Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 706 Unwilling
Seeing that the two people were still arguing on the stairs, Zhao Zhen had already seen the reaction of Zhong Ling, the chief envoy. This was probably the decision of Duan Zhengyan of Dali.

Zhong Ling, the chief envoy, knew nothing about it.

Who can serve as an envoy with a smile on his face knowing that he is going to get a marriage?

Zhao Zhen interrupted and said, "Well, I think this young lady is unwilling to do so. I don't know what Duan Zhengyan is thinking. Now that the two countries are enemies, you two should go back."

Zhu Danchen was delighted when he heard this. He took out another letter from his arms and handed it over, saying, "Wait a minute, if the king is dissatisfied, here is my official letter."

Wu Yong heard this and scolded, "How can you treat a state letter like this?"

Zhu Danchen said hurriedly: "Reporting to the king, Liang is an enemy country after all. Although my king wants to form an alliance, he has to test it out a bit."

After reading the letter from the credential that Zhu Danchen had presented again, Zhao Zhen looked around at the ministers in the hall. After everyone had read it, Zhao Zhen asked, "What do you think?"

It was Wu Yong who spoke again: "My Lord, this letter seems to be completely insincere. We have been fighting all day, and the territory we have conquered will naturally not be returned. Why should we pretend to be sympathetic to Dali? The alliance between the two countries is nothing more than exchanging what we have and what we don't have. It can only be considered mutually beneficial at most. If you calculate it carefully, Dali still benefits the most, and my Liang Kingdom just gets an extra trading partner."

Zhu Danchen hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, my king also used to hang out in the martial arts world. I have heard that the ruler of Liang State is a man who values ​​loyalty the most. Now the Dali State is not ruled by my king, but by Prime Minister Gao Liangcheng. He is the enemy of Liang State. It was the Prime Minister's idea to use Liang State to wipe out the thirty-seven barbarian tribes."

"Now, my king intends to revive Dali and is willing to form a secret alliance with Liang. Once the Gao family becomes weak and my king regains control of state affairs, he is willing to sever diplomatic ties with Song. He is even willing to join Liang in launching a war against Song."

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen and others asked Zhu Danchen and the other two to leave the hall and wait in a side hall while they started to discuss something.

After a debate on whether to be hostile or allied with Dali, the officials of Liang State decided to maintain the status quo. No matter what Dali State said, Liang State would advance cautiously, whether fighting against the thirty-seven barbarian tribes in eastern Yunnan or competing with the Gao family. As long as Liang State won big, it would not be afraid of falling into Dali State's trap.

After discussing this, everyone informed Zhu Danchen of the result. Zhao Zhen also ordered the Junior Minister of the Honglu Temple, Chai Jin, together with the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Yang Di, and the Deputy Envoy of the Ministry of Revenue, Jiang Jing, to give back gifts according to the gifts presented by Zhu Danchen, including gold, silver, silk, treasures, rhinoceros and elephants.

Although Duan Zhengyan had been on the throne for less than a year, he had had enough of the Gao family. All domestic affairs, big or small, had to be approved by Gao Liangcheng first, and he was just a puppet.

At first, I used the pseudonym Duan Yu and wandered around the martial arts world, encountering many adventures. How happy I was. Since I ascended the throne, I have been restricted in every aspect of the court, and the harem is not peaceful.

Due to the internal power struggle within the Gao family, Gao Zhichang was exiled and died for his crimes. His two subordinates, Gao Yi and Gao He, took advantage of Duan Zhengyan's visit to the temple to burn incense and plotted to kill Duan Zhengyan. However, their plot was exposed and they were captured, and then they committed suicide.

Duan Zhengyan had no choice but to follow Gao Liangcheng's suggestion, commend the two men for their righteousness, pardon them, and build a tomb for them.

