Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

Given the strength of the Great Xia, it had always struggled to survive between the Great Zhou and the Liao Kingdom.

The so-called three major regimes did not actually form a tripartite balance of power. Instead, the Great Xia was used as a buffer to allow the two behemoths to reach a peace.

The Liao Kingdom had excellent warhorses, so it was reasonable for the Great Zhou to purchase them to deal with the Liao Kingdom.

Jiang Zhao withdrew his gaze and slowly said, "In the past, the two countries had an annual gift. Now, the annual gift has been replaced by an annual tribute."

"Fourth, the Western Xia presented the Great Zhou with an annual tribute of 300,000 strings of cash."

"impossible!"

Liang Yili slammed his hand on the table, his face turning red instantly.

Instantly, tensions rose within the tent.

The sounds of war brought Liang Yili to his senses.

He quickly explained, "The Great Zhou is a superior nation, and its annual tribute of several hundred thousand strings of cash is barely enough to cause any serious damage. But the Great Xia is a small country; how can it afford an annual tribute of three hundred thousand strings of cash?"

"I hope the commander-in-chief will understand." Perhaps considering the somber atmosphere, Liang Yili's tone unconsciously lowered.

Jiang Zhao, sitting in the main seat, slightly raised his eyelids and echoed, "That makes sense."

"How about this."

With a flick of his sleeve, Jiang Zhao said generously, "Cut it down to two hundred thousand strings of cash."

"One of the conditions for establishing the border market was the purchase of one thousand high-quality warhorses from the Western Xia."

"Currently, the market price of warhorses in the Great Zhou Dynasty is around thirty strings of cash. I will calculate it as forty strings of cash per horse, and one thousand horses would be forty thousand strings of cash. The salt lakes of the Western Xia Dynasty are rich in salt, and the market price is two strings of cash per stone. I will calculate it as three strings of cash per stone, and more than fifty thousand stones would be one hundred and sixty thousand strings of cash."

Jiang Zhao's expression was serious as he solemnly said, "Based on this calculation, an annual tribute of a thousand high-quality warhorses and over fifty thousand shi of salt would suffice. What do you think?"

"This"

Liang Yili hesitated.

In comparison, 100,000 strings of cash is indeed much more acceptable.

Jiang Zhao even helped him calculate the costs.

A thousand warhorses and over fifty thousand stones of salt.

The dosage was perfectly controlled, exactly within his tolerance range.

He was already mentally prepared for the presence of a thousand warhorses.

More than 50,000 shi of salt was not a big problem.

The Great Xia produces about 500,000 shi of salt a year, with 50,000 to 60,000 shi being less than a fraction of that.

During the reign of the late Emperor Li Yuanhao, the Zhou and Xia dynasties negotiated peace and once engaged in "forced buying and selling," forcing the Great Zhou to purchase 100,000 shi of salt every year.

From this perspective, the salt production of the Great Xia Dynasty was truly astonishing; more than 50,000 shi of salt was not a difficult task at all.

The difference is that these 50,000 shi of salt were purely "indemnity," whereas during the reign of the late emperor, they could be sold for money.

After a full twenty or thirty breaths of silence, Liang Yili sighed, "Alright, we can trade in Huizhou from now on."

This one is not an issue.

"it is good!"

Jiang Zhao clapped his hands and laughed: "The Imperial Brother-in-law is indeed a straightforward person."

"May I ask about the body of the king and the prisoners?" Liang Yili asked hurriedly.

The body of the monarch is a matter of national prestige, and should never be left in the Great Zhou unless absolutely necessary.

"Someone is coming."

Jiang Zhao waved his hand, and soldiers carried Li Liangzuo's body.

Despite being specially treated and dried out, the body is still easily distinguishable from the real thing.

"His Majesty."

The body was immediately revealed, and the Prime Minister Weiming Manyu wept uncontrollably.

The 21-year-old king defeated even Mozang Epang, who had ruled for over a decade.

Logically speaking, this was destined to be a powerful ruler.

Who would have thought that his first personal campaign would end in disaster?

Fate is unfair!

"The prisoners will be released in Xining Ancient City. They will be released once a day, one thousand at a time," Jiang Zhao continued.

"As the commander-in-chief says," Liang Yili nodded.

Releasing prisoners certainly cannot be done all at once.

Distributing 1,000 a day is already very fast.

"Someone, prepare a banquet." Jiang Zhao laughed heartily.

The peace talks between Xifeng and Fengtian were thus concluded!

Bianjing (Kaifeng) was a place where court was held regularly.

Civil and military officials stood in orderly rows.

On the steps of the imperial palace, Zhao Ceying sat with his hands on his knees, looking directly at the officials.

Their gaze exudes an indescribable confidence and self-assurance.

Following the suspension of court proceedings at the end of October, court discussions have resumed!

Below, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial held a memorial and slowly read aloud:

[Your subject Jiang Zhao respectfully reports:]

In the first month of the first year of the Xifeng reign (1751), your subject received a peace request from Liang Yili and Weiming Manyu, envoys of the Western Xia, at Huizhou. They requested the return of their ruler's body, the release of prisoners, and the establishment of a border treaty. Your subject, upholding the majesty and virtue of the Holy Dynasty, hereby solemnly establishes the following terms:

The first is: to rectify names and define roles.

