The prince is more stable

Chapter 229: Visitors from the East
There is war in the northwest, but there is no war in Xiazhou.

The 300,000 Western Xia troops were divided and sent out by Empress Dowager Liang to pursue the Song army in various directions. However, Xiazhou, which was in the eye of the storm, was calm.

Only the spies and scouts of both sides were constantly spying on each other and fighting secretly.

During this period, Zhang Yu was not idle while stationed in Xiazhou. He sent out a small army and slowly recaptured many forts that had been built. Using the forts as strongholds, he formed a series of defense lines between Xiazhou and Hongzhou.

At this time, the Western Xia army stationed in Hongzhou by Empress Dowager Liang was no more than 40,000. Obviously, she was a very rational woman and only made mistakes occasionally. She knew that after the Song army recaptured these forts, if they wanted to lead the army to attack Xiazhou, it would be impossible with the limited number of troops under her command.

The forts along the way alone were enough to give her a hard time.

What’s even more interesting is that Xiazhou, where Zhang Yu was stationed, was originally a city of Western Xia, while Hongzhou, where Empress Dowager Liang was stationed, was originally a city of the Song Dynasty.

Everyone occupies their own space and does not disturb each other, like a pair of exes who have broken up. Each has died in the other's life. The scouts of both sides occasionally spy on each other and fight, just like visiting each other's graves on the anniversary of death.

After Zhao Xiaoqian's troops joined forces with Zhang Yu, they settled down in the Xiazhou prefectural office.

Zhang Qi also witnessed with his own eyes how extravagant and licentious the daily lives of the playboys from Bian Jing were.

Five thousand musketeers penetrated deep into Western Xia. In addition to capturing cities and plundering land, they also seized a lot of spoils, including nearly 20,000 war horses, countless swords and weapons, and mountains of money. Of course, they also abducted Western Xia women.

When two countries go to war, supplies, horses, cattle, sheep, able-bodied men, and women are all resources and are considered spoils of war.

Many women were abducted on the way, and the soldiers of the Dragon Guard Camp, from Zhong Jianzhong on down, also understood the ways of the world.

The county lord allowed them not to hand over any of the loot they plundered, which was a great favor.

Of course you have to repay a favor, and repay it immediately.

So every time the army plundered a place, they seized countless spoils. Among them, the soldiers enjoyed the women of average beauty themselves, but did not touch the women of above average beauty at all. They sent them all to Chen Shou and other personal guards.

Chen Shou carefully selected eight women of good looks from these women of average or above average appearance, dressed them up and sent them to Zhao Xiaoqian.

Zhao Xiaoqian was of course embarrassed to refuse the soldiers' filial piety, but being used to eating delicacies from land and sea, the prince's aesthetic taste was definitely much higher than that of ordinary people. Faced with these eight so-called beautiful women, Zhao Xiaoqian felt average.

Perhaps nomadic peoples and agricultural peoples have different aesthetic tastes. In short, Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't bear to take off the pants of these eight so-called beauties with their cheeks still rosy from the plateau...

In this era of material scarcity, even toilet paper has its uses, let alone eight living Xixia women.

So, after arriving in Xiazhou City, there were eight more foot-washing girls next to Zhao Xiaoqian's residence.

It is not shameful to earn food and clothing with hard-working hands.

Every time Zhang Yu entered the backyard of the government office, he saw this luxurious scene.

Zhao Xiaoqian's head, arms, and legs were all taken care of by dedicated people, kneading and massaging them until his eyes rolled back in pleasure. Unfortunately, his body organs were too few, not enough for eight women to share, not even including the third leg.

Although Zhang Yu was a Jinshi and was obsessed with beauty when he was young, he had never seen anyone as extravagant as Zhao Xiaoqian.

Looking at Zhao Xiaoqian lying in the backyard with his eyes closed, enjoying himself, with a very happy expression on his face, Zhang Qie couldn't help but feel angry.

God is blind, the great achievement of conquering the enemy's capital fell on this guy.

How could he possibly have the aura of a young hero? He'd praised Zhao Xiaoqian like the Song Dynasty's Huo Qubing in his victory report. Just thinking about it made him want to slap himself.

With a gloomy face, Zhang Qie coughed angrily a few times.

Zhao Xiaoqian ignored him and continued to close his eyes and enjoy the beautiful woman's massage.

After fighting for two months, can't we enjoy ourselves?

Zhang Qi continued to cough angrily, and Zhao Xiaoqian finally opened his eyes impatiently. Seeing Zhang Qi staring at him angrily, Zhao Xiaoqian laughed awkwardly and pointed at the eight women surrounding him.

