Perfect Encounter - Chapter 13.1
PROOFREAD BY AFREANA
Chapter 13. 1
South Qin envoy’s face was turning green. After choking for a while, he reluctantly replied, “General Long is surely aware that we have never sent any spies to your country.”
Big Long said, ”Well, that’s difficult. How can the Governor and I let you meet with the emperor? If the emperor asked why we let you meet him when those disputes remain unsettled, tell me, how should we answer?”
South Qin envoy opened his mouth. He wanted to meet the Emperor of Great Xiao to explain these things and clear up the misunderstanding between the two countries. Isn’t this a good answer? South Qin envoy gritted his teeth and said the words.
Big Long glanced at Yao Kun, the governor, and asked seriously, “How can you explain to the emperor if you haven’t explained to us?”
South Qin envoy was speechless.
“Fine, you go back and discuss with your South Qin Emperor. I do not need the names of all your agents, just give me two. I have to submit them, naturally, so you can enter the capital to meet the emperor.”
South Qin envoy’s face was as black as charcoal. How come the great general of the Great Xiao is such a scoundrel? What is the difference between handing over two and handing them all?
The envoy brushed his sleeves and left. Yao Kun, Jiang Hongqing, Qian Shixin, and others looked at each other and thought General Long was cunning. He tested the other side whether they sent spies over, while at the same time he cleared up the relationship between the two countries. It was not that they refused to let the other side enter their capital, but that the other side did not want to cooperate.
Yao Kun calculated in his mind, then quietly asked Big Long: “General Long is certain the South Qin planted spies in Pingnan County?”
Big Long looked around at the officials in the room and whispered back, “It would be strange if they didn’t plant spies.”
“What are the clues?”
“Recently, thieves in the city have repeatedly committed crimes involving all aspects of the border trade. The governor’s hands are busy and should concentrate on dealing with them. As for the spies and military affairs, let me handle it.”
Yao Kun was choked by Big Long but could not refute.
After Big Long left, Qian Shixin went to Yao Kun’s side and asked in a low voice: “My lord, your decision to close the border trade, is it a plan to lure the enemy together with General Long?”
Yao Kun did not say anything. He had not yet decided whether to let himself get involved in this matter.
Qian Shixin looked at his face and said, “Does General Long not take you seriously, or does he not trust you?”
Yao Kun frowned slightly.
Meanwhile, An Zhifu had been waiting for news for the past two days, only to hear that the South Qin envoy had been driven away and that the negotiations failed. An Zhifu was extremely disappointed, his heart sinking to the bottom. The jade couldn’t be retrieved for now, and even the future was unknown. He was restless, worrying about how to deal with those unforgiving foreign merchants, and once he thought of the money paid in vain, it was painful.
He was painfully looking through the books when the servant came to report Master Qian Pei was asking for an audience. An Zhifu’s heart jumped and he went to the gate hurriedly. The sudden visit of Qian Pei, is it good news?
With one look, An Zhifu’s heart turned cold. With a serious face, Qian Pei followed An Zhifu into the study. He did not sit down, did not drink tea, but walked back and forth. An Zhifu’s heart trembled. Is there something wrong?
He was just about to ask, but Qian Pei said: “About your matter, I have found a way.”
An Zhifu was stunned and overjoyed, “What method have you found?”
Qian Pei shook his head: “I can’t tell you. I can only tell you this matter is extremely risky. If something goes wrong, it will not be as simple as just losing money. I’m afraid I’ll be convicted of collaborating with the enemy and betraying the country and my life will be in danger.”
An Zhifu opened his mouth, too shocked to speak. After a while, he squeezed out a sentence: “What exactly is this method? How would I know if Master Qian Pei does not explain it to me?”
Qian Pei’s eyes glared: ”Is this a risk for you to bear? It’s for me! If something goes wrong, it will be on my head! It would still be fine if it’s only me, but it will also implicate my son. He is doing well as the magistrate of Fu’an County, the people love him, and his future is bright. If he knows that I have this idea ……” he pursed his lips, his face ugly.
An Zhifu’s heart was all over the place. It sounds like things can work, but there are risks. An Zhifu’s mind was spinning. He knew this person Qian Pei was well-connected and tactful. The governor also relied on him back then. Perhaps he had a way to solve this matter.
There’s risk involved, but to what extent?
An Zhifu carefully asked: “Master Qian, look, we will soon be a family. There are no outsiders here. As a family, if there are any dangers, we should face them together. You don’t have to be a stranger to me. In solving this problem, I can only rely on Master Qian. Tell me, how can this matter be done? What are the risks? Let’s discuss it together.”
Qian Pei did not speak and seemed to be thinking. Then he looked at An Zhifu and said, “I really can’t tell you how to do it. The fewer people know about it, the greater the chance of success and the less chance of getting into trouble.”
“Yes, yes.” An Zhifu said with a smiling face. As long as he was willing to put this plan in place for him, whatever he said was what he would do. “Since this method can’t be shared with me, then don’t say it. You can rest assured. Master Qian, the matter of risk, do what you can. We are a family and naturally share the burdens. Just tell me what you need me to do.”
Qian Pei looked at An Zhifu, suddenly shook his head, and said: “Forget it. It is better to forget this option. I am not sure.” After saying that, he turned his head and left.
An Zhifu was shocked, chased him to the residence’s gate, and said: “Master Qian, everything is negotiable, everything is negotiable.”