Chapter 245 Ming’s Response
After the New Year, the officials around the prince gathered together to review the gains and losses of the previous year.
Finally, we came to the conclusion that last year was the most difficult year for the prince.
The reason was that there was a new cousin.
The fight for succession has always been cruel, and even fathers and sons may turn against each other.
After some discussion, they finally gave the prince a suggestion.
——From now on, the East Palace needs to win over Chang Wei Bo!
Qin Li strongly opposed it, but someone said: "Chang Wei Bo and the Yan Party are at odds with each other and have fallen out with the literati, but Your Majesty values this boy more and more. This shows that at least within ten years, or even twenty years, this boy must be a force that cannot be ignored in the court. It will be too late for us to get close to him after he has grown up!"
After some debate, the unity faction finally gained the upper hand.
That's why the prince volunteered to participate in the negotiations.
—Your Highness, whether there are two princes or not, you need to be close to Long Wilbur.
These are the words of an old minister, and they are spoken with great sincerity and meaning.
——That is your Majesty's close minister. Many times, a seemingly casual remark from this person can change your Majesty's attitude. Your Highness, put aside those suspicions and disdain. For the sake of the overall situation, it is time to visit relatives.
Then the prince came.
But I didn't expect to hear these words as soon as I arrived at the Ministry of Rites.
"There is no eternal friendship, only eternal interests!" Behind him, an official of the East Palace whispered: "This can be a diplomatic principle. Chang Wei Bo... Your Highness, you should not abandon him!"
The prince walked over and said, "Uncle."
Jiang Qingzhi turned around and asked, "Why is Your Highness here?"
Since becoming the teacher of the two princes, Jiang Qingzhi and the prince had a stalemate. The prince was distant, and Jiang Qingzhi did not stir up trouble, and the two sides gradually began to keep their distance.
Did this nephew take the wrong medicine today?
Such a friendly smile.
"My cousin's words enlightened me and benefited me a lot."
The prince's words were not empty words. The phrase "eternal interests" thoroughly analyzed the core of diplomacy. This cousin is indeed extraordinary!
"Your Highness, thank you for your compliment." Jiang Qingzhi didn't like this kind of courtesy and was just about to find an excuse to leave when Wang Shen and others arrived.
"Greetings, Your Highness." Wang Shen and Huang He were secretly delighted after seeing the prince.
The fact that Emperor Ming Huang asked the Crown Prince to come shows how much importance he attached to this negotiation.
The more the opponent takes it seriously, the greater the possibility that Wang Shen and others can raise the price.
The two looked at each other and saw the ecstasy in each other's eyes.
The deal is settled!
……
The morning sun cast a golden and magnificent light on the entire palace complex in the Western Garden. The palace servants were busy working for the noble and for themselves.
In Yongshou Palace, the Taoist priest was getting ready to sleep.
Covering himself with the quilt, Taoist Master closed his eyes.
Huang Jin went out quietly and prepared to close the door.
"Huang Jin." The Taoist priest suddenly spoke.
"Your Majesty." Even though the Taoist priest had his eyes closed, Huang Jin still bowed and responded respectfully.
"When Altan's envoy sees the prince, he will definitely think that I am paying too much attention to this matter. Do you think he will be ecstatic or something?"
"It will surely be ecstasy!"
"I love to see those idiots go from ecstasy to depression. Remember to let me know when there is a result."
"Yes." Huang Jin closed the door gently, and the eunuch beside him asked: "Eunuch Huang, why is Altan's envoy so depressed?"
"Your Highness is not going here to negotiate."
In the bedroom, the half-asleep Taoist muttered, "We are a family, and we must live in harmony..."
……
The two parties sat down in the lobby as host and guest.
As the host, Zhang Gu delivered a speech on behalf of the Ministry of Rites, in which he reviewed the long-standing "friendship" between the Ming Dynasty and the Altan tribe and gave an optimistic outlook on future bilateral relations.
Zhang Gu finished his speech.
Wang Shen nodded slightly, "Before we set out this time, the Khan had explained that the conflict between the two sides originated from the fact that the Ming Dynasty killed the Khan's envoy and cut off the tribute."
He looked at the prince, "The responsibility lies with the Ming Dynasty."
These words are full of gunpowder.
And it is full of condescending arrogance.
Wang Shen glanced at the prince and saw him frowning. He couldn't help but sneer in his heart, "This time we came to negotiate. According to the Khan's order, the Ming Dynasty should open up trade. In addition, we need to pay a compensation of 100,000 strings of cash!"
He was talking, and Huang He was staring at several of the other side's leaders.
The focus is on the prince.
The prince was angry and coughed dryly.
I am waiting for you to be angry…Wang Shen said, “If not, the Khan will take it himself.”
This is a threat!
If the trade route is not opened and a compensation of 100,000 strings of cash is not paid, Altan's cavalry will move south.
According to the discussion between Wang Shen and Huang He, they would first provoke the other party's leader, and then slowly give in after some arguments.
Wang Shen said that this was a tactic he learned from businessmen, called asking for an exorbitant price.
For example, a cow is only worth one thousand coins in the eyes of the seller, but the seller asks for two thousand coins. The buyer thinks it is a bit outrageous, so he bargains.
When the price was finally bargained down to 1,500 coins, he refused to give in.
But the other party felt that he had won... From two thousand coins to one thousand five hundred coins, what else could this be if not a victory?
But in the seller's mind, the bottom line for this cow is just 1,200 coins.
By taking advantage of the other party's mentality, the businessman made a fortune.
Today he used this method in negotiations, expecting the other party to take the bait.
The prince coughed dryly and looked away.
Wang Shen and others looked in the direction he was looking.
Jiang Qingzhi leaned back slightly, leaning against the back of his chair, with a hint of sneer on his face.
