The total asking price of 6.5 million gold coins is simply an astronomical figure.
"The poor monk...the poor monk cannot decide. This matter must be reported to the king and asked for his decision."
Beads of sweat oozed from Monk Deshan's forehead. Even though there was cold poison in his body, he still broke out in a cold sweat.
Long Chen sneered and said: "The two elders have seen it. I can represent Dazhou, and you two can represent Tianxiahui, but this old bald donkey is just a mouthpiece and can't make the decision!"
Deshan said angrily: "If you offer a sky-high price, how can a poor monk make the decision?"
Long Chen shouted: "I gave you such an important place as Zhenguo Temple, what else do you want!"
Niu Yang tried to reconcile: "Dazhuguo calmed down and let Master Deshan go back to report. Let's go back to Xifeng City first and wait until Master Deshan has made up his mind before we discuss it."
Gao Nian said: "Yes, today is the first consultation. Don't worry. We will discuss it again after Master Deshan has reached an agreement."
Long Chen stood up and said: "It stands to reason that the two elders have come a long way, and the younger generation should fulfill their duties as landlords. However, there are military affairs at Zhenguo Temple, and the younger generation is in a hurry to go back, so I won't leave you two alone."
Niu Yang and Gao Nian stood up and returned the greeting: "The days ahead are long, so today is the day to say goodbye."
The two elders left, and Deshan followed immediately.
Several people left, Long Chen sat down to drink tea, Wu Jian and Zhang Qian also sat down.
"Sir, you have a huge appetite, 6.5 million gold coins!"
Wu Jian was shocked.
Long Chen smiled and said: "The products of the Ministry of Industry are provided to Tianxiahui for free, and our losses must be made up by someone else."
Zhang Qian exclaimed: "6.5 million gold coins, Xixia's national treasury income is only so much in a year, they can't give it!"
Long Chen smiled and said: "I know I can't give it, but if the treasury doesn't have money, I can borrow it. Will the world be rich?"
Wu Jian said: "But by borrowing the money from the Tianxiahui, Xixia must obey the orders of the Tianxiahui."
Long Chen smiled and said: "That's their business, I don't care!"
When Niu Yang and Gao Nian left the commander's mansion, Tian Liang hurriedly greeted them and took them back to Xifeng City.
Monk Deshan caught up from behind, clasped his hands and said: "My Buddha is merciful! Two elders, Long Chengen is so open-minded, 6.5 million gold coins is absolutely unacceptable. I, Xixia, don't have that much money!"
Niu Yang said: "Master, today is just the first negotiation. How much can Xixia give you? Please give us an accurate number first, and we will discuss it later."
Gao Nian said: "You should be able to see that we are facing Xixia, and we will not let you suffer."
Of course Deshan knew that if the world would turn towards the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, he would not mention the return of Zhenguo Temple.
"Okay, the poor monk will go back and report first. The two elders must help us."
Niu Yang comforted him: "Master, don't worry, we are on Xixia's side."
Deshan sent the two elders to mount their horses, and then returned with a group of Miaoyin disciples.
After leaving the Jade Buddha Pass, the sun was setting in the west, but the heat had not subsided at all.
Deshan rode his horse and hurried past Zhenguo Temple and returned to the Xixia army camp.
After entering the house and arriving at Shi Le's room, Shi Haoran and Lu Qichang were waiting for Deshan to return.
"How's it going?"
Shi Le asked anxiously.
Deshan sighed and explained the negotiation process in detail.
After hearing this, Shi Le became furious: "Long Chengen treats me as a fat sheep! For 6.5 million gold coins, I am willing to fight to the death!"
The crown prince Shi Haoran also said angrily: "Our annual treasury income in Daxia is only 300,000 gold coins, but Long Chengen wants 6.5 million gold coins as soon as he opens his mouth. How can it be unreasonable!"
Deshan sat down and remained silent.
Lu Qichang asked: "Master, it stands to reason that Tianxiahui should speak for us. Why did you give such an outrageous asking price?"
