Six Doors has had a lot of good news recently.

First, he solved the murder case of Xiao Yilu, the deputy envoy of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, and then got rid of Li Zhixing, the imperial court's number one confidant, and captured the Northern Zhou spy Qing Hu. No matter which case, it was a great achievement, but for several days, the imperial court's

The award document had not come down, and Yang Deshui was very anxious. He originally thought that he was a sure shot at the position of chief catcher, but it ended up like this. When he asked Fan Xiaodao and Zhao Xing, they didn't know the reason.

The only happy thing is that someone from the Ministry of Revenue's Examination Department came and retrieved the salary files of all the staff of the Six Sects in the past five years. It is said that the court will increase the salary of the Six Sects in the near future. This matter is very important.

The news quickly spread throughout the yamen. Originally, compared with the Wucheng Army and Horses Department, the two yamen had similar functions, but in terms of salary, the Army and Horses Department was much higher than that of the Six Gates.

However, the final results of the examination by the Ministry of Household Affairs concluded that the salary of the six-door police officers was above average in the grassroots civil service system of the imperial court, and there was no need to adjust it. As soon as Fan Xiaodao and Zhao Xing heard this, they knew it was Princess Taiping.

Make a fool of yourself.

The two ministers on the left and right of the Ministry of Household Affairs all came to the position because of their relationship with Princess Taiping. Although they are quite talented and perform their duties in the Ministry of Household Affairs, they will show no mercy when encountering people with different political views.

According to insiders, at the closed-door meeting of the Ministry of Household Affairs, Liu Xun, the left minister, firmly opposed this matter and increased the salary of the people in Liumen. Why? They work hard to maintain public security in the capital, so the people in the Military and Horse Department do not work hard?

Isn’t it hard for the people in the Shenji Camp to defend the capital? Do they need more salary? Nowadays, the court wants money everywhere. The soldiers stationed in northern Xinjiang need to spend money to change their cotton clothes for the winter. It costs money to control floods in the Yellow River. Your Majesty also needs money to practice alchemy.

What's even more terrible is that once Phoenix Ridge is taken back, the annual tribute to the Northern Zhou Dynasty will be a big expense. Why should we increase the salary for the six gates alone? Someone reminded me that it was His Majesty's intention. Unexpectedly, Liu Shilang was even less grateful.

The edict we received was to examine the salary structure of Liumen. We did not see His Majesty ordering an increase in their salaries. On the contrary, we believe that Liumen’s meal allowance and various travel allowances when they go out to handle cases

, far more than other yamen, and should be reduced.

When this incident reached the ears of Fan Xiaodao and Zhao Xing, they were very angry and wanted to go to the Ministry of Revenue to argue, but they were stopped by Yang Deshui. "It's useless for you to go to them. Are you going to drag them to confront His Majesty?"

?If this matter is not solved from the source, it will not help at all."

The source is naturally Princess Taiping.

The assassination on the outskirts of Beijing has not yet been concluded, but the return of Prince Zhu Yan to the capital did make Princess Taiping aware of the threat. Especially before entering Beijing, officials below the fifth rank of the Ministry of Husbandry, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Industry had just

After conducting an inspection and drawing up a list of job adjustments, the conclusion was basically made. Before Zhu Yan left Beijing, he had a high reputation in the court. However, in just a few years, things changed and people changed. In terms of influence, he had a very high reputation.

Princess Taiping cannot be compared.

The six-door salary increase was a joy in vain.

For several days in a row, Fan Xiaodao and Zhao Xing have been staying at Liumen, sorting out files, and working as errands at Liumen. In addition to daily patrols and arrests, they are also busy with document work. As for the emperor's request for them to assist the Ministry of Rites in negotiating, the Ministry of Rites

If you don't come to them, they won't provoke them either, just to have some peace and quiet.

On this day, when the two of them arrived at the Yamen and reported to Yang Deshui, they received a message from the Ministry of Rites, asking Fan and Zhao to go to the Ministry of Rites to discuss matters. Fan Xiaodao said dissatisfiedly, "With a salary of one or two yuan a month, let us go

When discussing tens of millions of taels of silver with Northern Zhou, the court thinks too highly of us, right?"

Yang Deshui said: "This kind of opportunity is rare."

Fan Xiaodao said: "How about I discuss it with Zhao Shangshu and transfer you over for talks?"

Yang Deshui waved his hand and said, "There are specialties in the art industry, so I can honestly guard our six doors, that's good."

The two came to the Ministry of Rites. Zhao Huan was already waiting in the department room. Fan Xiaodao and Zhao Xing stepped forward to salute. Zhao Xing felt self-conscious and said, "See Zhao Shangshu." Although the two are in a father-son relationship, they are above the officialdom.

, still follow the rules.

Fan Xiaodao noticed that Zhao Huan had the highest official position, but he was sitting on the second seat. After sitting down, Zhao Huan went to the inner hall again. Not long after, a young man came out. When everyone saw this, they all stood up and knelt down to salute.

: "See His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

The person who came was none other than Zhu Yan.

Fan Xiaodao wondered, "What a coincidence!"

