This year’s New Year’s Eve must be the most lively one. ()
There are two reasons for this. First, it is undoubtedly Jiaozhi and Dali. No matter how you say it, no matter how perfect your reasons are, the Song Dynasty still regained Jiaozhi and annexed Dali in the past two years.
This is an undisputed fact.
And this action is not small at all.
This also conveyed a very important message to neighboring countries, that is, the Song Dynasty had embarked on the path of expansion.
This is a problem that cannot be ignored for neighboring countries. They are all wondering where this big country in the Central Plains will go next, whether it will continue to expand, and whether it will harm their own interests. All of this has something to do with them.
closely related.
Therefore, at the end of this year, all the countries surrounding the Song Dynasty, except the Jin Kingdom, sent envoys to attend the Song Dynasty's New Year's Day meeting. As for the Jin Kingdom, they were brothers after all. According to etiquette, the Song Dynasty had to send envoys to the Jin Kingdom to attend the Jin Dynasty's meeting.
Morning meeting.
Second, it’s glass.
The emergence of glass is more shocking than firearms, because firearms existed before, and now the firearms of the Song Dynasty have just evolved.
But glass appeared suddenly, it had not existed before, and this glass is closely related to human life. Clairvoyance, glasses, and mirrors have had a huge impact on the military and daily life.
In addition, the emergence of glass mirrors heralds the death of bronze mirrors. This will definitely have a huge impact on the economy of the Song Dynasty. The currency of the Song Dynasty affects the world, and the currency is copper-based. Anything related to copper
matter, that will definitely attract attention.
Needless to say, the glass cup is simply a symbol of nobility.
Based on the above two points, this year’s New Year’s Day party will not be lively.
The New Year is approaching, and envoys from various countries have come to Beijing. The entire Tokyo and Bianliang are filled with a strong political atmosphere. Moreover, Tokyo and Bianliang have completely emerged from the shadow of the war and are now prosperous, even far better than before.
before the war.
You must know that the political group headed by Zhao Kai has been thinking of ways to improve the economy in recent years. This has allowed the entire Song Dynasty economy to develop very well, and also allowed envoys from various countries to have another idea of the comprehensive strength of the Song Dynasty.
A new understanding.
Bureau of Commerce.
"For a humble position, see Privy Councilor."
"Is the economic envoy here?"
"Reporting to the Privy Envoy, the Economic Envoy is working inside."
"Um."
In the afternoon of this day, Li Qi suddenly came to the Commerce Bureau. Seeing Li Qi's arrival, many acquaintances came forward to salute and say hello. Although Li Qi was no longer an economic envoy, you must know that he established the entire Commerce Bureau with his own hands.
.They are all his people, including the current economic envoy Bai Qiannuo. In fact, Bai Qiannuo is just a banner of Li Qi.
Although Bai Qiannuo didn't want to, she simply couldn't get out of Li Qi's shadow.
When they came inside, they saw Bai Qiannuo immersed in copywriting. He was concentrating on his work, and when he heard the footsteps, he raised his head and saw that it was Li Qi. He was stunned for a moment, and then asked in surprise: "Why are you here?"
Li Qi smiled softly and said: "It's boring, so I came over to take a look and pick you up from get off work."
Bai Qiannuo shook his head and said, "It's still very early. I'm afraid I won't be able to go back until at night."
Li Qi asked curiously: "Didn't the emperor give Qin Hui the task of welcoming foreign guests this time?"
Before Wang Zhongling's accident, Bai Qiannuo briefly served as the young minister of Honglu Temple with glass, but since Wang Zhongling's accident, Bai Qiannuo has resigned from this position, and this year is quite special, after all, those foreign guests are here.
, first of all, it was all about the war in Jiaozhi and Dali. There were many political factors in it, which must be handled properly. Otherwise, it would have a very negative impact on the Song Dynasty, so Zhao Kai handed over the matter to Qin Hui.
This is also a way to appease Qin Hui. After all, when the Ministry of Punishment became independent, the one who was most hurt was Qin Hui.
As for Li Qi, he has always dealt with some secret transactions. Meetings with foreign guests are all private meetings and reported directly to the emperor. Therefore, he is still very leisurely now. After Qin Hui meets the foreign guests, he will change.
Got to be very busy.
Bai Qiannuo sighed: "That's what I said, but many of them involve the Commerce Bureau. Among them, Prince Richard of Xixia brought me a big business in the Song Dynasty. This matter has always been managed by our Commerce Bureau.
, the emperor also asked our Commerce Bureau to follow up on this matter."
Li Qi said in surprise: "Richard? What business? Why don't I know about it?"
Bai Qiannuo said: "Richard just brought this up today, and I just received the notice from above. Is it a horse deal?"
"horses?"
Li Qi frowned slightly. In this era of cold weapons, anything involving horses had to be handled with caution. He said: "Although the salt horse trade was stagnant for a while, it recovered again with the independence of Xixia. The horses'
Where does the business come from?”
Bai Qiannuo explained: "Xi Xia hopes to export an additional 10,000 horses to the Song Dynasty every year."
"Yeah?"
"Um."
Li Qi looked at Bai Qiannuo thoughtfully and said, "There is nothing so cheap in the world."
Bai Qiannuo nodded and said: "Of course, they also have requirements. They just hope to exchange for our Song Dynasty's latest bed crossbow."
Li Qi pondered for a while and said, "Then what does the emperor think?"
