After the negotiations began, Song Xiang was still the first to speak, stating the Song State's position that it would not agree to marriage, increase of currency, or cession of territory, but it could send more troops to the Song-Xia border to attract the Xixia army and reduce the pressure of the Liao State to conquer Xia.
In fact, after witnessing the power of Song's firearms, Xiao Xiaoyou, Xiao Guhe, Qiu Hong and others at this time did not have much confidence left to force Song to agree to increase the currency. Rod, what if the Song Dynasty Congress agrees?
Therefore, Song Xiang politely refused on behalf of the Song State, and the three of them were not surprised. On the contrary, Song Xiang proposed to increase the number of troops stationed at the border between Song and Xia, which even surprised the Liao envoys.
Xiao Xiaoyou immediately asked: "The Southern Dynasty...could they also take the opportunity to conquer Xia?"
Song Xiang shook his head and said: "No, it's just to support your country's attack on Xia."
Xiao Xiaoyou and the three of them looked at each other, and then Qiu Hong said with a half-smile but not a smile: "Your country is suddenly so kind, but it makes us a little scared... Privy Song, please tell me the truth, what is your country's intention? Is this the case?" Want to take the opportunity to get a piece of the pie?”
Naturally, Song Xiang would not tell the truth about his real purpose, lest the Liao Kingdom change its mind and cause the Song Dynasty to miss a golden opportunity. So he lied about the excuse that everyone had discussed before and said: "For a share of the pie or something, I, the Song Dynasty, will follow." I never thought about it, but the annual gift of 250,000 silver silk... it would be best to save money."
This explanation was quite reasonable. Xiao Xiaoyou and the other three looked at each other and tentatively believed Song Xiang's words.
Immediately, Qiu Hong thought for a while and said: "In fact, if the Southern Dynasties want to get a share of the pie, they have no choice but to join forces to carve up Xixia."
All Song officials smiled and said nothing.
The Song Dynasty has not even solved the hidden dangers of the Tibetan people in the Fourth Road of Shaanxi, so why are they talking about carving up Xixia with the Liao Kingdom?
If Xixia fell at this time, wouldn't the Song State immediately face pressure from the Liao State?
It's not all out of fear, the key is that the timing is wrong.
When Zhao Yang discussed strategy with Song Xiang and Gao Ruona, they discussed a step-by-step approach to increasing the combat effectiveness of the Song army: first, the weakest, the Tibetan people in the Fourth Route of Shaanxi Province who were unwilling to make households a common people, should be used as enemies. Eliminate the hidden dangers in the crusade against Xixia in advance, and you can also use this steadily victorious war to train your troops. No matter how elite you are, you must at least make the Forbidden Army, which has not participated in the war for a long time, re-understand the war; Xixia, which was inferior to the Song Dynasty, went to war to further train the army.
As for the Liao Kingdom, which was almost the same size as the Song Kingdom, Zhao Yang and others would definitely be put at the end, and only after they had made all preparations would they dare to try to recapture the Yanyun Eighteen States, or even engulf the entire Liao Kingdom.
Therefore, the current carving up of Xixia with the Liao State would bring disadvantages rather than benefits to the Song State.
Song Xiang also knew this very well, shook his head and refused: "The time has not come yet, I am sorry that Song Dynasty cannot agree."
Qiu Hong felt a little regretful and rolled his eyes slightly, but he stopped trying to persuade him. Instead, Xiao Guhe questioned: "Are you thinking that when Daliao invades Xixia, there will be a snipe and clam fight for the fishermen's profit?"
Did your Khitan invade Xixia? If you Khitan really invade Xixia and make Xixia unable to resist, then I, the Song Dynasty, will have to consider how to secretly support Xixia!
Song Xiang glanced at Xiao Guhe and vowed: "My envoy can rest assured that during your country's attack on Xixia, we, the Song Dynasty, will never occupy an inch of Xixia's land."
"This kind of promise is meaningless." Xiao Guhe sneered: "When Daliao defeats Xixia, then Xixia will naturally not dare to disobey you, the Southern Dynasty, and then you, the Southern Dynasty, can cancel the gift of 250,000 years of age, and even return it You can force Xixia to cede territory and offer the city, but isn't this still taking advantage of Daliao?"
He talks a lot to himself, and he can sum it up in one sentence: Yes, but you have to pay more!
"One hundred thousand!"
"..." After glancing at Xiao Guhe, who thought he had seized the opportunity, Song Xiang turned to look at Zhao Yang.
