The prince is more stable

Chapter 474: Envoy from Xixia
On the north bank of the Juma River, there is the main camp of the Longwei Camp.

Zhao Xiaoqian yawned and stared at Zhong Jianzhong in front of him with an unfriendly look.

As the commander-in-chief of an army, of course he has to live and learn until he is old, so Zhao Xiaoqian stayed up late last night to read a military book, the kind with illustrations, rich pictures and texts, the kind that makes a man's blood boil...ah, that kind of military book.

I didn't fall asleep until the early hours of the morning, but was woken up by Zhong Jianzhong at dawn.

In such a situation, it would be difficult for anyone not to lose their temper when being woken up, not to mention that His Royal Highness the Prince is the absolute boss of this camp.

"Lao Zhong, you'd better give me a reasonable explanation, otherwise you will definitely get ten blows with the military stick today." Zhao Xiaoqian said in a bad tone, his eyes full of bitterness and hatred.

Zhong Jianzhong blushed, but still said, "Your Highness, please forgive me. I am truly faced with an urgent military situation. I am unable to make a decision at the moment, so I have no choice but to ask for your instructions."

"If you encounter the Liao army, just fight them. If you encounter Liao villages and tribes, or if you encounter passing caravans and traders, just rob them. If the enemy is too strong, just run away... Do I need to teach you this? Is there any urgent military information that I must personally decide?"

Zhong Jianzhong looked bitter.

The answer was so refreshing that I didn’t know how to refute it.

The first part is reasonable, but isn’t it too undignified to run away when the enemy is too strong?

"Your Highness, Zhe Keshi's cavalry was ordered to patrol an area of ​​100 miles. In the past few days, they have looted several villages and plundered a group of Liao civilians. They also encountered a small group of Liao troops, but they were all annihilated by Zhe Keshi..."

"But just now, twenty miles from the main camp, Zhe Keshi encountered two delegations from Western Xia. One was heading straight for our Dragon Guard Camp, and the other was heading to Shangjing, the capital of Liao. Zhe Keshi intercepted both delegations and is unsure how to deal with them. Please advise, Your Highness."

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned. "A delegation from Western Xia? The Song and Liao are fighting fiercely, why are they joining in the fun?"

Zhong Jianzhong said, "The Xixia delegation also brought generous gifts, saying they were for His Royal Highness the Prince of Hejian County in the Great Song Dynasty. Zhe Keshi took a quick look and saw that there were approximately 10,000 cattle and sheep, and 5,000 war horses..."

Zhao Xiaoqian did not express his opinion and fell into deep thought.

"I've been busy fighting the Liao people recently and forgot to pay attention to what's happening in Western Xia. The young Western Xia emperor who just took power is called... Li Qianshun, right? How is he doing in his new job?" asked Zhao Xiaoqian.

Zhong Jianzhong looked at him speechlessly.

Zhao Xiaoqian understood his expression.

Why would I, a general leading troops, care about Xixia? That's something only you bigwigs are qualified to care about.

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed and said, "Old Zhong, when you have time, pay more attention to current affairs and stop focusing on your own little piece of land. You're so lazy, are you forcing me to be diligent? I'm telling you, don't even think about it."

Zhong Jianzhong's cheek twitched slightly, and he smiled bitterly, "Yes, I will pay more attention to the current affairs of the Song, Liao, and Xia Kingdoms in the future, and strive to have a question and answer session with Your Highness next time."

Zhao Xiaoqian hummed and said, "Send someone to tell Zhe Keshi to bring back the two Xixia delegations. I'd like to know what Li Qianshun is planning."

The Western Xia delegation arrived very quickly, covering a distance of twenty miles in just two hours.

The two delegations had a total of about 500 people, with only a few officials. Most of them were followers and herdsmen who were used to drive cattle, sheep and war horses.

The leader of the delegation was named "Li Jinzhen". Zhao Xiaoqian frowned when he heard the name. Why does this name have a strong Korean flavor?

Li Jinzhen was a man in his thirties. He was a relative of the Xixia royal family and probably a relative of a concubine in the Xixia harem.

