After all, Zhao Jingyan is also the cousin of the current Emperor of the Song Dynasty. How could she make such a joke...
When the Gao family came to power, the only power Duan Zhengyan held was diplomatic power. He also did an outstanding job in diplomacy. He maintained very friendly relations with neighboring countries, especially the Song Dynasty. He sent envoys many times
In the Song Dynasty, he tried his best to make Song Huizong happy, and received a lot of rewards. He was granted the title of Doctor Ziguanglu, Inspector of Schools, Sikong of the School, Yunnan Jiedushi, Shangzhu Kingdom, and King of Dali.
Although in form, Duan Zhengyan has declared his surrender to the Song Dynasty, this is only in form. In fact, the Song Dynasty and Dali are still two countries, not even a vassal state, and not even as good as the original relationship between Xixia and Liao.
relationship, because the two countries actually did not have much cooperation. It was not until Li Qi appeared that this situation gradually changed.
The Gao family was in power at the beginning, and Duan Zhengyan could only give verbal surrender. Now that Duan Zhengyan has regained the royal power, it is still unknown how he will treat his relationship with the Song Dynasty.
But Li Qi also made a guess in his mind. He felt that for Duan Zhengyan, forming an alliance with the Song Dynasty and recognizing the Song Dynasty as his eldest brother would be the most beneficial diplomatic relationship for Dali, because in this way he would not only gain the
Song's support could also safeguard his imperial power.
But nothing in the world is so cheap. The Song Dynasty is no longer the Song Dynasty it used to be. The Song Dynasty now fights for every inch of land and takes every penny.
Zhao Jingyan smiled and said: "It makes sense that the Privy Councilor didn't know this. After all, it was just an imperial edict at the beginning and there was no substantial progress, so it was quickly forgotten."
Li Qi nodded and said: "That's it."
There is a tacit understanding between the two of them, but Duan Zhengyan has always remained silent. Seeing that he is silent, Li Qi doesn't bother to waste his words. Anyway, he is not in a hurry now. Duan is the one who is in a hurry.
Upright.
Duan Shiwen rolled his eyes and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, it is indeed true. Your Majesty has promised you a thousand pieces of gold. The promise you made before will naturally not change. Now we are also willing to pay tribute to your country and become your vassal."
Duan Zhengyan immediately woke up and nodded quickly.
Here's another trick, you guys who pay tribute and profess your vassalage bring some local specialties to Song Dynasty every year. What you bring back are all gold, silver and jewelry. Who is paying tribute to whom? Li Qi smiled and nodded, saying:
"Of course I believe King Dali."
Having said this, he stopped talking.
Duan Zhengyan could only ask: "I wonder if the Privy Councilor would be willing to help?"
Li Qi smiled and said: "I still say the same thing. There is a fundamental difference in whether this is our internal affairs or help between neighbors. If it is our internal affairs, then naturally we don't need to worry so much.
I can decide now, but if it is help from neighbors, then I have to report it to the emperor, who will decide everything."
Waiting for you to report it to the court. That will have to wait until what month and year.
Duan Zhengyan said anxiously: "But now my situation in Dali has become very serious. I can't wait any longer."
Li Qi sympathized: "I know this, but this is a rule. If I decide on my own, what will the emperor think of me? I have committed a crime that exceeds the rules, and I may not even be able to save my life."
When things have progressed to this point, Li Qi's meaning has become very obvious.
Either you, Dali, completely surrender to me, the Song Dynasty, otherwise, there is no need to discuss anything.
To put it harshly, Li Qi was taking advantage of the situation, but having said that, Li Qi was kind enough and gave Duan Zhengyan enough room for maneuver. This was because he wanted to win over Duan Zhengyan. If it were anyone else,
He just doesn't have the patience anymore.
Duan Zhengyan fell into silence again. He vaguely realized that what happened recently was not that simple. It was likely that Li Qi was behind the scenes.
But it was too late to say anything now. In fact, Li Qi had already put everything in front of him. In the final analysis, it was his own lack of consideration that allowed Li Qi's trick to succeed.
Duan Shiwen felt extremely regretful. At that time, he only focused on the Gao family, thinking that as long as the Gao family was eliminated, the Duan family would be free from worries. He did not expect that they and the Gao family were just snipe and clam quarrels.
Zhao Jingyan glanced away, not wanting to play tricks anymore, and said bluntly: "King Dali, maybe you think that it is unethical for us to stand by and watch, but it is not the case. In recent years, natural disasters have occurred one after another in Dali, including earthquakes and fires.
, there are also thirty-seven rebellions, and the national power has been reduced sharply. This has nothing to do with my Song Dynasty. As for sending troops this time, you took the initiative to ask us. Our Song Dynasty not only gave you a lot of support, but also for
To consolidate the reputation of King Dali, in the initial stage, we did not even send a single soldier. Even now, our Song soldiers are only active on the border. I think we have done enough. The root cause of all this is still
The division within Dali has nothing to do with anyone else."