Zhao Yang understood and took over the conversation: "Don't even think about increasing the coins. However, I have another business to discuss with several distinguished envoys."
Seeing Zhao Yang, the "warrior", speak, the expressions of Xiao Xiaoyou, Xiao Guhe, Qiu Hong and others immediately became a little solemn. Xiao Xiaoyou asked cautiously: "I wonder what kind of business this is?"
"Trade between the two countries is about exchanging what they need."
"Mutual market?" Xiao Xiaoyou looked at Zhao Yang with some doubts and asked, "What does Zhao Sijian mean by increasing the amount of money and goods in the market?"
"Yes." Zhao Yang smiled and nodded: "There is no increase in coins by 100,000 yuan every year, but it is still possible to increase the mutual market by 100,000 yuan every year."
Can this be the same?
Xiao Xiaoyou muttered to himself, and then tried again: "But I don't know what your country wants?"
Zhao Yang spread his hands and said, "Cows, sheep, war horses, furs, whatever."
Xiao Xiaoyou didn't respond, but Qiu Hong smiled, shook his head and said: "Although money and silk are good, I don't dare to be an enemy..."
"Enemy?" Zhao Yang said with a strange expression: "I thought the two countries were brothers..."
Qiu Hong raised his eyebrows and said: "We, the Liao Dynasty, regard Song Ting as our brother, but Song Ting does not regard me, the Liao Dynasty, as our brother. ... Since we are a country of brothers, what can we say if your country privately develops firearms?"
"It's just a self-protection technique." Zhao Yang wrote lightly.
Qiu Hong sneered: "Self-protection? I don't believe that your country has developed firearms and never thought of using them against Daliao."
"Well...there's nothing wrong with that, right?"
Qiu Hong was stunned for a moment, then sneered: "Did Zhao Sijian admit it?"
Song Xiang, Pang Ji and others were shocked to see that Zhao Yang did not refute, and were about to open their mouths to smooth things over, when they saw Zhao Yang smiling and saying: "I, the Song Dynasty, inherited the system of the Han and Tang Dynasties, and was orthodox in China. I am determined to restore the territory of the old dynasty. What is my fault? "
Qiu Hong said displeased: "We, the Liao Dynasty, inherited the system of the Han and Tang Dynasties, and are the orthodox Chinese people!"
"Of course." Zhao Yang nodded with a smile and said: "We in China have always said that 'the princes use the barbarian rituals to conquer the barbarians, and the barbarians to invade China will be conquered by the Chinese'. Therefore, although most of your country is Khitan, you still admire the culture of the Central Plains. Naturally, It’s also considered orthodox.”
Xiao Xiaoyou was stunned and asked in surprise: "Does your country agree to be called the Southern and Northern Dynasties together with me, the Liao Dynasty?"
Before he finished speaking, Song Xiang, Pang Ji, Gao Ruona and others frowned. He Tan, Chen Xu, Zhang Zexing and other censors sitting behind Zhao Yang even said: "Zhao Sijian, you must not …”
Zhao Yang did not respond to everyone, shook his head and said: "Of course not. Since the Qin Dynasty unified the six countries, all dynasties have pursued the theory of 'great unification'. Since then, there has been only one country in this land that can be called China. Carrying forward the past and linking up the future, it benefits the world. If the Song and Liao countries were called the Southern and Northern Dynasties, how could they have the dignity to call themselves Chinese orthodox?"
All the Liao envoys showed surprise, and then Qiu Hong frowned and asked: "Zhao Sijian's words...can it be understood that there will be a war between Liao and Song?"
"Yes!" Zhao Yang nodded and said: "However, the battle between Song and Liao is not necessarily a life-and-death battle. In my opinion, it is more like brothers fighting for the status of legitimate concubines... As long as the winner is determined, there is no need to fight against each other. Is this a sure thing? If your country declines one day, I will definitely petition the officials to honor the Lord of Liao as the King of Anle. He and his children and grandchildren will enjoy wealth and glory for generations. All ministers of the Liao Kingdom will also be treated as honored guests and are willing to serve our court. Those who are willing to serve will become officials, and those who are unwilling will be allowed to live in prosperity for generations to come."
