Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 709: Treatment of Hosts and Guests
The two sat down opposite each other.

The table next to him was filled with food and wine, but Pang Qing hadn't finished telling his story until the food had gone cold, and his stomach was already choking with hunger.

"Are you sure that the little Tatar prince you saw is the grassland Khan named Batu Mongke?"

Li Zisheng said, "This matter is too important. If the person who came to the banquet this time was not Batu Mongke, but just the leader of a small tribe, but claimed to be a little prince, it would be impossible for His Majesty and the ministers to deal with such a group of people who went to the capital to pay tribute."

Pang Qing said in embarrassment: "The little Tatar prince who received me was about thirteen or fourteen years old, about six feet tall, majestic in appearance, and extraordinary in awe. He fits the image in the legend very well, so there shouldn't be any mistakes."

Li Zisheng frowned and asked, "So you're not sure?"

"I have never seen what Batu Mongke looks like, so how can I know if it is true or not? I can only compare it with the information that the scouts got from the Tatar herdsmen."

Pang Qing said unhappily, "When the people come, why don't you ask them yourself? If it weren't for Batu Mongke, the worst that could happen is that I wouldn't let them go to the capital to pay tribute."

"That's right."

Li Zisheng's face looked a little better, and he twirled his beard and sighed, "I changed my mind and chose to make peace with the Tatars, which was a risky move. If the Tatars were two-faced, I would have to rely on Zhang Guozhang's protection to survive this crisis. The victory I won outside the Great Wall is not enough to help me regain my foothold in the court."

Pang Qing couldn't help but smile when he heard this, and shook his head and said, "If the Tatars were not two-faced and sincerely paid tribute to the court, you wouldn't need Zhang Guozhang's protection, right?"

"Hey."

Li Zisheng frowned and scolded, "You guys are really trying to argue with me, right? By the way, have you delivered all the gifts I asked you to send to Lai Zhan?"

Pang Qing shrugged and said, "I did send him off, but it's a pity that I didn't see Zhang Guozhang's men."

"Why?"

Li Zisheng asked in confusion, "I'm not in the capital, but he doesn't even want to see you? What did you do to make him dislike you so much?"

Pang Qing shook his head and said, "I didn't do anything to offend others. It's just that Zhang Guozhang was ill and couldn't see guests. I heard that he was very ill and couldn't even get out of bed. His son... the second son of the Zhang family, took care of him every day and even used a new treatment method to save his life with great difficulty."

"What!?"

Li Zisheng's face turned pale with rage. He stood up suddenly in shock and asked, "Why didn't you tell me earlier? This...this...Bingkun! You are so stupid. Why didn't you tell me about this important matter earlier? You also know how important Laizhan is to me. If anything happens to him, you let me..."

Pang Qing was unmoved and continued to sit there, his eyes constantly looking at the wine and food that were gradually cooling down on the table next to him. His suspicious look seemed to be asking, "You ask people to do things for you, and you don't even give them food to eat?"

At least you have eaten and drunk enough in Piantou Pass.

Now you come to ask me questions, eager to know the movements of the Tatars and Zhang Laizhan's situation. I can understand that. You should also take into account the hardships and fears I have endured along the way.

You know, I haven’t had a peaceful meal since I left Beijing.

Seeing that Li Zisheng was not willing to give in, Pang Qing had no choice but to explain: "Master, the road I took from the capital was very desolate, with chaos and war along the way. I finally entered the territory of Shanxi, but I had to leave the border immediately and head straight to the Tatar camp. How could I have the opportunity to explain this to you?
"Besides, even if I tell you, what's the point? Do you have the ability to cure diseases and save people thousands of miles away?"

"Then let's look at the present..."

Li Zisheng has become a little depressed.

I was afraid that Pang Qing would say some bad news.

Pang Qing said in surprise: "Didn't I say before that with his son taking care of him, his life should be saved."

"You know this as well?"

Li Zisheng perked up and asked, "Is the news true?"

Pang Qing nodded: "The news sent by Qi Niang should not be false."

"What does she know?"

Li Zisheng frowned.

"Haha, this time Zhang Guozhang's illness is not simple. He just stayed in the outer house and didn't even go home. Do you think that woman knows about it?

"Mrs. Qi even came to me and asked me to help her. What advice can I give her? Can you help her find a doctor?"

Pang Qing shook his head repeatedly when he reached this point, quite speechless.

Li Zisheng took a breath and said, "So, Lai Zhan is recuperating in the outer house? It does fall into the category of rest. But the problem is that there are so many beauties in that yard. Can Lai Zhan stay calm? Alas, I said that he is not good for being lustful and it is easy to hurt his body..."

