Vologis has two sons. The eldest son Arshak is stationed in another important town Ecbatana all year round. According to Parthian practice, he will be his successor. The younger son Ardaban is more popular than Arshak. Vologis's love has always been with Vologis. After hearing and seeing it, he gradually understood the benefits of power. As his ambitions grew, he wanted to replace Arshak's position, so he often expressed his opinions on political affairs. opinion, and Vorogis obeyed him. -》
This time was no exception. When Artaban said "No", Vorogis nodded and asked: "Why not!"
Artaban smiled and said: "Since the big man wants to rent some land, how can he not charge them rent? Please leave the father to the child to handle this matter. The child promises to satisfy the father!"
Wologis was already getting sluggish, and he was still willing to use his brains on these chores. He waved his hand and said: "Well, you can do it. As long as the big man can send the soldiers and armor before tomorrow summer, other conditions It’s all easy to discuss!”
Remitu wanted to say something else, but he saw that Vologis had already picked up the wine in front of him and was enjoying the singing and dancing again. He had to hold back and watched Aldaban invite Cai He out of the hall. .[
Artaban took Cai He directly to his residence in Susa City. He did not talk about leasing land or purchasing armor. Instead, he ordered people to set up a banquet, invited Cai He to sit down, bowed and said: "Master Cai has come a long way and has had a hard time traveling. Let's not talk about business today. How about you let me accompany you to have a few drinks to relieve your fatigue?"
Cai He went to various countries in the Western Regions as envoys many times and was received ceremoniously by the kings of these countries. He was already accustomed to such occasions, so he had no special feeling for Artaban's hospitality, and he accepted it casually. Said: "Then Mr. Cai is more respectful than obeying orders!"
After three rounds of wine, Artaban gently clapped his hands, and a group of young and beautiful girls filed in and danced in front of the hall. Artaban drank the wine and admired it with interest.
Cai He was concerned about the important matter Liu Xin explained, but he was not as cool as Aldaban. He raised his wine cup and saluted Aldaban, cupped his hands and said: "Your Highness, it is getting late, Cai will pay you more respect." After drinking the prince a cup, I want to go to bed early and come back to visit the prince early tomorrow morning to discuss matters with him!"
"Master Cai, don't be anxious." Aldaban chuckled, pointed at the two blond girls leading the dance, and said, "Look at how they compare to the women of the Han family!"
Cai He is not married yet, but he comes from a wealthy family in Jingzhou and is a relative of the emperor. There is never a shortage of women around him. Although these two girls are beautiful, it is difficult to impress Cai He. However, he has been attracted by him many times over the years. When he was on a mission to various countries, he had already mastered the art of acting in every situation. He cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Each one has his own merits, each has his own merits!"
Seeing the calm expression on Cai He's face, Artaban was slightly disappointed. He said "Oh", pointed at the two girls, and said: "Since Mr. Cai is a little tired, you can help Mr. Cai to rest. Be willing to serve!"
Cai He originally wanted to go back to the post house, but the two girls had already stepped forward and took Cai He's arms, one on the left and the other on the right.
While passing through the state, Cai He saw that the equipment of the Parthian soldiers was very poor. He knew that Vorogis relied on the big man for help, and he was not worried that Artaban would be detrimental to him, so he did not hesitate and let it go. The two girls helped him live in a villa in the house of Artabanus.
As soon as he stepped into the bedroom, Cai He felt that the light was dazzling. When he took a closer look, he saw two large boxes in front of the bed. The boxes were filled with gold and silver jewelry. He couldn't help but be surprised and said: "You two girls, have you gone to the wrong place?" place!"
The two girls covered their mouths and giggled: "My lord, you are right, these things are gifts from His Highness the Prince to you, including the two of us!"
In the past, when Cai He was on missions to other countries, people often gave him money and beautiful women. Naturally, they hoped that he would say good things in front of Liu Xin and win a lot of benefits. Now Artaban has also adopted this trick. Cai He did not refuse, and An Ran accepted it. Liu Xin had told him at the beginning that he could accept whatever others gave him, but there was one thing: he must not harm the interests of the big man by accepting gifts from others, otherwise no one could protect him. , Liu Xin has already set the tone for this negotiation, and there is nothing that Cai He can decide on. He accepts these things, and even if Artaban makes any unreasonable demands, he can still go to Liu Xin.
Although there was a beauty in his arms, Cai He hurriedly got up early the next morning. He did not dare to delay Liu Xin's important event because of his greed for women.
Artaban was lying on a high couch with two beauties in his arms. When he heard that Cai He was coming, he hurriedly put on his clothes and said repeatedly: "Master Cai, why are you so early? Are those two women not to your liking?"
