The Huaishui at night in summer seems to be more lively than the daytime, with a forest of pavilions on both sides, large and small boats hanging lanterns on the water, staggered back and forth, and the sound of silk and bamboo orchestras floating between the river surfaces is endless.

It rained for two days and three nights in a row, making the Huaishui swell almost a foot higher than usual, and the heat that had gradually risen during the day was almost completely dissipated here, and the breeze gusted in the face, and the pleasure boat on the rapids broke through the water and waves, which was completely different from the feeling in the Tianyuan Pool.

Tuoba Shen stood by the railing, looking at the cruise ships in the distance, the starry sky and the Milky Way in the sky, the bright full moon, silent for a long time, and suddenly felt a sense of homesickness welling up in his heart.

I don't know how Aunt Cao, Feng Qing is doing now, and whether Tuoba Ke is still having a headache with schoolwork, and whether Yi Niang'er will forget herself again.

Calculating the time, it has been four months since I left Pingcheng, tomorrow is the last day of July, and the day after tomorrow is the leap July of the Southern Dynasty. In the seventh month of the leap year, it is like the month of previous years, and it will take at least nearly two months on the way back to Beijing.

"Gong Li, you say, what is Your Majesty doing now?" Tuoba Shen didn't belong, and asked casually.

Li Biao listened to Tuoba Shen's question, and knew that the "Your Majesty" in Tuoba Shen's mouth did not refer to Xiao Zhen, so he didn't know how to answer for a while, and looked at Zheng Daozhao and Yu Zhong.

What is the Emperor doing? It is possible to be there, reading the sparse table, or it is possible that you have already slept peacefully.

Tuoba Shen didn't expect Li Biao to answer, turned around and returned to his seat, just about to sit down. saw two guards outside the door bring in a person, who was Xiao Ziqing's servant. It turned out that they were told to go to the second floor of the cruise ship for dinner.

Several people went up to the second floor together, and saw that Xiao Ziqing and several of his subordinate officials had arrived, and a few maidservants were refueling the lamps and hanging lanterns.

After the salute, the two groups of people sat on their left and right. In these days, it is not popular to talk about things at the banquet, so it is to toast each other, play a riddle, and shoot and guess to help the drink.

After finishing dinner and rinsing their mouths and hands, Xiao Ziqing ordered a few slaves and maids to serve tea, and said after a few polite words: "Please come here today, what is going on, you should be able to guess it now, and you don't have to do much idle words." ”

"A few days ago, the northern suburbs reviewed the military horses, and His Majesty the Emperor of this dynasty ordered me to connect with the northern envoy to the border city of Yima, and the northern envoy was also present in this matter, and the cause and effect were well known. I wonder if the Northern Envoy will have a charter these days? ”

Tuoba Shen saw that Xiao Ziqing had entered a state of official business, and he was also relieved in his heart. He also doesn't want to talk about this matter with personal friends, doing things for the country, and it is taboo to not distinguish between public and private. Since it is a business matter, it is natural to fight on the basis of reason, and you are welcome.

"Your Majesty's Majesty the Emperor's intentions, we already know everything. It's just that the foreign envoy has already made a bitter complaint in front of your lord that day, and this matter is really difficult to handle. Besides, I didn't have the authorization of the horse market when I came here, so I'm afraid I won't be able to do it. ”

Xiao Ziqing's face changed slightly, and he said loudly: "On that day, the northern envoy drove before my majesty, and agreed to discuss the horse market again, and the voice was in the ear, do you want to regret it?" ”

He thought that after Tuoba Shen went back to discuss, he didn't want to talk about it again, and he was secretly angry in his heart, this matter was given to him by the emperor himself, and he didn't want to mess it up.

"The king of Luling is bad! Isn't it sincere that I have been invited here today? If you want to increase the number of horses, it is your request, but now you want us to come up with a charter, and we must not write an edict from His Majesty the Emperor, where will there be any regulations. However, since your dynasty is intentional, it should show sincerity! ”

The so-called sincerity naturally means making concessions in certain areas.

Although he has already made up his mind to exchange books for horses with the Southern Dynasty, it is obvious that the Southern Dynasty has a request for others, and Tuoba Shen will naturally not pour this matter out by himself, otherwise the Southern Dynasty will feel that he has a bargaining chip, so he has no fear and takes the opportunity to blackmail.

So now I have to make trouble with the Southern Dynasty, and the book exchange is the finale, and now is not the time to take it out. Don't give them the impression that they will easily achieve their goals.

Xiao Ziqing listened to Tuoba Shen's words and couldn't help but be dumbfounded. On that day, Tuoba Shen, Li Biao said in front of the emperor that he could talk about it, and he thought that Tuoba Shen meant to regress. And the emperor just asked him to talk now, but he didn't give him a detailed charter, and he didn't dare to make promises!

Seeing that Xiao Ziqing didn't speak, Tuoba Shen didn't want to embarrass him too much, and said: "Since your dynasty wants to trade horses, you can make a case book." I'll take a look at it later. ”

Xiao Ziqing glanced at him, and Yuan Ying took out the prepared case book from her long sleeves, got up and handed it over.

Tuoba Shen took the case book, asked Zheng Daozhao to bring two more oil lamps, and crossed views with Li Biao.

