Jiang Wei did not say anything else, but bowed his hands and turned to walk towards the table on the side of the hall.
"Boy, move the table to the center of the hall. I will watch you write with all my ministers." Cao Rui's corners of his mouth raised slightly and he pointed to the empty ground in front of him.
"Understood." Although surprised, Jiang Wei still followed the protocol of a close minister and summoned one of the tiger guards to place the table in the center among everyone.
On the left is Cao Zhen, Zhang He, and Guo Huai; on the right is Sima Yi, Yang Fu, and Chen Jiao. Surrounded by everyone's gaze, Jiang Wei remained calm.
Cao Rui tapped the desk with his finger and said, "Boy, I'll start."
Jiang Wei dipped the tip of his brush into the ink, lifted the pen and hovered it above a piece of clean white silk.
"As the emperor of the Greater Wei, I uphold the virtue of my ancestors and respond to the requests of my people. Although you are the prime minister of a small country, you are still a citizen of the Greater Wei."
"I cannot educate and then execute, so I sent Guishu Regent Shui Tian Water Jiang Boyao to face the small piece of paper and enlighten you."
Jiang Wei kept writing without stopping. Although he paused when he heard his name, he quickly regained his composure and recorded the emperor's words in cursive script.
Although the officials in the hall did not know how the emperor intended to "enlighten" them, they were not affected by the war or military affairs on either side, so they could listen with their ears.
Cao Rui continued, "The throne of the first emperor was inherited from Emperor Liu Xiang through abdication, just like the events of Yao and Shun. And Liu Xiang was granted the title of Shanyang Gong, practicing Han rituals, performing sacrifices to heaven in accordance with imperial etiquette, and sending reports without calling himself a subject. The beauty of dynastic succession and the virtue of transmitting the imperial command are unparalleled."
"Contrastingly, Liu Bei, in the 24th year of the Jian'an era, declared himself King of Hanzhong without an imperial edict. He even crowned himself emperor, acting out the same deeds as Sun Quan."
"Although Liu Xiang, the Shanyang Gong, was still in Shanyang, his health was good and he lived a leisurely life. You can bestow upon him the title 'Emperor Xianming.'" Cao Rui paused and added with a serious expression, "There is no greater disrespect in the world than this!"
Since Jiang Wei was recording, Cao Rui spoke at a moderate pace, pausing after almost every sentence.
After listening attentively, Cao Zhen also laughed, "It's really too much that this group of Liu Bei is waving the banner of the Shanyang Gong and have already said him dead while he is still alive!"
"The people of Shu have been deceived by him for too long."
Cao Rui glanced at Cao Zhen but did not respond.
The first letter to Zhuge Liang was to clarify the original intentions and state the position clearly, so it naturally had to contain profound principles.
But if one truly believes that the big principles can have any effect in reality, it would be a naive act.
Cao Rui continued, "I know that you all in the remote Yizhou region liken Liu Bei and Liu Chan to the rebirth of the High Emperor and the rebirth of Emperor Guangwu."
"Emperor Gaozu of Han spent seven years to obtain the throne, and Emperor Guangwu united North and South in three years. But looking at Liu Bei and Liu Chan, who wandered north and south, they have none of the aura of an emperor."
"Liu Bei, after studying in Luoyang, until he died in the White Emperor City, I'm afraid he hasn't seen Luoyang for about forty years."
"You explained to me the battle of Kunyang during the previous Guangwu era, but that battle was personally led by Emperor Guangwu. As the prime minister of Shu, how can you borrow the auspiciousness of a false Emperor Guangwu?"
"There is no auspiciousness in the Shu region. It's better for you not to waste the lives of the people and save your efforts."
Hearing the emperor's words, Sima Yi's heart couldn't help but feel a bit strange.
Before Emperor Cao Pi became the crown prince of the Wei state, he had a power struggle with Cao Zhi, and Sima Yi had been assisting him throughout the entire process.
However, the exact details of how Hongliang and Liu Shuang were virtuous emperors, Sima Yi did not know.
However, for the first emperor of the Wei dynasty, Cao Pi, Sima Yi was extremely clear that although he was far from being an ordinary person, he did not have the level of talent to "decipher the sky" or virtue to "govern the world and benefit people".
Born into a good family and with the support of many ministers, he thus succeeded in replacing the Han dynasty and becoming an emperor.
But the current emperor has been on the throne for two years, and although he lost to Sun Quan in the Huainan campaign and was defeated by the Shu rebels in the Wu campaign, it can be said that he has a certain degree of virtue and ability.
Cao Rui coughed lightly, interrupting Sima Yi's contemplation.
Clearing his throat, Cao Rui continued, "I know that Liu Chan is a dullard, but you are a man of talent and virtue."
"If you are willing to bring your entire country to submit, I will grant Liu Chan the title of king in the land of Guanzhong, with a status higher than that of Shanyang Gong. You can also become one of the three public officials and handle the affairs of the world as the chancellor."
"Please consider it!"
Noticing that Jiang Wei had finally stopped writing, Cao Rui clapped his hands and smiled, "Since I intend to distinguish between Zhuge Liang's thoughts and feelings and delay for a while, it is indeed necessary to show respect before using force."
"The first condition I offer them is the best."
Cao Rui looked at Jiang Wei: "Boy, do you dare to be my envoy and go to the Shu army camp to hand the letter directly to Zhuge Kongming?"
Jiang Wei rose from his seat behind the small table, bowed respectfully: "I shall not disgrace my mission!"
"Very well, go ahead." Cao Rui turned to Sima Yi: "As for the other trivial matters of the mission, you can help Jiang Wei take care of them."
"Understood." Sima Yi bowed and replied.
......
