Chapter 643: Forming an Alliance (2)

The next day, Shi Bin got up early, but instead of going to Tutuha, he went straight to Zhao Kui's mansion. Originally, Jia Ling and Sai Xishi both wanted to ask why Shi Bin did this suddenly, but after a little thought, they understood the mystery and gave him an encouraging look before leaving.

Now Shi Bin is powerful, and when the porter saw Shi Bin, he immediately opened the door and welcomed him in. After inquiring about it, after knowing that Zhao Kui had not gotten up yet, out of respect for this old minister, Shi Bin asked the concierge not to wake up Zhao Kui, so that he would wake up naturally.

is also a very diligent official, although Zhao Kui is old, he will also go to work on time, so Shi Bin did not wait in the meeting room for too long to see him.

Knowing why Shi Bin came, Zhao Kui's heart was very complicated, because he didn't want to make wedding clothes for Shi Bin, but he also didn't want Kublai Khan to threaten the Great Song Dynasty after destroying Ali Buge and unifying the grassland.

"Lord Shi's presence here today has made my grass house shine." Zhao Kui smiled, "You should have come early in the morning to support Brother Ali's affairs, right?" Your Excellency is still as diligent as ever. ”

Saying such a life, Shi Bin understood that Zhao Kui was very dissatisfied with himself in his heart, and Shi Bin would not put a hot face on his cold buttocks, and said with a smile: "I, a chaotic minister and thief, came to visit a loyal Lord Zhao, I am very happy that you didn't sweep me out of the house, where can I still come to shine." Where can I be called diligent in government, and I leave my post without permission every once in a while. ”

As soon as they opened their mouths, the two of them were on the bar, which was not good, but now that Shi Bin was in a high position, he didn't want to bow his head. Xu Feng immediately came out and said, "My lord, Lord Zhao will come out to meet you as soon as he hears that you are coming, how can he think that you are a chaotic minister and thief, how can he sweep you out of the house?" The adults must have misunderstood. ”

Xu Feng's words made Shi Bin feel a little more comfortable, he didn't come to quarrel with Zhao Kui, Shi Bin, who realized his mistake, immediately borrowed the slope to get off the donkey, and said with a smile: "Xu Feng, you are right, I did misunderstand Lord Zhao." I am a man who cannot be praised, and if I praise it, I will get into trouble. ”

I don't like Shi Bin's nonsense, Zhao Kui interrupted Shi Bin's words and said: "Lord Shi, we don't have to talk nonsense, you and I don't have much time, please tell us if you have anything to do so early." I still have to go to work in the Privy Council, and I don't have enough time. ”

"Lord Zhao, today Shi is here to discuss with you a major matter related to the fortunes of my Great Song Dynasty, I believe you will definitely be interested."

I don't think Shi Bin is talking nonsense, and I don't think Shi Bin will talk nonsense, but Zhao Kui still frowned, because he really didn't think that there were any other things that would affect the fortunes of the Great Song Dynasty.

"I heard from the people in the palace yesterday that Lord Zhao has a positive attitude towards sending troops to support Ali Buge, but the emperor still hasn't made up his mind, right?"

"Yes, His Majesty the Emperor is a benevolent monarch who doesn't want the people of Li to fall into the flames of war, that's really not good." Zhao Kui said.

Shaking his head with a smile, Shi Bin asked, "Then why is Lord Zhao fighting again?" Could it be that both the adults and I, Shi Bin, are cruel devils? ”

I didn't expect Shi Bin to speak so bluntly today, Zhao Kui was dissatisfied, but he still had a lot of money for many years, so he didn't care, just said that all these things have different views and choices because of different statuses.

Too lazy to discuss these inconsequential issues with Zhao Kui, Shi Bin said directly: "What do adults think of the Hexi Corridor?" ”

I don't quite understand why Shi Bin suddenly wanted to talk about the Hexi Corridor, but fortunately, Zhao Kui is a modest person, and he won't pretend to understand and ask Shi Bin directly.

