Chapter 1322 Bargaining
“Zhao, I’ve seen the minister.”
Wu State Posthouse, in the courtyard where the Han envoy lived, the elegant Mi Shiyilang bowed to Zongxu, who had just arrived in Jianye and was waiting for Sun Quan to summon him.
Zong Yu, who is over sixty years old, looks at Mi Zhao, who is in his prime and most promising age, with a bit of joy and a bit of envy in his eyes.
Step forward to help Mi Shiyilang up, look at it seriously, and then praise:
"He endured humiliation and surrendered to thieves for many years. He once made great achievements, and now he travels to the east of the Yangtze River to benefit the country. Wow! A great man and a good son!"
Despite his age, Zong Yu is energetic, especially his voice is loud and full of energy.
When Mi Shiyilang heard this praise, his face, which had been tested in dangerous places for a long time, actually heated up slightly, and at the same time he looked a little embarrassed:
"The prince has received the award, I feel ashamed, I feel ashamed, I really don't deserve it."
Speaking of it, this "enduring humiliation and humiliation" actually may not be what I really had in mind given the current situation in the world.
It is possible that the word "to surrender to thieves" at the end is true.
Speaking of which, it was thanks to his brother that he sent someone to pull him back in time.
When I say I’m ashamed, I’m really ashamed.
Otherwise, if one of the Mi family surrendered to Wu and the other to Wei, they would really have become the laughing stock of the Han Dynasty.
Unlike now, people in the world don't know who Mi Hongliang is, but when they hear Mi Shiyilang's name, who can't help but respect him?
Zong Yu was unaware of Mi Shiyilang's psychological changes. He just thought that the other party was being modest, so he "tsk"ed:
"What are you ashamed of? What are you afraid of? If you really want to say you are ashamed, it is up to me to say it."
As he spoke, he led Mi Shiyilang to sit down, and asked his entourage to pour tea, and then continued with a sigh:
“I think back then, when the late emperor had just entered Jingzhou, I had already attached myself to Jiwei. It has been more than thirty years now!”
Then he let out a long sigh and said, "For more than thirty years, I have done nothing but gained years in vain. Alas, I can't compare to you young men now!"
Looking at Mi Shiyilang again, he changed to a tone of appreciation: "The younger generation is to be feared, the younger generation is to be feared!"
Mi Shiyilang, who dared to seize the Maojin Ferry at night, smiled shyly in front of this sixty-year-old man, like a child being praised by his elders.
“My father-in-law is always strong and strong, and he is not afraid of old age. He crosses mountains and rivers, and travels for the country. Why can’t he talk about us who are less advanced?”
Zongxu laughed loudly when he heard this, then deliberately lowered his voice and said to Mi Shiyilang:
"When I followed the late emperor, the late emperor only occupied a few counties in half of the state. Later, he crossed Shu with a baby in his arms. His foundation was first established, and everyone thought that the world was restored to order."
"Who would have expected that not long after the bad news about Jingzhou came, there would be another defeat at Yiling..."
Although the Han Dynasty is not what it used to be, and so many years have passed, Zong Yu still sighs when he recalls the darkest days since the founding of the Ji Han Dynasty.
“After the battle at Yiling, the Lord of Wu sued for peace, and the late emperor agreed to it, and sent envoys to the land of Wu, but alas!”
As he spoke, he shook his head: "Although the two countries of Han and Wu wanted to rebuild peace, the Han Dynasty was defeated one after another at the hands of the Wu people. The country was in danger, and it was as if it was hanging upside down."
“The envoys who came to Wu were either ignored by the Lord of Wu or underestimated by the people of Wu, but they had to bear the humiliation in order to achieve reconciliation between the two countries.”
At this point, Zongxu stood up, clenched his fists, and hummed:
“If it weren’t for the Wei thieves pressing hard from the north, how could the Wu people from behind be so easy to show favor to our Han envoys?”
Mi Zhao was silent.
After the First World War in Yiling, he was no longer an ignorant child.
