Chapter 181 Weak Countries Without Diplomacy

On the same day, Chu Tianya went to Taiyuan City.

After a long period of running-in, repair and grouping, the Hedong Rebel Army finally returned from a relatively scattered state to strictness. In the final analysis, all these changes are due to the clear division of powers within the Rebel Army, so that everyone has a clear sense of belonging and is no longer confused and confused.

Now, the number of Hedong Volunteer Army composed of Qingyunbao, Monk Cave and Qixingzhai has reached 12 to 30,000, and the number of living forces that can actually participate in the war is not less than 100,000. If these 100,000 people are a towering cloud building, then the twelve leaders with Chu Tianya as the core constitute the skeleton of this building.

At the beginning, Qingyunbao was once destroyed, and the seven-star fortress was in the sky. Now it has been completely reshuffled, with a new pattern. The exiles, grass bandits, mountain thieves and horses east of the Yellow River and west of Taihang have been all together to become a group with common interests and goals.

The stubbornness of Hedong and the amazing sound of Chu Tianya shocked the world again and again.

But today, the leader, the general and the lord of Xishan returned to Taiyuan, which is no different from the past. He only took Xiaofei as an attendant and sat in a simple carriage, which was neither ostentatious nor conspicuous. He quietly appeared in front of the Taiyuan magistrate's office and naturally saw Zhang Xiaochun.

Zhang Xiaochun was also a little surprised by the sudden arrival of Chu Tianya. In the view of the officials of the Song Dynasty, even if a countryman is going out for a long trip, he must take three or five servants with him. It's abnormal for Chu Tianya to act so low-keyly as the lord of 100,000 people.

"Yes! He must have an unspeakable intention to sneak in on purpose!" Zhang Xiaochun, who couldn't figure out Chu Tianya's intention, asked him carefully - "Is there any confidential matter for the general?"

"Yes, it's very confidential." Chu Tianya followed his meaning and said solemnly, "Chu, I have something to ask for."

Zhang Xiaochun's heart tightened, "Dare to ask the lower official, how should I help you?"

Chu Tianya laughed and said, "It's not a big deal. Please ask Zhang Zhifu to find someone for me."

"Who is it?"

"My wife who hasn't passed the door."

"...Which one?" Zhang Xiaochun didn't react for a moment.

"Of course it's Xiao Linglong, Princess Xiao."

Zhang Xiaochun rolled his eyes and said, "No, no, no? Is Princess Xiao missing? How is this possible! Who can be so capable of robbing Princess Xiao from the general's 100,000 tiger and wolf division? Besides, there is no one who can't be found by the general. How can the lower officer do it?

"Oh, it's like this..." Chu Tianya smiled bitterly and could only tell the truth. Tell him that Xiao Linglong left by herself, probably going west. Therefore, I would like to ask Zhang Xiaochun to send envoys to the Western Xia Kingdom in the name of Hedong Xuanfu Department and ask them to find people on their behalf.

"I'm afraid this... is difficult!" Zhang Xiaochun hesitated.

"What's the difficulty?" Chu Tianya's face turned straight, "Xiao Linglong is not only my daughter-in-law who has never passed the door, but also one of the twelve leaders of the Hedong Volunteer Army, but also the princess of the flying fox crowned by the imperial court. My princess of the Song Dynasty is missing. Isn't it right for the government to search for her?

"That's right. But the general doesn't know..." Zhang Xiaochun said with a wry smile on his face, "It's related to the diplomatic relations between the two countries. I, the governor of Taiyuan, and the Xuanfu Department of Hedong, have no right to make arbitrary decision. Besides, even if the officials dare to overdo their power and send envoys to the Western Xia Kingdom, they also..."

"What? Why does the magistrate hesitate?"

"Cough... they don't pay much attention to it." Zhang Xiaochun's face was extremely embarrassed.

Chu Tianya frowned. He didn't expect that Zhang Xiaochun would refuse to help such a small thing. He didn't want to ask any more questions, so he got up and was ready to leave.

"General, please stay!" Zhang Xiaochun was in a hurry. Now within a thousand miles of the east of the river, Zhang Xiaochun is like the king of heaven. No one has to be afraid. Only this Chu Tianya, he dares not offend.

"What else does Zhang Zhifu teach? Since you don't want to help, Chu has his own way. Chu Tianya said coldly.