"This time, I went to Lanzhou to negotiate with Ali Buge, and found that it was almost there

One horse Pingchuan, deeply felt the threat. If the Yuan people invade from here, I am afraid that they will not be able to resist the attack of the Yuan cavalry without mobilizing 200,000 troops. Shi Bin said with a sad face, "And the Hexi Corridor is in the northwest of Lanzhou, where it is also a flat river, but fortunately, there are Jiayu Pass and Yumen Pass to guard." If we can reclaim the Hexi Corridor, will life be much better? ”

It turned out that Shi Bin was fighting this idea, although Zhao Kui hated Shi Bin for taking power like this, but he also admired his strategic vision, so he squeezed out a smile with great effort to agree with his opinion.

"Lord Shi means to talk to Tutuha about the Hexi Corridor? In exchange for the return of our Hexi Corridor in exchange for my Great Song Army? ”

"Exactly. If my Great Song Dynasty regains the Hexi Corridor, then it will be in the strategic initiative, it can be attacked and retreated, and it can be defended, and a large number of horses can be raised there, and there is no need to be controlled by others. Shi Bin smiled.

These words made Zhao Kui, who was already over seventy years old, excited, indeed. Now Shi Bin has recovered the Hetao area and the sixteen states of Youyun, if he can also recover the Hexi Corridor. Then the northern defense line of the Great Song Dynasty was solid. As long as a few important passes were held, it was impossible for the Yuan people to easily threaten the hinterland of the Great Song Dynasty.

Although he was very happy, Zhao Kui didn't show too much, but smiled slightly: "Lord Shi is really powerful, the old man agrees to help you, but please respect the emperor more." With that, he went to work in the Privy Council. Shi Bin also turned around and went to find Tutuha.

Tutuha was very happy about Shi Bin's arrival, because it meant that Shi Bin had probably figured out a way to make the emperor willing to send troops to help Ali Buge. The only thing that made Tutuha feel a little strange was that this time Shi Bin didn't feel so natural.

"Hello, Lord Tutuha."

"Hello Lord Shi, you came here so soon, have you already helped me figure out a way?" Tutuha asked tentatively.

"Sort of, this method should be enough for the emperor to send troops to support the Great Khan with all his might." Shi Bin smiled confidently.

What do you mean by 'sort of'? Tutuha had a vague feeling that there would be something unpleasant in it. But as a negotiator, he was ready to accept this, so it was natural to talk to Shi Bin.

"Please tell me what you have come up with, and if it is appropriate, we will form an alliance."

Shi has this intention. My idea is that the Great Song and Ali Buge Khan signed an agreement that the Hexi Corridor would belong to my Great Song after defeating Kublai Khan. ”

Hearing Shi Bin's condition, Tutuha was surprised, as if he had been bombarded by thunder, and he didn't make a sound for a long time. Everyone knows how important the strategic position of the Hexi Corridor is, and whoever occupies the Hexi Corridor will be able to freely enter and exit the territory of the other side.

This must be an overlord clause, but Tutuha is not angry, because he is here to negotiate, and it is the norm to ask for money to pay back on the spot.

"Master Shi, it seems that your condition is a bit excessive." Tutuha smiled calmly.

"Lord Tutuha, what's going on? Shi doesn't understand, please explain one or two. ”

"Lord Shi, everyone knows how important the Hexi Corridor is, and whoever occupies the Hexi Corridor can look at each other. If there is no Hexi Corridor, you have to open one eye to sleep, and we can return the east of Lanzhou, but not the Hexi Corridor. ”

"East of Lanzhou? Although it is still important, it is far less important than the Hexi Corridor, not to mention that now that your Great Khan and Kublai Khan are in a fierce battle, if I want this part of Lanzhou, I just need to send a few thousand men and horses to knock on the city gate, and you don't need to return it. Shi Bin smiled.

Shi Bin's words are the truth, now Ali Buge is fighting with Kublai Khan, and neither of them has the energy to take care of Lanzhou, even the Hexi Corridor

And. If Da Song really wanted to take back the Hexi Corridor, neither of them could stop him.