Pang Qing agreed and said, "Although the Second Young Master didn't say it openly, I think he is also worried that his father will die young because of his unique hobby."

Li Zisheng said helplessly: "It seems that everyone who cares about Lai Zhan would have this idea! But...his son is worried that something might happen to him, so shouldn't I be worried too?"

Pang Qing smiled and said, "You mean... you are more worried than his son? Then wouldn't you be..."

"Get lost! Is this the time to be joking and teasing?"

Li Zisheng glanced at Pang Qing, pointed at the table next to him and said, "Hurry up and eat, and talk while you eat. Don't eat too fast, or you'll choke... I won't miss any questions I need to ask you later."

"Can't you wait until I finish eating?"

Pang Qing moved to the dining table next to him, picked up the bowl and chopsticks, took a big bite, and after swallowing it, he protested with a little dissatisfaction.

Li Zisheng said angrily, "It's good enough to let you talk while eating, but you still dare to find fault? Let me ask you, when you left Beijing, did my nephew tell you anything? He should know the purpose of your coming to the northwest, right?"

Pang Qing said, "He didn't tell me anything, and at one point he thought I was going to the south to prepare for river management and other matters in advance... Are you suspicious?"

"will not."

Li Zisheng said confidently, "I have never made a mistake in my opinion. I chose the opportunity to make peace with the Tatars after winning a battle. Although it may not be Lai Zhan's idea, it must have something to do with my eldest nephew."

"Ah... You mean, the idea of ​​winning a battle before approaching the Tatars and asking them to pay tribute did not come from Zhang Guozhang? It came from... Zhang's uncle?"

Pang Qing was also surprised.

Li Zisheng asked, "Are you questioning my judgment of people?"

Pang Qing said, "No, I have said it before, the situation of Zhang Guozhang's family is very complicated. Most of the time, it is the young uncle who makes decisions on foreign affairs, and they are just conveyed through Zhang Guozhang's mouth. In this case, the person you should please is the second son, not Zhang Guozhang."

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Li Zisheng cursed, "How can I please a boy of twelve or thirteen? Do I treat him like his father, and stuff women around him every day? He has money and status, and His Majesty trusts his family! Do you think there is any other way for me to please him besides his father?"

Pang Qing looked a little embarrassed, and he was hesitant to pick up any food with his chopsticks.

"What are you standing there for? Eat your food!"

Li Zisheng asked again, "Before you left Beijing, you met my nephew, right?" Pang Qing nodded and said, "Of course I have."

Li Zisheng said, "Since there is no new information, I have to guess the intention of Mr. Zhang. Since he did not mention the purpose of your coming to the northwest, I think he already knew your behavior. In other words, he is more shrewd than Lai Zhan and has a longer vision. He thinks that the peace negotiation should be completed by me, not in the name of his father."

"..."

After hearing this, Pang Qing was somewhat speechless, with a look of doubt on his face.

"Don't you understand? You were doing well in the capital, and I suddenly asked you to come to the northwest. It must not be just for you to be a guest of the aide. I must have an important task for you. What could be more important than asking you to contact the Tatars and encourage them to pay tribute?" Li Zisheng said.

Pang Qing became more suspicious: "The second young master's mind should not be as complicated as you said, right?"

"Humph!"

Li Zisheng snorted and said, "You already know that he is an extraordinary person, but you still dare to underestimate him? I think he knows very well that if I send someone to contact the Tatars, it must be 'one of our own'. I can't just pick anyone to go, right? Or maybe Eunuch Tan is also suitable to go, but will he listen to me?"

Pang Qing said dissatisfiedly: "So I am more obedient and specialize in doing things like this that will lead to my own death, right?"

Li Zisheng rolled his eyes at Pang Qing and said, "Laizhan's illness is the key now... He must not get into any trouble. This time, making peace with the Tatars is a risky move. If someone in the court speaks for me and His Majesty agrees, then I will have made a contribution. But if..."

Pang Qing asked, "Is it not possible even with the second son of the Zhang family here?"

"Of course not."

Li Zisheng said seriously, "He is too young after all. Even Lai Zhan, a father-in-law who was born into a scholarly family, cannot be respected by others. Even if Zhang Xiaoguojiu is favored by the emperor, he still cannot stand in the open. So my efforts on Lai Zhan are still effective."

"Oh."

Pang Qing started eating again with big mouthfuls.

Li Zisheng reminded him, "Eat slowly, listen carefully, and answer seriously."

"Say it!"

Pang Qing said casually, "I'm listening."

Li Zisheng said: "You can't stay here anymore, you have to go back to the capital."

"What? Going back to Beijing?"

