If Li Xiang came here to do something else, or for some formal talks, then Li Xiang would definitely ask about this matter, but now he is here to earn money, and whether the Zamp is there or not has little impact on this matter.
What's more, if Songtsen Gampo was not there, Li Xiang probably would not dare to step into the military camp. Li Xiang knew better than anyone what Lu Dongzan's attitude towards him was. If possible, both sides would want to kill him as soon as possible. As long as Songtsen Gampo was in the military camp, Li Xiang could still save his life.
Both sides can be said to be experts in diplomacy, so no matter how many things happened before, they can now be said to be having a good conversation. Although Songtsen Gampo stood by and said nothing, he also gave Lu Dongzan extra points in his heart. In the entire Tubo country, apart from Lu Dongzan, there is probably no one who can have a good relationship with the people of the Tang Dynasty.
Although Tubo had long had the ambition to rule the Central Plains, they, like the people of the Tang Dynasty, knew very little about the other side. If they rashly launched an attack, they might be the ones to fail in the end. Therefore, they also trained a group of people to enter the Central Plains, and these people were in Lu Dongzan's hands.
"A few days ago, the Prime Minister came to our Protectorate. There are some things that are really hard to talk about. It was all caused by the people below. I will use tea instead of wine as an apology to the Prime Minister."
Li Xiang is a flexible person. As long as he can take advantage of you, it doesn't matter if I lose face a little. What's more, I have already taken advantage of you. What's the harm in saying a few polite words? Do you think he can ask for half a pound of meat from me?
These words were very important to Lu Dongzan. After returning from the Tang Dynasty, Lu Dongzan boasted to everyone that his trip was extremely successful.
But many people in Tubo expressed doubts. The border areas between Tuyuhun and Tubo were tense every day. If you really had a good relationship with the Tang Dynasty, how could such a thing happen?
Now that Li Xiang had said these words, Lu Dongzan felt relieved. It was as if Li Xiang had indirectly proved to him that although he had signed a traitorous agreement, Li Xiang still allowed him to save face.
This also increased Lu Dongzan's bargaining chips at home. The Tang Dynasty was the most powerful country around. Once Lu Dongzan stepped down, people on the Tang side might have some complaints. The relationship between Tubo and the Tang Dynasty might change. If someone else took over at that time, he might not be able to do as well.
"That's all in the past, let's not discuss it. Your Highness the Crown Prince's visit to our Tubo is a big deal. Why don't you follow us back to the Holy City?"
Lu Dongzan didn't know what Li Xiang was here for, but out of his own little thoughts, he wanted to keep Li Xiang away from the battlefield. If various chieftains came to make trouble at this time, it might damage the image of Tubo. Moreover, Tubo's large buildings were all in the holy city, so he could show Li Xiang the comprehensive national strength of Tubo.
In fact, many people think that Li Xiang came at the wrong time. We Tubo have been peaceful for so many years, and that was when our comprehensive national strength was the strongest. You didn't come when we were the strongest, but now we are on the decline, and you ran to the military camp. Are you here to watch the fun of it?
"This is natural, but I heard some rumors..."
When Li Xiang said this, Songtsen Gampo and Lu Dongzan became nervous. If you say this in front of everyone, then the face of our Tubo will be completely lost. Fortunately, Li Xiang stopped at a certain point and did not mess things up.
"play music."
The officials below received Lu Dongzan's gaze and quickly ordered people to start playing music. Except for a few people nearby, no one could hear what they were talking about.
Although many officials stretched their heads, the sounds of various music were overwhelming them. Even if their hearing was good, they had no idea what Li Xiang and Lu Dongzan were talking about.
"You're the one behind all this, right?"
Although there was still a smile on Lu Dongzan's face, he was gritting his teeth when he spoke. Of course, he didn't believe that Li Xiang was responsible for the chieftain incident. He just felt that Li Xiang had something to do with Changsun Pingting's incident. When he first came out of Chang'an City, he knew that the relationship between the two was not simple. Such a clause was included in the negotiations between the two countries. If Li Xiang hadn't been fanning the flames behind the scenes, how could Lord Zeng have added this?
"What is the matter that the Prime Minister is talking about?"
Li Xiang was stunned for a moment. He thought all his plans had been seen through. In his heart, he thought Lu Dongzan was a real character and that there should be no loopholes in what he did. How did he see through it? Was it by observing the night sky?
"Stop playing dumb. If you hadn't been behind this, Changsun Pingting would have already gone to Tubo. How could she have stayed in Liangzhou?"
Hearing this, Li Xiang breathed a sigh of relief.
"The Prime Minister has wronged me. How could I possibly make trouble for this? A marriage between two countries is a good thing. Even if there are some misunderstandings between us, it is impossible for me to make trouble for this matter. This is all the fault of that guy Chang Sun Chong."
Li Xiang immediately brought out Chang Sun Chong to settle the matter, but unfortunately Lu Dongzan absolutely did not believe this. Although Chang Sun Chong was not very willing during the first marriage, he would never express it so strongly.
"Your Highness had better remember this: if you ruin my business today, you don't know who will ruin yours tomorrow. It's a matter of fate, so we'll see."
Lu Dongzan picked up the wine glass in his hand and clinked glasses with Li Xiang in a seemingly warm manner.
"That's true. The Prime Minister is also knowledgeable. However, fate has its own way. Today is the Prime Minister's turn. I plan to seal the border after I return. Without the imperial court's approval, not even a pound of grain can reach Tubo."
Li Xiang saw that he couldn't get to the point, so he had to talk about food first. The two of them clinked glasses with smiles on their faces, and the people below also raised their glasses. Everyone thought that the two sides were talking happily! Little did they know that the two of them were already at the point of swords being drawn, and they wanted to kill each other.
When the word "food" came out, Lu Dongzan felt as if someone had stepped on his tail. He almost lost his grip on the wine glass. If Li Xiang hadn't supported him, Lu Dongzan would have been embarrassed in front of everyone...
