Xie Xun and Xie Jue had originally agreed that after the New Year's Festival, Xie Jue would embark on a diplomatic mission to Sannan. Xie Xun relinquished all authority regarding the mission, leaving the preparations—protocol, the number of people to bring, and who to take along—entirely up to Xie Jue, without interference. Marshal Fang's hidden agenda implied that Sannan could be subdued through military means rather than diplomacy. He was also somewhat apprehensive about Xie Jue's journey to Sannan. In fact, Lin Helin had privately spoken to him, suggesting that the diplomatic mission to Sannan could be delayed. Han Ziqi was in the Capital interacting with Dugu Jing, and had even waited until Beiman surrendered before planning his return to Sannan. Sending Xie Jue to Sannan was undoubtedly fraught with danger. What if Sannan, desperate, used Xie Jue as leverage against Beining?
If the mission must go ahead, another envoy could be sent in Xie Jue's place.
