Peerless Pirates

Early the next morning, Song Zheng called Zhu Ya and first inquired about the price situation in Chengdu. He asked about almost all walks of life, from grain and vegetables to horses, cattle and sheep. Traveling all the way from Fengjie, Song Zheng didn't have time to do this, so he was free now.

Zhu You was very curious as to why Song Zheng was interested in these things, but he still answered honestly. Those who couldn't answer, called several other servants.

After asking about everything, Song Zheng asked again where he could see the Shu Kingdom's newspaper. He learned that the latest Shu newspaper was for sale at Huixian Building in the center of Huailaiyi. Song Zheng was overjoyed and immediately arranged for him to buy it. Get all the newspapers and newspapers, even if they are old ones, it doesn't matter.

Li Ya was even more surprised. No one read the newspaper after it expired. What did the Qi envoy want to read the newspaper from his hometown? Full of questions, Li Ya went to Huixian Tower.

How did he know that Song Zheng was completely blind now. What he lacked the most was intelligence, and he had to collect everything by himself. Price changes can reflect a country's war preparedness, especially in a small country like Shu, where prices fluctuate exceptionally. Sensitive. Once there is a war, the procurement of military supplies can have a great impact on commodity prices.

At present, prices in Shu are stable, with no major fluctuations in the past two years. Song Zheng can naturally infer that Shu has no plans to participate in the northern war.

As for asking Zhu Ya to collect the old residence newspapers, that was to grasp the political direction of the government. Song Zheng believed that as long as he was given three days to work, he would be able to understand the high-level personnel factions and political direction of Shu through the clues hidden in the residence newspapers. etc.

When it comes to collecting intelligence, I'm afraid there is no one in this era who can deduce the evolution of government affairs through detailed information like Song Zheng. This is entirely based on more than a thousand years of experience.

For Song Zheng, it was crucial to grasp the direction of the trend. The diplomacy of this era was not as professional as that of later generations. Although there were special diplomatic agencies between countries, such as Shu and Daqi, which had ceremonial rooms, they did not restrict envoys from communicating with each other. Visits by non-diplomatic professionals. At the beginning, Wanyan Zhangzong visited Huang Yuandu in the Prime Minister's Mansion several times, and also visited Pang Hui in the Prince's Mansion. However, in later generations, it is difficult to imagine that the foreign minister or ambassador of one country can visit the prime minister of another country at will. Or the Chairman of the Military Commission.

His plan was to first find out the current situation in Shu, grasp the political opinions of senior officials, and then focus on the handover.

When Song Zheng was thinking about how to carry out the operation, the escort sergeant came to report that the Jin envoy came to visit and sent a greeting card. Song Zheng was stunned for a moment. Now that Jin Qihe is tackling the key problem, what happened to the Jin envoy? Came to Shu?

When he saw the name on the greeting card clearly, Song Zheng was overjoyed and hurriedly asked the sergeant to greet the Jin envoy to come in.

After a while, two Jin envoys, one civil and one military, walked into the hall one after another. Both of them were wearing standard official uniforms of the Jin Kingdom. The former was twenty-six or seven years old, wearing a four-beam crown on his head, a horizontal robe with a coiled collar, and a robe on his chest. He has a three-inch embroidered red flower and a goldfish bag on his belt. Although he is a little thin, he is elegant and elegant, giving people the impression that he is full of poems and books.

The man behind is in his thirties, tall, wearing a gold-flowered turban, a scarlet robe, silver shoulder pads, and a black rhinoceros belt around his waist. He is very heroic.

Song Zheng stood up with a smile and cupped his hands, "Brother Yu, are you okay?"

The envoy Jin in front was stunned for a moment, looked Song Zheng up and down, and called out hesitantly, "Brother Song."

Song Zheng laughed and said, "Brother Yuan still recognizes me. I'm really happy. Sit down quickly."

The visitor turned out to be Yuan Haowen, a good friend that Song Zheng had made in Dajin. Song Zheng was really surprised and happy to see Yuan Haowen in Chengdu, and Yuan Haowen was even more surprised than Song Zheng. When Song Zheng was there When he was in Zhongdu, he always called himself Song Yu.

