was a slight sound of footsteps outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Lin Wan'er heard this, and subconsciously glanced at the Empress, seeing that the Empress was not disturbed, she stepped away from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

As soon as he walked out, he saw a familiar figure.

"Fang Xiang!"

Lin Wan'er looked at the person in front of her, her eyes widened with disbelief.