As soon as these words came out, there was a long silence in the room until Xiao Guhe broke it angrily: "If the Southern Dynasty declines in the future, I will definitely petition my lord to honor the Lord of Song Dynasty as the King of Anle, so that he and his children and grandchildren can enjoy wealth and wealth for generations." Glory! Your ministers from the Southern Dynasty will all be treated as honored guests during the introduction. Those who are willing to serve our dynasty will serve as officials. Those who are not willing to do so may be rich in the Liao Dynasty for generations to come!"
"Okay, why not?" Zhao Yang spread his hands and smiled.
Seeing that Zhao Yang was still smiling calmly, the anger on Xiao Guhe's face froze and he looked at Zhao Yang with uncertainty.
Xiao Xiaoyou, Qiu Hong, and a dozen envoys from the Liao Kingdom behind them also looked at each other, not knowing what to say.
After a long time, Xiao Xiaoyou said with a bit of amazement: "Zhao Sijian's words made Xiao...at a loss."
Zhao Yang smiled and said: "I don't expect you to accept it immediately. You can report it to the Lord of Liao after you return home and discuss it in detail."
All the Liao envoys nodded and looked at Zhao Yang with complicated eyes.
At this time, Song Xiang coughed and said: "Your Majesty, Zhao Sijian, how about we discuss the mutual market first?"
"That's right." Zhao Yang nodded, as if he had not been rejected by the Liao envoy, and explained the trade items again: "As I said before, cattle, sheep, war horses, and furs are all acceptable."
Compared with Qiu Hong's refusal with a sneer before, Xiao Xiaoyou and the others were obviously hesitant at this time. Apparently, Zhao Yang's words just now played a certain role.
After a while, Xiao Xiaoyou shook his head and said: "I dare not agree to war horses and cattle, but sheep... are fine, and so are their fur and meat."
Zhao Yang smiled and said: "I'm not looking for a war horse, but a carrying horse, as long as it can bear the load."
Xiao Xiaoyou glanced at Zhao Yang with some surprise and hesitated: "Even so, I'm afraid it will be difficult..."
As he said that, he suddenly asked Zhao Yang: "What Zhao Sijian said just now... I wonder if the Lord of Song Dynasty agrees with it? What Xiao is referring to is the sentence 'The conflict between Song and Liao is just an internal feud between brothers, and we have to live and die for you.'"
"Of course." Zhao Yang thought that the officials had no reason to object. He glanced at Xiao Guhe and joked: "I have even found a retreat for the officials in case the Song Dynasty declines. Why should the officials object? "
These words made the officials of Song and Liao change their expressions slightly, secretly thinking that this guy was too bold to even say this.
However, Zhao Yang's statement also dispelled the last hesitation in Xiao Xiaoyou's heart. He said sternly: "There is no basis for what you say. If it can be written in the credential and an alliance is concluded, I will be sure to persuade my lord to sell the packhorse to your country. But I don’t know how much your country needs?”
Zhao Yang spread his hands and said: "The more the better, ten thousand is never too little, and one million is never too much."
million?
A group of Liao envoys took a breath of air and started talking among themselves, seemingly calculating the amount of the transaction.
Xiao Xiaoyou was also shocked and asked tentatively: "The price... fifty taels per horse?"
Zhao Yang was happy and turned to look at Gao Ruona. Gao Ruona shook his head and said, "I have thirty guans per horse in the Song Dynasty Horse Market, fifty liang... I can buy two horses and still have several guans left over."
"But your country is short of horses, isn't it?" Xiao Guhe said proudly.
When Gao Ruona was at a loss for words, Zhao Yang shook his head and said: "I see that your envoy is tall and tall. He must be a brave man. He is not good at business. If one party is too tight in business matters, the other party will not be able to take advantage at all. Then this business is destined to fail... I know that your country has a vast territory and is overflowing with cattle, sheep and war horses, but who else in the world, except me, the Song Dynasty, can negotiate with your country for the sale of millions of horses? Your Majesty, please don't It's a small thing to lose a big thing."
Xiao Xiaoyou and the others looked at each other, then glanced at Song Xiang, Pang Ji and others and said, "You can set a price."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Yang raised two fingers: "Twenty strings."
Xiao Xiaoyou and other Liao envoys looked in disbelief: Why do you have the nerve to say it?
"Absolutely impossible!" Xiao Xiaoyou shook his head and then said a number: "At least forty strings."
"It's too expensive." Zhao Yang shook his head and said: "Twenty-five guan. ... A year's transaction of 10,000 pieces is 250,000 guan, nearly 200,000 silver silk, and it is like this every year. Please don't be greedy for small things. big."
With such a huge amount, all the Liao envoys could not help but swallow their saliva.
