The guard said hesitantly: "But, Your Highness, if we don't sell food to them, they may use other means to obtain it."
Zhao Yingluo sneered: "Other methods? Then just let them come over. How can I, Zhao Yingluo, be afraid of them?" There was a sense of majesty and confidence in her voice, which seemed to be able to intimidate any enemy who dared to provoke.
After learning about Zhao Yingluo's reply, the businessmen in Xixia showed disappointment and anger. They did not expect that this Princess of the Song Dynasty would be so decisive and tough. In their view, war horses are extremely precious materials, while food is just ordinary goods. They couldn't understand why Zhao Yingluo made such a decision.
However, Zhao Yingluo had her own considerations. She knew that it had not been too long since Xixia and Jin had joined forces to attack the Song Dynasty. Selling grain to Xixia at this time would undoubtedly encourage their arrogance. Moreover, she did not believe that Xixia would sincerely conduct transactions with Song Dynasty. In their view, the Song Dynasty was just the object of their plunder and invasion!
Seeing Zhao Yingluo's door closed, the Xixia merchants felt a little reluctant, but they had no choice but to accept the reality. They know that in business, sometimes they have to face ups and downs like this.
"Alas, I thought I could successfully purchase grain this time, but unexpectedly I hit a snag." An older businessman sighed and shook his head.
"Yes, but fortunately there is a bumper grain harvest around Kaifeng. Maybe we can find a way from other grain merchants." Another businessman suggested.
While they were discussing, news suddenly came that a group of small and medium-sized grain merchants were purchasing grain from farmers. After hearing the news, the Xixia merchants immediately decided to change their strategy and turn their targets to these grain merchants.
They found the small and medium-sized grain merchants with their money and Xixia's rare specialties. Although these grain merchants were not short of food, they were still tempted by the temptation of money and rare specialties.
After some bargaining, the Xixia merchants finally succeeded in purchasing the required grain from these grain merchants. Although the price was higher than expected, it finally solved an urgent need.
"Haha, it seems we are quite lucky." A businessman said with a smile, "Although we failed to buy food from Zhao Yingluo, we finally found a solution."
"Yes, that's how it is in business. Sometimes you need to be flexible to find new opportunities." Another businessman said with emotion.
After completing the grain transaction with Wanyan Zongyi, Zhao Yingluo finally took a break from her busy schedule and returned to her mansion in Kaifeng from Xingzhou. The bumps along the way did not disrupt her thoughts, but allowed her to see the current situation more clearly.
After returning to the mansion, Zhao Yingluo did not rest immediately. Instead, she summoned her advisers and generals to discuss the integration of private soldiers. She knew that Luoyang now had the emperor's brother Zhao Zhen in charge and had strong military strength, so the west side naturally did not need to worry too much. And with a famous general like Yue Fei guarding Xingzhou, Jin and Xixia would not dare to act rashly. The only thing that worries her is the defense line south of Kaifeng.
"Although veteran generals Zongze and Li Gang are brave and good at fighting, their troops are really limited." Zhao Yingluo frowned and said in a deep voice, "We must replenish their troops as soon as possible to ensure the safety south of Kaifeng."
All the counselors and generals nodded in agreement. They all knew that the current situation was not optimistic. After some discussion, Zhao Yingluo decided to transfer some of the elite soldiers from her own private soldiers to serve under Zongze and Li Gang. At the same time, she also ordered the strengthening of defenses south of Kaifeng to ensure nothing went wrong.
After the order was issued, Zhao Yingluo did not relax. She knows that integrating private soldiers is only the first step, and there are more challenges waiting for her next.
In addition to the defense line in the south of Kaifeng that worried Zhao Yingluo, Han Shizhong in the east also made it difficult for her to completely rest assured. Although Han Shizhong had chosen to serve her and break away from the control of the Song Dynasty court, the troops in his hands were all soldiers of the court after all, and their loyalty could not be guaranteed 100%. Zhao Yingluo knew very well that if she wanted to stabilize her position, she must have these soldiers and horses firmly in her hands. So, she decided to go to Daming Mansion in person, join Wen Boyuan's 100,000 troops, and then join forces with Han Shizhong's troops to guard the east together.
When the morning glow reflected on the city wall of Wei County, Princess Zhao Yingluo's car slowly drove into this solid city. Wen Boyuan, this loyal and capable general, had been waiting at the city gate for a long time, preparing to welcome the princess.
"General Wenbo, thank you for your hard work." Zhao Yingluo stepped out of the carriage and said gently to Wen Boyuan.
"Your Highness the Princess made a strong statement, and the general should be so." Wen Boyuan replied respectfully, his eyes showing his admiration and loyalty to the princess.
The two walked into the city together. Zhao Yingluo revealed her worries to Wen Boyuan as they walked: "Although General Han Shizhong has surrendered to me, the soldiers and horses in his hands were once the elite of the imperial court. I am worried that their loyalty is not stable enough. , so I want the general to unite your army with Han Shizhong to guard the Eastern Front of the Song Dynasty."
After hearing this, Wen Boyuan expressed his support without hesitation: "Her Royal Highness the Princess's decision is wise. Although General Han Shizhong is brave and good at fighting, he has so many troops that it is really difficult to control them one by one. The final general is willing to lead his soldiers to join forces with General Han Shizhong to jointly protect the country. The Jiangshan Sheji of the Song Dynasty."
After hearing this, Zhao Yingluo nodded with satisfaction: "With the support of General Wenbo, I feel relieved. We will go to Daming Mansion to discuss the joint military affairs with General Han Shizhong."
After the two of them had reached an agreement, Zhao Yingluo ordered the entire army to prepare and set off. Under the leadership of Wen Boyuan, an army of 100,000 people left Wei County in a mighty manner and marched towards Daming Mansion. The sun shone through the clouds on the city wall of Daming Mansion. Han Shizhong stood on the city gate and watched Princess Zhao Yingluo's motorcade slowly approaching. He was wearing armor and looked serious, but his respect for the princess could not be concealed in his eyes.
"Her Royal Highness the Princess has arrived!" As the city gate official announced loudly, Han Shizhong led all the soldiers to bow in order.
Zhao Yingluo walked out of the car. She was wearing gorgeous clothes and a phoenix crown, looking noble and majestic. She looked around, then her eyes fell on Han Shizhong, and she smiled and said, "General Han, there is no need to be polite."
Han Shizhong stood up, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, Princess." Then, he led Zhao Yingluo into the city and said as he walked: "Your Highness, everything is fine in Daming Mansion, but recently some envoys from the imperial court came, and their words were quite disturbing. To provoke."
Zhao Yingluo frowned slightly and asked, "Oh? What did they say?"
A trace of anger flashed across Han Shizhong's face and he said: "They dare to persuade me not to betray the imperial court. How ridiculous! I, Han Shizhong, have been completely disappointed in the imperial court. How can I serve the imperial court again?" As he spoke, he clenched his fists as if to Crush the words of those messengers.
Zhao Yingluo looked at Han Shizhong's angry expression and understood his loyalty to her. She gently patted Han Shizhong on the shoulder and comforted him: "General Han, I understand your loyalty. Those envoys are just villains, and you don't need to be familiar with them."
