The prince is more stable

Chapter 120: Rhetorical Confrontation
Zhao Xiaoqian's visit to Xiao Guangjing was like a weasel paying a New Year's greeting to a chicken.

Proposing that the Liao ruler replace the envoy was just a test by Zhao Xiaoqian. Deep down, Zhao Xiaoqian did not want to replace the envoy even more than Xiao Guangjing.

Of course, Zhao Xiaoqian was also certain that Xiao Guangjing was unwilling to return to the Liao Kingdom.

After finding out his identity from the Imperial City Bureau, Zhao Xiaoqian made some guesses about Xiao Guangjing's character.

His father was a high-ranking general and as one of the most wealthy and powerful sons of the Liao Kingdom, it was obvious that he was sent as an envoy to the Song Dynasty to gild his reputation and gain experience.

If he encounters some setbacks and returns in disgrace with nothing, the consequences are something a playboy cannot afford.

His father would scold him, the Liao ruler would be disappointed in him, his political enemies would take the opportunity to attack him, and even the entire Liao Dynasty's powerful class would mock him mercilessly.

So don't be fooled by Xiao Guangjing's domineering behavior in the Song Dynasty and his popularity and admiration. In fact, Xiao Guangjing has no way out. The Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom have been pushing him higher and higher, and now he is hanging in the air and can't come down.

If Xiao Guangjing doesn't achieve some results and returns, his future will be uncertain.

Since they are from the northern wolf tribe, I wonder if his father's belt belongs to the Seven Wolves...

"If your Excellency does not want the Liao ruler to be replaced, then... when will the Song and Liao countries hold talks?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked with a smile.

Xiao Guangjing regained his composure at this moment, a shrewd glint in his eyes as he slowly said, "Actually, there's no need for our two countries to negotiate. A letter from the Emperor of the Liao Dynasty will suffice."

"I heard that Song's annual revenue is over 100 million strings of cash. My Liao only raised the annual tribute by 100,000 strings of cash. It's just a token of appreciation. It shouldn't be a big deal for Song. It's nothing. Why bother to discuss it?"

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at him in surprise. This dude wasn't completely useless. He had suffered such a terrible crime last night, but he was very decisive when it came to his business.

"One hundred thousand is certainly a small matter, and my Chu Palace can afford it. However, the dignity of my Song Dynasty officials is a big matter. The Liao Kingdom's unreasonable increase in annual gifts is unreasonable and also damages the dignity of my Song Dynasty. I am afraid I cannot agree to this." Zhao Xiaoqian replied with a smile.

Xiao Guangjing sneered, "Will it be of any use not to agree? After the Battle of Chanyuan, the Song and Liao dynasties have ceased fighting, but don't forget, the reason we stopped fighting is that the Liao Kingdom doesn't want to fight you, not that we dare not."

"If you don't agree, my Liao Kingdom can cross the border at any time and get what we need ourselves."

Zhao Xiaoqian had a very calm temper, but he suddenly became furious when he heard this.

"Have you eaten shit? You're spewing shit all over your mouth, and you're trying to threaten me with that. Just try! I, the Song Dynasty, can give you a surprise right away. Do you want one?"

Xiao Guangjing's face changed, and he flew into a rage: "Zhao Xiaoqian, how dare you insult the Liao envoy? You...you are the one who is eating shit!"

Zhao Xiaoqian was startled, then immediately came to his senses and looked at him with sympathy and guilt in his eyes.

Saying that others eat shit is an insult, but saying that Xiao Guangjing eats shit... is the fucking truth.

Don't expose someone's shortcomings like this when you insult them. It's too presumptuous.

"Sorry, I got a little excited just now..." Zhao Xiaoqian said sincerely, "Let's have a good chat. No swearing or threats, okay?"

Xiao Guangjing stared at him coldly and said, "Zhao Xiaoqian, you are well aware of the conditions of the Liao Dynasty. There is no room for maneuver. The annual tribute will increase by 100,000 strings of cash. If your officials do not agree, we will meet on the battlefield."

"Actually, I'm more eager for the two countries to break up through negotiations. What's a hundred thousand strings of cash? No one cares. The warriors of my Great Liao need military merit more. If Song and Liao are at peace, where can our warriors earn merit?"

"Zhao Xiaoqian, you'd better reject me, please!" Xiao Guangjing's eyes showed a fanatical light, and his smile gradually became perverted.

Zhao Xiaoqian was not angry, he was also smiling.

As soon as the smile appeared, it suddenly froze, his nostrils flared, and he took a deep breath of the air around him.

"What's that smell? It stinks..."

Zhao Xiaoqian turned his head and looked at Qian Zhongshen.

Qian Zhongshen raised his sleeve and smelled himself, then shook his head innocently.

