"But fortunately, we are all pursuing peace. Everything can be discussed."
In the room, Ning Yi's gaze turned serious as he said this. The coldness in his gaze was so cold that it could even penetrate one's heart. Lin Houxuan was silent for a moment.
"The rights and wrongs of this war are still debatable. But … Mister Ning, please speak frankly. Houxuan is only a messenger, but I will definitely pass on Mister Ning's words. "
His words were soft and hard, neither servile nor overbearing. Across from him, Ning Yi revealed a faint smile. Perhaps it was praise, or perhaps it was sarcasm.
"That's right. I understand what Brother Lin is saying. Since I am a messenger, I hope Brother Lin will remember what I am about to say. When you see His Majesty in the future, don't forget or make a mistake. This is an important matter, so I will say this first. I hope Brother Lin can forgive me. "
"Mister Ning is right. Houxuan will be careful."
"Good." Ning Yi smiled and stood up. He slowly paced around the room. After a moment, he said, "When Brother Lin entered the city, did you see the situation outside?"
"What does Mister Ning mean?"
"We are also in trouble. It is not easy at all." Ning Yi said, "The northwest is barren to begin with. It's not a rich and populous land. You guys attacked, killed people, and destroyed the land. Even after harvesting the wheat this time, you also wasted a lot of it. The total amount can't support so many people. July is almost over. Once winter comes, there will be famine and people will die. I took a portion of the wheat and distributed the rest to them according to the number of people they had. They wouldn't be able to make it past this year. Some people still had surplus grain at home, while others were able to scrounge up some food from the wilderness. Perhaps they would be able to make it through this year. They felt that the land was originally theirs, and the grain was also theirs. Now that we had recovered Yanzhou, it was only right for us to distribute the grain according to the original farmland. Now they are causing trouble outside. If we distribute it like that, more people will starve to death. Brother Li should be able to see these difficulties, right? "
"Mister Ning is benevolent and righteous." Lin Houxuan cupped his hands. He had some doubts in his heart, but he was also gloating. "Please forgive Houxuan for speaking bluntly. Since the Huaxia army had reclaimed Yanzhou, distributing the grain according to the land deeds was the right way to go. There were fewer people to talk, and there would be less trouble. My Western Xia Country's army has come here and killed a lot of people. Therefore, many land deeds have become ownerless, and the big clans have been pacified. Now, the Huaxia army has a legitimate reason to keep these places in their pockets. Mister Ning distributing food according to the number of people is a bit inappropriate. However, this Houxuan admires the benevolence and righteousness in his heart. "
As an emissary, he naturally did not dare to offend Ning Yi too much. What he said at this time was also reasonable. Ning Yi leaned against the side of the desk and smiled without giving any comment.
"Brother Lin, you might find it strange that most people would hide their weaknesses if they wanted to negotiate. Why would I be so blunt about it? However, I think differently. The world belongs to everyone, and I hope that everyone will benefit. My difficulties may not necessarily become your difficulties in the future. " He paused for a moment and remembered. "Oh, right. The Zhe family has been probing and observing the situation in Yanzhou recently. To be honest, the Zhe family is very cunning. They definitely have bad intentions. These matters are giving me a headache."
"The Zhe family is not easy to deal with." Lin Houxuan nodded in agreement.
"So, frankly speaking, I can only think of ideas from you." Ning Yi pointed his finger twice, and his tone became cold again. "After the battle with Dong Zhiyuan and Li Qianshun's return, the situation is not good. I know …"
"Ning …" Lin Houxuan was still gentle and amiable a moment ago, but now, when he heard Ning Yi call his emperor by his name without any courtesy, Lin Houxuan wanted to say something, but Ning Yi's eyes were completely emotionless. He looked at him as if he was looking at a dead man. Lin Houxuan waved his hand and continued speaking.
