Liu Xin frowned unconsciously. This Tuyebai was good at everything and loyal enough, but he only suspected that all his faults had to be corrected. The conditions he offered were not a free lunch. He was clearly a husband.
Caring for his wife is a gift from a father to his son. In Liu Xin's view, these gifts are far from enough to make up for his debt to them, so how could he have other intentions.
Suddenly, I heard Ban Tou'er, who was sitting next to Liu Xin, say: "The Prime Minister's words are reasonable. Although our Kangju is small, we cannot accept salary without merit. Your Majesty, Emperor of the Han Dynasty, tell me, if you have any other conditions, please do so."
come out."
Liu Xin knew that Ban Tou'er was a strong person. She said this because she didn't want to take advantage of her. She couldn't help but muttered: "Actually, you all thought wrong. This is not a gift from me, but a matter of mutual benefit. I provide it to you.
silk, porcelain and tea
It’s not free of charge, it’s just that you earn less. Kangju is an important passage for caravans heading west. I give these things to you at a fair price in order to better promote the treasures of our Han Dynasty to the West, so that we can sell more
stuff and make more money.”
But Tuyebai shook his head like a rattle and said repeatedly: "Your Majesty, this doesn't make sense! Silk and porcelain are already in short supply, and there is no need to worry about sales. There is no need for publicity. Besides, those 30,000 pieces of armor are
What’s the explanation?”
Although this Tuyebai is pedantic, he is not stupid, and he reveals the truth with just one word. What's more "cunning" is that he doesn't mention tea at all. He is obviously very interested in tea, a good thing that even money can't buy.
.
Liu Xin smiled and said: "Tuyebai, think about it carefully, how good is the business of the merchants in Kangju recently?"
Tuyebai shook his head and said, "How can we get better after the war has been going on for days?"
Liu Xin nodded and said: "That's right. The safety of Kangju is directly related to the prosperity of the trade routes, so I will not only provide 30,000 auxiliary soldiers, but also help you train a powerful army.
That said, it has both advantages and disadvantages."
Of course, Tuyebai could not accept such an advanced concept. He shook his head and said: "Your Majesty, although Kangju is small, you cannot accept this favor without reason."
Liu Xin waved her hand impatiently and said: "Tuyebai, is it you or the Queen Mother who makes the decision now about Kang Ju?"
Tuyebai was shocked when he heard Liu Xin's deceitful words. He hurriedly knelt on the ground and said loudly: "Of course it is the Queen Mother who makes the decision. I don't dare to act on my own."
Ban Tou'er raised his hand and said: "Please get up quickly, Prime Minister. I know your loyalty. But these materials and soldiers are indeed urgently needed for my health. According to the Prime Minister's opinion, how can I be willing to accept it?"
Where is His Majesty the Emperor’s kindness?”
The situation in Kangju State is somewhat similar to that of the Xiongnu and Xianbei on the grasslands. A large number of herdsmen are qualified warriors, but they do not receive unified training. The only relatively systematic army in the country is the 10,000 cavalry led by Arystan.
, this is also the main reason why every time Ban Tooer's army has a slight upper hand, it is defeated by Alustan. If we can get the 30,000 auxiliary soldiers provided by the Han and organize a standing army of about 20,000 people, Ban Tou'er can
If you steal, you can gain a foothold.
Tuyebai also understood this truth. After listening to Ban Tou'er's words, he pondered for a long time and then said: "From what I can see, I, Kangju, will form an alliance between king and ministers with the Han Dynasty to form a country of father and son, and then accept gifts from the Han Dynasty."
I feel at ease."
In fact, Tuyebai also wanted to get these things very much, especially the five hundred kilograms of tea. Even if he didn't drink it, it would be real money and silver when he changed hands. All he considered was how to make his side pay the minimum price. He didn't believe the Han people
To be so generous. Tuyabai himself had a small caravan. He had been to Wuji City twice and had many interactions with the Han people. He had some understanding of the Han people and knew that the Han people were very respectable.
Tuyabai is very shrewd. He pays attention to actual interests and does not care about false reputations. Moreover, the Han Dynasty is much stronger than Kang Ju. It is not a big deal to be a minister and pay tribute, as long as he can get some benefits. As for the alliance between monarch and ministers, it is not a big deal.
, the country of father and son, it is just a verbal agreement, and there is no actual loss. I should say it first, lest the Han people come up with other conditions.
After listening to Tuyebai's words, Liu Xin had a very strange look on his face, and it took him a long time to say: "Okay, the country of father and son is the country of father and son. I will leave another 10,000 elite troops here to help you guard against Kushan and clear out Mur.
The remaining party will be killed. Your country only needs to bear the burden of food, grass and supplies, and I will pay according to the market price."
Feng Tou'er also suppressed his laughter, waved his hand and said, "In that case, it's settled. I have some important matters to discuss with His Majesty the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, so you can all leave."
Everyone hurriedly exited the palace. Although these ministers and nobles had their own residences in the city of Bhotan, they did not live here most of the time. In addition to having their own pastures, many of them also ran businesses.
