After hearing what Lu Dongzan said, Zeng smiled, but it was an apologetic smile. Lu Dongzan's heart tightened. Could it be that this old man would even refuse this? That would be too heartless.
"Your Excellency, the Prime Minister's words have truly moved me deeply. However, I am merely the Protector General of Tuyuhun. It sounds like I have considerable authority, but when it comes to matters of this nature, I must consult Chang'an. I also hope to sign this agreement so that there will be no more fighting in the border areas. However, if I sign it privately after returning to Chang'an, the Emperor will naturally understand my intentions, but my political enemies will not, and they will certainly use this to attack me. Therefore, I beg Your Excellency, the Prime Minister, to forgive me for a few days."
Lord Zeng stood up to speak at this time, and after he finished speaking, he bowed to Lu Dongzan, which can almost be said to be very polite. I have told you the truth and apologized to you first. If you still want to care about this matter, it means that you are not broad-minded enough. If a man is petty these days, who would be willing to work with you in the future?
Li Xiang heard it clearly outside the tent. Lord Zeng usually looked honest and loyal, but he didn't expect that when it came to shirking responsibility, his performance was truly textbook-level. Just looking at the situation just now, it was truly impeccable. An old man had apologized to you so much, do you still want to continue forcing him?
The expression on Lu Dongzan's face was very awkward. He didn't know whether to keep smiling or get angry. If he wanted to get angry, he really didn't have the capital to do so now. But if he wanted to keep smiling, he really couldn't smile in his heart. Several of his proposals were rejected by the other party in a row. No one would be happy about it.
The meeting ended that day. Before Lu Dongzan left, they agreed to go hunting together the next day. Midu Khan said he would accompany them throughout the trip.
As for Lu Dongzan's desire to have a private talk with Midu Khan, Midu Khan simply did not give him the chance. You can say whatever you want. Anyway, the person who delivered the letter that day was killed, and there is no evidence. I won't even stand by your side today, for fear of encountering a plague like you.
After seeing Li Xiang's actions with his own eyes, Midu Khan also knew very well, do you want to become the enemy of such a person?
Although you are now a child emperor, at least you have no shortage of fine clothes and delicious food, and the Tuyuhun can still maintain some of their original ethnic customs. But if you anger this little evil star, do you know what the future will be like? The former Khan is still buried. Are we going to follow his old path?
What's more, in Midu Khan's heart, Tubo now has not much hope. Even if Lu Dongzan has the ability to turn the tide, you have to look at who your opponent is. If there is no Li Xiang, maybe you can win, but Li Xiang is constantly sabotaging you, do you still have the ability to resist?
Midu Khan understood one thing very well: if you want to do something well, it may not be so easy, but if you want to mess something up, there are plenty of opportunities to do so. Now Li Xiang and Lu Dongzan are in such a situation. Lu Dongzan is trying every means to patch up the sky, and he will patch up any hole he finds. Li Xiang is trying every means to poke holes, and he can poke holes anywhere. Who is active and who is passive? Is there any need to say?
"Your Highness, what about tomorrow's hunting?"
On the way back, Midu Khan also had to ask Li Xiang for instructions.
"Just say that everyone is not feeling well when we return home today. You can make up any excuse to get away with it. Since we already know he's losing his patience, we should continue to shirk responsibility. However, we have to make it clear that we don't want to withdraw our troops, and today's armed exercises will continue."
During today's talks, Li Xiang basically knew the other party's trump card, which is to hope that the armies of all countries will retreat and create a relatively safe international environment for you Tubo. Nowadays, no one is a fool. You don't pay anything, but you expect us to do such a thing for you. Do you think you are our suzerain?
Midu Khan agreed and said, it seems that Lu Dongzan is really unlucky to meet someone like Li Xiang.
The next day was the day for hunting, and Midu Khan's men came to deliver a message saying that when Midu Khan was returning yesterday, his horse got frightened and he fell off the horse. He has now returned to the royal court. After all, there are doctors who specialize in treatment there, and here, apart from some bonesetters, there is nothing they can do.
"Ah...what about Master Zeng?"
After hearing the news, Lu Dongzan seemed a little flustered.
"Master Zeng is still in the same place. Our army will be conducting military exercises in the next few days. Two generals have come from Chang'an City to inspect Master Zeng's military equipment. If the Prime Minister wants to go hunting, Master Zeng can arrange it and introduce the two generals to him."
The messenger's words made the generals in the tent feel uncomfortable. The situation has been tense these days, and you still want to conduct exercises in the border area. The sound of artillery fire yesterday scared our horses.
General Huyan was the one who was most opposed to this. He had issued orders in the past few days not allowing his men to go over and watch. However, the more forbidden something was, the more people were willing to go over. In the past few days, hundreds of people had climbed to the top of the mountain to watch. When they saw the strange attack method of the Tang army, many of them came back and could not sleep all night. This was the most terrifying thing they had ever seen in their lives.
"Then I'll think about it. You go back first. I'll send someone to deliver the message if there's anything."
Lu Dongzan asked the visitor to go back first. Now he had to think about it carefully. He didn't have time to wait. He made a timetable for himself. No matter whether there was any effect or not, he had to go back after three days.
This afternoon he received a battle report that Chief Maiqi and his men had launched a surprise attack. Although the Tubo army suffered few losses, this might become a long-lasting blow. With people launching surprise attacks every day, the accumulation of small attacks would eventually result in many casualties.
So Lu Dongzan has no time. He must first negotiate with the top leaders of the Tang Dynasty before he can return. But we have not fought with the Tang Dynasty, so do we have to pay first?