Although this is the case, Tutuha is not willing to give in like this, and he has to find a way to minimize Ali Buge's losses. It is not a big deal to give more cattle, sheep and horses, but ceding land will damage the prestige of the country.

When he thought of cattle, sheep and horses, Tutuha thought of the thousands of good horses that were privately swallowed by Shi Bin.

A little embarrassed, he said, "Lord Shi, can you hand over that real official document to your emperor?" It can be regarded as our sincerity. As for the benefits you gave me, I will return them all to you. If the adults are not happy, I can also convince my Great Khan to give you a lot of compensation. ”

This piece of Shi Bin didn't expect that it seems that what the guard said is true, Tutuha is a person who can sacrifice personal interests for the interests of the country, and he is indeed worthy of respect. However, respect is respect, but Shi Bin does not intend to hand over the benefits he has received, because this is his, and it is absolutely impossible for him to hand it over to the emperor, even if it is nominally.

In this way, Shi Bin's face gradually became gloomy, which made Tutuha feel worried, and he was afraid that Shi Bin would turn around and leave and no longer cooperate. But he is also ready to bear Shi Bin's anger, and it is a big deal to talk about it with a cheeky face when the time comes.

"Lord Tutuha, it's not a good virtue to break your word and get fat." Shi Bin said coldly.

"My lord, I know that I have broken my promise, and I am sorry. But please think about it, after all, ceding land is a very big matter, and Tutuha cannot make decisions on his own. Tutuha said with a sad face.

"Ceded land?" After hearing this, Shi Bin laughed angrily, "Lord Tutuha, when did the Hexi Corridor become the territory of your Yuan people?" Since the Han and Tang Dynasties, it has been the territory of our Han people, and it is only because of the weakness of the country that you have taken it away. Now we just want your Great Khan to return our old land after victory, how can it be called ceding land? ”

"Lord Shi, the matter of territory has never been decided, and whoever is strong will occupy more. Your central government has not been in charge of the Hexi Corridor since the Tang Dynasty, and you have not taken it back even during the Northern Song Dynasty. So this should be considered the territory of my Great Yuan. In order not to provoke Shi Bin's anger, Tutuha said very modestly.

"It is true that the Great Song Dynasty has never managed the Hexi Corridor from the beginning, but now we want to manage it, and we have the ability to manage it. Lord Tutuha, I still say the same thing, if you don't give enough benefits, I can only send 10,000 soldiers and horses to help you harass Kublai Khan, if you want to get more support, you must convince the emperor. You must understand that my courtiers of the Great Song Dynasty are not allowed to transfer troops without authorization, and if they transfer troops without authorization, they can be regarded as rebellion. I'm willing to transfer 10,000 soldiers and horses to help you, and I'm afraid it's worth a lot more than the thousands of horses you gave me. ”

Although he secretly scolded Shi Bin for being insatiable in his heart, Tutuha also understood that this was right, and only shrewd philistines could not talk about the slightest affection between countries, and whoever spoke of affection would suffer losses.

"I am willing to persuade the Great Khan to give you another two thousand horses from the Western Regions and three thousand to your emperor, but do not let us return the Hexi Corridor, because it is equally important to us. We can return it free of charge in Lanzhou. ”

Looking at Tutuha, who was talking in great pain, Shi Bin smiled helplessly and said, "I'm sorry Tutuha, I can't lose such an important place as the Hexi Corridor for the sake of thousands of horses, that will be a stain that I can't wash away for the rest of my life." ”

"Okay, I'm willing to take a step back and return all the land east of Jiayuguan in the Great Song Dynasty after the war, and return the Lanzhou area now."

Knowing that he was close to Tutuha's bottom line, Shi Bin didn't plan to be a villain alone, so he had to pull Zhao Kui and the emperor to do it together, so he agreed to this plan. But it was up to Tutuha himself to convince the emperor and Zhao Kui.

In the end, Tutuha reluctantly agreed to this compromise plan.

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