The news that the front was defeated after only one battle came back and reached the imperial palace. Emperor Qianying almost collapsed on the dragon throne after hearing the news.
Everyone knows that the Jizhou Army is very strong, especially the Shanshan Guards of the Jizhou Army. But no matter how strong it is, it has to have a certain limit. We have an army of 160,000, including 60,000 cavalry, while the opponent only has 100,000 cavalry. There are only 10,000 cavalry. Even if they cannot defeat them, they can still hold on for a little longer.
At least the Jizhou Army can be severely damaged and then defeated. In this case, the subsequent negotiations will not be so difficult. At least the Jizhou Army can see their strength and have some confidence when raising conditions.
But who would have thought that this would be the result. Just a few hours later, the army was defeated miserably, and the Western Barbarian King Origi was killed on the battlefield.
What's even more terrible is that the Shanshan Guards of the Jizhou Army are now heading towards Daliang City. If they can't think of a solution, the enemy will probably attack the city. By then, even if they can't defeat them, they won't be able to escape. Opportunity.
It took a long time for Emperor Qian Ying to stabilize his mentality, and then sent someone to Tong Gu, the minister of the Ministry of Advocates. At this time, negotiation became the only means to ease the war situation. He could not let himself be in the situation under any circumstances. Without any preparation, the Jizhou Army rushed to the city walls, and Tang Qingchuan did not allow himself to be put in danger.
Tong Gu entered the palace in a hurry, his expression not very good.
He already knew what the emperor meant by announcing his arrival this time, but to be honest, he didn't think it was a good time to negotiate. The battle was defeated, which naturally made the negotiation much more difficult.
Fortunately, Emperor Qianying could understand the situation. It was not that Tong Gu was careless, but that the right to speak was not in his hands now. Thinking of this, he sighed and said, "Go with peace of mind, no matter what King Ji proposes, We can consider all requirements and conditions.”
"Ah, Your Majesty, forgive me for talking too much. If King Ji wants Daliang City, should we give it to him?" Tong Gu also asked in surprise when he heard this.
"This... can be discussed." He sighed. Although he was very reluctant, Emperor Qianying still admitted it at this moment.
In the eyes of Emperor Qianying, Daliang City was not an auspicious place. I thought about how majestic he was when he was still the loyal king. He could threaten the emperor if he said he could, ceding the state and city, and paying compensation to himself. But After occupying Daliang City, you have to bow to others. Think about it, it’s okay not to want Daliang City.
"Ah! Your Majesty, this... this..." After hesitating for a long time, Tong Gu didn't know what to say.
"Okay, Tong Aiqing comes forward, I want to give you some instructions." Emperor Qian Ying, who had a somewhat ugly face, waved his hand and whispered something to Tong Gu. The monarch and his ministers chatted for more than an hour. time.
After Tong Gu left the palace with an inexplicable mood, his right servant She Jiang Chen also walked into the palace and was summoned by Emperor Qian Ying alone. But what they were talking about was really unclear to outsiders. Got it.
Let's say that Tang Ao led the Shanshan Guard Cavalry and marched leisurely for three days. When they were less than fifty miles away from Daliang City, a team came from the opposite side. The flag they were flying was exactly the same. The guard of honor for Emperor Ying's envoy. In fact, with the pace of Tang Ao and the cavalry, they could have reached the foot of Daliang City, but he did not do so in order to wait for the arrival of the negotiators. In Tang Ao's heart , Daliang City is the imperial capital of Daqian, and it has not been baptized by war for a long time. It would be best if such a city could be built without using weapons.
Negotiation is the only way to achieve this goal.
When he heard that the negotiators were approaching, Tang Ao ordered the army to start setting up camp. He was already looking forward to what the other party would say this time and what concessions they could make.
The person who came was naturally Tong Gu. The two parties had met not long ago. When they met again, they were less polite. When they sat together, they quickly got into the theme.
Compared with the last time, Tong Gu's posture this time was obviously much lowered, no longer arrogant and domineering, only a pitiful look.
It's just that all of this has no effect at all on Tang Ao, who has gone through countless business negotiations in his previous life. He will still make demands that should be made, and he will not lose a point because of this.
"Daliang City must be given away. This is the king's bottom line." When talking about business, Tang Ao made his first request.
After all, Daliang City will be the main route for the Jizhou Army to enter the Central Plains and then move south. If they can't capture it, how can they talk about sending troops?
Some people may say that it is possible to send troops by taking a detour to Suzhou, but not only will they have to walk a long way in the future, but Daliang City is located here, which can cut off their escape route at any time. This kind of placing one's own destiny on others
Tang Ao would never do anything like that.
"This matter can be discussed, but our Majesty also needs a place to stay." To Tang Ao's surprise, Tong Gu did not refuse, but just put forward another condition, which was to have a safe place to stay.