After Li Qianshun took power, he began to eliminate the influence of Empress Dowager Xiaoliang with all his strength. Everyone in the Western Xia court was in danger, but those unimportant figures in the past survived, and some were even promoted, such as Li Jinzhen in front of him.

When Li Jinzhen met Zhao Xiaoqian, he behaved very piously. He bowed his head and knelt on both knees.

"Li Jinzhen, the Western Xia envoy, pays homage to His Royal Highness the Prince of Hejian of the Song Dynasty."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and helped him up, saying, "Your Excellency, there is no need to perform such a grand ceremony. I am not worthy of my status."

Li Jinzhen said devoutly, "I have long heard of the great reputation of His Highness the Prince of the County. I have been tossing and turning day and night, fascinated by your presence. Today, I have the opportunity to see your beautiful face and admire your grace. This is the greatest wish of my life."

Zhao Xiaoqian's cheeks twitched. What the hell is this "Jade-like Face"? Can't you be more straightforward when praising me? Why not just say that I'm handsome?

He had originally planned to interrogate the Western Xia envoys, but when they met, they knelt down on both knees and sang praises. He even used such an outrageous word as "jade-like face". Zhao Xiaoqian felt embarrassed for being so cold and cruel.

As one should not hit a smiling person, Zhao Xiaoqian had no choice but to order a banquet to be held in the general's tent to entertain the Western Xia delegation.

After the banquet was served, Zhao Xiaoqian immediately regretted it. If he had known it was so outrageous, he would have just sent them to eat boxed lunches.

The customs of Western Xia are a bit strange. To put it nicely, it can be called "diversity", but to put it bluntly, it can be called a "hodgepodge".

They absorbed the culture of the Central Plains and learned the nomadic customs of the Liao Dynasty. At the same time, in terms of local customs and habits, the Western Xia also learned a lot of bad habits from the Tubo in the west.

At the beginning of the banquet, Li Jinzhen raised his glass. Zhao Xiaoqian thought he was going to toast, so he took the initiative to raise his glass. Just as he put on a polite smile, he didn't expect Li Jinzhen to start singing. He didn't understand the lyrics, which were probably in the local Xixia dialect and probably related to toasts. There was no one present to translate. What if Li Jinzhen was sure he didn't understand and used singing to scold him?
This singing lasted for a whole incense stick of time. Li Jinzhen sang with passion and emotion while holding a wine glass. Everyone in the general's tent watched his performance quietly.

Li Jinzhen's voice was not that good, and he couldn't understand the lyrics. Zhao Xiaoqian was even more unable to judge whether he was singing out of tune or not. He could only be patient and watch Li Jinzhen sing with a smile.

Halfway through the song, Li Jinzhen inexplicably knelt down on both knees in front of Zhao Xiaoqian, then stood up. Not only did she continue to sing, she even waved her long sleeves and started dancing. As she sang, tears began to flow from her eyes, and every tear was filled with deep emotion...

Zhao Xiaoqian became more and more confused.

Brother, it’s hard for me to empathize with you if you don’t sing in Chinese!

Looking at Zhong Jianzhong who was sitting next to him, he also had a look of confusion on his face.

Seeing that this guy was singing endlessly, Zhao Xiaoqian finally became a little impatient. His Royal Highness the Prince has always had little patience and was easily irritated.

Zhao Xiaoqian leaned over and whispered in Zhong Jianzhong's ear, "Do you know how long this guy will sing?"

Zhong Jianzhong looked uncertain: "She should be...almost done singing, right?"

"My patience is almost exhausted. You go out and make some arrangements. Ambush five hundred swordsmen and axemen outside the general's tent. I'll use the smashing of a cup as a signal..." Zhao Xiaoqian said with a smile on his face, but he gritted his teeth.

Zhong Jianzhong was shocked. "That's not the case! They mean well. Perhaps it's just the custom of Xixia. Your Highness, please give them some face and be patient."

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed dejectedly.

From now on, if anyone says "the more courtesy, the less blame", just pull this guy in front of you and make him sing all night to see how annoying he is.

