Li Qi spoke so firmly that Cai You and others couldn't help but look at each other, and felt something bad in their hearts. After all, they had seen too many miracles in Li Qi.
Song Huizong frowned slightly and said, "Absolutely? Then I would like to hear your explanation."
Li Qidao: "The key lies in the Kingdom of Jin."
"Jin Guo?"
Tong Guan asked curiously: "What does this have to do with the Kingdom of Jin?"
Li Qi smiled and said: "At the beginning, Xixia aided the Liao Kingdom, but it failed repeatedly and never succeeded. It can be seen that the Xixia military strength was far inferior to that of the Jin army. However, when the envoys of the Jin Kingdom entered Xixia, they not only did not put pressure on Xixia, but also failed.
Instead, they adopted a soft policy and promised to cede the Liao land north of Xiazhai and south of Yinshan Mountain to Xixia. The condition was that Xixia would surrender to the Jin Kingdom. In fact, at that time, the Jin Kingdom only needed a large army to suppress the border and force Xixia to surrender. Based on the situation of Xixia at that time,
I thought the hope was great and there was no need to cede territory at all, but the Jin Kingdom did not do so because they wanted to win over Xixia, but the Liao Kingdom had no way to save it at that time, so what was the purpose of the Jin Kingdom to win over Xixia? The answer
It seems to be ready to come out.”
Song Huizong took a breath and said, "Do you mean that the Jin Kingdom's goal is the Song Dynasty?"
I've made it so clear, why do you still need to ask? Li Qi nodded: "Exactly."
Cai Jing said, "Does the Kingdom of Jin want to use troops against the Song Dynasty?"
As soon as these words came out, everyone's expressions changed slightly.
Cai You hurriedly said: "How is this possible? The Jin Kingdom has already become brothers-in-law with us, the Song Dynasty. Their friendship is far better than that of the Jin Xia. How could the Jin Kingdom use troops against our Song Dynasty?"
You idiot, there is nothing in the world that can be snatched faster. As long as they rob talents and property, the national strength will be greatly improved. In the short term, this is definitely the most ideal solution.
Of course, it was impossible for Li Qi to say these words. He shook his head and said: "The British Lord. I never said that the Jin Kingdom wanted to use troops against us."
Song Huizong became more and more confused as he listened, and asked: "What do you mean?"
Li Qi said seriously: "It's very simple. The Jin Kingdom wants to replace our Song Dynasty and become a great country in the Central Plains."
Cai Jing took a deep breath and asked hurriedly: "How do you interpret this?"
Li Qi explained: "It is said that the Central Plains is a great country, the Central Plains is a great country. But the real meaning of this title is not who dominates the Central Plains, but from the surrounding countries. In other words, the fundamental reason why the Song Dynasty is called a Central Plains great country is
It lies in the influence of the Song Dynasty on neighboring countries. If the influence of the Jin Kingdom in neighboring countries is increasing day by day, in other words, the influence of the Song Dynasty on neighboring countries is weakening. Over time, the term "Zhongyuan" may be moved to
In the north, the Jurchen tribe is a nation that has only recently emerged. There are still many people in the world who do not know the existence of the Jurchen tribe. If they want to become a big country, they must increase their external influence. This is the main reason why they ceded territory to Xixia.
Once Xixia surrenders to the Jin Kingdom, the news will soon spread to the western countries. Xixia is still very influential in the Western Regions, and the Jin Kingdom can use Xixia to penetrate its influence into the western countries.
Go, on the grasslands in the north, many tribes have taken refuge with the Jin Kingdom, and in the east, he is still putting pressure on Goryeo. The purpose is to increase its influence overseas. The Jin Kingdom has a large area of disciples in the north, and its strength cannot be underestimated.
So we must not let it go."
In fact, Li Qi's words were not pretentious or rhetorical to deceive Song Huizong. This was a very serious issue. In fact, after the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty, the Kingdom of Jin was called a great country in the Central Plains both at home and abroad. At that time,
The Jin Kingdom truly dominated China, and its influence was the same as that of the Tang Dynasty. However, because history books still focus on the history of the Han people, it is said that the Southern Song Dynasty is the authentic one, but this is not the case.
