Li Jiancheng then said slowly: "My son has actually been in contact with Kang Sheoli. A few days ago, Kang Sheoli sent someone to deliver a message to me. Now there has been a great change in the Turks. Chuluo Khan died of illness and his younger brother Du Bi ascended the throne and was known as
Because of Jieli Khan, the Utu tribe in the north had been destroyed, and some of the remaining Utu tribes went south to join the Sui army and were resettled in Dingxiang County."
Li Yuan frowned, "I don't know anything about these things. Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"Because my father is worried about the affairs of Huining County, I have not reported to my father for the time being. I planned to report to my father in two days. It can be seen that my father is in a bad mood, so I reported to my father first."
Li Yuan didn't care too much about him hiding himself. He was concerned about whether the Turks could help him suppress the Sui Dynasty.
"But when the Turks were defeated in Fengzhou and their 300,000-strong army was almost wiped out, how much strength do they still have? Also, I seem to have heard that the Turks and the Sui army reconciled last year."
"Father, the strength of the Turks was greatly weakened after the defeat of Fengzhou. This is indeed a fact, but they are all soldiers. When Qimin Khan was at his strongest, he had millions of armored men, so the Turks still have strength. In addition, the Turks still have strength.
Tubu was destroyed, and Jieli Khan obtained hundreds of thousands of people and a large amount of supplies. Kang Sheoli's envoy said that the Turks could provide 300,000 troops. Jieli Khan was ambitious, and his next step would be to lead his troops southward to annihilate them.
The remaining troops of Utu will inevitably conflict with the Sui army."
Li Yuan pondered for a long time and then said slowly: "The Turks are ambitious and have always wanted to gain advantage from the Central Plains. In fact, we don't have to deliberately form an alliance with the Turks to avoid being accused by the world of being friends with foreigners. We can establish trade with the Turks through Hexi.
We can tell them some information to let them understand the general trend of the Central Plains and the inside story of the Sui Dynasty. When the time is right, Jieli Khan will naturally go south to attack the Sui Dynasty, and then our opportunity will come."
Li Jiancheng was in great spirits. His father agreed to make friends with the Turks, which gave him hope. He quickly said: "Father, although we do not form an alliance with the Turks, we can do some courtesy exchanges. For example, if the new Turks Khan ascends the throne, we can send people there.
congratulate."
Li Yuan thought for a while and then readily agreed, "Very good. We can ask Prince Xiaoji of Yong'an County to go on an envoy to the Turks to congratulate the new Turks Khan on his enthronement for me."."..."...
Xiao Yu came to Jinyang Palace again. But this time his mood was completely different from last time. This time the Sui Dynasty treated him with great courtesy and gave him a stay in a distinguished hotel. With a large welcome carriage, he also
Don't let him wait in the wind.
The carriage slowed down slowly, and Xiao Yu saw Yang Shidao from afar. There were also several other officials standing respectfully in front of the Jinyang Palace waiting.
Although the Sui Dynasty had done enough etiquette and given him enough face this time, Xiao Yu felt an indescribable bitterness in his heart. He would rather stay in an inn, wait in the wind, or be ignored. At least he would not feel like he is now.
It feels so humiliating.
Yesterday, he received an urgent order from the Emperor, ordering him to accept all the conditions of the Sui Dynasty and end the negotiations as soon as possible. Xiao Yu also knew that this was due to the impact of the capture of the consort Chai Shao, and he could understand the Emperor's helplessness.
But as an envoy, he felt deeply ashamed in his heart for agreeing to all the conditions of the Sui Dynasty..."...
The carriage stopped in front of the palace gate. Xiao Yu and Yu Wenshiji got off the carriage, and Yang Shidao came to greet them. He bowed his hands and asked with concern: "Xiao Xiangguo seems to be in poor condition. Is he sick?"
"I'm fine!"
Xiao Yu snorted, "I'm just in a bad mood. If it were Yang Xiangguo, my mood wouldn't be much better."
