A hint of the aroma of food drifted into the main hall from the direction of the dining room.
Xiao Ming, who had received huge benefits, was in a good mood. He said to Li Wei: "Since it's already dinner time, why don't the envoys have dinner at the palace."
Li Wei was a little flattered when he heard this, and he said: "I don't dare. How dare you be so humble? Your Highness
is sitting at the same table."
"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. There are not so many rules here, so the envoy should not come out." Xiao Ming said carelessly, and he said to the servant outside the door: "Let the dining room prepare an extra meal. "
Li Wei became more and more frightened. He couldn't help but feel a little nervous at this time. He was not a person who was not favored by the King of Chu, otherwise he would not have traveled long distances to serve as an envoy at the age of fifty. .
After all, in the Chu region, the envoys were served by humble people. Even if these people died in the hands of the enemy, the King of Chu would not feel sorry for them. Therefore, being treated so grandly by Xiao Ming, he was a little overwhelmed.
Xiao Ming saw Li Wei's expression and asked Li Wei to go out first. At this time, Wang Xuan came out from behind the screen at the back of the main hall.
He asked: "Do you and your secret guards know about this Li Wei?"
"Back to your highness, we, the secret guards, have records of some high-ranking officials in the Chu region, but not this Li Wei. If your guess is correct, this Li Wei should be an unknown person." A well-received minor official."
Xiao Ming nodded, "There must be secret guards in King Chu's fiefdom. Overtly, we must try our best to bribe officials to work for us. Remember, you secret guards are not just for this purpose. The most important task in gathering intelligence is thorough penetration."
Wang Xuan nodded. In fact, their secret guards have been executing an extremely secret plan. Only Xiao Ming and him knew about this plan, and even officials such as Pang Yukun did not know about it.
In this plan, their work as secret guards was further expanded. They were not only responsible for espionage work, but also for bribery and infiltration officials. These officials included those from the imperial court, some from feudal lords with different surnames, and even targeted barbarians.
In addition to officials, their work also includes infiltrating the people. Just like what the King of Chu did in Yongzhou, their secret guards are also looking for contradictions in the Chu land and are ready to detonate them at any time.
"Your Highness, we are already starting this work, but this plan costs a lot of money, this money?" Wang Xuan chuckled and started to ask for money.
There is no way, now Qingzhou's finances only have so little money. Whether it is Niu Ben, Pang Yukun or Chen Wenlong, they are all staring eagerly at the treasury's accounts. If he does not open his mouth for the secret guard, this work will not be carried out.
Xiao Ming's face turned green, and he cursed with a smile: "They are all a bunch of vampires. You really want me to suck you dry."
"Your Highness, I am helpless. These officials have big appetites. If you don't feed them well, Yes, they won't be obedient," Wang Xuan said with a bitter smile.
"Okay, okay." Xiao Ming spread his hands, "I will talk to Pang Yukun about this, but you have to report the required expenses in detail. This money cannot be given randomly."
"Yes."
Wang Xuan He smiled. Unlike the army and government officials who could ask for money openly, their secret guards could only go through Xiao Ming. Now that he had received Xiao Ming's permission, he resigned and left the main hall.
With a sigh, Xiao Ming frowned. Qingzhou's development now requires money everywhere. It seems that he has to speed up the production of more goods and open up maritime trade routes, otherwise sooner or later he will have a fiscal deficit.
While he was thinking about the money, Zi Yuan came over and asked him to come over for dinner. Because there were guests this time, Fei Yue'er chose to avoid it.
Naturally, Xiao Ming had bad intentions when he left Li Wei to eat this time.
Li Wei was in charge of the artillery purchase negotiations this time, and what he said when he returned was of course crucial, so Xiao Ming wanted to test Li Wei, find his flaws, and buy him off.
Since there were only two people eating, Ziyuan arranged the food in the pavilion of the palace, so that they could enjoy the scenery of the palace while eating.
After raising his glass and taking a sip of wine, Xiao Ming observed Li Wei. Although his clothes were not bad, they were a bit shabby.
The pursuit of scholars in this era is actually very simple, nothing more than a wealth of wealth, a wife in the clouds, and a successful career.
Aster glanced at Aster, who understood and immediately turned around and left. After a while, two singers from the royal palace came and sat on both sides of Li Wei, their songs were charming and unparalleled.
Li Wei was a little cautious when he saw this, but he also understood that this was just the way a vassal king would treat guests, so he had to reluctantly entertain, but he was very polite.
"Not lewd." This was Xiao Ming's conclusion.
He didn't just look at the surface, Li Wei's eyes were also very clear and showed no lustful or evil look.
Xiao Ming smiled and said: "Envoy Li, for this business, I hope that the envoy will go back and have a good word with the King of Chu, and send more craftsmen and merchant ships. If the envoy can ask the King of Chu to send more, I am willing to give the extra part to him." How about giving a portion of the profits to the envoy?" Li Wei knew that Xiao Ming must have impure motives for keeping him as a guest. He said, "Your Highness, Ding is Ding Mao and I am afraid that I can't make the King of
Chu
change his mind."
Ming was a little surprised. Li Wei was neither greedy nor lewd. This was really difficult to handle. He naturally knew that Li Wei's words were just an excuse.
Living in modern times, he naturally knows that although the ambassador is under domestic orders, the ambassador is very maneuverable in the other country. Li Wei is responsible for the artillery procurement and may be stationed in Qingzhou in the next few years to supervise this matter. There are many things that can be said to be tricky.
After pondering for a while, Xiao Ming said, "You speak softly. Does it mean that the envoy's official position in Chu is very low?"
"This…" Li Wei's eyes suddenly flickered, seeming a little annoyed.
Xiao Ming immediately caught Li Wei's change. It must be said that the King of Chu was very shrewd. He probably saw that Li Wei was not greedy for money or sex, so he allowed him to visit.
But what he didn't estimate was that Li Wei was always dissatisfied with his official career.
"Hey, the envoy looks like he is fifty, what a pity." Xiao Ming deliberately provoked Li Wei. He now wanted to open a breakthrough in King Chu's fiefdom.
Li Wei's face became more and more ugly. He was also a famous talent in Chu land back then. For decades, he was just a small guest in the Prince of Chu's palace, and he always had hidden dissatisfaction in his heart.
But he concealed it very well, and King Chu didn't notice anything strange.
"Both the senior officials and the junior officials are all working for the King of Chu, so there is no pity." Li Wei said still cautiously.
"The envoy's integrity is admirable. If the officials in the imperial court are as generous as the envoy, why worry about the imperial court's Honglu Temple having no successor."
"The imperial court?" Li Wei looked moved.