Finally, when Zhao Xiaoqian could not help but turn the table and get angry, this fellow named Li Jinzhen, perhaps sensing the invisible murderous aura in the general's tent, finally finished singing.

Looking at Li Jinzhen's tightly closed mouth, Zhao Xiaoqian felt that he was particularly attractive at this moment.

The host and the guests began to toast each other. Zhao Xiaoqian had a forced smile on his face and only took a sip from the cup.

After three rounds of drinks, Zhao Xiaoqian slowly started talking about business.

"The Western Xia delegation came to our Song Dynasty. I wonder what they are doing here?" asked Zhao Xiaoqian.

Li Jinzhen was stunned and subconsciously looked around. The navigation map in his mind began to automatically correct its error...

Before this year, this place was the territory of the Liao Kingdom.

Now Zhao Xiaoqian says this is the Song Dynasty... Li Jinzhen hasn't updated the map yet.

Of course, the result of the Song-Liao War is known to the world. Li Jinzhen quickly adapted to the new concept. Whether it belongs to the Song Dynasty or the Liao Dynasty, this land does not belong to the Western Xia anyway. You now hold the truth, so of course you have the final say.

Li Jinzhen then stood up and saluted, saying, "My Xixia monarch has heard that there has been some friction between the Song and Liao dynasties, and that the Song army has decisively defeated the Liao. Your Majesty, even from afar in Xixia, has heard of this and is cheering for the Song. Therefore, he has sent an envoy here to ask that I, your minister, congratulate the Xixia monarch on the Song's expansion of territory and its military might."

"Also, to celebrate the victory of the Great Song Dynasty, Your Majesty has specially selected ten thousand fat cattle and sheep, and five thousand war horses, and presented them to His Royal Highness, the Prince of Hejian County of the Great Song Dynasty. May Your Highness be invincible in battle, and may the Great Song Dynasty be stable and its rule last forever."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Thank you for your emperor's generous gift. I will not refuse your emperor's kindness and will accept it in full."

Li Jinzhen breathed a sigh of relief, as half of the mission of this trip was completed.

The Prince before him had a kind smile and a friendly demeanor. At this moment, he looked like a talented, gentle and refined young man, reciting poetry with his hands behind his back under the moonlight. It was hard to believe he had led his troops deep into the heart of Western Xia, allowing his men to burn, kill, and loot.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zhao Xiaoqian asked, "What about the other delegation? Are you planning to send a gift to the Liao Emperor? Don't blame me for not warning you. The Liao army has suffered two defeats recently and is saddled with bad luck. If you present the same congratulatory message to the Liao Emperor, you'll probably get a slap in the face."

Li Jinzhen smiled and said, "Of course, I can't give the same congratulatory message to the Liao Emperor. I have another set of words prepared..."

Zhao Xiaoqian said with a smile, "You're not going to curse the Song Dynasty in front of the Liao Emperor, are you? This kind of fence-sitting behavior is unacceptable. It will backfire sooner or later."

After a pause, Zhao Xiaoqian said tentatively, "This place is still more than a thousand miles away from the Liao Kingdom's Shangjing. It will take you several days to get there..."

"To be honest, I have a good relationship with the Liao Emperor, and we are close friends. Why don't you leave the generous gifts for the Liao Emperor with me, and I will pass them on to the Liao Emperor on your behalf in the future. What do you think, Your Excellency?" Zhao Xiaoqian said seriously.

After Li Jinzhen became dazed, his old face twitched continuously as if he had suffered a stroke.

What His Royal Highness said is really an insult to your intelligence.

You Song and Liao have fought each other to pieces, and now you actually say that you have a good relationship with the Liao emperor and are close friends?
What's even more insulting is that you're planning to use this excuse to trick me into giving you a generous gift to the Liao Emperor?
Li Jinzhen felt that Zhao Xiaoqian's insult was not just to his IQ, but had risen to the level of his soul.

　Today is New Year’s Eve, and I am here to wish you all a happy New Year, family reunion, and great fortune, huge fortune, windfall, huge fortune, and all kinds of fortune next year!
　　What a real blessing! Let’s not play tricks and just focus on the word “get rich”.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)