Xia Hongsheng left the palace, it was already noon, he went to the Sifang Pavilion to wait, and after a while, he saw Xue Yantuo's envoy and his party return to the Sifang Pavilion.

"Zagutler, I've been waiting for you here for a long time." Seeing them go back, Xia Hongsheng took the initiative to greet them and said.

"I didn't see Xiahou this morning, I came here to wait, Zagu visited Xiahou." Zagu and his entourage saluted Xia Hongsheng, and then said, "But I don't know why Xiahou didn't go to Honglu Temple today?" ”

Xia Hongsheng smiled and said, "Naturally, I went to inquire about things." Hehe, but I don't know what the people of Honglu Temple said this morning? ”

"Today officially began the discussion, and there was a quarrel in the Honglu Temple. It's not that they're arguing with me, but it's the people of Honglu Temple who quarreled first during the discussion. Zagu laughed and said, "As Xiahou said, Honglu Temple's own opinions are not unified, and it seems that they have not unified their style before. ”

"Ju Guogong was originally the secretary of Honglu Temple, but he was the chief official of Honglu Temple, and now Ju Guogong was sent by His Majesty to Xiazhou to meet the Turkic peace mission, so at present, there are dragons without a leader in this Honglu Temple, and without Ju Guogong to control the overall situation, the caliber is naturally different." Xia Hongsheng said with a smile: "However, Benhou did not live up to Zagutler's intentions and inquired about some news. ”

"Oh?!" Zagu's eyes lit up, but he saw that Xia Hongsheng was just smiling, but he didn't mention it, so he immediately understood and said: "It's just noon, Lao Xiahou waited here for a while, and went to have lunch together, how about it?" ”

"Hehe, then Ben Hou is disrespectful." Xia Hongsheng said with a smile.

Everyone sat down in the elegant seat of Yanyulou and waited for fruit wine and side dishes. Zagu poured a full cup for Xia Hongsheng first. Only then did he ask again: "But I don't know what the Hou Ye inquired about?" ”

Xia Hongsheng took a sip of cold fruit wine. He breathed a sigh of relief and said: "The situation is not too good, and now that the DPRK and China have the advantage of supporting those who are close to the Turks, Your Majesty has been a little shaken by what he said. However, it did not say that he would not accept Xue Yantuo's attachment. Although I was in charge of the negotiation this time, in fact, I was only assisting from the side, and the people of Honglu Temple were the main ones. For now, Zagutler is still not panicking. Listen to the conditions put forward by the people of Honglu Temple, and then talk about it. ”

"The conditions proposed by Honglu Temple?" Zagu frowned and said, "Today they had a good negotiation at the beginning, but they quarreled on their own during the conversation, but they didn't put forward any conditions. ”

Xia Hongsheng listened to Zhagu's words, smiled very mysteriously, leaned forward, lowered his voice, and said, "I didn't go to Honglu Temple this morning, because of this matter. In fact, how can this condition be decided by the people of Honglu Temple? Doesn't it mean to look at the imperial court? and His Majesty is able to counsel on the matter. It is nothing more than the prince of the three provinces, and a group of confidants. Ben Hou can also be regarded as having some ways. I finally got some news this morning. If you want the Tang Dynasty to accept Xue Yantuo's subordination, let the Tang Dynasty recognize Xue Yantuo as an independent state, not a Turkic vassal, and protect Xue Yantuo as a suzerain, the tribute must at least exceed the gifts of the Turkic and pro-missions. This is not a small amount, and at this point, please have a preparation in Zagutler's heart. I am afraid that this is why the ministers of the court deliberately instigated His Majesty in order to make peace with the Turks, and asked Xue Yantuo to take out at least more tribute than the dowry of the Turkic peace mission, so as to agree to Xue Yantuo's request. It wasn't a small amount, so they expected Xue Yantuo to not be able to get it, so they made it a condition. ”

"What?!" Zagu and the other envoys were taken aback.

"Well, some time ago, I heard from Xiahou about the gifts of the Turkic and pro-embassy, and the Turkic mission brought 10,000 cattle and sheep, 1,000 good horses, 500 experienced horse breeders, 1,000 slaves, and countless gold and jewelry...... Another envoy had a good memory and asked in surprise.

Xia Hongsheng nodded: "Yes, the gifts brought by the Turks are this number, and they were personally counted by Benhou in Xiazhou." ”

"This ......" the envoy opened his mouth, and the other person said: "Xiahou, Xue Yantuo has just been established, and the Turks are always eyeing each other, and they have just fought with Jieli. A total of 10,000 cattle and sheep, 500 grassland horses, 5,000 mink skins, etc., this is already Xue Yantuo's greatest sincerity, and more, Xue Yantuo really can't take it out! ”

Xia Hongsheng also made an embarrassed look, slapped the table, and said, "Yes! How can Ben Hou not know Xue Yantuo's situation? It's just hateful that there are always some people who can't see the long term, and only see the immediate benefits! ”

"Xiahou don't be annoyed, the Turks are now powerful, and it is inevitable that some people in the court will be afraid in their hearts, or they will receive the benefits of the Turks on weekdays, so they naturally want to speak to the Turks." Zagu looked much calmer than the other envoys, waved his hand, and said, "Thank you Xiahou for your precious news, Zagu and Xue Yantuo are grateful. ”

Xia Hongsheng shook his head and said, "Don't worry, Zagutler, Ben Hou is not a person without means. What was revealed to Zaguteler is the bottom line of the Tang Dynasty, and when Honglu Temple puts forward the conditions, it will definitely be more than this, and it will inevitably be a bargain at that time. ”

Zagu looked solemn, got up and bowed down to give Xia Hongsheng a salute, and said, "Xiahou Enyi, Zagu and Xue Yantuo are unforgettable!" No matter when, Xiahou is Zagu, a distinguished friend of Xue Yantuo! ”

Xia Hongsheng smiled, pulled him back, and said: "I hit it off at first sight with Zagutler, and I can't get used to the arrogant appearance of the Turks, so I naturally help Xue Yantuo." Zagutler is relieved to bargain with Honglu Temple, and Benhou will secretly have some support. ”

"But I don't know what Xiahou is going to do? Whenever you need us to help, just say a word, and we will definitely fully support Hou Ye! Zagu said with a very similar look of hatred.

Xia Hongsheng smiled and said, "I will try my best to reduce this number, if it can't be reduced, I will find a way to get the imperial court to give Xue Yantuo some other benefits, which will definitely be worthy of Xue Yantuo's tribute." ”

Zagu's eyes narrowed: "Listening to the tone of the Hou Ye, it seems to be a bamboo in the chest!" ”

Xia Hongsheng was not in a hurry, he slowly took a sip of the fruit wine in front of him, the coolness mixed with the refreshing sweetness penetrated his heart, and said to Zagu and the others in a low voice: "Zagutler, you are the one who led the troops in Xue Yantuo, and you must have been forced by the Turks to fight against the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty before. In your opinion, how are the hundred refining weapons in the Tang Army? ”

Zha Gu's eyes suddenly froze, and they gasped, their eyes staring at Xia Hongsheng tightly. (To be continued.) )