Wei Zheng said, "Emperor Xia, that was then and this is now. The situation of the past is different from the past. What's more, I firmly believe that Emperor Xia is a reasonable and wise ruler who won't detain us. If Emperor Xia really wants to detain us, then Wei Zheng can only accept it. After all, it's not unprecedented for an envoy to be detained. "
Kong Yingda, as the Deputy Envoy, had never spoken since the beginning because he was just a Deputy Envoy. Kong Yingda was eloquent, but it was impossible for him to exceed Wei Zheng's authority. Only when Wei Zheng found it difficult to deal with it would he speak for him.
Du Qi shook his head and chuckled.
Wei Zheng was as eloquent as ever.
Unfortunately, Wei Zheng was also old.
Du Qi suddenly said, "Prime Minister Wei, we're old acquaintances. Speaking of which, Prime Minister Wei is also a relative of mine. Why don't you give up your official position in the Tang Dynasty and come to Xia Xia? Whatever official position you hold in the Tang Dynasty, you'll also hold the same position in Xia Xia. I'll even promote you by one rank. The present Xia Xia is flourishing like the rising sun. On the contrary, the Tang Dynasty is declining day by day and can no longer maintain its prosperity. The Great Xia is the trend of the world. "
Wei Zheng said, "Wei Zheng appreciates Emperor Xia's kindness. Unfortunately, Wei Zheng is used to the ups and downs of Chang 'an and is not used to leaving Chang' an. "
After a pause, Wei Zheng went straight to the point, "Emperor Xia, I'm here on behalf of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. This time, we're here to seek peace. I hope that the Tang Dynasty and Xia Xia will cease fighting and stop fighting."
Du Qi said, "Prime Minister Wei, you and I are old friends. We used to be enemies, but in the end, we became in-laws. You can say that we have become family. So I won't beat around the bush with you. Prime Minister Wei, if it were the Tang Dynasty, would you be willing to give up the war after gaining the absolute advantage over Xia Xia? "
Wei Zheng faintly smiled and said, "Emperor Xia, you can't say it like that. The war between Xia Xia and the Tang dynasty was indeed won by Xia Xia, and the Tang dynasty was in a disadvantageous position. But in fact, the Tang dynasty was not completely powerless. Even if Mr. Xia's weapon has a great advantage, our Tang dynasty is still strong enough to fight. "
After a short pause, Wei Zheng continued, "The Tang dynasty has been established for many years and has a deep foundation. Especially in the Tang dynasty, which was full of natural resources and outstanding people, it was not impossible for them to fight against Mr. Xia. If the war between Xia Xia and the Tang dynasty dragged on, it would eventually be disadvantageous to Xia Xia. After all, Mr. Xia's internal affairs aren't completely united. There are also many troubles. "
Du Qi said, "Prime Minister Wei, your words are a bit of sophistry. Although today's Xia Xia is a newly established country, everyone in Xia Xia is united as one. Although Xia Xia has risks like Brahmin and Kshatriya, in fact, the people's hearts are on Xia Xia's side. Brahmin and Kshatriya, who used to be nobles in Tianzhu, are rejected and spurned by countless people. "
"Therefore, the nobles are not enough to accomplish anything."
"If they jump out, they'll be courting death. For Mr. Xia, I'm not afraid of such risks. But now, Xia Xia's internal affairs are thriving day by day. Everything is flourishing and developing in a good direction. "
"As for the war with the Tang dynasty, it will consume a lot of food and equipment. But Xia Xia's territory is vast and sparsely populated. Now that there's large-scale farming, there's no shortage of food. Moreover, Xia Xia's economy is very good and has not been affected by the war. "
"On the other hand, although my previous campaigns have consumed a lot of food, in the end, the benefits that I've brought to Xia Xia are even greater. Instead, they have promoted Xia Xia's development. Therefore, the war is getting better and better for Mr. Xia. There's no saying that the continuation of the war will drag down Xia Xia. "
His words were eloquent and eloquent.
Wei Zheng also frowned.
