Compared to the two principals, the person present who wanted to reach an agreement the most was Lu Yi, the secretary of the school affairs office.
It’s not for anything else, it’s just for Jingzhou’s financial resources.
If Jingzhou’s financial resources were gone, it would be almost a disaster for the school government.
How can the school government, which has lost most of its financial resources, satisfy His Majesty's appetite with only the little power it has in the country?
The school office that cannot meet His Majesty’s requirements is garbage that can be thrown away at any time.
Therefore, Lu Yi, who knew the foundation of the school affairs office, most hoped that Dahan and Dawu would maintain their alliance unchanged and for a long time.
At least, there can't be any changes in Jingzhou.
Maintaining the status quo is the best outcome.
With this in mind, he naturally tried his best to facilitate this negotiation - the sooner the better, so as not to have long nights and dreams.
It is a pity that most of the things in this world do not come true as people wish.
The two in front of him, His Majesty suspected that Han was too small, Han Ai suspected that His Majesty had too much.
But in such important national affairs, he did not dare to intervene at will.
You can only watch as the two people disagree more and more, and finally break up on bad terms.
After being ordered to send Zong Yu out of the palace, Lu Yi turned around and ran to find Mi Shiyilang:
“Mi Langjun, is it possible that this time, the Han envoys are not sincere?”
When asked by Lu Yi, Mi Shiyilang, who had not yet received the news, couldn't help but feel a little confused:
“What does Lu Zhongshu mean by this statement?”
Lu Yi saw Mi Shiyilang's appearance and knew that he might not be aware that the Han envoy almost messed up things in front of His Majesty today.
It’s no wonder that as soon as the Han envoy left the palace, he came out with his hind legs. It was normal that Mi Langjun had not received the news yet.
So Lu Yi explained the matter in detail.
Then he stamped his feet anxiously and said:
"Mi Langjun, I have repeatedly reminded you before that if the Jingzhou tariff is less than 30%, your Majesty will definitely not agree to the Luoyang incident. Didn't you remind the Han envoy?"
The reminder must have been given, but I don’t know why the clan association was only willing to pay 10%.
Mi Langjun opened his mouth, and his face turned into a look of worry:
“Lü Zhongshu, you don’t know that as soon as Zonggong arrived in Jianye yesterday, I immediately came to visit you.”
This is not a secret thing.
Not to mention that the school office is responsible for the assassination. A little investigation will reveal it, so there is no need to hide it.
“After all, what Lu Zhongshu said is related to the reconciliation between the two countries, how dare I not do my best?”
Having said this, Mi Shiyilang sighed, matching the look of worry on his face:
"Who would have expected that Duke Zong would not comment on what I said. Lu Zhongshu, you also know that Duke Zong is old and a veteran who has followed the late emperor since his early years."
"In our Han Dynasty, there are not many senators like him anymore. With my qualifications, how can I dare to act arrogantly in front of him?"
"Not to mention that Zonggong has always resisted straightness. After I mentioned this matter at that time, Zonggong just told me that he already knew it in his heart. How could I dare to say more?"
After speaking, he frowned again and sighed:
“I didn’t expect it, I didn’t expect it! I didn’t expect that my father-in-law avoided talking about this matter yesterday, but it turned out that he had such a plan. What should I do?”
Lu Yi looked at Mi Shiyilang with some suspicion:
"Mi Langjun and Da Sima are brothers. Didn't you tell Mi Langjun about this matter?"
When Mi Shiyilang heard this, his expression suddenly changed and he said seriously:
“Are Lu Zhongshu’s words doubting me? Negotiations between the two countries are a national matter and must be agreed upon by the monarchs and ministers of the country before they can be implemented.”
“Although my brother is the Grand Sima, there is an emperor above him and a chancellor below. Important matters in the court cannot be decided by my brother alone.”
"The arrival of Angel Kuang to Wu was commissioned by the emperor, not by my brother. The amount of customs duties that will be paid is a secret of the DPRK."
"Now that I am far away in another country, I am not qualified to know such secrets, let alone like Lu Zhongshu, who is respected by the Lord of Wu and qualified to participate in such important events."
“Did Lv Zhongshu think that my brother would abandon public service for personal reasons and leak such secrets to me in advance?”
Those words not only disparaged himself, but also praised Lu Yi.
Lu Yi thought about it, during the negotiation yesterday, apart from His Majesty and the Han envoy, he was the only one present.
Even important ministers like Lu Xun were not qualified to participate.
