Hou Junji still did not know that Zhangsun Chong had come to Gaochang. He had received Du Qi's words and knew that the outcome of Du Qi's negotiation with the imperial court was to use Zhangsun Chong as a hostage to replace him. However, after waiting for a few months, there was still no sign of Zhangsun Chong.
Gradually, Hou Junji's heart chilled, and he began to feel disappointed in Li Shimin and even more resentful toward Zhangsun Wuji. Because all of this was instigated by Zhangsun Wuji.
When he needed Zhangsun Wuji's son, Zhangsun Chong, to solve the problem, Zhangsun Chong did not appear at all. Therefore, Hou Junji was very disappointed. Even now, Hou Junji did not have any hope.
When Hou Junji saw Du Qi, he bowed and said, "Hou Junji pays respect to Emperor Xia."
Du Qi waved his hand and said, "General Hou, have a seat."
"Thank you!"
After expressing his gratitude, Hou Junji sat down obediently. He sat upright and still, not daring to overstep his boundaries. In front of Du Qi, Hou Junji had learned his lesson and did not dare to be impudent. If he angered Du Qi, he would most likely be slapped until he was half dead. Therefore, it was better to be a teacher.
Hou Junji looked down and did not say a word.
Du Qi said, "Hou Junji, you haven't returned to Chang 'an after so long. Do you still want to go back?"
"Yes!"
Hou Junji replied solemnly.
What a joke! He was Duke Lu in the Tang dynasty, a prominent official. Especially when his family was in Chang 'an. If he really did not return and stayed to serve Du Qi, his family might be in danger. Moreover, the Western Regions was a far cry from the Tang dynasty. Therefore, Hou Junji did not want to stay in the Western Regions.
Du Qi smiled and said, "Congratulations, your luck has come."
Hou Junji was stunned for a moment before his eyes widened. His rough and angular face was filled with excitement as he said, "Emperor Xia, is Zhangsun Chong here?"
Du Qi said, "Zhangsun Chong did indeed come. Originally, he was unwilling. Unfortunately, the situation forced him to come. Now that Zhangsun Chong is in Gaochang, you can leave. "
"Thank you for your kindness, Emperor Xia."
Hou Junji hurriedly expressed his thanks. He was keenly aware that he could not afford to offend Du Qi, much less provoke Du Qi. Once he angered Du Qi, at this critical moment, Du Qi would detain him, and the situation would become very complicated.
Du Qi nodded. "Hou Junji, since you're leaving the Western Regions, this king will give you a word of advice."
Hou Junji said, "Please speak, Emperor Xia."
The corners of Du Qi's mouth curled into a smile as he slowly said, "I hope that next time, you won't lead your troops to attack again. If you attack again, I can't guarantee what I will do to you. "
"I won't, I won't."
Hou Junji's head shook like a rattle-drum. He solemnly said, "No matter who my enemy is, I will never be Emperor Xia's enemy. Next time, if Zhangsun Wuji urges me to attack Emperor Xia, I will never lead my troops. "
In front of Du Qi, Hou Junji spoke quickly.
But in his heart, he did not agree.
How could he not take revenge for this great humiliation? If he had the chance, he would definitely attack Du Qi again. He was not a coward, especially now that he was returning to Chang 'an, there was no need for him to worry.
Du Qi smiled faintly and said, "I hope you have this awareness."
After saying this, Du Qi said no more. He waved his hand, and Hou Junji immediately got up and left. After Hou Junji left, Du Qi immediately had someone call for Ma Zhou.
After entering, Ma Zhou bowed to Du Qi.
Du Qi said, "Ma Zhou, Zhangsun Chong has arrived in Gaochang and is now living alone in Gaochang. Now that Zhangsun Chong has arrived, your plan can be carried out. "
When Ma Zhou heard this, he immediately smiled, and said, "This subject will immediately go and meet Zhangsun Chong, and use reason to move him. This time, ensure the success of the plan. "
"Go!"
Du Qi waved his hand.
Ma Zhou turned and left the hall. His eyes were filled with excitement. He had been planning to bring Du Ruhui and his family to the Western Regions for some time. Now, the moment had finally arrived.
Ma Zhou left the palace and went straight to the post house where Zhangsun Chong lived. After entering, he saw Zhangsun Chong, who was bored to death, sitting in the room of the post house. He smiled and said, "Young Master Zhangsun."
Zhangsun Chong frowned. "Who are you?"
Ma Zhou said, "I am Ma Zhou, just an aide of Emperor Xia."
Zhangsun Chong heard this and said, "You are Ma Zhou, the envoy who went to the Tang dynasty to inform His Majesty that Du Qi had founded the country."
"Yes!"
Ma Zhou nodded and answered.
Zhangsun Chong knew that Ma Zhou was Du Qi's confidant. He also knew that even Li Shimin valued Ma Zhou and even wanted to recruit Ma Zhou. It could be seen that Ma Zhou was extremely powerful. Zhangsun Chong did not dare to be presumptuous. He braced himself and said, "I wonder why Mr. Ma is here to see me?"
Ma Zhou said, "I am here to ask Young Master Zhangsun, are you used to the Western Regions?"
"Not used to it!"
Zhangsun Chong answered directly.
The Western Regions was cold and cheerless. It was a world of ice and snow. Zhangsun Chong was not used to this situation. Although it would snow in Chang 'an, the snow was not so heavy and the weather was not so cold.
The most important thing was that Chang 'an was very prosperous. Zhangsun Chong could do whatever he wanted. But here, Zhangsun Chong could only stay in the post and warm himself by the fire. He did not even dare to leave the post. If he was killed, he would have died in vain.