Wei Zheng had seen Du Qi's prowess long ago. He was no ordinary person. Du Qi used to speak eloquently, humiliating the Yin family and putting the entire Crown Prince's Residence in the Eastern Palace in a dilemma. Even in the imperial court, no one dared to provoke Du Qi.
Kong Yingda smiled and said, "Emperor Xia, you're wrong."
Du Qi said, "Chancellor Kong is a scholar and a leader of the clear stream. Although I don't have much interaction with Chancellor Kong, I've heard of him long ago. As the descendant of Confucius, Chancellor Kong is the descendant of a sage. Chancellor Kong, as long as you're willing to come to Xia Xia, I, Du Qi, will welcome you with open arms. "
He did it on purpose.
He was purposely trying to provoke Kong Yingda. Of course, he knew that it was impossible to get Kong Yingda to surrender like this. However, it was not impossible to provoke Kong Yingda and show him how courteous he was.
Kong Yingda said, "I'm very grateful for Emperor Xia's kindness. However, a loyal subject does not serve two masters. I've served the Tang dynasty and have received benefits from the Tang dynasty. Naturally, I'll be loyal. Therefore, I hope Emperor Xia can forgive me. "
Du Qi said, "What a pity, what a pity!"
Kong Yingda said seriously, "There's nothing to pity. Emperor Xia's subordinates are also full of talents. I've heard that Xia Xia has recruited countless disciples of aristocratic families to Xia Xia. These people all hold important positions in Xia Xia, laying the foundation for Xia Xia's rapid rise. There are so many talents in Xia Xia's territory, there's no shortage of people like me. "
After a pause, Kong Yingda continued, "Emperor Xia, let's get back to the topic. You said that Xia Xia is not afraid of war, and that the more Xia Xia fights, the more likely he will win and promote Xia Xia's development. In fact, this is a paradox. When Emperor Xia was in Tianzhu, it was indeed like this. Like a rolling snowball, it swept across the land. "
"But now, Xia Xia has been established. Your war with the Tang dynasty will drag on for a long time and consume a lot of food. Even if Xia Xia has a strong foundation, consuming a lot of food, equipment, and losing a lot of soldiers will be a huge burden for Xia Xia. Emperor Xia, it's impossible for a monarch to fight a war without spending money. "
"Just the compensation alone is not a small amount. Although I didn't participate in the Battle of Changbai Slope, I've heard a little about the result. My Tang dynasty has lost a lot of people, but Xia Xia has lost hundreds of thousands of people. Although Emperor Xia doesn't lack soldiers, you can recruit hundreds of thousands of people at will. "
Kong Yingda said, "How much compensation will be needed to complete the hundreds of thousands of people who have died? Just this sum of money alone was an immeasurable amount of money, and it was a huge burden. Even if Xia Xia's finances are abundant, it will still have a huge impact. "
Du Qi narrowed his eyes, a touch of surprise in his eyes.
Kong Yingda was quite sharp.
He saw the problem at a glance.
However, Du Qi gave a slight smile and said, "Chancellor Kong, the matter of pension and commendation that you mentioned does indeed exist. But for Xia Xia, the imperial court of Xia Xia can still bear this little burden. After all, Xia Xia has countless pillar industries and domestic finances are abundant. We don't lack money and supplies. "
"In addition, you may not know that Xia Xia and Persia are at war. Now, Xia has seized Bolang City, which is on the border of Persia, and killed the City Lord of Bolang, Kass. Kade is a prince of the Persian Kingdom and is the Lord of Bolang City. As for the Persian ambassador, Waldo, who was sent to the Great Tang, he was only Kade's advisor. He was also captured by our Xia Kingdom. "
Du Qi said, "Bolang City's wealth and food are innumerable. They have all been sent back to Xia Xia to be added to the national treasury."
Kass did work hard in Bolang City, so he had a lot of money and food. It was mentioned in Lai Ji's letter that they were gradually being sent back to be added to the national treasury.
Kong Yingda frowned when he heard Du Qi's words.
It's not easy to make peace!
According to Wei Zheng and Kong Yingda's discussion on the way here, it would be best to stop the war with Xia Xia without losing the Tang dynasty. But now it seemed that it was impossible for the Tang dynasty to not pay a price.
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