Song Huan knew that if he didn't stop him at this time, Emperor Liang would definitely reward Xia with such exorbitant supplies for the sake of face.
Now that Daliang's treasury is finally full, with such a large number of rewards given out, the treasury will be tight again.
According to Emperor Liang's usual style, I am afraid that he will ask Song Huan for help again and let him find a way!
Instead of being embarrassed at that time, it would be better to nip Xia Guo's request in the cradle right now.
Xia Wenqi was originally a little excited when he saw that Emperor Liang's expression relaxed.
My father is right, face is Emperor Liang’s weakness!
As long as he is kidnapped morally in front of all the civil and military officials, he will definitely not refuse any request.
But despite all his calculations, Xia Wenqi never expected that the Fourth Prince would actually come out halfway!
Faced with Song Huan's question, Xia Wenqi replied angrily: "Of course I have heard of this!"
"I just don't know what Prince Rong's words have to do with the request I made to His Majesty!"
Now that you've heard of it, it's easy to handle.
Song Huan smiled brightly: "I just heard from the Crown Prince that the Xia Kingdom is rich in precious herbs, horses, leather and black iron."
"These things are already commonplace for the people of Xia Kingdom."
"Even when a snowstorm breaks out, it's considered useless."
"However, these things are exactly what the people of Liang need."
"In this case, why not let the people of Daliang and Xia get what they need, trade freely, and conduct tea and horse trade?"
"We, the people of Daliang, exchange tea, salt, grain, cloth and other common crops for the people of Xia State's herbs, good horses, leather, and black iron."
"In this way, wouldn't it perfectly solve the problem of food shortage in Xia Kingdom?"
"No!" Xia Wenqi subconsciously refused without thinking!
Song Huan pretended to be surprised: "Why did the prince refuse so simply and neatly?"
"Don't you worry about the safety of the people of Xia Kingdom?"
"Aren't you afraid that the people of Xia Kingdom will not be able to enter the winter safely?"
"Of course I'm worried!" Xia Wenqi was a little flustered when he was questioned, but he still tried his best to cover up the panic.
Xia Guo has been free for more than three hundred years. Why is it that when he comes to pay tribute, he is forced to do business with the other party?
Be aware of this possibility!
Xia Wenqi rolled his eyes and quickly thought of a countermeasure.
He knew that this fourth prince was not lenient with his words and had a bright mind.
In a confrontation with the Fourth Prince, I can't even gain the slightest advantage!
After thinking about it, Xia Wenqi could only continue to turn to Emperor Liang and said sadly: "Your Majesty, the people of Xia Kingdom live in poverty. How can they afford official salt, official tea and grain in Daliang?"
"What Prince Rong said is the same as 'why not eat minced meat'!"
"Your Majesty, you care about the world, and everyone in the four seas is your subject!"
"Whether the people of the Xia Kingdom can survive this severe winter safely or not, they all place their hopes on your majesty's kind deeds!
Seeing that Xia Wenqi was still determined to convince Emperor Liang, Song Huan felt that he was extremely ridiculous!
Such sincere words and extreme urgency are no different from political beggars!
Song Huan originally made a bet with Emperor Liang. If he could avoid the high cost of buying good horses from Xia in the future, he would agree to Song Huan to open a school.
But now, Xia Wenqi opened his mouth wide and asked for such a huge reward!
With his stingy appearance, how could Song Huan continue to convince Emperor Liang?
no!
We must not let this guy succeed!
Before Emperor Liang could speak, Song Huan smiled and said, "Is the prince too anxious that he even ignored the word 'mutual market' mentioned by the king?"
"The tea-horse trade that this king is talking about is to allow the people of the Xia Kingdom to exchange the fine horses, black iron, medicinal materials, etc. that are abundant in the local area, in exchange for the official tea, official salt, grain, and cloth of my Daliang."
"To put it simply, this should be regarded as an exchange of equal value!"
"In this way, we can completely solve the survival problem that has troubled the people of Xia Kingdom for many years."
"Isn't it beautiful?"
As soon as Song Huan finished speaking, Prime Minister Cheng Xun stood up first and congratulated Emperor Liang with clasped fists.
"Congratulations to Your Majesty, and to the Crown Prince of Xia Kingdom!"
Xia Wenqi's face was already ugly. Seeing that Cheng Xun came out to cause trouble again, he couldn't help but asked coldly: "Prime Minister, what do you mean?"
"The people of our Xia Kingdom are living a difficult life. Why are we so happy?"
However, Cheng Xun looked calm and said loudly: "Of course, this is to congratulate the Crown Prince on solving the Xia Kingdom's resource shortage problem for many years!"
"Prince Rong's move is unprecedented and groundbreaking, solving the survival problems of the people of the Xia Kingdom. From now on, the people of the Xia Kingdom will no longer be threatened by natural disasters!"
"Isn't this a great happy event?"
Seeing that Cheng Xun had taken the lead to step forward to celebrate, several ministers couldn't help but follow Cheng Xun's steps and step forward.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Crown Prince of Xia Kingdom!"
"Prince Rong is so wise!"
Emperor Liang never expected that the fourth prince could come up with such a seamless solution at such a critical moment!
"Wonderful, wonderful!"
“Prince Rong’s move deeply touches my heart!”
"Prince Xia, what do you think?"
Emperor Liang returned the problem to Xia Wenqi. If he refused to comply, it would mean that he did not care about the lives of the people of Xia.
Seeing that the monarchs and ministers of Daliang were united as never before, Xia Wenqi was so excited that his handsome face suddenly turned red.
"Your Majesty! Our country, Xia, has passed down the ancestral precepts since ancient times and must never engage in trade with other countries."
"If Your Majesty insists on asking me to agree today, are you asking me to betray my ancestors and be spurned and insulted by the Xia Kingdom for generations?"
"If I do this, how will I face my father when I return! How will I face the ancestors of the Xia Kingdom!"
Xia Wenqi understood that if he agreed to the policy proposed by Prince Rong at this time, it would be impossible to ask for such a huge reward from Daliang.
Not only that, once the Xia Kingdom's trade gateway is opened, I am afraid that when I come to pay tribute in the future, I will no longer be able to come empty-handed.
This kind of thing, which is harmful to the Xia royal family and does no good at all, must not be agreed to!
"In short, I will never dare to abandon the ancestral precepts of our Xia Kingdom for hundreds of years!"
"Prince Rong just proposed a tea-horse trade, I beg your pardon!"
"Besides," Xia Wenqi glanced at this, "Fine tea and sufficient food are not only available in Daliang."
The intention represented by these words is already obvious.
Emperor Liang was smiling and his face was not very pretty: "It seems that the prince is planning to find another high branch and run away with a thicker thigh!"
"I don't dare!" Although Xia Wenqi said "I don't dare", his eyes were sharp and did not look like he was afraid.
