I just got home and uploaded a chapter I copied on the road. I'm sorry.

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A quarter of an hour later, Zhang Lei hurried into the royal palace with Dugu Liang. A personal soldier had already been waiting at the door. When he saw them coming, he immediately stepped forward and bowed: "Please come with me, please!"

Dugu Lian was really nervous. He didn't know what the outcome would be today. It can be said that this meeting tonight was related to the future and destiny of the entire Dugu family.

In fact, he also knew that Yang Yuanqing was willing to talk to him, that would be the case in big ways, and there would be only each other's conditions and concessions.

They followed their personal soldiers to the inner living room. In the inner living room, Yang Yuanqing had been waiting for them for a long time. Of course, Yang Yuanqing knew Dugu Liang's status in the Dugu family. He was representing the entire Dugu family to negotiate with him.

Not only for Dugu Huai'en, but also for the future of the Dugu family, a war in the Central Plains touched the hearts of countless people and made many families begin to re-examine the future trend of the world and make new choices. The Dugu family is one of them.

At this time, the personal soldiers came from the door: "Report to Your Highness, they are here."

"Please come in!"

The door opened, and the personal soldier led Dugu Liang in. Yang Yuanqing immediately stood up and bowed and smiled, "Dugu Shaobao, are you safe?"

Dugu Liang's nervous heart suddenly calmed down at this moment, and he hurriedly bowed and said, "After many years of separation, the King of Chu has become more elegant than before, and he has a bit more kingly aura."

"Dugu Shaobao has won the award!"

Yang Yuanqing smiled and waved his hand, "Please sit down for Dugu Shaobao!"

Dugu Liang sat down, Yang Yuanqing looked at Zhang Lei, and Zhang Lei understood what he meant. He also sat down next to Dugu Liang. At this time, two maids entered the room and served them tea.

Yang Yuanqing picked up the teacup and asked, "Dugu Shaobao's visit to Taiyuan this time will not affect any government affairs!"

Yang Yuanqing asked in a very subtle way, that is, he asked him if he came to Taiyuan, did others know.

Dugu Liang understood what he meant and shook his head and said, "I am just a free official in the Tang Dynasty and have no specific positions. I rarely attend the monthly meeting once a month."

Stopped for a moment, Dugu Liang added and said, "Of course, the head of Dugu family knows it very well, he knows it better than anyone else."

Yang Yuanqing picked up the teacup and took a sip. He should not be anxious at this time. He should not take the initiative in this matter. He should not expose his bottom line too early. He must use calmness to control his movements. Let Dugu Liang perform first, and more importantly, he should not be anxious about this matter, but the Dugu family should be anxious.

Yang Yuanqing's silence made Dugu Lian anxious. He wanted to speak several times, but he didn't know where to start. At this time, Zhang Lei implicitly reminded: "This time, the Dugu family attaches great importance to the Central Plains War."

A sentence reminded Dugu Liang. He bowed and smiled, and said to Yang Yuanqing: "A big reason why I came here this time is for Dugu Huai'en. He was unfortunately captured in Yingchuan County, but he was just a civil servant. The Dugu family hoped to redeem him. I wonder if your highness can consider it?"

Yang Yuanqing put down the teacup and smiled faintly: "I can understand the desire of Dugu Young Master to protect his tribe, but after all, Dugu Huaien is a prisoner of war and has been registered with the Ministry of War. Even if the prisoner of war is released, it will require certain procedures. Although I can order the release of the people, I cannot convince the public. I hope the young master can understand."

Dugu Liang felt disappointed. He didn't even give him the opportunity to talk about the conditions for redeem. Yang Yuanqing politely rejected the Dugu family's request to redeem people, but Dugu Liang was still a little unwilling to accept it and said, "I'm sorry to make Your Highness feel embarrassed, but is there any solution?"

“Flexibility?”

Yang Yuanqing smiled slightly, "Maybe I didn't express my meaning clearly. The captured Tang army was not only Dugu Huaien, but also tens of thousands of soldiers and many civil servants. If only Dugu Huaien was released, would Li Yuan think that the Dugu family did something behind the scenes, which would be detrimental to the Dugu family? What does Dugu Taibao think?"

Of course Dugu Liang knew that there would be such consequences. His real intention to come to Taiyuan was not just to save Dugu Huaien. He just used Dugu Huaien as the topic and finally discussed the future of the Dugu family with Yang Yuanqing.

Of course, if Dugu Huai'en's affairs are not handled well, there is no way to discuss the future of the Dugu family. After pondering for a while, Dugu Liang smiled and said, "We are not asking Your Highness to release him immediately, but hope that Your Highness can treat him well. In addition, when the Chang'an envoy comes to discuss the matter of prisoners of war, Your Highness can give priority to Dugu Huai'en's release. If so, I wonder if we can negotiate the conditions?"

Having said that to this point, it would be meaningless for Yang Yuanqing to pretend to be stupid anymore. He nodded and finally expressed his attitude.

"I welcome Dugu Shaobao to Taiyuan very much, and I will not forget the pleasant cooperation between me and the Dugu family head back then. I also look forward to our cooperation continuing. If the Dugu family can show enough sincerity, I can guarantee the interests of the Dugu family after the Sui Dynasty unification."

Dugu Liang was overjoyed, "I wonder what we need to do to be sincere enough?"

Yang Yuanqing refused to say it explicitly and smiled implicitly: "This is very simple. The richest thing in the Dugu family is the most urgently needed and lacking item in the Sui Dynasty. I think Dugu Shaobao should understand what I mean."

...........

Dugu Liang said goodbye, but Zhang Lei stayed. The negotiation between Yang Yuanqing and Dugu Liang was just a principled negotiation. Yang Yuanqing needed food, and the Dugu family could provide food, but the specific amount and delivery method were not discussed in detail. This was the conversation by Zhang Lei, the intermediary.