"General, please listen to the official's explanation." Zhang Xiaochun's face was so smiling that Chu Tianya sat down again and said bitterly, "Xixia has always been at odds with me in the Song Dynasty, and there are many soldiers. In order to protect Li Min's life, the Song Dynasty also claimed the annual coins to Xixia. From the time of the Jurchens invaded the south last year, Xixia also fell into the well and repeatedly robbed our border, causing the relationship between the two countries to be very tense now. The court still dares not easily carry out diplomacy against Xixia, not to mention a magistrate in the lower government? Although the lower official holds the power, he is also subject to the imperial court. I hope the general can understand.

"Zhang Zhifu has said so much, doesn't he just want to tell me a sentence, that is, the State of Xixia does not pay attention to the Song Dynasty at all. Even if you send an envoy, the other party will ignore it, and it may humiliate himself?" Chu Tianyadao.

Zhang Xiaochun smiled bitterly, "Only the upper general dares to say such words. How can the lower official say it?"

"Oi, that won't bother Zhang Zhifu. Chu sent three or two brothers to go for a trip. We haven't cleaned up the military fortress on the Xixia border. If he doesn't comply, I will move my muscles and take his two castles! If I don't agree to help me find someone for one day, I won't stop attacking the Xixia border for a day. It happens that I have 100,000 troops under my command and are in urgent need of actual combat training. Chu Tianya snorted coldly and stood up, "Weak countries have no diplomacy. That's really true!"

"The general thinks twice, this may affect the diplomatic relations between the two countries! ...Oh!" Zhang Xiaochun was anxious, but he also knew that he could not persuade Chu Tianya at all. He had to clap his hands and stamp his feet helplessly, and shook his head and sighed with a bitter smile.

Chu Tianya smiled instead, "Zhang Zhifu, the monarchs and ministers in the imperial court are weak and incompetent in diplomacy and war because they look forward and worry about gains and losses. Previously, in the Battle of Taiyuan, Zhang Zhifu was also enthusiastic and dared to do it. Why did he now have this bad problem of being timid and afraid of death? - As the saying goes, people are good at being bullied. No matter what kind of enemy, as long as they can show desperate courage, the other party will be in awe of me. Whether you are a man or establish a country, how can you lose your blood?

Zhang Xiaochun was speechless. He silently took off the black gauze hat above his head and held it in his hand. He said, "If the superior general goes, the subordinate can't stop him. He can only put on this black gauze official hat and the head of the neck, and sacrifice his life to compensate. But the subordinate wants to say more that if the general engages with Xixia at this time, it is bound to affect the diplomatic relations between the two countries. The general has always looked at the overall situation, knowing that the female truth is bound to invade the south again. At that time, whether Xixia is our ally or a real accomplice, it will be all in the mind of the general.

"Thank you for reminding me, I have my own moderation." Chu Tianya smiled easily, took the black gauze hat in Zhang Xiaochun's hand, put it on his head, and said, "Just be your messenger at ease!" Even if this place in Hedong is changed today, I, Chu, will not buy him. Therefore, as long as Chu is alive one day, you can't throw away this black gauze hat even if you want to throw it away - that's it, Chu said goodbye!"

Zhang Xiaochun was stunned and saw Chu Tianya go away, and then he sat down on the chair with a long sigh.

"Is there no diplomacy in a weak country? Thinking of my magnificent country in the Song Dynasty, I would let a mountain thief go to carry out diplomacy; my court official actually had to look up to him and live! - What kind of world is this!!"

When he went out of the city, Chu Tianya was restless, but Xiaofei, who followed him, was annoyed and said hatefully, "This Zhang Xiaochun used to be quite righteous, but now he has become so timid and slippery! He was afraid of losing the black yarn on the top and refused to help the lord find Princess Xiao!"

"He is also responsible for his duty. You can't blame him." Chu Tianya said indifferently, "Actually, I didn't have much hope for him. I came here specially because of a need for etiquette. Don't let him blame me and say hello to him without calling him. Anyway, now more than 100,000 of us still have to be supported by Taiyuan government. It's not easy to turn against him.

"Lord, what should we do next? Do you want to send troops directly to Xixia to ask for people?

