In the Chongzheng Palace, Zai Fu is there. The news from the Liao envoys always has a higher priority than local affairs.

After listening to Han Gang's report, Zaifu's expressions relaxed a little. The previous stalemate between Han Gang and Xiao Xi was not what they wanted to see. Stabilizing the situation at home and abroad is the number one priority for the current two governments and eight people – even for the most war-feared Zhang, and the new Privy Council member needs time to take power into his hands.

It is of course necessary to be tough on the greed of the Liao people. However, the relationship between Song and Liao deteriorated, and the border conflict expanded into a war, which was a terrible result.

Folding the secret letter that is now handed out will allow them to take their hearts back into their stomachs.

Empress Xiang was a little puzzled, and asked Han Gang, "What does it mean to do this?" ”

"Folding, please talk in secret, it's just to say something inconvenient for Xiao Xi to say. It is reasonable for the deputy envoy to act on his behalf. ”

Han Gang's answer directly ignored the channel used to deliver the secret letter, and no one in the palace had any doubts - who made Xiao Xi say that he was sick?

After Han Gang dropped his cruel words three days ago, Xiao Xi, who was supposed to go to the palace to see him the next day, directly said that he was sick.

Once he ascended to the palace as an envoy of Zhengdan, Xiao Xi's secret mission could not be completed. According to Han Gang, he will be invited directly to the road after the Zhengdan banquet. If you still want to change your words, the Great Song Dynasty can even close the door directly to Xiao Xi - as long as Han Gang, who has a tough attitude, is still in charge of Liao affairs, he will not have a chance to turn over, and everyone in the mission knows that the emperor is seriously ill and the crown prince is young The Great Song Dynasty will never remove Han Gang, even if it will lead to an enemy of the Liao State. And Yelu Yixin's purpose in using Xiao Xi is to get more from the Great Song Dynasty, once Xiao Xi can't do it, he will inevitably have to be replaced.

But if Xiao Xi took out the second letter of state, it would prove that the current conflict on the border was premeditated by the Liao State. After all, the Liao State is also a big country that claims to be China and the Northern Dynasties, and on the surface, it must also pay attention to face, and it can't be like the Western Xia, taking the money today, and turning its face tomorrow to attack - that is, hooligans, after having a certain reputation, they will also begin to pay attention to identity and style - and if Xiao Xi is forced by Han Gang to take out a second letter of state, for him personally, it is equivalent to losing, and the initiative in the negotiation will fall into the hands of the Song people, and the chance of turning defeat into victory is really small.

Han Gang dared to turn his face in the Duting Station, it was because he had the support of the Empress of the Great Song Dynasty and the princes of the two mansions behind him - the imperial palace was two miles away. And Xiao Xi definitely couldn't afford the consequences of breaking the alliance between Liao and Song, and he couldn't be sure how far Yelu Yixin could support him. If the current impasse cannot be broken, Xiao Xi must be responsible for his own arbitrariness. Yelu Yixin may support Xiao Xi's decision, but it is more likely that he even has the heart to eat Xiao Xi alive.

Faced with a dilemma, Xiao Xi chose to call the illness first and leave time for contingencies. It's a shame, of course, but it's at least a legitimate reason. For Xiao Xi himself, face is very important, and it is even more important to earn real profits for Da Liao. There is still some time before the New Year, and there may be a turning point in this time.

And the appearance of the fold dry is that Xiao Xi is unwilling to just wait passively, but intends to change the passive situation by replacing people at the same time - after Han Gang and Xiao Xi have a stalemate, someone must come out to ease his cheeks.

It's even possible that he may still have the idea that he doesn't want to let the dry shore of the Origan Station watch the joke. The envoys sent to the Liao State by the Great Song Dynasty were the civil ministers as the principals, and the military ministers and internal servants were the deputies, and the full power was in the envoys, but the deputy envoys were often responsible for supervising the envoys. The situation in Liao is similar. It's normal to think that you have to be unlucky and unlucky together.

These possibilities have been analyzed by the veteran Zaifu a long time ago, and they all know it in their hearts. Xiao Xi's response, since it was expected, naturally reassured them.

Although Empress Xiang couldn't think of it so deeply, she was able to grasp the key and asked Han Gang, "How are you going to talk about it if it's not a bachelor?" ”

Han Gang had already made up his mind: "If Zhigan is going to talk about the border, then there is no need to respond - since the demarcation of the border between Song and Liao last year, there has been no boundary dispute, and there is no need to talk about this matter!" If you want to talk about the New Year's coin, if you are willing to reduce it, then of course you can talk about it. But if there is any wishful thinking, it is also no need to negotiate! As for the other requirements, it is estimated that there will be no more! ”

These words were loud and strong, as strong as a steel plate. It sounds very relieving, but this is not the way to negotiate at all.

The corners of Han Jiang's mouth curled, Cai Qu looked down at the cuffs, Zhang Xuan squinted his eyes and seemed to be smiling, while Zhang Qi exchanged a look with Xue Xiang opposite, only Wang Anshi, who closed his eyes and recuperated, did not move, but he also knew what Han Gang thought.

Once Han Gang sat down and began to negotiate with Xiao Xi for land and coins, and entered the rhythm of the Great Liao Linya, then Xiao Xi would play tricks in a set - six years ago, Xiao Xi was cheeky and insisted on relying on the territory of the Great Song Dynasty, and the emperor had no way to take him.

