The atmosphere was very awkward at one point.

This can't be blamed on Ju Zhisheng, anyone's mind is exposed to his face, and the reaction is roughly the same. At the same time, he also understood that Li Mu did not drive him away, and things eased. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

Li Mu was not in a hurry, he knew that Ju Zhisheng would eventually compromise.

"Hou Ye ......" After a long time, Ju Zhisheng finally spoke, looking a little depressed, and sighed: "This incident, although there is a sudden attack on the bandits, but it also exposes the national strength of Gaochang. Xiao Wang didn't dare to go around the bend with Hou Ye anymore, and it would be a fool's job to cover it up again. ”

"The geographical location of Gaochang, Hou Ye should be clear. There are Western Turks in the west, Tuyuhun in the south, Jinshan, Jiegu, Xue Yantuo in the north, and Datang in the east. When the original Eastern Turks were there, they involved various forces. Gao Chang wandered in the cracks, still able to breathe. However, since His Majesty the Tang Dynasty ascended the throne, he has made great efforts to destroy the Eastern Turks in only four years. East, Northeast, Southeast, Datang is the only family! ”

"His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty is a generation of heroes with broad ambitions, and my father knows it. In all dynasties, when the Central Plains Dynasty was strong, all of them operated the Western Regions. Gaochang is located at the gateway to the Western Regions and bears the brunt. Perhaps in the eyes of the Tang Dynasty, the small country of Gaochang and the land of scabies are not to be worried. But my Ju clan, since the Han Dynasty, has been operating the land of Gaochang for hundreds of years. The foundation of the ancestors, how can they bear to abandon each other? This time I saw the Son of Heaven, I just wanted to do my best to preserve. ”

"Now it seems that ......" Ju Zhisheng sighed and said, "The descendants are incompetent, I'm afraid they can't do it." Even if the Tang Emperor did not conquer Gaochang, the Western Turks would not let Gaochang go when they advanced eastward. Even if the Western Turks had no intention of advancing eastward, Gao Chang would not be able to cope with the horse bandits in Longyou...... The ancestral inheritance, in my father's and son's generation, is no longer difficult to maintain - that's it, this providence, if it is so helpless, only the country will die and die and die to repay the ancestors! ”

After that, he cried again, Li Mu watched from the side, but wanted to laugh.

This Gaochang prince is really a performative talent, and if he can't make a plan, he used to deceive just now, but now he has changed it to Bo Sympathy. But this is also in line with Li Mu's thoughts, seeing him crying, Li Mu hurriedly relieved: "The prince doesn't have to be so sad, the situation hasn't been bad enough to that extent." Just now I heard Shizi talk about the situation in which Gao Chang is located, and there is one thing that puzzles. Shizi, who are you listening to that my Tang Dynasty wants to conquer Gaochang? I have served before Your Majesty, why have I never heard of this? ”

Ju Zhisheng was already disheartened, and said, "Master Hou, don't play with Xiao Wang, isn't this an obvious thing...... Gaochang is on the road to the westward expansion of the Tang Dynasty, if the Tang Dynasty wants to restore the ancient Silk Road, how can it let Gaochang go? ”

Li Mu was puzzled: "Could it be that Gaochang has a heart for the Turks and wants to be an enemy of my Tang Dynasty?" ”

Ju Zhisheng hurriedly defended and said, "How is this possible! The people of Gaochang are of Han descent, how can they be confused with Yidi! If Gaochang's heart is to the Turks, how can my father and son come to see the Son of Heaven! In the land of Gaochang projectiles, it is too late to serve carefully, how dare you disobey Shangbang? ”

"That's it!" Li Mu said strangely: "Since Gao Chang's heart is towards the Tang Dynasty, why is he still so trembling?" It is true that my Tang Dynasty wants to restore the ancient Silk Road, what does this have to do with the conquest of Gaochang? The Holy Son of Heaven does not raise nameless soldiers, if Gao Chang sincerely returns, Datang is the state of etiquette in the Central Plains, and he will be treated kindly, your worries are completely unnecessary! ”

Ju Zhisheng looked at Li Mu in a daze, he was a little confused. He didn't know if Li Mu was insulting his IQ, or if it was true, but now, even if it was a lie, he could only listen to it seriously, and muttered: "Master Hou, don't be joking, Datang really has no intention of conquering Gaochang?" ”

Li Mu waved his hand and said, "I am in the court, and I am an idle person. As you know, I am in charge of the internal affairs department, and it has nothing to do with the court. I don't know what the Zaisuke in the court think, but I didn't hear the meaning of wanting to conquer Gaochang when I looked at His Majesty's words. A few days ago, I heard that the envoy said that you and your father are going to come to Chang'an to see you, and Your Majesty is still happy. said that since ancient times, the Panbang court has been full of worries, and no father and son have come together, but the lord of Gaochang has done so, which shows the sincerity of the lord of Gaochang. Shizi thinks, is this a good word or a bad word? ”

"Naturally good words!" Ju Zhisheng became excited, got up and bowed deeply in the direction of Taiji Palace, and sighed: "Your Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, you are really as open-minded as the sea, and it is really a big sin and a big sin for my father and son to spend the belly of a gentleman with the heart of a villain!" ”

Li Mu said with a smile: "It's still the same sentence, I don't count it, it's just some hearsay, and the son of the world has to master it himself." However, in my opinion, if Gao Chang is sincere and helps the Tang Dynasty to trade with the Western Regions, and I have a few kind words in front of His Majesty, it should not be a big problem. ”

Ju Zhisheng has dealt with Li Mu a lot, and he can already hear some meaning. Li Mu's sentence has several important points, one is the word 'sincerity', what is sincerity, and how can it be regarded as sincerity. The second is to help Datang trade in the Western Regions, and the third is to ask for money.

