Above the court hall, the morning light shines through the exquisite window lattice, shining on the magnificent dragon chair and the smooth jade-like floor. The air is filled with the faint scent of sandalwood.
Zhao Yingluo sat on the dragon chair, her face looking particularly delicate in the morning light.
"Today's court meeting, I have something I would like to discuss with you."
Zhao Yingluo's voice was clear and powerful, echoing in the solemn hall. She paused for a moment, then slowly swept her eyes over the faces of the officials, and continued: "I intend to expand the Song Dynasty Bank to the Kingdom of Jin and Xixia to promote trade exchanges and further prosper the economy of our country. I don't know what you think. how?"
As soon as she finished speaking, the court fell into silence.
The officials looked at each other with various complicated expressions on their faces.
Left Prime Minister Lu Yihao frowned, obviously thinking about the feasibility of this proposal.
Du Chong's eyes were bright and he looked eager to try.
Wan Qixi, on the other hand, was stroking his beard thoughtfully, as if weighing the pros and cons. As soon as she finished speaking, the court fell into silence.
At this time, the left prime minister Lu Yihao slowly stepped out of the queue. His voice was calm and powerful: "Your Majesty, this matter is related to the national system and should not be taken lightly. Although the Kingdom of Jin and Daxia have surrendered, we must guard against the ambitions of wolves. If we are in the bank, If something unexpected happens to their land, they may suffer heavy losses.”
Zhao Yingluo nodded slightly, indicating that she understood Lu Yihao's concerns.
At this time, Du Chong stepped forward and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I think Lu Xianggong's words are too cautious. The Bank of the Song Dynasty is well managed and has excellent reputation, and has become a model for merchants all over the world. If we don't take advantage of the victory now, let's wait until when ? Moreover, this move can also demonstrate the prestige of our country and make the surrounding barbarians surrender."
Wan Qixi also came out and agreed: "What Mr. Du said is true. I believe that opening a bank will not only be conducive to commercial exchanges, but also strengthen our government's control over the Kingdom of Jin and the Kingdom of Daxia, so that they will not dare to act rashly. In addition, We can also take this opportunity to promote the culture of our dynasty and make it naturalized in the Song Dynasty."
In the court hall, discussions broke out one after another, and officials expressed their opinions and argued endlessly.
Zhao Yingluo couldn't help feeling a little emotional when she looked at the officials who supported her.
She knew that the reason why these people supported her was not entirely out of public motives, but because of the benefits.
But their support is a strength to her no matter what.
"What Xianggong Lu said is absolutely true, and I am well aware of the difficulty and risks of this matter. However, I believe that opening the Bank of the Song Dynasty will make it easier for merchants in the Song Dynasty to trade with the Kingdom of Jin and promote the economic prosperity of the two countries. So I decided to take the plunge.”
Her eyes slowly swept across the court, and finally landed on Hong Hao.
She promoted Hong Hao to the position of Minister of Household Affairs and the manager of Da Song Bank, with full responsibility for the establishment of Da Song Bank.
Zhao Yingluo turned to her maid Lu Luo and said, "Lu Luo, you have always been with me and are quite familiar with the affairs of Da Song Bank. I order you to assist Hong Shilang and jointly be responsible for the opening of Da Song Bank."
Although Lu Luo has a humble status, she has always been Zhao Yingluo's right-hand assistant. She knows the affairs of Dasong Bank well and is the best candidate for this task.
Luluo knelt before His Highness, determined to live up to the princess's high expectations. She kowtowed respectfully and decided to handle the matter well.
After the court meeting, Hong Hao immediately ordered someone to invite Lulu. Although Luluo is still a slave, she is the right-hand man of Her Royal Highness the Princess and the manager of Da Song Bank, so Hong Hao also treats her with courtesy.
Hong Hao welcomed Lu Luo into the study and ordered people to serve fragrant tea. He stroked his beard, pondered for a moment and then said: "Miss Luluo, Your Majesty has given us the important task of opening the Dasong Bank. We must handle this matter well. I wonder what you think?" Luluo said with a gentle blessing: "Your Excellency, you are too modest. Although Luluo is not talented, she is willing to try her best to assist you. I think we can first contact Han Fang, the envoy of the Kingdom of Jin, to understand the political situation and folk customs of the Kingdom of Jin, and make full preparations for opening a bank. "
Hong Hao nodded in approval after hearing this: "What Miss Luluo said is true. Han Fang is the envoy of the Jin Kingdom. He knows the situation of the Jin Kingdom well. Contact with him is indeed the best way for us to understand the Jin Kingdom."
