The prince is more stable

Chapter 138: Controlling the Liao Envoy
Xiao Guangjing ate the delicious food in big mouthfuls. He choked and rolled his eyes, but he still couldn't stop stuffing food into his mouth.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at him with a bit of worry. After setting up such a trap and finally catching the prey, what if the prey was choked to death after the net was closed...

This will not affect the future of the Song-Liao situation, but Zhao Xiaoqian will become a laughing stock in the dandy circle of Bian Jing, the kind that will be laughed at for many years.

"Drink some water, squeeze it down, don't overeat..." Zhao Xiaoqian handed over the water enthusiastically.

This big baby can't die.

Xiao Guangjing glanced at him coldly, without even looking at the water he handed him, and continued stuffing food into his mouth.

Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't help but suspect that this guy wanted to commit suicide, ending his life in a beautiful way by starving himself to death, to escape the cruel and painful reality.

"Calm down, think about your family, friends, and lover in the capital. It's not a big deal. Think big and look at a bright future..." Zhao Xiaoqian advised sincerely.

Xiao Guangjing froze in his tracks. He had originally just been overeating out of revenge, but after being persuaded by Zhao Xiaoqian... he really felt like committing suicide.

"Isn't it just a matter of owing some money? You are an envoy of the Liao Kingdom, and your father is the governor of Huanglong Prefecture and the commander-in-chief of the Northeast Road..." Zhao Xiaoqian continued to comfort you.

Xiao Guangjing looked at him expectantly: "Since you said it's not a big deal, can you forgive the money I owe you?"

Zhao Xiaoqian's expression immediately turned realistic: "Of course not. How can you take comforting words seriously?"

Xiao Guangjing: “…………”

You are a real dog! No wonder you called yourself a "beast" just now. I thought it was just a self-deprecation.

Perhaps he really couldn't fit any more, so Xiao Guangjing threw the remaining piece of pastry in his hand onto the table, and his expression suddenly became bleak.

"My father will beat me to death, he will really beat me to death." Xiao Guangjing's expression was numb, and tears flowed from his eyes.

Zhao Xiaoqian's expression was full of sympathy. He nodded and said, "Yes, if I were you, my father would beat me to death when I got home. He would hang me on a flagpole, whip me with a whip dipped in salt water, smash my limbs, and throw me into a mass grave outside the city to feed the dogs..."

Xiao Guangjing's body shuddered violently, and his expression suddenly showed fear, as if he could see how miserable his fate would be after returning to the Liao Kingdom in the future.

"The IOU for 80,000 strings of cash, and my family's three shops..." Xiao Guangjing lowered his head and burst into tears.

Xiao Guangjing was well aware that the Liao people could not deny the money they owed to the Song Dynasty after returning to the Liao Kingdom.

If he owed money to an ordinary person, he might be able to default on it. After all, back in Liao, the Xiao family was extremely powerful and could easily suppress the matter and make the creditor disappear mysteriously.

But if the money owed was to Zhao Xiaoqian, it would be difficult to deny it. Others could even resolve it through diplomatic channels and make this embarrassing matter known to all the people of Liao.

Xiao Guangjing's future and his father Xiao Wuna's future will be ruined.

Because the Liao emperor couldn't afford to lose that person, and the Xiao family was not omnipotent in Shangjing, and there were countless political enemies eyeing them. Who would miss such a good opportunity to attack the opponent?

This is also the reason why Xiao Guangjing admitted his defeat in front of Zhao Xiaoqian at this moment.

The IOU is not just an IOU, it is also the handle and lifeline of the entire Xiao family.

The Liao envoy lost money gambling in the Song Dynasty. The matter is not that simple, at least the Liao emperor and the Xiao family's political enemies would not think so.

This envoy is responsible for the task of negotiating between the two countries. You owed the Song people so much money before the negotiations even started. No matter what the result of the negotiations is, it will be suspected of betraying the interests of the Liao Kingdom. The prominence of the entire Xiao family will probably end here.

Xiao Guangjing was not stupid. If he had not been dazzled by the flattery of the dandy people in Bian Jing, Xiao Guangjing could barely be considered a young elite of the Liao Kingdom.

Now that you've fallen into the trap, you must stand at attention and prepare to be beaten.

At this time, any way of venting, such as cursing and yelling, is extremely ridiculous.

