Dunan said with some regret: "It's a pity that the maritime merchants in Jiangnan have divided a considerable amount of our profits. According to Erguan, if it weren't for those maritime merchants, our income would have increased by at least 50%!"
Yang Peng was stunned, "If you increase it by 50%, wouldn't it be 10 million?" Du Nan nodded vigorously, "That's it, this is the least!" He smacked his lips, clasped his fists and said, "King Yan, yes I would like to ask you for advice on this matter. Can we use the escort navy to suppress the merchants in Jiangnan? Those merchants only have some privately hired escorts. If we take action, they will have no ability to resist!!"
Yang Peng couldn't help but feel excited, but then he felt that everyone was Chinese, and it seemed too unreasonable to do something dirty in order to seize overseas markets! He slowly shook his head, "No, we can't do this! We can't attack our own people just for a little money!"
Du Nan shook his head and sighed: "King Yan is too kind sometimes!" Yang Peng smiled and said: "It's better to be kind to your own people!"
Du Nan smiled and said: "My subordinates made a bet with Erguan on whether King Yan would agree to our proposal. Erguan thought that King Yan would definitely agree, but my subordinate said that King Yan would definitely not agree. Now it seems that this The subordinate won the bet." Yang Peng smiled and said: "You fat man is quite smart! Whatever the bet is, I will share half of it!" Du Nan became depressed, stretched out two chubby fingers and said: " It's just two copper coins!" Yang Peng stretched out his right hand and said, "Bring it here!" Like a deflated rubber ball, Du Nan fumbled around in his arms for a long time, took out two copper coins, and took a pitiful look. Yang Peng used his other hand to hand out a copper coin and handed it to Yang Peng's hand. He looked at it eagerly, looking reluctant to part with it. Jiang Li and Wang Kai couldn't help but laugh when they saw him like this.
Yang Peng put the copper coins in his arms, walked to a coffee table and sat down. He glanced at Du Nan and said, "I don't agree with using force to deal with Jiangnan merchants, but you have to come up with a solution for this matter. It should be beneficial to those merchants and to us, Yan Yun!"
Du Nan said with a smile: "My subordinates have guessed King Yan's thoughts a long time ago, so they have already figured out a way on the way and are about to ask King Yan for instructions." Yang Peng did not speak and waited for the next sentence. Du Nan continued: "At present, the maritime foreign trade in the south of the Yangtze River is purely an individual business activity. The government has nothing to do with it except collecting taxes at the port. This gives us an opportunity to take advantage of it! Just now, King Yan said that he would establish a base along the sea route. His subordinates I think we can use these bases to manage all overseas Han merchants, including Jiangnan merchants. We are not limited to Han merchants, but also include merchants from other countries! We will protect them and collect taxes from them. We can also lead maritime merchants from the south of the Yangtze River to the ports we control, which can also prosper our Yanyun trade and economy! This is what I want, what do you think the King of Yan wants?"
Yang Peng thought for a moment, then glanced at Du Nan with a smile, "I knew you could come up with a good idea, Fatty! This method is very good, it will be beneficial to everyone, and it will serve you well!"
Du Nan sighed, "That is not good for everyone, but it is very bad for the court. My subordinates made a rough estimate. If this plan is implemented smoothly, within three years, the court will The tariff revenue will be reduced by more than half! It is hard for me to imagine how the luxurious life of the royal ministers can be maintained with so much money reduced." When Dunan said this, he looked gloating.
Yang Peng smiled and said: "Then it's not our business!"
Du Nan suddenly remembered something, took out a report from his arms, walked to Yang Peng, presented it to Yang Peng with both hands, and said: "This is the latest situation report in the Huaihe and Huaihe regions. Please ask King Yan to take a look." Yang Peng I took the report, opened it, and read it. I saw several big data listed on the first page: 'Population: more than 8.76 million; tax revenue: 5.678 million, 996 two and three. Qian Baiyin; Total grain output: 13140000000 jins, a quarter of which is produced by government-owned farms. After these big data, there are also industrial and commercial conditions, urban construction conditions, agricultural infrastructure construction conditions, etc. In short, the basis of people's livelihood The data is all here.
