Chapter 781

Love Shenjing, Court of State Ceremonial, Association Hall.

In the main hall of the hall, the algae-patterned ceiling was carved with beams and painted pillars, and the four walls were painted red and inlaid with gold, which was very magnificent and gorgeous.

The charcoal fire in the fire basin emitted a dark red light, baking the spacious hall until it was warm.

In the center of the hall was a wide table, on one side sat the Da Zhou officials in solemn official uniforms, refined and scholarly, with serious expressions.

On the other side sat the officials of the Remnant Mongol mission, wrapped in fur coats, with sturdy figures, bristling beards, and various costumes.

The officials of both sides were either righteous and stern, or cursing, confronting each other with words, glaring at each other, arguing like a pot of porridge.

The interpreters on both sides were even more exhausted, fearing that they would miss a single word.

They spoke loudly to the other side's interpreters, clenching their fists and pointing fingers, spitting flying, even more aggressive than the others, as if they were about to climb onto the table to fight.

On the side of the table was another small table, on which were placed brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, but not a single word was written on the snow-patterned Xuan paper, and the brush stained with ink had begun to dry and harden.

Jia Cong wore a Hanlin official uniform, with an outstanding bearing and a relaxed and elegant spirit, sitting upright behind the table, arms crossed, looking at the arguing officials of both sides, his expression appearing somewhat bored.

Ever since the Mongol mission raised the mutual market quota by 40%, the peace negotiations between the two sides had fallen into a stalemate, and the heads of the peace negotiations on both sides did not attend the talks.

Only the officials of both sides remained to negotiate and compete every day, engaging in a war of words, attempting to gain the upper hand and advantage for their own side.

Jia Cong, as the Da Zhou peace negotiation secretary, did not participate in the specific negotiations, but had been listening on the sidelines for two days.

He saw that the officials of both sides were fully engaged, arguing on the basis of reason, and making unremitting efforts for their respective goals.

But the heads of the peace negotiations on both sides had already retreated, and the others could not decide the overall situation; in his eyes, these people were nothing but nonsense.

Just as he became increasingly bored, enduring the urge to yawn, the Western-style clock in the hall struck, and the time was approaching noon.

A minor official in charge of the dining hall came in to pass a message, saying that it was time for lunch, and that the wine and food had been prepared, inviting all the officials to dine.

The officials of both sides, who had just been arguing, immediately stopped their anger, and there was no longer any sign of swords drawn and bows bent, asking the minor official to bring the food quickly.

Even the people on both sides joked a few times; after all, everyone had been arguing for half a day, and everyone was somewhat hungry.

Jia Cong saw this scene and couldn't help but find it somewhat funny; at this time, many servants of the hall entered one after another, carrying rice, wine, and food.

At this time, a maid suddenly appeared at the entrance of the hall, with delicate features and a slender figure, not daring to enter the hall, looking around at the entrance.

Seeing Jia Cong, her face lit up with joy, and she kept waving at him; Jia Cong also smiled at her, then walked out of the hall alone.

The long table in the hall was full of dishes; apart from wine, the Da Zhou officials had rice and vegetables, while the Remnant Mongol officials had steamed and boiled meat.

Among them, a Ministry of War director was about to greet the Hanlin Academician to dine together, but when he turned his head, he saw that the small table was empty, and Jia Cong had long since disappeared.

On the veranda outside the main hall, Jia Cong smiled at the little maid, "Xiaoxia, is it your Taiji who sent you to pass a message?"

This maid was the personal maid of Noyan Taiji, but she was not a Mongol; she was a proper Han Chinese daughter, and it was said that Noyan bought her after arriving in the Love Shenjing.

Ever since Jia Cong was granted the position of peace negotiation secretary, he had been coming in and out of the Association Hall these past few days, listening to the peace negotiations between the two states every day.

Noyan Taiji, as one of the three leaders of the Remnant Mongol mission, had not appeared at the peace negotiation site since the peace talks between the two sides fell into a stalemate.

It was unknown whether he was too idle, but whenever there was a break in the peace talks between the two states, Noyan Taiji would send his maid to pass a message, inviting him over to drink tea and chat.

The reason Jia Cong took this position as peace negotiation secretary was to take advantage of the situation and use it to investigate the details of the conflicts between the Remnant Mongol tribes.

Noyan Taiji was one of the three leaders of the mission, and he was a key breakthrough figure who also had the intention of befriending him, so he naturally would not miss such an opportunity.

These past few days, he and Noyan Taiji had been in contact from time to time, and the two had become more familiar with each other; the maid Xiaoxia often ran errands to pass messages and had also become very familiar with Jia Cong.

Xiaoxia smiled, "Lord Weiyuan, it is now time for a meal; our Taiji has already prepared wine and food, and invites Lord Weiyuan to do us the honor of dining together."

Jia Cong smiled, "That would be great. Although your Taiji is a grassland person, he is familiar with the customs of the Central Plains, a person of gourmet taste and elegance, which I have already witnessed.

The wine and food he uses to treat guests must be carefully selected and top-notch, so I can be considered to have a good appetite.

You don't know, the food in the Association Hall's public dining hall is not to say it's unpalatable, but it's certainly not good.

