The Song Dynasty was the king for thirteen years before he knew that he was Tianlong.

Chapter 131 The Book of Liao
When he walked into the imperial study, Zhao Xu was writing. When he saw him come in, he couldn't help but show his joy.

Zhao Ti bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have fulfilled your mission. Helian Tieshu has surrendered, and by the way, a group of thieves who were planning to rebel have been captured."

"Prince Yan, you must have worked hard on this journey. Please sit down quickly." Zhao Xu said with a smile.

Zhao Ti presented his memorial, then sat aside and waited quietly.

After a while, Zhao Xu finished reading and nodded, "So he is the descendant of Murong family of Yan State. Hundreds of years have passed, but he still wants to restore his country and stir up trouble."

Zhao Ti said: "Although they have formed alliances, most of them are just mountain bandits and water bandits. The letters I found on them said that there were water bandits from Dongting Lake and bandits from the mountains. They don't seem to have a strong force."

Zhao Xu pondered, "These things all start small and grow into big things. If they are colluding with bandits now, they might become bandits tomorrow. We can't take it lightly."

Zhao Ti said: "Your Majesty's words make sense. These people are currently in the military prison. Should I transfer them to the Dali Temple or the Ministry of Justice?"

Zhao Xu thought for a moment and said, "It would be better to directly transfer it to the Ministry of Justice. After all, it is just a plan, and it would be difficult for the Dali Temple to try it."

Zhao Ti said, "Then I will go to the military prison tomorrow and wait for someone from the Ministry of Justice to come."

Zhao Xu said, "By the way, a few days ago when you were not in the court, the Liao Kingdom sent a letter to the court, which caused widespread controversy and has not yet been resolved."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ti thought to himself, could this be the important thing that Yang Jian mentioned?
Zhao Xu continued, "The Liao Kingdom wants to open five more trading posts on the border, and five more markets under each trading post. Prince Yan, please take a look." As he spoke, he handed over a hard-folded letter on the desk.

Zhao Ti took it and looked at it, and found that it was written by Yelu Hongji, the Great An Emperor of Liao Dynasty. It stated that five trading houses were planned to be built on the border between Hebei and Nanjing Road of Xijin Prefecture of Liao Dynasty.

Among the items for trade, the Liao Kingdom still intended to focus on furs, medicinal materials, blue and white salt, farm animals, etc.

As for the Song Dynasty, Liao said that in addition to the previous agricultural products, porcelain, tea and silk products, they wanted the Song Dynasty to add some precious jewelry and toys. Song Dynasty had such items before, but the quantities were not large.

As for military supplies such as copper, iron, sulfur, saltpeter, and quiver boxes, they will continue to be prohibited as usual.

After reading it, Zhao Ti couldn't help but smile slightly. It was a good thing that the Liao Kingdom wanted to increase its jewelry and expensive toys.

As early as the time of Emperor Renzong, Han culture had become popular in the Liao Kingdom. Khitan nobles wore Han costumes, wrote poems, composed music and painted. Even many officials wore silk clothes except when attending court, and they were extremely displeased with their own traditional Khitan attire.

During the Jiayou period at the end of Emperor Renzong's reign, the Song Dynasty sent an envoy to the Liao Kingdom. When they arrived in Shangjing Linhuang Prefecture, it happened to be the autumn hunting season, so they met the Liao emperor on the prairie west of the city.

At that time, Yelu Hongji had just ascended the throne and was only in his twenties. He sat in a Han-style carriage, with his bow and arrows left behind, and showed a newly written poem to the envoy. With a proud look on his face, he asked how it was written and whether the rhythm was correct.

Zhao Xu asked, "What does the King of Yan think of this?"

Zhao Ti sent the letter back: "Your Majesty, the market of Song Liao is different from that of Xixia. I think this matter can be discussed, especially the precious jewels mentioned in the letter. We may trade more with them."

Zhao Xu smiled and said, "The King of Yan has figured out something..."

Zhao Ti nodded: "Since Emperor Da'an ascended the throne, he has held lectures on the Analects, promoted Chinese culture, widely recruited monks and nuns, printed Buddhist scriptures, built temples and pagodas, and sometimes lectured in person. I heard that during the reign of Emperor Dakang, he fed as many as 360,000 monks."

Zhao Xu showed a complicated expression: "Indeed, feeding 360,000 monks is a huge drain on the country's strength."

"Emperor Da'an is now searching for rare and valuable items. I think this is a good thing," said Zhao Ti.