Zhu Yan nodded to Fan Xiaodao, motioned for everyone to take a seat, and said: "We have been negotiating with the Northern Zhou Dynasty for more than three months, and now we have reached a deadlock. Your Majesty has given us an order to take back Phoenix Ridge within one month, no matter how high the cost.

He also ordered me to take the lead in this matter. Everyone here has a long way to go!"

The day Zhu Yan entered Beijing coincided with the Northern Zhou Dynasty's envoy writing a letter requesting the termination of negotiations.

Some people even saw people in the mission starting to pack up their belongings and hire carriages and drivers, indicating that they were getting ready to evacuate.

Phoenix Ridge was occupied by the Northern Zhou Dynasty for decades. However, it was located in the south, separated by grassland and swamps. The Northern Zhou Dynasty stationed troops in Phoenix Ridge, and spent a lot of financial resources every year. It was like chicken ribs, tasteless to eat, and it was a pity to abandon it. However, it was important to the Ming Dynasty.

It is a strategic location that must not be lost. What's more, when His Majesty ascended the throne, he made a great wish to take back Phoenix Ridge before sixty. This matter is related to his future evaluation in the history books. In comparison,

In other words, the Ming Dynasty was more urgent. Once the negotiations collapsed, even if Phoenix Ridge could be recovered in the future, the meaning would be very different. Therefore, the imperial court issued a death order that the members of the mission must be retained at all costs.

Zhu Yan, who had just entered Beijing, was assigned to this matter.

Of course, it is said that the lobbying came from Princess Taiping, so I have to admire her scheming.

If this matter is accomplished, the credit for regaining the lost territory will naturally belong to His Majesty the Emperor. It is His Majesty who is wise and powerful. However, recovering the lost territory cost a lot of money and even signed unequal treaties. One person needs to take the blame, and that is naturally the Crown Prince.

Zhu Yan: If it fails, it means that Zhu Yan is incompetent and his heart is to be punished.

The head of the Department of Etiquette said: "The envoys of the Northern Zhou Dynasty came to Beijing for three months. Our Department of Etiquette treated guests, ate, and gave gifts. We spent thousands of taels of silver, but those guys also ate the food and the wine.

After drinking and accepting the gifts, no human affairs were done. There were four conditions: annual tribute, mutual trade, garrison, and prisoners of war. One of them refused to give in. Not long ago, when Deputy Ambassador Xiao died, another annual tribute of five million taels was raised, saying

It's to appease the Xiao family. They killed the person themselves, but they ask us for money. What's the point? These guys are just a bunch of white-eyed wolves who can't get enough to eat!"

In front of the prince, the newly promoted chief minister was full of complaints. He was transferred from the Hanlin Academy to the Ministry of Rites six months ago and was assigned to receive the reception. In this kind of foreign affairs, the minister and the minister are important officials of the court and attend official activities.

, As for the food, drink and fun below, this chief was accompanying him throughout the whole process. Since March, he had been drinking and drinking almost every day, gained a full twenty pounds, and spent money with the people in the mission in various ways, and the people in the mission called him brothers.

, but when it came to the actual business, one after another made excuses and refused to give in. How could he not be angry?

Zhao Huandao: "Mr. Xu, please pay attention to your words! We in the Ministry of Rites always deal with foreign countries. We represent the face of the court. We must be careful in the words we speak to show the atmosphere of our great country and a country of etiquette."

Only then did Director Xu adjust his tone and briefly introduced the negotiations with the Northern Zhou Dynasty in March. Annual tribute, mutual trade, garrison, and prisoners of war were the four conditions for the return of Phoenix Ridge. They were proposed from the beginning when the credentials were submitted.

Regarding this matter, the imperial court has already set the tone. Except for the garrison, other conditions can be negotiated. After all, after returning Phoenix Ridge, the Northern Zhou Dynasty stationed troops here, nominally to protect the interests of Northern Zhou merchants, and also asked the Ming Dynasty to provide money for support.

, what kind of thing is this?

Second, the opening of the four cities in northern Xinjiang as commercial ports was nominally to promote border trade. However, the so-called most preferential treatment for tariffs was generally beneficial to the Northern Zhou Dynasty. This condition can also be agreed to. After it is withdrawn later, it can be adjusted through regulation.

To control border trade, this can be compromised.

Third, the annual tribute of 12 million taels of silver made some lions open their mouths. The Ming Dynasty's annual tax revenue was only more than 30 million taels. He asked for one thousand and two as soon as he asked for it, which cost 30% of the annual treasury income.

One-third, which is equivalent to one out of every three Ming people working for the Northern Zhou Dynasty. Now that the national treasury is empty and there are places to spend money everywhere, how can we agree to the originally set tone of the annual tribute being two million taels?

You can discuss it within a certain period of time, or you can just bite the bullet and agree for the first year, and then wait until Phoenix Ridge is taken back and then renege on your debt.

As for Article 4, the release of the hundreds of captured prisoners of war is not within the scope of the discussion at all. It has nothing to do with the overall situation, so just agree to it.

