Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

Zhenzong nodded, "The prime minister is devoted to state affairs, speaks frankly and admonishes well, how can I blame him, get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your innocence." Li Hang stood up, and Zhenzong took out a letter and said, "This is a personal letter from Party Xiang Li Deming."

"Li Deming?" Defang asked, "He wrote a letter just after taking the throne. Could it be that he was provocative?"

"No, he explained why he didn't send an envoy to inform Li Jiqian of his death."

"Explain." Defang snorted, "He sent an envoy to inform the Liao Kingdom, but he didn't envoy Song. Now he is writing to explain what he means."

Zhenzong nodded, "Li Deming is indeed not sincere, this is just his reply."

"Reply?" Defang was puzzled, "Did His Majesty order someone to write to him?"

"It's not Zhen, but Zhang Chonggui, the governor of Qianyan Erzhou, who wrote a letter asking Li Deming why Liao informed Li Jiqian of his death, but not Song. Li Deming replied."

Defang thought for a while, "There is internal turmoil in the party, but the Liao Kingdom has soldiers on the border. At this time, Li Jiqian was injured and died. Li Deming was also afraid of internal and external troubles, and my Great Song Dynasty was also restrained by the Liao Army. Li Deming must first stabilize the Liao Kingdom. , so only sent envoys to Liao."

"That should be the case." Zhenzong nodded, "The Liao army has been making frequent moves recently, and Beizhen came to report that the Liao Kingdom is calling all kinds of troops to gather in the south. It seems that the war is not far away."

"The two countries have been fighting for nearly 30 years, and Liao's heart to invade Song Dynasty is still not dead. Not only that, Liao sent troops to plunder internal Fanbu, foreign party items, Korea, etc., and the people in the suffering places all complained and hated it."

"Li Deming is the only heir to the throne, and it is only natural to be afraid."

"May I ask Your Majesty, what words does Li Deming use to explain the refusal?"

"It is said that the burial of Li Jiqian has not been arranged yet, and it is inconvenient to report to the Celestial Court at this time according to the etiquette, so I ask Zhang Chonggui to report this matter on his behalf."

"Then, will His Majesty send an envoy to the party to express his condolences?"

Zhenzong supported the imperial case for a while and asked, "Prime Minister, do you think you should send an envoy there?"

"Return to Your Majesty" Li Hang cupped his hands and said, "Li Deming did not officially send an envoy to Song Dynasty to report Li Jiqian's death. Our court should not take the initiative to send an envoy to express condolences. I think that since Li Deming asked you to come with a letter, I might as well return to the court." Show so."

"The prime minister means that I will also write back to him?"

"Your Majesty, let me write it, and let Zhang Chonggui forward it to Dang Xiang."

"Okay, so what should the prime minister write in reply?"

"Just go back to what Li Deming wrote." Li Hang said, "The minister wrote that because he did not receive the party's notification of Li Jiqian's death, we did not send envoys to express condolences. Condolences."

"Okay," Zhenzong said with a smile, "it's so good. It not only means to condemn Li Deming, but also shows the benevolence of our dynasty, without losing courtesy."

"Your Majesty," Defang said, "do you also ask Zhao Baozhong (the former leader of the party Li Jipeng, who was named Zhao Baozhong after he led his troops to submit to the Song Dynasty) to write back to Li Deming and use his words to persuade him to surrender?"

"Brother Huang, this method is good. Zhao Baozhong is Li Deming's uncle. With his letter, Li Deming must reconsider how to get along with me, Da Song." Zhenzong thought for a while and said, "Brother Huang, Prime Minister, since you want to borrow Zhao Baozhong mouth, then I plan to seal him immediately."

"Your Majesty wants to show Li Deming?"

"Yes, as long as he submits to our court, it will be beneficial and harmless for the two countries to stop the war and discuss peace."

"How does His Majesty plan to award Zhao Baozhong?"

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