Ying Zheng took Sorin and Qiang Yu into the palace.
As soon as he entered the meeting hall, he saw Wu Chan wearing royal clothes and sitting on the king's chair. Sitting beside him was a man wearing foreign clothes, saying something to Wu Chan.
Seeing that Ying Zheng was back, Wu Chan stood up and said, "You are back."
Ying Zheng smiled and nodded, and said, "Well, I have a gift for you."
Before Wu Chan could speak, he saw the foreigner next to him stood up, saluted Ying Zheng and said, "So this is the King of Qin. Wei Chilin, the envoy from Khotan, is here to pay homage to the King of Qin."
This Yuchilin spoke Chinese, and his accent was very similar to Jingjue. It was expected that he was an envoy from the Khotan Kingdom who was responsible for communicating with Jingjue.
Ying Zheng was shocked. He didn't expect that this foreigner was actually an envoy from Khotan. He immediately returned the greeting and said, "It turns out he is an envoy from Khotan. Since Lord Yuchi has something to discuss with Queen Jingjue, I won't interrupt him for now."
The two countries in the Western Regions were discussing government affairs. As the king of Qin, it was of course not convenient for me to sit in and listen.
Wu Chan smiled and said: "Master Yuchi came to see you. He has been here for more than ten days. He heard that we were back, so he hurriedly came to see me and said that he wanted to pay homage to the King of Qin."
Ying Zheng was puzzled. Khotan had never had anything to do with the Qin Dynasty, so how could he suddenly send an envoy to Jingjue to see him? Could it be that Khotan knew about his marriage to Wu Chan?
Just as he was thinking about it, he heard Yuchilin say: "I heard that the King of Qin and Jingjue have concluded a trade treaty. Loulan and Qiemo along the way have benefited. Although Khotan does not take advantage of the geographical location, it is also a good place for Chinese goods. He thought highly of it, so my king sent foreign ministers to discuss the matter with King Qin."
Ying Zheng immediately understood the purpose of Yuchilin's visit. It turned out that Khotan saw that neighboring countries had established trade with the Qin Dynasty, and he also wanted to get a piece of the pie.
"Hahaha, that's easy to say. Lord Yuchi, please take a seat." Ying Zheng smiled and gave up his seat, acting like a master.
After sitting down, Yuchilin exchanged a few more pleasantries before turning to the topic and said: "China is rich in silk and tea. Foreign ministers have seen these goods, and Khotan is rich in beautiful jade, which can also be exchanged with the King of Qin. "
Wu Chan nodded and said to Ying Zheng: "Yes, Khotan is rich in Hetian jade, which is the envy of all the countries in the Western Regions."
Ying Zheng was slightly startled and said, "Oh? I heard that the Western Regions are rich in jade, but I didn't know that it was in Khotan."
Yuchilin laughed and said: "In the early years, there was a piece of beautiful jade in our country. It is said that it was spread to China. It was called He's Bi. King Qin must have heard of it."
After saying this, Yuchilin secretly glanced at Ying Zheng and observed his expression secretly.
Ying Zheng's heart tightened, thinking that He's Bi was closely related to his ancestors, how could he not know it, but he remained calm on the surface, nodded, and said: "He's Bi is a priceless jade, and no one knows its name. , but I didn’t expect it to be a product of your country?”
Yuchi Lin nodded and continued: "More than a hundred years ago, the original stone of He's Bi was excavated in Hotan. After it was broken open, it was divided into two parts. One of them was polished into He's Bi. Because of its origin, It is located in Hotan, so it is called He's Bi."
Ying Zheng looked at Wu Chan and saw that she was listening intently, so he also concentrated on looking at Yuchilin.
"Later, Loulan took advantage of the internal turmoil in Khotan and sent troops to attack." Yuchilin continued, "Seeing their menacing attack, our ancestors sent envoys to the Huns and asked the Hun king to send troops to attack Loulan and attack me in Khotan from both sides. .”