The Western Xia should submit to the emperor and present a memorial. The successor should wait for the imperial decree to be conferred upon him, and he should forever uphold the tributary system.

The second is: to demarcate and defend the territory.

The two prefectures of Hui and Sui shall forever belong to the Holy Dynasty, and may fortifications and garrisons be built along the border to prevent any rebellion.

Thirdly: Customs regulations for border markets.

They opened a border market.

Fourthly: Annual gifts change.

The old bestowals were abolished and replaced with a new tribute called "annual tribute." The annual tribute consisted of 1,000 horses and over 50,000 shi of salt, which was equivalent to 200,000 guan (a unit of currency), and this tribute was never lacking.

Li Liangzuo's body was immediately returned, and a thousand captured soldiers were sent daily to Xining City for handover.

Your Majesty, please consider this carefully!

All five clauses were signed by the envoys, and Liang Yili and others, intimidated by the emperor's power, agreed to them all. Ceding territory to build fortresses would secure Qin and Long; annual supplies of warhorses would replenish the army's vacancies; salt profits would be used to supplement the national treasury; and submission of tribute would demonstrate the legitimacy of the dynasty.

Your humble servant Jiang Zhao, filled with trepidation, respectfully submits this report!

After he finished speaking, the civil and military officials began to discuss the matter animatedly.

Annual gifts and tributes were gifts from the Great Zhou to other countries.

Who would have thought that a "tribute system" could be established, allowing them to receive tribute from other countries?

"Good, good, good!"

On the steps of the imperial palace, Zhao Ceying clapped his hands repeatedly and said "Good!" three times, then laughed heartily.

Throughout history, anyone who aspires to become a great emperor must have had to pay tribute to several small states.

Ten years ago, the Great Zhou Dynasty was still giving gifts to the Western Xia every year, but now the roles have reversed, with annual gifts replaced by annual tributes.

Only Jiang Qing could possess such abilities!

"Jiang Qing is truly a pillar of the nation!"

Zhao Ceying said with delight, "When the meritorious officials who have expanded the territory return, I will hold a grand celebration for the whole country!"

Among the officials, none objected.

The achievement of expanding territory should indeed be celebrated and rewarded, so as not to hurt people's feelings.

During this expansion of territory, the emperor gave Jiang Zichuan his full support, and he contributed significantly to the cause.

Congratulations!

A grand prize!

It deserves to be written about in great detail!

The outcome was almost predictable.

However, the commander-in-chief, Jiang Zhao, was the Duke of Lu, Minister of War with the title of Minister of Rites, and Grand Master of the Palace.

Each of these positions alone would be a high-ranking official in purple robes, let alone all four combined.

Isn't this already a step up to Grand Secretary?

How else can we appreciate it?

Chapter 205 Traitor, it's best to kill him!

The 13th day of the first month of the first year of the Xifeng era.

Huizhou, the central military tent.

From left to right, civil and military officials stand in formation.

Led by Zhang Heng, Gu Tingye, Zhong E, Bao Shun, Zhang Ding, and Zheng Xiao, a group of thirty to forty civil and military officials gathered together.

Many people showed signs of excitement.

What an achievement in expanding territory!

Once the army returns to the capital, they will surely revise the national history and leave their mark in the annals.

What man doesn't want to be remembered in history?

Even if the name left behind is inconspicuous, it is still a name left behind.

From his seat, Jiang Zhao looked down and said slowly, "Logically speaking, now that the borders have been expanded and the peace treaty has been concluded, we should return to the capital and hold a victory celebration banquet."

"But who would have thought that the Tubo Dongzhan and Qingtangmuzheng would take advantage of the conflict between the Great Zhou and the Western Xia, get involved in the dispute, and intend to seize Hezhou, Lanzhou and Diezhou."

"Fortunately, Wang Shao led 30,000 troops to guard the rear, preventing the situation from escalating too much." Many people's expressions gradually became serious.

It looks like we'll have to give Dong Zhan and Mu Zheng another beating.

Jiang Zhaoping said, "Now that the conflict between the two countries is nearing its end, it is time to give Dong Zhan and Mu Zheng a warning."

More than ten people were suddenly energized.

Compared to fighting the Western Xia, fighting the Tibetans was much easier.

It was practically free credit!

Jiang Zhao looked up and scanned them one by one.

In the end, their gazes fell upon Gu Tingye and Zhong E.

It was imperative to put Dong Zhan and Mu Zheng in a bad light.

But Huizhou and Suizhou also need to be guarded.

Since the territory has only recently been expanded, there are still many unstable factors, and it will take some time to suppress them by force.

Of course, this also meant that someone had to stay in Huizhou and Suizhou temporarily, and couldn't just reap the rewards of Dong Zhan and Mu Zheng's efforts.

The key issue is that not everyone is qualified to stay in Huizhou or Suizhou.

To eliminate all unstable factors, at least 20,000 to 30,000 troops must be left behind.

Apart from Gu Tingye and Zhong E, the others were all a bit lacking.

Even Zhang Ding, the eldest son of the Duke of Yingguo, still appeared somewhat immature.