Pang Qing stopped what he was doing instantly and looked at Li Zisheng with wide eyes.

It seems like asking, are you teasing the child?

I just got here and you're sending me away?
Or do you want me to rush back to the capital during this time of war?

Li Zisheng said, "There's nothing I can do about it... I can receive the little Tatar prince and his entourage by myself and guide them to the capital to pay tribute. But over in the capital... who can I rely on? Lai Zhan is sick, which means there will be no one in the court to speak for me anymore!"

"It's useless for me to go back. Father-in-law Zhang will still get sick, and I'm not a doctor." Pang Qing obviously didn't want to run around like this.

Li Zisheng said helplessly: "Bingkun, I can only count on you most of the time. Even if I don't need to visit you, don't you have to help me take care of things in the court?
"After the current emperor ascended the throne, because he came to look after you, the replacement of the old with the new has not been carried out smoothly. Many of the old ministers of the previous emperor are still in their original positions, and they all have outstanding status. They should know that the court cannot be in chaos. Once it is in chaos, the purge will begin... I will suffer first, and they can't expect to live in peace! So..."

Pang Qing smiled bitterly and said, "The problem is that no one listens to us now... If they knew you sent them, they wouldn't have time to hide."

Li Zisheng smiled and said, "That was before. They thought that I only had Zhang Laizhan as my backer and that I didn't know anything else, so my future was bleak. But things are different now. I have military merits and have subdued the foreigners, making them pay tribute obediently... Since the court will need me in the future, why do they want to distance themselves from me?"

……

……

Li Zisheng told Pang Qing what to do after returning to Beijing, especially which people to contact, which people to let speak for him, which people to target, and which people to be wary of...

Li Zisheng can be said to have thought very carefully.

It was agreed that Pang Qing'er would set off for Beijing early the next morning and would no longer participate in the reception of the Tatars.

Li Zisheng then arranged for Pang Qing to rest in the guest room while he prepared to write a memorial.

Li Zisheng picked up the pen and hadn't written a few words when Tan Chang's loud voice came from outside: "Minister Li, are you there? There's great news."

Li Zisheng was very curious about how Qin Chang entered his governor's office without being notified, and came to his backyard so openly.

When he came out to greet the guests, he saw Qianhu Wang Fang accompanying Qin Chang in. From a distance, he saw Qin Chang holding something in his hand, and in the faint light of the lantern, he was smiling at him.

Li Zisheng's heart was filled with alarm.

A garrison eunuch suddenly appeared in his backyard with military generals, and he was still in an unguarded state. This made Li Zisheng feel a sense of crisis and he dared not move forward rashly.

Li Zisheng stood far away and said with a cupped hand: "Eunuch Tan, what are you doing...?"

Qin Chang smiled and said, "The emperor has issued an order, giving you some advice on your next assignment, saying that you don't necessarily need to make achievements on the battlefield, as long as you can make the Tatars surrender and complete the tribute, it's not impossible... Look, the order is here."

Li Zisheng then walked over with confidence and took the imperial edict handed over by Qin Chang. Suddenly he thought of something and quickly returned the imperial edict, saying in fear and trepidation: "Oh, oh, I should have knelt to receive it... Wait for me to take a bath and change clothes..."

"Oh, why is it so complicated?"

Qin Chang grabbed Li Zisheng and said to Wang Fang, "Captain Wang, go and arrange the reception for tomorrow. Prepare the animals and other things. It should be lively and grand. It would be best if the soldiers at Piantou Pass and the surrounding areas knew that the Tatars came to pay tribute and were sincerely convinced by our Majesty and Minister Li."

"Yes Yes."

Wang Fang quickly responded.

Li Zisheng thought to himself, you called him to the governor's office just to tell him about this?

The thing is, you could have just talked about it in private, why did you have to call me in person?

Do you know that doing this makes me very nervous, afraid that someone will abandon me after I have done what I have done?
Li Zisheng called out, "How about we go in and talk?"

Wang Fang said respectfully: "Lord Li, I dare not bother you. I am here mainly to ask you for advice on reception matters..."

"Everything is up to Eunuch Qin." Li Zisheng immediately threw the task to Qin Chang, a little angry, "Don't you like to meddle in other people's affairs?"
I'll give you a chance!
As the former seal official of the Imperial Household Department, you should be able to handle such a small matter with ease, right?
Qin Chang smiled and said, "Then Captain Wang will listen to us... We will make sure everything is clear for him... Come on, Minister Li, let's go in and talk!"

"go!"

Li Zisheng made a gesture of invitation.

Then Qin Chang waved his hand and asked Wang Fang to leave. Then he walked forward and entered side by side with Li Zisheng.

(End of this chapter)