The prime minister assisted in the administration, and under him were nine officials: Mushuang (Ministry of War), Congshuang (Household Registration), Liyueshuang (Ministry of Rites, handling the affairs of the tribes and mediating disputes among the tribes), Fashuang (Ministry of Punishment), Quanshuang (Ministry of Personnel), Jueshuang (Ministry of Works), Wanshuang (Finance), Yinshuang (receiving foreign envoys), and Heshuang (managing merchants and commercial taxes). Except for Yinshuang and Heshuang, the other seven officials all had ambiguous relationships with the Gao family.

Due to constant frustration, Duan Zhengyan had long lost his initial high spirits and became more calm. On the surface, he did things in a methodical manner and never let anyone find fault with him.

But deep down, Duan Zhengyan was not as indifferent as he appeared to be.

Taking advantage of the rebellion of the thirty-seven barbarian tribes, Duan Zhengyan actively sought change. Only in this way could he have a chance to break free from Gao's control.

Even if the plan failed, he would just become a monk in Tianlong Temple. Zhu Danchen and others quietly returned to Dali State, secretly met with Duan Zhengyan, and reported the trip to Liang State.

Duan Zhengyan listened and nodded. He had anticipated Liang's reaction. No one could easily believe one side's words.

Although no agreement was reached, Duan Zhengyan was not actually worried about how Liang would send troops next. In addition to Jianchang Prefecture, Huichuan Prefecture, Zuining Prefecture, Xiushan Prefecture, and the Gao family's Shanchan Prefecture bordered Shicheng County and Dongchuan County.

As long as the invasion was launched, the Gao family soldiers of Shanchan Prefecture would have to go to war. Prime Minister Gao Liangcheng naturally knew this, but the Thirty-Seven Tribes were quite powerful, so the Gao family had to rely on external forces.

Once the 37 tribes of barbarians cannot be suppressed, the old nobles and monks of the various temples who followed the Gao family will inevitably unite and overthrow the Gao family. After all, only when the Gao family falls can the rest of the people get greater benefits.

Duan Zhengyan instructed: "This matter is not urgent, and there is no need to hide it. Just treat it as a normal trade."

Zhu Danchen nodded his head in agreement and said hesitantly, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid Miss Zhong Ling still needs to be comforted."

Duan Zhengyan listened and nodded.

Duan Zhengyan naturally knew about this. He chose Zhong Ling because she was the smartest but most innocent among the three and she went out to relax many times. This time, he used this as an excuse so that others would not suspect anything.

That’s why I chose Zhong Ling.

After Zhu Danchen left, Duan Zhengyan planned to go to the Yingfu Tower outside the palace to appease Zhong Ling. Just as he was about to leave, he saw the head maid beside Queen Gao Mei approaching. After bowing, she said, "Your Majesty, the Queen wants to see you."

After hearing this, Duan Zhengyan followed the head palace maid to Ruifu Palace.

Zhong Ling waited all night, but Duan Zhengyan did not come to comfort her, so she cried and complained to Mu Wanqing and Wang Yuyan.

Mu Wanqing was furious when she heard this and was about to go into the palace to argue with Duan Zhengyan immediately. Zhong Ling and Wang Yuyan were so scared that they quickly grabbed Mu Wanqing.

Wang Yuyan said: "Wanqing, what is our current status? Duan... Brother Duan is always our elder brother."

Mu Wanqing was disappointed after hearing this and sat down. "Today he can use Sister Zhong Ling to arrange marriage, but tomorrow he can send the two of us away as well. I won't accept this."

Zhong Ling whispered: "Sister Mu, there is no marriage alliance, just a test. I thought I could help Brother Duan, but I didn't expect it to be like this..."

"Hmph, what if the Emperor of Liang agrees? Will there be a subsequent letter? Sister Ling'er, don't be silly." Mu Wanqing said.

Wang Yuyan asked, "Sister Wanqing, what should we do?"

"At worst, we can just go our separate ways. I'll go back to Cangshan Valley, you go back to Mantuo Villa, and Ling'er goes back to Wanjie Valley. Wouldn't it be better if we all go our separate ways?" Mu Wanqing said angrily.

(End of this chapter)