What is a big country? It is not like the Qing Dynasty, which was boastful and self-indulgent. It does not mean that you have a lot of land.
No matter how much you do, if others don't look down on you, how can this big country start talking about it?
Although Song Huizong was dizzy sometimes, he was not stupid. He nodded frequently and said: "What you said makes sense, so what do you think we should do?"
Damn it! You still have to ask this? Li Qi was speechless, but still smiled: "Of course it will increase our influence on neighboring countries. Please forgive me for saying something that hurts morale. Our military force is not as good as that of the Jin Kingdom."
, but our economy is far better than that of the Jin Kingdom. We should exploit our strengths and avoid our weaknesses, use our economy to increase our influence on neighboring countries, and compete with the Jin Kingdom. Then Xixia has become a battleground between us and the Jin Kingdom. They use
For land, we can use economics, and the principles are the same."
Li Bangyan said: "Even so, we don't need to lift the salt ban on it. There should be many ways to use economic means."
Li Qi smiled bitterly and said: "But Prime Minister Zuo, no matter what, the interests of salt are what Xixia wants most. If there is not enough temptation, how can we, the Song Dynasty, gain the right to speak in Xixia?"
Cai Jing said: "Li Qi, I agree with what you said, but is the price too high?"
Li Qi smiled and said: "Grand Master, you should know that I, Li Qi, do all kinds of business, except that I don't do loss-making business. I, Song Wuzi, am the biggest beneficiary of this business."
Song Huizong snorted and said, "Then tell me quickly."
"Yes." Li Qi bowed his head, then raised his head and said: "There are five reasons. First, everyone said that the salt ban will bring huge benefits to Xixia, but we might as well think about it the other way around.
The result is that the hearts of the people of Xixia will turn to us, the Song Dynasty, because we have brought them wealth. Without us, their lives will return to poverty. There is a saying that is good, don’t forget the well digger when drinking water, Xixia people
When you hold that copper coin covered with salt grains, can you not think about our Song Dynasty? In this way, our Song Dynasty will gain a decisive say in Xixia. When the Xixia court faces us, their first thought is also
With this salt, they will definitely worry about many aspects.
Secondly, although Xixia surrendered to the Jin Kingdom, they still regarded themselves as a country to the outside world, rather than as ministers. This shows that they did not truly surrender to the Jin Kingdom. No matter what the considerations were, the stronger the Jin-Xia Alliance, the more important it is to us.
The more words are spoken, the more disadvantageous it will be. Therefore, we must find ways to destroy the relationship between them, so the temptation of interests is undoubtedly the best solution.
Third, Xixia holds the key to the Silk Road. If we can use this to open up channels with the western countries, it will be of immeasurable help to our economic construction. We can use our Song Dynasty’s commodities to expand our
As long as the influence of the western countries is profitable, then they will definitely want to have good relations with us, the Song Dynasty, but the western countries will pay more attention to their connections with our Song Dynasty.
The fourth is horses. In order to avoid the loss of copper, we in the Song Dynasty have always exchanged tea for horses. However, tea is not a necessity of life. Moreover, Xixia exports and we import. This makes Xixia reluctant to provide supplies to our Song Dynasty.
Ma has always been worried, but in exchange for salt for horses, Xixia will agree without hesitation. As for the reason, everyone has just made it very clear. The importance of this money to Xixia is self-evident.
Fifth, as mentioned by Guan Zi, once Xixia has a market as big as our Song Dynasty, they will definitely vigorously develop the salt industry. By then, although their national power will be strong, their lives will be in our hands.
Based on the above five points, I really can’t think of any reason to reject this deal.”
"Well, well, well, the economic leader is worthy of being a rising star in the Song Dynasty. His words are really precise and precise."
As soon as Li Qi finished speaking, Huang Xinren suddenly stood up and cheered.
Li Qi felt wary and cupped his hands and said: "That's a big reward, that's a big reward."