Duan Zhengyan thought that Zhao Jingyan's words were actually reasonable. The Song Dynasty had indeed done enough. Even if the Song Dynasty stood by and watched, it was normal. If he had been more cautious, perhaps this situation would not have happened today.
Unfortunately, there is no regret medicine in this world.
Li Qi suddenly said: "King Dali, I have a question that I have always wanted to ask you."
Duan Zhengyan said: "Privy Envoy, please speak."
Li Qi asked curiously: "For you personally, which one is more important, the people or the royal power?"
Duan Zhengyan was startled suddenly and opened his mouth several times, but in the end no sound came out.
As Zhao Jingyan said before, no one will let go easily when facing the throne.
Li Qi continued: "No offense to King Dali, but now there are all kinds of diseases in Dali. Even if King Dali is capable, it is difficult for a clever woman to make a meal without rice. No matter in terms of manpower or financial resources, they pale in comparison.
At this point, King Dali must be thinking, if not, how could I lower myself to help you.
Indeed, if we get help from the Great Song Dynasty, these difficult and complicated diseases are not insurmountable, but please let King Dali think about it from our perspective. This cannot be solved by a little money and a few people.
This requires a lot of money and a lot of people. Although we in the Song Dynasty can get it, we still ask King Dali to give us a suitable reason. This reason is not to convince the emperor or me, but to convince me, the people of the Song Dynasty.
Because these money are the hard-earned money of the people of the Song Dynasty, it is impossible for us to give it to you just because of your words, King Dali. Even if the emperor agrees, the civil and military officials of the entire dynasty will not agree.
When we agreed to help you, we had a purpose. It was not all out of friendship, but we wanted to increase the business contacts between the two parties and stimulate the economy of our country, Song Dynasty. I have always admitted that although we, Song Dynasty, are rich,
We will not waste a penny. We must spend every penny wisely. Now that we have helped you eliminate the Gao family, it can be said that we have fulfilled our original promise. However, you have come to ask us for help at this time.
Isn’t that a little too much?”
Zhao Jingyan took a sip of tea and said in a very calm tone: "If we were all the people of the Song Dynasty, then even if we went bankrupt, we would never let the people of the Song Dynasty live in dire straits, and the imperial court would definitely do its best.
Take care of these things."
Duan Shiwen frowned and said, "After all, you still covet my Dali."
Li Qi smiled and said: "If Brother Duan wants to think so, then I have nothing to do. We will definitely return the money given to us by Gao, and I will not get into trouble and ask you to pay back the money immediately.
I will give you enough time to wait until you recover, and then slowly return it. As well as the Western Army in Jianchang Prefecture and Shicheng County, I also ordered them to withdraw one after another, but if your people refuse to let them go, they will die.
Go, you may have to come forward, but I will never interfere in other matters, so you won't say that I covet your Dali."
Duan Shiwen said: "The Privy Councilor dares to pat his chest and say that all this has nothing to do with you."
Li Qi immediately patted his chest and said, "I really feel that all this has nothing to do with me. If Brother Duan thinks this has something to do with me, please point it out. If that is the case, I will try my best to make up for it."
"you---."
Duan Shiwen looked at Li Qi with wide eyes, but there was really no evidence to prove that Li Qi planned all of this.
If this had been the Song Dynasty in the past, perhaps they would have agreed because Duan Zhengyan attacked and professed his vassal status, but what Li Qi hated most was the flashy words. What does it mean to pay tribute and profess vassal status? A minister is a minister, so why pay tribute?
Li Qi has already laid out his bottom line. Above this, everything is easy to negotiate, but it must not go below this bottom line. Otherwise, you still have to find a way on your own.
But if Duan Zhengyan really had a solution, would he still come for help?
Now the tens of thousands of soldiers and horses of Yao Kelong and others, as well as the Shicheng County, have shown their determination to submit to the Song Dynasty. As long as the Song Dynasty makes a little effort, they can get hundreds of thousands of people. Now Dali's national power has already
We have hit rock bottom, and if we suffer such a heavy blow again, we may not be able to recover.
Li Qi has been playing hard-to-get tricks in the past few days. That is because Duan Zhengyan has not yet reached a desperate situation, and the temptation of imperial power will always make him have reservations. Therefore, Li Qi feels that there is nothing to talk about. Nowadays, all aspects of Dali
The conflicts between the two parties have broken out and become more and more intense. Duan Zhengyan has been forced into a desperate situation. Only in this case can the negotiations make substantial progress. Li Qi does not want to delay it any longer, because Dali is already in his pocket.
If the thing in the middle is dragged down further, if another accident occurs, the situation may really get out of control.
In fact, Duan Zhengyan had not set his bottom line in the previous negotiations. If he had not been mentally prepared, he would not have come here. But now, he knew that there was no room for maneuver, so he asked directly:
"Privy Councilor, I don't want to delve into who caused this incident. There is no need. You can simply tell me what you want."
This is like the words of a wise man. Li Qi smiled and said: "Our emperor has always admired King Dali's talent and ability, so he very much hopes that King Dali can help us manage Jiaozhi." (To be continued...)