Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1610 She knew Gu Jinxiao before anyone else present.

If the officials of the Great Zhou categorically deny or rebuke him, he will immediately kowtow and weep, thus confirming the Great Zhou's reputation for being arrogant, bullying the weak, and untrustworthy, and morally condemning the Great Zhou as unjust.

If the officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty, in order to appease the public, admit that it may have been the misconduct of individual soldiers, or promise to order an investigation and rectification.

He immediately seized the opportunity, demanding a written agreement to clearly define the grazing areas along the border, thus creating endless future problems for the Zhou Dynasty's border management. This also laid the groundwork for the Xiongnu to continue entangled in this issue and even create friction in the future.

This is a typical example of a despicable tactic used by a defeated nation in a time of frustration.

The Xiongnu couldn't defeat the Zhou Dynasty, but they could use a posture of grievance to morally blackmail the Zhou. They made the Zhou win the battle but lose the moral high ground, leaving them seething with anger but unable to vent it.

Several generals from the northern frontier turned ashen-faced, their hands gripping wine glasses bulging with veins, almost slamming their fists on the table!

Officials from the Ministry of Revenue also had furrowed brows.

Border management and diplomacy are involved; a single wrong word could lead to a major disaster.

Even Nangong Xuanyu, sitting on the throne, instantly turned cold.

However, as the emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, it was inappropriate for him to directly argue with an envoy at this moment, as that would be beneath his dignity.

Gu Jinxiao slowly put down the jade chopsticks in her hand and looked up at Agula, who was still filled with grief and indignation.

His face showed neither anger at being offended nor panic at the urge to defend himself; it remained expressionless and stoic.

Shen Zhinian's gaze also fell on Gu Jinxiao.

She suddenly became curious about how this man would respond.

“Deputy Envoy Agula.”

Gu Jinxiao said, "The war in the northern frontier has just ended, and the people are suffering. Whether they are citizens of the Great Zhou or nomads of the grasslands, His Majesty has shown them compassion. This is the benevolence of an emperor."

"What you just mentioned about the border troops driving away the herders..."

He paused briefly, glanced at Agula, then looked at Luan Di Yi Tu, who remained silent behind him, and continued, "I have not witnessed it myself, so I dare not make any judgments about its authenticity."

"However, Article 3, Paragraph 2 of the Northern Frontier Truce Agreement clearly stipulates: 'Both countries shall abide by the existing boundary markers and each shall guard its own territory, and shall not cross them without authorization. If anyone crosses the border to graze livestock or gather firewood, the local garrison has the right to persuade them to leave or drive them back. However, indiscriminate killing and looting are prohibited.'"

"May I ask the Vice Envoy, have the herders from your country who have gone south in search of fodder already crossed the boundary markers recognized by both sides?"

Agula hadn't expected Gu Jinxiao to avoid the moral accusation of bullying the elderly and instead directly address the specific treaty clauses. He was momentarily speechless, stammering, "This... the grasslands are vast, the boundary markers are blurred, and the herders live a nomadic life, so sometimes it's unavoidable..."

"The boundary markers were jointly erected by the two countries and are clearly demarcated. How can they be considered ambiguous?"

Gu Jinxiao interrupted Agula: "If they really crossed the line, the Great Zhou army was simply fulfilling its duty and upholding the alliance by persuading them to leave and return. How can this be considered bullying?"

"If they have not crossed the border, but the border troops drive them away without cause, then it is the border troops' dereliction of duty, and the Great Zhou has its own laws to punish them."

"Since the deputy envoy speaks with such certainty, why not specify the exact time, place, the designation of the border troops involved, and the tribe to which the displaced herders belong?"

"Our Censorate and Ministry of War can immediately send personnel to conduct a thorough investigation. If it is true, we will punish them severely to give your country an explanation; if there is no evidence, or it is just a rumor or misunderstanding, it will also clarify the facts so as not to damage the peace that our two countries have just restored."

These words were reasonable and well-founded, employing both soft and hard tactics, and in doing so, they turned the tables on the Xiongnu.

We demand concrete evidence from the other party; otherwise, it's just a rumor. If the Xiongnu have no concrete evidence, it's slander, which could damage our peace!

Agula choked and his face turned red.

Where would he find a specific time and place?

He had only heard rumors and felt frustrated, so he seized the opportunity to stir up trouble and cause problems for the Great Zhou. His best hope was to force some official to make a hasty promise.

Unexpectedly, they encountered Gu Jinxiao, a stubborn person who was impervious to reason and only respected rules and regulations.

Agula's momentum clearly weakened: "I...I just heard..."

"It is said that?"

Gu Jinxiao frowned and said, "The border is vast, and there may be errors in the transmission of information. The deputy envoy is concerned about the people, and his feelings are pitiful."

"However, diplomacy is based on facts, treaties, and good faith. Speculation and rumors are unreliable and are more likely to breed misunderstandings, which will damage the diplomatic relations between the two countries."

"King Zuoxian..."

At this point, Gu Jinxiao looked at Luan Di Yi Tu, who had been silent all along, and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Highness is wise and capable, and surely you also know the importance of disciplining your people and strictly abiding by the boundary agreement."

"What Deputy Envoy Agula said today, whether out of concern for his people or because he believed false rumors, shows how much your country cherishes peace."

"His Majesty also hopes for lasting peace on the borders and for the people to live in tranquility. As long as both sides abide by the alliance and guard their respective borders, such misunderstandings will naturally be resolved."

His words both rebuked Agula for causing trouble and gave Luan Di Yi Tu a way out.

Luan Di Yi Tu gave Gu Jin Xiao a deep look.

This civil official from the Great Zhou Dynasty was more difficult to deal with than he had imagined.

Luan Di Yi Tu raised his cup and stood up, laughing, "What Minister Gu said is absolutely right."

"Agula is straightforward and easily swayed by rumors; he becomes easily flustered when he is concerned. If his words have been offensive, please forgive him, Your Majesty and all the officials."

"Since we, the Xiongnu, have signed the alliance, we shall abide by it strictly. After returning, I will also strictly order all tribes not to cross the border without authorization, so as to avoid causing any further trouble."

"Come, let me offer a toast to the Minister, to express my gratitude for your country's gracious hospitality these past few days!"

A difficult situation that was about to escalate into a diplomatic incident was averted by Gu Jinxiao's calm, measured, and reasoned response, drawing on classical texts and employing proper etiquette.

This both upheld the dignity and laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty and left no opportunity for the Xiongnu to exploit.

The atmosphere inside the hall calmed down again.

After this incident, many officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty looked at Gu Jinxiao with more admiration in their eyes.

This seemingly rigid Vice Minister of Rites is in fact a pillar of the court!

A look of appreciation appeared in Shen Zhinian's eyes.

She knew Gu Jinxiao before anyone else present.

She knew from her past life that this man, though seemingly rigid and dignified, was actually calm and sharp; otherwise, he wouldn't have become her greatest nemesis.

Gu Jinxiao defused Agula's tearful accusation with ease. Just as the tense atmosphere in the hall began to ease, Uvi stood up.

He was broad-shouldered and burly, and the scar on his face that almost ran across his cheek looked particularly ferocious under the palace lanterns.

Uwe grinned, revealing a set of yellowed teeth, and laughed heartily a few times.

He picked up a large bowl, made a polite toast towards Marquis Zhongyong and Zhou Yuxi, and exclaimed loudly, "Excellent! This wine today is truly delightful!"

"I've witnessed the abundance and treasures of the Celestial Empire, and I've also met a civil official like Lord Gu... well, a reasonable one!"