Bai Qiannuo said: "The Emperor just found out about it. We haven't discussed it yet. Everything is still unknown at the moment."
Li Qi nodded and remained silent.
Bai Qiannuo did not continue talking, because she was not very clear at the moment, and Li Qi also needed to digest this kind of thing, and said: "Oh, when do you plan to meet those envoys, like Japan, Goryeo, and Xixia
The envoys from other countries all sent greeting cards to the palace."
Now she has moved in with Li Qi, and has naturally become the hostess of the Privy Councilor's Palace.
Li Qi became worried when he heard this and said, "Let's wait until the glass press conference is over."
Bai Qiannuo asked: "Are you planning to appear in person for this announcement?"
Li Qi sighed and said: "Originally I didn't plan to go, but then I thought about it. It's better to go and say a few words. There are also politics involved, and Xiaoyu may not be able to control the scene."
At this moment, a servant suddenly walked in quickly and announced, "The economic envoy is here to report that the emperor has arrived."
The two of them were stunned, and hurriedly stood up to greet him. However, as soon as they reached the door, they saw Zhao Kai walking over with rapid strides. The two of them hurriedly saluted and said, "I am here to see you, Your Majesty."
"No gift."
Zhao Kai stretched out his hand, looked at Li Qi and said with a smile: "Privy Councilor, you are really easy for me to find. But it's good that you are here. Anyway, my search for you has something to do with the Bureau of Commerce."
Li Qi was stunned and asked: "The emperor is talking about Xixia horses?"
Zhao Kai nodded and said, "Let's talk after we go in."
The three of them came to the house. Zhao Kai got straight to the point and said, "The economic envoy must have told you the matter."
Li Qi nodded.
Zhao Kai said: "Then what do you think?"
Li Qi chuckled and said: "It seems that the Jin Kingdom's Western Expedition a few days ago put a lot of pressure on Xixia."
Zhao Kai simply said: "While Wanyan Zonghan was marching westward, he relied on force to seize many strategic places from the north of Xixia. Because these places were the places where Xixia had negotiations with the Liao and Jin countries, there were some disputes.
In the past, Xixia professed its submission to the Jin Kingdom. Of course, the Jin Kingdom would turn a blind eye, but now, the Jin Kingdom is not so easy to talk to. Xixia does not dare to offend the Jin Kingdom, so it can only swallow this boredom.
deficit."
Li Qidao: "Before the Yunsang negotiations, Wanyan Zonghan actually had a chance to make a comeback, but at the most critical moment, Xixia tricked him and allowed us to seize part of Yunzhou's land. At that time, Wanyan Zonghan was furious and completely
Yan Zonghan is the kind of person who must avenge himself, and he will definitely not let Xixia go."
After a pause, he continued: "I think Xixia proposed this deal for three purposes. First, he hoped to strengthen contacts with the Song Dynasty and establish an alliance like the one between Goryeo, Japan and the Song Dynasty.
, open up arms trade, strengthen its own military strength, and prevent further pressure from the Jin Kingdom."
"Second, it is for the sake of the Jin State, using our Song Dynasty to increase the bargaining chip with the Jin State. The implication is to tell the Jin State that if you push me into a hurry, I will join the Song Dynasty and help the country.
Song has built a strong cavalry to deal with you."
"Thirdly, they want to redirect the attention of the Kingdom of Jin to the Song Dynasty. Now that the Song Dynasty has just regained Jiaozhi and Dali, it is already on the cusp of a storm. If this deal of great military significance can be negotiated again,
The Jin Kingdom will definitely not sit idly by, in that case, the Jin Kingdom will find ways to win over Xixia, and we will do the same, which will give Xixia a chance to breathe after independence."
"You are exactly what I thought."
Zhao Kai narrowed his eyes and said: "Looking at the three points, Xixia's main strategy is to use us to contain the Jin Kingdom, and also use the Jin Kingdom to put pressure on us, so that they can have both sides. Although I, the Song Dynasty, lack horses, but
We also have to beware of the old fox Xixia."
Li Qi nodded and said: "What the emperor said is that when two tigers fight, the fox must win. The Xixia country is not big, but it has been able to survive until now just because they are between two big countries."
Zhao Kai said: "Then do you think this deal should be done or not?"
Li Qi thought for a while, nodded and said: "As long as the price is right, I think there is no reason for us to refuse. First of all, our Song Dynasty is indeed short of horses, and it is impossible to do without horses if we have them. Secondly, our goal is to lead the war to the rear of Xixia, to
At this time, Xixia will become a plaything between us and the Kingdom of Jin. No matter who wins, Xixia will definitely suffer heavy losses. Finally, the bed crossbow is on the verge of being eliminated, so we have to sell it quickly. Xixia is a good buyer."
Zhao Kai was shocked when he heard this and said: "The bed crossbow is about to be eliminated?"
Li Qi chuckled and said: "Your Majesty, once these firearms emerge, they will definitely change with each passing day. Old weapons will be eliminated very quickly. As our smelting technology in the Song Dynasty advances by leaps and bounds, the development of firearms will also increase with the tide. I went to a place two days ago.
I went to the weapons inspection and found that they were already researching a new type of firearm. I had a hunch that once this kind of weapon was developed, it would herald the coming of the age of firearms and it would become the dominant force on the battlefield. And everyone who owns firearms would
Song will also become the master of this world." (To be continued...)