strictlysupreme Chapter 182 Returning to Beijing
Chapter 182 Returning to Beijing
Everyone only saw that Emperor Jing's brows relaxed after Eunuch Deng finished speaking.
"Your Majesty, there's a letter from Ning'an Marquis."
Shen Tang seldom wrote to Emperor Jing, but every letter was of vital importance.
No wonder Emperor Jing was so happy.
"Present it quickly."
The change in Emperor Jing's attitude naturally did not escape the attention of the others in the hall.
When Shen Tang's letter was opened, Emperor Jing's expression gradually changed from happy to nervous.
The letter was very simple. Shen Tang first reported on the status of spring planting and cotton cultivation in Jiangnan, and then briefly asked about the envoy from Beidi.
Shen Tang did not mention anything about the army.
But there is a sentence in the letter: Those who are not of my race must have different hearts.
The appearance of the Beidi people is also completely different from that of the Daqi people, with different eyes and different colors.
Shen Tang knew that the national strength of Da Qi would be greatly improved after he grew Qianjin rice and cotton.
But this is not a reason for the Great Qi to demonstrate its so-called great power and provide food and other resources to the Northern Di.
Throughout the history of Da Qi, when it won a battle, the enemy asked for peace and Da Qi provided resources.
After the defeat, Da Qi asked for peace and even contributed a lot of resources.
Just like this time, it was obvious that Da Qi was the winner, but many court officials were used to the fact that as long as the other party admitted their mistakes, they would be forgiven.
Shen Tang wrote to express that she did not approve of this behavior.
Emperor Jing was unwilling to do so in the first place, and after reading Shen Tang's letter, he felt that it was not right.
"My dear ministers, I have received a letter from the Marquis of Ning'an. Would you like to know what he said in the letter?"
The court officials heard Emperor Jing asking this question while sitting on the dragon throne.
The general spoke quickly:
"Your Majesty, I wonder what the Ning'an Marquis said in the letter?"
For the soldiers at the border, Marquis Ning'an is like a great benefactor who comes to their aid in times of need, and he is also the key to victory in this war.
No matter how other people view Shen Tang, at least in the eyes of these border generals, Shen Tang must be a person who has made great contributions to the country and a person who has done them a great favor.
"Marquis Ning'an said that those who are not of our race must have different hearts. Since you are here to seek peace, we must test their sincerity."
"Your Majesty, what Ning Anhou said is not without reason. If the Northern Di are unwilling, then we can fight them again!"
"That's right, we must get some good things from the Northern Di people!"
Where there are supporters, there are also opponents.
"Your Majesty, Da Qi is a great nation. If the other smaller nations knew that we were treating requests for peace in this way, it would inevitably damage the dignity of Da Qi."
"Yes, Your Majesty, the Great Qi must win over the people with virtue and influence them. If we treat the Northern Di people well, they will naturally think that the Great Qi is tolerant and generous."
Those who say these things are all pedantic intellectuals.
"Be magnanimous, you people who only know how to talk, if you have the guts, go to the border and kill the enemy!"
"Aren't those people killed by the Northern Di people at the border our people?"
"Can magnanimity bring back so many displaced people?"
......
In the court, the east wind always prevails over the west wind among civil officials and military generals.
Now that they have won the battle, the military generals are becoming arrogant, and the civil officials naturally want to suppress their arrogance.
Seeing that the two sides were about to quarrel again, Emperor Jing slowly spoke.
"Don't worry, my lords. Ning Anhou also said that if we want to treat the Northern Di people well, we can find a way."
Emperor Jing looked around at his ministers and found that both sides looked a little nervous.
"Minister Shen said that the Great Qi had been at war for years and the treasury was running low. He advocated for the idea that whoever advocated would be supported.
In simple terms, whoever proposes to treat the Northern Di people well will pay for their kindness."
Emperor Jingdi looked at his supporters and his expression changed, then he quickly said something.
"I think what Ning'an Hou said is very reasonable. My dear ministers are all my loyal subjects. Why don't you tell me how much you are willing to contribute? Let the Ministry of Revenue do the calculation, and I will definitely reward you handsomely."
Sure enough, as soon as these words were spoken, all the people in the Ministry of Rites who had requested for kind treatment stopped arguing.
The generals were even more enthusiastic and pressed forward step by step.
The Northern Di envoys did not know that what greeted them was not the previous enthusiasm, but a lot of compensation.
The envoy sent to Da Qi was Keda, the youngest and most beloved son of the King of Beidi.
"If we take the initiative to seek peace, Da Qi will surely be happier. I'm sure Da Qi will satisfy our request."
"Your Highness is right. Da Qi has been trying to negotiate peace with Bei Di before. Now that we have taken the initiative, I believe the compensation we will give will be greater."
"I heard that the people of Da Qi have no shortage of food these days. If that's the case, why not have Da Qi send us food every year from now on?
I also heard that the cotton will be delivered to us every year.”
"That's what the prince said."
After all, Da Qi was famous for being easy to talk to, and any tribe or small country that negotiated peace would return with a lot of money.
The King of Beidi wanted Keda to be his successor, so he asked Keda to go on a diplomatic mission to Daqi.
“How much time do we have left to reach the capital?
"It's almost there. We'll reach the capital in a few days."
......
It is said that when Liu Wendong received the letter from his wife, the war between Da Qi and Bei Di was at its most intense.
According to his wife's letter, Ning'an Hou looks somewhat similar to his son and himself. Although there are many people who look alike in the world, Liu Wendong has been searching for his sister for so many years without success. How can he not be excited when he suddenly finds someone who looks similar to him?
Although Ning'an Hou is young, we should still meet him first, right?
"Dad, brother, are you back?"
Liu Xun was very happy to see Liu Wendong and Liu Heng.
Liu Wendong looked at his daughter and felt very relieved.
It was worth it that he left his daughter and wife in the capital, as he finally looked a bit like a girl.
After the father and son had washed and refreshed themselves, Liu hosted a welcome dinner for them.
"Dad, tell me how the war is going!"
Liu Wendong hadn't seen his daughter for several years, so he was naturally willing to say:
"These Northern Di people have always been treacherous and cunning...
If it weren’t for the quilt and the cotton-padded jacket this winter, we might not have won.”
"Dad, you also think Ning Anhou is powerful, right?"
Liu Wendong nodded, and Liu Heng spoke:
"Sister, the story of Ning'an Hou has spread all over the border, and many soldiers want to meet him!"
Liu Xun was naturally happy to hear that his beloved father also recognized Shen Tang.
"You girl, Ning Anhou is so powerful, why are you so happy?"
"Master, this matter is also my negligence. I forgot to tell you because I was afraid you would worry. Ah Xun is now a good friend of Ning An Hou. This girl even followed Ning An Hou to Jiangnan and returned only a few days earlier than you!"
Liu Xun looked proud.
Liu Wendong looked at his daughter's smug expression and met Mrs. Liu's gaze.
As expected of a couple of years, they thought of the same thing instantly.
"Xun'er, why don't you tell us about Jiangnan? And also about the Ning'an Marquis's family. If they could raise someone like Ning'an Marquis, they must be a very good family."