When Alexei I finished speaking, he let out another long sigh.

Morozov, who was on the other side, was also stunned for a moment, and then sighed helplessly: "Your Majesty is right, in my opinion, you may only be able to accept the reality, downplay the impact of losing Siberia, make every effort to suppress the domestic anti-thieves, and try to protect the existing borders, so that you can barely cover up this bad incident quietly." ”

"yes, that's all there is to it. Now, how are we going to deal with the Tang Empire? Alexey I raised his eyebrows and picked up a new topic.

"Your Majesty, I think that in the current situation, we can do this first, that is, to negotiate peace with Tang Jun first." Morozov loosened his somewhat tight bow tie and said: "Only when the two countries reach a peace agreement can there be the next step of cooperation and trade." And now, the two countries have formed a stalemate around the Ural Mountains, and the Tang people are logistically weak and can no longer attack us. Our Russia is also short of troops and horses, which is not enough to counterattack it, so the two countries should demarcate the border with the Ural mountain boundary, which should be the most reasonable result. As long as this agreement is reached, then we can negotiate a trade deal with the Tang people. “

Speaking of this, a hint of yearning flashed in Morozov's eyes, and he continued: "Your Majesty, do you know? The Dutch had occupied Taiwan for decades, and they could only trade with the local natives, and to be honest, the benefits from Taiwan were very limited. However, since a few years ago, after Taiwan was occupied by the current Tang Emperor Li Xiao, the trade between those Dutch merchants and the Tang State has increased significantly, reaching dozens of times that of previous years, and the trading volume of commercial goods such as cigarettes, silk, raw silk, woolen wool, and ironware has reached an astonishing level. After these products were transshipped to Europe, the profits were basically increased several times, until now, the Netherlands believes that although Taiwan has been lost, it can trade normally with the Tang people from now on, and its degree of profit is very different from the past, such a choice is not bad. “

Morozov continued: "It can be seen that the current Tang Empire is simply the source of wealth!" It would be very short-sighted and foolish to go to war with such a country and not be able to benefit from its trade. Now I, Russia, have been fighting with the Tang Army for several years, losing cities and land, defeating the army, and greatly depleting the national strength, while Britain, the Netherlands, France, and Spain have traded with Li Xiao on a large scale, obtained so many lucrative and very popular goods, and made a fortune one by one, how can it not be painful! ”

Morozov paused, and then continued: "Therefore, in my opinion, although there is chaos in my country and there is disagreement among the people in the country, there is no one who will hate the wealth of heaven. If this could be emphasized to the nobles, that they would realize that, although we had lost Western Siberia, we could negotiate peace with the Tang Dynasty, and that the trade in commodities of that volume could have begun. In this case, although we have lost a barren and cold place, we will eventually make greater profits because of the normal trade with the Tang people. Then, in the face of the torrent of gold and silver coins, our nobles and officials will naturally know how to act in order to treat the oldest and largest empire in the East. ”

After listening to Morozov's persuasion, Alexei I's face softened slightly, he nodded and smiled: "Very good, your analysis is very reasonable." No fool is going to have trouble with gold. If we can make up for the losses in trade and share the benefits of these greedy fellows, maybe all the unhappiness and quarrels will disappear and cease to exist. “

Alexei I took a few more steps in the room and said quietly: "Actually, speaking of which, we are still more dependent on the trade with the Tang Dynasty, after all, the treasury is now empty, the money is scarce, and it is difficult to pay even the military salaries for the suppression of the rebellion. Only if we have normal business and trade with the Tang Empire of Li Xiao can we draw tax revenue from the endless trade to replenish the treasury. For this point, the Tang Emperor Li Xiao should know better than me, the Russian emperor. “

Speaking of this, a bitter smile appeared on his face: "This Chinese from a humble background can build such a powerful brand new empire with his own strength, which is really a powerful person that cannot be underestimated. Such a character, if you can be friends with him, try not to be enemies with him anymore. ”

Morozov leaned in and whispered, "Your Majesty the Emperor, then how should we act now?" “

