When the King of Huainan heard that Duke Zhen wanted him to go to Dong Qi as an envoy, he frowned slightly, but only for a moment, he smiled and said: "Your Majesty, it is appropriate for me to send you to Dong Qi."
Longtai immediately asked: "Uncle Wang is willing to go to Dong Qi?"
"How dare you disobey me when you serve your country?" King Huainan said with a smile: "But I feel that if I go to Eastern Qi, I am afraid that it will bring great trouble to my country, Chu."
"future trouble?"
King Huainan explained: "Your Majesty, I would like to propose marriage to Dong Qi to express my sincerity in Chu. This is certainly not wrong, but... has your Majesty ever thought about it? After all, I am the prince of Da Chu. If I go to Dong Qi, Naturally, it gives Dong Qi a lot of face, but in this way, it may increase the appetite of the people of Dong Qi."
"how do I say this?"
The King of Huainan said: "Your Majesty, the Emperor was still the prince at the time and went to attend the grand ceremony for the establishment of the crown prince of the Eastern Qi State. This was an exception and gave Eastern Qi a great face. Since the founding of the Chu Kingdom, although we are quite different from the Eastern Qi State, There have been contacts, but so far, the highest official sent by Dong Qi is just their ceremonial officer. Although I, Dachu, want to form an alliance with Dong Qi, after the alliance, who will be the leader and who will be the second, will have to be determined from the beginning. clear."
Longtai nodded slightly, and King Huainan continued: "If I go to propose marriage this time, everything I have to do with the Dong Qi people in the future will be handled with the highest standards. Moreover, once an alliance is formed, there will be many things involved. If we start from the beginning, This will whet their appetite, and from now on I, Da Chu, will be passive in many matters."
"Uncle Wang means that if you go to Dong Qi, they will become complacent and put forward more stringent conditions for interacting with Da Chu in the future?" Longtai thought thoughtfully.
King Huainan nodded and said: "Yes, Your Majesty, compared with our great Chu, Dong Qi is just a small country in a corner of peace. This time we propose marriage, we must not only show our sincerity, but also let them understand what we are doing." What kind of status, lest future exchanges bring too much trouble to the two countries."
Duke Zhenguo said with a smile: "My lord, I don't know who else is more suitable besides your lord?"
King Huainan said: "It is naturally difficult for me to go, but if any of the four hereditary princes of Chu go as envoys, it can not only show sincerity, but also prevent them from being too complacent." He looked at the Golden Sword Hou. At a glance, he saw that Jin Dao Hou remained motionless, like an ancient stone sculpture. He smiled and said: "Jin Dao Hou is already old, so it is naturally impossible for him to serve as an envoy. As a result, there are only three people suitable to serve as envoys. , Jinyi Marquis, Wuxiang Marquis and Zhongyi Marquis Sima Changshen."
Wuxiang Marquis Su Zhen said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, the epidemic is spreading in the capital ahead. I have been infected, and I am still taking medicine to recover. During this long journey, I...I am afraid that I will not be able to catch it!"
The ministers were amused, thinking that you, Marquis of Wuxiang, don't have to worry too much. Your talents are mediocre, and it is impossible for the imperial court to send you to Dong Qi for such an important errand.
Sure enough, Longtai had already said: "Since the Marquis of Wuxiang is in poor health, he should stay in the capital for recuperation and there is no need to travel far."
Su Zhen breathed a sigh of relief and thanked the emperor for his kindness.
"If that's the case...!" King Huainan smiled slightly and said, "Sima Changshen, the Marquis of Zhongyi, is the most suitable candidate. The Marquis of Zhongyi is both civil and military, prudent and agile, and he was personally recruited by the old man. He is the Marquis of Zhongyi." The envoy to Dong Qi can be said to be the most suitable candidate."
Sima Changshen had already come out and said: "Your Majesty, if you appoint me as an envoy, I must do it...!" Before he could finish his words, he heard the sound of coughing. Duke Zhenguo coughed twice and raised his hands to the emperor. Longtai said: "For your information, Your Majesty, Sima Changshen must not go to Dong Qi."
Sima Changshen frowned slightly.
Although King Huainan seemed to have bad intentions when he recommended him as an envoy to Eastern Qi, Sima Changshen thought that if he really served as an envoy to Eastern Qi this time and successfully completed the important task of seeking marriage, it would be a great achievement. Sima Lan's reputation spread far and wide, but Sima Changshen has always been under the influence of his father. Except for people in the court, not many people really know about him.
He had just inherited the title of Marquis of Loyalty, and he wanted to find an opportunity to make contributions and establish his own prestige.
Although going to Dong Qi to propose marriage may not be a good job, Sima Changshen really didn't want to miss this opportunity. However, he didn't expect that before he finished speaking, the Duke of Zhen had already stopped him, and his tone was straightforward. Decisive, I was immediately disappointed.
"Why can't Lord Zhen Guo, Marquis Zhongyi go to Dong Qi?" Longtai stared at Duke Zhen Guo and asked: "What Uncle Wang said is not unreasonable. Among the four hereditary queens, Marquis Zhongyi is really the most suitable candidate."
Duke Zhen said directly: "Your Majesty, I know Sima Changshen very well. His greatest strength is his steadfastness and loyalty, while his greatest weakness is his lack of eloquence and his tendency to be impulsive. Both of these are exactly the same." The biggest taboo of being an envoy. When going to ask for a marriage, you should focus on eloquence, and be calm and calm when encountering difficulties. Sima Changshen does not have this ability. If he is used as an envoy, this marriage request will definitely fail."
