Chapter 788: Killing Intent Revealed in the Peace Talks

Great Zhou, Jin Ling, Xue Family Old Residence.

Xue Baoqin asked curiously, "Father, what do you mean by 'a pity'?"

Xue Yuan said, "I pity that our Xue family descendants cannot produce talents like Jia Cong. Otherwise, why would we fear that the ancestral family business cannot be revived!"

"What I pity even more is that I have traveled far to the border for many years, yet I ignored that such an outstanding figure emerged among the old relatives of the aristocratic family."

"If I could have recognized him when he was still in his humble beginnings, and helped and promoted him, or even formed a marriage alliance, the Xue family would have certainly gained great help."

"Now it is too late. Jia Cong's achievements have been made, his official title is heavy, and his future will be limitless. Isn't that even more of a pity?"

Xue Baoqin heard the rest and only felt that her father was deeply concerned about the ancestral business, but she was just a daughter and didn't take it too much to heart.

It was just that upon hearing the four words "form a marriage alliance," her heart jumped wildly...

Xue Yuan said, "Regardless, it is a great thing that such a figure has emerged among the old relatives of the Love Shenjing."

"Cong Ge'er has now entered the Hanlin Academy and is a Grade 5 Hanlin Academician. By logic, he is still the superior of Master Mei."

"In the future, when you marry into the Mei family of the Love Shenjing, you will also have an extra relative to rely on. Others will naturally value you a few points more, which is also a convenient benefit."

Xue Baoqin felt neither joy nor sorrow when she heard this sentence, only a trace of inexplicable loss.

Xue Yuan said, "The second branch of the Jia family has now failed. Wang Ziteng only has the name of the Jingying Military Governor, and has become a trapped beast in the officialdom."

"Although the four major families of Jin Ling have always been of one mind, they cannot act without a brain. A good bird chooses a tree to perch on."

"Your aunt and Bao Yitou have been thinking far ahead. I think they also know clearly in their hearts that Pan Ge'er is not the material to guard the business."

"They came up with the idea of renting out the old shops, which can both preserve the family business for a long time and bring more closeness to the Jia family's first branch."

"Bao Yitou wrote to ask for my help, to help them reorganize and clear out the four old shops, so that they can be rented and handed over to the Xinchun Firm before the end of the year."

Xue Baoqin said, "Aunt and Sister Bao are so urgent. Now there is only half a month left until the end of the year."

Xue Yuan laughed, "Since this matter is a good thing, naturally we should strike while the iron is hot. I agree to handle it quickly."

"As long as this matter is handled properly, the aunt's family and Cong Ge'er will have an increasingly close relationship. When they reside in the Love Shenjing, they will have an extra connection and care."

"Speaking broadly, this matter is also of great benefit to our Xue family, so I naturally want to do my best to help manage it."

Xue Baoqin asked, "Father, since this matter is a letter from Sister Bao, I think she has also managed a lot. I often receive her letters, and she often mentions Cong Shixiong."

"It seems that they are very harmonious with each other, otherwise this Cong Shixiong would not have facilitated this matter."

She suddenly asked this, and even she felt a bit strange. Her face showed a trace of pink, but fortunately, her father didn't notice.

Xue Yuan laughed, "Your aunt's family moved to the Love Shenjing and has lived in the Jia family for many years."

"Bao Yitou and Cong Ge'er are old relatives and cousins. Living in the same prefecture, it's not strange for them to be close."

"I remember when they first arrived in the Love Shenjing, Cong Ge'er was only a scholar, not as glorious and valuable as he is now."

"It's just that the aunt didn't make a decision early. Bao Yitou is the eldest daughter of the Xue family's first branch, and she is so outstanding."

"If the two families had formed a marriage alliance at that time, it would have been a great thing. Now it's all too late. What a pity."

Baoqin heard her father's words and had already said "what a pity" many times. She thought he held this Cong Shixiong in high regard.

Xue Yuan said, "Regardless, it is a great thing that such a figure has emerged among the old relatives of the Love Shenjing."

"Cong Ge'er has now entered the Hanlin Academy and is a Grade 5 Hanlin Academician. By logic, he is still the superior of Master Mei."

"In the future, when you marry into the Mei family of the Love Shenjing, you will also have an extra relative to rely on. Others will naturally value you a few points more, which is also a convenient benefit."

Xue Baoqin felt neither joy nor sorrow when she heard this sentence, only a trace of inexplicable loss.

Xue Yuan said, "The second branch of the Jia family has now failed. Wang Ziteng only has the name of the Jingying Military Governor, and has become a trapped beast in the officialdom."

"Although the four major families of Jin Ling have always been of one mind, they cannot act without a brain. A good bird chooses a tree to perch on."

Great Zhou, Palace City, Qanyang Palace.

The spacious hall was imposing, and the gray-black bricks on the ground reflected a cold, cold light.

Among the monarchs of the Great Zhou Dynasty, few could surpass him in terms of diligence.

Perhaps because he was too hands-on, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was only in his forties, but his temples were already gray, and his brows and corners of his eyes could not avoid a sense of fatigue.