Yang Peng was very surprised and said: "I remember the last time I went to Lianghuai, the population of Lianghuai was only 5 million. How long has it been before it has increased so much?"
Du Nan said with a smile: "The people who originally fled to Jiangnan have all returned, so the population has naturally increased dramatically!" Yang Peng smiled and nodded, "Okay, the more people, the better. It is best to live in Jiangnan." The common people from all over the country are also coming here." Du Nan nodded vigorously, "My subordinates think so too!" Yang Peng looked at the report and thought: "The data from various places have been compiled, and the situation in your two areas in Huaihe is the best. of!"
Du Nan said with a smile: "The land of the two Huaihe Rivers is fertile, the population is large, and they are close to the sea. Moreover, the people of the two Huaihe River basins are good at doing business and farming, so economic development is naturally better than other places!"
Yang Peng said jokingly: "Why don't you say it's my policy that's good?" Du Nan suddenly realized, "That's right!" He patted his fat head and said, "This subordinate is really confused! What he said just now is simply putting the cart before the horse. Those reasons are all trivial. The most important thing is that King Yan’s policies are good! The people all say: they have food and clothing all because of King Yan.” Jiang Li couldn’t help but laugh, feeling that this Du Nan was really capable. But it’s just too funny!
Yang Peng chuckled, and then thought: "Now our total population in Yanyun has exceeded 26 million, which is five to six million more than the last count. The fiscal revenue is more than 26 million, but the expenses are even higher. It's big, more than 30 million. If it weren't for the huge harvest from overseas trade, our warehouses would be empty soon. In addition, grain harvests have been harvested everywhere, which is better than previously expected. However, after deducting various expenses, it can be used I’m afraid there aren’t many who make military provisions!”
Du Nan is a good person. Hearing Yang Peng's words, he guessed what Yang Peng was thinking. He cupped his fists and said, "As for the military rations, my subordinates also considered it on the way. If it goes according to the current situation, I'm afraid we will have to It takes almost a year to raise enough military rations. However, my subordinates thought of a way. Originally, this method was not feasible, but with the huge profits brought by the second level, this method will work!" Yang Peng looked towards Dunan, "What can you do?"
Du Nan was about to answer, but at this moment, a secret guard rushed in and reported: "To the King of Yan, the Xixia envoy is here to see you." Yang Peng was a little surprised, because according to the intelligence obtained not long ago, Xixia's domestic The situation was tense, the swords were at war between the Xixia prince and the Xixia emperor, and civil war was about to break out. Under such circumstances, how could Xixia be so leisurely as to send an envoy? These thoughts only flashed through his mind, and he said to Yin Sha: "Bring the Xixia envoy in." The secret guard responded and ran down.
Du Nan frowned and thought: "The Xixia envoy suddenly arrived, I'm afraid there will be some big changes in the situation in Xixia!" Yang Peng nodded, got up and walked to the top to sit down, while Du Nan walked to the left stand.
After a while, the secret guard led a man in Xixia official uniform. Yang Peng recognized the person at a glance. It was Li Xu, the confidant who followed Li Qingxia that he had seen that day. As soon as he saw him, Yang Peng made some judgments in his heart.
The secret guard cupped his fists towards Yang Peng and said, "The Xixia envoy has arrived!" and then retreated. Li Xu saluted Yang Peng, "Li Xu, the envoy of Daxia, pays homage to His Highness King Yan!" Yang Peng asked with a smile: "I guess your princess has completed the prerequisites I proposed?" Li Xu said: "Exactly, that day. Your Highness, the princess, is now the empress of our Great Xia! This envoy is here, firstly, to inform Yan Yun of the matter, and secondly, to ask King Yan to abide by the previous agreement!"
Yang Peng nodded and said: "Since the emperor of your country has fulfilled the prerequisites I proposed, the bet will naturally begin. Go back and tell your emperor that she should be careful in the next two years!"
