Chapter 217 Li Yunchu
Zhao Xing sneered in his heart when he heard this. He thought that the Princess of Western Xia might not know anything about this and was just fooled.
Xixia did have the intention of marrying a princess to the Song Dynasty, but it wanted to open up trade with the Song Dynasty and reduce the number of troops stationed on the border.
There were millions of Western Xia civilians, but the army had hundreds of thousands.
According to the Xixia military system, men between the ages of sixteen and sixty must serve in the military, excluding women, and almost all citizens are soldiers.
This was already an act of excessive military aggression, and it was only because the Xixia military system was very similar to the Fubing system that it was able to persist.
For the Song Dynasty, reducing the number of garrisons by tens of thousands would only save some money. It is useful, but the practical significance is not particularly great.
But it means a lot to a small country like Western Xia.
The reason why the Princess of Western Xia was allowed to come along was to show Western Xia's sincerity.
Even if what is being discussed now gets out and the Xixia princess finds out, it is estimated that these Xixia envoys will deceive her just to stabilize the Song Dynasty.
Once we return to Xixia, the Xixia emperor will explain the situation to her and I'm afraid the Xixia princess will agree to the marriage.
But it’s better this way, Zhao Xing does have some strengths that can be used.
It was almost impossible for him to learn some secrets of Xixia from the eldest princess of Xixia.
Even if the two countries made peace with each other and the eldest princess of Western Xia became his woman, she might not tell anyone even though she was fooled by the emperor of Western Xia before that.
But if the Princess of Western Xia knew that all this was a scam, it might not be the case.
Thinking of this, Zhao Xing said nothing more.
"Prince, don't talk nonsense!" The emperor scolded Zhao Xing, looked at Su Wenchang and smiled, "I need to think about this matter."
"As I should." Su Wenchang bowed and said, "Then I will wait for the news from His Majesty the Great Song."
"Yes!" The emperor nodded slightly and said, "Minister of the Honglu Temple, send the envoy back to the Honglu Temple. If you have any needs, please try your best to meet them!"
"Yes!" The Minister of the Ministry of Rites responded and led the Western Xia envoys away.
"What do you think of the words of the Western Xia envoy?" the emperor asked in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, Xixia is a barbarian land with a small area and few resources. Trading with them will not benefit the Song Dynasty, but will greatly benefit Xixia. I think we should not agree to it."
"Your Majesty, I do not agree with what Lord Xia said. It is true that Xixia is a barbarian, but we should show them kindness and convert them so that they will return to their hearts. Only then can the four seas submit and the world be at peace."
"Your Majesty, I feel that..."
……
For a moment, the hall seemed to have become a vegetable market, extremely noisy.
When Zhao Xing heard someone say that the world would be at peace if the barbarians were treated with kindness, he really wanted to ask him if he had become stupid because of reading too much.
Since ancient times, when has appeasement ever brought peace?
It is always better to fight first, and then scare the barbarians, and then try to appease them.
The reason why barbarians are called barbarians is because they are wild and difficult to tame.
The more gentle you are, the more they will think you are easy to bully.
The emperor was annoyed by the noise, so he put down his hands and waited until the hall was quiet. Then he looked at Han Zhang and asked, "What do you think of this, Grand Minister?"
"Your Majesty, I feel that we can agree to it and we can't agree to it. The grasslands occupied by Western Xia were annexed by the Liao Kingdom. Even if we can sell some horses to the Song Dynasty, the number will be limited. However, trade with Western Xia can not only repair the relationship between the two countries and reduce the number of troops stationed. It can also make them allies and make the Liao Kingdom wary. I heard that after the new king of Liao ascended the throne, the voices within the Liao Kingdom proposing to send troops to invade the border have been getting louder and louder in recent years." Han Zhang said.
As for Zhao Xing's previous proposal to ask Western Xia to return Lingzhou City, Han Zhang did not mention it.
Because it is impossible to return Xixia, and even if it is returned, it will be useless to the Song Dynasty.
Although Lingzhou City is important, when Lingzhou City was lost, several surrounding cities were also lost.
If Western Xia gave Lingzhou City to the Song Dynasty, the surrounding cities would secretly surround Lingzhou City, and the Song Dynasty would need to send a large number of troops to defend it.
Once the food supply was cut off by the Western Xia, they would be trapped.
Unless Xixia is willing to give several cities near Lingzhou City to the Song Dynasty.
However, the territory of Western Xia is not large, and it is impossible for Western Xia to give such a large piece of land.
"Your Majesty, I think we should agree to it." Zhao Xing said.
"Oh?" The official asked in surprise, "Why did the prince say that?"
"Father, if the two countries do not open up trade, can we stop merchants from trading? It is better to facilitate than to block. At least the court can get some benefits from the trade." Zhao Xing said.
Since Song and Xia did not have trade, did that mean no one was smuggling?
Before the Song Dynasty, agriculture was emphasized and commerce was suppressed, resulting in the wealthy families making a fortune.
Due to the maritime ban in the Ming Dynasty, maritime trade became the exclusive domain of wealthy families.
It's like this with everything, it's better to guide than to block.
Smuggling is difficult to control, and we don’t even know what is being sold.
Although opening trade cannot eliminate smuggling, as long as no contraband is sold, many people would rather pay some taxes than engage in smuggling.
Zhao Xing understood this point well because he was also involved in smuggling.
Sheng Wei also sold glass products and mirrors to Xixia.
However, since the smuggling route is difficult, the quantity transported each time is small and there is damage.
