Now Emperor Qian Ying wants to take away most of his wealth, so how could Tang Ao agree? While staring at Tong Gu coldly, Tang Ao said, "Master Tong, don't you feel that you and your Majesty are too Are you a little greedy?"
"Well..." Tong Gu, who was feeling chilly, said tremblingly: "His Royal Highness, Prince Ji, only three hundred million taels of silver plus three hundred thousand shi of grain for three states is not a lot."
"That's not much? I just want to ask, which force in the world can come up with this money at once? Who can you tell me?" Tang Ao asked with a hint of anger in his voice.
"Uh..." After hesitating for a long time, Tong Gu did not answer the question.
"Huh, if others can't come up with it, how can I do it? This condition is too high and I can't accept it. Just because of your sincerity, I will give you 100 million taels of silver plus two One hundred thousand shi of food is ready, if Emperor Qianying still doesn't agree, then let's see you on the battlefield."
Tang Ao made a counteroffer, almost paying back half of the price. Tong Gu shook his head when he heard this. Emperor Qianying told him when he came that the amount of grain must not be less. After all, he would have to feed the army in the future. I am with Dongshan. As for the silver, it can be less, but it can never be less than 200 million taels.
But now, Tang Ao's repayment price is obviously far behind the previous request, and he can't make the decision. Fortunately, Tang Ao has such an attitude, which allows Tong Gu to make a deal. "Let's do this, His Highness Prince Ji, His Excellency I will go back and ask His Majesty, and report His Majesty’s answer to our Emperor, and then we can talk again.”
"Yes. But please hurry up, Mr. Tong. Once the infantry of the Jizhou Army catch up, if you still don't have an answer, I will regard you as having chosen war. Come on, please send Mr. Tong out."
"Master Tong, please come this way." Shi Lei stood up on one side and made a gesture to invite people.
Tong Gu also knew that he had to go back and ask for instructions on some matters, so he did not stay any longer and bowed to Tang Ao before retreating.
Looking at Tong Gu's leaving figure, Tang Ao was not in a hurry, nor was he worried that the other party was delaying the attack, because as time went by, his four field armies would be getting closer and closer to Daliang City, and by then even the Xuanjia Army would have Even if he is prepared, he will not have any fear.
...
After five days of cleaning and screening the battlefield, the Fourth Brigade of the Field Army finally gathered 45,000 soldiers, completing the transition from brigade to division.
After the standard was reached, Chief of Staff Liu Chen immediately reported it to the General Staff Headquarters, asking them to send someone to verify the number of people. It happened that Wei Chao, the First Deputy Chief of Staff, was rushing to them, so he personally served as the verifier, taking the A group of staff members are conducting investigations.
After a strict inspection, it was found that the number of soldiers was sufficient, the quality of the soldiers was up to standard, and there was no bluffing, they gave their approval and reported to Tang Ao for his final decision.
This was a good thing. Tang Ao was also thinking that he could set an example, so a special agent came and personally signed the appointment. In this way, the fourth brigade of the field army, which was ranked lowest, was the first to be promoted to the fourth division of the field army. Lei Ming was also promoted from his original position of acting brigade commander to acting division commander.
As soon as the appointment came out, many people were really envious of him, especially the other three field army brigade commanders, whose eyes turned red.
With the lessons learned from the past, these people gathered all their strength and used various methods to recruit soldiers. In short, with one sentence, they rushed to the position of division commander.
The development of the matter and the performance of all parties were also reported to Tang Ao. Naturally, he was happy to see this scene. Everyone's enthusiasm increased. This was also what he wanted to see, and he was happy to watch the show.
But in the palace of Daliang City, Emperor Qianying's face was not so good-looking. "What? Don't all the seven states of Jidi have dragon houses? Are they still short of money? One hundred million taels of silver, you just want mine. Sanzhou, are you sending people to beg for food?"
It’s no wonder that Emperor Qianying was so angry. This time he made such a big concession. Not only did he give up the land where the imperial capital is located, he also gave the land of the three states to Tang Ao, but in exchange he only had 100 million taels of silver. and 200,000 shi of grain, which is only equivalent to one-third of what was expected. If it were replaced, I am afraid that I would not be in a good mood.
Tong Gu stood below, not daring to raise his head. After all, the result of this negotiation was somewhat unsatisfactory, and he had a responsibility as a negotiator.
But think about it on the other hand, who can blame this? If he can defeat the Jizhou Army on the battlefield, even if he can't win and the opponent can draw a tie, then Bu Ji's defeat will not be so fast and so miserable, and his negotiations will not be He would be so passive.
This is clearly the incompetence of the military, but now it has to implicate him as a civil servant. Where can he go to reason? Not only can he not reason, but he can only stand here and bear everything, allowing the emperor to vent his anger.