Today is March 6th morning, Jiang Wei left from the east and spent the night in the Shu army camp located thirty miles south of the east mountain pass. He only arrived at the large camp of Chiltun in the noon of the second day.
Jiang Wei's attendants were all intercepted by Wei Yan, leaving only Jiang Wei himself to continue southward.
In times of war between the two countries, it is a universally accepted principle not to kill the envoys. This rule has been strictly adhered to among the Wei, Shu, and Wu states.
Although Wei Yan dispatched people to blindfold Jiang Wei, Jiang Wei was no ordinary person. He had been trained in the Shui County Academy and had twice accompanied the emperor on campaigns.
As a coolie, while sitting on the horse, how could he not know the speed of the horse? Knowing the time meant knowing the distance to the Shu army camp.
When Jiang Wei finally reached Zhuge Liang's tent and the cloth covering his eyes was removed, the sudden light streaming into his eyes made it hard for him to see clearly.
It wasn't until a few seconds later that Jiang Wei saw the calm and composed Zhuge Liang, sitting in the tent.
Jiang Wei stood up boldly in the tent, unafraid of the scrutinizing gazes of the Shu Han officials, and slightly bowed to say: "I am Jiang Wei, a messenger from Wei State, bringing a letter from the emperor to Zhuge Liang."
Upon finishing his words, Jiang Wei handed over the box containing the letter, extending his hand to present it.
Yang Yi quickly stepped forward and carefully examined Jiang Wei's face for a few seconds before finally taking the box and presenting it to Zhuge Liang in front of him.
Zhuge Liang, however, did not read the letter. Instead, he raised his eyes to look at Jiang Wei and said in a calm tone: "What does Cao Rui want to say to my minister? I already explained to him the principle that 'enemies cannot coexist'. We are at war, and there is no need for more words."
"Why do you come here today to subject yourself to such humiliation?"
"How dare you be so rude! The emperor is kindly advising you, and you respond with such disrespect!" Jiang Wei furrowed his eyebrows and directly shouted to stop them.
"How dare Wei's treacherous enemy?" Yang Yi roared angrily, stepping forward and glaring at them.
"Arrogant!"
Chen Shi, who was responsible for guarding Zhuge Liang, drew out a knife and pointed it at Jiang Wei, only a few inches from Jiang Wei's neck.
"Do you want to kill me?"
Jiang Wei stood firm without the slightest shake, extending a finger to push against the back of Chen Shi's sword. He held it for a moment before withdrawing his hand and crossing it in front of his body.
Zhuge Liang, however, did not care about the actions of the others in the tent, as if he hadn't seen them. He directly said: "Since we are enemies, there is no need for such niceties in words. As you are a newcomer, I will not punish you."
"What does Cao Rui want to say to my minister?"
Jiang Wei's voice dropped an octave: "I am here to let Lord Zhuge Liang know that His Majesty is willing to offer you the high position of the Three Premiers and the prestigious post of Grand Secretary, and he wishes to crown the ruler of Shu with land in Guanzhong."
"May the Wei-Shu conflict come to an end early, allowing the people to live in peace and security."
Seeing the commotion in the hall about to start again, Zhuge Liang simply glanced at the crowd with his eyes, and everyone stopped.
Zhuge Liang, without looking up, opened the letter and glanced through it briefly, then said with a smile, "Cao Rui may talk about this country's small size and exhausted people, but I can also discuss with him the principles of heaven's justice and the unchanging nature of the sacred artifact."
"It's just a few words, whether victory or defeat will not reveal their might, it's really dull."
"According to Cao Rui's letter, the envoy is called Jiang Wei, also known as Jiang Boqiao, and he is from the region of Shui County?"
Jiang Wei bowed seriously: "That is indeed the case."
"Where is Tianshui?"
"The prefectural county of Jì."
"Jì County?" Zhuge Liang laughed, "You couldn't have been in Jì County that day, otherwise you should have arrived in Hanzhong by now."
"Wei Gong, among the people who were transferred from Jì County to Hanzhong, are there any Jiang families?"
Yang Yi glanced at Jiang Wei, hummed lightly, and then said: "There certainly are."
"Since Cao Rui sent you to deliver this letter and also presented a jade ring to me, I shouldn't leave without giving something in return," Zhuge Liang said softly, looking at Jiang Wei. "I won't ask you to do anything overly excessive. Just ask you one thing, and I can return all your Jiang family members."
Jiang Wei's gaze became colder and colder.
Zhuge Liang laughed, "When did the Wei army in the middle receive intelligence from the military situation in Longyou? And when did they set off? How many days were there in between?"
In actuality, the matter Zhuge Liang asked about is not something secretive.
The situation in Longyou had already been captured by Wei State, and the battle of Shangyang had been defeated. It was indeed an outdated military intelligence.
But Zhuge Liang had been curious about this matter for a long time.
What he really wanted to know was how quickly Wei State's central government made decisions, and how long it would take them to decide to send the middle army for assistance.
For the Jiang family in Tianshui where Jiang Wei comes from, nearly a quarter of the clan members were captured by Shu troops. And Zhuge Liang's question is indeed not a secret.
Jiang Wei would not comply? Of course not!
Jiang Wei did not even bow this time, coldly saying, "I am a messenger of Wei State, and my loyalty cannot be undermined by your words alone."
"Zhuge Liang, please save your energy."
"All right," Zhuge Liang said, not pressing the issue. "Wait a moment. I will write a reply to Cao Rui, and you can take it back with you."
"Please do not hesitate."
It took only half an incense stick of time for Zhuge Liang's reply to be written. After placing it back into the box that Jiang Wei had brought, Zhuge Liang said in a calm tone:
"This jade ring, I shall keep. It is smooth and of good quality, worth at least ten measures of grain."
"Cao Rui has given us military supplies, how can I not accept it?" (Chapter complete)