After all, the border between Song and Xia is mountainous and the roads are rugged, so it is far from being as convenient as trading in the barter market.
The imperial court would definitely be able to gain some benefits.
The most important thing is that opening a trade market will allow Xixia to attack other places with peace of mind, which will make it easier for them to plot against Hehuang. "Yes." The emperor nodded slightly, but did not say whether he agreed or not. He said, "I will think about this matter again. Let's leave the court."
…………
"Princess, Bianjing is really prosperous. Many things that are rare in Western Xia can be seen everywhere in Song Dynasty." The little maid said excitedly.
"They are all unscrupulous businessmen!" The Princess of Western Xia was furious.
Indeed, many things in Bianjing City were rare in Western Xia, especially mirrors. When she first got one, she treasured it so much that she spent nearly a thousand taels of silver on it.
However, these things are very cheap in the Song Dynasty. She just went to the Liuli Pavilion and found a mirror about the same size as hers for only one hundred taels.
This is the case with many things, which are ten or even dozens of times cheaper than in Xixia.
"Princess, let's buy more when we go back." said the little maid.
"What are you buying? Others will think we are worldly-wise. Aren't you ashamed?" The Princess of Western Xia glared.
In fact, she had the same idea at the beginning. Wouldn't she be able to make some money if she bought it back?
As a result, the little maid was always startled and others looked at her strangely.
"Okay, it's getting late, Minister Su should be back, let's go back and ask about the situation." said the Princess of Western Xia.
Although the little maid wanted to continue strolling, she didn't dare to say more since the princess had spoken.
The Princess of Western Xia returned to the Honglu Temple angrily. When she learned that Su Wenchang had returned, she went to inquire about the situation.
Su Wenchang did not elaborate, just saying that he had to wait for news.
The Princess of Western Xia was not very concerned about this. She felt a little tired after walking around for a long time, so she went straight back to her room.
"Princess, the Crown Princess of the Song Dynasty sent someone to send an invitation this morning, inviting you to attend a banquet at the East Palace in the evening." A maid saw the princess coming back and hurriedly took out an invitation and said.
"If it's lost, this princess won't go."
She felt sick when she thought of Zhao Xing and didn't want to go at all.
"Yes!" The maid bowed and was about to leave.
"Wait!" Princess Xixia stopped the maid and said, "She's just a crown princess. If I don't go, she'll think I'm scared. Give it to me!"
She felt that if she didn't go, she would inevitably lose face.
…………
At the end of the Shen period, the Princess of Western Xia arrived at the East Palace in a carriage.
Zhang Guifen was waiting at the gate of the East Palace with a smile on her face.
The Princess of Western Xia got off the carriage and was a little surprised to see Zhang Guifen waiting at the door.
"Greetings, Crown Princess!" Princess Xixia bowed.
"Princess, there's no need to be so polite." Zhang Guifen smiled and said, "Please come in!"
The Princess of Western Xia nodded slightly, followed Zhang Guifen into the East Palace, and looked around curiously.
"What is the eldest princess' maiden name?" Zhang Guifen asked.
"My name is Li Yunchu." Li Yunchu said.
The Western Xia were the Dangxiang people, whose original surname was Tuoba. They were given the surname Li during the Tang Dynasty and have used Li ever since.
"Yunchu? What a nice name." Zhang Guifen praised and said with a smile, "We are of similar age. I am being generous and call you sister. Do you mind?"
"I don't mind." Li Yunchu shook his head.
"It's still early now, how about I take you to visit the East Palace first?" Zhang Guifen asked.
"I have also learned some Chinese culture. The guest should follow the host's wishes. Besides, I'm not hungry now." Li Yunchu said.
She was also somewhat curious about the Eastern Palace, and the scenes she saw along the way were not much different from those of the Western Xia Imperial Palace.
She was even more shocked when she went to the palace yesterday, but she only saw a corner of it, so it would be nice to visit the East Palace as well.
"That's even better." Zhang Guifen said with a smile.
Li Yunchu didn't quite understand what Zhang Guifen meant by "better" and looked at her with some confusion.
Zhang Guifen had no intention of explaining. She took Li Yunchu for a stroll, introducing her to other things from time to time and asking about her preferences.
"The Crown Princess keeps asking about my preferences. What does that mean?"
When they arrived at the garden, Li Yunchu couldn't help himself.
At first she thought Zhang Guifen was just making small talk, but Zhang Guifen asked about everything from food, clothing, housing and transportation, and asked in great detail.
No matter how thick-skinned she was, she felt something was wrong and looked at Zhang Guifen with some wariness.
Zhang Guifen smiled and said, "I have no other intentions. After all, you are from Xia country. Asking more details will help you prepare in advance, so that you won't be uncomfortable when you enter the East Palace in the future."
"and many more!"
Li Yunchu interrupted Zhang Guifen and said unhappily, "What do you mean by entering the Eastern Palace? I haven't agreed to the marriage yet! Crown Princess, I think you are a nice person, why did you marry the Crown Prince of Song? But I also heard that you Han people are all about parents' orders and matchmakers' words, you marry whoever they want you to marry, but we in Daxia are different."
Zhang Guifen was very unhappy about Li Yunchu's belittling of Zhao Xing, but she still endured it and pretended to be surprised: "But His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said that today in the court, your country's envoys have already said that they want to make peace with the Song Dynasty."
"I just have intention!" Li Yunchu corrected: "My royal brother said that whether to get married depends on my opinion. I don't want to marry the crown prince of Song Dynasty."
(End of this chapter)