Vologis had two sons, the eldest of whom Arshak was stationed in the other important town of Ecbatana, and was to be his successor according to Parthian custom. The youngest son, Ardaban, was more loved by Vologis than Arshak, and he had been following Vologis, hearing and seeing, and gradually understanding the benefits of power, and his ambition swelled, so he wanted to take Arshak's place, so he often expressed his opinions on political affairs, and Vologis also obeyed him.

This time was no exception, and when Ardaban said "no", Vologis nodded and asked, "Why not?" ”

Aldaban laughed: "Since the big Han wants to lease some land, how can he not collect their rent? Leave this matter to the child, and the child promises to satisfy the father. ”

Vologis was already getting more and more mediocre, where was he willing to use more brains on these chores, waved his hand, and said: "Well, then you can look at it, as long as the big man can send the armor over before tomorrow summer, the other conditions are negotiable." ”

Remitu wanted to say something, but saw that Vologis had already picked up the wine in front of him and re-enjoyed the singing and dancing in the audience, so he had to hold back and watch as Aldaban invited Cai He out of the hall.

Ardaban took Cai He directly to his residence in Susa City, and did not talk about renting land and buying armor, but ordered someone to set up a banquet, invited Cai He to sit down, bowed down, and said: "Lord Cai has come from afar, the journey is hard, let's not talk about business today, let me accompany the Lord to drink a few cups to relieve my fatigue, how about it?" ”

Cai He has repeatedly sent envoys to the countries of the Western Regions, and has been ceremoniously received by the kings of all countries, and he has long been accustomed to such occasions, so he will not have any special feelings for Ardaban's hospitality, so he arched his hand very casually and said: "Then Cai is better than obeying his fate if he is respectful." ”

After three rounds of drinking, Ardaban slapped his face lightly. A group of young and beautiful girls rushed in and danced in front of the hall. Aldaban drank the wine and admired it with great interest.

Cai He was concerned about the important things that Liu Xin had explained, but he was not as chic as Aldaban, he raised the wine cup and saluted Aldaban, and arched his hand and said: "Your Royal Highness the Prince, it is getting late, Cai Mou will toast the prince again, I want to rest early, and come to visit the prince early tomorrow morning to discuss matters with the prince." ”

"Lord Cai, don't worry." Ardaban smiled, pointed to the two blonde girls who were leading the dance in the field, and said, "How do you think they are better than the women of the Han family?" ”

Cai He has not yet married, but he was born in a big family in Jingzhou, and he is a relative of the emperor, and there has never been a shortage of women around him. Although these two girls are beautiful, it is difficult to impress Cai He. However, over the years, he has been on many missions to various countries, and he has long learned the ability to act on the spot, and said with a smile: "Each has its own merits, each has its own merits." ”

Seeing that Cai He's face was not shocked, Ardaban was slightly disappointed, "oh", pointed at the two girls, and said, "Since Lord Cai is a little tired, you can help Lord Cai to rest, and serve well." ”

Cai He originally wanted to go back to the inn, but the two girls had already stepped forward and grabbed Cai He's arms one left and one right.

Passing through the state on this way, Cai He saw that the Parthian soldiers were poorly equipped, and knew that Vologis had a request for the big man, but he was not worried that Ardaban would be unfavorable to him, so he did not shirk, and lived in a separate courtyard on Ardaban's mansion with the support of these two girls.

As soon as he stepped into the bedroom, Cai He felt that the light was dazzling, and he looked at it, but saw two large boxes in front of the couch, which were full of gold, silver and jewelry, and couldn't help but be surprised: "Two girls, are you in the wrong place?" ”

The two girls covered their mouths together and said with a smile: "My lord, there is no mistake, these things are gifts from His Royal Highness the Prince, including the two of us." ”

In the past, when Cai He was on an envoy to other countries, he often sent money and beauties to him, naturally hoping that he would say good things in front of Liu Xin and win a little benefit. Now that Ardaban has also played this trick, Cai He did not refuse, and accepted it with a smile. At the beginning, Liu Xin told him that he could accept whatever others gave him, but there was one rule, he must not damage the interests of the Han because he received gifts from others, otherwise no one would be able to protect him. The tone of this negotiation Liu Xin has been set, and there is nothing Cai He can decide, he accepts these things, even if Aldaban makes any non-centrific demands, he can also push it on Liu Xin.

Although there was a beauty in his arms, early the next morning, Cai He still hurriedly got up, he didn't dare to delay Liu Xin's big event because of his greed for women.