"Well, I'm helping the imperial court by creating jobs for these poor women..."

Zhang Qie said with a cold face, "If the Marquis has enjoyed himself enough, why not listen to the imperial decree?"

Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly stood up and waved his hand to dismiss the women. After straightening his clothes, Zhao Xiaoqian asked, "Has there been an imperial decree from Bianjing?"

Zhang Yu hummed, handed over a roll of yellow silk, and said, "The emperor has decreed that congratulations be given to the Marquis of County for his great achievement in conquering the capital of Western Xia. You are promoted to the rank of Duke of County. From now on, you will be called Duke of Anle County."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled. With such a great achievement, the promotion was already expected. It would be strange if Zhao Xu did not reward him.

"What else?" Zhao Xiaoqian said, slowly unfolding the yellow silk.

Zhang Qie said in a deep voice, "Also, the court in Bianjing has already reached a decision. It's time for Song and Xia to stop the war and start peace talks."

Zhao Xiaoqian unfolded the imperial edict, glanced at it, and quickly closed it.

Unfortunately, I am not well educated and cannot understand the parallel prose in the imperial edict.

"Peace talks?" Zhao Xiaoqian frowned. "What kind of peace talks?"

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "Don't worry. This isn't a humiliating peace negotiation, but a genuine peace negotiation to end the war. The emperor has set the tone. The Xixia territory we have occupied will not be returned, but the territory Xixia has occupied from us must be returned."

"Also, from now on, the annual gifts will cease. Xixia must serve the Song Dynasty as a vassal and must send envoys to pay tribute every year..."

Zhao Xiaoqian's expression gradually relaxed.

Very good, Zhao Xu finally did something heroic.

The young emperor is still quite manly after all. Since he has the upper hand, he feels justified in taking advantage of the situation. It suits his taste!
Zhang Yu continued, "The emperor has ordered you and me to serve as the chief and deputy envoys for peace talks with Western Xia. However, our scouts have also brought news today that the Liao Kingdom has also sent an envoy specifically to mediate the war between Song and Xia. The envoy has already arrived in Hongzhou."

Zhao Xiaoqian's expression changed slightly: "Do you know who the Liao envoy is?"

Zhang Yu said calmly, "You should be familiar with him, my Lord. He's an old acquaintance. His name is Xiao Guangjing. He was the envoy sent to the Song Dynasty last year. I heard that he suffered a great loss at the hands of the Lord."

Zhao Xiaoqian's expression relaxed, and a mysterious smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Xiao Guangjing? Haha, not bad, an old acquaintance."

As early as the beginning of the war, Zhao Xiaoqian sent a secret letter to the Liao Kingdom, instructing the Xiao father and son to influence the Liao Kingdom's attitude in the Song-Xia War.

Unexpectedly, the Liao Kingdom directly sent Xiao Guangjing to mediate.

The Liao envoy acted as the referee, and Empress Dowager Liang probably soon experienced what it felt like to be biased and have the whistle blown against her.

You are the empress dowager, and you get a red card as soon as you come on the field. I just want to ask you if you are angry.

"Queen Dowager Liang of Western Xia has sent me a letter of credence. At the suggestion of the Liao envoy, the two countries have decided to hold peace talks in Xiazhou. Calculating the time, Queen Dowager Liang and the Liao envoy have already set off and will arrive in Xiazhou tomorrow."

Zhao Xiaoqian chuckled, and Zhang Qie looked at him in confusion.

Zhao Xiaoqian waved his hand: "It's nothing, Xiazhou is good, Xiazhou's feng shui is particularly good."

Before I even met Xiao Guangjing, someone gave him a big gift.

Choosing Xiazhou as the place for peace talks, tsk, what’s the difference between this and a sheep walking into a tiger’s mouth?
What is "home advantage"?
What are those old, clichéd plots in operas like?

Are there assassins hiding in the corridor?

That’s right, this is the home advantage. The axeman is the standard configuration of the home court, and guests from afar are not worthy of it.

"General Zhang, let's make the arrangements today," Zhao Xiaoqian said solemnly. "We'll make sure the ceremonial guards and food are properly arranged. We'll make sure Empress Dowager Liang feels right at home and won't want to leave."

Zhang Qie was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "There's something I want to remind you of..."

"Xiazhou originally belonged to Western Xia. If we treat Queen Mother Liang like a host, it will only make her feel more aggrieved."

Zhao Xiaoqian said nonchalantly, "Xiazhou will belong to the Great Song from now on. The emperor's will is very clear: the land occupied by the Great Song will not be returned."

(End of this chapter)