The Great Han Dynasty: From Feng Lang Juxu to the Eternal Emperor

Chapter 337 The controversy over returning gifts

Naturally, Weining did not tell Zhang Qian why he attached so much importance to this sapling.

Zhang Qian thought that Weining was just motivated. For example, some people love calligraphy, some people like flowers, birds, fish and insects, and some people like planting trees.

The hobbies of the upper-class dignitaries are hard to fathom. Maybe the prince likes to plant trees?

Weining didn't answer, so Zhang Qian stopped asking.

……

In Honglu Temple, Aksu is studying a plan to escape Chang'an.

He didn't have many chances along the way. The Wusun envoys were accompanied by a large number of military personnel. Although Aksu was Wusun's number one warrior, he couldn't deal with so many soldiers.

He didn't even get a chance to get close to Princess Wusun along the way. It was after arriving at Honglu Temple in the Han Dynasty that Princess Wusun discovered him in disguise and transferred him to her side.

Aksu knew that Princess Wusun would not be willing to marry her to Chang'an, and she would be forced to do so, so he wanted to find an opportunity to take Princess Wusun away.

If you want to escape Chang'an, you need to leave Honglu Temple. Only then will you have the chance.

It is not difficult to leave Honglu Temple, and it is not difficult to leave Chang'an City. The difficulty is where are they going?

They will definitely not be able to go back to the Western Regions, and they will not be able to stay in the Han Dynasty... Southern Xinjiang.

Aksu has been planning to escape with Princess Wusun, and is only waiting for a chance to leave Honglu Temple.

……

Wusun envoy had already sent the tree to the East Palace.

When Wei Ning saw the tree, he was overjoyed. It was indeed a cotton tree, and this crop was an artifact that benefited the country and the people.

Qin Ziyu looked at Wei Ning curiously, wondering why he was staring at a tree in a daze, "What's wrong?"

Wei Ning said to Qin Ziyu: "Please help me plant this cotton tree."

Now it happens to be late spring and early summer, the temperature is gradually rising, and there is enough sunshine. As long as you apply water regularly, you can harvest cotton.

The main stem nodes, leaf branch nodes, and fruit branch nodes of cotton can be cut and planted. This cotton seedling can cultivate many cotton trees.

Wei Ning informed Qin Ziyu of the planting process, and then warned: "Take good care of them and come to me anytime if you have any questions."

"It is very important, remember to cultivate it."

Qin Ziyu nodded. Seeing that Wei Ning's face was more solemn than ever before, he asked suspiciously: "What on earth is it? It's just a tree. It can't be a new crop, right?"

Weining shook his head and said: "It's not a new crop, it's cotton, to keep out the cold and keep warm... Anyway, let's plant them first."

Qin Ziyu hummed and said, "Okay, I understand, and I will pay attention to it."

Early the next morning, Weining went to the Qilin Hall of Weiyang Palace.

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty held a court meeting today, and the issue of Wusun envoys' return gifts needs to be discussed by all officials.

The Han Dynasty has always been a country of etiquette. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was sincerely happy when foreign countries came to pay tribute. This is enough to show that the strength of the Han Dynasty has attracted the worship of small countries all over the world, otherwise they would not take the initiative to pay tribute and pray for peace.

Under the rule of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, how could he not be proud when he could see foreigners coming to court.

Regarding the issue of return gifts, there doesn't seem to be much that is worth discussing. It is nothing more than giving something back. The ministers were very generous, and the gifts they gave back to Wusun were more valuable than what they gave them, such as tea, pottery, silk, and so on.

Their total value must be dozens of times higher than the tribute paid by the other party. Only in this way can the developed economy of a large country with abundant products be reflected.

Wei Ning frowned after hearing this. After Zhao Zhou agreed, Wei Ning went out and said to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty: "Father, I think it's inappropriate."

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty stared at Wei Ning with confusion and said, "What's wrong?"

Wei Ning said: "I feel that the details of the gifts given by Prime Minister Zhao are inappropriate."

Zhao Zhou asked suspiciously: "Your Highness, why is this?"

Wei Ning explained: "If we return gifts too much, small countries will take advantage of the loopholes in the future. If every country follows Wusun's example and pay tribute, we will spend a large amount of wealth every year just on returning gifts."

Zhao Zhou smiled and said: "Isn't this a sign of the strength of our country?"

"As for the economic cost issue that His Royal Highness is worried about, such a small amount of economic expenditure will not have much impact."

Weining said: "One country has little influence, but what about ten countries? If we come once or twice a year, how much economic expenditure will the big man give back?"

"The gain outweighs the loss. Apart from gaining a good reputation, what else can we gain?"

"The people in our own country are still eating rice bran, but we have given them such a big economic feedback. With so much money, we can just put it into people's construction. Why do we need to embarrass ourselves and pretend to be fat?"

"Weak countries have no diplomacy. They will only pay tribute when our country becomes strong. We are obviously the stronger party, so why do we act like a weak country?"

"Why do we have to give each other multiple times of feedback? I think equal feedback, or just a little more, is enough. There is no need to give them so much in order to show the strength of our country. If so, the other party will become dependent. , if we give less in the future, they will not remember our kindness to them."

Human nature is like this, and the same principle applies when human nature is brought into national diplomacy.

Now that the Han Dynasty is strong, it can naturally withstand such economic feedback. To put it bluntly, what if the Han Dynasty weakens in the future? Why can't you give them so much? They won't remember how nice you were to them in the first place, but they will stab you in the back.

After listening to Wei Ning's words, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty thought deeply and said to Zhao Zhou immediately: "The prince is right. These countries always pay attention to food but not to fight. Just keep the number and value of gifts low and slightly exceed the opponent's." , don’t give too much feedback.”

Zhao Zhou nodded, clasped his fists and said, "His Royal Highness has a long-term plan. I am ashamed of myself. I should worry less."

Wei Ning waved his hand and said: "Governing a country means working together. Otherwise, we wouldn't have had to hold this meeting. Now that we have decided on the direction, let's go and implement it."

Zhao Zhou cupped his fists and said, "Your Highness is a virtuous man, and I obey your orders."

Weining was really considerate, and he was very good at speaking such words at such a court meeting, and he was able to win the hearts of many courtiers.

He did not deny Zhao Zhou, nor did he criticize Zhao Zhou. He said that all the efforts in governing the country were for the sake of the big man, which not only avoided the embarrassment of Prime Minister Zhao, but also made the other party feel refreshed.

All the officials admired Weining very much. It was a blessing for them to have such a prince in the country.

After the officials retreated, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty looked at Wei Ning with a smile and said happily: "You are getting more and more impressive, kid."

"Yes, what I said in the court today is reasonable and well-founded. I see that all the officials are convinced from the bottom of their hearts. Haha... I will retreat after a while, and you will be able to completely relieve my worries soon."

Wei Ning hurriedly clasped his fists and said, "Father, please stop talking nonsense. I still have a lot to learn. You are in good health. The country cannot live without you."

(End of this chapter)