Chen Qing left a rather special order before the expedition to Xixia. Major military and political decisions must seek the opinion of the Xuanfu envoy's wife, which means that the signature of his wife Lu Xiu must be obtained.
This is not surprising. Lu Xiu and Chen Qing have a community of interests. Chen Qing's interests are Lu Xiu's interests. In fact, from a legal perspective, Lu Xiu's participation in decision-making is somewhat like the Queen Mother's visit to the court.
There is also a third reason. Lu Xiu will definitely discuss it with Zhao Qiaoyun. Chen Qing actually wants Zhao Qiaoyun to participate in the decision-making, but he must not bypass his wife.
So far, Lu Xiu has signed three major decisions. One is to transfer 200,000 shi of grain and 100,000 guan of money to Hanzhong to settle the families of 8,000 Hanzhong soldiers;
The second is to formally abolish the inter-frame tax, that is, the property tax, in Sichuan states and counties, which Chen Qing has long requested to abolish;
The third is to pay 400,000 yuan to buy from Zhang Jun the 300 cargo ships that Liu Guangshi had captured. This was a decision made just a few days ago.
In the morning, Lu Xiu was talking to Zhao Qiaoyun in the living room. She was a little worried and said: "Manager Zhou said that Zhang Jun could bargain and lower the price of the boat to 300,000 yuan. We almost didn't bargain and agreed to buy it directly. Yes
Isn’t it a little thoughtless?”
Zhao Qiaoyun held out her belly and tried to make herself more comfortable. She smiled slightly and said: "Sister, don't worry, the ship is not an ordinary cargo. In the words of officials, it is a strategic asset. If you encounter it, you must avoid it."
Don't hesitate to buy them. Besides, these cargo ships are all large ships worth two to three thousand dan. It is said that they are all 70 to 80% new. The normal selling price is at least 5,000 guan each. This is because Zhang Jun sells the trophies privately, so it is so cheap.
Moreover, he wants silver, and only we can afford it. If we haggle over the price, it will take at least a month, and Zhang Jun will not dare to sell because of long nights and dreams, and this rare opportunity will be lost in vain."
Lu Xiu nodded, "I am also afraid of losing the opportunity, so I agreed to spend 80,000 taels of silver to purchase these cargo ships. I hope our decision is not wrong."
At this time, a maid came in and bowed, "Madam, Chief Jiang has something urgent to see you."
"I guess there is something important again."
Lu Xiu stood up and said with a smile: "If you are inconvenienced, don't go. I'll ask Yu Ying and Yu Lian to accompany me!"
Lu Xiu called the Yu sisters and, accompanied by a large group of maids and maids, went to the guest hall in the atrium.
Jiang Yanxian was waiting in the guest room. At this time, there was a sound of ringing, and a large number of servants came in surrounded by his wife Lu Xiu. Jiang Yanxian quickly stood up and saluted, "I'm sorry to disturb my wife's rest!"
"No need to be polite, Jiang Changshi, please sit down!"
Jiang Yan sat down first, and Lu Xiu also sat down on the main seat. The Yu sisters stood behind her, and behind them stood a group of maids. A maid came in to change the tea.
Jiang Yanxian smiled and said: "To make a long story short, the special envoy of the imperial court Zhe Yan came yesterday. He was appointed as Privy Councilor and Tongzhi. He came to Beijing this time for three things. First, to negotiate to participate in the Xixia war; second, the Western Army was in Shaanxi
Peking University defeated the Jin army, and the imperial court wanted to commend the Xuanfu envoy, and wanted to ask the Xuanfu envoy his personal thoughts; thirdly, the imperial court wanted to take Wanyan Helisha and Wanyan Qi to Lin'an, and the imperial court would come forward to negotiate with the Jin Kingdom.
, Of course, the imperial court will give us a certain amount of compensation. We have had a preliminary discussion this morning. I would like to hear your opinion, Madam."
Lu Xiu nodded, "Envoy Xuanfu told me about this before setting off. If Jiang Changshi asks about it, he asked me to convey his opinions to Jiang Changshi on his behalf."
Jiang Yanxian perked up. He knew that the Xuanfu envoy must have an explanation, and he quickly said: "Madam, please tell me!"
"Xuanfu agreed to the third point and handed over two nobles of the Jin Kingdom to the court, including the victory of Northern Shaanxi. Xuanfu only had three requirements. First, he promoted generals and handed over the list to the Ministry of Personnel, asking the officials to
The Ministry of Education must approve it as soon as possible; secondly, the 110 Jinshi in the Sichuan-Shaanxi imperial examination this time require the imperial court to grant them the same background as Jinshi; thirdly, regarding his own identity, he hopes that the imperial court will grant him the title of king."