Yang Yuanqing sat at the table and pondered, while Zhang Lei stood aside but felt a little nervous. He was unwilling to be this middleman, or rather, he was not willing to be the middleman of the Dugu family. He was a Sui minister and did not want to be a Sui Dynasty for the sake of his family.

But he had no choice but to make the decision about the changes in things, and he would eventually face the choice between the family and the Sui Dynasty.

After a long time, Yang Yuanqing glanced at him and smiled and said, "Young Master Zhang seems a little confused?"

Zhang Lei nodded silently, "I don't know what to choose for the lower official?"

Seeing that he did not understand his hint, Yang Yuanqing smiled and said, "Then should I call you Dugu Shaojian, or continue to call you Zhang Shaojian?"

Only then did Zhang Lei understand the profound meaning of the King of Chu calling him Zhang Shaojian instead of Dugu Shaojian. He was excited and hurriedly said: "I am willing to be Zhang Shaojian!"

Yang Yuanqing nodded and said meaningfully: "I understand your feelings, but I hope you will negotiate with the Dugu Shaoguan, representing the Dugu family and the Sui Dynasty."

Zhang Lei vaguely understood Yang Yuanqing's profound meaning, but it was not very clear. He had a sense that this moment would be a major turning point in his life.

He bit his lip, "The lower-ranking official is stupid and unable to understand the profound meaning of Your Highness. I hope your highness will make it clear."

As a ruling king and the supreme military and political leader of the Sui Dynasty, Yang Yuanqing would not explain some things clearly, because many things would become a promise. Once completed, it would greatly affect his prestige. This was what Yang Yuanqing gradually realized.

As a superior, many words need to be yes rather than wrong. In a melodious and implicit statement, you should leave some room for yourself.

In fact, it is the same as being an ordinary person. Nothing can be said too clearly, especially among relatives, friends and colleagues. Rejection cannot be clear. Instead, it should be said that I will do my best, and refusing too clearly will hurt people's hearts.

Similarly, you should not be too readily and simply agree. You should know that many things are accomplished by others and planning by heaven. Once you agree too positively and cannot do it, it will not only disappoint your relatives and friends, damage your reputation and image, but also delay other people's affairs.

Therefore, "To be a human being, you must leave three room for yourself" is a true saying of the worldly affairs.

The implicit and tactfulness of the superiors is actually an upgraded version of this kind of behavior, and the core starting points are the same.

"Dugu Shaoqing. I hope that the Dugu family will attach more importance to you than Dugu Huaien. One day in the future, when I go to Dugu Mansion, you will be the one who opens the door to welcome me, not Dugu Huaien."

Zhang Lei, no! He should be called Dugu Lei. He fully understood the meaning of King Chu. Dugu Huaien was the most promising heir to the Dugu family head, and the meaning of King Chu was to make him the heir to the Dugu family head.

Dugu Lei felt a little sad, and he was extremely grateful. He restrained his inner emotions and gave a deep tribute. "Dugu Lei was grateful for the care of His Highness, but Dugu Lei was the concubine son of the Dugu family, which may disappoint His Highness."

Yang Yuanqing shook his head, "There is nothing absolute in the world, only interests. In the future, as long as you can bring the greatest benefits to the Dugu family, whether it is a concubine or a legitimate son, it is actually not important."

Dugu Lei suddenly thought of something. Isn’t His Highness the King of Chu in front of him the illegitimate son of the Yang family?

...........

The night shrouded Taiyuan City. A carriage left the East City Gate. After walking about three miles, it soon entered the village and stopped in front of a large mansion. Dugu Lei came out of the carriage. Dugu Wei had heard the sound of the carriage and was waiting in front of the gate.

"Brother Chang has been waiting for a long time, please follow me."

People's hearts are so strange. Yesterday, Dugu Wei was a little contemptuous of Dugu Lei, and his tone always had a hint of disdain, but today Dugu Liang's generous praise also changed Dugu Wei's attitude and became intimate with Dugu Lei.

Dugu Wei led the way in front, talking and laughing all the way. When he walked to the inner house, he saw that there was no one on the left and right. Then he whispered to Dugu Lei: "I spoke inappropriately yesterday, so I would like to forgive me for my fifth brother."

Dugu Lei said lightly: "You're welcome, I won't take it to heart."

Dugu Wei laughed dryly and led him into the room. In the room, Dugu Liang stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, thinking about something. It should be said that he had achieved his goal during this trip to Taiyuan, but on the other hand, the request made by Yang Yuanqing brought a trace of danger to the Dugu family.

Yang Yuanqing clearly proposed to ask for food. There are still a lot of food stored in Dugu Manor. Giving food is not a problem, but how to transport it and how to hide it from Li Yuan's eyes and ears are all problems.

"Brother Chang, the fifth brother is here." Dugu Wei whispered behind him.

Dugu Lei stepped forward and gave a deep bow, "See Chang Bo!"

Dugu Liang turned around slowly, glanced at Dugu Lei, and asked with a smile: "How much food does Yang Yuanqing want?"

"Report to Changbo, His Highness the King of Chu proposed to ask for 300,000 stones of grain."

‘Three hundred thousand!’ Dugu Liang frowned slightly. The Dugu family could take out the 300,000 stone of grain, but how to transport it, how to hand over these details?

He asked again: "Did Yang Yuanqing say who is fully responsible for the specific negotiations with the Dugu family?"

Dugu Lei bowed slightly, "Report to Changbo, His Highness the King of Chu, he said that I will be fully responsible for negotiating with the Dugu family on his behalf."

"It's up to you?" Dugu Liang was stunned for a moment.
Chapter completed!