It was like this in Da Wu, and it should be similar in Han Dynasty.
Thinking of this, he quickly apologized to Mi Shiyilang:
"How dare? How dare I doubt Da Sima's character? Just now I was too worried about the customs duties, and my words were a bit too Meng Lang. Don't blame me. Don't blame me, Mr. Milang."
Seeing Lu Yi apologize, Mi Langjun looked better:
"I also know Lu Zhongshu's worries. After all, if something goes wrong in this matter, it will be harmful to me."
“After all, I am the transshipment officer and the customs officer of Jingzhou. If there is a problem with the customs in Jingzhou, I will be derelict in my duties.”
Pointing to his heart, Mi Shiyilang said to Lu Yi:
"Therefore, like Lu Zhongshu, I hope that this matter will be decided early, so as not to affect the Yi City in Jingzhou."
Lv Yi thought the same thing.
So he asked tentatively:
“Then according to Mr. Mi Lang, what should we do?”
Mi Shiyilang glanced at Lu Yi, the meaning in his eyes was obvious:
He had already seen Lu Yi’s intention.
But he didn't want to go.
“Lü Zhongshu, your Majesty’s intention is to ask for 30%, no less, right?”
Lu Yi shook his head:
“This is your Majesty’s final bottom line, nothing more can be done.”
After saying that, he also stared at Mi Shiyilang, trying to see something from his face.
The meaning in his eyes is also very obvious:
He just wanted Mi Langjun to persuade the Han envoys, or at least try to find out what was going on.
After all, I have already heard from His Majesty. This time, it is your turn.
Mi Shiyilang couldn't avoid Lu Yi's gaze, so he had to stand up with a look of confusion on his face:
"Okay, then I will visit the Duke again and see if there is a chance to persuade him."
Lu Yi was overjoyed then, stepped forward to hold Mi Shiyilang's hand, and said sincerely:
"Mi Langjun, I leave everything to you. Even if I can't persuade you, I can at least ask how much your grandfather wants to give out. Only 10% is too little."
"Lü Zhongshu, it's just you and me here. Let me tell you something from my heart. This 30% is not too small. Others don't know it. Don't you still know the amount?"
Mi Shiyilang said as he quietly took out his hand:
"To put it bluntly, if the big man insists that he is just trusting Luoyang and will pay it back in the future. If the tariff is not 10%, can your majesty still cut off the Yi market in Jingzhou?"
Hearing this, Lu Yi smiled awkwardly.
Broken?
How to break it?
If he really wanted to die, Da Wu himself had to die first.
You can't really cast five thousand big springs, right?
Not to mention five thousand yuan from Daquan, even ten thousand yuan from Daquan cannot make up for it!
All said and done, we are still poor!
Not to mention that when it comes to borrowing a city, Da Wu has no confidence at all.
And it’s still about Jingzhou…
Difficult!
It’s so hard to say!
So besides smiling awkwardly, what else can Lu Yi say?
Mi Shiyilang sent Lu Yi away, and then headed towards the post house.
Zong Yu knew that Mi Shiyilang was coming, so he naturally welcomed him in again.
Poured a cup of tea for Mi Shiyilang himself, and then asked with a smile:
“Where did Mr. Mi Lang come from this time?”
After Mi Shiyilang sat down, he didn’t even drink the tea, so he shook his head and told Zong Ju:
“My lord, you are harming me!”
Zong Xuanqi said:
"What are you talking about? I don't even have time to protect a man like Mi Langjun, so how can I say anything harmful to you?"
Mi Shiyilang smiled bitterly:
"Master Zong, you came from Chang'an and originally wanted to give 50%. I tried my best to find out that the Wu people want at least 30%."
"Unexpectedly, you got the news from me and went to discuss with Lord Wu, but you only gave me 10%. You, this is too harsh."
"No, my friend came to question me and suspected that I didn't do things with my heart at all."
Hearing this, Zongxu burst out laughing. After laughing, he winked and asked:
“Is that friend of Mi Langjun Lu Yi?”
“How did Zonggong know?”
Yesterday I was still asking if my friend was reliable. I just left the palace today and I knew that the person who revealed the information to me was Lu Yi.
Could it be that Duke Zong is sending someone to monitor him?
“It seems that I guessed it, it’s really Lu Yi.”
Zong Yu stroked his beard and said, "Not long after I left the palace, Mr. Mi Lang was able to know the content of the discussion. This person must be the first to know the content of the discussion."
