Fenghou

Chapter 667 Settlement
Before the expedition to Xixia, Chen Qing left a rather special order that major military and political decisions must seek the opinion of the wife of the Xuanfu envoy, that is, the signature of his wife Lu Xiu.

This is not surprising. Lu Xiu and Chen Qing are a community of interests, and Chen Qing's interests are those of Lu Xiu. In fact, in terms of legal principles, Lu Xiu's participation in decision-making also has a sense of the empress dowager's presence.

There is also a third reason, Lu Xiu will definitely discuss with Zhao Qiaoyun, Chen Qing actually wants Zhao Qiaoyun to participate in the decision-making, but he must not bypass his wife.

So far, Lu Xiu has signed three major decisions. One is to transfer [-] shi and [-] guan of grain to Hanzhong to accommodate the families of [-] Hanzhong soldiers;

The second is to formally abolish the shelf tax in Sichuan’s prefectures and counties, that is, the real estate tax, which Chen Qing has long requested to abolish;

The third is to pay [-] guan to buy the [-] cargo ships captured by Liu Guangshi from Zhang Jun. This was a decision made only a few days ago.

In the morning, Lu Xiu was talking to Zhao Qiaoyun in the living room. She was a little worried and said, "Mr. Zhou said that Zhang Jun can bargain and lower the price of the ship to [-] yuan. We almost didn't bargain and agreed to buy it directly. Isn't it a little thoughtless?"

Zhao Qiaoyun puffed her stomach and tried to make herself more comfortable. She smiled slightly and said, "Sister, don't worry. Ships are not ordinary cargo. In the words of officials, they are a kind of strategic assets. He didn't hesitate to buy it, and besides, these cargo ships were all big ships of two to three thousand shi, which were said to be [-] to [-] percent new, and the normal price was at least [-] apiece, because Zhang Jun was selling the spoils privately, so they were so cheap.

Moreover, he wants silver, and only we can afford it. If we bargain, it will take at least a month of delay if we come and go again and again. I am afraid that Zhang Jun will not dare to sell it because of the long night and many dreams, and this rare opportunity will be lost in vain. "

Lu Xiu nodded, "I was also afraid of losing the opportunity, so I agreed to spend [-] taels of silver to buy these cargo ships. I hope our decision is correct."

At this moment, a servant girl came in and saluted, "Madam, Jiang Changshi has something urgent to see you."

"It is estimated that there is something important."

Lu Xiu got up and said with a smile: "You are inconvenient, so don't go, I will ask Yu Ying and Yu Lian to accompany me!"

Lu Xiu called the Yu sisters, and accompanied by a large group of envoys and maids, they went to the guest hall in the atrium.

Jiang Yanxian was waiting in the guest room. At this time, there was a ringing sound, and a large number of servants came in surrounded by his wife Lu Xiu. Jiang Yanxian quickly stood up and saluted, "The lowly job disturbed my wife's rest!"

"Jiang Changshi doesn't need to be polite, please sit down!"

Jiang Yan sat down first, and Lu Xiu also sat down on the main seat. The Yu sisters stood behind her, and a group of servants stood behind her. A maid came in to exchange tea.

Jiang Yanxian said with a smile: "To make a long story short, the special envoy of the imperial court, Zhe Yanzhi, came yesterday. He is a privy secretary and co-inquisitor. This time he came to Jingzhao for three things. First, to negotiate and participate in the Xixia War; After defeating the Jin soldiers, the imperial court wanted to commend the envoy Xuanfu, and wanted to ask the envoy Xuanfu his personal thoughts; the third was that the imperial court wanted to take Wanyan Helisa and Wanyan Qi to Lin'an, and the imperial court would negotiate with the state of Jin. Of course, the imperial court will give us a certain amount of compensation, we have had a preliminary discussion this morning, and I would like to hear Madam's opinion."

Lu Xiu nodded, "The envoy Xuanfu told me about this before leaving. If Jiang Changshi asked, he asked me to convey my opinion to Jiang Changshi for him."

Once Jiang Yanxian regained his energy, he knew that the Xuanfu envoy must have an explanation, so he quickly said, "Madam, please tell me!"

"Xuanfu envoy agrees with the third point, handing over the two nobles of the Kingdom of Jin to the imperial court, including Dasheng in northern Shaanxi. Xuanfu has only three requirements. First, he has handed over the list of generals to the Ministry of Officials and asked the officials to Second, the [-] Jinshi in the Sichuan-Shanxi Imperial Examination this time asked the court to give him the same Jinshi background; the third is about his own identity, he hopes the court can be crowned king."

