A letter? He had summoned him here in such haste just to read a letter? What letter? Whose letter?
Zi Pingxiu was filled with doubts, but he was in no hurry. As the prime minister of a kingdom, he could still keep his composure. He accepted the letter and slowly opened it to read.
Jia Wuqun, meanwhile, picked up an ink stick and unhurriedly ground ink, preparing to respond.
Yet the contents of the letter gradually made Zi Pingxiu furrow his brow. He seemed puzzled. After lowering his gaze over it, he raised his head again, then carefully reread the letter from beginning to end.
Once he had finished reading it again, his eyes flickered as they fixed on the signature—three striking characters: "Shang Chaozong." Slowly raising his head, he asked, "This is a handwritten letter from Shang Chaozong to you?"
Jia Wuqun nodded and wrote on the writing board: Letter received. Puzzled. Found correspondence between Shang Chaozong and the Song Kingdom. Handwriting compared. Confirmed to be Shang Chaozong's own hand.
After the board was turned for him to see, Zi Pingxiu nodded, yet still hesitated. "Shang Chaozong has invited several kingdoms to send people to discuss resisting Jin. The Imperial Court has already selected its representatives, yet he has secretly written to you in private, inviting you to go—and insisting that you go in secret. What does this mean?"
Jia Wuqun shook his head, indicating that he did not know.
Zi Pingxiu pondered before asking, "Since Shang Chaozong has invited you, what does Mr. Jia intend to do?"
Jia Wuqun wrote: Jia has neither power nor influence. Behind me, there is only the Prime Minister. Since he has invited me, it must concern the Prime Minister. He likely has some secret matter to convey to the Prime Minister. Since