Zhao Xu said, "I think so too. I am considering whether to agree to it. Does the King of Yan think it is possible to agree to it?"

Zhao Ti said, "The advantages outweigh the disadvantages. I think it's okay. However, since Emperor Da'an is so eager to search for rare and luxurious items, I think it's better to negotiate with him carefully." Zhao Xu laughed loudly, stood up from the chair, and walked around in front of the desk with his hands behind his back. "Liao is a barren land with few special items. What conditions do you think the King of Yan should propose?"

Zhao Ti was silent for a few breaths, then said, "War horse."

"War horses?" Zhao Xu turned around and looked at him. "The Song and Liao dynasties have never officially traded war horses. Since the founding of the Song dynasty, Liao has regarded Khitan horses as forbidden meat. How could they be willing to use this as a condition?"

Zhao Ti narrowed his eyes and said, "Your Majesty, a thousand-mile dam can be breached by a single ant hole. We don't need thousands or even hundreds of horses. We only need a hundred or so horses, at the official price, and some other items mixed in, so that Yelu Hongji won't think too much."

"This..." Zhao Xu was moved when he heard this and looked thoughtful.

"The Song Dynasty has many fine goods that the Khitans have never seen. Yelu Hongji is old now and likes to collect treasures. Just give them a little bit. As for the war horses, you can also increase the number little by little. You don't have to trade them in the market, but just use it as a condition for adding luxury goods to the market. It will be difficult for the Liao Dynasty to explain it. Over time, they will inevitably lose their vigilance."

"That's wonderful..." Zhao Xu took a breath and looked at Zhao Ti: "Prince Yan has spoken the truth."

Zhao Ti smiled and said, "I am only filling in the gaps. I am afraid the emperor has already had this idea in mind."

Zhao Xu pondered and said, "But there is one more thing. Opening five monopolies is a big deal, and we have to put forward conditions such as war horses. We must negotiate with the other party. Those who go to the border or even go to Beijing for negotiations..."

Zhao Ti pondered for a moment, then said, "Sir, what do you think of this matter? Who can go?"

Zhao Xu smiled bitterly and said, "Half of them are in favor, and half are against. Now we are busy revising and laying the groundwork for the new law, and I cannot go to Liao to discuss this matter at a low level, so I am a bit troubled..."

Zhao Ti smiled and said, "Your Majesty, don't you want me to go there?"

Zhao Xu looked embarrassed when he heard this. Zhao Ti had just returned and had made great contributions, so it was not appropriate to send him on an assignment right away, especially to Northern Liao.

Zhao Ti saw Zhao Xu's embarrassment and thought for a moment, "It's not that I can't go, but I have to rest at home for a few days and not go to court. I can relax for a while."

Zhao Xu was delighted when he heard this and said, "I am very pleased that the Prince of Yan is willing to go on a diplomatic mission. The Prince of Yan can rest as long as he wants."

Zhao Ti smiled and said, "However, I cannot shoulder such an important matter alone. The emperor must send me a deputy envoy."

Zhao Xu said: "It is difficult for the important ministers in the court to get away at the moment. They are too low-ranking to be sent as envoys. However, the governors of the northern borders can be sent. They are familiar with the market situation. However... it is up to the Prince of Yan to choose who to go. I agree to it."

Zhao Ti nodded and said, "In that case, Your Majesty should ask Dingzhou Road to pacify the people, and the governor of Dingzhou, Su Shi, should accompany me."

"Su Shi?" Zhao Xu was stunned when he heard that.

Zhao Ti said, "Your Majesty, Su Shi is not a diehard old party member. He is just wavering and speaking according to his own mind. In fact, he is still loyal to the emperor and cares about the people."

At this moment, Su Shi was about to face exile again. He was about to be demoted to the deputy envoy of Ningyuan Army and sent to Huizhou. Then, not long after, he would be sent to the desolate Danzhou, Hainan, on the border on a lonely boat.

Zhao Xu pondered and said, "Since the Prince of Yan chose Su Shi, then I agree."

After discussing for a while, Zhao Ti got up and left the palace and returned to the palace.

When they arrived at the palace gate, everyone came to greet him. Wang Yuyan and Azhu were also there. Seeing that he was safe and sound, they all looked relieved.

Leading everyone inside, Ah Zhu said, "Your Highness, Ruyi and I have boiled some hot water. Please take a bath and change your clothes."

(End of this chapter)