Li Jing's words were simple, but Bai Song could tell that he was delivering an important task.
After this battle, Li Jing may find it difficult to fight again.
Bai Song thought of what Li Jing had said to him before. He would have to take his place in the future. The soldiers who had followed him in battle for decades needed him to lead them.
For a moment, Bai Song felt a heavy weight on his shoulders.
I wonder if what I have done along the way can win the hearts of the military? Can he win the support of those soldiers?
I don’t even know what it will be like to return to the capital after accepting Li Jing’s important task?
Is it a blessing or a curse for myself?
Thinking about this, Bai Song walked out of the side hall where the Tang army was stationed, and saw Fu Yun at the door who had been waiting for a long time.
Seeing Bai Song, King Fuyun asked very respectfully: "General Bai, General Bai..."
"If you have anything to say, just tell me."
Fu Yun looked inside, and after hesitation, he said with a smile: "Um... General Bai, can we talk in another place?"
The inner courtyard of the royal court.
Fu Yun asked for the imperial edict he had just received: "General Bai, the little king is really in a dilemma about the imperial edict. What is the situation in the Tuyuhun Khanate? I believe you have seen it with your own eyes. Can you please convey it to Tian Khan? , these small countries really can’t afford these reparations.”
Bai Song also heard about the terms of the peace negotiation, and he also saw the actual situation of the Tuyuhun Khanate.
Not to mention that they had just experienced a war, even if they had not experienced anything, it would be difficult for the Tuyuhun Khanate to collect two million in compensation.
But this was the enemy after all. On the battlefield, Bai Song saw his men dying in front of him.
Reparations are not just a number, but also a way of comforting all the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country.
Bai Song frowned, thought for a while and said: "I will convey the actual situation, but the figure of two million will definitely not be less. I will also propose to Tian Khan that the two million compensation should be paid within five years. It will be settled within 10 days. And the annual tribute of five times will not be less every year."
"Ah?" Fu Yun looked confused. Even if the settlement was completed within five years, the Tuyuhun Khanate didn't know how to spend these five years.
Not only did the royal family have to cut back on food and clothing, but the herdsmen also had to increase taxes.
They originally thought of expanding and triggering a war because their lives were difficult. Now that the war has not been won, their lives are worse than before.
"What? Is there still a problem with such conditions?" Bai Song snorted coldly, not showing much good looks.
Fu Yun shook his head repeatedly: "Don't dare...it's just...it's just that in the next ten years, I'm afraid the people of the grassland will suffer."
"Don't play a trick in front of me! Are you hurting the grassland people? Is it all caused by me, the Tang Dynasty? This is the price you should pay!"
"But...but..." Fu Yun hesitated, and then said after hesitation, "If this continues, and Xiao Wang has tried every means to collect enough compensation, I'm afraid that the Tuyuhun Khanate will no longer be stable, and if someone happens to Rebellion... Without Xiao Wang, I'm afraid not everyone is willing to accept such regulations, and a new war may break out by then."
Bai Song was right when he thought about it. The wool couldn't be harvested in one go, it had to be recycled.
Bai Song thought for a while, and remembered the future he had realized on the grassland, and said: "Since the Tuyuhun Khanate is very poor now, as the king, you naturally have to find ways to develop your own country."
Fu Yun frowned, obviously not understanding what Bai Song wanted to express.
Bai Song said seriously: "If you can open up business routes to the Tang Dynasty, introduce some production technologies from the Tang Dynasty, and find a direction for the development of the grassland, you may be able to change the current predicament."
The biggest problem of the Tuyuhun Khanate was its remote location and isolation.
Among the surrounding countries, only Datang is the largest country. If you want to seek development, you must border with Datang.
The Tuyuhun Khanate was blocked by a small desert, which became the main reason for the isolation of the Tuyuhun Khanate.
Fu Yun also said: "General, we have also thought about going out, but the desert outside turns many simple things into delusions. If we can't go out, how can we want to seize other people's chassis?"
The desert that Bai Song walked through was indeed very barren and could not be crossed by ordinary people without great perseverance and sufficient food.
But this desert is not very big and can be crossed in only a day and a half.
Thinking about it, Bai Song had a bold idea in his mind. What would happen if the Tang Dynasty and the Tuyuhun Khanate planted trees along the desert border at the same time?
Not to mention changing the desert into woodland, at least controlling the desert and gradually reducing the distance between the two places should not be difficult.
This will be a large project that may last for years, even decades.
But in this remote grassland, it may become an ideal place to verify Bai Song's inner vision.
If everything here was deeply tied to the Tang Dynasty, there might be no more wars, and there would even be no distinctions between nations and national boundaries.
Therefore, Bai Song wanted to give it a try here.
Bai Song hid his idea in his heart, and would think about everything in detail when he returned to Chang'an.
In front of Fu Yun, Bai Song did not show his thoughts. Regarding Fu Yun's worries, he said in a deep voice: "If you can't take care of your territory, I believe it won't be long before my army of the Tang Dynasty will cross the desert and garrison your kingdom." court."
Fu Yun's expression changed, and he no longer took chances.
He had to agree to the first two conditions.
But for the last condition, he really has no choice.
His only son was killed by himself. Where could Fu Yun find a close relative?
"General Bai, my only son is dead. This third condition..."
Bai Song also frowned, he was also worried about this.
The imperial edict has been issued. If we can't take the hostages back, how can we explain to the emperor?
Seeing Bai Song's frown, Fu Yun stepped forward and asked tentatively: "General, Xiao Wang has two other daughters..."
"Daughter..." Bai Song muttered, thinking that women's status in ancient times would not be enough to bring her back.
But it’s better than not taking anything back, right?
After thinking for a while, Bai Song nodded: "Then let's do this."
"Xiao Wang's two daughters have always been regarded as treasures. I beg the general to take good care of them on the way."
"We have to leave early tomorrow morning. Call your two daughters. We won't wait for anyone."
"Yes, yes..." Fu Yun nodded repeatedly, "Xiao Wang wants to send his daughter to marry the Tang Dynasty. He hopes that the two countries can form a permanent alliance. The Tuyuhun Khanate wants to be a vassal of the Tang Dynasty forever."
Bai Song didn't think much about it: "Okay, I will convey your wishes, but whether Tian Khan appreciates it or not is none of my business."
Fu Yun thanked him repeatedly before sending Bai Song away.
As for this matter, everyone's mission in the grassland has come to an end, and everyone is preparing to leave tomorrow.