Moreover, dozens of people squeezing together to dine is no different from feeding donkeys and horses; just looking at it makes me have no appetite."

Xiaoxia couldn't help but giggle when she heard Jia Cong's humorous words, her pair of bright eyes turning on Jia Cong's face, feeling very happy in her heart.

Xiaoxia also grew up in the Love Shenjing; although she was born with a lowly slave status, she had heard of Jia Cong's great name like thunder.

It was rumored in the streets of the Love Shenjing that Jia Cong was a world-famous talented scholar, peerless in poetry and books, granted a hereditary rank as a youth, achieved fame on the golden list, and was as handsome as Pan An, rarely seen in the world.

Originally, according to Xiaoxia's background, it was difficult to have the opportunity to come into contact with Jia Cong; she didn't expect that becoming Noyan's maid would provide such convenience.

This Lord Weiyuan was not only so handsome that people would feel dizzy when they saw him, but he was also gentle and polite, without any airs.

Even if she was just a little maid, he was polite and pleasant, speaking humorously, which made Xiaoxia feel very happy in her heart.

Every time she was ordered by Noyan to pass a message to Jia Cong, it was a very joyful thing for Xiaoxia.

She felt in her heart that although the Taiji was a grassland person, he was not only outstanding in character but also had a good eye, being able to see the benefits of Lord Weiyuan so early.

Jia Cong followed Xiaoxia into the Ordos Hall and saw that in the hall facing south, a table was already full of delicacies and fine wine.

Noyan Taiji wore a moon-white robe with dark patterns of flowers, his black hair coiled in a bun, his figure tall and straight, dressed as a Han Chinese, looking very elegant.

Seeing Jia Cong enter the door, he smiled, "You are doing very well in this official position, and it is easy for me to find you to talk.

It is boring to dine alone at noon, so I asked you to come and keep me company; I hope you don't find me troublesome."

Jia Cong smiled, "I am not familiar with these Ministry of War officials, and dining with them is even more boring; since you have prepared fine wine and delicacies, I naturally will not decline."

Noyan Taiji saw Jia Cong in his official uniform and smiled, "It is very inconvenient for you to dine and drink in this attire; it would be better to change into another one to be more convenient.

I have just made a new robe that I haven't worn even once; our figures are similar, so let Xiaoxia help you change into it, which will be more convenient."

Jia Cong felt slightly strange in his heart; although Noyan Taiji also had a tall figure, he looked thinner than himself, so they couldn't be considered similar in figure.

However, it was indeed inconvenient to drink in a Hanlin official uniform, and it was somewhat lacking in solemnity, so he followed Xiaoxia to the back hall to change clothes.

Xiaoxia took out a brand-new treasure-blue satin robe with flower patterns, lined with light, soft, and precious fur, the workmanship of which was very gorgeous and exquisite.

After Jia Cong changed into the robe, he found it very fitting, and felt slightly strange in his heart.

Noyan Taiji saw Jia Cong return after changing clothes, smiled and walked around him, and smiled, "It fits you very well."

The two sat down to drink a few cups and chatted about some idle matters, both smiling, and the atmosphere became increasingly harmonious.

Noyan Taiji said, "Brother Cong has been listening to the peace talks for several days; when do you think the peace talks between the two states can be settled?"

Jia Cong smiled slightly, "The Mongol mission raised the mutual market quota by 40%, which has exceeded the court's limit of endurance, so the peace negotiations between the two states will be difficult to complete.

In fact, even if I didn't say this, Noyan is a wise and clear person, and I think you have already known it in your heart.

I heard that the mission is headed by Alatang of the Tumet tribe, who is a famous person on the grassland.

Since we can see the consequences of raising the mutual market quota by 40% on the peace negotiations, I think Lord Alatang must also know it well.

Since he knows that this move will cause the peace negotiations to fall into a stalemate, why does he still insist on proposing this?

These past few days, I have been listening to the peace negotiations, and apart from both sides wasting time, it has no other meaning, which is very puzzling."

After Jia Cong finished speaking, his bright eyes looked at Noyan, hoping to see some clues from his expression.

In fact, such a question had always been hovering in Jia Cong's mind; when he went to visit his superiors that day, Wang Shilun and Gu Yankui also had the same question.

It was just that everyone could not see through the mystery; Noyan was one of the three leaders of the Remnant Mongol mission, and Jia Cong felt that he must know the secret.

Noyan Taiji felt a jolt in his heart when he heard Jia Cong's words; in fact, he had also had such doubts for a long time.

When Alatang gathered him and Gaertai of the Yongxielun tribe to raise the mutual market quota by 40%, Noyan Taiji had raised his concerns.

But Alatang didn't care about this, claiming that even if the peace negotiations became more difficult, they would extend their stay in the Love Shenjing and spend more time negotiating.

Now that he thought about it, it seemed like he was deliberately delaying time; Alatang didn't mention the real reason, and Noyan Taiji couldn't comprehend it either.

He also associated it with the many clues he had discovered, such as why the Daruhachi of the Tumet tribe arrived in the Love Shenjing so early and opened the Duan family grain shop under a hidden identity.