After a pause, Lu Xiu added: "Xuanfu also specifically said that after the Western Xia War, he would be granted the title of Prince Fengxiang regardless of whether the imperial court agreed or not, but he hoped that the imperial court would grant him the title. I remember it very clearly.
.”
Jiang Yan first smiled bitterly, Xuan Fushi really spoke straightforwardly, but he still had to be a little more reserved with the last sentence.
He hurriedly said: "I understand my humble position. One more thing is that regarding the imperial court's participation in the Xixia War, the imperial court has made it clear that it is unwilling to send troops and is willing to provide part of the money and food. The imperial court has proposed an army of 500,000 dan and a military salary of 1 million guan, or it can pay for a
Please let Madam decide on Yue’s military salary.”
"Let Qiaoyun and I discuss this! Write a note to Chang Shi later."
"I understand, I will not disturb my wife anymore. Take my leave!"
Jiang Yan bowed first and left in a hurry.
Lu Xiu returned to the back house again, and Zhao Qiaoyun was still waiting for her!
"Jiang Changshi left so soon?"
"Well! He always keeps his stories short and not long-winded, but he left me another question for you to analyze."
Lu Xiu explained the court's negotiation terms, and Zhao Qiaoyun sneered and said: "The court is really good at settling accounts. Five hundred thousand shi of food is just fine. The key is one million soldiers' salary. The eldest sister knows about this attack on Xixia."
What are the expenses?”
"I don't know, tell me!"
"Let me calculate this account, let's talk about the military salary first. When a war starts, it is usually double salary. Two hundred and fifty thousand troops are sent. The double salary is six guan, which is 1.5 million guan a month. It is planned to last half a year. Of course, there are also
There will be an armistice. Even if there are three months of double pay and three single pay, the total will be 6.7 million military pay.
After winning a battle, you will be rewarded at the end, which is usually money plus land. The two items are considered to be ten guan of money! Another 2.5 million guan. Those who are killed in battle will be compensated, and those who are injured and discharged will be resettled. I don’t know how many casualties there will be, but the pension for those killed in battle will be
It's fifty guan of money plus twenty acres of land, and the injury is 30 guan of money plus ten acres of land. Let's count this piece as 500,000 guan!
The above is just the money paid to the soldiers, which is nearly 10 million guan. There are also millions of dan of food, weapons, armor, kerosene, gunpowder, tents, flags, war drums, and siege weapons. We have saved these supplies.
how much did you spend?
There is also a big head. The soldiers can't just eat grains, but also mutton and dishes. Two hundred and fifty thousand soldiers, how much do they need to provide every day? By the way, there are also two hundred thousand civilians. I remember that each of them was given two strings of money."
Lu Xiu smiled and waved his hand, "Stop talking, I'm feeling dizzy."
"It will cost at least 15 million guan. Not only has the wealth accumulated by the Xuanfu Commissioner over the years been basically invested in it, but also without the financial support of Bashu, there is no way to attack Xixia."
Lu Xiu sighed: "No wonder my grandfather told me that wars are about national strength. Only now do I understand the meaning of this sentence. From this point of view, the imperial court is only willing to bear one million guan, which is indeed a bit less."
"The people in the imperial court are not fools, they are all smart people. They proposed or paid for one month's military salary, which is 1.25 million guan, which is about the same as 1 million guan. This shows that they are as clear as Ming Jing.
How much food will it cost to fight this war in Xixia?"
"Then shall we agree?"
"I suggest the eldest sister to choose one million gu of money and 500,000 shi of grain. This is relatively clear. There is no specific amount for a month's military salary, so it is easy to argue. In fact, they only gave symbolic support, otherwise they would have fought with the imperial court to destroy Xixia.
It has nothing to do with it, wouldn’t it make the world laugh?”
Lu Xiu sighed, "After this battle, we will have to live a hard life."
Zhao Qiaoyun smiled slyly, "Sister, I only think about expenses, why don't you think about income?"
"You mean the trophies?"
Zhao Qiaoyun nodded, "Civil officials will not support an unprofitable war. A stingy person like Zhou Kuan is willing to spend all his money. He will definitely settle the accounts and make a profit in the end. Not only will he make all his money
When I come back, there will definitely be a net profit."
Lu Xiu hesitated and said: "But didn't the officials say that the Xixia treasury was empty and extremely weak, so they decided to fight this war? If the treasury is empty, where will the benefits come from?"
"It doesn't matter if the treasury is empty, there are still so many powerful people! The wealth of Xixia is in their hands. I have read an intelligence report that every household of the powerful people in Xingqing Prefecture has a huge underground warehouse, and there is also a large manor.
The granary is filled with decades of old grain piled up like a mountain."
"I understand, let me give Jiang Changshi a clear answer!"
Lu Xiu wrote a note, signed it, and gave it to the female guard leader, asking her to go to the Xuanfu Envoy Office and hand the note to Jiang Yanxian.