Standing in the Wuying Hall, Emperor Qianying was still cursing, completely losing his gentlemanly demeanor. After a long time, he had almost vented his anger and seemed to feel better. Then he looked at Tong standing below. Gu said: "No, we have at least 200 million silver, and the food cannot be less, it is still 300,000 shi. This time we have lost three states, but the number of soldiers to feed is not much less. How can we do it without enough food? You can go talk to King Ji again."
"Promise." Although he was very reluctant, as a minister, His Majesty had given the order and had no choice but to carry it out.
Fortunately, Tong Gu had just turned around and had not walked out of the hall when Emperor Qian Ying's voice sounded again, "Hey, I know it's hard to love you. Let's just grasp the specific things and get as much as we can."
As soon as these words were said, it was equivalent to Emperor Qian Ying giving in. After hearing this, Tong Gu couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. What he was worried about was that His Majesty would not give in, and Tang Ao would not give in, so he would It was really difficult to do it. But with these words, he had more room for movement. He immediately said "Your Majesty's Holy Wisdom", bowed and exited the hall.
In the main hall, Qian Ying Emperor Tang Qingchuan let out a heavy sigh, looking a little sad and helpless.
Tong Gu left the city again, and at the city gate, as he left the city, many people dressed as servants also went back to various mansions in Daliang City.
The Xuanjia Army was defeated, and the news that His Majesty had to resolve the issue with the Jizhou Army through negotiation has long been spread in the city.
If it was nothing new to say that victory or defeat was a common thing for military strategists, news soon came out from the palace that Emperor Qianying was planning to move the capital, which hit everyone's hearts like a huge thunder.
It has been more than a hundred years since the founding of Daqian. The imperial capital has always been in Daliang City. When was there ever a move to move the capital?
Over the years, everyone has formed a habit, that is, whoever controls Daliang City is the current emperor. It seems that Emperor Qianwen came out again, but he did not get more recognition from more people. Isn't this the truth?
Now, Emperor Qianying actually wants to move the capital when he returns to the throne. Doesn't this mean that he has to give up his orthodoxy and become a vassal king again?
When they thought of this, many ministers began to have various ideas and thoughts.
In fact, the matter of moving the capital was deliberately released by Emperor Qianying. He just wanted to make everyone mentally prepared in advance. It was also a good time to see who among these ministers supported him and who wanted to stay. Come down and get away from yourself.
Ming Mansion.
In the study of the residence of Mingshan, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Rui Butong, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, was sitting here. He and his Qing family member Mingshan made a pot of Jizhou tea and sat looking at each other.
Since Emperor Qianying came to power, or it can be said that since Emperor Qianren came to power, the power of the two ministers has begun to shrink greatly. Until now, they only have a name, and in fact they have no real power.
The Ministry of Household Affairs has long been out of money. This does not mean that Emperor Qianying has no money, but the money is not stored in the treasury, so naturally it is not under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Household Affairs.
This is even more true for the Ministry of Industry. In addition to making some first-generation sky thunders at the beginning, the rest is to make armors and swords, and they are still made with as many materials as they can. People from Prince Yuan Zhong's Palace are present throughout the process. Follow and stare, as if you are afraid that someone will intercept you because of this.
Everything was done by others, so the two ministers were happy to have a free time and became officials who only took their salaries and did not do anything.
During this period, the two ministers even submitted their resignations several times. Speaking of which, they are also practical men. This kind of thing where they only take money and do not work is not what they like. However, Emperor Ying repeatedly failed to do so, and they seemed to He just wants to tell the world that he still loves talents, and leaving these ministers is proof.
After several submissions were rejected, the two ministers simply became idiots. They usually drank tea, listened to music, and played chess, which was a happy time.
But when the news of the capital relocation was released, the two could no longer calm down. This involved them, and it was time for them to make a choice.
From the bottom of their hearts, they wanted to stay and absolutely did not want to continue following Emperor Qian Ying. Especially since the sons and daughters of the two in-laws were now officials and living in Jidi and had settled there. They have more reason to stay.
But if he really stayed, what would Emperor Qianying think?
Will he kill them in anger again?
In the past, Emperor Qian Ying kept them just to win the reputation of being a lover of talents. But now, even if he has to do such a shameful thing as moving the capital, he still can't beat them and is forced to move the capital. At this time, face is in the eyes of others. Is it still that important?
If they gave people eye drops at this time, would they have the intention to kill in anger?
Daliang City is still controlled by Emperor Qianying. There are still 50,000 troops in the city and a large army stationed outside the city. With these forces, it is just a matter of words to deal with the two officials.