Chapter 2735: Envoy Mission

Lord Zhang pondered, “After all, it’s the capital of an enemy country. If we bring along Gao You, should he wish to return, I wouldn’t be able to stop him. Isn’t that equivalent to releasing a tiger back to the mountains?”

Once inside the capital, it wouldn’t just be about Gao You; even his life would be in the hands of the Goguryeo Wang Ting. This would be the same as sending Gao You back, unless his loyalties could completely shift towards our Great Jin.

There’s always the concept of ‘being at the enemy’s camp with a heart at home’, but if not, Zhang Hui looked at Bai Shan, isn’t this handing a bargaining chip to Goguryeo for nothing?

Yet Bai Shan, sitting calmly in the chair, looked up and gave him a slight smile when he glanced over.

He said, “Releasing a tiger back to the mountains only works if he indeed is a tiger, Lord Zhang. How would you know it won’t work without giving it a try?”

Lord Zhang remained hesitant, “His Majesty over there…”

Bai Shan lowered his gaze and tidied his clothing, stood up with a smile and said, “His Majesty’s original intention was to have a contingency plan, to negotiate if the eastern campaign failed. But now that we have captured half of Goguryeo, his previous role is no longer needed. Lord Zhang, if you are inclined, I can accompany you to meet His Majesty.”

This was a choice seeking fortune amidst danger.

Bringing along Gao You increased the chances of success, but the probability of failure also increased, with both rewards and risks heightened simultaneously.

Zhang Hui turned on the spot twice, finally gritting his teeth, “Fine, then please accompany me to meet His Majesty, Lord Bai.”

Bai Shan was straightforward, immediately going with him to seek an audience with the emperor.

On the way, Zhang Hui couldn’t help but ask him, “How did Lord Bai… persuade Fifth Prince Gao?”

Knowing a bit more would help him persuade the other party.

“I seem to have heard someone say that Lord Bai and Fifth Prince Gao were old acquaintances and got along well when he was in the capital?”

Bai Shan said, “Lord Zhang must have heard wrong. They indeed were old acquaintances; I met him early on during his first envoy mission to the capital, but it wasn’t that close. Altogether, we might have met four or five times.”

Meeting four or five times in the capital doesn’t amount to much of a relationship.

He had seen Bai Shan many more times in court sessions, yet they still weren’t acquainted.

Zhang Hui felt there was a need to repair their relationship somewhat, so he cheerfully suggested to Bai Shan, “Lord Bai, as I am about to become an envoy, before leaving, may I invite you and Lord Zhou for a meal?”

“No need for formalities, Lord Zhang,” Bai Shan said with a smile, “my wife and I are not fond of alcohol. Good things should naturally be left for those who appreciate them. You might want to invite State Duke Zhao and others instead.”

Forget it then, he had already run out of wine, and even if he hadn’t, he wouldn’t invite them. How much of the wine would fall into his mouth then?

The emperor indeed didn’t care much about Gao You now. It’s not that he was still valuable; it was rather because he remained a bargaining chip after all, tasteless though it may be, it couldn’t just be handed over to the other side.

However, if a minister found him useful, even if there was a possibility of handing back a son for nothing, the emperor agreed without much hesitation.

To Goguryeo, this was indeed a prince, quite important, but to Great Jin, he was only a prince of Goguryeo.

Amidst smoothly proceeding battles, his utility wasn’t great.

With a wave of his hand, the emperor agreed. How to persuade Gao You to serve was then Zhang Hui’s task.

Zhang Hui gathered much information about Gao You from Bai Shan. Although he said he wasn’t very acquainted with Gao You, being able to secure such an important jade pendant must mean he had deep insights into Gao You.

Hence, he kept a close eye on him.

Bai Shan contemplated and then said, “Gao You is narrow-minded, short-sighted, and greedy. Threats may not earn his loyalty, but temptations might work, although one mustn’t let him become too complacent, lest things go awry.”

Zhang Hui: “… Doesn’t he have any virtues?”

Bai Shan thought seriously before asking, “Does being able to yield and stretch count?”

That’s a fence-sitter, capable of swaying with the wind. Such a person is the hardest and the easiest to control, standing with whoever offers the advantage.

“However, he has a companion who reads with him, quite knowledgeable, with some insights. If I were Lord Zhang, I wouldn’t bring him on the envoy mission this time.”

Zhang Hui’s eyes flashed with understanding, “To leave him isolated and unsupported?”

Bai Shan nodded with a smile.

“Good,” Zhang Hui straightened his official clothes and said to Bai Shan, “I’ll go meet this Prince Gao now.”

After Bai Shan saluted, he withdrew and returned to the tent.

Manbao had already exchanged some clothes and was about to find him. Seeing him return, she pulled him in.

She said, “Here’s the piece of clothing. Change into it now, wear it next to your skin.”

Bai Shan touched it, unable to discern the material, and the style was peculiar, lacking something like a lapel.

He whispered, “Is this from my father-in-law?”

Manbao said, “…Exchanged with someone else.”

Bai Shan nodded and said to Manbao, “Tell father-in-law to wait. After we take down Anshi City, I’ll have people look around for anything odd and unseen here, whether plants or creatures, and purchase them to gift to him.”

Manbao nodded immediately and said, “Okay, okay.”

But then added, “But don’t spend too much.”

Keke: …

Bai Shan put on the clothes. It was cold, and adding an extra layer underneath was not noticeable.

Manbao asked him, “When do you plan to head over?”

“The letter has already been sent. We should hear back before dark. If they agree, I will meet Second Prince Gao. If not, I’ll have to secretly meet some people instead.”

Manbao frowned, “Isn’t that dangerous?”

Bai Shan was indifferent, “That’s unlikely. If I were Second Prince Gao, even if not surrendering, I’d stall negotiations, dragging on another day in hopes of reinforcements.”

“Will State Duke Zhao cease war?”

Bai Shan thought briefly and said, “Probably not, but the emperor’s orders mean there won’t be large-scale attacks either.”

This left room for negotiations.

As expected, before nightfall, a letter came, agreeing to negotiations.

Bai Shan prepared, then bade farewell to the emperor the following morning, leading his team toward the opposite city.

Yuan Yi came with troops to receive the envoy. Seeing a young man, he frowned, wondering if he had come of age yet.

Bai Shan smiled and inclined towards Yuan Yi, saying, “General Yuan, I am Bai Shan, an official scribe of the central government. Please advise me.”

Upon hearing his official position, Yuan Yi reined in any dismissive thoughts, dismounted, returned the salute with a fist, and stood aside, saying, “Please, Lord Bai.”

Bai Shan mounted the horse, leading his group across the checkpoint into the opposing city. He did not look back, but knew Manbao was watching him.

Manbao stood on a tower, watching him ride into the distance until he disappeared from the streets. State Duke Zhao, seeing the envoy team enter safely, turned to leave the tower. Seeing Zhou Man still looking out, he paused.

He thought for a moment and then consoled her, “Don’t worry. They are too timid to harm our envoy. At most, they’ll capture Bai Shan to use as leverage against us.”