Sure enough, Huang Xinren changed the subject and said: "It's a pity that the economic envoy is not affiliated with our third department, otherwise he would never say this. The economic envoy seems to have overlooked one point."
Li Qi frowned and said, "I wonder what the Salt and Iron Envoy has to say?"
Huang Xinren said: "This amount of money is huge, so I won't say much. I believe you all know how much benefit Xixia can get from this, so I won't go into details. But there is another amount that I have to mention.
The Song Dynasty has no shortage of this salt. We are completely self-sufficient. In other words, we will lose as much salt as Xixia sells. Now the national treasury is very empty, and the new economic law has reduced so many taxes at once. I
The Third Division has already reached a very embarrassing situation. If Qingbai Salt is introduced again, the court may not be able to pay even the most basic salary."
All the ministers nodded, and even Song Huizong, who had just been a little tempted, had a trace of hesitation on his face.
I knew you would come up with this move, but this is the only move you have left. Li Qi smiled and said: "First of all, I am definitely not standing and talking without pain. I am very aware of the predicament of your three divisions, but, I
But they thought that the reform would make the Third Division richer immediately."
Huang Xinren laughed as if he was talking in his sleep: "This is quite novel. Huang really wants to hear the economic envoy's advice."
"Don't dare, don't dare."
Li Qi shook his head slightly, and then said seriously: "Three divisions gather the world's wealth---."
Huang Xinren immediately interrupted him and said angrily: "That was all in the past."
The implication is that the Commerce Bureau has devolved part of its power to the past.
This guy really holds a grudge! Li Qi smiled bitterly and said: "No matter what, all the money and resources of our Song Dynasty have to pass through the hands of the Third Division. For example, if the Third Division now holds two thousand guans, one thousand of them
Guan was prepared to buy five horses, ten sheep, and ten pigs from Xixia. However, due to the emergence of the new law, Sansi could buy these with only 500 Guan. In other words, Sansi could buy these with only 500 Guan.
I made twice as much money, or even more, for no reason.”
Cai Jing suddenly said: "Are you talking about your currency strategy?"
Li Qi smiled and said: "That's right. Now Jiangnan has begun to implement a new law, and the first thing the new law does is to require high quality and low prices. The fall in prices means the growth of money, but how can we make prices drop?
Now, grain and salt are two iconic commodities. The price of grain has dropped, but the price of salt has still risen. This is because salt has always been controlled by the court, so the price of salt must come down. It can be said that,
The salt from Xixia is really just right, and I have a clever plan to avoid the court's losses."
Song Huizong couldn't help being overjoyed when he heard this, and asked hurriedly: "What's the plan?"
Li Qidao: "First of all, let me explain one thing. I will definitely let the price of salt in Xixia drop to a very low price. The imperial court can open a salt market in the northwest and run the salt trade with Xixia. For Xixia, they only want
It doesn't matter who you sell it to. After the imperial court purchases salt from Xixia, it can raise the price and sell it to the Jiangnan and Guandong regions. In this way, it will not affect the salt production in the northwest, and the imperial court can earn money.
If the profit is reached, the court can transfer this part of the profit to salt solution, which means that the price of salt solution can also be reduced. In this way, we can reduce the national salt price without losing money to the court. Not only that.
When low-priced salt arrives in the south of the Yangtze River, prices will inevitably fall, and the currency of our Song Dynasty will also rise. And we can use the appreciated currency to buy Xixia horses in accordance with the contract, so the wealth held by the three divisions will undoubtedly increase.
It can grow rapidly and gain a fortune invisibly. Now that Xixia's finances are more difficult than ours, they will definitely encourage exports and increase their wealth. It just so happens that we are encouraging imports now. Both parties have their own needs, and it is a natural fit. And finally
The important point is that salt is just a raw material. Although the benefits obtained are stable and long-lasting, only technical goods can make huge profits. Take Zuixianju's canned food as an example. Without salt, canned food cannot be made, and Zuixianju cans cannot be made every year.
