In order to maintain the connection between Xiao Yu and the Tang Dynasty, Xiao Yu specially brought several eagle slaves and ten trusting eagles. In the inn, Xiao Yu's face was as sinking as water, his lips were stretched into a line, and his eyes were sternly watching the eagle slaves.
The mailbox is tied to the eagle's leg. Look
Today's preliminary negotiations can almost be said to have collapsed. Substantial issues have not been discussed yet, such as the issue of prisoners of war, the issue of captured ministers, the issue of Nanyang County and Xiyang County, etc. None of them were discussed. They only talked about Huining County.
question.
But it was an issue of Huining County. The two sides refused to give in to each other. Yang Yuanqing set Huining County as a prerequisite for negotiations between the two parties. If the Sui Dynasty did not recognize the ownership of Huining County, then there would be no need for negotiations later, and tens of thousands of prisoners of war would be thrown into
Mine mining.
Yang Yuanqing not only did not give up Nanyang and Xiyang counties, but instead intensified his threat to attack Jingxiang. Of course, Xiao Yu also knew that this was Yang Yuanqing's strategy to gain maximum benefits with a strong stance.
But Yang Yuanqing's toughness was still unacceptable to him. More importantly, Yang Yuanqing's attitude made him realize that the prospects for this negotiation were bleak, and he must report to the Holy Emperor in time.
"Prime Minister, are you ready to fly the eagle?" a follower asked cautiously.
Xiao Yu nodded, "Let it go!"
With a wave of his hand, the attendant waved the eagle slave and threw the eagle high into the air. The eagle spread its wings, circled twice over the inn, and flew slowly towards Chang'an in the southwest.
Outside the inn, several Sui army scouts who were monitoring the Tang envoy discovered the Xinying. They immediately rushed out of the city and reported to Yang Yuanqing in the military camp..."."."
In the big tent, Yang Yuanqing listened to the soldiers' reports with cold eyes. The Tang envoy returned to Chang'an. This was as he expected. Today's initial contact could be said to have ended on bad terms, and Yang Yuanqing also knew that,
The conditions he proposed were quite harsh, and Xiao Yu could not accept them at any cost.
However, this was not his bottom line. At first, Yang Yuanqing decided to exchange Nanyang and Xiyang counties for Huining County. This was the fundamental reason why he ordered Xu Jiye to capture the two counties. However, after easily capturing Huining County, he
Got new ideas.
Nanyang and Xiyang counties could be returned to the Tang Dynasty, and he could also hand over tens of thousands of prisoners of war to the Tang Dynasty, but he would have to pay a price for the Tang Dynasty. This price would not only be Huining County, but also the Tang Dynasty would pay a greater price.
The so-called negotiation, in the final analysis, is a contest between the strong. Negotiation is not charity, and there is no pity for the weak. The weak will always be beaten and criticized. Only the strong can gain benefits.
Thinking of this, Yang Yuanqing immediately ordered: "Pass my order and quickly mobilize 10,000 Fengzhou troops to go south. Together with the 10,000 garrison troops in Lingwu County, give them to Pei Xingyan to lead the army and station it in Huining County."."
In the big tent, Yang Yuanqing listened to the soldiers' reports with cold eyes. The Tang envoy returned to Chang'an. This was what he expected. Today's initial contact could be said to have ended on bad terms, and Yang Yuanqing also knew it.
The conditions he proposed were quite harsh, and Xiao Yu could not accept them at any cost.
However, this was not his bottom line. At first, Yang Yuanqing decided to exchange Nanyang and Xiyang counties for Huining County. This was the fundamental reason why he ordered Xu Jiye to seize the two counties. However, after easily seizing Huining County, he
Got new ideas.
Nanyang and Xiyang counties can be returned to the Tang Dynasty. He can also hand over tens of thousands of prisoners of war to the Tang Dynasty, but he will have to pay a price for the Tang Dynasty. This price will not only be Huining County, but also the Tang Dynasty will pay a greater price.
The so-called negotiation, in the final analysis, is a contest between the strong. Negotiation is not charity, and there is no pity for the weak. The weak will always be beaten and criticized, and only the strong can gain benefits.
Thinking of this, Yang Yuanqing immediately ordered: "Pass my order to quickly mobilize 10,000 Fengzhou troops southward, together with 10,000 troops stationed in Lingwu County, and hand them over to Pei Xingyan to lead the army and station it in Huining County."."
It is not far from Yan'an County to Chang'an. Xiao Yu's urgent report appeared on Li Yuan's desk the next morning. Yang Yuanqing's harsh conditions made Li Yuan furious. Yang Yuanqing actually made the ownership of Huining County a prerequisite for negotiations between the two parties. Then
What is the point of this negotiation?
"Pass my message and order Prime Minister Pei and the Crown Prince to come see me immediately!"
Li Yuan paced back and forth in the imperial study room with his hands behind his hands. The extreme anger in his heart made him lose his composure. Not to mention that Huining County contained a large amount of mineral deposits. Even if it was a barren land, Yang Yuanqing's arrogant attitude also made him
Hard to accept.
What does it mean to determine the ownership of Huining County? It is obviously the land of the Tang Dynasty. There is nothing to discuss. Could it be that one day when Yang Yuanqing proposed to determine the ownership of Chang'an, they would also sit down and talk? Which is intolerable? Li Yuan was a little confused.
Far from angry.
At this time, a eunuch reported at the door, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Pei are waiting to meet you outside the palace."
"Announce their presence!"
Soon, Prince Li Jiancheng and Prime Minister Pei Ji walked in one after another, bowed and saluted together, "See your majesty!"