Li Xu said: "Now that our Daxia Kingdom is united under the leadership of the new emperor, we will definitely be able to deal with any threats! We are waiting for the arrival of King Yan!" Yang Peng smiled slightly, and he couldn't help but feel some expectations in his heart. We want to see how Li Qingxia deals with her. Li Xu bowed and said: "My mission has been completed. If King Yan has no other instructions, I will resign!" Yang Peng nodded. Li Xu bowed to Yang Peng again and exited the hall.
Du Nan didn't know that there was a bet between Yang Peng and Li Qingxia. At this time, the Xixia envoy had left. Du Nan couldn't help but asked: "King Yan, I wonder what you have with the female emperor of Xixia?" A bet?" Yang Peng told him about the bet. Du Nan frowned and said: "This was originally a clever plan. It is very likely to plunge Xixia into civil war. However, how come this Li Qingxia suddenly sat on the throne?"
Yang Peng frowned and said: "This is what I am confused about. Just a month ago, news came from Xixia that the prince of Xixia and the emperor were at war with each other. It has only been a month, and the situation has undergone such earth-shaking changes. It is really shocking. Unexpected! I think the previous confrontation between the Xixia crown prince and the emperor was probably a trick used by Li Qingxia! It's a snipe and a clam fighting for the fisherman's profit. This Li Qingxia is really not simple!" Du Nan nodded with deep sympathy.
Yang Peng thought: "This woman is so surprising. I can't be careless. The sooner we use troops against Xixia, the better!" He looked at Dunan and said, "Fat man, you just said that there is a way to solve the military ration problem in the short term. After all, What is the solution?"
Du Nan said with a smile: "My subordinate's method is actually very simple. It's not worth mentioning!" Yang Peng glared, "Stop talking nonsense and tell me!" Du Nan responded and put his A plan was told. At the same time, in a courtyard near the Prince of Yan's Mansion, the Liao envoy Elonton paid homage to Yedi Guanyin: "Your Majesty Elondon pays homage to the princess!" Yedi Guanyin heard this title again and couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "Princess "No one has called me that for a long time!" Elondon said excitedly: "In the hearts of the people of Liao Kingdom, you will always be our princess!"
Ye Qi Guanyin sighed and shook her head, "I am no longer a princess. I only have one identity now, and that is the concubine of King Yan!" Elondon looked depressed and didn't know what to say for a moment. Ye Qi Guanyin glanced at Errondun and asked: "Is the Great Liao Kingdom okay?" Errondun said: "Reporting to your Majesty, the Great Liao Kingdom has finally returned to peace. The Empress Dowager is in charge of the military and administration, and everything is in order. Step by step on the right track!”
Ye Qi Guanyin nodded, lowered his head and pondered. Elondon glanced at Yeqi Guanyin and said: "I am here to congratulate the King of Yan on the birth of his son. Secondly, I want to thank the King of Yan for rejecting the Mongols' intention to unite with Yanyun to invade Daliao." proposal."
In the past few months, Yeqi Guanyin had not been interested in worldly affairs and had only focused on being the wife of King Yan. Therefore, she did not know that the Mongols had intended to unite with Yanyun to invade Daliao. Therefore, she was surprised when she suddenly heard what Errondun said and asked He asked: "The Mongols have ever had this idea?" Errondon was a little surprised to see Yedi Guanyin's uninformed look, and then told him what he knew. When Yedi Guanyin heard it, Yang When Peng rejected the Mongolian request for his own reasons, he was so moved that he couldn't control himself. After calming down his thoughts, he nodded and said, "So what happened? Brother, he has never told me about it."
Elondon quickly said: "Presumably King Yan is afraid that your Majesty will be worried." Ye Qi Guanyin smiled softly. Errondon was stunned when he saw Ye Qi Guanyin like this. He had only seen the cold and strong side of Ye Qi Guanyin. He never dared to dream that Ye Qi Guanyin from the Liao Kingdom would actually show such a gentle expression. At this time, Ye Qi Guanyin was still the powerful Ye Qi Guanyin of the Liao Kingdom who was so powerful that the people of Song Dynasty were frightened by the news. She was clearly a beautiful woman who loved her man wholeheartedly. At this moment, Elondon truly felt that the original Yegui Guanyin no longer existed, and the current Yegui Guanyin was just a concubine of King Yan.
