readytorunbook Chapter 37: Prime Minister, it seems there is no benefit in cooperating with you...
Chapter 37: Prime Minister, it seems there is no benefit in cooperating with you...
Although the postmaster didn't say it, Gu Jingzhi probably knew that this guy was probably going to "build connections"!
Perhaps because he is old and doesn't like to move around, or perhaps he feels that "using connections" is useless, Baili Gongshu is reading a book in the posthouse.
Upon learning of Gu Jingzhi's arrival, he did his best to show his respect. After welcoming Gu Jingzhi into the inn, he greeted him warmly, "I didn't realize earlier that Deputy Envoy Gu was a close associate of His Majesty Emperor Xia. I apologize for my impoliteness. I hope you will forgive me!"
Gu Jingzhi immediately smiled and said, "Lord Baili is the Prime Minister of a country. I am only a sixth-rank official. It is a great honor for me to have the honor of meeting you. How can I say that I am being rude?"
"Haha, heroes have always emerged from youth. Deputy Envoy Gu has just entered the court and has earned the trust of His Majesty the Xia Emperor. He will surely have a bright future!"
"Where there!"
Gu Jingzhi agreed with a smile.
Although he was extremely fed up with these hypocritical courtesies, this was the way the officialdom was, and he had to be patient.
The two exchanged pleasantries, and Baili Gongshu asked with a smile, "I am delighted to learn that Deputy Envoy Gu is coming today. I wonder what Deputy Envoy Gu is here for?"
"It's nothing special. I just thought that the customs and habits of Daxia and Beili are different, and I wondered if Prime Minister Baili would be used to it!"
"Ha ha!"
Baili Gongshu smiled and said, "Daxia has outstanding people and a beautiful land. The land is fertile and the water is abundant. It is quite a pleasant place to live."
"Haha, Prime Minister Baili, just get used to it!"
The two smiled at each other, then picked up their teacups and drank tea quietly.
Baili Gongshu looked at Gu Jingzhi with a smile and said, "Deputy Envoy Gu, besides being concerned about whether I am adapting to the living conditions, I believe you have something else to ask, right?"
"oops!"
Gu Jingzhi slapped his head and pretended to be enlightened: "The Prime Minister and I hit it off right away, and I almost forgot about the important matter!"
Baili Gongshu looked at him with a smile, but did not point it out. Instead, he said with a smile: "In that case, I am all ears!"
"That's right!"
Gu Jingzhi said, "Your country is currently at war with the Liyue Kingdom, and you are both traveling south to serve our dynasty. I simply hope that during this period, the three of us can live in peace!"
"Haha! I was wondering what else it was! Turns out it's just this! Haha..."
Baili Gongshu laughed and said, "Deputy Envoy Gu is worrying too much. I am already old, but not as young and active as the eldest prince Li Yue. I heard that he just hurried to pay a visit to the Prime Minister Song's mansion in your country..."
The old man hinted with a smile.
Gu Jingzhi pretended not to understand and said with a smile, "Lord Baili and Prince Xiao came to our Great Xia for state affairs. Our Prime Minister assists Your Majesty in managing state affairs, so it is understandable that Prince Xiao visited us!"
Seeing that he wasn't fooled, Baili Gongshu cursed him inwardly, calling him a little fox. Then he smiled and said, "Deputy Envoy Gu has a point!"
The two of them exchanged pleasantries with each other, then discussed tea art, calligraphy and painting, and before they knew it, an hour had passed.
Gu Jingzhi was full of anger, but although both of them had their own plans in mind, no one spoke and they just waited.
Fortunately, at this moment, someone outside the door suddenly announced that Xiao Li had returned. Upon hearing this, Gu Jingzhi immediately changed his mind: "I had a very pleasant conversation with Lord Baili today, but I have official business to attend to right now. How about we talk again next time?"
When Baili Gongshu heard this, there was a hint of anxiety in his eyes.
Xiao Li went to the Prime Minister's Mansion, but it was unknown whether he had found out any useful information. He spent an hour with the little fox in front of him, but did not get any useful information.
If Xiao Li was one step ahead of them, they might be slower in the subsequent negotiations.
After thinking for a moment, Baili Gongshu gritted his teeth and asked directly, "Deputy Envoy Gu, I have some questions in my mind. I wonder if Deputy Envoy Gu can explain them?"
"Oh?"
Gu Jingzhi asked curiously, "There's something that Master Baili doesn't know?"
"hehe!"
Baili Gongshu cursed inwardly, then smiled and said, "I, Beili, sent an envoy to Daxia. I'm sure Deputy Envoy Gu already knew the reason why, right?"
"Not bad!"
Gu Jingzhi nodded honestly and said, "His Majesty of our dynasty already knows about this, but His Majesty has not yet summoned him, and Lord Baili has not submitted a letter of credence, so I dare not mention it!"
"Haha, I see!"
Baili Gongshu laughed heartily, then asked, "I wonder if Deputy Envoy Gu could reveal something to me?"
"This……"
Gu Jingzhi pretended to hesitate, then pretended to be puzzled and said, "Before I tell you, sir, I have a question I want to ask you!"
"Deputy Envoy Gu, please feel free to speak!"
"Um……"
Gu Jingzhi thought for a moment and asked, "I'm really curious. Your country's General Wu, known as one of the three most famous generals in the world, has been at war with the Liyue Kingdom for several years. Why..."
"Fight and lose all the time, right?"
"Well... I'm quite straightforward, I hope Master Baili won't blame me!"
"It doesn't matter!"
Baili Gongshu sighed softly, "In reality, the truth is unknown, but judging by the battle reports, it seems plausible. Perhaps Prince Xiao of Beili has a master behind him who is guiding him?"
"Haha! I have speculated about what Master Baili said, but I haven't come up with any conclusions yet. However, there is one thing I want to ask Master..."
Gu Jingzhi said, "If our dynasty forms an alliance with Beili, can Beili really defeat Liyue Kingdom?"
"Since Deputy Envoy Gu asked so directly, I will also speak frankly. This is no longer a question of whether or not to fight, but a question of having to fight!"
"Lord Baili is very courageous, but in my opinion, if we ally with Beili, it seems that our dynasty will not benefit from it!"
Gu Jingzhi frowned and said, "Although our dynasty borders Beili, it's only one county, and most of the terrain is mountainous and not conducive to cavalry. Li Yue can't do anything to our dynasty!"
"If our dynasty sends troops, even if we destroy the Liyue Kingdom, we won't gain anything! Such a waste of national strength, do you think the court will agree to this, Lord Baili?"
"Deputy Envoy Gu's words are ridiculous!"
Baili Gongshu said solemnly, "If Beili were to cease to exist, Liyue would certainly covet Daxia's territory. Deputy Envoy Gu, you know the principle of 'lips and teeth are cold,' right?"
"Haha! Lord Baili is joking!"
Gu Jingzhi smiled and said, "Our two countries have been at odds for over a decade, yet your country has not been able to cross our border. How can a small country like Liyue do the same?"
"This……"
Baili Gongshu's face changed.
After all, Da Xia was founded not long ago and its national strength is growing rapidly. What he is most worried about is the mentality of everyone in Da Xia, who believes that Li Yue will not endanger the safety of Da Xia at all. In this way, he will have no advantage at all!
Gu Jingzhi looked at his expression and continued, "On the contrary, if our dynasty forms an alliance with Li Yue and jointly attacks Beili, even if it's unrealistic to share Beili's territory with Li Yue, we can still take back the ten northern states, right?"
"Lord Baili, one sees no benefit, while the other has a benefit right before our eyes... In your opinion, how should our dynasty choose?"