The money earned from canning is several times the profit from salt. In addition, salt is a necessity of life. We can also enter from the northwest and export from the southeast. Using salt opens the market doors of the southeastern countries for us, allowing us merchants to control other countries more easily.
The country’s market will increase the Song Dynasty’s influence on the southern countries.”
When everyone heard this, they secretly made a calculation. If Li Qi said it, the salt was still in their hands. Although they still lost a little, it was not unacceptable.
Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty pondered for a while and asked: "What do you think, dear friends?"
Cai Jingdao: "If the imperial court can completely control the entry of Qingbai salt, we can give it a try, because the final decision is always in our hands. We also loosened the ban on Qingbai salt at the beginning, but we can close this door at any time.
.”
The more conservative Bai Shizhong said: "However, Xixia has always coveted the Hengshan area. If they become stronger, they will still be a hidden danger to us."
This father-in-law is really conservative! Li Qi knew that Bai Shizhong was also worried that he would fall into a desperate situation, so he smiled and said: "Right Minister, there is only one kind of relationship between countries that can last forever, and that is the relationship of competition. This
It's like two people competing in running. You can't completely suppress the opponent's progress. If you want to completely suppress it, you have to run faster than him. I am confident that within three years, the national power of the Song Dynasty will increase by ten.
I am more confident than Xixia. I am not confident in myself, but in the Song Dynasty. Just because Xixia is a remote country, they want to compete with the Song Dynasty. They are not qualified. The only thing they can do is to set off
As powerful as the Song Dynasty, after all, flowers need green leaves to set off the flowers. When the light and heavy garrison strategy works, they will be unable to do anything except surrender."
Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty was overjoyed when he heard this. He laughed and said, "Well said, little Rong Di, there is nothing to be afraid of."
I knew this was the case. It was strange that this boy's words always made Long Yan happy. Huang Xinren thought that Li Qi would be responsible for any consequences anyway, and as Cai Jing said, they can close this door at any time.
It wouldn’t hurt to give it a try. So he asked, “How much does the economic envoy plan to lower the price of green and white salt?”
Since it was purchased directly by the imperial court, the price of green and white salt directly affected their interests, so regardless of the two articles, when the quantity increased, it was very important to them.
Li Qi smiled and said: "Originally, my base price was two hundred cents per dendrobium, but since I have spent so much energy speaking for Xixia today, I will not agree to two cents or one cent more."
The price is indeed low enough, and there is enough profit margin to control it.
The group of people were silent now.
Song Huizong laughed and said: "If I had known this earlier, I should have made things more difficult for you!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone burst into laughter.
"The emperor is the most honorable gentleman in the world, and he would never do such a thing." Li Qi showed a shy look, but underneath his shyness was a tired heart. He had already told the emperor and the whole court
Civil and military, he has drawn enough pie and owed a lot of debt, which means that he must work hard and work hard to repay the debt.
...
...
After resolving the internal pressure, Li Qi could finally deal with Richard without any distractions.
Two days later, both parties had completed their internal discussions and began negotiations of real substantive significance. Therefore, Li Qi also moved the location from the Qin Mansion to the Commerce Bureau.
"Your Highness, Economic Envoy."
Richard stepped into the door of the Commerce Bureau with a confident face and bowed his hands towards Zhao Huan and Li Qi.
Zhao Huan also stood up and returned the salute.
But Li Qi, who was sitting on the right, didn't even get up. He said calmly: "How did your prince sleep these past two days?"
This attitude is simply a 360-degree change! Richard was slightly startled and said: "That's not bad."
Li Qi snorted, turned his head, and said no more. The aggrieved look on his face really made me pity him.
What happened? Richard was a little confused. He couldn't help but give Zhao Huan two questioning looks.
Zhao Huan just smiled apologetically, stretched out his hand and said: "Your Majesty, distinguished guests, please take a seat."
Richard nodded, looked at Li Qi in surprise, and then sat down.
After everyone sat down one by one, Zhao Huan smiled slightly and said: "Your Majesty, we have drafted a final plan for this trade negotiation, and I would like to ask Your Majesty to take a look."