"I will immediately send an envoy to Beijing, the capital of the Tang Empire. To the Tang Emperor Li Xiao, to show that our Russian Empire is willing to negotiate peace. After all, the past can only let him pass like this. Now our Russian Empire is willing to make peace with the Tang Empire with the Ural Mountains as the boundary, and let the two countries have normal trade exchanges. Personally, I also hope to maintain a good personal relationship with Li Xiao, so that the trade volume and variety of goods between the two sides will continue to expand, so that the Russian Empire can obtain more and more lucrative profits and benefits. ”

Speaking of this, Alexei I's eyes were very complicated, and he sighed: "Maybe this result is really the most correct choice." After all, we always have to face reality. The Dutch lost Taiwan, but in exchange for huge gains from maritime trade. It would be a great thing if Russia lost Siberia and could reap a good commercial return. I'll leave this matter of peace with Li Xiao to you. ”

Hearing this order, Morozov put his legs together and bowed: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will definitely handle this matter as soon as possible." ”

Soon, Morozov sent dozens of envoys, led by the Tang army on the eastern side of the Urals, all the way east, to the city of Beijing.

Seeing that Tsar Alexei I of Russia really sent an envoy after receiving his letter, Li Xiao was very relieved.

In such a situation that it was difficult for both sides to continue, Russia took the lead in bowing its head, and Tsar Alexei I sent an envoy to the capital, hoping to make peace with the Tang army, so that the two sides would stop fighting, and from then on the two sides would be in harmony, trade with each other, and there would be no more disputes. It should be said that Alexei I's actions were quite wise.

After all, under the circumstances of internal and external troubles, if this war continues, the Tang Army, which is logistically difficult and weak, will certainly suffer heavy losses, but Russia, from which there is a peasant uprising inside and foreign powers are eyeing each other, is very likely to go to a miserable situation from which it will never recover.

Therefore, Li Xiao, who had always been very concerned about the current situation at the front, saw that Russia had finally bent his knees and sued for peace, and decided to end the war, so he agreed to the request of the Russian envoy.

In the end, after many consultations, Tang and Russia reached the following agreement:

1. Tang and Russia, with the Ural Mountains as the border, belong to the Tang Empire in the east and the Russian Empire in the west. Since then, the two countries have been on good terms, and there has been no further dispute.

2. After the demarcation of the border, the two countries traded with each other, and the Tang Empire, like the trade policy of England and the Netherlands, gave the Russian Empire the same commercial treatment to ensure fair trade and mutual benefit.

3. In the disputes between Russia and the European powers, the Tang Empire remained neutral and did not help either side. The Russian Empire must not interfere in the policies of the Tang Empire in Asia, so as to ensure mutual understanding and trust between the two sides in order to achieve long-term peace and stability.

Fourth, if the trade between the Tang Empire and European countries wants to pass through Russia, Russia shall not set up cards to intercept or create obstacles. Similarly, if Russia wants to trade with Asian countries, it must go through the Tang Empire, and the Tang Empire will also ensure the smooth flow of trade.

5. On the basis of equality and mutual assistance, the peoples of the two countries are good-neighborly and friendly, and they may intermarry and interact with each other.

6. This Agreement shall be executed in two copies, one for each of the two countries, and shall enter into force on the same day after being signed by the heads of state of the two sides.

The agreement was established, and Li Xiao was very relieved.

can make Russia, which has always been strong, bow its head and sue for peace, and get the whole of Siberia, for the Tang Empire, it can be the foundation of eternity. The countless minerals and forests of Siberia are enough to benefit future generations.

This agreement will certainly save Russia from the greatest threat from the east, and will allow Russia to refocus its attention at home, and make every effort to deal with the rebellious peasants in the country, and it can also deal with the encirclement and attacks of the Western powers more calmly. Of course, more importantly, with the Tang Empire, the most powerful country in human history, Russia could obtain endless wealth and profits from its trade, and Russia was satisfied with this, from the princes and nobles to the common people.

Therefore, this agreement, for both sides, is a real peace agreement of equality and mutual benefit. Li Xiao is convinced that this agreement will ensure the tranquility and peace of the two countries for a long time in the absence of the ability to significantly change the status quo, and such an outcome will be very beneficial to both sides.

After all, the founding of the country has its own territory, subject to logistical conditions, and it is impossible for the Tang Empire to expand indefinitely.