But then Xiao Xiaoyou shook his head again: "Twenty-five guan is too cheap, thirty-five guan."
"No, just twenty-five horses." Zhao Yang refused to let go of the price, and at the same time said seductively: "Actually, when I said ten thousand horses were delivered every year, I was referring to your country's trading volume. If your country delivers two thousand horses every year, Ten thousand horses, even the Song Dynasty, can eat it, which is 500,000 guan a year... If it is 50,000 horses a year, that is 1.25 million guan a year..."
"Thirty-four!"
Zhao Yang shook his head: "Twenty-five strings and five hundred coins."
"That's too mean. Let's lower it to another level, thirty-three..."
"Twenty-six strikes, this is also my bottom line."
Later, Zhao Yang and the envoys from Liao had a dispute over the price of horses.
In fact, Zhao Yang had exceeded his authority at this time. After all, his and the Privy Council's duties were only to persuade the Liao envoy to agree to trade horses. As for the price, Ye Qingchen, the third envoy, had discussed with the Liao envoy, but Zhao Yang killed twenty people in one bite. Liu Guan and one horse, so Song Xiang, Pang Ji and others did not stop him.
In the end, Xiao Xiaoyou had no choice but to lower the price to thirty-one horses per horse: "Thirty-one horses, it is impossible to lower it any more... I traveled thousands of miles to transport the war horses to your country, but I will never sell them for a higher price than your country." Still cheap, right?”
However, Zhao Yang shook his head and said: "It must be twenty-six times, otherwise this business will not last long."
Xiao Guhe couldn't understand and angrily shouted: "What kind of fallacy is this?"
Zhao Yang was not angry, and patiently explained: "I said before that the number of horses delivered must be millions. This is not an exaggeration, but your envoys should have guessed that with such a huge amount, our imperial court may not have the financial resources to swallow it all. , more are still flowing into the people, then the question arises, if more than ten or two hundred thousand Liao horses flow into our Song Dynasty, can the horse market in our Song Dynasty still maintain at thirty horses per horse? Impossible, right? Ruojie At that time, the horse market dropped to 26 guans a horse. I spent 30 guans to buy horses from your country, but in the end they were sold to the public for 26 guans. How can this business last for a long time? "
"This..." Xiao Guhe was stopped by the question.
Xiao Xiaoyou and Qiu Hong were unable to refute.
Compared with all the Liao envoys who were left speechless by Zhao Yang, Song Xiang, Pang Ji and others were greatly surprised. They were surprised that Zhao Yang had thought so carefully.
"But... twenty-six strings is too low and really unacceptable..." Xiao Xiaoyou shook his head.
"Then... twenty-six strings and one hundred coins?"
"..."
When the negotiations reached a deadlock, Ye Qingchen, the third envoy, came after hearing the news. He was a little unhappy when he saw that Zhao Yang had exceeded his authority to discuss the price of pack horses with the Liao envoy. However, when he learned that Zhao Yang had actually kept the price at 2 When the sixteenth pass and one hundred verses were passed, he was immediately secretly delighted.
Although he was secretly happy, he no longer blamed Zhao Yang for overstepping his authority, and continued to discuss with the Liao envoy. They spent a hundred or even dozens of bahts, and spent nearly an hour before finally setting the price. Twenty-seven strings, five hundred coins each.
Just when Ye Qingchen wanted to go to the palace immediately to report the results to the officials, Zhao Yang still felt that he was at a loss, so he simply made another request: "If you want twenty-seven pennies and five hundred pennies, you have to give a lamb."
Xiao Xiaoyou and others were so excited that they almost vomited blood when they heard this.
It’s not that lambs are expensive. Even though a 20-pound lamb was sold for two or three guan in Bianjing, it was only five hundred coins in Shaanxi Road in the Song Dynasty. It was even cheaper in the Liao Kingdom. It was converted into the same price in the Song Dynasty. The copper coins were only about 200 wen, not to mention getting a lamb for a horse, which was more than the sheep that froze to death every winter in the Liao Kingdom. They were angry that Zhao Yang was so "greedy" at such a young age.
Finally, after Xiao Xiaoyou and other Liao envoys agreed to buy two horses and give one lamb as a gift, the two parties reached a mutual trading amount of at least 10,000 horses per year, equivalent to 275,000 guan.
This was also the first time that the Liao State promised to sell large quantities of horses to the Song State, although they were only middle- and lower-class draft horses.
