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Zhan Doudou frowned and said, "Junior Aunt, I regret to inform you that the Imperial Sister has replied."
"She's already set her sights on Li Chang'an; she doesn't even need to see the Crown Prince of Nanqing anymore..."
Haitang's expression suddenly became complicated, a mixture of disbelief and disdain.
"What happened to Pianpian? I talked to her all night before she left!"
"That rogue prince who frequents brothels, writes erotic poems, and uses aphrodisiacs is absolutely unreliable!"
After saying a few angry words, Haitang suddenly sighed helplessly.
"That rogue prince is not bad looking and he can write good poetry. It's normal for a simple girl like Pianpian to be deceived."
"What did the Southern Qing royal family say?"
Zhan Doudou chuckled twice and said, "The Emperor of Nanqing hopes that my elder sister and the eldest prince will marry."
If she absolutely must marry Prince Yong, she can only be a concubine.
Upon hearing this, Haitang, who had just calmed down, exploded again.
"what?"
"Princess of the Great Qi, go and become someone's concubine!"
"This is absolutely impossible!"
Zhan Doudou stole glances at Haitang Duoduo, feeling that the one who was so furious should be the emperor herself.
“Little Martial Aunt, the Empress Dowager is just as angry as you, so she will probably still choose the First Prince.”
"I know you're anxious, but don't rush. We'll discuss everything once my elder sister returns to the capital."
As the two were talking, a eunuch came to deliver a message, saying that the Empress Dowager urgently summoned Zhan Doudou.
When the young emperor arrived at the imperial study, he found Uesugi Tora, who had recently been stripped of his military power, standing in the room.
When the Empress Dowager saw Zhan Doudou arrive, she explained Shangshan Hu's purpose to her.
Uesugi Tora claims that during the battle with Nankei, he always felt that important military information had been leaked.
After careful investigation, they finally discovered Yan Bingyun, a secret agent from Nanqing who had infiltrated the capital.
This was, of course, a pretext; Yan Bingyun's information was actually sold to Zhuang Mohan and Shangshan Hu by Li Yunrui.
“My son, Yan Bingyun is the son of Yan Ruohai, a senior member of the Southern Qing Surveillance Bureau. He revealed a lot of information to Southern Qing during the previous war.”
"The general intends to exchange Yan Bingyun for Nan Qing in exchange for his godfather, Xiao En."
Zhan Doudou was incredibly clever and immediately understood her mother's meaning.
Firstly, capturing Yan Bingyun would give them more leverage in the peace talks, putting them in a much more proactive position, and at least allowing them to reclaim a significant amount of benefits.
Secondly, since Uesugi Tiger captured Yan Bingyun, his demand to exchange Yan Bingyun for Sean must be met.
Thirdly, Xiao En is the head of spies from the former Wei dynasty. His return will further destabilize the already unstable situation in the Northern Qi court.
Therefore, Xiao En cannot return to Northern Qi alive; we must find an opportunity to kill him along the way!
"Mother, the General has worked hard and made great contributions. He is discerning and his filial piety deserves to be understood!"
"Your subject believes that we can send a message to the delegation, exchanging Yan Bingyun for Xiao En, and also including Si Lili!"
"However, we must also make Nanqing relinquish the land it occupies in our country and provide compensation to the fallen soldiers of Daqi!"
After Zhan Doudou finished speaking, Shangshan Hu showed a look of joy. This general who had lost his power did not even think about restoring his military power.
In his view, as long as Sean returns, he will eventually regain the initiative in the court.
Empress Dowager Wei nodded in satisfaction, "Although my son is usually mischievous, what he said makes sense. Let's do it this way."
When news from Northern Qi reached Southern Qing, the Southern Qing court was shaken!
Finally, Emperor Qing gave the final instruction: the entire prefecture would not be returned, but everything else could be discussed.
Therefore, the final outcome of the negotiations was that Northern Qi released Yan Bingyun, and Southern Qing released Xiao En.
The land occupied by Nanqing would certainly not be returned, and Silili could not be found. Beiqi received some compensation and a promise of peace.
Dongyi City respectfully presented their apology gifts, and Nanqing, of course, didn't make things difficult for them, as it wasn't their business anyway.
The events unfolded exactly as Emperor Qing and Chen Pingping had planned, and all the mistakes were corrected.
Emperor Qing was overjoyed upon seeing the outcome of the negotiations. "Send orders to the Ministry of Rites and the Qing Temple in the capital!"
"The war between Qing and Qi has ended, and peace has been restored to the world. This is all thanks to the divine protection. I wish to go to the Qing Temple to offer sacrifices and report to Heaven!"
