Qi Ning was drinking tea from a cup, calm and composed, but the prince pondered for a moment before asking: "Marquis Jinyi, it's not that I object to your speculation, but is your speculation a bit alarmist? Since the Northern Han Dynasty is with me, How can it be possible that if the two countries formed an alliance, they would send troops to our Qi country before the writing was even done?"
Qi Ning smiled and said: "Your Highness, with all due respect, the Northern Han Dynasty is far stronger than the Qi State. Your Highness knows better than me that their plans for the Qi State did not happen overnight. They had already attacked Qi State back then. In recent years, they have The fact that they no longer use troops in Qi State does not mean that their covetousness towards Qi State has disappeared, it is just that our Chu State has been consuming them."
"What you said is true." Seeing Qin Ning speaking honestly, the prince nodded slightly and said, "I also admit that without the Chu State, the Northern Han Dynasty would not be so honest."
Qi Ning smiled lightly and said: "The Han State has already destroyed the alliance between Qi State and Chu by welcoming Princess Tianxiang. He then went back to recapture Maling Mountain. What do you think they would be worried about? Are they worried about the Northern Han Dynasty?" Reputation, so that people in the world think that the Northern Han Dynasty has gone back on its word? Your Highness, it is really easy to find an excuse to take back Maling Mountain. Do you think it will be difficult to let some incidents of massacre of people occur in the counties of Maling Mountain? "
"My Daqi officers have strict discipline and will never...!" The prince said firmly, but he only said a few words. He seemed to understand and did not continue.
The prince is a smart man. He immediately understood what Qi Ning said. Before Qi State completely integrated the Malingshan counties into the Qi State system, there must be party members left by the Han people in these places. These people must It is not difficult to create some shocking events in the counties of Malingshan and frame them on Qi. Once these things happen, the Han people will find excuses to come back.
Qi Ning knew that the prince had understood, and continued: "Of course, Your Highness will not think that the Northern Han people will care about our Chu country." Qi Ning put down the teacup and said slowly: "Once Qi and Han are married, you will be your own Man, if there is any misunderstanding between the two countries, we, the State of Chu, will certainly not be able to intervene. At least if the Han State only retakes Maling Mountain and does not invade the mainland of Qi State, we, the State of Chu, will certainly not act rashly."
Qi Ning's words have been made very clear.
This time, the Qi State was greedy for immediate gains. Because the Han State ceded Maling Mountain and married off Princess Tianxiang to the Han State, it would have offended the Chu State and brought great humiliation to the Chu State. If the Han State turned around and regained the horse In the counties of Lingshan, Chu State had just been humiliated, so naturally they would not send troops to assist Qi State.
The prince was thoughtful, and after a moment, he finally sighed: "The people of the Jinyi Qi family are indeed extraordinary." He shook his head and said: "It's a pity that we don't have such a person as Marquis in Da Qi, and the Han Dynasty is so cunning. The prince saw through his mind at a glance."
Qi Ning smiled and said: "Your Highness, this is just a random guess. It cannot be true. But rather than believing it or not, Your Highness should be careful to beware of the Han people coming here." He sighed and said: "Your Highness, Qi is also a man who knows current affairs. To be honest, the conditions proposed by the Han State cannot be proposed by our Chu State, so this time our hope of getting married with the Qi State is quite slim. Before leaving, Your Majesty There is a purpose that whether it is good news or bad news, it must be sent back to Jianye capital as quickly as possible, so I have prepared to write a note today and send people to send it back non-stop."
The prince immediately said: "What are you going to say, Lord Marquis?"
"Of course I want to report the current situation to the Emperor." Qi Ning sighed: "Your Majesty, my proposal for marriage failed this time. There is a reason. Your Majesty should be able to forgive me."
The prince smiled and said: "Master Hou, there is no need to be so anxious. My father is hosting a banquet tonight to calm Master Hou. After tonight, it will not be too late for Master Hou to send a note to the emperor of your country."
Qi Ning said "Oh", and the prince already said: "Master Marquis, I am very suspicious about something, and I want to ask you for advice."
"Your Highness, if you have any advice, it's okay to say so." Qi Ning smiled and said, "You should never take advice seriously."
The prince thought for a moment and then said with a smile: "If you and I form an alliance, and if Qi wants to capture Maling Mountain, I wonder if your country can send troops to respond?"
Qi Ning thought for a moment, shook his head and said, "Your Highness, please forgive me for not being able to answer. This is not a trivial matter after all. It needs to be discussed in court and decided by the Emperor. If I agree here, I'm afraid His Highness won't believe it."
"The Qinhuai Army has a hundred thousand troops. Are they all subordinates of the Jinyi Qi family?" The prince smiled and said: "Your Jinyi Qi family has been fighting to the death with the Northern Han Dynasty for generations. If you have the opportunity, how can you let it go?"
Qi Ning said: "Your Highness should also know that the current leader of the Qinhuai Army is Yue Huanshan, and the Qi family is a thing of the past." He smiled slightly and asked: "Your Highness, is the Qi State really planning to use troops against the Han State?"
The prince laughed and said: "I am just saying it casually. After all, if we form a marriage-related kingdom, we will advance and retreat together." He stood up and said: "Master Marquis, someone will come to pick you up tonight, and I have some things on hand. There are some things, so I’ll take my leave now.”
Qi Ning said goodbye to the prince, but Qi Feng had already come over and asked: "Master Marquis, what is the purpose of the prince coming here in person?"
"There is a banquet in the palace, and the Lord of Eastern Qi wants to comfort me." Qi Ning smiled lightly and said: "Qi Feng, do you think this Lord of Eastern Qi is too polite?"
Qi Feng sneered and said: "That old guy is so unscrupulous that he wants to get together with the Northern Han people because they see the good things they get. Marquis, there is no conspiracy behind him letting you enter the palace, right?"