Caravans are their most profitable business.
There are always wars these days, the caravans dare not go out, and each family has suffered a lot of losses. Now that they see the hope of the war ending, they can't wait to rush home and reorganize the caravans. In addition, they also need
Find a place to discuss how to distribute these affordable materials provided by Liu Xin.
These supplies are nominally provided to Kang Juguo, but everyone knows that such a huge benefit cannot be taken by the royal family. Moreover, the royal family only has the mother and son left. Everyone only needs to maintain the authority of the mother and son.
, their mother and son will not care about these supplies with others.
Seeing everyone leaving, Liu Xin finally laughed loudly and said, "This Tuyebai is really an interesting person. He must have noticed something."
Ban Tou'er lifted his veil, rolled his eyes at him, and said: "What a funny man, I can let him be the Prime Minister, he is not simple in his own way. This Tuyabai is quite smart, I think he is willing to become a minister.
I'm afraid I will ask for more benefits in the future, so you have to be prepared."
Liu Xin smiled and said: "As long as they continue to support you mother and son, it doesn't matter if I shed some blood. But I am not a fool who will be slaughtered by others. If he wants to open his mouth to a lion, I will not agree. Okay, take me
Go and see those injured girls."
Although Liu Xin had already explained what happened between him and sisters Liya and Cleya, Ban Tou'er was still a little uncomfortable. After hesitating for a long time, he took Liu Xin to the back. In fact, Liu Xin was supposed to come last night.
He visited the three of them, but it was getting late at that time. Firstly, he did not want to affect their rest, and secondly, Liu Xin also had many things to ask Ban Taoer, so he gave up.
At the door, Liu Xin suddenly grabbed Ban Tou'er and said, "Put the veil on."
Ban Tou'er opened the door and was about to go in when he asked in surprise: "Why?"
Liu Xin winked and said, "You are now a black whirlwind."
Ban Tou'er then remembered what Liu Xin said last night. Although he still didn't believe it in his heart, he obediently put on the veil, pulled down the black scarf on his head, and suddenly said in a rough voice: "Your Majesty
, please come inside!”
Liu Xin nodded in approval and walked into the room. She saw that Liya and the three of them had already changed into women's clothes and sat up.
There was a thick white cloth wrapped around Liya's arm. Even though it was newly changed in the morning, you could still see traces of blood seeping out. Sister Klea was often injured, and she didn't care. But Liu Xin still looked at it.
It turned out that Cleia's face was unusually pale, and she obviously suffered from excessive blood loss. Maria had a long scar on her face, and she looked a little lonely.
Liu Xin didn't expect that the girls would be injured so seriously. She couldn't help feeling a little distressed and said, "You have suffered so much. I should have come to see you earlier."
Cleia stood up and said: "Master, we are fine."
Ban Tou'er suddenly said in a rough voice: "Sit down and be careful about touching the wound."
Hearing Ban Tou'er's words, Liya and Maria also stood up. Maria asked with a vigilant face: "Who are you?"
It turned out that Ban Tou'er was dressed like this yesterday. Cleia and others saw her coming in and knew that she was Queen Kangju. Now they were shocked when they heard her speak.
Liu Xin waved her hand and said to Liya: "He is the person you have always wanted to see."
Ban Tou'er suddenly twisted her waist and flew into the air, flying directly over everyone. Her movements were faster than lightning. As the best female gladiators, Sister Cleia was also extremely flexible, but she had to compete with Ban Tou'er.
Naturally, it was far inferior to the effort of making light bodies like this. They didn't even see Ban Tao'er's movements clearly.
But Liya's eyes were already wide open, she covered her mouth with one hand, she was surprised and happy, and said loudly: "You, you, you are the Black Tornado!"
This series of actions by Ban Tou'er were exactly the same as the time when she assassinated Liu Xin in Shanshan Palace. The heroic appearance of Black Whirlwind at that time was replayed in Liya's mind countless times, so Liya recognized it at a glance.
.
While they were talking, Ban Tou'er landed lightly in front of them and pulled off the black gauze covering his face.
Sister Cleia exclaimed in unison: "Queen!"
Liya stood stunned on the spot at first, and then shouted hysterically: "No! This is not true! You must have colluded to lie to me!"
No matter what, she refused to accept the fact that the person she had always secretly admired turned out to be a woman! The joy came and went so quickly, and the contrast was so great that Liya was completely disappointed.
Sister Cleia looked at each other in confusion, looking at the startled Liya inexplicably, wondering what happened to this always cheerful princess today.
Liu Xin didn't expect that Liya would have such a strong reaction after knowing the truth of the matter. She was immediately at a loss. She didn't want to comfort her, nor did she not comfort her. If she had known this, she might as well have kept it hidden from her.
Ban Tou'er, on the other hand, was quite calm. She took a step forward, took Liya's hand, and said: "Do you feel a little disappointed? However, the truth will be revealed one day. It's better to come sooner than later, and you will have an extra sister.