Several guards came forward carrying the chariot. Waiting for them to take their seats, Xiao Yu sighed in his heart. He really didn't want to go to Ziwei Pavilion, so he simply explained here that he accepted all conditions, and then he left.
Although he thought so, he couldn't do it. He was the chief envoy of the Tang Dynasty and represented the image of the Tang Dynasty. This was not an ordinary dispute between neighbors. Moreover, he had to sign some documents, so Xiao Yu had to sit on the chariot and Yang Shidao also sat on it.
Next to it, the guard raised his chariot and walked towards Ziwei Pavilion.
"Will Yang Xiangguo have a detailed talk with me today?" Xiao Yu asked as he stepped down from the chariot at the door of Ziwei Pavilion.
Yang Shidao shook his head, "Today I am just accompanying you, and it is up to His Highness the King of Chu to have a detailed discussion with Xiao Xiangguo. Your Highness has been waiting for the Prime Minister for a long time."
Xiao Yu understood clearly in his heart that all this is under Yang Yuanqing's control, and today will be the day when the truth comes to light..."."
Yang Yuanqing stood in front of the window, watching Xiao Yu enter Ziwei Pavilion with the eyes of a conqueror. At this time, Yang Yuanqing was filled with the pride of victory. Since Pei Xingyan sent him the news a few days ago, he annihilated the troops led by Chai Shao.
With five thousand troops and the capture of the consort Chai Shao, Yang Yuanqing knew that the Tang Dynasty would inevitably surrender.
This surrender was not because Chai Shao was so important, but because the Tang Dynasty could no longer afford defeat. Once the Tang army was defeated in Guanlong, it would be a fatal blow to the Tang Dynasty and would shake the foundation of the Tang Dynasty.
In fact, to a certain extent, the Sui army's occupation of Huining County was also a test to test the Tang Dynasty's ability to withstand it. It turned out that the Tang Dynasty could no longer afford the failure in Guanlong. Yang Yuanqing's eyes gradually narrowed into a slit. If he
If the entire pass is eaten away step by step, what will happen?
At this time, a guard reported at the door, "The Tang envoy has been taken to the meeting hall."
Yang Yuanqing nodded and picked up a thick stack of documents from the table. This was a series of documents that the Sui and Tang dynasties were going to sign today. He walked quickly to the meeting hall.
The meeting hall is downstairs. Xiao Yu and Yu Wenshiji have been waiting in the room for a long time. Yu Wenshiji is still a little worried. Xiao Yu said that after today's talk, he will return to Chang'an tomorrow, which made him feel confused.
Is there still a chance to see my wife and children again?
Xiao Yu didn't blame him for being absent-minded today. He himself was a little uneasy and didn't know how to face Yang Yuanqing. At this time, the guard at the door shouted in a low voice: "His Royal Highness the King of Chu is here!"
Xiao Yu was startled and turned around, only to see Yang Yuanqing walking in quickly. He quickly stepped forward and saluted, "See His Majesty the King of Chu!"
"I'll keep Xiao Xiangguo waiting. Please sit down!"
Both parties took their seats. This time Yang Yuanqing sat in the main seat, Yang Shidao sat next to him, and Yushi Han Shouzhong and Fu Xilang Jiang Ji sat at the bottom. One of them was responsible for recording, and the other was responsible for the seal.
Yang Yuanqing smiled slightly and said: "How good is Xiao Xiangguo's food and accommodation these days, and how well can Yi Cheng take care of him?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Yi Cheng has taken good care of me."
The two exchanged a few words and then gradually got into the topic. Xiao Yu said in a deep voice: "The last time the Sui Dynasty proposed the conditions, I asked the court and the Holy Emperor for instructions. I have received a formal reply from Chang'an. We can accept the Sui Dynasty's conditions."