"In your Xixia country, the struggle between the emperor and the empress has been going on for a long time. Even the power of a few large tribes cannot be underestimated. When Iron Sparrow Hawk and the hostage army were there, it was still manageable. After the two battles with Dong Zhiyuan, Iron Sparrow Hawk was gone, and the hostage army was scattered. It's hard to say how many died. We later captured more than 200. When Li Qianshun returned this time, it was reasonable for him to make a big fuss. Fortunately, he still has some resources. Within a month, your Xixia did not change. Next, we will have to slowly plan and consolidate the Li family's authority. I think it's hard to say whether this process can be done in three to five years. "
Ning Yi rapped his fingers on the table. "Right now, on my side, there are 217 members of the original Hostage Army and 503 Iron Sparrowhawks. They are in the Western Xia, big or small, and have their own families. These 720 Western Xia brothers are what you want. As for the other 400 or so unlucky fellows without any background, I don't want to use them to discuss business with you. I'll just throw them into the mountains to dig coal. Even if they die of exhaustion, it'll save you trouble … Brother Lin, this time, the main reason you came here is for these 720 people, right? "
Lin Houxuan's face was solemn and he did not speak.
"Seven hundred and twenty people, that's a big business. Brother Lin, you came for Li Qianshun, but to tell you the truth, I've been hesitating. These people, should I sell them to the Li family, the Liang family, or other people who need them? "
"Mr. Ning," Lin Houxuan said. "Are you threatening me?" His eyes were cold, and he had a strong sense of righteousness, as if he would never be threatened.
"Of course. If I don't threaten you, why would I talk about business? Do you think I'm doing charity? " Ning Yi glanced at him, and his tone was flat. Then he continued to return to the topic. "As I said before, I took Yanzhou, and you didn't kill all the people. Now, in the territory around here, there are more than 30,000 to 40,000 people. To put it in a more literal way, these are 40,000 man-eating mouths. If I can't feed them, they'll come to eat me! "
Ning Yi smiled coldly. "Why do you think I distribute food to the poor and not the rich? Icing on the cake is better than providing charcoal in the snow. If I give food to the rich, they think it's right. If I give it to the poor, it's equivalent to saving their lives. Brother Lin, do you think that on the battlefield, the poor or the rich will risk their lives? If we can't solve the food shortage in the northwest by the end of this autumn, I'll join forces with the Zhe family and the Zhong family. I'll bring them across Mount Heng and go to Silver Stream to eat you! "
Frowning, Lin Houxuan shot to his feet. "Mister Ning, the battle you fought on Dong Zhiyuan was indeed amazing. However, after the battle, how many people do you have? If you think that the Western Xia is afraid of you, then you can try to kill your way across Mount Heng! "
"Whether I'm afraid or not, whether I can defeat them or not, is one thing, and whether I can lead them across the Hengshan Mountains is another. Let's not talk about the Huaxia Army. I have a village of more than 20,000 people in Luliang. I can lead another 10,000 people and horses." Ning Yi's expression was equally cold. "I'm a businessman, and I hope for peace. However, if there's no other way, I can only kill my way out. This path is a life-and-death struggle, but when winter comes, I'll definitely take it. How do I train my troops? Just look at the Huaxia army. I guarantee that these 30,000 to 50,000 people will be enough. The Zhe family and the Zhong family will also be very willing to hit me when I'm down. "
The room was silent for a moment.
"The situation is so troublesome. This is one way, but of course, I have another way." Ning Yi said calmly and then paused.
"I can give you 720 people and let you use them to pacify the situation in the country. I can also sell them to others and let them overthrow you. Of course, as you said, you won't be threatened. If you don't want these 700 people, others will not make things difficult for you. Then, I'll immediately chop off their heads. I'll let the united Western Xia people live a happy life. Next, we'll go all out in winter! As long as enough people die, our food problem can be solved. "
Lin Houxuan was silent for a long time. "I'm just a messenger. I have no right to nod. You …"
"I'll pass it to your mother!!!"
Suddenly, a thunderous roar exploded in the room with a majestic aura. Lin Houxuan was practicing Tai Chi, foreshadowing in advance. He spoke carefully. However, when he said this, he saw the scholar's eyes sharpen and a cold murderous aura rush towards him. As Ning Yi roared, he picked up something and swung it out. At this moment, Lin Houxuan only felt a chill beside his ear. The heavy copper censer flew past his left cheek, and with a loud bang, it smashed into the cabinet in the corner of the wall behind him.
In an instant, pieces of paper, dust, and wood shavings flew everywhere. Lin Houxuan shrank his head in a daze. He didn't expect that a simple sentence would lead to such an outcome. Someone had already rushed in from outside the door, but then he heard Ning Yi say, "Get out!" At this moment, Lin Houxuan felt a sense of majesty and pressure that was even greater than when he had an audience with Li Qianshun in the golden palace.