The north is set, and next, Li Xiaofu will focus on the Wusi-Tibet region in the south of the Western Regions.

It has been nearly two years since Li Xiao ordered the troops to be dispatched, but the progress of Wu Sizang has not been as smooth as Li Xiao expected.

Although the soldiers and horses of the two towns he sent attacked from the east and west together, two years later, they only captured half of the territory of each city, and did not achieve the goal of joining Lhasa to capture the provincial capital as soon as possible.

The reason is that most of Li Xiao's soldiers and horses are from the Central Plains, and it is difficult to adapt to the high-altitude area of the roof of the world like Wusizang. Compared with the rugged and precipitous terrain, the more terrible lack of oxygen and pneumonia became the biggest obstacle in the march of the Tang army.

Moreover, since Tibet broke away from the central government, most of the local officials and monks have been self-governing, and these people have enjoyed the absolute power of the local tyrant, so they are not willing to share a piece of the pie with outsiders. Therefore, they did not have the slightest good impression of the arrival of the Tang army, and organized armies one after another to defend themselves against the strong castles built over the years.

In order to march quickly, the Tang army was also very difficult to transport by road, so a large number of heavy artillery could not be carried, which greatly reduced the efficiency of the siege, which was an important reason why the Tang army was unable to open up the situation for a long time.

What worries Li Xiao even more is that because the Tang army is not making smooth progress in Wusizang, the British and French forces outside the country have also begun to take advantage of the situation to enter Tibet. Either providing firearms support to the local rebels in Tibet, or providing them with combat assistance, this undoubtedly made the Tang Army's advance more difficult and arduous.

As a result, after the signing of the peace agreement with Russia in the north, the seizure of Tibet is still in a stalemate, but the Tang Army has been losing troops and horses in two towns, and although it has kept replenishing auxiliary troops to enter, it still has not made much progress.

What is even more regrettable is the surrender of the Yarkand Khanate, which was cited as the front, because every battle was the first to rush into battle, and the soldiers were killed and wounded more, and the prince Yaolevas was shot by a poisoned arrow, and was paralyzed in bed, and was transported to Lanzhou by the Tang army to recuperate. Because he could no longer command the movement of the troops. Therefore, all the soldiers and horses under his command were absorbed by the Tang army, and the remnants of Yarkand no longer existed.

When the battle reports from the Wusi-Tibetan front asking for help arrived in Beijing like snowflakes, Li Xiao fell into deep thought.

I really didn't expect that this Tibetan land is so difficult to attack, could it be that the Tang Dynasty suffered many losses in the battle with Tibet, and the geographical convenience of this Tibet is really impressive.

It's just that the more difficult it is to bite this Tibetan region, the more we must hold it tightly in our hands. After all, it would be completely irresponsible for future generations not to take advantage of the current Tang Army to recapture this piece of Chinese homeland, but to wait for the opportunity to recover it in the future.

What's more, the land of Tibet is so important, if this place is not controlled, if this place is controlled by the British or the French, then the entire Western Regions, Ganshan, and even Sichuan and Yunnan will be difficult to achieve stability, such a result is something Li Xiao never wants to see.

If you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight, and if you want to govern this ancient and unparalleled empire safely, the land of Tibet must be taken. No matter how much it costs, it is necessary to take it into your hands.

Therefore, Li Xiao ordered that now that the peace agreement with Russia has been signed, the entire Siberian region will be defended by the soldiers and horses of the Fifth Town of the Tang Army, as well as some indigenous soldiers and horses from Waimanchu. The rest of the Tang army, including the surrender of the Dzungar Khanate, the reinforcements of the Mongols, the Manchu reinforcements, Japan, Korea, and a number of reinforcements from the vassal states of Southeast Asia, were all transferred to the south to participate in the battle against Wusizang.

Li Xiao's determination is obvious, that is, at any cost, not afraid of sacrifice, even if all these Tang army soldiers, horses and servant troops are consumed, he must resolutely and completely take Tibet, recapture this piece of Chinese homeland, and not make the Tang Dynasty Jinou shortage.

The Tang Emperor ordered the order, and the army rolled south, all of them rushed to Wusizang.

A larger-scale war in Tibet is about to begin.