“I was discussing with Lord Wu, and there was only one person listening. It was Lv Yi, secretary of the School Affairs Office of the State of Wu.”
Speaking, Zong Yu smiled and looked at Mi Shiyilang:
"I am afraid that even the important ministers of Wu State do not know the details of the discussion with Lord Wu, but Mr. Mi Lang knew it so quickly. No one else but Lu Yi came to know about it."
Mi Shiyilang suddenly realized: "That's it."
After showing off for a while, Zong Yu began to explain the reason for lowering the price:
"Looking at the world today, Han is strong and Wu is weak. It is Wu who seeks help from me, not me who seeks help from Wu."
"We are willing to give the money entrusted to Luoyang because we are upright."
"If we are not willing to give it, can the Wu people take it away by force?"
"He has something to ask for from me, but he can't take Luoyang by force, so it's not us who are anxious, but them."
As he spoke, Zong Yu picked up the tea cup, took a sip of tea, shook his head and tasted it for a while, and then said slowly:
“When asking for help, you must have an attitude of asking for help.”
“Back then, the people of Wu sent envoys to tell the Han people that they wanted to respect both the East and the West. How many people from the Han Dynasty wrote to Your Majesty to sever their alliance?”
"What's the result? Shouldn't we send Chen Weiwei (ie Chen Zhen) as an envoy to Wu and congratulate him with his honorary title? It's all because I, the great Han Dynasty, wanted something from Wu at that time."
“Even if I have to hand over the 30% of today’s tariff, I definitely can’t let the Wu people get it so easily.”
Mi Shiyilang nodded.
Oh, I got it.
Zong Laoshangshu was still busy and wanted to amuse the people of Wu.
Mi Shiyilang cupped his hands:
“It turns out that the Duke had already planned it, but he was too worried.”
Having finished speaking, it’s time to say goodbye.
A woman from Wu, her language is soft and waxy, with a unique flavor.
It is a pleasure to do nothing but listen to them singing "Changganxing".
Why bother with this idle and panic-stricken old man?
Who expected Zongxu to stop him:
“Mi Langjun has a good relationship with Lu Zhongshu from the school affairs office?”
Mi Shiyilang hesitated a little, but finally nodded: "It's okay."
Zong Yu raised his eyebrows: "It's just okay? If it's just okay, this person would actually tell Mr. Mi Lang what Lord Wu wants in advance?"
"He wants to benefit from the Jingzhou Yishi, but Zhao Bucai is in charge of this area. He has something to ask for from me, and naturally I will tell him everything he can."
“And it seems that he revealed this to me in advance. Whether it was with Lord Wu’s permission or not, it’s impossible to say.”
"Oh?" Zong Xu stared at Mi Shiyilang and asked slowly, "Is this person useful?"
Mi Shiyilang was stunned for a moment, then forced a smile and said:
"Zong Gong was joking. Whether this person is useful or not is the final decision of Lord Wu. My decision does not count."
Zong Yu said nothing and just continued to look at Mi Shiyilang.
Mi Shiyilang couldn't avoid it, so he could only continue to explain:
“However, the school affairs office has many contacts with the Xinghan Association and has been cooperating for more than ten years. If we talk about friendship, it must be quite deep.”
Zong Yu then nodded, pondered for a moment, and asked:
“Then I’ll give you a favor to Mr. Mi Lang to make your friendship deeper, how about that?”
When Mi Langjun heard this, he immediately became interested:
“I dare to ask Zong Gong, how do you interpret this statement?”
"When you go back, tell me that I have given you the final answer, and 30% will become 30%."
Zong Zong glanced at Mi Shiyilang and said, "Of course, you can also say that you were the mediator."
“Oh my god, I’m so grateful to you!”
Mi Shiyilang smiled happily and raised his hands to Zong Yu:
“I am worried about how to tell him when I go back. This favor from my father-in-law has come at the right time.”
Zong Yu laughed again, pointed at Mi Langjun and said:
“What a clever word! Just now you deliberately made a bitter look at me, and now you look like this again, get out of here, get out of here!”
"You follow Feng Mingwen, and you don't distinguish between good and bad. You all learned it at once. You deserve to call him brother."
Mi Shiyilang smiled and did not refute. He just saluted Zong Yu again before going out.
Lu Yi was anxious, so he came over to see Mi Shiyilang again the next morning and asked about it.
Mi Shiyilang patted his chest and assured him. After he understood it rationally and emotionally, he stated the importance of Jingzhou Yishi.