At that time, Sun Quan sought peace from the late emperor and exchanged envoys with the Wei State.
It wasn't until Wei State sent troops southward that Wei and Wu fought a solid battle, which forced Sun Quan to sever ties with Wei State.
It can be imagined that before this, although it was the Wu people who took the initiative to seek peace, in fact the other party was just playing both ends.
The Han envoys knew that the Wu people were wavering and had other plans, but they suffered from the weakening of the country's power, so they could only do their best and seek compromise.
“Do you know why I like to take the initiative to invite you to serve as an envoy to the Kingdom of Wu every time?”
At this point, Zong Yu’s originally low voice suddenly became high-pitched:
“I’m just free and want to come to Wu to relax and see what the people of Wu are like now, and then think about their faces in the past! Hahaha…”
Zongxu laughed again as he spoke:
“I just want to see how they envy and envy the big man, but they have to smile and ask for help from the big man!”
“The more I see them like this, the better I feel!”
“Youdao says that it takes twenty years to be east of the river and twenty years to be west of the river. This is indeed not deceiving me.”
Mi Shiyilang was shocked when he heard this!
Nearly blurted out: "Mr. Zong, do you also read novels?"
But when the words come to your lips, it becomes:
"Mr. Zong, you really have a clear distinction between grudges and grudges. It seems that you are also a person who enjoys grudges and grudges."
"There is a grudge for a grudge, and there is a grudge for revenge. This is the case in the world. I think that the Wu people took Jingzhou and made me unable to return home. Is it possible that I can't even watch a joke now?"
(Zong Yu was from Jingzhou)
Zong Yu said these words to Mi Zhao, sat down again, and started to get to the point:
"Okay, let's talk about it. I just arrived at Jianye, and you, Mr. Mi Lang, came to my door immediately. I think there must be something important. Can you tell me?"
Although this is the posthouse of Wu State, as an ally of Wu State, the Han Dynasty's status as an envoy has long been different from what it used to be.
It is inevitable that the place of residence must be independent and quiet.
The courtyard was empty all around, and there were servants guarding the outside, so there was no fear of Wu people eavesdropping.
"Zonggong Mingjian." Mi Shiyilang cupped his hands and lowered his voice, "Zonggong came here this time for Luoyang's affairs?"
"Um?"
Zongxuan looked slightly surprised.
But soon, he returned to normal.
His coming to Jianye this time was not publicized, but it was not a secret.
He was relieved when he thought of the speed of Xinghan Hui in delivering the news.
Moreover, since Mi Langjun hurried over to find him, he must have something important to discuss with him.
So Zongxu asked tentatively:
"Mi Langjun knows my purpose and has been building a business for a long time. He is here today. But what plan do you want to tell me before I see Lord Wu?"
Mi Shiyilang shook his head: "I'm afraid this will disappoint Zonggong, no."
"Um?"
Zong Yu was once again a little surprised.
Mi Shiyilang smiled mysteriously:
“But Zhao can tell Duke Zong some good news.”
Zong Yu immediately became interested: "Oh? What's the good news?"
“During these days in Wudi, I made some friends, so I was able to get some news.”
Mi Shiyilang lowered his voice again and raised three fingers: "Thirty percent, at most, only three percent is enough."
"What three..." Zong Xuan immediately sat up straight before he could finish his words, "Mi Langjun, are you serious about what you said?"
Mi Shiyilang smiled slightly:
“My lord, this is a major national matter, and it is entrusted by my brother. How dare I make a joke about it?”
"good!"
Zong Yu fisted his fist and couldn't help but let out a soft drink. His face was filled with joy, and he had to suppress his voice like Mi Shiyilang:
"To be honest, Mi Langjun, the bottom line of what Your Majesty and Da Sima want when I come here this time is 50%."
“I didn’t expect that Mi Langjun could actually beat him by another 20%.”
Jingzhou’s 50% tariff, in exchange for the righteousness of entrusting Luoyang, is it a loss?