Sima Changshen's face was slightly red, and he opened his mouth, as if he wanted to defend himself, but this was what his father said, and no one dared to object in front of the court.
"Old Duke, if you are not qualified even for the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness, then only the Marquis of Jinyi will be left." King Huainan looked at Qining and sighed: "Isn't it too young to take the Marquis of Jinyi as an envoy?"
Duke Zhen Guo shook his head and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, if you have ambitions, it's not because of your age. If you don't have ambitions, you will live a hundred years in vain." He raised his hand and said, "Although Jin Yihou is young, he has a dignified appearance, and has a maturity and poise that does not match his age. Your Majesty just now It has also been said that Jinyihou was the first to propose marriage to Dongqi to achieve the purpose of forming an alliance. This shows that Jinyihou is quick and thoughtful in thinking. Such a person is the pillar of our great Chu."
Zhao Lanting lost no time and said: "Yes, Jin Yihou went to Xichuan as an envoy. When the Black Lotus Sect was at stake, the Marquis was able to turn the tide. This also shows that Jin Yihou is fully capable of taking charge of his own affairs. It is not an easy task to convince those gangsters to retreat. , Jin Yihou’s eloquent talent is really admirable.”
Seeing that Duke Zhen Guo wanted to push Jin Yihou out to Dong Qi, although many officials did not understand Duke Zhen Guo's thoughts for a while, the officials who were attached to him immediately praised him endlessly, praising Jin Yihou for his extraordinary intelligence and unstoppable courage. , for a moment, the Jin Yihou who spoke from their mouths seemed to be omnipotent in the world, and even the trivial matters of being envoy to Dong Qi could be easily solved without any effort.
Qi Ning's face remained calm and composed.
Of course he knew that Duke Zhen Guo pulled him out to prevent Sima Changshen from going to Dong Qi, but he must also have other thoughts.
If Qi Jing were still alive, Duke Zhen Guo might not dare to set this fire over, but the Qi Ning of today and the Qi Ning of the past are completely different people, and their prestige and power in the government and the opposition are not the same.
Longtai was thoughtful, and finally looked at Qining, with a questioning look in his eyes.
Qining sighed, and King Huainan found out the reason. It was already certain that he would not be sent as an envoy to Dong Qi. Among the four marquises, there was no need to mention Jin Daohou. Longtai had also promised that Wuxiang Marquis Su Zhen would not have to go as an envoy. The only candidates left were Sima Changshen and himself. Since Sima Changshen was not allowed to go due to the strong support of the Zhenguo Duke, he was the only one left.
If he really didn't want to go, he could naturally find various reasons, but when he saw Longtai's eyes, he knew how much the little emperor valued this matter.
The young emperor proposed marriage to Dong Qi. The so-called alliance was just an excuse. Even if he really married the princess of Dong Qi, Dong Qi would not necessarily obey Nan Chu just because he married a princess. Dong Qi's national policy is to balance the north and the south. It is impossible to change this national policy that is related to the destiny of the country because of anyone.
Longtai's purpose was nothing more than to use this as an excuse to destroy the Sima family's wishful thinking of having another queen.
Qi Ning didn't hesitate much, and said with cupped hands: "Your Majesty, if the Emperor really decrees that I should go to Dong Qi to propose marriage, I... I will naturally go there according to the order and do my best."
Longtai's eyes showed gratitude, and he did not answer immediately. Instead, he looked at the Golden Sword Marquis Tantaihuang and asked: "Jin Sword Marquis, in your opinion, is there a more suitable candidate?"
In fact, the overall situation has been decided. Qining knows that Longtai's question is just to give face to Tantaihuang's old face. After the old prince went to court, he never said a word, just like a transparent person in the court. The emperor A few inquiries can be regarded as respect for him.
Jin Daohou seemed to be asleep with his eyes closed. The emperor asked, and then he moved slightly and stood up tremblingly. Longtai immediately said: "Old Marquis, there is no need to get up. Just sit down and answer."
However, Tantai Huang still stood up, tremblingly cupped his hands and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, I am old and dim-sighted, and my brain is confused. I dare not talk nonsense about national affairs. I just ask the Emperor to make a decision."
Longtai knew that Tantaihuang could not say anything useful. He nodded slightly, then looked at Qining and said: "Marquis Jinyi, I am very pleased that you are loyal to the emperor and the country. I am on my way to Dongqi this time." … I’ll leave it to you.”
"I obey the decree!"
The Duke of Zhenguo smiled and said: "Jin Yi Hou is a young and talented man. If he can show his talents on this mission to Dong Qi, he will be admired by the people of Dong Qi. The Marquis has outstanding talents at a young age, and Dong Qi will also be very proud of me." Chu is even more in awe, the emperor ordered Jin Yihou to go as envoy to Dong Qi, he is indeed the best choice, the emperor is wise!"
All civil and military officials in the court suddenly said in unison: "Your Majesty is wise!"
Qi Ning sneered in his heart and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I have something to ask for. Please agree to it."
"What's the matter?" Longtai asked immediately. Of course he knew that Qining agreed to go on the mission entirely because of his friendship with him. No matter what Qining's request was at this time, as long as he put it forward, he would naturally try his best to satisfy it: "Whatever request you have, Just say it.”
"The Emperor has decreed that the Black Scale Battalion be rebuilt, and I have already started training troops." Qi Ning said loudly: "But so far, the Black Scale Battalion not only lacks the war horses it deserves, but also does not even have one or two wages. I have never seen it." He glanced at Dou Kui of the Ministry of Finance and said, "Soldiers are loyal to the country. This is their duty. However, if they serve as soldiers to eat food, if there is no military pay for a long time, I really don't know how to explain to them. .”