Qi Ning smiled and said: "We are in Dongqi now. If he really wants to do harm to me, there is no need for him to go to such trouble. And there is no need for him to do anything to me." After thinking for a while, he said: "Let Leader Wu stay here tonight. At the post house, you bring a few people who are following me from the Marquis Mansion into the palace with me. Since the king of Eastern Qi has sent the prince to personally invite you, you have to give him this honor."
At dusk, the palace indeed sent a carriage to greet him. Tao Qian, the Minister of Rites, personally invited Qi Ning, showing great respect.
Qi Feng led several people from the Hou Mansion to accompany the guards. When they arrived outside the palace gate, the carriage stopped. There were deacons and eunuchs waiting in front of the gate. When they saw Qi Ning, they came forward with a smile on their faces and said: "Master Hou, Your Majesty has a decree, please go to the Juxian Palace to wait." He looked at the people behind Qi Ning and said, "Master Marquis, no attendants are allowed in."
Qi Ning frowned slightly, and Tao Qian said beside him: "Master Marquis, Your Majesty has specially told me that only the Marquis will attend the banquet tonight, and there will be no one else, and the lower officials will not be able to take a step forward. Don't worry, Marquis, these few people My brother is waiting outside the palace gate, and I will accompany you here."
Qin Ning saw that the king of Dong Qi had a purpose. Now that he was here, he couldn't turn back. He hesitated and said: "Lead the way!"
After entering the palace, turning east and west, the shapes of the palaces were quite the same. Qi Ning suddenly remembered that Chi Danmei had said that the layout of Qi Palace was personally designed by the Lord of Baiyun Island, like a maze. It seemed that the Lord of Baiyun Island had a deep understanding of the palace. He is quite proficient in the Bagua Labyrinth, and every palace without exception is lit with a mountain of flames, the aroma is lingering and refreshing.
Qin Ning thought that although Qi was a small country, its extravagance was far greater than that of Chu. He followed the deacon and eunuch to the outside of a palace and entered a room. There were palace men and maidens serving in the room, which was quite comfortable. The deacon and eunuch said : "Your Majesty will summon the Marquis soon. The Marquis will be waiting here in a moment."
Qi Ning nodded slightly. Someone from the palace brought tea and snacks. They were very particular. Qi Ning thought that since he was in the palace, he should be more reserved and wait patiently. After a while, he suddenly heard the sound of soft footsteps stopping at the door. , Qining raised his eyes and looked over, only to see a palace maid outside the door looking into the room.
Qi Ning looked around and saw that there were three or four palace ladies nearby, but they were all as lifeless as stone sculptures. When the palace maid saw Qi Ning, her eyes brightened and she waved to Qi Ning. Qi Ning was stunned and raised her finger. Pointing to her chest, the palace maid nodded. Qining was a little confused. He hesitated, got up and walked over. When he went out the door, he saw the palace maid in her early twenties, with a beautiful face and plump body, and asked, "Young lady, are you looking for me?"
"Are you the Marquis of Jinyi?" the palace maid asked.
Qi Ning nodded slightly. The palace maid looked at Qi Ning, smiled coquettishly, and said softly: "Master Marquis, there is someone who wants to see you. Please come with me."
Qi Ning asked suspiciously: "Someone wants to see me? Who? I am waiting for your summons. Could it be that your Majesty wants to see me?"
The palace maid smiled, she was charming and charming, and said in a low voice: "In addition to Your Majesty, there are many noble people in the palace." She lowered her voice and said: "Princess wants to see the envoy of Chu State, and Your Majesty still has a few moments to summon him. Lord Marquis, please come with me."
Qi Ning shook his head and said: "How can I, a foreign envoy, see the princess without your Majesty's decree? Go and talk to the princess and tell her that the princess wants to be summoned, so you can only ask for your Majesty's decree."
The palace maid frowned and said: "Jin Yi Hou, princess, you have good intentions, but you don't know what is good or bad. I want to ask you, have you and the envoys of the Han Dynasty attended the banquet at the Prime Minister's Mansion?"
"It's true."
"Has Mr. Xiang Guo given you examination questions?" The palace's eyes were watery, and he said with a bit of romantic charm: "Princess heard that you solved those questions, so she was very happy and praised Chu State. The envoy is extremely intelligent." He lowered his voice and said, "The princess doesn't want to go to Han. She said that the envoy from Chu is so smart and the emperor of Chu at least knows people well, so even if he wants to marry far away, he can only go to Chu. .”
Qi Ning smiled and said: "The princess favors you so much, and the whole country of Chu is naturally very happy."
The palace maid smiled coquettishly and said: "The princess heard that you were in trouble. She said that there was a way to make your majesty agree to her going to Chu State, but she needed your Jin Yihou to cooperate with her, so she asked the servants to come to find the marquis. ." With his eyes flowing, he whispered: "Your Majesty will summon you soon. There is not much time. If the Marquis is willing, he can leave now, otherwise I will have to leave first."
Qi Ning thought that the whereabouts of Prince Yu and Beitang Feng were unknown, and what he said to the prince today, the current situation was very beneficial to Chu State, but if Qi State would definitely marry the princess to Chu State, then But there are still variables. Now Princess Tianxiang actually sent someone to come to her for an interview. She was a little suspicious, and after a moment of silence, she asked: "What's the girl's name? You worked so hard to summon her, but I don't know your name yet."
The palace maid said softly: "My name is Hanxiang. They say that when the slave sweats, the fragrance will waft out, so the princess gave this name to the slave."
She was quite pretty, and even more romantic. There was a trace of sweat on her forehead at this moment, but Qining did not smell the special fragrance. She smiled slightly and said: "I see, Miss Hanxiang, where is the princess now?" ?”