It is a loss even if it is said to be a loss, and it is not a loss even if it is not said to be a loss.
It’s a loss because the money obviously belongs to the big man.
It is not a loss because the money originally belonged to the State of Wu.
Take Wu's money and exchange it for Luoyang, which was originally assigned to Wu in the covenant, in exchange for all the Han Dynasty to regain the old capital.
At least for Adou and most of the courtiers, it was not a loss.
And it doesn’t mean that the Wu people don’t have to pay back the money. At worst, we can just give them a little more time to pay back.
50% of Jingzhou's tariff would at most loosen the rope around Wu's neck, but it was far from enough if he wanted to survive.
This is a huge incentive for the Han people.
The name of righteousness is very important.
What if we only use 30%?
That’s considered a profit.
That's why Zong Yu was so happy.
After the excitement, Zong Xu asked one more question uneasily:
“Mi Langjun, it’s not that I can’t trust you, but this matter is of great importance. Is your friend reliable?”
Mi Langjun smiled understandingly:
“Mr. Zong, you don’t know how short of money the Wu treasury is now. This 30% is a lot for Wu people.”
As he spoke, he stretched out his finger, dipped his finger in the cup, and wrote a number on the table.
When Zongxu saw it, his eyes widened suddenly, and his voice even raised a lot: "So many?"
Mi Shiyilang smiled and said nothing.
Zong Zu stared at the numbers on the desk and was speechless for a long time.
As a minister, his duty is to assist the minister's order and handle matters at the minister's desk.
He has also heard of the Jingzhou tariff, and a lot of money can be collected there every year.
The specific numbers were personally reviewed by Shangshu Ling.
Over the years, the Han Dynasty has become financially wealthy and everyone has high aspirations.
Zizong expected that no matter how much Jingzhou’s vehicle and boat taxes were collected, it would not be able to compare with the taxes in the Han Dynasty.
did not expect…
His mother’s wife!
When the late Emperor was alive, if he really had such a large sum of money, some fellow villagers in Jingzhou, not to mention asking them to sell themselves, could at least prevent them from selling Jingzhou to the Wu people.
Wrong!
Zong Yu raised his head suspiciously, stared at Mi Shiyilang, and blurted out:
“How much business did you Xinghanhui do in Jingzhou?”
After asking the question, he realized that he had made a mistake and shook his head again:
“Forget it, this kind of thing is beyond my ability to ask.”
Then he couldn’t help but complain:
“It is said that King Feng Gui has great foresight, and I have seen it with my own eyes today.”
Although he only saw a glimpse of it, it was enough to frighten him.
After being shocked, he suddenly laughed again:
“But aren’t these the reasons for my trip?”
Knowing that he had greater confidence, Zong Yu straightened his back when he saw Sun Quan the next day.
After handing in the credentials, we began to discuss the ownership of Luoyang.
Dan Zongxu stretched out a finger and said loudly:
“One percent!”
Sun Quan was so angry that he almost started a fight:
“Mr. Zong, I have always respected you and valued you precisely because of your resistance. I didn’t expect that what happened today was contrary to your usual way of being a human being.”
“The alliance between Wu and Han was decided by your first lord of Han and your first prime minister. Luoyang belongs to me, Wu. Do you want to deny the alliance now?”
Zong Yu was surprised and said:
"How could your Majesty make such remarks? When did the foreign minister say that he did not recognize the alliance between Han and Wu?"
Sun Quan had a gloomy face:
"In this case, Luoyang, which should belong to me, Wu, was taken away by you, the Han Kingdom. Don't you have any explanation?"
Zongyu stretched out a finger again:
"Your Majesty, the foreign minister has already said it, 10%. This is the sincerity and statement of our big man."
“Not enough!”
It was a common thing for Han and Wu countries to send envoys to each other.
When there are the most messengers, they are always on the road, with cars and boats looking at each other.
In addition, Zong Yu came here this time for the Luoyang matter, so it was not appropriate to publicize it in advance.