, in exchange for all the prisoners of war in exchange for 500,000 shi of grain. In addition, the court also promised to cede Huining County in exchange for Nanyang and Xiyang counties. I hope the Sui Dynasty can keep its promise,"
Yang Yuanqing nodded, "Last time, the conditions were proposed on the fifth day of August. Before the fifth day of August, all prisoners of war captured by the Sui Dynasty will be returned, but things that happened after the fifth day of August are not included. I hope Xiao Xiangguo can understand this."
Xiao Yu's face changed greatly. Yang Yuanqing meant that Chai Shao was not included. How could this be allowed? The Holy One had clearly stated that Chai Shao should be released. He said anxiously: "Your Highness, at least the consort Chai Shao should be included!"
Yang Yuanqing shook his head, "I'm sorry, Chai Consort was captured on the eighth day of August. I considered the conditions at the beginning of August. I didn't take Chai Consort into consideration. Of course, I can release Chai Consort, but I need to get a ransom.
Reciprocal exchange is a matter of course."
Xiao Yu was almost desperate. Five hundred thousand stones of food was not enough. Yang Yuanqing wanted to increase the amount again. He was itching with hatred.
But Yang Yuanqing's expression was very determined, as if there was no room for negotiation on the matter. Xiao Yu had no choice but to bite the bullet and asked: "I wonder what conditions your Highness wants?"
Yang Yuanqing stretched out his palm, turned it back and forth, and said calmly: "I want one hundred thousand taels of gold, or three hundred thousand shi of grain."
This condition almost made Xiao Yu faint. Even the deputy envoy next to him, Yuwen Shiji, changed his expression. Even Han Shouzhong, the censor in charge of recording in the Sui Dynasty, could not put down his pen.
This is simply a lion's mouth. The Tang Dynasty has promised 500,000 shi of grain, and now the King of Chu wants to pursue another 100,000 taels of gold or 300,000 shi of grain. How can the Tang Dynasty afford this?
Xiao Yu knew well that the Tang Dynasty government's grain inventory only amounted to 1.1 million shi. If Yang Yuanqing extorted 800,000 shi, the official warehouses in various places would be at the bottom. Giving 500,000 shi was the limit of the Tang Dynasty.
, it is impossible to give more.
However, one hundred thousand taels of gold was almost half of the gold reserves in Zuozang. Giving it to the Sui Dynasty would greatly affect the Tang Dynasty's financial expenditure. How could the Holy Emperor explain to the court that half of the gold in the treasury was used for a consort?
It is also impossible for him to agree.
Although the Holy Emperor's handwriting to him stated that he could agree to all the conditions of the Sui Dynasty, as the Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty, Xiao Yu had his own bottom line and principles, so he bowed his head and remained silent.
Yang Yuanqing glanced at him and said with a smile: "That's it! I will take a step back. As long as you agree to my additional conditions, I will not only release the Chai Prince Consort, but also the more than 4,000 prisoners of war captured with him. This
Xiao Xiangguo should be able to accept the conditions!"
Xiao Yu bit his lip and said: "Your Highness, King Chu, I don't have to give up more than 4,000 prisoners of war. I only want a chariot consort, 300,000 shi of food or 100,000 taels of gold. We can't afford it. Can you give in one more step?"
,50,000 taels of gold to redeem Chai’s consort.”
Yang Yuanqing smiled slightly and said: "Give me the families of more than 4,000 prisoners of war as well."
Xiao Yu's heart skipped a beat, "Then it's a deal!"
Yang Yuanqing's expression became serious. He looked into Xiao Yu's eyes and said slowly: "We are committed!"
The two sides finally reached an agreement. The Tang Dynasty completed the Central Plains Campaign at the cost of 500,000 shi of grain. However, in order to redeem Chai Shao, the Tang Dynasty paid another 50,000 taels of gold and the families of more than 4,000 prisoners of war. The two parties to the memorandum of understanding
After the signing, Li Shimin's 50,000 troops withdrew from Huining County to Longxi County, and Huining County was officially annexed by the Sui Dynasty.