At this moment, in front of the imperial desk, stood Grand Secretary Wang Shilun, Minister of War Gu Yankui, and Peace Talk Secretary Jia Cong.

They were all summoned by the Emperor to discuss the peace talks with the remnant Mongols and the three major Tuman tribes.

Yesterday, Jia Cong submitted a special memorial, reporting his several contacts with Prince Nuoyan, stating that the Ordos tribe had revealed a heart of harmony and appeasement, and could plan for the future.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao knew that Jia Cong had always been strategic and had many strange plans. His two trips to Jin Ling to solve two major cases were evidence of this.

Although the Emperor had heavy troops, accumulated food and grass, and was ready for battle on the nine borders, and had enough confidence to contain the remnant Mongols' ambition to go south.

But the Anda Khan of the Tuman tribe was powerful, gathering twenty thousand steppe elites. Even if Great Zhou won the war, it would have to pay a great price.

This would cause heavy pressure on the national situation and people's livelihood. As a monarch of a governing age, spending the smallest price to win the most considerable results was a problem he had to consider.

Therefore, he was quite cautious about this memorial submitted by Jia Cong. After all, the Ordos tribe of the three major Tuman tribes of the remnant Mongols could not be underestimated.

If the court could win their appeasement and submission, the three-legged tripod of the remnant Mongols would be missing one, and Great Zhou's restraint on the remnant Mongols' ambition to go south would certainly be twice the result with half the effort.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao said, "Guo Lin, pass Jia Cong's memorial to Minister Wang and Minister Gu for browsing. If the two ministers have countermeasures, just submit them."

In fact, before Jia Cong submitted the memorial to the palace, he had privately exchanged views with the two peace talk superiors.

After all, the appeasement of the Ordos tribe was related to the overall situation of the peace talks with the remnant Mongol mission, which was related to the chief official of the peace talks.

His actions were approved and supported by both Wang Shilun and Gu Yankui. Before he submitted the matter to the palace, he also needed to give an account, which was a necessary etiquette in officialdom.

Wang Shilun and Gu Yankui were both experienced people. Even if they knew about Jia Cong's submission, they still read the memorial carefully.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao asked, "Minister Jia, the remnant Mongols on the steppe have always been repetitive, and the order and rebellion are changeable. According to your observation, can the intention of the Ordos tribe to submit be trusted?"

Jia Cong said, "Your Majesty, the steppe outside the Great Wall is limited by nature, and materials are scarce. It needs to communicate with the inside of the pass to multiply and survive. This is the time of heaven and cannot be crossed."

"Anda Khan accumulates soldiers and armor, and his ambition covets the Central Plains, which is also to break the limits of the time of heaven, expand the living space of the remnant Mongol tribes, and achieve his own hegemony."

"For the remnant Mongol tribes to obtain materials for survival, some want to use force to plunder, and some are willing to appease and obtain them. This is the time of heaven."

"I have had many contacts and tests with Prince Nuoyan, and found that this person is quite different from other remnant Mongol leaders."

"This person is proficient in Han studies, and his words, deeds, food, and drink all yearn for the Taoist tradition of the Central Plains. It is said that his biological mother was a Han woman, so he was influenced by Han studies since childhood."

"Therefore, I have tested and pondered many times, and this person has a friendly intention toward the Han family and the Central Plains. I will absolutely not misjudge."

"I am an official of the court and an imperially granted Secretary of the Two-State Peace Talks. He cannot be unaware of the weight of this."

"As a prince of the Ordos tribe and one of the three major leaders of the remnant Mongol mission, his words and statements must be cautious and will not be released without measure."

"But after several exchanges and tests, he would frankly tell me the intention of the Ordos tribe to be friendly and appease. It must have been carefully considered."

"This language and intention, in my private speculation, will not be the private words of Prince Nuoyan, but must have been approved and authorized by Khan Jirang."

Wang Shilun said, "Secretary Jia's words make sense. The appeasement of the tribe is a major event for survival. Nuoyan, as a prince of the tribe, must be cautious."

"If he hadn't obtained the approval of Khan Jirang, he would not have easily said such words to the Great Zhou peace talk officials."

"Once the peace talk officials leak the news, the Ordos tribe will inevitably suffer the backlash of the Tuman tribe."

"I think he must have heard of Secretary Jia's reputation. After many contacts and tests, he believed that he was a trustworthy person, so he revealed his heart."

"Borrowing Secretary Jia's mouth to pass the wind to the court, if you think about this matter carefully, it is all his early planning."

Jia Cong continued, "Since he encountered me on Han Zheng Street, I have noticed that he has been deliberately making friends with me."

"Perhaps he entered the capital with the mission to discuss peace, and he had the idea of observing the situation, seeking another opportunity for the Ordos tribe, and getting rid of the jurisdiction and coercion of Anda Khan, which is not strange."

"With Prince Nuoyan's wisdom and ingenuity, he would deliberately make friends with me, and he must have weighed and considered it." ===== CHAPTER 789 =====