Chapter 731: Peace talks, or it would be more appropriate to call it surrender!
"So, this is just superficial work, just invite them directly!" Gao Yao's tone became more and more firm, and he had obviously made up his mind.
Seeing this, Xiao He didn't know what to say, so he could only reply, "Here...
He hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded to show that he understood. After all, Gao Yao was the prime minister, so his decision naturally had its reasons. Moreover, as Gao Yao said, in this chaotic world, sometimes you really can't care too much about reputation, strength is the most important. To paraphrase Gao Yao, that is, "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun." Only the one with the bigger fist has the final say. If it weren't for this, why would the other party take the initiative to come to Gao Yao to negotiate?
After returning to the backyard at noon and having a simple meal, Gao Yao returned to the main hall to continue handling official business. It was not until the afternoon that the personal guard came to Gao Yao and whispered,
"Prime Minister, the people have arrived!" Following a report, Gao Yao's personal soldiers quickly walked into the room and reported to Gao Yao.
Gao Yao was busy with important matters, and he replied without even looking up, "Well, let them wait. Just tell them that I have something important to deal with."
The personal soldier received the order, turned around and went out, conveying Gao Yao's words verbatim to Kuai Tong who was waiting in the courtyard of the Prime Minister's Mansion.
When Kuai Tong heard this, his brows furrowed instantly, and he could not help but feel angry. As an envoy of Wei State, he came to discuss important matters with Gao Yao on behalf of King Wei Bao, and he should have been treated with due courtesy and respect. However, Gao Yao treated him so contemptuously, making him wait in the courtyard, which was undoubtedly an insult to him and the King of Wei.
However, Kuai Tong was a cultured man after all. He quickly adjusted his mood and suppressed his dissatisfaction. He knew very well that in such a situation, anger would not solve the problem, but might make things worse. So, he took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and then stood quietly in the courtyard without showing any anger.
Kuai Tong knew that it was a custom since ancient times that envoys would not be killed when two countries were at war. Under normal circumstances, the reception of envoys from other countries should be held in a fair and open court meeting, with both sides stating their conditions to each other, and then slowly negotiating and pulling. This is the normal way to negotiate conditions. But now, Gao Yao directly called him to his mansion and then left him there. This really didn't take him seriously. This was not only a slap in the face of Kuai Tong, but also a slap in the face of Wei Bao, the King of Wei!
However, Kuai Tong still suppressed his dissatisfaction and continued to wait obediently, without showing any dissatisfaction on his face. It was not until a full hour later that Gao Yao called his personal soldiers to his side.
"Where is the person? Is he still there?" Gao Yao asked in a low voice with a gloomy face.
"Your Excellency, the person is still here." The attendant beside him replied respectfully.
"Oh?" Gao Yao raised his eyebrows slightly, revealing a hint of surprise, "Did you show any dissatisfaction?"
He originally thought that after this show of power, the other party would probably be dissatisfied with being ignored and even walk away. In this way, he could roughly understand the other party's temperament through the other party's reaction, so as to better control the other party in the next negotiation.
What surprised him was that the other party was still waiting there obediently, without any impatience or anger.
This was the Prime Minister's Residence, not the Prince of Qin's Residence. The envoy who was on a diplomatic mission on behalf of the King of Wei was left alone as soon as he entered the door. This was undoubtedly a great insult. Most people would have been unable to hold back in this situation.
But the other party was able to remain calm, which was beyond Gao Yao's expectation. He couldn't help but become more curious about this messenger, wondering what kind of person he was.
The real negotiation is like a war without gunpowder, with both sides engaging in fierce verbal and strategic confrontation. If the visitor left in anger because of a little dissatisfaction, Gao Yao's evaluation of him might be greatly reduced. However, the other party behaved unusually calmly, like a shrewd fox, which made Gao Yao look at him with new eyes.
This kind of steady attitude shows that the other party has a clear bottom line in mind and does things from beginning to end. Such people are often the most difficult opponents in negotiations. Because in negotiations, the more impatient people are, the more likely they are to act impulsively, which eventually leads to things getting out of control; while the more calm and steady people are, the more they can control the situation and not be swayed by emotions.
Gao Yao knew that the ultimate goal of the negotiation was not to fight for a moment, but to reach an agreement acceptable to both parties. So when he heard the soldiers report that the other party had no dissatisfaction, but just stood there honestly, and even did not open his eyes, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a barely perceptible smile.
"Haha, let someone in!" Gao Yao gave the order, his voice revealing a hint of curiosity about the other party. After receiving the order, the personal guard immediately turned around and left, inviting Kuai Tong to come in for a talk. At this time, Gao Yao couldn't wait to meet this opponent who interested him so much, to see what kind of person he was.
Not long after, Kuai Tong walked into the main hall of the Prime Minister's Mansion under the watchful eyes of his personal guards. His figure seemed a little tall, but his steps were light and powerful, as if every step was carefully considered.
After entering the main hall, Kuai Tong's eyes fell directly on Gao Yao, who was sitting in the main seat. At this moment, Gao Yao did not put on airs as usual, but sat upright in the main seat, staring at Kuai Tong with a sharp gaze.
Upon seeing this, Kuai Tong hurriedly stepped forward, bowed, and said in a loud voice: "I am Kuai Tong, the envoy of the King of Wei, and I am honored to meet you, Prime Minister!" His voice was loud and clear, echoing in the main hall, showing his confidence and composure.
After hearing Kuai Tong introduce himself, Gao Yao couldn't help but whisper, "Kuai Tong?" This name was not unfamiliar to him, but he really didn't expect that the person in front of him was actually Kuai Tong.
If we were to rank the counselors in the late Qin and early Han dynasties, Kuai Tong would definitely be in the top ten. He was not only a rare diplomat, but also an outstanding debater, especially good at lobbying and rebuttal. Moreover, Kuai Tong's strategy was also very outstanding. The fact that he once advised Han Xin to establish himself as king, but was able to withdraw unscathed in the end, is enough to prove his shrewdness and wit.
"Prime Minister, do you know me?" Kuai Tong looked suspicious at this time. He had no impression of the man named Gao Yao in front of him, but looking at Gao Yao's expression, he seemed to know him quite well, which made Kuai Tong curious, so he asked.