Ye Qi Guanyin showed a worried look and said to Elonton: "You just said that the Mongols want to unite with Yanyun to invade Daliao. Although the eldest brother refused, the Mongols will not stop here. What actions are they taking now? ?”
Elonton shook his head, "We haven't found anything yet. But don't worry, princess. The Protector of the Kingdom has led 300,000 soldiers and horses to garrison on Shangjing Road. Even if the Mongols invade, they will definitely not be able to get away!"
Ye Qi Guanyin frowned, "I remember that there are 500,000 troops guarding Shangjing Road all year round. Why are there only 300,000?"
Errondun said: "It's like this. The Empress Dowager sent an order to the Liao Kingdom to concentrate its forces and prepare to counterattack the Japanese entrenched in southern Goryeo. Therefore, out of the 500,000 troops on the Shangjing Road, 200,000 were transferred. Went to the south. My subordinate also had another purpose for this trip, which was to discuss this matter with King Yan. ..." Seeing Ye Qi Guanyin lowering her head in deep thought, she stopped talking.
Ye Qian Guanyin shook her head gently, "How can we raise a large number of troops to fight back against the Japanese at this time? Our army fought with the Yanyun Army before and suffered heavy losses. The national power was greatly depleted. At this moment, we should stop fighting and recuperate. !" He raised his head and glanced at Errondun, and said angrily: "Han Derang and others are all wise and resourceful people, didn't they advise the Empress Dowager?"
Errondun said: "This, I don't know about this!" Yedi Guanyin said angrily: "This is simply random. If the battle goes well, it will be fine, but if it fails, the consequences will be disastrous. !" Elonton said: "Well, it seems that the Japanese are not that difficult to deal with!" Ye Qi Guanyin shook his head, "You have never been in contact with the Japanese, so you don't know! The Japanese are greedy, cruel, and very cunning. How can they be easy to deal with? Gentlemen!! Back then, I led my army to fight fiercely with the Japanese, and I was almost defeated by the Japanese several times! These guys will attack crazily as long as they seize the opportunity. If they are not fully prepared, they are very likely to turn victory into defeat! Now in Daliao The situation in the country is not good, and we should not start a war with such an enemy at this time!"
Elondon disagreed in his heart, but he did not dare to refute Ye Qi Guanyin's words, so he said: "This matter was decided by the Queen Mother, and we and other ministers do not dare to disobey the Queen Mother's will!"
Ye Qi Guanyin sighed, secretly smiled bitterly and said: "I am no longer a princess, why do I still care about so much?" 'Although I thought this way, I still couldn't let it go. Finally, I made a decision in my heart and said to Errondun: "I will write a letter and you can take it back and forward it to the Empress Dowager!" Errondun responded.
Ye Qi Guanyin stood up and walked behind the desk. Na Ren immediately came over to polish the ink. After Ye Qi Guanyin finished grinding the ink, he picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and started writing on the letter paper. Elondon stood waiting below.
After a while, Yedi Guanyin wrote a letter, dried the ink, folded it, put it in an envelope, and handed it to Naren beside her. Naren took the letter, walked downstairs, and handed it into Elondon's hands. Yeqi Guanyin warned: "Give this letter to the Empress Dowager!" "Yes!" Elondon bowed and agreed.
Ye Qi Guanyin walked around the book case and came down, and asked: "I'm afraid you came to see me not just to see me, right?" Elonton said quickly: "The princess is wise! I have taken the liberty to come to see the princess, and I also want to Princess, please talk to King Yan about how we can deal with the Japanese together." Ye Qian Guanyin frowned and said, "With my current position, I can't participate in these things, so I can't help you!" Elondon was very surprised, " Princess……"
Ye Qi Guanyin waved her hand, "You don't need to say any more, I have my principles." Seeing Ye Qi Guanyin's decisive attitude, Elondon did not dare to ask any more. Ye Qi Guanyin looked at the sky outside. Although it was still very noisy and lively outside, it was already very late, so he said to Elondon: "It's getting late now. You can go to see your elder brother tomorrow!" Elondon did the same. With such a plan, he responded and then bowed: "I have been harassing the princess for a long time. If the princess has no instructions, I will leave now!" Yeli Guanyin nodded, "You go ahead." Longton bowed to Yeqi Guanyin again and prepared to leave.