Zonggong finally relented and was willing to give up 30% of the customs duties and return them to Wu.
When Lu Yi heard this, he couldn't help being happy. He confirmed it again and again, and after getting Mi Shiyilang's guarantee, he hurried back to report the news.
Sure enough, a few days later, Lu Yi came to visit Mi Shiyilang for the third time. He came with a heavy gift and personally invited Mi Shiyilang to the banquet.
This negotiation really gained him a lot of face in front of His Majesty.
After drinking a lot of wine, Lu Yi told Mi Shiyilang rather drunkenly:
After this incident, no one can sway the school affairs office in the affairs of Jingzhou Yishi.
Lu Yi thanked Mi Shiyilang, but Mi Shiyilang wanted to thank Zong Yu.
Obviously, after this incident, the trust of the school administration in him has increased a lot, which makes it easier for him to move in Wu.
After listening to Mi Shiyilang’s story, Zongyu said with emotion:
"The Lord of Wu is old, his ambition has faded, and his ambition is no longer. In the past, the late emperor once said that the Lord of Wu is too good to be inferior to him because of his superiority and shortcomings. The prime minister also once said that he is a virtuous person who can be used for him."
“I look at him now, and I see that his face is haggard, his skin is saggy, his eyes are dull, his eyes are red, and his breath is shallow and short. These are all signs of indulging in wine, lust, and physical weakness.”
"Lü Yi and others are just profit-seeking villains, but because they can make money, they are deeply trusted by the Lord of Wu. From this, it can be seen that the evils in the country of Wu are deep."
Mi Shiyilang reminded:
"My lord, please don't forget that people like Lu Xun are good ministers and generals of the Ming Dynasty and should not be underestimated."
Zong Yu chuckled:
“Although there are bright ministers and good generals, they cannot be used. What can we do if we have more?”
From the beginning to the end of this incident, he had never seen Lu Xun.
The general is still acting on behalf of the prime minister, but he is actually excluded.
There was only one school official, Zhongshu, who mediated and inquired about the matter, and the emperor made the decision privately.
This is not the way to deal with state affairs.
Sure enough, not long after, news came out that Lu Xun, the great general of the State of Wu, wrote a letter strongly requesting the Lord of Wu to renegotiate the matter of Luoyang.
But he was rejected by Lord Wu.
Zong Yu, who had already boarded the ship returning home, just smiled and walked away after hearing the news.
What he didn't know was that Lu Xun did not give up after being rejected by Sun Quan. Instead, he chose to go to the palace to remonstrate.
Sun Quan climbed up to the high platform and looked at Lu Xun and others kneeling outside the palace with disgust on his face. He said to Lu Yi who was standing beside him:
"I think Lu Boyan should not have changed his name in the first place. He has repeatedly bullied the ministers to force the emperor, so why should he use the same name? It should be reused."
"He not only wants to discuss the prince and the queen, but now he also wants to discuss me, the emperor!"
(Note: Lu Xun’s real name is discussed)
How could Lu Yi dare to say no? Naturally, he followed Sun Quan’s words:
“Your Majesty’s words are very reasonable.”
He glanced at Sun Quan carefully, then looked at the distance, and then said with a flattering smile:
“When Your Majesty mentioned the original name of the Great General, I remembered something.”
Sun Quan kept staring at the palace in the north, his eyes flickering, and he just casually asked: "What's the matter?"
“I heard that the second son of the general was named Kang. If the general had not changed his name and the names of father and son were combined, wouldn’t it be called protest? Haha!”
“However, the above-mentioned general’s status is second only to His Majesty in our Da Wu, so why should we protest to anyone?”
After hearing this, Sun Quan wanted to laugh too, but he remembered something and his face suddenly darkened again.
But seeing him staring viciously in the direction of the gate, he snorted angrily, turned around and walked away angrily.
Protest?
Protest!
As a general, who do you need to protest to? Who do you want to protest to? !
Sun Quan’s hands hidden in his sleeves were held tightly, and his teeth were chattering.
PS: I made a meal for Tiger Girl and bought some fruits that she wanted to eat before but was reluctant to buy. We treated it as a Chinese Valentine's Day celebration.
Others spend Chinese Valentine's Day in pairs, but Tiger Girl and I spend the Chinese Valentine's Day in pairs. One stays up late coding while the other coaxes the child to sleep.
After having the four-legged gold-eating beast, the quality of life has really plummeted, alas!