Tang Dynasty: Consort Wu? Your Majesty, please address her as the Crown Prince's Consort.

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian couldn't help but turn to Xue Rengui behind him and ask:

"Rengui! Do you have any ideas?"

Seeing that his lord was asking him a question, Xue Rengui couldn't help but ponder for a moment before speaking somewhat uncertainly:

"How about... we ask a local?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian's eyes lit up.

Exactly! These outsiders might not know, but how could the locals not know?

When Hou Junji saw this, he looked at Xue Rengui with a hint of surprise.

As a seasoned veteran who had spent years in the officialdom, he could naturally see how much the Crown Prince relied on this young general. It seemed he would have to get to know this young general better in the future!

Li Chengqian immediately gave the order.

"Issue my order: search along the water sources. Report back immediately upon discovering any grassland tribes. Our supplies are running low; we must sustain ourselves through war!"

"promise!"

……

Meanwhile, on the other side, a group of people went straight into the Xueyantuo royal tent!

Yinan Khan couldn't help but flash a hint of disdain in his eyes as he looked down at the several noble young men dressed in fine clothes.

He looked at the people below with great interest and said:

"Oh? So your Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty personally led troops to the grasslands?"

Upon hearing this, one of the older-looking people below quickly spoke up in response:

"Yes, Great Khan! Li Chengqian has three thousand Imperial Guards under his command, as well as Li Shimin's three thousand Xuanjia Army soldiers. His commander is Hou Junji, and there are two other insignificant nobodies!"

Even Yi Nan couldn't help but frown slightly upon hearing such a configuration.

He knew about the Xuanjia Army and Hou Junji. The Xuanjia Army was the personal guard of Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty and was the most elite army in the Tang Dynasty. Hou Junji was Li Shimin's trusted and beloved general. Although his achievements were not as splendid as Li Jing's, they were not to be underestimated. These two things alone were enough for him to take them seriously!

He looked at the group below with a puzzled expression and asked, somewhat confused:

"Since it is your Great Tang's Crown Prince who is personally leading the expedition, why are you telling me this?"

Faced with the man's question, the man chuckled and said:

"I'm sure the Great Khan is aware of the status of our aristocratic families in the Tang Dynasty. To be honest, we don't have high hopes for Li Chengqian as Crown Prince. Compared to Li Chengqian, our aristocratic families would much rather Prince Wei, Li Tai, sit on that throne. Therefore, we hope that Li Chengqian can remain on the grasslands forever!"

Hearing this answer, even Yi Nan couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

Then, he couldn't help but reveal a playful smile.

"What makes you think I would help you? Just like you said, Li Chengqian has the Xuanjia Army and Hou Junji by his side. Even for me, taking down Li Chengqian under these circumstances would be as difficult as climbing to heaven!"

Faced with the mocking gaze of the barbarian man, the member of the aristocratic family couldn't help but grit his teeth and curse inwardly: Damn barbarians!

Although he was displeased, he still put on a smiling face and said:

"Great Khan, you misunderstand. Our noble families will certainly not let you help us for nothing. If it is so desired, we are willing to offer 200,000 shi of grain, 3,000 sets of armor, and 50,000 taels of silver as a token of our gratitude. In addition, we can regularly supply the grasslands with grain, salt, and iron. Of course, these will be charged at market prices!"

Upon hearing this, Yi Nan's heart immediately burned with passion.

Armor and silver are secondary; with these 200,000 shi of grain, everyone in their tribe can safely get through this harsh winter!

In the past, when cold waves arrived in winter, large numbers of cattle and sheep on the grasslands would freeze to death.

For them, who make a living by herding, the death of cattle and sheep means no food. Without food, the herders in the tribe, especially the elderly and children, will starve to death!

And now these powerful families of the Tang Dynasty are not only giving them 200,000 shi of grain, but also promising to sell grain, salt, and iron to the grasslands regularly. Tsk tsk tsk! What kind people they are!

No, I can't miss this opportunity. If I miss it, where will he find such a good sucker... uh... such a good person!

Although he was excited inside, Yinan still looked at the people in front of him without changing his expression.

"Heh! That's the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, the future Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, and the Xuanjia Army, who have dominated the world!"

Upon hearing this, the member of the aristocratic family couldn't help but frown slightly, and said with some displeasure:

"Then what does the Great Khan intend to do?"

Upon hearing this, Yinan immediately smiled.

"Heh! I'll have to pay more!!!"

Upon hearing this, the members of these powerful families nearly ground their teeth to powder.

Bah! What a piece of trash, so greedy!!!

Seeing that the people in front of him didn't look too good, Yinan continued:

"That's Li Chengqian, the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty! Do you think this Tang Dynasty Crown Prince is only worth 200,000 shi of grain?"

Upon hearing this, the leader's expression immediately became uncertain. In fact, he was also very conflicted, as the clan leader had given him a quota of 400,000 shi of grain.

However, he originally thought that these barbarians had never seen the world, and 200,000 shi of grain should be enough. As for the remaining 200,000 shi of grain, he had worked hard for the Zheng family of Xingyang for so many years, so what was wrong with taking a little bit of hardship compensation?

But he underestimated the appetite of the barbarian Khan before him; a full 200,000 shi of grain was not enough to satisfy him!

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but grit his teeth and speak again:

"Three hundred thousand shi of grain is the limit we can provide; any more and we must abandon this matter!"

The man's tone was very decisive, but he couldn't help but wonder to himself, "Surely this guy will be satisfied now?"

When Yinan Khan heard the number 300,000 shi (a unit of dry measure), his eyes turned green with envy.

He originally just wanted to negotiate the price and be content with getting an extra 20,000 to 30,000 shi of grain, but he didn't expect this guy to be so generous, adding 100,000 shi of grain right away.

He had never seen such a bargaining method in his life. He immediately slammed his hand on the table and burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Good! Brilliant! As expected of someone from a noble family, I accept your terms!"

Seeing that Yi Nan finally agreed, the members of the Zheng clan from Xingyang couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Your Majesty is wise! When the King of Wei ascends the throne, he will surely reward you handsomely!"

Upon hearing this, Yinan smiled politely.

"Hehe! You're too kind, sir. It's my honor to serve the King of Wei!"

Haha! Foolish Tang people! I was going to face Li Chengqian anyway, and I wasn't very confident. But now that these people are helping me devise strategies and causing trouble within the Tang Dynasty, my chances of winning are much greater.

Not only that, but they also gained so many benefits for free. They really made a killing this time. These aristocratic families are such a good bunch!