Next to the wooden carved windows of the palace, the firelight of the lanterns was reflected red by the red paper. "Sha!" The curtain was suddenly lifted open, and Guo Shao, with his hair tied casually on his head, walked out. Yang Shiliang, who was standing at the door, hurriedly bent down, clasped his fists and said, "Guan family, the person on duty at the Liao envoy's residence was arranged by the officials of the Privy Council." "Who did this?" Guo Shao asked. Yang Shiliang said: "There are several people from the Forbidden Army in Youzhou who happen to be on duty tonight. Youzhou are all righteous men from Hebei who were previously recruited. These people were deeply harmed by the Khitans, and there were many who lost their families and were bent on revenge. Now that the entire territory of Hebei has been recovered, but they He hated the Khitan people deeply, and when he heard that Da Xu was negotiating peace with the Liao Kingdom, he took it upon himself to assassinate him. It seems that there was no one to direct the assassination. "The wind caused the light in the lantern to flicker, causing Guo Shao's face to flicker. It's cloudy or sunny. Yang Shiliang said in a deep voice: "The officials are still in Chanzhou. They dare to use weapons without permission in front of the emperor. It is a serious crime." Guo Shao said calmly: "The Central Plains and the Liao Kingdom have been at war for many years, and the hatred and blood debt cannot be rectified. Even if the soldiers of Youzhou capital secretly assassinated the Liao people for family feud, they could have tolerated the crime outside the law, but what about the guards of the imperial army who died under their swords? " After hearing this, Yang Shiliang bowed and said, "I will be tortured by the Privy Council. Say this to them." Guo Shao frowned and waved his hand. ¡The hotel was filled with a fishy smell, and the room was in a mess. The army was watching inside and outside, waiting for the civil servants from the Ministry of Rites to come and deal with the Liao envoys. After the assassin was captured, Xiao Siwen calmed down, took out his handkerchief and gently dipped it in the blood on his face, then took it off to look at the handkerchief. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said to Yang Gun in Khitan with some gratitude: "If Yang Mansion hadn't been here today, our lives would have been over." Yang Gun pressed his hand on his chest and said with a sincere face: "In the past, I In the Battle of Pingxia, Xiaguan and others defeated the outnumbered troops and suffered heavy losses. If Duke Xiao had not come to protect him, how could Xiaguan survive to this day? "Xiao Siwen sighed: "In times of trouble, we are still one of our own. "Reliable." Yang Gun said: "The country is in a difficult situation. Can we survive the crisis together? We can only overcome the difficulties by being honest with each other." Xiao Siwen looked into Yang Gun's eyes. He nodded and said: "My wife (Princess Yan, daughter of Emperor Taizong of the Liao Dynasty) often reminds me to speak for Taizong's descendants in front of the Great Khan. If I can be in peace this time, I will definitely choose a good opportunity to recommend the affairs of the Yang family in front of the Great Khan." Yang Gun looked excited and said hurriedly: "Thank you, Mr. Xiao, for your cultivation." At this time, someone outside the door shouted in Chinese: "Shilang Lu is here." Lu Duoxun, dressed in a black gauze and red robe, walked into the room, looked around, and clasped his fists He said: "The envoys will move to another place to settle down. Someone will take care of it here. Please!" Xiao Siwen and others followed Lu Duoxun out of the door and went to the other side of the yard from a corridor hung with lanterns. Xiao Siwen said: "Since Emperor Xu is in Chanzhou, why did someone come to the palace to kill him?" Lu Duoxun turned around and said: "To be honest, this was done by people within the Xu court, and it is really impossible to prevent it; but Mr. Xiao, please You must believe that this kind of secretive matter is definitely not a decision of the court! Mr. Xiao should know that Xu Liao has had a feud for a long time, and even the officials cannot easily resolve it." Lu Duoxun sighed again and looked at it. Xiao Siwen glanced at Yang Gun and said, "This peace negotiation is not easy. There are many opponents in the imperial court." Xiao Siwen said calmly: "As long as we don't have to differentiate between brothers, everything else will be fine. It's good to discuss." Lu Duoxun shook his head without hesitation: "If Mr. Xiao thinks this way, I'm afraid the alliance will be ruined." The group has reached another house, and Lu Duoxun clasped his fists and said, "It's getting late. , Mr. Xiao and the three envoys will take a rest early. I will take my leave first and discuss it again tomorrow morning." Xiao Siwen and others also returned the greetings and said goodbye. "Creak!" Several people walked into the house and bolted the wooden door. Yang Gun said in a deep voice: "The situation is not right. If the peace negotiation fails and the two countries continue to fight, I am afraid that it will be difficult for us to go back from this dragon pool and tiger's den!" The other two deputy envoys looked frightened, and one of them said: "If the two countries are at war and don't kill the envoys, the Xu court need not be so dishonest." Yang Gun said: "I didn't listen to the official surnamed Lu. The Emperor of Xu can't easily resolve the hatred. It is definitely not the fault of the court!" Xiao Siwen put his hands behind his back. Behind him, he took two steps while looking at the floor tiles, thinking for a long time. When he raised his head, he saw that it was dark outside the window and he couldn't see what was hidden. The light in the darkness was dim, like a will-o'-the-wisp. If Xiao Siwen recognizes the "brotherhood of enemy countries", he can figure it out with his toes, and he will be stigmatized and scapegoated when he goes back. If you don't agree, not only will you not be able to explain to the decision-makers in Daliao when you go back, but you will also die before your eyes! ? ??Alas! "Xiao Siwen looked at Yang Gun and said, "You want to push me into a desperate situation In all these years, except for the breakout from Youzhou, there has never been a more dangerous situation than now! He whispered again, "Tiejiang Guo is indeed very capable. He knows everything clearly about you, but there is nothing he can do about it!" " Yang Gun