Uncle Detective Di Renjie, I build a crime-solving team

After seeing Wulezhi off, before he could even rest for a quarter of an hour, a servant suddenly entered and bowed to him.

"Master, the Vice Minister has arrived."

"Let him in."

Amidst the wafting incense smoke, a figure appeared.

The visitor was none other than Barkley, who had just returned from the Tang Dynasty.

He bowed to Yu Zhou, and after Yu Zhou returned the bow, he followed Yu Zhou's instructions and sat down on the chair next to him.

The waiter brought over the tea, then dared not look directly at the two gentlemen, and finally slowly withdrew.

"Please use."

Yu Zhou extended his right hand, gesturing for Barkley to drink tea.

Barkley bowed, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then put the teacup down.

Tibetan nobles drank butter tea almost daily, but Bakri, a native Tibetan, was not used to this kind of tea.

Decades ago in Tibet, this kind of tea was rarely drunk. It wasn't until Princess Wencheng brought a large amount of tea with her when she entered Tibet that tea gradually became popular in Tibet.

Later, the tea-horse trade accelerated economic exchanges between the two countries, and a large amount of tea entered Tibet. Tibetan nobles drank a lot of tea, while the status of butter tea among Tibetan nobles plummeted.

Of course, Barkley still didn't quite like the taste.

"Vice Prime Minister, what brings you here?"

Yu Zhou asked with a smile.

“Your Excellency, I have a question. Although I have returned to Tibet, the matter of establishing an alliance between our two countries is urgent.”

"His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty ordered the Grand Preceptor and the Director of the Imperial Observatory to select an auspicious day at the end of September, which is less than twenty days away. When should I set off for the Great Tang Dynasty to sign the treaty?"

Barkley looked troubled and asked Yu Zhou for an answer.

The three mistakes he made during his time in the Tang Dynasty were so obvious that the Tang emperor, with his shrewdness and competence, could not possibly have failed to see them.

If he were to return to the Tang Dynasty, he would likely be attacked by the Tang court officials immediately.

"You should go back immediately and set off tomorrow to Luoyang, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, as quickly as possible, and then wait for the time to sign the alliance."

Yu Zhou gave the standard answer, calm and composed.

"Why so fast?" Barkley asked, puzzled.

“You must be just as quick to leave as you are to return,” Yu Zhou said. “That way, you can cover up your previous mistake. You can say that you ran too fast in order to get the Zanpu’s approval as soon as possible.”

“I see.” Barkley suddenly understood. “Then I’ll go back immediately to get the alliance document, have the king sign it, and then head to the Tang Dynasty.”

"So good."

Yu Zhouli saw Barkley off, showing more contempt for this vice prime minister who still hadn't realized his real mistake.

The other party is indeed a rare talent, but due to the internal strife in Tibet, he did not receive sufficient training, so everything seems a bit unclear.

In other words, I can be a little confused sometimes.

Compared to the high-ranking officials who served as vice prime ministers before him, this one undoubtedly appeared much more naive.

However, the current Tibetan king, Qinu Xi, highly values ​​Bakri, believing that Bakri will eventually become a pillar of the country. This is like a discerning eye recognizing a thoroughbred horse, but whether the thoroughbred horse can unleash its full potential depends on its destiny.

Without a doubt, in this day and age, during his time as prime minister in Yuzhou, this deputy prime minister would never have been able to demonstrate the full potential of a thoroughbred horse.

The reason is simple: even when Lun Qinling was alive, he couldn't cultivate this person, so it was even less likely that Yuzhou would make him a pillar figure.

Barkley met with the Zanpu (King) Qinuxi that very night. After receiving the Zanpu's permission, he returned to his residence with the covenant and set off early the next morning, intending to head straight for the Tang Dynasty.

Less than five miles outside of Luoxie, a slender figure appeared on the right side of the road. The man had his head down, and guards on either side protected him.

"Prime Minister."

Barkley dismounted from the carriage and bowed to Yu Zhou by the roadside.

"On this trip to the Tang Dynasty, I must remind you of one last thing: Kalai is, after all, a member of the mission. His mission as a spy is true, but he cannot leave the Tang Dynasty alive."

“If he leaves the Tang Dynasty alive, then you, Barkley, will surely fail in your mission.”

"You must remember this: Kalai must not live."

Yu Zhou stood with his hands tucked in his pockets, his expression grave.

"The king is a talented and virtuous ruler. His talent and ambition are beyond our imagination. Since we have gathered under his command, we should naturally do our best for him."

"In this process, no matter who is sacrificed, it is something we should risk our lives for."

Yu Zhou remained silent for a long time before saying, "Even for me, or for you, it's no exception."

“I think that since you have already made that decision, you should have already disregarded life and death... I still stand by what I said: what is there to regret about people like Tang Jian?”

Barkley stepped back, his expression equally solemn, and bowed to Yu Zhou.

He didn't speak, but Yu Zhou, being a shrewd man, had already guessed Barkley's thoughts. He also took a step back and performed the most standard courtesy.

"What is there to regret about people like Tang Jian?"

"If necessary, I will give my life to fight for the soldiers' merits!"

Barkley lowered his voice, his eyes filled with determination.

"Respectfully seeing you off, sir!" Yu Zhou said in a deep voice.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will never let you down!"

……

The sun shone obliquely as Barkley departed in a horse-drawn carriage.

Tibetan nobles had always enjoyed riding in oxcarts and considered it an honor. However, the journey was long and the oxcart was too slow. Barkley left amidst the swaying and felt that his death was imminent.

As the carriage disappeared from sight, Yu Zhou finally put on his usual carefree smile.

"I tricked Wu Sansi, I tricked He Lu, and I tricked the Western Region tribes even more. Now, my resume will have another line of nice little words."

"Only in this way can I repay His Majesty's kindness and return to be a third-rank official."

Yu Zhou was beaming with pride.

He had absolutely no intention of betraying these enemies who were eyeing the Tang Dynasty.

For Li Cunxi's grand ambitions, he transferred from the Serpent Spirit Sect to the Liang Prince's Mansion. Over the years, only he himself knows how much he has sacrificed.

He knew very well what he had gained. Among all the officials, no one had been promoted faster than him. Li Cunxi had promised him a position as a third-rank minister and a member of the Council of State Affairs, which was not something that could be achieved simply by currying favor.

His qualifications are just right.

The last person who served as prime minister in an enemy country like him is now a second-rank official.

"Old Yu, it seems we'll be able to return to Luoyang soon."

The unremarkable-looking man next to him said.

"We'll be going back soon, Mo Lin, Yin Zi, we'll be home soon."

He stood with his hands behind his back, sighing as he thought of his home in that remote, impoverished village.

"Speaking of which, it's been a long time since I've been home."