Ma Zhou said again, "So Young Master Zhangsun, do you want to go back to Chang 'an?"
"Of course!"
Zhangsun Chong glared at Ma Zhou and said, "Mr. Ma, aren't you talking nonsense? I did not want to come to the Western Regions, but I had to. If I can go back, of course I want to go back to Chang 'an immediately. "
Ma Zhou shook off a trace of snow on his robe and said, "What if I have a way to let Young Master Zhangsun return to Chang 'an?"
"Really?"
Zhangsun Chong heard this and suddenly became excited. He even stood up and walked in front of Ma Zhou and asked, "Mr. Ma, do you really have a way to let me go back? Are you sure that Emperor Xia will let me go?"
Ma Zhou said, "I am here today on behalf of Emperor Xia. My words and actions naturally count. If you want to leave the Western Regions, there is no problem, provided that you are willing to cooperate. "
After Zhangsun Chong heard this, there was a slight pause, because he heard the word 'cooperate'. Zhangsun Chong was already fifteen or sixteen years old, an age where he could understand things. It was not that he did not understand, but he wanted to go back to Chang 'an more.
Zhangsun Chong pondered for a while and asked, "Mr. Ma Zhou, how can I cooperate with you?"
Ma Zhou said, "What you need to do is very simple. Write a letter in your blood to your father and ask him to persuade the Emperor to allow Prime Minister Du's family to come to the Western Regions to take up posts. Prime Minister Du can supervise the Western Regions, or he can be appointed as the Regional Envoy of the Anxi Protectorate. In any case, you need to come to the Western Regions. In addition, ask your father to contact his people in the court to persuade the Emperor to agree. "
Zhangsun Chong rolled his eyes and said, "From what Mr. Ma Zhou means, could it be that Emperor Xia wants to send a letter to His Majesty and ask His Majesty to arrange for Prime Minister Du to work in the Western Regions? The so-called work in the Western Regions is actually to send Prime Minister Du and his family to the Western Regions. It is just an additional official position, giving them a way out. "
Ma Zhou's eyes had a touch of approval. He smiled and said, "That is what it means. Emperor Xia will send a letter to the Emperor of the Tang dynasty in the name of Xia Xia, asking the Emperor to arrange for Du Ruhui and his family to work in the Western Regions. As long as the Emperor arranges for Prime Minister Du and his family to work in the Western Regions, then Emperor Xia will release you back to Chang 'an. "
"For your father, this is an extremely simple matter. He only needs to move his lips and use his connections. As long as Prime Minister Du comes back, Emperor Xia and your family can be reunited. Why not? "
"Of course, if Young Master Zhangsun is not willing, I will not force you. After all, this is a matter of mutual consent. If you are not willing, then I will not bother to plan. "
Ma Zhou appeared to be very free and easy.
Zhangsun Chong thought for a while. He already understood the intention of Du Qi. It was to exchange Du Ruhui and his family to the Western Regions, then there would be no worries. Even if Zhangsun Chong understood, Zhangsun Chong still wanted to go back to Chang 'an.
He did not want to stay in the Western Regions.
It was too cold here.
It was too desolate here.
He had a family in Chang 'an, and his life was good and worry-free. This was what Zhangsun Chong liked.
Zhangsun Chong said, "Mr. Ma, I am willing to cooperate. As I said just now, I am willing to cooperate fully. As long as there is a need for me, I am willing to cooperate. "
Ma Zhou said, "Since you have no objection, then prepare to write a letter of blood."
Zhangsun Chong frowned slightly. He looked embarrassed and said, "Mr. Ma, do we really have to write a letter of blood? Can't we just use a normal brush, ink, paper, and inkstone? "
Ma Zhou shook his head and refused. He said, "Normal ink is fine. The problem is that it may not be convincing enough. When the time comes, if your father does not show up and is not willing to speak for you, I can't do anything about it. I hope to bring Prime Minister Du's family to the Western Regions at once. If this path does not work, then I will choose another one. "
After pausing for a moment, Ma Zhou continued, "However, this is the only path you can take. Once this path does not work, you have to continue to stay in the Western Regions as a hostage. You should know which is more important. "
Zhangsun Chong smiled embarrassedly, and his expression gradually changed. He was really afraid of pain, but now Ma Zhou said so, and he also felt that it was reasonable. Zhangsun Chong gritted his teeth and said, "I agree!"
While speaking, Zhangsun Chong prepared a piece of paper and a brush. He also pulled out the sword at his waist, rolled up his sleeves, gritted his teeth, and made a cut on the back of his hand. He dripped some blood into the bowl. Seeing some blood, Zhangsun Chong quickly bandaged the wound and wrote a letter according to Ma Zhou's instructions. When he finished, he handed the letter to Ma Zhou.
Zhangsun Chong looked a little pale and said solemnly, "Mr. Ma, thank you for your hard work."
"It's not hard at all!"
Ma Zhou shook his head and said, "I will take care of this matter well for Young Master Zhangsun. Your part is done. The next step is to see how your father will deal with it. "
Zhangsun Chong said with certainty, "My father will not sit by and do nothing. He will exchange me back."
Ma Zhou said, "I hope so too."
"Young Master Zhangsun, take care!"
Ma Zhou said and left with the letter. He went straight to the palace to see Du Qi. With Zhangsun Chong's letter, the next step was to complete the whole plan with Du Qi's letter of credence.
Ma Zhou went to the palace to see Du Qi and told him about Zhangsun Chong. Du Qi wrote a letter of credence and handed it to Ma Zhou. He asked Ma Zhou to quickly arrange for people to send it to the Tang dynasty.
The letter of credence was given to the Emperor Li Shimin.
The letter of family was given to Zhangsun Wuji.
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