"When I first arrived in Daijin, I had important matters to attend to, so I had to use Song Yu's pseudonym to interact with Brother Yuan. I hope Brother Yuan will forgive me!" Song Zheng apologized with a smile.

Yuan Haowen smiled bitterly and said, "Let me tell you, with Brother Song's talent, how could there be no news for several years? It turns out that Brother Song is the famous Song Xiaolang today. He is the number one scholar in both civil and military affairs, and he will be a young man forever."

"Brother Lao Yuan is worried about me." Song Zheng said apologetically, "I really had unspeakable difficulties at the beginning."

Yuan Haowen waved his hand, "Whether it's Song Yu or Song Zheng, it's a great fate that you and I can get together as brothers in Chengdu. It's so nice to meet an old friend in a foreign country!"

After saying this, Yuan Haowen burst out laughing and felt very happy. Song Zheng was also very happy. Originally, he was going to live a miserable life in Shu, but he didn't expect to meet an old friend the next day. What an unexpected surprise.

After laughing, Yuan Haowen quickly introduced another person, "This is General Otunba, my deputy ambassador to Daikin."

Song Zheng hurriedly asked Otunba to sit down, but saw that he was still standing in the hall blankly, as if he had encountered something difficult. Song Zheng was feeling strange when Otunba suddenly fell to his knees and said, "Your Majesty, Otunba, greetings Your Highness King Yi."

Yuan Haowen was shocked. As soon as his butt touched the chair, he jumped up to read the full text of Lingjing Pavilion.

Song Zheng, however, sat down leisurely and said, "I am the envoy of Qi now, not some righteous king of gold. You and I can just talk about friendship."

"Otunba doesn't dare!" he said and kowtowed again.

Song Zheng smiled and said, "Brother Yusheng has already issued an order not to publicize what happened back then. You don't need to be too polite. Today there are only envoys Qi and Jin. They only talk about friendship and don't talk about anything else."

"This...is!" Otunba hesitated for a moment before standing up.

Yuan Haowen was stunned and pointed at Song Zheng, "You...you..." but couldn't say a word.

Song Zheng smiled and said, "Back in Dajin, before the Holy Emperor of your country ascended the throne, we knew each other like you and I, and we treated each other as brothers." Song Zheng didn't want to talk more, so he could only explain briefly.

Yuan Haowen nodded numbly, but he was thinking in his heart that even if he was a good friend of the Holy Sage, there is absolutely no reason to be crowned king. And judging from Song Zheng's casual attitude, it doesn't seem to be a big deal. This is even more strange, and How serious is it that the emperor is a brother and yet he is so calm and calm?

Song Zheng asked about Otunba's background, and then he understood why he knew about him. Otunba was the brother of Otunlu, the current commander of the Jin Imperial Army, and his wife was the daughter of Wanyan Zhangzong. At the beginning, In the Great Jin Palace, Song Zheng saved Wanyan Zhangshou, Zhang Zong brothers, Wanyan Jing, Wei Fei and other royal family members, and single-handedly helped Wanyan Yusheng ascend to power. It can be said that without Song Zheng, there would be no Great Jin Dynasty today. Otunba obviously knew about this old incident.

At this point, the situation seemed a bit awkward. Fortunately, Song Zheng was chatting and laughing happily. After a while, Yuan Haowen returned to normal.

After some conversation, Song Zheng learned that Yuan Haowen and Otunba had arrived in Chengdu three months ago, and their mission was very simple. They were just to express their friendship to the Emperor of Shu on behalf of Wanyan Yusheng.

Song Zheng knew that the matter was not that simple. There was a long distance between Dajin and Shu, and he had nothing to do to send envoys. Even if he sent them, why did he send them two months before the war broke out in the north? Moreover, Yuan Haowen had been in Chengdu for several months. If you don't go, you must have other plans.

This involves the secrets of the country, so Song Zheng is not in a position to inquire about it, and Yuan Haowen will naturally not talk about it. Both of them avoid mentioning state affairs, and both focus on talking about poetry and the customs of Shu.