"Tell me, Prince of Chu, by the way, I heard that you are already a county marquis... Now that I am in your hands, what do you need me to do? Will you compromise with your Song State in the negotiations between the two countries?" Xiao Guangjing said calmly.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "The negotiation conditions are not difficult. We can discuss them as we wish. That's the matter at the negotiation table."

Xiao Guangjing's eyes narrowed. "You set up this trap, aren't you for negotiation?" "No," Zhao Xiaoqian said with a smile. "Your most difficult condition is simply an annual increase of 100,000 in tribute. Your Excellency, I'm afraid you lost more than 100,000 last night, right?"

"This little money isn't enough to justify my efforts in setting up this scheme."

Xiao Guangjing said coldly: "Just tell me, what do you want?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Don't be so resistant. We still have a lot of time to work together in the future."

"cooperate?"

"Yes, cooperation. I'll give you two choices. One is to handle the matter impartially. Regarding your gambling debt, I'll send a fast horse to the Liao capital to report it. I won't rule out the possibility of collecting the debt from your Liao ruler in person."

Xiao Guangjing's expression showed horror again, and he gritted his teeth and said nothing.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Of course, forcing someone into a desperate situation like this won't do me any good. Unless you have the courage to fight to the death, I probably won't use it."

Xiao Guangjing secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Unconsciously, the rhythm of the conversation was completely controlled by Zhao Xiaoqian. Xiao Guangjing had no choice but to follow Zhao Xiaoqian's ideas.

"What about the second option?" Xiao Guangjing asked coldly.

"The second option is much more approachable. When I say it, it creates a peaceful and warm atmosphere all around..."

"Marquis, I'm not in the mood to waste time talking to you. Just get straight to the point."

"Okay, the second option. I won't mention anything about what happened last night. You, the Liao envoy, simply had a great time in Bianjing and returned home. I also promise that no one will ever mention your debt again. Unless something unexpected happens, your handwritten IOU will never see the light of day."

"What price do I need to pay to get this result?" Xiao Guangjing couldn't help but straighten up and asked.

"Don't be impatient. I haven't finished telling you about the benefits I will give you and the Xiao family. Be patient." Zhao Xiaoqian said with a smile.

Xiao Guangjing's eyes became more alert. The more benefits he got, the greater the price he had to pay. He would not be naive enough to think that these benefits were picked up out of thin air.

Zhao Xiaoqian continued, "I will also help you and your father fight for power and high positions in Shangjing City. Behind you and your father, the entire Song Dynasty is your support. If you want to achieve merit, the Song Dynasty will help you. If your Xiao family needs money to build connections and win people's hearts, the Song Dynasty will also help you..."

"I heard that your father is the governor of Huanglong Prefecture and the commander of the Northeastern Army. That's not enough, far from enough. My Song Dynasty can help your father enter the Liao Kingdom's Northern Court, take charge of the military secrets, and become the pinnacle of ministers. From then on, you will be regarded as a confidant by the Liao Lord and be trusted to use you."

Xiao Guangjing's body began to tremble uncontrollably, and his face became paler.

Having said that, Xiao Guangjing completely understood what Zhao Xiaoqian meant.

"You... want my Xiao family to be the internal supporter of the Song Dynasty and plot against the emperor and ministers of the Liao Dynasty?" Xiao Guangjing asked in a trembling voice.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Relax, it's not that serious. The word 'inside support' is a bit exaggerated. I just said it's 'cooperation'. Do you understand cooperation?"

"What I mean is, the Great Song will do its utmost to help your Xiao family ascend to power, and your Xiao family's obligation is to gain space for the Great Song in the Liao Kingdom, to reverse the Liao Kingdom's hostile public opinion towards the Great Song, and to allow the two countries to achieve true peaceful coexistence and become true brotherly nations..."

"Of course, if the Liao Kingdom wants to start a war against the Song Dynasty, you will need to pass on the news in time before the incident so that the Song Dynasty can be prepared."

Xiao Guangjing thought about it and said angrily, "Isn't this an inside job?"

Zhao Xiaoqian thought for a moment and said, "Well, that's exactly what happened, but the rhetoric could be softened a bit... Saying 'collaborator' sounds much better."

Xiao Guangjing was so angry that he wanted to overturn the table. It was not just a thought, his eyes were already fixed on the table in front of him.

Zhao Xiaoqian caught his gaze and hurriedly lay down on the table to steady his balance.

"Don't overturn the table, you will get beaten!" Zhao Xiaoqian warned while lying on the table.

Xiao Guangjing sat back weakly.

Table flip challenge failed!
(End of this chapter)