"Going back and forth, hundreds of thousands of people will die. You're treating this as a child's play. You're so long-winded. You're just a messenger, how many times do you have to repeat yourself in front of me? If Li Qianshun really sent you here to pass on a message, what's the difference between sending you or sending a dog? I'll write a letter and let it carry it back! Your Xixia is a small country, how can it compare to the Wu Dynasty!? The first time I met Zhou Zhe, I slaughtered him like a dog! Dong Zhiyuan, if Li Qianshun ran slower, I'll kick his head like a ball! Official Lin, you're the envoy of Xixia, shouldering the heavy responsibility of the country's rise and fall. That's why Li Qianshun sent you here. If you play dead in front of me again and disregard the lives of our people, I'll immediately order people to chop you into pieces. "
As he spoke, Ning Yi's figure slowly sat down behind the desk. Lin Houxuan's face was as pale as paper. Then he took two deep breaths and slowly cupped his hands. "Yes, Houxuan was careless, but …" He calmed himself down but didn't dare to look into the other's eyes. "But our country has sent out a large army this time, which is a waste of manpower and resources. Now we don't have enough food. To redeem these seven hundred and twenty people, Mister Ning can't possibly make us bear the burden of the food and drink of everyone in Yanzhou or even the northwest, right? "
"Since I'm willing to call you here, there's naturally a place for discussion. I've already prepared a copy of the specific conditions and conditions." Ning Yi opened the desk and took out a thick stack of documents. "If you want to redeem people, according to your clan's rules, you must certainly give me something. That's the first batch. I want food, gold, and silver. I'll let you pass the hurdle in front of you, but you must let me pass this hurdle first. Then, there'll be your benefits … "
Ning Yi didn't stop talking. "Both sides will exchange the people and the goods. Then, I'll naturally find a way to solve the food problem of both sides. Why do your clans want to go to war? It's nothing more than all kinds of good things. Now that the northwest can no longer be fought, your emperor's foundation is unstable. Can you stabilize the situation by redeeming these seven hundred people? It's just a cup of water on a burning cart of firewood. It doesn't matter. I have a way to go. If you cooperate with us to do business, we'll open up the markets of Tubo, Dali, Jin Kingdom, and even the Wu dynasty. What do you want? Books? Technology? Silk and porcelain? Tea leaves? There's some in the south. Back then, it was a embargo. Now, I'll get it for you. "
"What does your Western Xia have? Your green salt is of good quality and cheap. Back then, the Wu dynasty didn't want to do salt business with you. Now, I'll sell it for you. We can discuss how much we sell every year and at what price. Not enough to eat? There's always enough. You can buy from Tubo, Dali, and Jin Kingdom. Honestly, you don't know how to do business. You get bullied every year. What happened to Liao back then? He forced the Wu dynasty to pay tribute every year. In the blink of an eye, the Wu dynasty earned back all the money. "
"Now that you can't fight anymore, let's cooperate. Who in your country has a good relationship with? Prioritize them when they ship good things back. If they have anything to sell, we'll help them sell it. As long as you do this, won't you be stable? I can guarantee you that those who have a good relationship with you will have silk and satin in their households. Those who want to cause trouble, I'll let them sleep without a quilt … I've written down these general matters and how to do them. You can take a look. Don't worry that I'm just making empty promises. "
"… Then, you can take it back and give it to Li Qianshun."
Ning Yi threw it to him. Lin Houxuan's eyes gradually brightened as he listened to the end. He lowered his head and looked at the bound manuscript. He heard Ning Yi's voice again. "But first, you have to show your sincerity."
Lin Houxuan raised his head with a puzzled look. Ning Yi came out from behind the desk. "When you hand over the people, return Qing Zhou to me first."
Lin Houxuan frowned and was about to speak when Ning Yi waved his hand and walked out of the room.
"There's no need to talk about this. Qing Zhou is of little value now. It's tasteless but a pity to throw it away. Why do you want it? Go back and talk to Li Qianshun. Then, whether it's war or peace, you choose — "
Outside the room, the sound of Ning Yi's footsteps faded away.
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