Although Li Jiancheng and Pei Ji walked into the imperial study at the same time, they did not say a word to each other and did not even look at each other. Because of Liu Wenjing's death, Li Jiancheng hated Pei Ji so much that he wished he could kill the thief himself.
Li Yuan sat behind the court and asked Pei Ji with great dissatisfaction, "When Xiao Xiangguo advocated the development of the mineral deposits in Huining County, you strongly opposed it, saying that it was not safe because you were afraid of being coveted by the Sui army. What's better now? The Sui army will simply go to Ning."
The county took it away, and the mineral deposits that could have brought us great wealth became someone else's meal. How can you explain to me?"
Pei Ji was sweating profusely from being questioned. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and said: "Your Majesty, it doesn't matter whether the mines in Huining County are developed or not, they will all be taken away by the Sui army. I think the key is not whether the mines are developed, but whether they are developed or not.
It’s about whether we can protect it.”
Next to him, Li Jiancheng snorted, "This is different. If the mine is developed on a large scale, our Tang Dynasty will definitely station a heavy army. If the Sui army wants to seize the mine, they will not succeed so easily. The Tang army will repel them. Just
It's because there is no mining, so there are no troops stationed. Xiangguo Pei, you are clearly responsible, why are you still trying to defend yourself?"
Pei Ji was sweating profusely after being talked about. Although the Holy Emperor and the prince blamed him, he still wanted to defend himself, "Your Majesty, although I advocated temporarily not opening the mineral deposits in Huining County, when I voted in the political affairs hall, I
The resolution was passed four to one, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did not object to shelving the mining operation. Why is it that now he has shifted all the responsibility to me? Although I made a mistake in judgment, I should not bear all the responsibility."
"Pei Xiangguo, you are blaming the Holy One for confusing right and wrong and deliberately wronging you, right?" Prince Jiancheng said coldly.
Pei Ji suddenly discovered that the prince was actually not as tolerant as the legend said, and he was also very powerful. He seized on the loophole in one sentence and immediately used the topic to amplify the situation.
Pei Ji hurriedly said: "I don't mean to blame the Holy One at all?"
"Then what do you mean? Please speak clearly?" Li Jiancheng pressed forward step by step, forcing Pei Ji almost to the corner.
At this time, Li Yuan sighed secretly in his heart, what time has it been now, they are still fighting among themselves, do they not care if the sky is falling?
"Okay, don't argue anymore."
Li Yuan interrupted the internal fighting between them unhappily, and ordered the eunuch to pass Xiao Yu's express letter to them. Li Jiancheng and Pei Ji read the letter one after another, and both fell silent. They all felt the seriousness of the situation, and now they are indeed
This is not the time for bickering.
Li Yuan stood up and walked a few steps with his hands behind his hands, and then said to the two of them: "Tell me what you two should do now?"
Pei Ju was an appeaser at heart. He bowed first and said: "Your Majesty, I think Yang Yuanqing's attitude is worthy of discussion. If I am not wrong, he sent troops to occupy Nanyang and Xiyang counties just to capture Huining County.
If we can take a step forward and give him Huining County, and at the same time ask him to return Nanyang and Xiyang counties to us, he should be able to agree, and then discuss the surrender of troops and the captured ministers, and the problem will be solved satisfactorily
.”
Li Yuan said coldly: "What does Prime Minister Pei mean by ceding Huining County to him? With such a huge mineral deposit, the copper and silver mined were enough to meet the expenses of the Tang Dynasty court, and to recruit troops, but they were just seized by the Sui Dynasty.
Walk?"
Li Jiancheng stood aside, but glanced at the old eunuch in the corner. The old eunuch gave him a wink and clenched his fists, which was a hint to him.
Li Jiancheng immediately understood that his father wanted to take back Huining County by force. In fact, for Li Jiancheng, he was also in a conflict. On the one hand, he was absolutely unwilling for the Sui Dynasty to occupy Huining's mineral deposits. He was in charge of government affairs and he knew those things.
What silver mines and copper mines mean is that they are an inestimable wealth for both the Tang Dynasty and the Sui Dynasty.
But on the other hand, he did not want his father to go to war with the Sui army for the mineral deposits. Once he failed, not only would Huining County be completely occupied by the Sui army, but other negotiations would also become more passive.
Li Jiancheng was in a dilemma. At this time, Li Yuan looked at him, meaning to ask for his opinion.
Li Jiancheng bit his lip and said in a deep voice: "Father, I never want the mineral deposits in Huining County to be taken away by the Sui army. I think we should fight with the Sui army to fight for Huining County. Even if we lose, we will not be able to win."
We cannot show weakness, this is a matter of dignity of the Tang Dynasty. If we give in like this, then Huining County will be followed by Wuwei County, and Yang Yuanqing will encroach on our territory step by step."
After a pause, Li Jiancheng continued: "The key is that even if we lose, Huining County will not be ceded to us. It can give an explanation to the people of the Tang Dynasty. In addition, it can set the tone for taking it back by force in the future."
Li Yuan nodded slowly, "The emperor's words are very suitable to my liking. We cannot give up on Huining County just like this. No matter what, we must give an explanation to the people of the world."
Speaking of this, Li Yuan resolutely ordered, "Hurry up and order General Youyiwei Li Shentong to come see me!".".".
Li Yuan was still unwilling to accept that Huining County, which was rich in mineral resources, was taken away by the Sui army. In order to give an explanation to the government, the public and the Guanlong nobles, he decided to send troops to Huining County and ordered his younger brother, the King of Huai'an County, and Youyiwei.
General Li Shentong was the general manager of the pass and led an army of 30,000 to Huining County.