Northern Song Dynasty: Starting from the son of Song Renzong

Chapter 88 A new year

Chapter 88 New Year

Zhao Xin patted his father's thigh and said, "Father, you must think what I said makes sense. Now, the only thing left is how to implement it. My idea is to give the Champa envoy a few ships of goods for free. Then, we can see if he can sell them when he returns to his country."

"If the sales are good, then the other party will definitely continue to send people in the next two years. Then, we can consider whether to organize a fleet to go south to do business and trade."

Zhao Zhen also said: "But Champa is almost destroyed by Jiaozhi. Isn't it a waste for you to give things to others for free?"

Zhao Xin also replied: "This is called sending timely help. Moreover, it is precisely because the country is about to be destroyed that they will work harder to make money. For example, the others are already doing well. If we go to do business with them, they may not welcome us, or even impose heavy taxes. Oh, right! Dad, how about... we sell them some bows and crossbows. Do you think this will work?"

Zhao Zhen said angrily: "I think if Champa wants your father me, you dare to sell me too!"

Zhao Xin replied, "I'm just asking. Anyway, this weapons workshop is idle. Besides... isn't this what you said, Daddy? They are about to lose their country. If that person doesn't come, at least give them some weapons to support them. As the saying goes, make friends with distant countries and attack nearby ones. Jiaozhi is so close to us. If we defeat Champa, we don't know if they will come to attack us next."

After he finished speaking, Zhao Xin paused and said, "But giving them things for free does seem a bit too generous."

"How about... sending someone to follow their envoy back and do the business."

"So that I don't have to wait any longer, not knowing whether the other party will come."

"Dad, do you think we should warn Jiaozhi and tell them not to go too far?"

Zhao Zhen said: "What's the point of warning? We can't possibly fight."

Zhao Xin also said: "It would be good to scare them a bit."

After saying that, Zhao Xin put his hands behind his back and started thinking again.

I don’t know what’s going on in that little head.

Zhao Zhen then asked: "So what are you going to do next?"

All the words before this can only be regarded as discussions.

Zhao Xin also sighed: "It's really not an easy thing to make a decision."

Then Zhao Xin said, "How about...let one of my subordinates who has worked as a foreman be in charge."

Zhao Zhen: “Hmm?”

Zhao Xin: "Although the other party has little sailing experience, who is born with it?"

"Let him go to Quanzhou to recruit sailors and captains, and he will learn as he goes along."

"I hope he can bring me a little surprise when he comes back."

"Daddy, you pay!"

Zhao Zhen: "..."

Although the Song Dynasty is facing financial difficulties nowadays, it is not really the case that the country cannot make ends meet.

Zhao Zhen asked: "How much money will it cost?"

Zhao Xin also replied: "It's hard to say. After all, we need to prepare various goods. It depends on how much goods we need to sell. Let's prepare 5,000 Guan first."

The porcelain of the Song Dynasty is not very expensive.

It only costs a few dozen coins to buy it.

Five thousand strings of cash could buy hundreds of thousands of pieces of porcelain.

Of course, not all of it will be used to buy porcelain.

Next…

The next day, Zhao Xin asked someone to take the other side's envoys to stroll around the streets. Even though the other side's envoys might not be very sensitive to these traded items, they could still predict and imagine what was easy to sell and what was hard to sell.

Ask the other person to make a list.

Then, Zhao Xin calculated the cost required.

In addition...

Zhao Xin also asked the other envoy to find him a smart servant if possible, and then bring the servant back to the Song Dynasty.

first……

It is convenient for Zhao Xin to learn foreign languages, and it is also convenient for him to understand the local customs and practices. Finally, people like this who come from abroad have no one to rely on, so as long as you treat them a little bit well, they will definitely be loyal to you.

This is why it is said that the Kunlun slaves of the Tang Dynasty were loyal.

Because think about it, you come to a strange country, who else can you rely on besides being loyal to your master?

This loyalty value is absolutely maxed out.

time does not wait.

Winter, and also spring, is a good time to return.

therefore……

The Champa envoy also had to prepare everything within the next one or two months and then return by boat.

otherwise……

If we miss the next one or two months, once the monsoon changes, we’ll probably have to wait until next winter to go back.

Zhao Xin also had high hopes for Li Ling, who was born in Shaogongdu.

He called the other party over and said, "I know you don't have much experience, so it doesn't matter if you make mistakes. Just treat it as an exercise. But... I really need you to complete something! Even if you lose money on the business, you can't mess this up for me."

Li Ling's heart beat faster. I'm just a soldier. Normally I just row the boat in the river. What qualifications do I have to be able to take on such an important task?

Then he asked, "I wonder what the Lord of Shou wants me to do?"

Zhao Xin said, "In Champa, Jiaozhi, and even in Qiongzhou and Yazhou of our Song Dynasty, there is a plant called Jibei. This plant can be used to make clothes. You can bring back more of its seeds. I plan to try to plant one next. You can also learn from the locals how they plant, spin, and make cloth. This is very important to us."

Li Ling also asked: "How much do you need, Lord Shou?"

Zhao Xin said, "Let's first get a few dozen acres, or even a hundred acres."

After Zhao Xin finished speaking, he also sighed.

At this time...

I guess he'll have to ask his father for the land.

Or how should we cooperate directly with the people?
But... let's wait until Li Ling comes back with the seeds.

Afterwards, he explained some details to Li Ling.

Zhao Xin even calculated the bill for him.

Try not to make the trip in vain, and then let the other party go.

The third year of the Qingli period.

February.

Taking advantage of the last leg of the northeast monsoon, Li Ling soon set out on the journey to Champa.