"Although the Xiongnu promised to send troops, they also wanted some benefits. As a token of sincerity, my late king gave the Heshi Bi to the King of the Xiongnu."
"Loulan saw that the situation was not good, so he withdrew his troops and confronted the Xiongnu. This led to the creation of today's Yumen Pass, which formed the current boundary between the Xiongnu and the Western Regions."
"Later, I heard that the Xiongnu went to war with the State of Zhao, but I didn't know how the Heshi Bi fell into the hands of the State of Zhao."
After hearing this, Ying Zheng had roughly understood the causes and consequences of the He's Bi, so he said: "I didn't expect that the He's Bi had such a connection. No wonder Lin Xiangru of the Zhao State did not hesitate to offend the Qin Dynasty and tried his best to protect the He's Bi back home. When it comes to Zhao, it seems that Zhao may have borrowed it from the Xiongnu."
Wu Chan blinked his eyes and asked, "Why, is He's Bi still related to Da Qin?"
Ying Zheng nodded, and then told Wu Chan the story of returning the jade to Zhao in general.
Yuchi Lin was also slightly surprised. Apparently he didn't know about the competition between Qin and Zhao for He's Bi.
"What happened next? Where is He's Bi now?" Wu Chan asked.
Ying Zheng said: "Later, it was said that the He's Bi was missing, so I guessed that it was Zhao who borrowed the He's Bi and showed it off to the Qin Dynasty. After Lin Xiangru took it back, it was probably taken away by him again. Return to the Huns."
Wu Chan chuckled and said: "Maybe King Zhao was reluctant to exchange the city for that beautiful jade, so he returned it."
"What a pity." Ying Zheng sighed softly and said to Wu Chan, "The He clan's jade was not able to stay in Qin back then, otherwise I would definitely give that beautiful jade to you."
"How can that be done?" Wu Chan refused, but a hint of red appeared on his cheeks. He turned his head to the side and secretly rejoiced.
Seeing that the time had come, Yuchilin laughed and said, "Since the King of Qin has this intention, Khotan is also willing to be beautiful as a man."
"Oh?" Ying Zheng asked, "What do you mean, Master Yuchi?"
Yuchilin still smiled and said: "Didn't I just say that the Heshi Bi was originally cut in two, and one half was given to the Xiongnu. The other half is naturally still stored in Khotan."
Ying Zheng frowned and asked, "So, there is still a piece of He's Bi in Khotan?"
"Exactly." Yuchilin nodded and said, "After listening to the story of King Qin's return of the perfect jade to Zhao just now, I now know that Qin and Zhao were competing for jade, and King Qin failed to do so. Indeed, It’s a pity.”
"If this regret can be made up for in the hands of the current King of Qin, then Khotan is also willing to hand over another piece of Heshi Bi in his hand."
Although Yuchi Lin's words were beautiful, Ying Zheng knew very well that Khotan must have some purpose.
"As the saying goes: No reward will be given without merit." Ying Zheng smiled and said, "This Heshi Bi is a world treasure. I don't dare to accept it in vain. If Lord Yuchi has any requirements, you might as well make it clear."
Yuchilin laughed and said, "Didn't the foreign minister say that now that the Qin Dynasty is trading with the Western Regions, Khotan also wants to join in the fun. The people in Khotan have a peaceful nature, unlike the Xiongnu who have to change several cities."
Ying Zheng also smiled and said: "This is the best. Da Qin and Khotan are too far apart. Even if you want to exchange several cities, I'm afraid you will be unable to do so."
Although he said this, Ying Zheng still looked at Wu Chan subconsciously, as if he was making plans for Jingjue City.
Yuchilin stood up, took out a wooden box from his arms, raised it respectfully in front of Ying Zheng, and said: "There is a Hetian jade tablet inside, which is a piece of my king's heart. Please The King of Qin has seen it."