After a pause, Lu Xiu added: "Xuan Fu envoy also specifically said that this time the Xixia War is over, regardless of whether the court agrees, he will be named Fengxiang County King, but he hopes to be canonized by the court, I remember very clearly .”

Jiang Yanxian gave a wry smile, the envoy Xuanfu really spoke straightforwardly, and he had to be a little more reserved about the last sentence.

He hurriedly said: "I understand the humble position. One more thing is that regarding the imperial court's participation in the Western Xia War, the imperial court has made it clear that it does not want to send troops, and is willing to pay part of the money. Yue's military salary, Madam please decide."

"This. Let me discuss it with Qiao Yun! Write a note to Chang Shi later."

"The humble official understands, then the humble official will not bother Madam, leave!"

Jiang Yan saluted first and left in a hurry.

Lu Xiu went back to the back house, Zhao Qiaoyun is still waiting for her!

"Jiang Changshi left so soon?"

"Hmm! He always keeps his stories short and not long-winded, but he left me another question, let's analyze it."

Lu Xiu explained the court's negotiation conditions, and Zhao Qiaoyun sneered and said, "The court really knows how to settle accounts. It's nothing more than half a million shi of food. The key is a one million guan salary. Eldest sister knows that this attack on Xixia How much did it cost?"

"I don't know, tell me!"

"Let me calculate this account. First, let's talk about the military salary. When a war starts, there is usually double salary. Two hundred and fifty thousand troops are dispatched, and the double salary is six guan. One month is [-] million guan. The plan lasts for half a year. There will be a truce, even if there are three months of double pay and three single pay, the total will be [-] million military pay.

After winning a battle, you will be rewarded at the end, usually money plus land, and the two count as ten pennies!Another [-] million yuan, compensation for those who died in battle, and resettlement for those who were injured and discharged from the army. I don’t know how many casualties there will be, but the compensation for those killed in battle is [-] yuan plus [-] acres of land, and the compensation for those who are injured is [-] yuan plus [-] acres of land. This piece counts as half a million guan!

The above is just the money paid to the soldiers, which will be nearly [-] million guan, and there are also millions of shi of grain, weapons, armor, kerosene, gunpowder, tents, flags, war drums, and heavy siege weapons. We have saved these materials. how much did you spend?
There is also a big head. Soldiers can't just eat food, but also mutton and dishes. How much do [-] soldiers have to supply every day?By the way, there are still [-] civilian husbands, and I remember that each of them gave two pieces of money. "

Lu Xiu smiled and waved her hands, "Stop talking, I'm dizzy."

"It cost at least [-] million guan. Not only the wealth that Xuanfu envoys have accumulated over the years has basically been invested in it, but also without the support of Bashu's financial resources, there is no way to attack Xixia."

Lu Xiu sighed: "No wonder my grandfather said to me that wars are fought against national strength. I only now understand the meaning of this sentence. From this point of view, the imperial court is only willing to pay one million guan, which is indeed a little less."

"The people in the imperial court are not fools, they are all good people. They proposed or paid for one month's military salary, which is [-] million guan, which is about the same as [-] million guan. It shows that they are like the mirror in their hearts. How much food will it cost to fight this Xixia battle?"

"Then shall we agree?"

"I suggest that the eldest sister choose one million guan and five hundred thousand shi of grain. This is relatively clear. There is no specific amount for a month's military salary, and it is easy to argue. In fact, they are only supporting it symbolically. Otherwise, the Xixia will be defeated by the court. Doesn't matter, wouldn't it make the world laugh?"

Lu Xiu sighed, "After this battle, we will have to live a hard life."

Zhao Qiaoyun smiled slyly, "Eldest sister only thinks of spending, why didn't she think of getting money?"

"You mean booty?"

Zhao Qiaoyun nodded, "Civilian officials will not support unprofitable wars. Zhou Kuan, who is so stingy, is willing to spend all his money. He must settle the account. In the end, he must make a profit. Not only did he earn all his capital Come back, there must be a net profit."

Lu Xiu hesitated and said, "But... didn't the officials say that the Xixia treasury is empty and extremely weak, so they decided to fight this war. If the treasury is empty, where will the benefits come from?"

"It doesn't matter if the national treasury is empty, there are still so many dignitaries! Xixia's wealth is in their hands. I have read a piece of information, saying that every household of the rich and powerful in Xingqing Mansion has a huge underground warehouse. The granary, decades of old grain piled up like a mountain."

"I understand, let me give Jiang Changshi a clear answer!"

Lu Xiu wrote a note, signed it, and handed it to the leader of the female guards. She asked her to go to the Xuanfu envoy and hand the note to Jiang Yanxian.

(End of this chapter)