"What's wrong with you!" Chu Tianya was very happy. "It's not Princess Xiao who robbed us by Xixia. He is unknown. Why do you go to the other party to ask for someone? Besides, it's hard to say whether Princess Xiao went to Xixia or not.

"What should I do?"

Chu Tianya thought for a moment and said, "Before, when Meng De rebuilt the Qingyun Fort, he once looted the military castle of Xixia, so we still have a grudge. This time, let's make a small compensation to Xixia and ask them to help find someone. At the same time, let Jiao Wentong, Ma Yan and Liang Xing pull the people of Qingyunbao to the border of the Yellow River to practice and let them see our military power. It would be best if Xixia agreed. Anyway, we are also neighbors, and we should rely on each other to fight against the real foreign enemy.

"What if they don't agree?" Xiaofei asked in a twen.

"There is a 90% chance that you will agree." Chu Tianya said, "They won't understand the truth of cold lips and teeth. Only those stupid emperors and teasing ministers in our court will do the stupid thing of destroying the Great Wall like Lianjin and destroying Liao.

"What if they threaten them with some excessive conditions, or simply offend the donkey and refuse to agree?"

Chu Tianya laughed and said, "Then beat him fiercely and force him to agree!"

"Haha, I think it's okay!" Xiaofei suddenly smiled happily, "Master, if the dragon chair in Tokyo's imperial city lets you sit, our Song will definitely not be bullied again!"

"It's not as simple as you said." Chu Tianya smiled softly, as if talking to himself, "The matter of looking for Princess Xiao is actually my personal matter, but now it has risen to the height of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This is a good opportunity. First, it is to practice and train soldiers, second, it is to become famous, and third, it is to seek a close alliance..."

"Master, what are you talking about? Didn't the villain hear it clearly?"

"It's none of your business! - You go ahead and ask Meng De to prepare wine and dishes. I'm going to have dinner with him. Remember, it's just him and me, two people!"

"Yes!"

That night, Chu Tianya returned directly to Qingyunbao. For this master who came and went without a trace, the people of Qingyunbao seemed to be used to it, and it was not surprising that he suddenly arrived.

Dinner was settled in Mengde's residence, and the two brothers sat down and drank with each other. After three rounds of drinking, Chu Tianya explained to Meng De his actions against Xiao Linglong and Xixia.

Meng De thought for a while and said, "Brother, can you expect that Princess Xiao really went to Xixia? Even so, she has been walking for a long time, and now it is estimated that she has crossed the border of Xixia.

"Yes and no, is it important?" Chu Tianya smiled meaningfully, "For Princess Xiao, it's one thing to find it or not, but it's another concept to find it or not. Even if she runs to the ends of the earth, I will definitely find her back. If you don't find it for a day, you can't stop for a day. In addition, our Qingyunbao once had a grudge against Xixia. Seeing that the real woman is about to go south, in case Xixia takes advantage of the fire and stab us in the waist, it will be uncomfortable. We must take this opportunity to resolve this old feud and form an alliance with it.

"I'm afraid it's not so easy." Meng De frowned and said, "Before that, I had beaten the two military castles of Xixia in order to grab horses with grain, and they were very fierce. Xixia people can't wait to peel my skin.

"It doesn't matter. There have never been eternal enemies and friends, only eternal interests. Chu Tianya said, "Now the woman is the strongest. Song and Xixia are both weak and critical. At this moment, we can only unite the weak to resist the strong. Otherwise, once Hedong is finished and the Song Dynasty is finished, the next one will be Xixia's turn. They won't understand such a simple truth. I don't expect Xixia, an ally, to be so sincere to us. Just make sure that they won't come to take advantage of the fire. In addition, Xixia's green and white pool salt, cattle, sheep and horses are all things we urgently need. If it is repaired, it will be very beneficial to us in terms of resources and trade. If we can control the trade between Hedong and Xixia, the profits brought by salt, horses, tea and livestock alone are enough to make our Hedong Rebel Army self-sufficient. Being financially independent is the foundation for real growth. At that time, our food, clothing and salary will not be completely parasitic on the court. In case of any change, you won't end your livelihood and starve to death.

Meng De suddenly clapped his hands and praised, "Brother, it's still you who are thoughtful and far-sighted! No, that's what happened! - Xixia is offended me, so it's up to Meng De to make peace in person. Even if you offer my seven-pound head, if you can change to a Xixia ally, it won't be a loss!"