The next day, early in the morning.
Du Qi woke up early in the morning and started washing up. Zhangsun Shunde woke up and sniffed. He had an incredulous look on his face. "What … what is this smell? It's so fragrant."
Du Qi said, "It's Liu Jian's meat porridge. Since General Zhangsun is awake, let's eat together."
Before the sun rose, Liu Jian had already cooked porridge and prepared breakfast.
Zhangsun Shunde naturally agreed. He took a bowl of porridge and ate it while praising Liu Jian's culinary skills.
Du Qi was already used to it.
Liu Jian's culinary skills were indeed exquisite.
Liu Jian had such talent.
After breakfast, the group continued on their journey to the north. As they headed north, as they entered the north side of Hedong Road, the road gradually became desolate. Many places were even more deserted.
When Du Qi saw this situation, he sighed in his heart.
The original Great Sui, under the rule of Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, was really strong, and its foundation was really deep. Unfortunately, Yang Guang was impatient for success and loved to achieve grandiose results. He opened the canal and conquered Goguryeo three times, exhausting Great Sui's foundation.
With Great Sui gone, the ones who suffered in the end were the people.
Especially the people of the border counties.
The Central Plains was weak, and there were disputes everywhere. The nomads of the grasslands took the opportunity to rise, causing the people of the border counties to often be robbed, making them even more miserable.
Zhangsun Shunde sighed as he walked. He looked at Du Qi and said, "Erlang, we've seen the lives of the people on the border. What do you think?"
Du Qi said solemnly, "Prosperity, the people suffer. Death, the people suffer. Every dynasty has suffered. Be it in prosperous times or chaotic times, the people suffer. "
Zhangsun Shunde raised an eyebrow. "Kid, although you're young, your eyes are sharp. You've hit the nail on the head. The people at the bottom, no matter the situation, live poor lives. It's not easy. "
Du Qi said, "Great General Zhangsun praises me too much."
Zhangsun Shunde said, "On this diplomatic mission to the Turks, we will be in great danger, are you mentally prepared?"
Du Qi said, "I'm already prepared."
Zhangsun Shunde went with the flow and said, "Since you're already mentally prepared, why don't you take the risk? Now that we are about to enter the Turks, what are your plans? Although this old man is the Head Envoy and you are the Deputy Envoy, everything should be decided by this old man. But you're smart, so you must have your own ideas. Let's hear them. "
Du Qi's heart skipped a beat when he heard that.
This was a good thing.
He was the deputy envoy, Zhangsun Shunde was the head envoy. If the two of them could not reach a consensus, then the two of them would not be able to reach a consensus. In that case, this diplomatic mission would be quite difficult. If the two of them were of the same opinion, it would be easier for them to deal with matters after entering the Turkic Khaganate.
Du Qi pondered for a moment before saying, "Great General Zhangsun, I do have some thoughts on this diplomatic mission to the Turks."
Zhangsun Shunde said, "Speak!"
Du Qi said, "My plan is that after we enter Daizhou, we'll first stop at Gate of Yanmen and come up with a plan with Li Daen. We'll attack the Turks first and give them a hard time before we go on the diplomatic mission."
Zhangsun Shunde's eyes sparkled when he heard that. He smiled and said, "Looks like you already have a well-thought-out plan."
Du Qi said, "Great General Zhangsun praises me too much. I just have a little bit of cleverness. My plan is actually very simple. I'll lie and say that the Imperial Court specially sent grain from the rear to support Daizhou's Chief Steward, Commandery Prince Li Daen.
"Once this news gets out, the Turks will definitely come to attack when they hear about it.
"At that time, Commandery Prince Li Daen will deploy troops and set up an ambush. We'll first encounter the Turks and defeat them. After suppressing their arrogance, we'll then go on the diplomatic mission to the Turks.
"Under such a premise, we won't encounter any difficulties when we go on the diplomatic mission. Otherwise, we'll directly go on the diplomatic mission to the Turks. At that time, not only will the Turks look down on us, we'll also encounter difficulties, or even be detained, or even killed. "
Du Qi said seriously, "Therefore, my opinion is to fight a battle first and then talk about it."