"Wait."
Li Qi suddenly raised his hand and said to Richard: "Your Majesty, after my careful consideration in the past two days, this is basically a double loss deal, so there is no need to read this unplanned plan, you just
As you are traveling to the Song Dynasty, our Song Dynasty Cuju National Competition will have its opening ceremony in a few days. You might as well go and have fun then. Forget about these annoying things."
Richard was shocked and said: "How can the economy say this?"
"Li Qi, don't talk nonsense." Zhao Huan frowned and apologized to Richard: "Your Majesty, I'm really sorry. Li Qi has suffered a lot of grievances in the past two days and is in a bad mood.
, please also ask Prince Haihan."
Richard snorted and said, "I don't know why the economic officer is depressed."
Before Li Qi could speak, Zhao Huan waved his hands and said: "These things are our family affairs, business matters are more important. In addition to this trade contract, we also hope to sign a peace treaty with your country. After all, the economy needs to be established."
In a stable market, someone comes and submits the contract to the prince for review."
Soon, several servants presented the contract to Richard and other Xixia envoys.
Richard picked it up and was about to read it, when he suddenly heard someone on the other side muttering: "Don't agree, don't agree..." Looking up, he saw Li Qi turning his head toward the door, dragging his chin with one hand, and kept talking.
is moving.
Weird! So weird!
Richard felt a cold breeze as he held the contract. He wanted to ask, but unfortunately Li Qi didn't look at him at all. He felt very uneasy. When he opened the contract and took a look, his face became slightly solemn.
Zhao Huan seemed to be unable to stand it anymore, and said in a deep voice: "Li Qi, if you have anything to say, just say it and don't chant sutras there, so as not to disturb the prince and the others."
"As commanded."
Li Qi responded depressedly and reluctantly closed his mouth.
Richard secretly glanced at Li Qi, but kept silent, and looked again. After a while, he whispered to the others for a while, and then said to Zhao Huan: "Your Highness, the rest
We can negotiate, but the price of salt is too low, I---"
"Unacceptable."
Before he finished speaking, Li Qi suddenly stood up and said, "Does the prince think this price is too low? He must not accept it."
Richard was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said: "Exactly."
Bang bang bang!
Li Qi clapped quickly and said: "Okay, okay, the negotiation is over. Let's talk about the Cuju competition."
"ah?"
Richard and others were immediately stunned.
Zhao Huan glared at Li Qi again and said, "Li Qi, it was you who picked this matter. Now you are trying to obstruct it in every possible way. What is your intention?"
Li Qi said aggrievedly: "Your Highness, I was young and ignorant, and I didn't know the situation in the DPRK, so I stupidly proposed the salt ban. But I didn't expect that this would offend the civil and military officials of the DPRK, and I didn't expect that it would involve the heads of individuals."
Regarding the issue of belonging, everyone uses money to do business, but I do business with the lives of my whole family. I am a timid person, so it is better not to do it."
Richard was surprised and said: "Economic envoy, what do you say?"
Li Qi sighed: "Your Majesty, how do you think our friendship is going?"
"I have always felt very lucky to have such a good friend and confidant as an economic envoy in the Song Dynasty." Richard said what he meant.
"I thought so too." Li Qi nodded and hesitantly said: "Then please consider the life of me, eh, eh, um, um, um, um, um, um, um, um, um, um, um, um, um, um, um, um, um, and the price is so low, if you agree, haha, you know
.”
Zhao Huan frowned and said, "Li Qi, go and stand outside."
Li Qi curled his lips and said oh. Just as he was about to leave, Richard hurriedly stood up and said, "Economic envoy, please stay. Your Highness, what on earth is going on?"
Zhao Huan said sarcastically: "Your Majesty, it doesn't matter if you forgive me, he just has this temper. Oh. We decided on this contract after two days of discussion. If you don't agree, then this negotiation will be abandoned. Don't worry, this contract
It will never affect the friendship between our two countries."
The implication is that I don’t give you any room to bargain.