This second and third point, Ju Zhisheng is not worried. The matter of trade is the lifeblood of Gaochang, and it will be done with or without the participation of Datang. And asking for money is even more trivial. Gaochang has money, in addition to hundreds of years of accumulation, it is also related to the currencies of the Western Regions. From Gaochang to the west, such as the Great Cannibals, Persians, etc., all used gold and silver coins. Gold and silver are precious metals in Datang, and under the interest rate difference of several times, as long as the problem can be solved with money, it is not a problem.

Ju Zhisheng asked cautiously: "Master Hou is waiting by the side of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, and he must be able to guess a thing or two about His Majesty's thoughts." I don't know what Hou Ye thinks, how to count as 'sincere attachment', and ask Hou Ye to give advice, Xiao Wang will never let Hou Ye help in vain. Father has some Gaochang native products, Hou Ye will definitely like it, and he will definitely send it early tomorrow. ”

"That's a lot of talking." Li Mu laughed, seemingly unintentionally, and said, "I'm a person, I don't have much interest in local products or anything. However, I heard that Gaochang traded with the countries of the Western Regions, and there were many strange things. I'm a person who has a heavy heart for curiosity. If there are any seeds and cherished objects that are not in the Central Plains, give me some so that I can be in the limelight, I will be grateful. ”

"It's easy, too!" Ju Zhisheng agreed, and said: "Xiao Wang will collect it for Hou Ye when he goes back, Hou Ye wants seeds, no matter what seeds, as long as Gao Chang can see it, Xiao Wang will send a copy to Hou Ye, strange things, as long as they are collected, they will also be sent to Hou Ye." Native products can not be less, Gaochang has two kinds of native products, one yellow and one white, Hou Ye will definitely like it, all things are excused. ”

"Oh? One yellow and one white? Li Mu raised his eyebrows and said: "Don't hide it, I still like these two colors, then I will be disrespectful, the same 1,800 catties is enough, don't have too much, there is no place to put more!" ”

Ju Zhisheng secretly scolded shamelessly, 1,800 catties, and he was not afraid of the wind flashing his tongue? How much is a thousand pounds of silver? Ten taels per catty, 1,000 catties is 10,000 taels, that's all, you also want 10,000 taels of gold, why don't you grab it!

Ju Zhisheng gritted his back molars and said, "As long as Master Hou likes it—I don't know the word 'sincerity'?" ”

"Oh, this sincerity, hehe-" Li Mu looked at Ju Zhisheng, smiled, and said: "I also guessed, if Gao Chang is willing to be a vassal of the Tang Dynasty and serve the Tang Dynasty as the sect master, it should be enough to show sincerity, right?" ”

"Domain......" Ju Zhisheng's heart sank.

Since the Han Dynasty, Gaochang has been an independent state, and there is no precedent for serving the suzerain. This is not the same as a tribute, which means that I admit that you are stronger than me and are willing to pay a protection fee. And the vassals, there is a hint of humiliation in it. As a vassal state, it nominally retains sovereignty, but in fact it is subordinate to and subject to the suzerainty to a certain extent in terms of internal affairs, diplomacy, and economy. Even if you inherit the throne, you have to ask the suzerainty to canonize it.

For such a weak and small country as Gaochang, once the vassal relationship was confirmed, it immediately became a fish on the chopping block. Datang can use any excuse to point fingers at Gao Chang. If the Tang Dynasty monarchs and ministers are not benevolent, the situation that Gaochang will face is not much better than now.

Li Mu's words were tantamount to making the Ju father and son make a big gamble. Do you choose to die immediately, or gamble on the character of the Tang monarch.

If it does not agree, Datang is likely to send troops. If he agreed, Gao Chang would be the pawn of Datang in running the Western Regions, and Datang would also save the sword soldiers. Either way, Datang doesn't suffer. And Gao Chang wants to bet on the character of Datang. When the Silk Road was unblocked, Gaochang would have no use value, and it was not impossible for it to be annexed into a state of Datang.

Li Mu could see Ju Zhisheng's struggle, and he also understood that such a big thing was not something he could do, so he said: "This matter is not urgent, the prince can go back, and after careful consideration, he will give me an answer." I've been very busy these two days, by the way, I just told the prince that I am about to open a green house in Pingkangfang, and if there is a chance, the prince will have to support more. ”

"Qing, Qinglou?"

"That's right," Li Mu handed Ju Zhisheng a look that all men understand, and Ju Zhisheng suddenly returned with the same smile. But I was thinking in my heart, I didn't expect Zhuluhou to be lustful to this extent, but it's okay, he has this weakness, and the gift that his father prepared is very suitable for him.

Thinking of this, Ju Zhisheng said: "If you have the opportunity, you should cheer for it." Thank you Hou Ye for mentioning it today, Xiao Wang will go back to discuss with his father, and when he comes again, in addition to local specialties, there are surprises for Hou Ye. ”

Li Mu only thinks of something like a rare treasure, and he is not polite, he has just lost the horse farm, as well as the salt industry, and the mining industry, and it is when he needs to 'return blood', and the more valuable treasures the better. He didn't say it thoroughly, just smiled, got up and said, "I'll give the world." ”