"Trade matters can be discussed." Jiang Qingzhi smiled kindly. Anyone who knew him would say that Long Wilbur was digging a hole, and no one knew who would jump into it. He gave in!
Wang Shen suppressed the ecstasy in his heart.
"One hundred thousand strings of cash..." Jiang Qingzhi sighed, "What I hate most is threats. The same is true for the Ming Dynasty."
Is this guy going to turn against me?
Zhang Gu gritted his teeth and was about to speak when Jiang Qingzhi sat up straight.
"When the remnants of the Mongols threatened the Ming Dynasty, how did Emperor Taizu respond?"
He pointed to the north. "Taizu's response was to order his generals to lead the army out of the border and beat those bastards to a pulp!"
The prince felt a warmth in his heart and couldn't help but sit up straight.
"Chang Wei Bo..." Wang Shen was about to slam the table, but Jiang Qingzhi continued, "When the remnants of the Mongols threatened the Ming Dynasty, how did Emperor Chengzu respond?"
Jiang Qingzhi looked at him coldly, "Emperor Chengzu responded by launching five northern expeditions to defeat the remnants!"
"Is Chang Wei Bo going to turn against the Khan on behalf of the Ming Dynasty?" someone in the delegation shouted.
Jiang Qingzhi didn't even look at him, staring at Wang Shen and said, "You came here today and still issued a threat. If you don't give me 100,000 strings of cash, I will lead my army south to take it. This reminds me of the former Song Dynasty. But this is the Ming Dynasty!"
Jiang Qingzhi said: "Since its founding, the Ming Dynasty has never bowed to foreign races. Even if the emperor was captured, even if the capital was in danger, the Ming Dynasty's response was always the same!"
He placed his hands on the table, looking down at Wang Shen, "Tell Altan that the Ming Dynasty's response is that although we don't have the 100,000 strings of cash, we have 100,000 brave soldiers ready to fight and destroy this morning!"
……
East Palace.
The prince sat at the head of the table, looking at the ministers, and said with a smile: "I am still thinking about what Chang Wei Bo said. I don't have 100,000 strings of cash, but I have 100,000 brave soldiers ready to fight at any moment. What a magnificent statement."
Several ministers remained silent.
The prince praised: "Although the gentlemen do not like Chang Wei Bo, they are unwilling to speak down on him. I am very happy."
Qin Li suppressed his emotions and said, "Your Highness, Wang Shen wanted to communicate with Your Highness before, but Your Highness did not respond. I think this is inappropriate."
The prince said, "I know what you mean. If I speak up, I can take the lead with my status as the prince. But this is a matter of state."
The prince said gently: "State affairs are more important."
The ministers looked at each other and were extremely pleased.
Later, the ministers took their leave.
The prince rubbed his brows, his still young face full of fatigue.
Huang Wei, his brother, served him tea, and after observing his expression, he said, "Your Highness, today you can take the initiative first, and then give it to Chang Wei Bo. In this way, you can control it freely..."
"Do you think I haven't thought about it?" The prince's eyes were deep and deep, which was not in line with his age. "But you don't know the temperament of my cousin. It's not that I don't want to control him, but... I'm worried that I won't be able to control him, and the third and fourth brothers will reap the benefits instead."
Huang Wei hesitated to speak, and the prince took a sip of tea, "After the beginning of spring, father's spirit has been a little weak. At this time, I can't bear to make father worry."
Huang Wei glanced at him, suppressed his reluctance, and said, "Yes."
The prince waved his hand and Huang Wei took his leave.
The hall was empty except for two eunuchs standing there.
"Hey!"
The prince's sigh echoed in the palace. He covered his chest and smiled bitterly, "I would rather be born in an ordinary family. At least, the family can live together day and night. It's not like two dragons cannot meet..."
……
"One hundred thousand tiger soldiers!"
After getting up, Emperor Jiajing heard the news and said, "To deal with those barbarians, you should use such tough measures. The softer you are, the more proud they will be. Qingzhi's words are in line with my opinion."
"Your Majesty, the prince wishes to see you."
Emperor Jiajing hesitated for a moment, and the verdict that two dragons should not meet came to his mind again.
"The prince said that he had not seen Your Majesty for a long time and missed him."
"Fool!" Emperor Jiajing stood up, "Let him in... Never mind, I'll leave."
"Father." Outside the palace, the prince thought he would have to talk behind the door today, but he didn't expect to meet him. He couldn't help but feel overjoyed.
Emperor Jiajing's eyes were gentle, "How are you doing recently?"
The prince talked about recent developments and inquired about the health of Emperor Jiajing.
Emperor Jiajing remained silent, and the Crown Prince didn't know what to say. The father and son stood there awkwardly.
"Although it is the beginning of spring, but..." Emperor Jiajing frowned, "Look at you, you are wearing so little. If you catch a cold, it will last forever if you are not careful."
"Yes." The prince felt warm in his heart, "You too, Father."
"I'm in good health!"
"But I remember my father once said that he was in poor health when he was a child."
"When did I say that?"
"A long time ago."
"You heard it wrong."
"is it?"
"By the way, did you benefit from following your uncle to negotiate today?"
"Father, please don't change the subject."
"You bastard! Do you want to humiliate your father?"
"Don't you dare!"
"I think you are very brave! Someone come!"
"exist!"
"Your Highness must dine with me today."
"Leader!"
"Your Majesty has ordered that dinner be served!"
In the spring breeze, the most noble father and son in the world stood side by side on the steps.
Huang Jin rubbed his eyes, and someone asked, "What happened to Eunuch Huang?"
Huang Jin shook his head, "The wind is so strong that it makes my eyes sore."
(End of this chapter)
