Zhenguan: I, Dou Fengjie, will not be the first cuckold.

Inside the Sifang Pavilion, wherever Dou Fengjie went, Fei Tingdanji followed, forgetting even about drinking and fighting.

Dou Fengjie sat down on a bench in the veranda and gave him a serious look: "What, you think you'll get something for nothing if you follow me?"

Fei Tingdanji's eyes burned with fervor: "Shangguan, the Fei Ting clan wants wheat, more wheat, and it would be best if the imperial court could take all the cattle, horses, donkeys, and sheep provided by the Fei Ting clan."

The phrase "listen to the meaning" means that Fei Tingshi had seized cattle and horses from other families and hoped that the Tang Dynasty would take over and exchange them for wheat.

They're not stupid. Besides brewing wine, wheat can also fill their stomachs, and wheat bran can be used to feed livestock, so of course the more the better.

The problem is that the strength of the Fei Ting clan in the Dangxiang Qiang region is neither high nor low, so why should the Tang Dynasty give the Fei Ting clan a higher regard?

Dou Fengjie couldn't help but laugh: "I am only a ninth-rank official in charge of guest affairs, why don't you go find the interpreter Cui Xinggong?"

As a sixth-rank official in the Secretariat, he was ten ranks higher than Dou Fengjie, and was an official under the central government.

Moreover, Cui Xinggong comes from the Boling Cui clan, which has a powerful family background.

"Forgive the Tanguts for speaking bluntly, but although the interpreter is very authoritative, he is not as direct as Shangguan beating up Murong Xiaojun."

"The Tanguts only admire true heroes. Only those who are capable of fighting, dare to fight, and can truly defeat us will earn their sincere submission."

Fei Tingdanji spoke candidly about the cruel laws of this world.

In fact, there were many capable fighters in the Tang Dynasty, but few dared to take action before the court made a statement.

Many people need to carefully consider the risks of doing something that is thankless and exhausting.

"To gain something, you must give something in return."

"It's a bit much to ask of you seven clans to join the war and cooperate in dealing with Tuyuhun."

"Then, you should be able to persuade the Snow Mountain Dangxiang Po Chou clan, the Black Dangxiang, and the scattered Qiang tribes to remain neutral, right?"

Dou Fengjie smiled and pointed out a clear path.

The seven surnames naturally include the Xifeng clan, who had surrendered to the Tang Dynasty earlier.

The reason why Fei Tingdanji was not mentioned in persuading the Dangxiang Qiang Tuoba clan is naturally because the Tuoba clan is quite powerful, and pure persuasion is of little use.

"Persuading everyone is impossible, but persuading some is still possible."

Fei Tingdanji nodded.

Especially the Dangxiang people in the Dajishi Mountains area, because of the ownership of the grasslands, had some disagreements with the Tuyuhun and Tuoba clans, and were not so sincerely dependent on the Tuyuhun.

Of course, to persuade them, you have to offer them some benefits.

Even if we don't give away wheat, there should at least be the convenience of exchanging livestock for wheat.

When faced with natural disasters or man-made calamities, the Tang Dynasty would at least make a show of providing relief and condolences.

"Aren't you afraid that I, the official, am a liar?" Dou Fengjie glanced at Fei Tingdanji.

"Hehe, the title of Duke Shangguan Zan is the best guarantee." Fei Tingdanji revealed a sly smile.

Of course, it's also true that he valued Dou Fengjie's decisive action; the two are not contradictory.

"In addition, Liang Qucong, the famous king of Tuyuhun, is also a Qiang person. We should try to win him over." Fei Tingdanji looked to the future, revealing a row of white teeth.

Dou Fengjie couldn't help but give him a slap on the wrist: "Don't be delusional. Whether it's the Tang Dynasty or the Dangxiang Qiang, who can give him more power than he does now?"

Betrayal comes at a price.

Liang Qucong is someone whose price the Tang Dynasty offers is not worth his attention, but he is not worth paying too much for either.

-----------------

Dianke Office of Honglu Temple.

Zhao Dekai, the steward, slammed his fist on the table, making the teacups bounce.

"Given your merit in bringing the six Dangxiang tribes under your rule, it is not an exaggeration to promote you to the rank of a low-ranking official in charge of foreign affairs."