The two of them had reached a consensus and immediately invited Han Fang to the VIP room of Dasong Bank.
Han Fang has been in Kaifeng for a long time, so he naturally knows the influence and financial resources of the Song Dynasty Bank in the Song Dynasty. He secretly speculated on Zhao Yingluo's intentions, and at the same time he was full of expectations for the opening of Dasong Bank.
Luluo personally poured a cup of fragrant tea for Han Fang, and then straight to the point proposed the opening of the Song Dynasty Bank in the Kingdom of Jin.
Han Fang was stunned when he heard this, and then laughed loudly: "Miss Luluo, this incident is quite unexpected. The Song Dynasty Bank allowed those merchants to have sufficient funds to engage in business transactions, and took advantage of the market. Now Her Royal Highness the Princess has actually decided to open the DaSong Bank in our country of Great Jin, wouldn’t this help our country of Great Jin develop its national strength?”
Luluo smiled slightly and said in a neither humble nor condescending manner: "What Ambassador Han said is absolutely true. However, Her Royal Highness the Princess believes that commercial exchanges are an important way to promote friendship between the two countries. The opening of a branch of the Song Dynasty Bank in the Kingdom of Jin can not only provide businessmen of the two countries with It is convenient and can strengthen the economic ties and friendship between the two countries."
Han Fang nodded and smiled: "Miss Luluo is right. However, this matter is of great importance. I need to ask His Majesty the Emperor for instructions before I can reply."
Luluo nodded to express her understanding: "This is natural. Please allow me, Ambassador Han."
Han Fang pondered for a moment, then suddenly raised his head and said, "However, I do have a condition. I wonder if Miss Luluo can agree to it?"
Lu Luo frowned slightly, and an ominous premonition arose in her heart: "Envoy Han, please speak."
Han Fang said slowly: "My Majesty, the Emperor of the Jin Kingdom, has always been thinking about the two princes Wanyan Zongyi and Wanyan Yan. I hope that the Song Dynasty can return these two princes as a sign of friendship. If the Song Dynasty can agree to this condition, I will The Kingdom of Jin naturally welcomes Dasong Bank to open a branch in our country."
Hong Hao's heart sank when he heard this. He knew that this condition was undoubtedly a difficult problem for Song Dynasty.
Wanyan Zongyi and Wanyan Yan were important figures in the Jin Kingdom, and their stay was related to the political and military interests of the two countries.
However, if this condition is not agreed to, DaSong Bank's plan to open in the Kingdom of Jin may come to nothing.
Hong Haoluo fell into deep thought. Finally, he took a deep breath and said slowly: "Envoy Han, this matter is of great importance. I need to ask Her Royal Highness the Princess for instructions before I can give you an answer."
Han Fang nodded and smiled: "This is natural."
After sending Han Fang out of the VIP room, Hong Hao was a little anxious.
"Miss Luluo, this matter is of great importance. The conditions proposed by Han Fang are really difficult. The two princes Wanyan Zongyi and Wanyan Yan are prisoners of the Song Dynasty, and their stay is related to the dispute between the two countries. If you agree to the conditions of the Jin Kingdom, , I am afraid it will arouse strong opposition from the ministers of the DPRK and the people."
However, Luluo looked firm and unwavering: "Master Hong, opening the Song Dynasty Bank is something that the Jin Kingdom dreams of. If they really want to cooperate with us, they should not put forward such conditions. Wanyan Zongyi and Wanyanyan's fate, It must not be used as a bargaining chip in a transaction.”
Hong Hao sighed: "Having said that, Han Fang's attitude is very determined. If their conditions are not met, I'm afraid it will be difficult to realize the Da Song Bank's plan to open in the Kingdom of Jin."
Luluo sneered and said: "Master Hong, why do you need to enhance other people's ambitions and destroy your own prestige? Although the Jin Kingdom is strong, we, the Song Dynasty, are not weak and can be bullied. If Han Fang thinks that he can take this opportunity to blackmail us, then he is totally wrong. Da The Bank of Song was opened to promote economic exchanges between the two countries and benefit the people of both countries. If the Kingdom of Jin uses this as a threat, then we would rather not open this bank."
Hong Hao was shocked by Lu Luo's decisiveness and determination. He took a deep breath and nodded: "What Miss Lu Luo said is absolutely true. I will definitely stand firm and never give in."