"Please have the Northern Qi delegation and the Dongyi City delegation perform the sacrificial ceremony together. Set up a vegetarian banquet in the outer hall of the Qing Temple. I want to see the two delegations off!"
Upon hearing the decree, Eunuch Hou was slightly surprised. Although the Southern Qing also worshipped at the temple, it was not as revered as the Northern Qi.
Emperor Qing even said that the peace of the world was entirely due to the protection of the gods, which surprised Eunuch Hou.
But if the thoughts of emperors were so easy to guess, they wouldn't be so mysterious or awe-inspiring.
All three kingdoms worshipped the same temple, so it was perfectly reasonable for them to do so.
In the post house.
Upon receiving the news, Wei Bi, the chief envoy of the Northern Qi, was in a very good mood.
"It is said that the southern barbarians do not respect the gods, but now it seems that this is not entirely true."
Emperor Qing's choice to hold the sacrificial ceremony at the Qing Temple shows his sincerity!
"Announce to all members of the mission that they shall bathe and fast tonight, and enter the temple to offer sacrifices tomorrow!"
Late at night, Yun Zhilan quietly sneaked into Zhuang Mohan's room.
"Master Yun, tomorrow's farewell banquet will be the perfect opportunity for Prime Minister Tie to make his move."
Tie Xiang is Wang Xi, also known as Wang Shisanlang, who is the martial arts genius who is going to cripple Fan Xian this time.
Yun Zhilan said, "According to our plan, Emperor Qing will absolutely not be able to make trouble openly."
"After this is done, I will personally take Junior Brother Wang away from the capital. I expect that Nanqing will be helpless."
Zhuang Mohan said, "This is just a normal martial arts competition, and Nanqing has no reason to refuse."
"Moreover, Fan Xian's life was not harmed, and Li Yunrui is also there to mediate. Everyone can rest assured."
Yun Zhilan frowned and said, "My master is very fond of my junior brother. I'm just feeling uneasy."
After seeing Yun Zhilan off, Zhuang Mohan took out another secret manual.
"Alas... If it weren't for the urgent need to save lives, I wouldn't want to harm young people."
In the same inn, Wei Bi was sleeping soundly in the largest room.
Having just bathed and fasted, he thought he could sleep until dawn.
But in his dazed state, a long sword suddenly pressed against his throat.
"Lord of the Butthole, you've been secretly involved in smuggling with the Southern Qing Treasury. Your pockets must be quite full now."
"You don't want Empress Dowager Wei to know about this, do you?"
Chapter 98 The Three High Priests Overpower Yun Zhilan! Li Chang'an Performs a Shamanistic Dance at the Temple of Heaven! (13)
Late at night, at the post station.
Neither the delegations from the Northern Qi Kingdom nor the delegations from Dongyi City slept well.
"Lord Zhang, do you still remember how you harmed her husband's family in order to force her to marry your eleventh concubine?"
"Lord Zhong, twenty years ago during the imperial examinations, you bought the exam questions from the wife of the steward's cousin at Grand Secretary Zhang's residence, am I right?"
“Lord Li, it’s not a big deal that you stole the young emperor’s favorite issue of Dream of the Red Chamber… We would also like to ask you for a small favor.”
……
Many of the damaging allegations that the Censorate's experts used to threaten members of the delegation were prepared in advance.
Some were sold by members of the Luo Wang organization to personnel stationed at various local inspection bureaus.
The Northern Qi delegation of over forty people included three to five individuals with serious crimes related to murder and cheating in the imperial examinations; the others had minor grievances.
The situation in Dongyi City was slightly better, but there were still many instances of people encroaching on other people's property and violating the rules.
In the valley more than ten miles away, Ye Zhong and Yun Zhilan had already exchanged over a hundred blows.
Emperor Qing instructed Ye Zhong to lure Yun Zhilan out under the guise of a friendly sparring session, fearing that Yun Zhilan would overhear the commotion of the Surveillance Bureau members.
After Ye Zhong conceded defeat, when Yun Zhilan returned to the inn, the people from the Surveillance Bureau had already finished their business.
The next day.
Three miles.
Keimyo Temple, on the outskirts of Kyoto in southern Kyō.
Sanlidi does not mean that it is three li away from the palace, but rather that the place itself is called Sanlidi.
The main hall of the Qing Temple is called the Temple of Heaven. It is a black wooden structure with two layers of round eaves that are somewhat similar to the Temple of Heaven in Beijing in Li Chang'an's previous life.
Nearly two hundred people stood in the main hall. The delegations from the Northern Qi Kingdom and the Eastern Yi City were dressed in their finest attire, and many nobles and important officials from the Southern Qing Kingdom also attended.