During the chat, Yuan Haowen suddenly said, "Brother Song, I heard that the Xixia envoy will arrive in Chengdu in the near future. It's exciting now."

"Is this happening?" Song Zheng thought secretly. The Dangxiang people finally couldn't sit still and began to send people to ask for reinforcements. Maybe Lang Zhengchun hid in Qingcheng Mountain, which had a lot to do with the gathering of envoys from various countries.

"The person who came this time may be related to Brother Song." Yuan Haowen looked at Song Zheng meaningfully.

"Oh? Who's here?" Song Zheng thought to himself. He didn't know many Xixia people. Apart from Li Yongxi and Li Yuanzhen, the only one was Mr. Liang.

"Uncle Liang Yiyue, the old countryman of Xixia!" Yuan Haowen knew that Song Zheng was hired as a guard of Xixia. Song Zheng was in his yard at that time.

"That's really him!" Song Zheng laughed and said, "Indeed, there is a lot of excitement now. By the way, Brother Yuan, can you tell me what the people in Shu think of you and I working together to tackle the key problem? Do you have any opinions? What are your plans to send troops out of Hanzhong?"

"Everything can be said. Some advocate ignoring it, and some advocate aiding Xixia. However, everyone has different opinions on how to assist. Some say they only provide money and food, some say they directly send troops. Some say they help Li Yuanqing, and some only I want to help Li Renzhi. Anyway, I can say anything, but the Shu Kingdom has no plans to send troops recently. Liang Yiyue came here this time, presumably for this reason."

"Which side does Liang Yiyue belong to now?"

"It's from Li Yuanqing's side."

"Li Yuanqing?" Song Zheng secretly screamed inwardly. Li Yuanqing occupied the Chang'an area, and from where to get to Shu, you must pass through Dashan Pass, and then go south into Hanzhong. The west of Dashan Pass and Hanzhong belong to Li Renzhi The territory, and the clan general Li Xi is the actual ruler of this territory. Since Li Xi allowed Liang Yiyue to pass, he must have plans to unite with Li Yuanqing. If Li Xi's troops leave Dasanguan to help Li Yuanqing, then Daqi will be in even more trouble .

Yuan Haowen knew what Song Zheng was worried about, so he hesitated and said, "Li Yuanqing was not only at loggerheads with Li Yuankui in the north, but he was also at odds with Li Xi. After Li Yuanqing ascended the throne in Chang'an, because Li Xi supported Li Renzhi, Li Xi was All his family members in Chang'an were killed, and only his two sons who were with him were spared."

At this point, Yuan Haowen stopped and took a cup of tea.

Song Zheng breathed a sigh of relief. Since Li Xi asked Liang Yiyue to come to Shu for help, he must have another plan. Even if Li Xi asked Shu for assistance for the party members' "big plan", he would never let it go easily. Li Yuanqing's.

"Thank you so much, Brother Yu." Song Zheng thanked him sincerely.

"Sooner or later, Brother Song will know about these things, so what's there to thank you for?" Yuan Haowen laughed, "Brother Song, today I'm here to ask you for advice on poetry, calligraphy and painting. Come here, here are some poems. , please help with your review.”

"I'd like to read it carefully." Song Zheng knew that Yuan Hao asked and didn't want to talk more, so he also changed his mind and started to read this book "Yishan Long and Short Sentences".

Turning to the first page, it was Yuan Haowen's famous work "Moyu'er·Yanqiu Ci". Song Zheng was very excited. In the original historical memory, Yuan Haowen wrote this poem when he was sixteen years old. But in In this life, when Song Zheng met him in Dajin, he had not yet seen this word, which shows that history has been very different.

In Song Zheng's mind, there are two "love poems" that make him cry every time he reads them. One is Su Shi's "Jiang Chengzi: Ten Years of Life and Death", and the other is this "Fishing Fish" .

"Ask what love is in the world, teach you how to make love between life and death, fly together from all over the world, how many times does Lao Chi experience cold and heat..."

(At this point, I recited two more poems on the paper, almost crying. Alas, it’s funny how old Gu is still a little sentimental despite his age.)