Although Wei Zheng had some complaints in his heart, he could empathize with Li Shimin. Wei Zheng faintly smiled at Du Qi and said in a neither servile nor overbearing manner, "Emperor Xia, His Majesty has his own principles and difficulties. The Tang Dynasty is currently in a precarious situation and is in turmoil. His Majesty's shoulders are burdened with too much pressure, making it hard for people to breathe. That's why His Majesty never sent a letter. Maybe he forgot. "
"Hahaha …"
Du Qi immediately burst into laughter after hearing it.
Wei Zheng responded with a forced smile.
Kong Yingda, on the other hand, didn't say anything.
After Du Qi stopped laughing, he looked at Wei Zheng and said again, "Prime Minister Wei, you're really the best minister. How come I don't have such a good and considerate subject under my command? It would be great if everyone under my command was like you, Prime Minister Wei. "
His words were full of mockery.
Wei Zheng smiled awkwardly.
Du Qi narrowed his eyes and continued, "Prime Minister Wei, I've given you enough face by not sending troops for more than a month. But you see how Li Shimin responded to me. If I had directly sent troops to attack the Tang Dynasty during this period, I would have seized the entire Longyou Province. Alas, people's hearts are really not what they used to be. I treat people with sincerity, but the Tang Dynasty is heartless and unrighteous. Tell me, how should I deal with you and Kong Yingda? "
Wei Zheng sighed inwardly.
In the end, it still came to this step. Of course, he had already prepared for it.
Wei Zheng raised his head and said in a powerful voice, "Everything will be at your disposal, Emperor Xia. You can kill me or torture me as you wish. "
Kong Yingda also said, "We'll be at your disposal, Emperor Xia."
Du Qi shook his head and said with a smile, "What can I get by killing you two? Nothing. What I hope is that you, Wei Zheng, and Kong Yingda can serve me and Xia Xia. Li Shimin has already abandoned you. Are you willing to pledge allegiance to me? "
Wei Zheng said, "I'm in my position, and I'm in charge of my affairs. I, Wei Zheng, am here under His Majesty's order, so I'll be loyal to His Majesty and fulfill my duties. Therefore, Wei Zheng appreciates Emperor Xia's good intentions, but forgive me for not being able to comply. "
Kong Yingda echoed, "Forgive Kong Yingda for not being able to comply."
The two of them were of the same opinion.
Du Qi shook his head with a regretful look and said in a deep voice, "Forget it. If you're not willing, We won't force you."
It would not be easy to get the two of them to surrender. Du Qi knew very well that it was impossible for them to surrender under the current circumstances. However, Du Qi intended to make use of the two of them. It would be such a waste if the two of them were allowed to return just like that.
Wei Zheng breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Thank you for your understanding, Emperor Xia."
Kong Yingda was the same.
In fact, Li Shimin's actions were tantamount to declaring war on Du Qi. Although the two countries did not kill envoys, if Du Qi really killed Wei Zheng and Kong Yingda, no one would say anything. Du Qi not killing the two of them and not forcing them to surrender was already extremely benevolent.
Du Qi leaned forward slightly and said in a deep voice, "Prime Minister Wei, Chancellor Kong, you were sent as envoys this time. Have We treated you unfairly? "
"Never!"
Wei Zheng shook his head and replied.
Wei Zheng continued, "Moreover, Emperor Xia has waited for more than a month. You have indeed been extremely benevolent."
Kong Yingda echoed, "Although Emperor Xia is young, you are also a man of integrity. Although I am on a different side from Emperor Xia, I am still quite impressed by what Emperor Xia has done. "
The two of them were now flattering Du Qi.
After all, it was not a loss to flatter someone.
In short, they had to appease Du Qi first.
Du Qi stroked the small beard under his chin and said, "Since that is the case, We have a request. Of course, it is not excessive. I hope you can agree to it."
Wei Zheng said, "Please speak, Emperor Xia!"
Kong Yingda said, "As long as it is within our power, we will naturally accept and will not refuse."
The two of them were now quite relaxed.
