Joy of Life: I, a man, became the Queen of Northern Qi?

Chapter 173 There is no art in the art of negotiation.

Damn, who spread this rumor?

Has his reputation spread to Northern Qi? Or is this the news that the Northern Qi delegation has learned in the past half month in Kyoto?

As the deputy envoy for peace talks, it was normal for Fan Xian to be inquired about by the enemy country.

The information about this shoe-horn face flashed through my mind: Ku He's first disciple Lang Tao is not the type who claims to be in the top three of the ninth-grade combat power, but he is the type whose actual combat record can be verified.
A tricky person!

Fan Xian did not dare to be arrogant, and quickly returned the greeting, saying sincerely: "Master Langtao has misunderstood. These are just some rumors in the market. Don't take them seriously!"

"Whether it is true or not is up to me to judge." Lang Tao followed the advice of the officials of the Ministry of Rites in the delegation and smiled with the corners of his mouth curled up. He looked not only unkind, but also a little more terrifying. "The Queen of our dynasty often mentions your name. This time, I am sent to Nanqing as an envoy. In addition to being ordered to negotiate peace among the three countries, I also want to inquire about your instructions!"

Hearing this, Fan Xian's calves trembled and he almost couldn't stand still.

He kept thinking about the other party's intention of being so blunt: Why did the fellow from Northern Qi notice him? What happened in the middle?
Is it because of the song “Climbing the High Mountain”?
Although I am famous in Kyoto for this, it is limited to this. The spies planted in the enemy countries by the two countries are so precious, how could they send a message back for such a small matter? With the existence of Zhuang Mo Han Zhuang, Northern Qi should not be arrogant to other countries, regard Southern Qing as southern barbarians, and ignore everything, right?

Could it be because of the book "Dream of Red Mansions"?
Do fellow villagers also like to read storybooks?
Fan Xian chuckled, ignoring the stares from the officials of the Ministry of Rites, and said loudly, "How can a little fame like this enter the ears of the Grand Master, Queen An? Master Langtao, you are joking. Now that the time has come, let's focus on state affairs!"

Lang Tao nodded slightly and then retracted his aura.

He evaluated Fan Xian in his heart: Although the pressure from his aura caused the other party to tremble for a moment, he was able to quickly adjust his mentality and respond with neither arrogance nor servility, which showed that he was indeed worthy of the Queen's attention.

He didn't know that Fan Xian's shaking was due to other reasons.
Seeing this, Xin Qiwu on the side rolled his eyes and laughed, "Master Xiao Fan, our seat is over here, please!"

"Master Xin, please!"

The two of them walked to their seats and stood there smiling, with calm expressions, as if the unpleasantness that had just happened was an illusion.

They were not in a hurry to kneel down because the delegation from Dongyi City had not arrived yet.

No one was asked to wait long. When Yun Zhilan came in with a sword on his waist, he just looked deeply at Lang Tao, and then the parties sat down safely. A recording official picked up a pen, indicating that the rare three-party talks had officially begun.

Xin Qiwu looked a little haggard, a manifestation of worry in his heart, while in front of Fan Xian were the materials needed for the peace talks.

This was a file that had been prepared long ago. It detailed the struggle between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager in Northern Qi, the sudden appearance of Queen An, the number of times Master Ku He had fled to Qingshan, and even the death of Qi's chief general Uesugi Tora was mentioned.

Moreover, one of these points caught Fan Xian's attention.

They were the Queen Mother's two brothers. The Marquis of Chang'an was dismissed from all his posts because of the unfavorable war situation. Even the eldest brother, the Marquis of Changning, was attacked by the officials of Northern Qi. Even though he hid in his mansion all day, he could not escape the rumors.
Each piece of information was written in great detail, as if someone had witnessed the entire incident with their own eyes.

Of course, these things were not revealed by Beiqi on its own initiative. They were all the result of the investigation and analysis by the spies of the Supervisory Council. Fan Xian could not help but feel a deep respect for Yan Bingyun, a colleague of the Supervisory Council who risked his life for the sake of Qing State and braved the dangers of danger!
——Even though he was sent to Northern Qi because he was assassinated in Danzhou, and this time for the sake of territory, I don’t know if he can return safely.
Fan Xian observed the Northern Qi delegation inconspicuously, and did not find the person who fit the image of He Daoren in the field. He thought that He Daoren should stay in the delegation to protect Zhuang Mohan's safety.

Otherwise, this person could make use of it.
It seems that the purpose of today's negotiations is not about exchanging hostages.

The weather today is quite good. It is early spring and they are located in the southern region. Even in such a spacious palace like the Honglu Temple, these civil servants do not feel uncomfortable with the cold.

Yun Zhilan, who was sitting between the officials from Southern Qing and Northern Qi, spoke first: "Now that everyone is here, let's get started!"

Taking over the host.

People who don’t know would think that Dongyi City won the battle?