The group of people discussed for a long time, and at lunch time, they had no idea. Prince Zhu Yan said, "Can you make an appointment with Envoy Tuoba privately, and I can meet with him to discuss it?"

Zhao Huandao: "His Royal Highness has a special status and is under the orders of His Majesty. If the negotiation breaks down, I'm afraid there will be no room for maneuver."

Fan Xiaodao saw this and said, "How about I try with Zhao Xing?"

"You?" Fan Xiaodao said with a smile, "As an unofficial act, we will make an appointment privately to see what their demands are. Moreover, we are not from the Ministry of Rites, nor are we in officialdom. We can say some things more casually.

The worst-case scenario is that we will fall out and refuse to admit it."

Zhao Xing frowned when he heard this, but did not speak.

Chief Xu said, "Captain Fan, it is well known that you have had issues with people from the Northern Zhou embassy. I'm afraid that if you go, not only will it not be helpful in breaking the situation, but it will make the situation even more complicated and confusing."

When Zhu Yan heard these words, he was full of doubts. Someone told him in a few words about the martial arts competition between Fan Xiaodao and Tuoba Bai of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. When Zhu Yan heard this, he smiled and said, "Can the situation be worse than the current situation? In that case,

, it is better to treat a dead horse as a living horse doctor, then Brother Lao Fan... will arrest the head."

This private meeting was mainly to strive for the opportunity to return to the negotiating table. If there was a chance, he would even test the other party's bottom line. Zhu Yan called the two of them into the inner hall, gave them some instructions, and then said, "I just returned to Beijing.

, with such a thing at stake, it seems that some people don’t want me to be free. If I go wrong, my father will blame me, and I’m afraid that my life in the capital will not be easy in the future."

Fan Xiaodao said: "You are the prince, His Majesty's only son. No matter what, it will still be your turn to be the emperor in the future. What are you afraid of him doing?"

Zhu Yan said: "That's not necessarily the case!"

You must know that the current emperor was originally just the king of Xingxian. The late emperor fell ill and died suddenly without any heirs, so it was his turn to become the emperor. If one day he makes a mistake and dethrones the position of prince, he will be replaced by some people.

With such strength, it would be easy to kill him. Who can guarantee that history will not repeat itself?

Fan Xiaodao couldn't help but sympathize with him when he thought about being a prince and still walking on thin ice.

After leaving the Shangshu Mansion, Zhao Xingdao said, "What you just said shows your potential to become a politician."

Fan Xiaodao laughed and scolded, "Are you calling me shameless in disguise? However, I think there is a big difference between the negotiation between the two countries and the investigation of the case. They are calculating and calculating every day. Look at the principal, he is not old and has a big belly.

, all my hair has fallen out, it’s not interesting.”

Zhao Xingdao: "You know His Highness the Crown Prince? Logically speaking, he has only returned to the capital a few days ago. How did you get to know each other?"

Fan Xiaodao recounted how he went to Huilongguan that night and had an encounter with the prince when he came back. However, he promised Zhu Yan not to reveal the assassination to others, so he skipped this part. As for what the prince wanted to do later

The matter of recruiting him was not mentioned.

Zhao Xing suddenly said, "I see, it's just that the prince was hiding well in Jinling, but being transferred to the capital all of a sudden is probably not a good thing. With the current situation in the capital, even my father wants to retire."

Fan Xiaodao asked: "It's nothing, right?"

Zhao Xing glanced at him, shook his head and smiled bitterly, "To ordinary people, the capital is still the same capital, but to the current power circles in the capital, the capital is like a dragon's pond and a tiger's den, with all forces competing with each other, including princesses, internal supervisors, cabinets, and various other forces.

Occupying one side and dividing up countless powers, now that the prince has also joined in, it seems that His Majesty did it intentionally."

Fan Xiaodao felt dizzy when he heard this, "Let's pay homage to the Five Internal Organs Temple."

The two simply ate something and then returned to Liumen. They were told that Chief Xu from the Ministry of Rites had been waiting for a long time. Before leaving, Zhao Huan handed over the appointment of the Northern Zhou envoy to Chief Xu. Unexpectedly, this time

The person was quite positive, and within an hour, he got a reply.

Zhao Xingdao: "I really don't have a moment to relax!"

Pushing the door open, Fan Xiaodao said, "Master Xu, you've been waiting for a long time!"

Director Xu was drinking tea. When he saw the two people coming, he did not dare to neglect him. He is the head of the Ministry of Etiquette and specializes in dealing with people. Before he could speak, he put on a professional smile on his face. "No problem, I just came out of the Northern Zhou Embassy.

I asked them to meet privately and informally, and Master Tuoba heard that it was you who were here to talk, so he readily agreed and said that they would arrange the meal."

Fan Xiaodao laughed, "That's fine, there is free food, why not eat it? When?"

Chief Xu said, "Tonight, the venue is the Northern Zhou Embassy...and..." He looked embarrassed and hesitated several times. When Fan Xiaodao saw this, he said, "We are all colleagues. If you have anything to say, speak directly."

Just say it, no need to hide it."
Chapter completed!