Du Qi meant to let them go. As long as they could return to Chang 'an, it would be worth it. In any case, there was a standard at the moment, which was to not offend Du Qi or make Du Qi angry out of humiliation. All problems could wait until they returned to Chang 'an, or until they left Gan Province.
Du Qi immediately ordered, "Men, bring in the two large chests We have prepared."
After the order was given, the eunuchs carried the two chests in.
They were two large chests.
Du Qi waved his hand and said, "Open them and take a look."
Wei Zheng and Kong Yingda were somewhat puzzled at this moment because they did not understand what Du Qi was up to. However, Wei Zheng had no room to refuse at this moment, so he walked over and opened the chests.
The moment he opened them, Wei Zheng was shocked.
The chests were glittering with gold.
They were full of gold, silver, jewels, and precious jade articles. The entire chest was filled with wealth and could be said to be worth a fortune. The two chests had cost a fortune.
Wei Zheng looked up at Du Qi and said, "What is the meaning of this, Emperor Xia?"
Du Qi said, "This is a small request from me. I hope you can take this chest of wealth back. This chest of wealth is given to you by me. Please accept it. I guess this small request is worth my waiting for you. "
Wei Zheng's cheeks twitched.
He was a wise man, so he immediately understood Du Qi's intention. This was deliberately done by Du Qi to create an image of buying horse bones with a thousand gold and to establish a courteous attitude to the wise. This would tell all the officials of the Tang Dynasty that Du Qi was looking forward to the officials of the Tang Dynasty.
If it were when the Tang Dynasty was strong, Du Qi's favor to Wei Zheng would not have any influence in the country. But now, the Tang Dynasty was surrounded by enemies everywhere. Under this premise, if the news of Du Qi's favor and that Du Qi was looking forward to all the officials of the Tang Dynasty were spread, many officials of the Tang Dynasty might hear the news and come up with ideas.
He was in a dilemma.
He had just agreed to Du Qi, but Du Qi just created a problem for him. You could say that you didn't agree to Du Qi's request, but from start to finish, Du Qi didn't target them in any way. He served them well and treated them with respect. Under this premise, Wei Zheng really could not refuse Du Qi's kindness.
Wei Zheng took a deep breath and did not answer immediately. Instead, he looked at Kong Yingda. At this time, Kong Yingda was also in a dilemma and did not know how to answer.
Seeing their appearance, Du Qi smiled in his heart.
A gentleman could be bullied!
Neither Wei Zheng nor Kong Yingda could be considered politicians, at least not true politicians. If they were real politicians, real politicians, they would have understood Du Qi's intention and directly refused Du Qi's request. But Wei Zheng and Kong Yingda were honest gentlemen, so after they accepted Du Qi's kindness, they hesitated for a while and did not know how to answer.
Du Qi sighed and said, "Alas, it seems that Prime Minister Wei has promised me, but it's difficult to implement."
Wei Zheng said, "I'll accept it."
He gritted his teeth and agreed. And with this money, he would directly give it to Li Shimin when he went back and explain it clearly to Li Shimin. After all, in the current situation, he could not refuse Du Qi's kindness.
Du Qi looked at Kong Yingda and said, "What about Chancellor Kong?"
Kong Yingda said, "I'll accept it too."
"Good," Du Qi said, "The two of you are indeed men of your word. In fact, I'm giving you these two big boxes of money because I want you to remember that I, Xia Xia, will always have the door open for you at any time. Anytime, anywhere, you want to pledge allegiance to Xia Xia, I'll welcome you.
You still have important things to do, so I won't keep you. "
Wei Zheng and Kong Yingda immediately cupped their hands and left with the money.
Shangguan Yi said with a smile, "Your Majesty's action of giving money is really exquisite. Next, we can publicize this news and issue a letter called 'To the People of the Tang Dynasty'. As long as the people of the Tang Dynasty, whether they are officials or ordinary people, are willing to pledge allegiance to Xia Xia, Xia Xia will welcome them. Then, we can publicize the matter of Wei Zheng and Kong Yingda. "
Du Qi said with a smile, "You know me best, Shangguan."
He did think so.
It was impossible to simply give money to Wei Zheng and Kong Yingda. There must be follow-up arrangements. This was the complete plan.
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