At this moment, the flying phoenix female guard outside the door raised her voice and sang: "The King of Yan is here!" Yeqi Guanyin couldn't help showing surprise, but Errondun was startled when he saw Yeqi Guanyin walking quickly. Going out to greet him, he hesitated for a moment and followed him out.
When I came outside the hall, I saw a tall and heroic young man in casual clothes striding over, accompanied by a female general. It was Yang Peng, King of Yan, who was now frightened by many people. And the female general beside him was Fei. Fengwei female general, Jiang Li.
"Brother! Ye Qi Guanyin sang happily, then ran up and hugged Yang Peng's arm. The two looked at each other and smiled, their deep affection was unspoken. Jiang Libai followed Yang Peng Said: "I have seen the princess! "Ye Qi Guanyin's whole body and mind were on Yang Peng, and she didn't notice her at all. Naturally, there was no response. Ye Qi Guanyin said to Yang Peng with a face full of joy: "I thought the eldest brother wouldn't come over tonight. ! Yang Peng sighed, "How great it would be if you lived in the palace!" Ye Qi Guanyin frowned, "I don't want to stay with those women!" "Yang Peng felt a little helpless. He felt that Ye Di Guanyin was good in everything, but his temper was too stubborn. However, he loved his wife and didn't want to force her, so he let her live in the courtyard outside the palace.
Yang Peng noticed Elondon standing at the foot of the steps and felt a little surprised, "Who is he?" Ye Qi Guanyin glanced at Elondon, "He is the envoy sent by the Liao Kingdom, Elondon. "Erondon hurriedly came forward and paid homage: "Erondon, the envoy of Daliao, has met His Highness King Yan!"
Yang Peng nodded and looked him up and down, "I didn't expect the envoy from the Liao Kingdom to come too." Yeli Guanyin rolled her eyes at Yang Peng, "Don't get me wrong, the reason why he came to see me first was because he wanted me to Let's talk about it in front of eldest brother first, and then he comes to see eldest brother, and things will be easier to handle." Errondon couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed when he saw Ye Qi Guanyin speaking out. Yang Peng said softly to Ye Qi Guanyin: "Brother, I have never doubted you, let alone a misunderstanding!" Ye Qi Guanyin responded with a gentle look.
The two walked into the hall arm in arm, followed by the others. Yang Peng walked up to the top and sat down. Errondun paid a formal visit to Yang Peng, and then said: "On behalf of His Majesty the Empress Dowager and the Queen Mother of our country, I would like to extend my most sincere greetings to King Yan! At the same time, I would like to thank King Yan Reject the Mongolians' righteous deed!" Yang Peng glanced at Yegui Guanyin, who smiled softly. Yang Peng said to Elonton: "You also take me to extend my most sincere greetings to the Queen Mother and the Emperor of your country!"
"Thank you, His Highness King Yan!" Yang Peng asked with a smile: "What did you ask Guanyin for just now?" Errondun said quickly: "I am confused, please forgive me, King Yan!" Yang Peng said with a smile: "You didn't either You don’t have to apologize if you did something wrong. Tell me, what is it?”
"Yes. Yes, it's about the Japanese. The Empress Dowager of our country has decided to use troops against the Japanese. Therefore, in addition to thanking His Highness King Yan, I am here to ask His Highness King Yan to unite with our country to attack the Japanese!"
Yang Peng understood clearly and asked: "Are you going to use troops against the Japanese?" "Yes. The Empress Dowager has issued an edict, and the army and supplies are being assembled. It is expected that a counterattack against the Japanese will be launched around March! Yang Peng frowned and glanced at Errondon, "With all due respect, it is really inappropriate for you to use troops against the Japanese at this moment!"
What happened after all, let’s see what happens next.