Ying Zheng took the box and said, "It's time to ask King Khotan to worry about it."
After opening the box, a refreshing light green light came into view.
Ying Zheng picked up the jade in the box and saw that the beautiful jade was crystal clear, warm and elegant. It was a long, square shape, similar to a reduced square brick.
After observing for a while, Ying Zheng handed the beautiful jade to Wu Chan.
I heard Yuchi Lin explain from the side: "Back then, the He's Bi was divided into two parts. One side was in the shape of a disk, and the other side was in the shape of a square brick. The jade plaque now is the other part of the He's Bi. The reduced mold is carved from ordinary jade.”
Ying Zheng asked curiously: "What is the actual size of the other half of He's Bi?"
Yuchilin gestured with his hands and said: "It is similar in shape to square bricks, about the same size, and the color is crisper and tenderer than the jade plaque in front of me."
Wu Chan fiddled with the jade plaque in his hand and said in a loving tone: "This little jade plaque is already very gorgeous. I think the other half of the He's Bi will be even more beautiful."
Yuchilin said respectfully: "King Jingjue, please forgive me. My king attaches great importance to that treasure, but he has never let it leave the palace. Otherwise, the foreign minister will definitely let the two monarchs take a look."
Ying Zheng secretly laughed in his heart. The purpose of what Yuchi Lin said was to highlight the preciousness of the Heshi Bi. But the more this happened, the more it showed that the King of Khotan was eager to make a deal with him. After all, the Hetian world was rich in beautiful jade, so it might not be so. If you can't find anything better than He's Bi, it doesn't matter if you give up a piece.
Having made a plan in his mind, Ying Zheng pretended to be indifferent and said lazily: "I am not very interested in this Heshi Bi. If I get it, I will give it to Queen Wuchan. I will go back to Xianyang tomorrow. When I was preparing the goods, I must not have been lucky enough to see that piece of beautiful jade in person.”
Seeing Yuchi Lin's eyes twinkling, Ying Zheng continued: "If Great Qin can trade with Khotan, it will be of great benefit to both countries. Of course I agree with this, but when it comes to how much it costs to buy this jade, it still has to be Follow the rules of the Western Region."
He rolled his eyes and then said: "Let's do this. I will bring all the food, cattle, sheep, silk, tea and other items, and Master Yuchi will also get the jade. As for how to trade, you and Queen Wuchan will decide , I will not participate."
"If the deal goes through, the Heshi Bi will be my gift to Queen Wuchan. If the deal doesn't go through, then those goods will also be my gift to Jingjue."
Wu Chan just wanted to say: How can that be done?
But then I thought about it, Ying Zheng said that it should be done according to the rules of the Western Region. It was obvious that he did not want to suffer a loss on the price, and he left the negotiation to himself, which was also quite protective, so he did not speak.
Yuchilin saw that Wu Chan had obviously acquiesced, so he had no choice but to agree. He also felt that this deal would be safer if done with Jingjue.
After a few more polite words, Yuchilin stood up and left, returning to Khotan to resume his duties.
When Yuchi Lin was far away, Ying Zheng asked Wu Chan to put away the jade token, took her hand and came outside the hall.
Wu Chan was about to ask, but suddenly a red figure came into view. He couldn't help but trembled all over, and murmured: "Feng, Maple Leaf?"
Ying Zheng smiled at the side and said, "Maple Leaf is currently raising fat in Xianyang. This one was just brought back by King Qiemo."
Wu Chan walked quickly to the red horse, slowly stretched out his fingers, and gently stroked the red horse's neck.
The red horse moved a step to the side, obviously not yet familiar with Wu Chan.
"This red horse is given to you. Let it replace Maple Leaf. You can train it for a few days and we will become familiar with it." Ying Zheng said.
"Okay!" Wu Chan happily took the reins and said, "Then I'll give it a name, let's call it Red Fox."