also looked helpless. After a night, Xiao Siwen and others packed up and went out early the next morning. He walked into the yard. The quiet morning mist shrouded it, as if nothing happened last night. He walked for a while, He couldn't help but stop, because he found that there were still blood stains in the cracks of the floor tiles that had not been washed away. The dark red and black brick cracks had an inexplicable terrifying smell. After leaving the door, Xiao Siwen and others immediately got into a carriage. There were already pedestrians on the street, and he carefully observed the scene outside through the crack of the car window. They were all dressed in Han'er's clothes. A family who had just opened a shop was looking over here. There were people from all walks of life in Han'er's city. Xiao Siwen couldn't predict where the danger would come from, but he could feel that the atmosphere of hatred and conspiracy could be hidden anywhere. Xiao Siwen sat in the car a few hundred steps away, and gradually found that Chanzhou was more complicated than he expected. The big cannibals with completely different looks. ¡°Mr. Xiao, those are Koreans. "Yang Gun suddenly reminded in a low voice. Xiao Siwen hurriedly looked outside and saw several people in Korean costumes in front of a government office bowing to Han'er at the door. The Korean envoy held a staff and walked in with a few followers. Not long after, a civil servant with a long crest behind his official hat walked in. The Korean people's etiquette was similar to that of the Central Plains. They should recognize that the thin young man was a high-ranking official, so they bowed their hands. The official clasped his fists and said, "I am Lu Duoxun, the Minister of Rites of Daxu. If you have any questions, please sit down and talk. If you have any memorials, I can send them directly to the emperor." "The Korean envoy thanked him and sat down on the chairs on both sides of the hall, still holding the staff in his hand. Sitting down firmly, he held the staff in his hand and said in inaccurate Chinese: "Our country The king was extremely shocked when he heard that Xu Liao was discussing an alliance! "Lu Duoxun looked calm and listened carefully to the Goryeo envoy's statement. The envoy added: "In the third year of the First Xing Dynasty, Daxu's army attacked our country, and Goryeo's water diversion division joined us. From then on, the two countries agreed to jointly attack Liao. The country is greatly promised to help our country acquire the old land of the Bohai Sea. If Da Xu negotiates an alliance with Liao today, what will happen to Koryo? " At this time, a eunuch bowed his head and whispered in Lu Duosun's ear for a moment. Lu Duosun listened and said: "Koryeo persuaded the Jurchen tribe to raise troops and sent troops across the Yalu River, but did not send an envoy to inform the court. Officials stationed at the Koryo Post in Tokyo did not say a word. Officials believed that Goryeo could control the situation in the direction of the Yalu River without much intervention. Lu Duoxun said slowly: "The Great Xu Army's northern expedition to the Liao Kingdom colluded with the Goryeo Kingdom to give birth to the Jurchen tribe and cause chaos. There was no agreement in advance on the two events and should be treated as unrelated to each other." Today, the Liao Kingdom sends people to seek peace, and the imperial court negotiates with them, which has nothing to do with the Goryeo Kingdom. "The envoy hurriedly said: "The court dress and etiquette of the Goryeo Kingdom and the Central Plains are similar. The Liao Kingdom is a country of barbaric beasts and cannot interact with each other. "Lu Duoxun said calmly: "We have to discuss the matter. The Goryeo Kingdom did not inform the officials about the use of troops this time, so it has nothing to do with the court. He stood up and said, "I have several groups of people to meet this morning. Please forgive me for not staying long." If your envoy has something to say, he can write a memorial and send it to the governor of the state government to report it to the emperor. The place is in the back room inside the Zhaobi wall of the state government office. " Lu Duoxun left the state office and immediately went to see Xiao Siwen and others. Due to a delay, when Lu Duoxun arrived at the Chanzhou Rites Hall, Xiao Siwen, Yang Gun and other four people were already waiting there. On the coffee table were placed Lu Duoxun glanced at the four tea cups. They were all full, and no one took a sip. "Mr. Xiao has been waiting for a long time. "Lu Duoxun had a kind smile on his face and clasped his fists in salute. They exchanged greetings with each other. Lu Duoxun did not sit on the chairs in the hall. He was still sitting on the coffee tables on both sides, sitting at a table with Xiao Siwen. After everyone sat down, Lu Duoxun took the initiative and said: "Recently, the emperor's palace is in Chanzhou, and envoys from various countries come here directly for business. I have been assigned to receive envoys from various countries, but I am really overwhelmed. I met the Koreans early this morning. They just arrived in Chanzhou after the city gate was opened early this morning. " Xiao Siwen said calmly: "What did the Korean say? " Lu Duoxun said in a very casual tone: "They say that the Liao Kingdom is a country of barbaric beasts and cannot be dealt with. " Yang Gun immediately blurted out and cursed: "These teachers instigated the birth of a girl to rebel, and brought the Princess of Daliao and many women to gather for promiscuity. This is the behavior of barbaric beasts! Once Daliao frees up its hands, it must seek justice! " Lu Duoxun said seriously: "The princess is a member of the royal family of the Liao Kingdom. It is really a shame and a great humiliation! ¡± Yang Gun saidSaid: "The Jurchen tribe is good at doing things like this." Then the people on both sides continued to bargain over the contents of the covenant from morning to afternoon. Lu Duoxun showed no hostility towards the Liao envoys, and his tone was neither humble nor arrogant. But the key condition is to not relax. In the meantime, Xiao Siwen and Yang Gun waited for a rest in the ear room and discussed in private, unable to find a better way. Xiao Siwen suppressed worries about all parties, weighed the pros and cons, and finally agreed to the terms of the alliance late that night. Sometimes people have no choice at all. The choice is already destined: they are all dead ends. You must first avoid the imminent disaster!