.
The situation at this time was like this. The Xuanjia Army was defeated, and the strength of the Jizhou Army was already there. If they continued to be enemies with the Jizhou Army, it was very likely that the entire army would eventually die in Daliang City. Emperor Qianying was afraid that
It is also difficult to escape the fate of the king of the country.
Yes, the current Jizhou Army is capable of defeating the Xuanjia Army, but it just needs to pay a higher price.
Even if he knew that he would not be the opponent of the Jizhou Army, how could Emperor Qian Ying agree to continue the fight? Fortunately, Tang Ao had no intention of destroying him now. He just wanted to capture Daliang City, so then
Give it to him.
But I gave you Daliang City, do you also want to give me a place to live? You can't force me to fight you to the death without even having a place to live.
For the same reason, Tang Ao doesn't want to fight with the Xuanjia Army now, or have to fight to the death.
Yes, if the fight continues, Tang Ao is more than 90% confident that he will win, but even if he wins at that time, it will only be a miserable victory. In terms of strength, the Xuanjia Army is stronger than Beidi.
.In that case, Tang Ao would not be able to send troops to the Central Plains in a short time, let alone the south.
He could only watch the foreigners causing trouble on the land of Daqian, which was also not what Tang Ao wanted to see. So as long as Emperor Qianying agreed to give up Daliang City and the road to the Central Plains and the South,
He will also consider solving problems through negotiation.
One day, after Tang Ao has solved the aliens in Da Qian, he can go back and solve the problem of Emperor Qian Ying.
It can be said that both parties have such a willingness. After having a common goal, it will naturally be much easier to negotiate. "Oh, but I don't know which piece of territory Tang Qingchuan wants?"
"Your Highness Prince Ji, what do you think of Yuzhou? Xuzhou and Bianzhou there are both good places..."
"No." Before Tong Gu could continue, Tang Ao shook his head in denial.
Yuzhou is the land of the Central Plains, and further south are Huizhou, Ezhou, and then Ganzhou and Zhezhou. If this place is given to Emperor Qianying, it will be a huge obstacle for him to send troops to the Central Plains and the south. This He will never allow it.
Tang Ao refused, and Tong Gu was not angry. He seemed to have known for a long time that the other party would not agree. Although this was His Majesty's first wish when he came, it seemed that it was not possible, so he had to put forward his second goal. He came out and said, "In that case, our Majesty is willing to retreat to Luzhou, and our Xuanjia Army is also willing to retreat to Luzhou and Suzhou, and hand over Jizhou, Jinzhou and Yuzhou that are now ours to His Highness Jizhou, but It cannot be given for free, His Highness Prince Ji needs to spend money to buy it."
Retreating to Qingzhou, the first place of control in Luzhou, was the second route prepared by Emperor Qianying. This was also the route that could convince Tang Ao.
After all, the terrain of Luzhou is relatively unimportant, and it does not prevent the Jizhou Army from entering the Central Plains and the South. But if Emperor Qianying moved the capital to Luzhou and gave Daliang City, including the entire Jizhou, to Tang Ao, then they would lose the connection with Jinzhou, so he simply gave these states to Tang Ao, so it was worthwhile to sell it at a good price.
Tong Gu was really cooperative this time, and the request he made was not too excessive. Tang Ao knew that he had to agree. If he still didn't agree, it would be equivalent to forcing Emperor Qianying to fight with him. That kind of The result was not what the two wanted to see.
"Well, but I don't know what price these three states will be sold for?" Tang Ao didn't say he agreed or disagreed, but asked about the price. If Emperor Qian Ying came to this matter If a lion opens his mouth wide, he will not let go.
Tang Ao asked about the price, but Tong Gu came prepared and said: "One hundred million taels of silver per state, plus one hundred thousand shi of food."
"Huh?" Tang Ao raised his head and narrowed his eyes. A cold light shot out involuntarily and fell on Tong Gu, making him feel cold all over.
One state has 100 million taels plus 100,000 shi of grain, and three states have 300 million taels of silver plus 300,000 shi of grain.
To say that 300,000 grains is only 30 million kilograms, it can now be taken out from the Jizhou Army's granary. With the establishment of Heizhou and the development of more grain fields, grain will no longer become The problem troubled Tang Ao and the entire Jizhou Army.
This three hundred thousand shi of grain is not a big deal. But three hundred million taels of silver is really too much. Over the years, Tang Ao has continued to develop his business and has indeed made a lot of money. But when it comes to costs, It's not too small either. This 300 million taels of silver is not impossible to get, but it is equivalent to half of Tang Ao's assets. This is because he destroyed Goryeo and Beidi and got a lot of silver from there. Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't be able to afford it.