Moreover, Sun Quan probably felt that it would be a shame to discuss the matter in public about how much Luoyang City was worth.
So in this summons, apart from Zong Yu, he only asked Lv Yi, the secretary of the school affairs committee, to accompany him.
When it comes to Jingzhou’s financial resources, the school affairs office has the most say.
Sun Quan was displeased, and Zong Yu was also a little dismayed:
“Your Majesty, it is precisely because I don’t like hypocrisy and say whatever I have to say that I am standing here today to discuss the matter of Luoyang with Your Majesty.”
"Although the Han Dynasty now wants to capture Luoyang, it is forced to do so. Because the news came from Xi Zuo, the Wei thieves knew that Luoyang could not be defended, so they planned to burn the city and escape."
"The incident happened suddenly, so we couldn't ignore it, so we sent troops there. This is a workaround. We can't just watch the thieves burn the city and escape, and let Luoyang suffer another disaster, right?"
“Besides, before we sent out the troops, didn’t I come here to discuss the aftermath with His Majesty? Isn’t this enough to show sincerity?”
Sun Quan was not moved at all and just said in a deep voice:
“Is the 10% tariff also called sincerity?”
Zong Yu was slightly surprised when he heard this.
The Lord of Wu did not mention the Luoyang matter, but just talked about tariffs.
Could it be possible that, as Mi Langjun said, the treasury of the State of Wu is already in such short supply?
Thinking this in his heart, his expression remained unchanged:
“How much does your Majesty plan to ask for?”
Sun Quan slowly stretched out his hand and said, "Fifty percent."
"Your Majesty's words are not sincere!" Zong Yu stood up immediately and protested, "Since your Majesty said that I resist straightness, then I will tell the truth."
"Luoyang is the old capital of the Han Dynasty. The Han Dynasty will never let thieves do what Dong Zhuo did again! So when I came out, the Han Dynasty had already sent out troops."
“With the ability of our great Han Dynasty and Great Sima, we may have captured Luoyang by now. Whether your majesty is willing to accept it or not, Luoyang will fall into the hands of the great Han.”
"Instead of leaving Luoyang in the hands of the Wei thieves, it is better to let the Han Dynasty temporarily take charge of it. If your Majesty can attack Luoyang City one day, I, the Han Dynasty, will return Luoyang according to the covenant."
Hearing this, Sun Quan's face twitched.
How could he not know that when the Han Dynasty sent troops to Luoyang, it was determined to capture Luoyang.
There is absolutely no way to stop it.
As for burning the city and escaping, whether it was true or false, it was just an excuse anyway, and he didn't bother to argue with Zong Xu.
Since we can't stop it, we can only try to get as many benefits from Han as possible.
As for considering now whether the Han Dynasty will really return it in the future, it is better to consider how to capture Hefei first.
“Zong Shangshu, you also said that according to the covenant, Luoyang belongs to me, Da Wu. And the customs duties in Jingzhou should also belong to me, Da Wu.”
“Isn’t it a bit excessive for you to use my Da Wu’s tariffs to buy my Da Wu’s city?”
Zong Yu didn’t give Sun Quan any face at all:
“If your Majesty has already returned the money, food, horses, weapons, and armor that you owe me to this big man, and you say this again, I will admit that it is too much.”
Sun Quan’s face suddenly turned livid.
His nails were about to bleed from the palm of his hand, and he could barely restrain his emotions.
If it weren’t for the debt I owe you to the Han Dynasty, would I be sitting here today discussing the Luoyang matter with you?
But I am not as good as others, and I still want to ask for help from others. What can I do?
Lü Yi, who was standing by, saw the unwillingness of the two sides and couldn't help but secretly screamed that it was bad.
It is clear that you have expressed your anger to Mr. Mi Lang in advance. As long as the Han State can give up 30%, your Majesty will be able to respond.
But what’s going on in front of you?
Could it be that Mi Langjun didn't remind the Han envoy?
Or is Han really unwilling to provide more?
10% is really too little.
(End of this chapter)