"The court is overwhelmed with affairs. Some documents need to be sent to Chang'an City, some to Goguryeo, and some to the Dengzhou Naval Commander's Office. Therefore, I have been somewhat slow. I hope you two will not mind."
Li Jingren was obviously speaking in an official tone to the two men, but in their ears, Li Jingren was really very busy. However, he was really busy just now and he was not pretending. In their view, all the armies of the Tang Dynasty were doing serious work, unlike our Fuso army, which just idled away every day.
"The General is very busy, and we all see it. We shouldn't bother you with these things, but after talking with the two negotiators from Fuso, we have some insights, so we came to report to you."
Watanabe Ichiro said cautiously, fearing that he might say something wrong. Don't think that these few words are insignificant. When facing the generals of the Tang Dynasty, they always have high standards and strict requirements, and they are afraid that one word will ruin their own future.
Jiro Fujii next to him was so angry that his teeth were itching. He was a military officer by birth, and he could never catch up with the old man Watanabe in the art of speaking, so he was always at a disadvantage in the competition between the two. Obviously, he was not much worse now, but it was still Watanabe who spoke, and everyone thought he was just a deputy.
"It is truly a blessing for the Tang Dynasty that Lord Watanabe has such awareness. Why don't you hurry up and tell us what they mean?"
It was just a casual compliment, but it made Watanabe happy for a long time. Naturally, Jiro Fujii next to him rolled his eyes again. I must read more books after I go back, and I must also hire a few scholars so that I can speak better. I can't let you take all the credit next time I report to him alone.
Watanabe described the attitude of Fuso in detail. He had basically found out that even though Prince Beigong Bai avoided talking about other things, the final result was that the requirements we put forward were a bit shallow and we should go a little deeper.
After getting this result, Li Jingren was also a little skeptical. You know, Kyushu Island is very important. We asked for this island in order to make a forward position for our future attack. We thought the other party would bargain. We also need to send a fleet to fire near the other party’s capital to create a crisis for the other party and force the other party to agree to the negotiation.
The navy fleet is already prepared and is about to start the mission. Unexpectedly, Watanabe brought this news. It seems that we can achieve our goal without them making a trip. Is the Fuso court so weak?
If Li Xiang were here, this problem could probably be explained. When you show weakness, the Fuso people will be extremely tough and will fight you to the end. They will not admit defeat even if the losses are heavy.
But if you act tough and have strong enough force in your hands, the spines of these Fuso people will be broken immediately, and they will wish they were more docile than the livestock in your home. This is what is happening now.
After experiencing two wars, not only the common people in these two places saw the strength of the Tang Dynasty, but also the people in the entire Fuso. They all had a scale in their hearts and carefully compared the strength between the Tang Dynasty and Fuso. If they continued to fight, they would only destroy the entire Fuso. In the end, this place would still be the territory of the Tang Dynasty.
To put it bluntly, it is the lack of confidence to perish together with the enemy. What's more, in this era, Fuso's propaganda about the Tang Dynasty has always been very beautiful, and many people do not think that surrendering to the Tang Dynasty is an act of treason. For example, the two guys in front of them are even thinking about asking for titles from the Tang Dynasty so that they can establish themselves as kings.
"You two have performed a remarkable feat in this matter. I will personally report this to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince later. However, there is one more thing I would like to ask..."
As these two people made contributions, Li Jingren's tone softened a little. When getting along with these people, you have to be strict and relaxed at the same time, so that they can feel a little happy, but at the same time they must understand where they are.
"My Lord, what are you asking for advice? Please tell me what you want to do."
Jiro Fujii finally interjected a word, but it made Watanabe next to him unhappy. However, Jiro Fujii could not care less. It was obvious that we went to the negotiation together, but from the beginning until now, you have not mentioned me at all. If I didn't speak, people would think that I went to open the door and lift the curtain for you.
"You two are Fuso people, after all, and you're very familiar with the Fuso court. If we were to make some demands, which aspect should we start with? I mean the aspect that they would be most likely to agree to."
Fortresses are always breached from the inside. Although Li Jingren has never handled such a thing, this guy is extremely smart. The two people in front of him have obviously forgotten who their ancestors are. If he does not take advantage of it, it would be his dereliction of duty.
When they heard Li Jingren say that he was from Japan after all, they actually felt a little disgusted. Why weren't we born in the Tang Dynasty? If we were born in the Tang Dynasty, wouldn't we be sitting upright in the chair next to him now? We wouldn't have to be so cautious.
Watanabe-sama glanced at Fujii Jiro next to him and signaled him to go out and talk. "Weren't you so capable just now? Didn't you ask for a chance to speak? Now go out and talk. I won't compete with you. Let's see how much knowledge you have."
Following Lord Watanabe's gaze, Li Jingren also looked over, and Fujii Jiro immediately became nervous. He really needed a chance to speak, but this guy's talent was indeed limited. Take the question just now for example, even if you opened his brain and scrubbed it several times, you probably wouldn't find a useful solution.
"General Fujii probably hasn't thought it through yet, but there's no need to rush. Lord Watanabe, please speak first. After all, you are the primary person responsible for this matter."
Li Jingren also noticed the internal struggle between the two, and temporarily relieved General Fujii of his current embarrassment, but also established Watanabe's position. What he said was indeed true. Watanabe was in control of the initiative from beginning to end. He has shown it for such a long time, and he should have a word. As for Fujii Jiro, you have to work hard on your own.