Ardaban was lying on the couch with two beauties in his arms, and when he heard that Cai He was coming, he hurriedly put on his clothes and said in a loud voice: "Why is Lord Cai so early, are those two women not in line with the adult's wishes?" ”

Cai He waved his hand and said: "Your Highness is sending gold and silver and sending beauties, I'm afraid it's not just to befriend Cai, if you have any requirements, please say it directly, but Cai doesn't dare to guarantee that he will be able to agree to you." ”

Ardaban originally saw that Cai He came so early, and was worried that he was dissatisfied with the gift he had given him, but when he said this, he put his mind at ease and said with a smile on his face: "What is Lord Cai talking about, I really want to make Lord Cai a friend, and there will definitely be no requirements to embarrass Lord Cai." ”

After a pause, Ardaban continued: "I can agree to the places that my lord has proposed to lease on behalf of my father, but there is a small condition. ”

Cai He sneered: "Hmph, I know that there is no good banquet." ”

Ardaban didn't care, smiled, and said: "Actually, nothing has changed, everything will be done according to your requirements, but there is one thing, the armor and the rent that will be paid after thirty years must all be handed over to me!" ”

Cai He's ten years of study at Xiangyang Academy were not in vain, and he soon understood that Ardaban was born with ambitions. He couldn't help but mutter: "Our Emperor His Majesty has a decree that the lease of land is a matter between the two countries, and it must not be granted to each other privately. ”

Ardaban originally thought that Cai He would be very good at talking if he accepted the money and women he sent, but he didn't expect Cai He to be so unhappy, and he suddenly became unhappy, and snorted coldly: "What's the difference?" Anyway, just meet his requirements! ”

Cai He didn't dare to turn his face with Ardaban casually, so he had to arch his hand and said: "This matter must be authorized by your king, and Cai Mou can dare to call the shots." ”

Aldaban laughed and said, "What's so hard about this? Today I will ask my father for a will, and I will give it into your hands. ”

Yesterday in the hall, Vologis had already verbally promised that Ardaban would handle the matter on his behalf, but Cai He had a careful eye and felt that there was no basis for empty words, and a formal agreement must be made. Ardaban couldn't resist Cai He, so he had to take an opportunity and quietly ask to see Vologis while Remitu was away.

Vologis waved his hand impatiently, and casually wrote a decree authorizing Ardaban to take full charge of the handover of troops and armor, and even the future rent collection was also taken over by Ardaban. Seeing this will signed by Vologis, Cai He breathed a sigh of relief and reached a final agreement with Ardaban.

In fact, Cai He is already suspected of overstepping his authority this time. There has been such a major change, he should report to Liu Xin first, but he should not make his own decisions. But now that it's freezing and snowy outside, it's not easy for him to come from Chang'an, and he doesn't want to run two more round-trips. Anyway, in Cai He's opinion, the final result is the same as what Liu Xin requested, and with Vologis' authorization, there should be no problem.

The general direction had been decided, and then the two began to discuss some details, nothing more than the place, time and method of handing over the supplies. Aldaban demanded that the first batch of 50,000 soldiers arrive in Susa in April and be delivered to his men.

Cai He waved his hand and said, "This is not good, His Majesty the Emperor said that all the armor must be handed over to you within January, and we are only responsible for transporting it to Kangju, and your people will pick it up at the border!" ”

In fact, it is not wrong for Aldaban to set the time for handing over the goods in April, because now the heavy snow is closing the road, and the transportation of materials is very difficult, and it often takes more manpower and material resources, so it is better to wait until the weather warms up and the ice and snow melt when the transportation is more convenient. But Liu Xin knew that when the ice and snow melted, he was afraid that the Great Qin army would make a comeback, so he had to arm the Parthians as soon as possible.

Ardaban is not without a sense of urgency, but more importantly, he does not have enough manpower, or rather trustworthy manpower, right now. Even if he accepted the batch of armor brought by the Great Han, it would be difficult to arm an army loyal to him in such a short period of time. However, Cai He suggested that the Han people only transported supplies to the border but gave him the opportunity, and he could use this excuse to recruit young men and strong, and carry goods while arming them. So, after a little contemplation, Ardaban agreed to Cai He's proposal.

Cai He felt that he had once again successfully completed the task given to him by Liu Xin, and embarked on the road back to his hometown with pride, and of course he did not forget to bring the money and beauty that Aldaban gave him.

When they returned to Chang'an, the winter moon was almost over. Liu Xin listened to Cai He's report, couldn't help but be angry, and shouted: "Come on, take Cai He down and put him in prison!" ”

Cai He was so frightened that his soul did not possess his body, and he kowtowed again and again: "Your Majesty, Weichen did this with your permission." ”

Liu Xin sneered: "I have granted you permission to accept gifts from other countries, but I have not promised you to sign an agreement with someone in private. Exchanges between countries must be above board, and this kind of magnanimity cannot be ignored! ”