The trade of horses in the Southern Dynasties was mainly concentrated on war horses, requiring at least 3,000 horses in the first year, at least seventy percent of them should be strong and fat, and there were also certain requirements for horse breeds, at least 100 horses. And it is hoped that in the second year, the dynasty will first shepherd the horses traded in the counties on the edge of Henan for half a year, so that the horses can gradually subjugate the water and soil, and they will also be allowed to send people to stay in the counties for a long time to supervise, and only after half a year can they be traded. If the horse dies after the transaction due to the difficulty of adapting to the water and soil, it is hoped that the price can be increased in addition to the number of transactions in the second year to make up for the amount of loss due to the death of the horse.

In addition to this, at least three hundred fine horses were required, and they were allowed to send a horse bearer to choose them, and the price of these three hundred good horses could be doubled.

In terms of timing, it is best to make the first transaction, and the handover can be completed before November.

After reading nearly forty articles, detailed to the origin and height of the horse.

Tuoba Shen was also speechless in his heart.

Although it is a trade that you and I are willing to make, this request is too outrageous. With the addition of border smuggling in the southern horse market, it is estimated that there will be less than a thousand war horses that can be killed in a year, but it is so unrealistic to ask for it now. Even if you pay attention to doing business, you must pay the price "sky-high and pay back on the ground", but you have to be reliable!

put away the case book and did not return it to Xiao Ziqing. Tuoba Shen said: "The requirements of the Gui Dynasty are too many and too complicated, and they can be said to be as thin as hair. For example, the dynasty is required to set aside land for shepherding in the border prefectures and counties for half a year. It's hard to accept. Not to mention that it is difficult to find a suitable place for shepherding in the border prefectures and counties, even if there is enough land, it is for the people of the dynasty to cultivate first. Moreover, it is common for horses to refuse to accept death, and ordinary people do business and know the truth of self-financing. It is too much for your dynasty to bear these unexpected risks. ”

refuted the seventy percent clauses of the Southern Dynasty one by one, and pulled and pulled with Xiao Ziqing for two hours, Huaishui was already inaccessible, and it was all in the middle of the moon, and there was still no result to be discussed, and it was difficult for both sides to reach a consensus.

Seeing that Xiao Ziqing and the others were so anxious that they couldn't even eat the tea and betel nut, Tuoba Shen saw that the time had come, picked up the teacup, and secretly glanced at Li Biao.

Li Biao saw Tuoba Shen's signal, put down the teacup in his hand, covered his mouth, yawned, and said with sleepiness: "Since His Royal Highness the King of Luling can't be the master, why don't you go back and ask for a charter tomorrow, and then come to the hall to discuss?" Now that the time has come, I have something to do tomorrow, and I am afraid it will be difficult to stay for long. ”

Xiao Ziqing saw that there was no progress after two hours, and he was anxious in his heart, and he was also annoyed by Tuoba Shen, feeling that Tuoba Shen did not give face at all. Now seeing that Li Biao proposed to go back to sleep, he said angrily: "The business is not finished, why do you need to leave in such a hurry." Lone has already arranged a bedroom for you on the ship, so why go. After the discussion is decided, it is not too late to send you back to the museum in person. ”

Seeing that Xiao Ziqing's anxious speech was a bit of a hooligan, Li Biao smiled and said, "If you discuss like this, I'm afraid that tomorrow the city drum will not be able to discuss anything." ”

"Yes! The articles listed by your dynasty only consider your own needs, but do not take into account our difficulties. I promised your dynasty here today, do you dare to take these entries to Pingcheng to ask for it? Tuoba Shen said on the side.

Seeing that Tuoba Shen took Xiao Ziqing and suffocated him fiercely, Li Biao said: "It seems that there is nothing to talk about tonight, what is the point of His Highness forcing me to wait?" The foreign official here has a policy to say to His Royal Highness, if His Highness thinks it is feasible, I will wait until I return to the court to speak, otherwise I will be forced to die, and I will not dare to agree to your court. ”

Xiao Ziqing saw Li Biao's tone softened, and asked, "What is Gong Li's good plan?" I'll wait for details. ”

"It's nothing new. This dynasty had been in the thirteenth year of Taihe, dismissed the cavalry Xing Chan, Hou Lingshao sent an envoy to Jiangnan, to obtain the classics, I heard that there were quite a few people in the court and the opposition of the noble dynasty, but for some reason it was not done, His Majesty the Emperor of our country deeply regretted it, and did not mention this matter again. Now that your dynasty wants to increase the number of horse markets, it is better to ask His Majesty the Emperor of your dynasty, if your dynasty is willing to exchange books for horses, and appoint envoys to meet His Majesty in Pingcheng with me, I will be equal to Your Majesty before you can have something to say. If it succeeds, your dynasty will get the horse, and the dynasty will get the book, which can be described as two benefits. Otherwise, no matter how much you say, it will be just a waste of time. ”

Xiao Ziqing was silent for a moment, knowing that what Li Biao said was also the truth, so he went out with a few subordinate officials for a while, and said after coming back: "Since it is proposed by Li Gong, I will go back to face the cheating king for the time being." As for success or failure, Lone does not dare to promise. ”

"This matter was originally caused by your dynasty's proposal for the horse market, and we will propose to use the horse book to read, but I will give you and me a chance. Let's see what providence! If it can be done, it is the best, if it can't be done, you can't blame me and wait. Tuoba Shen said.

Xiao Ziqing let out a long sigh and said, "Okay! ”

Although the trip did not achieve any results, fortunately, the Northern Dynasty refused, leaving room for negotiation, and Li Biao's proposal After several discussions, they also felt that there was a lot of room for feasibility, and tonight was not considered nothing.

After all, I am afraid that there is no need to talk about things, and if there is something to talk about, there is a possibility of success. 11