The two of them immediately looked at Xiao Guangjing.

Xiao Guangjing was about to explode. The momentum he had just gained with great difficulty was broken by Zhao Xiaoqian's words.

"You, you, you..." Xiao Guangjing pointed at him in shock and anger. "Excuse me, excuse me... Your Excellency, please take good care of yourself. We won't discuss business today." Zhao Xiaoqian's smile was particularly nasty.

"Later, I'll have the Honglu Temple bring a large tub. Let your envoy soak in it for a while, and then I'll have someone give you a salt, milk, vinegar, or other rub. I guarantee you'll be a fragrant envoy again."

Zhao Xiaoqian said goodbye with a smile.

Inside the room, Xiao Guangjing was silent for a long time, then suddenly yelled like crazy: "Come here, prepare hot water, and also scented slices and flower petals, go quickly!"

…………

After leaving the inn, Zhao Xiaoqian and Qian Zhongshen were standing at the door.

"Prince, Xiao Guangjing's attitude is still very tough. I'm afraid he will not compromise, so it will be difficult to reach an agreement." Qian Zhongshen said worriedly.

Zhao Xiaoqian said calmly, "Why rush? We must take one step at a time. If the Liao Kingdom had sent a cunning and treacherous envoy, I might not have been able to do anything about it. But if they sent a young dandy, their failure is certain."

"Sir, do you have any other way to make him compromise?"

Zhao Xiaoqian said nothing, just smiled, and then said goodbye to Qian Zhongshen.

After getting on the carriage, Zhao Xiaoqian lifted the curtain and said to Chen Shou, who was guarding the carriage, "Please invite someone to the palace for me and tell him that I'm inviting him to dinner and drinks."

An hour later, in the Yin'an Hall of the Prince of Chu's Mansion.

Cai You sat carefully at the table, looking at Zhao Xiaoqian with eyes full of envy and admiration.

I have only known this Prince of Chu for half a year, but I didn’t expect that he has become increasingly valued by the government and his fame has grown. Who in the city of Bianjing now doesn’t know the name “Zhao Banque”?
Not only that, it can allow the government to break the ancestral rules and appoint powerful officials to clan members. It is said that they have also created an extraordinary artifact. The Firearms Depot outside the city has recently recruited thousands of craftsmen, and no one knows what they are doing in a mysterious way.

Cai You's father was the Minister of Revenue, Cai Jing, so he was naturally well-informed about the news. It was said that all these movements were related to Zhao Xiaoqian.

It's about to take off.

Half a year ago, we were all useless playboys, beaten twice every three days by our father.

Half a year later, you have become a man as powerful as an eagle, while Cai You and a group of playboys are still chickens pecking at rice on the ground.

The gap is too big, and I feel a little uncomfortable.

Although they were of similar age, Cai You was very clear that the gap between Zhao Xiaoqian and them was getting bigger and bigger, and they were no longer from the same class.

Zhao Xiaoqian and Cai You had a pretty good relationship. After they met, he and Cai You got together several times. They just ate and drank together, and they were like a group of drinking buddies.

True friends have their own way of getting along with each other, and the same goes for drinking buddies, the ways of getting along are different.

As long as you have a clear understanding of the friends around you, you will not suffer any loss no matter who your friends are.

"The Crown Prince summoned me today, so I guess there's something going on. Why don't you talk about business first? Otherwise, facing this table full of delicacies, I'm really nervous and I wouldn't be letting the food at the Prince of Chu's Mansion down." Cai You smiled cautiously.

Zhao Xiaoqian took a bite of the food and said, "It's just some home-cooked dishes, not gourmet food. I asked you to come here today because I want to trouble you with something."

"Prince, please give your orders. I will do my best to fulfill them, both publicly and privately."

"The Liao Kingdom sent an envoy. Do you know about this?" Zhao Xiaoqian went straight to the point.

Cai You nodded. "Everyone in Bianjing knows about this. I heard that the Crown Prince also taught the Liao envoy a lesson outside the city gate, which greatly enhanced the prestige of our Song Dynasty. I have great admiration for the Crown Prince."

Zhao Xiaoqian sneered, "Are you claiming to be raising national prestige just by engaging in a few verbal battles? Is national prestige really that worthless?"

"When the Liao envoys come to the court, the Song Dynasty should fulfill its duty as a host. Brother Cai, haven't you and the nobles of Bianjing City ever had a long-term relationship with the Liao envoys?"

Cai You was stunned. "What does 'spiritual communication' mean? I don't even know who the Liao envoy is, so why would I want to communicate with him?"

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed and murmured, "We have distinguished guests at home, and you guys don't even know the slightest bit of courtesy... Would it kill you to take the initiative to visit and say 'long time no see' or 'spiritual friendship'?"

(End of this chapter)