Deshan said: "The world will say that this is the first negotiation, and the price can be discussed again."
Lu Qichang nodded and said: "Your Majesty, this is just the first asking price, we can give our own price."
Shi Le said angrily: "I don't want to give you a penny!"
Everyone was silent...
Failure to give money means starting a war, but the current Xixia army cannot defeat them at all.
Last time, Long Chen only brought 50,000 cavalry and swept through the Xixia camp.
Although there was an element of sneak attack, the combat effectiveness of the Long Family Army was overwhelming.
Now the Long family's army is a victorious army, while Xixia's army is a tired one, and will definitely lose in the beginning of the war.
Shi Le kept scolding Long Chen, and the others just listened.
When Shi Le was tired of scolding, Lu Qichang said: "Weichen thinks that using 10 years of treasury income in exchange for Zhenguo Temple is a more appropriate price..."
The income for 10 years is 3 million gold coins, which is equivalent to discounting Long Chen's asking price in half.
Everyone did not dare to speak and looked at Shi Le.
"The treasury is running out of money..."
Shi Le sighed.
Everyone was silent again.
Deshan said slowly: "The poor monk suggested... borrowing money from the Tianxiahui Association."
Shi Haoran immediately objected: "The world has interfered too much in the internal affairs of our country. If we borrow another huge sum of money, I am afraid that we will no longer be able to decide the affairs of the country."
Shi Le looked at Deshan and said nothing. As a king, he was more aware of the influence the world would have on the affairs of the Xixia Dynasty.
"That's a good thing, but to put it bluntly, don't bite people when there are too many lice, and don't worry about people when there are too many debts."
"We have borrowed so much money, and the Tianxiahui must help us find a way. If we conflict with Dongzhou again, the Tianxiahui must fully support us."
Deshan knew that the world would interfere in the affairs of the Xixia Dynasty. In this case, he simply broke the pot and broke it. If he owed too much debt, he would be the master.
Shi Le suddenly felt that what Deshan said made sense.
Anyway, Xixia's finances are tight, so they might as well borrow more, as their own Panhe Palace needs to be rebuilt.
"Okay, I'd like to trouble you to go over and tell the world the price we can accept, and then talk about borrowing money."
Shi Le gave this important task to Deshan.
"The poor monk...accepted the decree."
Deshan really didn't want to take this trip, but Shi Le had spoken and he had to go.
Early the next morning, Deshan found Miaoyin and asked them to come with him.
Miaoyin said: "Abbott, this disciple had diarrhea last night..."
Deshan knew that Miaoyin refused to leave, so he simply rode to Xifeng City alone.
It was a cool morning, and Deshan quickly passed Zhenguo Temple and arrived outside the Jade Buddha Pass.
"Open the door! The poor monk is going to Xifeng City!"
At this time, Long Chen returned to Zhenguo Temple, and the general guarding the gate was Wu Jian.
The soldiers quickly reported to Wu Jian. Wu Jian heard that Deshan had detained the customs and hurried to the west gate.
Looking at Deshan outside the city, Wu Jian said coldly: "Master, what are you doing?"
Deshan looked bad and said: "I went to Xifeng City to discuss with the elders of Tianxiahui. Please open the city gate!"
Wu Jian hesitated for a moment and said, "Open the door!"
The soldiers opened the city gate, and Wu Jian and a group of generals watched Deshan walk through the Jade Buddha Pass and then go out through the east gate.
After Deshan passed the east gate, Wu Jian immediately sent someone to deliver a message to Zhenguo Temple.
After passing Jade Buddha Pass, Deshan arrived at Xifeng City, entered the government office, and met the city lord Tian Liang.
"Master is here, please come inside."
Tian Liang smiled brightly and led Deshan into the main hall, and quickly informed Niu Yang and Gao Nian.
When the two elders heard that Deshan was coming, they came to discuss compensation and immediately came out to see each other.