Yun Zhilan not only brought a sword with him, but also took the initiative to make the opening remarks, which made the officials of the Ministry of Rites of Qing State feel a little embarrassed. They snorted coldly before getting to the point.

"You all know the outcome of this battle! At the end of the war, the Northern Qi army's momentum had run out. If it weren't for the cold weather, with the strength of our soldiers, I'm afraid they would have counterattacked and entered the Qi territory again!" A sixth-rank chief clerk in the Honglu Temple took the lead and started the battle.

"Don't say we are unreasonable this time. We can negotiate any amount of compensation, but you must return the three states in full!"

The buttocks of the Northern Qi envoys were about to leave the cushions. Someone stood up and shouted urgently: "What's the result? Why didn't you call us? Don't you want to?"

"Isn't it because you are afraid of our Empress and Imperial Master?"

"Don't make a fuss here. This is the land that our country conquered, so it is naturally our territory. How can we give it back?"

"How can this be possible!" Seeing his subordinates retreating, Xin Qiwu continued, "How dangerous is war? If I hadn't been worried about the people of the world and couldn't bear to see the people of the two countries suffer from the war, I would have fought back to Northern Qi long ago!"

"Didn't you hear how cold the weather was just now? If the spring farming season in both countries is delayed, will you bear the cost?" As he spoke, he pointed at several people and cursed loudly, saliva flying!
Fan Xian looked at all this in amazement.

He had already forgotten what he was here for and just subconsciously moved sideways to the side, fearing that he would be spitted on.

Is negotiation such an art?
"Look! Look! How shameless the officials of Qing are!"

"Did your Nanqing win this battle or did my Great Qi win? Don't mention anything else to us. Just tell me the result. This battle was a great victory for our country. Not only will we not give up an inch of land, but your Qing country will also have to compensate our army for the funds to set out and the compensation for casualties!"

The Northern Qi delegation did not distinguish between high and low, and they all made a lot of noises to refute each other. The two sides clashed with swords and verbal battles, and the scene was very lively for a while.

The envoys Yun Zhilan and Lang Tao standing by did not move, as if they were in a trance, and were not disturbed by the quarrels outside.

The civil servants who were recording the document in Nanqing were writing furiously. However, they removed the sentences in which the officials of the Ministry of Rites insulted each other and slightly polished the text.
Xin Qiwu is indeed thick-skinned. If he were not thick-skinned enough, he would not be qualified to be the chief envoy of the peace talks.

He also stood up and said in a loud voice: "I never thought that my dynasty's truce for the sake of benevolence and righteousness would be seen by others. In this case, why don't you return to Northern Qi and have another fight between our two countries. It won't be too late to negotiate peace when one side is truly convinced!"

What is this for? What is this for?

The Northern Qi envoys know their own business. If the war between the two countries breaks out again, the Northern Qi soldiers will not be a match for the Southern Qing army.

We can't trouble the Queen for everything, right?

He is a noble person, not a pawn who fights on the battlefield every day!
Nanqing officials were also panicking.
Not to mention whether they have the power to decide the start of a war, even if they can, the consequences of the failure of the peace talks are not something they can bear.

Therefore, although Xin Qiwu seems to be very tough now, in fact, like his colleagues around him, he has his hands clenched in his sleeves!
The scene was quiet for a moment, and people on both sides were very scared.
Fan Xian stared at Xin Qiwu with wide eyes, and felt that he had seen another side of him, full of shock. However, seeing that the atmosphere was full of tension, he praised Lord Xin and spoke with a gentle smile: "Southern Qing and Northern Qi have been friendly for generations, and the outbreak of war and conflict this time is understandable. Everyone, calm down, let's talk slowly. Talk slowly~" There was another strange silence for a moment, and suddenly, both sides burst into laughter at the same time!

Pfft!

"Hahahaha, Lao Xin, I was just joking with you guys, you guys didn't take it seriously, did you?"

"Eh? Master Tian, ​​we have been dealing with each other for so many years, and you still don't know me? You can't even see through my performance, right? Your ability to judge people has deteriorated!"

"Your country's deputy envoy is right. There has always been friendship between our two countries. You and I still need to be more polite."

"Who says it's not true? It's all for the job we do. It's not good to be too emotional."

In an instant, the two sides reconciled like friends who had not seen each other for many years.

Fan Xian was stunned!
He just felt that he had learned a lot today.
He didn't know whether the negotiations had reached a deadlock or were making progress. He didn't understand and didn't dare to ask.

Seeing that everyone was drinking tea and chatting about family matters, Yun Zhilan couldn't hold back his temper. Instead of dealing with these people, he would rather go back to the sword house to practice swordsmanship! Even kneeling outside the sword house was better than being tortured here!
He said in a deep voice: "The losses of the Northern Qi in Dongyi City have been calculated. According to what your Queen An said, the two Grandmasters will be compensated for their mental damages, lost wages, loss of cultivation, pain and suffering after the fight, etc.!"

"Dongyi City needs to pay a total of 17 million taels of silver!"