"Liu Shaoqing recommended you at the Taiji Hall, but Yang Shidao, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, rejected it on the grounds that you were not qualified enough!"

Zhao Dekai was indignant.

If someone else had rejected the proposal, the entire Court of State Ceremonial would have had nothing to say, but it was Yang Shidao who did it!

Yang Shidao married the widowed Princess Changguang. Princess Yongjia and Princess Changguang had a very close relationship. Yang Shidao and Princess Changguang's son, Yang Yu, often flirted with Princess Yongjia.

Zhao Dekai doesn't believe there wasn't some personal grudge involved.

Therefore, when Yang Shidao intervened, he was genuinely dissatisfied.

Even though Dou Fengjie had only been working for a few days, there was no way he could be promoted.

Liu Shan's recommendation was intended to bring Dou Fengjie into the public eye, but Yang Shidao disgusted him and sent him back.

"Thank you all for your kindness, but I have only been in office for a few days. Even if I have made some achievements, it is impossible for me to be promoted beyond the usual level."

Dou Fengjie had no choice but to keep his opinions about Yang Shidao to himself.

The minor official, the vice minister of the Ministry of Personnel, was a fourth-rank official who was considered the best among the six ministries. He could become a third-rank official just by moving to a different position. He was also the consort of Princess Changguang. Except for his poor parenting, he was almost flawless.

Of course, the fact that Yang Shidao preferred to recommend scions of prominent families for official positions and appointed them to government posts meant that most of the officials he did were mediocre, which was a problem with Yang Shidao's abilities.

But in this world, how many opportunities do commoners have to rise in social standing?

Born into a commoner family, his academic knowledge was destined to be inferior to that of the sons of noble families, which was inevitable.

Unfortunately, the matter of Tang Buguwa'er becoming a servant in Longzhengfang will have to be postponed.

"I was merely trying to persuade them, but I never expected..."

Liu Shan shook his head helplessly.

Such a great achievement, yet the proposal to reward him was immediately rejected by the Ministry of Personnel.

The Crown Prince Li Chengqian, who was in charge of the government, turned a blind eye to this matter, which inevitably drew some criticism from the Court of State Ceremonies.

Dou Fengjie chuckled: "The reason why the imperial court is reluctant to take action against Tuyuhun is because the Dangxiang Qiang Tuoba clan in places like Diezhou is providing them with support."

"The fact that its chieftain Tuoba Chici was close to Tuyuhun does not mean that all the small tribes under his rule were close to Tuyuhun."

Liu Shan hesitated for a long time before speaking, "Even so, we still can't make contact with these minor chieftains!"

Dou Fengjie took a bite of a snack—a perk of the government's welfare treats—and said, "We can't, but the governor of Shanzhou, Jiuqie Luosheng, is a Qiang person!"

Liu Shan and Zhao Dekai suddenly realized what was happening.

There was no need for Luo Sheng to personally visit the Tuoba clan; sending his personal attendants would suffice.

Divide and disintegrate, then offer huge benefits—what else is impossible?

With the Tang Dynasty having shattered the Turks, it was at its zenith, making it much easier to win over the hearts and minds of the people.

"Be careful, Your Excellency, the Censorate is already impeaching you."

After thinking it over and over, Liu Shan decided to bring up the topic.

The incident of Dou Fengjie physically assaulting Murong Xiaojun had both positive and negative impacts, so it's not surprising that he was impeached.

The headache is that Murong Xiaojun fell ill because of this. It is unknown whether he is really sick or not. In any case, Dou Fengjie has been impeached for another crime by the Censorate.

"That doesn't make sense, does it? If the foreign envoy is sick, shouldn't I, as the manager, find a doctor to treat him?"

"Why did the Censorate know about the foreign envoy's illness before I did?"

"Sir, when you attend court on the eleventh day of the first month, please inquire for me whether the Censorate is secretly colluding with foreign powers?"

Dou Fengjie had also learned a thing or two about labeling people, and he could quickly put a big label back on them.

The Taiji Hall held court assemblies on the 1st, 5th, and 9th of each ten-day period. Dou Fengjie would have to wait two days to retaliate.