A Xixia envoy suddenly asked: "Your Highness, is there something unclear?"
Zhao Huan smiled and said, "Please tell me."
The man asked: "In this contract, why is it cheaper to buy horses with money than land, but so expensive to exchange tea for horses?"
Zhao Huandao: "That's right. As you all know, our country, the Song Dynasty, is carrying out economic reforms and vigorously developing the economy, and currency is the most critical to the economy. Therefore, the value of our currency in the Song Dynasty has been rising, so that
in this way."
This is the greatest advantage of the Song Dynasty. Xixia has few coppers and has always used the currency of the Song Dynasty. Their demand for the currency of the Song Dynasty is very hungry, and the value of currency in their hearts is much higher than that of the currency of the Song Dynasty today.
value, so no matter what, they would still choose to exchange livestock and other commodities for Song Dynasty goods. The exchange of goods would be the same as before, but in the face of Song Dynasty, which had been losing currency, compared with before, that
You must have made a lot of money. Li Qi is convinced that you don't dare to use currency to hedge. If you dare, I will take it all back. Your Xixia economy will definitely collapse because there is no currency.
This reason left Richard speechless, and their minds couldn't turn around. After all, this trick was brought by Li Qi from later generations, so he thought it was natural. He thought to himself, if this is the case, then this salt
The price is acceptable. Moreover, Li Qi's abnormality today allowed him to vaguely guess some of the reasons. He knew very well in his heart how much damage the ban on green and white salt would cause to the interests of the ministers in the DPRK. He thought, Li Qi must be
I encountered a lot of difficulties in the DPRK and received a lot of unequal treatment, which led to this.
Thinking of this, he already had a concept in his mind, that is, this must be the lowest price of Song Dynasty and cannot be changed. However, he did not agree immediately, but hoped to discuss it with his companions.
Zhao Huan readily agreed and immediately ordered someone to take Richard to a separate courtyard to rest.
As soon as they left, Zhao Huan immediately asked Li Qi: "Do you think they will agree?"
Li Qi smiled confidently: "Your Highness, please rest assured, they will definitely agree. In fact, if we grind it slowly, we can negotiate this price, but I am too lazy to waste time. They have so much salt in Xixia that I can hardly hold it."
, and the cost is extremely low. Even at this price, they can still make huge profits. Moreover, the currency appreciation can also give them a sufficient reason to accept this request."
As expected by Li Qi, after about half an hour, Richard returned to the lobby and said: "We have discussed it and are willing to strengthen trade with your country. As for the peace treaty, we have nothing to say.
Say, I am happy to sign this treaty with your country."
Li Qi opened his hands in disbelief and said, "My lord, are you sick? Can you - can you agree to this? Do you want to think about it again?"
Richard apologized: "Economist, I'm really sorry. Originally, it was impossible for us to accept this price, but considering that the value of your country's currency is increasing, it seems to have returned to the Jiayou years, which is reasonable and reasonable."
Li Qi sighed in annoyance and said: "You are just pushing me into the fire pit, that's all, that's all, it's my own fault. I really shot myself in the foot."
Zhao Huan almost laughed out loud after hearing this. This man was really cunning, and he did exactly what he expected. What kind of world is this? After being ripped off, you still have to apologize to others.
Li Qi was also afraid that Zhao Huan would be exposed, so he couldn't help but glance at Zhao Huan out of the corner of his eye.
Fortunately, Richard and others did not notice this.
Now that the other party has agreed to this most critical point, the next thing will be much easier to handle. The two parties began to have a pleasant discussion on some details. However, since there are too many interests involved, it is not enough to discuss.
It took three days before the two parties finally signed the contract and exchanged credentials.
This is undoubtedly a memorable day, because Song Xia will usher in a new era.
(PS: A nearly 8,000-word chapter has been delivered. On the third day of the Lunar New Year, all you foodies can put your monthly tickets into red envelopes and vote for Xiao Xi. It will save money and be practical. Hehe!) (To be continued. If you like this
This work, you are welcome to come to Qidian to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile phone users please go to m. to read.)