His face was calm, and it was hard to tell whether he was happy or angry. However, his left hand was stroking the hilt of the sword. He looked at Lang Tao calmly and said, "Your Excellency can convey our intentions. We can give you the money, and we also acknowledge that the lands of the four countries belong to Qi. However, your country must not block the trade routes of Dongyi City, and you must protect our caravan from any mishaps!"

Although Lang Tao was the chief envoy of the delegation, it was just a title.

Before going abroad, the Queen Mother had given him some instructions.

With a thought in mind, Lang Tao asked in a deep voice, "Are these the only requests? Master Yun, please finish what you want to say, and we will give you an answer."

It was just a simple rhetorical question, but it made Yun Zhilan look hesitant.

He didn't know if the Northern Qi man could see the key to the matter, so he finally made up his mind and said firmly: "The original Taiping Banks in the four countries must be returned to Dongyi City in full, and Northern Qi must guarantee that it will not use force against Dongyi City and the vassal states behind it for ten years! Even harassment is not allowed!"

"not enough!"

Lang Tao smiled.

Right! Right!
It turned out that what the Queen had instructed was to be used here. He raised his hand to interrupt Yun Zhilan's angry eyes and said slowly: "When I came to Qing Kingdom, His Majesty had given instructions. If your teacher had not stopped us this time, our country would not have taken action against Wei Kingdom. As for the other three vassal states, it was not our doing, but they voluntarily surrendered and merged into Da Qi!"

"We want this 17 million taels of money, and we will not let go of the Taiping Bank in the four countries either!"

What this meant was that the trade route and Northern Qi's agreement not to invade Dongyi City for ten years could be agreed upon.

The scene was a little dull.

Yun Zhilan did not rush to respond, but just looked at the negotiating officials from Nanqing with an inexplicable expression, as if he was waiting for them to say something.
Xin Qiwu and Fan Xian looked at each other silently, and the former waved slightly towards the officials behind him under the table.

soon.

A young official from the Ministry of Rites stood up and walked out of the hall. Looking at the direction, it was undoubtedly the imperial palace. Time passed until half an hour later, when the man came back and walked to Xin Qiwu's side, whispering a few words in his ear.

After listening to this, Xin Qiwu thought for a while, then nodded slightly towards Yun Zhilan. Then, he picked up the teacup, took a sip to moisten his throat, and started chatting with the Northern Qi envoy again.

Seeing this, Yun Zhilan's eyes fixed, and he responded to Lang Tao in a straightforward and sonorous manner:

"make a deal!"

After all, it is a city of merchants, and the negotiations seemed like a deal, even the word "deal" was used at the end.

At this moment, Lang Tao and the officials of Qing State were stunned.
After being stunned for a moment, Lang Tao thought to himself: Could it be that the Queen asked for too little?
Xin Qiwu thought to himself: I got it! I got it! Maybe I can use this method to negotiate with the Northern Qi envoys later!

Fan Xian thought to himself: Good! Seventeen million taels of silver, even if it's robbing a bank, it can't be that fast, right? Oh, that's right, isn't robbing the Taiping Bank robbing a bank? I don't know if those are just empty shells or shares. If it's the latter, then this time Dongyi City really spent money to avoid disaster, and suffered heavy losses!
I don't know if it's worth it to exchange it for a ten-year non-war agreement?
Is Si Gu Jian betting that a second sword saint will be born in Dongyi City or that some unexpected turn of events will occur?

Seeing that Dongyi City and Northern Qi had reached an agreement in such a short time, an official behind him handed in a letter from the credible state, with the blank spaces filled in with excellent handwriting.

After Yun Zhilan simply took a quick look at it, he took out a seal from his bosom and pressed it upwards. After exchanging letters of credence with the Northern Qi envoys in the same way, he stood up and walked out of the Honglu Temple Hall. His movements were indescribably swift and decisive, as well as free and easy!

Seeing that the peace talks between the two countries were being completed in a new way, and that only the envoys from the North and South were left in the venue, Xin Qiwu no longer had the reckless look he had at the beginning, but instead spoke calmly:

"Our captured soldiers must be returned no matter what. Whether it's in exchange for money or any other conditions, we can discuss it! Let's confirm this matter today. As for the territorial issue, we can discuss it later after we have discussed the exchange of Sean and Yan Bingyun!"

"how?"

The officials of Northern Qi all looked at Lang Tao, who raised his head and offered an offer: "There are a total of 18,326 captured soldiers in your country. The food, drink and treatment costs for these people are very high. How much silver can your country pay to redeem them?"

Xin Qiwu smiled slightly, not frightened by these words, and responded calmly: "One million taels of silver."

"One more person!"

"who?"

"Si Lili!"

Lang Tao's eyebrows twitched, and after a long silence, he slowly said, "Kill him! Ten million taels of silver, not even one tael less, and you must also return the more than a thousand captured soldiers of our country!"

"If your country disagrees"

"After a month, I can send back the heads of those soldiers one by one!"

(End of this chapter)