As far as Han Gang himself is concerned, no matter what the outcome is, no matter what his ideas are during the negotiations, as long as he participates in the negotiations, the charge of losing power and humiliating the country will be planted on him unscrupulously. Rumors don't need any evidence in the first place. The thief bites into the bone for three points, and the dog poop is stained on the body, and no matter how clean it is, it will smell.

Therefore, the best way to do this is to directly ignore the blackmail of the Liao, let alone admit that there are any border disputes. If you don't talk about it, there will naturally be no room for rumors. It was an inevitable choice for Han Gang, and even for this group of government members who were full of members of the New Party.

"Isn't that too tough? Even if the Liao people can't be allowed to do what they want, they can still say it well. "Empress Xiang was a little worried.

Wang Anshi helped Han Gang explain: "Yelu Yixin sent an envoy to do what he wanted to appease the country. Whether it is kind or tough, the Liao people will only look at the result. Since you can't do what you want, it will only be a result. ”

"Things still have to be given, otherwise this matter will be endless." Han Gang corrected, "But it's not for the Liao, it's for Yelu Yixin." What he wants, Da Song can give him! ”

The Great Song Dynasty regarded the Liao State as a great enemy, and if possible, would never give up the opportunity to weaken the Liao State. But that doesn't mean it's necessary to be hostile to Jerodethin. In some special circumstances, Yelu Yixin can also have common interests with the Great Song Dynasty. But if you want to grasp this, you have to see how it works.

Wang Anshi frowned obviously, not because of Han Gang's denial, but because Han Gang's thoughts made him feel unhappy in his heart - some words can be understood without explanation.

"What does Jeruyisin want?"

"Yelu Yixin, traitorous male." Cai Qu came out of the class and said, "Stealing national power and rape, he naturally has only one thing he wants most." He looked back at Han Gang, "Maybe that's what Han Gang meant." ”

Empress Xiang suddenly realized: "Do you want the Great Song Dynasty to support Yelu Yixin's usurpation?!" ”

"Never!" Han Gang preemptively denied it before everyone could interject. He can't afford this stigma.

This is a matter of principle of major rights and wrongs. It is possible to acknowledge the reality, but it must not be explicitly stated that it supports the usurpation of the throne by Jereyisin. Whoever said such a thing casually would surely raise doubts about his basic loyalty. Han Gang would never be so confused as to open this mouth, even if it was beneficial to the Great Song Dynasty, Han Gang would not stand in the position of the supporter, let alone take the initiative.

Cai Qu said this, and he still resents himself for supporting the establishment of the Shaanxi Xuanfu Division? Then Zhang Dian should be at the front of the queue - because of his impatience, but Zhang Dian first moved to set up the Xuanfu Division.

However, what exactly is Cai really thinking, Han Gang doesn't have time to think about it now, he said sharply: "Xianggong's words are fallacious!" If the envoy rebels against the king, how to teach his subordinates to be loyal, and how to teach the people to be filial! The prime minister rules the world, how can he say such words?! ”

Queen Xiang's face was pale, Fang Cai's words were actually pierced by her, and Cai did not say it explicitly. She was a little glad that there was at least a screen in front of her, and coughed lightly.

He asked the Empress, "What exactly does the bachelor think?" ”

"Yelu Yixin is a traitor who kills the king, and now he is controlling the kingdom by force. To appease people, he needed a silver silk to reward his subordinates or to strengthen his prestige with victory. This is the reason why he sent Xiao Xi as an envoy, and it is also the reason why he sent troops to occupy Xingling and Heishan River. But at present, the Great Song Dynasty is prosperous, if the war is rash, it will be difficult for the Liao people to win, and once they fail, Yelu Yixin will be in danger of destruction. So what he wants more is something that must be wealthy. In the opinion of the minister, it is better to do what he likes. ”

That is, the bitch can't do it, and it must be done for the benefit of the Great Song Dynasty. But public prostitution can't do it, it will ruin the reputation, and you can only go to half-cover the door.

Cai did smile a little, but did not speak. But Zhang Dun couldn't help but speak: "It's better to use silver silk to support the loyal ministers in the Liao State." If they can make trouble, Yelu Yixin will have no time to look south! ”

But now Yelu Yixin is powerful, and it is indeed the most beneficial for the Great Song Dynasty to support the Khitan Dynasty and the ministers to set things right and compete with them. However, in the Liao Kingdom, it is not clear who the enemy of Yelu Yixin is. If you find the wrong person, it will be to give someone a handle, which will make Yelu Yixin even more rampant. ”

"But the transfer of silver silk from the treasury, whether it is to the Liao people or to Yelu Yixin, the result is not the same? Or even worse - there is a precedent story of the Renzong Dynasty to add a new year coin, and there is no precedent for bribing the powerful ministers of the Liao State. ”

Zhang Dan's words were sharp, but he didn't intend to refute Han Gang, but he was cooperating. He knew that Han Gang must already have an answer, and he only needed to pave the way and lead Han Gang's plan out.

To Zhang Tun's tacit understanding, Han Gang sent a grateful look, nodded lightly, and then smiled confidently. "But what if you don't need to use a penny of the imperial court, or even an edict? …… The imperial court doesn't want to do anything, as long as it can acquiesce! ”