Cai He waved his hand and said: "Your Highness is sending gold, silver and beauty. I'm afraid it's not just to make friends with Cai. If you have any requests, please tell me directly. However, Cai can't guarantee that he will be able to agree." you!"
When Artaban saw Cai He coming so early, he was worried that he would be dissatisfied with the gift he had given him. After hearing what he said, he felt relieved and said with a smile on his face: "Master Cai, what are you talking about?" , I really want to make Mr. Cai a friend, and I will never make any request that makes Mr. Cai difficult!"
After a pause, Artaban continued: "I can agree on behalf of my father to those places that you proposed to rent, but there is a small condition!"
Cai He sneered: "Humph, I know how good it is to have a feast!"
Artaban didn't take it seriously, smiled, and said: "Actually, nothing has changed. Everything will be done according to your requirements. There is only one thing. The soldiers and the rent that will start to be paid after thirty years must be handed over to me. superior!"[
Cai He's ten years at Xiangyang Academy were not in vain. He soon understood that Artaban was born with ambition. He couldn't help but pondered: "Our Emperor has a decree that the lease of land is between the two countries." Matters must not be given or accepted privately!"
Artaban originally thought that Cai He would be easy to talk to after accepting the money and women he gave him. Unexpectedly, Cai He would be so unhappy. He suddenly became unhappy and snorted: "What's the difference? Anyway, I will satisfy his request." That’s it!”
/
However, Cai He did not dare to fall out with Artaban casually, so he had to bow his hand and said: "This matter must be authorized by your king, so Cai dares to make the decision!"
Artaban laughed and said: "What's so difficult about this? Today I will ask my father for a decree and hand it over to you!"
Yesterday in the hall, Vorogis had verbally agreed that Aldaban would handle the matter on his behalf. However, Cai He was cautious and felt that a formal agreement must be made. Aldaban could not defeat Cai He, so he had to
Seeing an opportunity, he secretly asked to see Vologis while Remitu was away.
Volojis waved his hand impatiently and wrote down a decree, authorizing Aldaban to be solely responsible for the handover of soldiers and armor. Even the future rent collection will be taken over by Aldaban. Seeing this, Volojis
Cai He breathed a sigh of relief and reached a final agreement with Artaban.
In fact, Cai He was already suspected of exceeding his authority this time. Such a major change had occurred. He should report to Liu Xin first, but he should not make the decision without authorization. But now that it was freezing and snowy outside, it was not easy for him to make the trip from Chang'an.
He didn't want to have to go back two more times. Anyway, according to Cai He, the final result was the same as Liu Xin's request, and it also had Vologis's authorization. What should he ask?
The general direction had been decided, and then the two began to discuss some details, including the location, time and method of handing over the supplies. Artaban made a request that the first batch of 50,000 auxiliary soldiers must arrive in Susa in April.
into the hands of his people.
Cai He waved his hands and said: "This is not possible. Our Emperor has said that all the soldiers and armor must be handed over to you within January, and we are only responsible for transporting them to Kangju, and your people will pick them up at the border.
!”
In fact, it is not wrong for Aldaban to set the delivery time in April, because the roads are now blocked by heavy snow, and the transportation of materials is very difficult, which often requires more manpower and material resources. It is better to wait until the weather gets warmer and the ice and snow melt.
At that time, transportation was more convenient, but Liu Xin knew that when the ice and snow melted, the Qin army might make a comeback again, so he wanted to arm the Parthians as soon as possible.
Artaban does not have a sense of urgency, but more importantly, he still has enough manpower, or manpower that he can trust. Even if he accepts this batch of soldiers and armor transported by the Han Dynasty, it will be difficult to arm him in such a short period of time.
However, Cai He proposed that the Han people only transported supplies to the border but gave him the opportunity. He could use this opportunity to recruit young men and arm them while transporting the goods, so he briefly
After pondering, Artaban agreed to Cai He's proposal.
Cai He felt that he had once again successfully completed the task assigned to him by Liu Xin, and proudly embarked on the road back home. Of course, he also forgot to bring the money and beautiful women given to him by Aldaban.
When they returned to Chang'an, the winter months were almost over. After hearing Cai He's report, Liu Xin couldn't help being furious and shouted: "People, take Cai He down and throw him into the prison!"
Cai He was so frightened that he kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have your permission to do this!"
Liu Xin sneered and said: "I have given you permission to accept gifts from other countries, but have I promised you to sign agreements with others in private? Exchanges between countries must be fair and aboveboard. How can you ignore this?"