Hearing that, Zhangsun Shunde started to ponder. A moment later, he said, "But, convincing Li Daen to support the battle with the Turks is not an easy matter."
Du Qi chuckled, "Actually, it's not too difficult."
Zhangsun Shunde said, "You have a way?"
Du Qi took out Li Yuan's imperial bestowed command medallion from his sleeve and placed it in front of Zhangsun Shunde. As soon as Zhangsun Shunde saw it, he quickly bowed and stood up.
As if I'm here.
This command medallion represented Li Yuan.
Zhangsun Shunde said, "Erlang, what are you doing?"
Du Qi said with a smile, "Great General Zhangsun, no need to be nervous. I took out the command medallion bestowed by His Majesty just to tell you. His Majesty bestowed upon me the command medallion of 'As if I'm here', giving me full authority to make decisions when I go on the diplomatic mission. Even if I go to Daizhou and see Daizhou's General Manager, Commandery Prince Li Daen, I can use this command medallion to order Li Daen to do things. "
Zhangsun Shunde said in a deep voice, "Erlang, Li Daen is not simple. In Daizhou, he's equivalent to a local tyrant. Back then, Li Daen's original name was Hu Daen, Dou Jiande's man. But Li Daen pledged allegiance to the Tang dynasty, so His Majesty bestowed upon him the surname Li and conferred him the title of Commandery Prince Dingxiang, letting him serve as Daizhou's General Manager. "
"If we forcefully use His Majesty's command medallion to make Li Daen obey orders, I'm afraid it will backfire."
"These fierce generals on the battlefield have unruly temperaments and won't listen to orders so easily. Especially in Daizhou, even if Li Daen belongs to the Tang dynasty, he's not easy to deal with. "
Zhangsun Shunde said, "We must plan carefully, otherwise it'll easily backfire."
Du Qi said, "Great General Zhangsun, we must persuade Li Daen to send troops and fight the Turks. Naturally, we can't force orders. As the saying goes, the best method to persuade Li Daen is to first persuade him to cooperate with us. Secondly, we can use our power to pressure him and use His Majesty to force Li Daen to obey. "
"Good, good. As expected of the author of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms."
Zhangsun Shunde said, "Erlang, this old man is convinced by your wisdom. Next, we'll do as you say. This time we are going to the Turks, although I am the head envoy, I cannot do without your advice and suggestions. This old man is just a martial artist, and I'm lacking in wisdom. With you by my side, this diplomatic mission will have a higher chance of success. "
Du Qi heard this and inwardly praised Zhangsun Shunde for knowing how to conduct himself. Moreover, he was shrewd and ruthless, worthy of being a veteran of the Jianghu. As for Zhangsun Shunde calling himself a martial artist, Du Qi didn't take it too seriously.
Zhangsun Shunde was from a family of generals.
How could he be a martial artist?
This was someone who was both intelligent and courageous.
The reasoning was actually very simple. Normally, Du Qi was just a twelve or thirteen year old child. Many veterans of the battlefield would inevitably look down on Du Qi, thinking that Du Qi was too young and not worth mentioning. Thus, they didn't think much of Du Qi.
Zhangsun Shunde was different. Not only did he rely heavily on Du Qi, he also exposed his own shortcomings, saying that he was lacking in wisdom. This was precisely the manifestation of wisdom.
Worthy of being called an old fox.
Du Qi smiled faintly. "Great General Zhangsun's words are too serious. Strategizing is my duty. Moreover, I'm also the deputy of the diplomatic mission. Since I'm the deputy, it's only natural that I assist Great General Zhangsun. "
The two's conversation improved their relationship.
The diplomatic mission had to be united.
If Du Qi and Zhangsun Shunde had their own agendas, this diplomatic mission would be extremely risky. On the contrary, it was only now that the two of them could rely on each other and be truly united.
The diplomatic mission continued on its way.
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