The guard said with some hesitation: "But, Your Highness Princess, if we don't sell them food, they may use other means to obtain it." ”

Zhao Yingluo sneered: "Other means? Then let them let the horses come. How could I, Zhao Yingluo, be afraid of them? Her voice exuded a sense of majesty and confidence, as if it could deter any enemy who dared to provoke.

When the merchants of Western Xia learned of Zhao Yingluo's reply, they all showed disappointment and anger. They didn't expect that this princess of the Great Song Dynasty would be so resolute and tough. In their eyes, war horses are incomparably precious goods, and grain is nothing more than ordinary goods. They couldn't understand why Zhao Yingluo would make such a decision.

However, Zhao Yingluo has her own considerations. She knew that it had not been too long since the Western Xia and the Jin Kingdom joined forces to attack the Great Song Dynasty. If grain was sold to Western Xia at this time, it would undoubtedly be fueling their arrogance. Moreover, she did not believe that Western Xia would sincerely trade with the Great Song. In their eyes, the Great Song Dynasty was nothing more than an object of their plunder and aggression!

The merchants of Western Xia saw that Zhao Yingluo's door was closed, and although they were a little unwilling in their hearts, they could only reluctantly accept the reality. They know that sometimes they need to face such ups and downs in the business field.

"Alas, I thought I could buy food smoothly this time, but I didn't expect to hit a nail." An older businessman sighed and shook his head.

"Yes, but fortunately, there is a bumper harvest around Kaifeng, and we may be able to find a way from other grain merchants." Another businessman suggested.

While they were discussing, news suddenly came that a group of small and medium-sized grain merchants were buying grain from farmers. When the Western Xia merchants heard the news, they immediately decided to change their strategy and turn their targets to these grain merchants.

They took the silver money and the rare products of Western Xia and found those small and medium-sized grain merchants. Although these grain merchants were not short of food, they were tempted by the temptation of money and rare products.

After some bargaining, the Tangut merchants finally succeeded in purchasing the grain they needed from these grain merchants. Although the price is a little higher than expected, it finally solves the urgent need.

"Haha, it looks like we're still lucky." A businessman said with a smile, "Although I couldn't buy food from Zhao Yingluo, I finally found a solution." ”

"Yes, that's the way it is in business, sometimes you need to be flexible to find new opportunities." Another businessman said with emotion.

After completing the grain deal with Yan Zongyi, Zhao Yingluo finally took a break from her busy schedule and returned to her mansion in Kaifeng from Xingzhou. The bumps along the way did not disrupt her thoughts, but allowed her to see the current situation more clearly.

Back at the mansion, Zhao Yingluo did not rest immediately, but gathered his advisers and generals and began to discuss the integration of private soldiers. She knew that now that Luoyang had his imperial brother Zhao Zhen in charge and a strong army, she naturally didn't need to worry too much about the west. And Xingzhou is guarded by a famous general like Yue Fei, and Jin Guo and Western Xia will definitely not dare to act rashly. The only thing that worried her was the defensive line south of Kaifeng.

"Although the veterans Zong Ze and Li Gang are brave and good at fighting, the forces in their hands are really limited." Zhao Yingluo frowned, and said in a deep voice, "We must replenish their forces as soon as possible to ensure the safety south of Kaifeng." ”

The strategists and generals nodded in agreement, they all knew that the current situation was not optimistic. After some deliberation, Zhao Yingluo decided to transfer some elites from his private soldiers to supplement Zong Ze and Li Gang. At the same time, she also ordered the fortifications south of Kaifeng to be strengthened to ensure that nothing went wrong.

After the order was issued, Zhao Yingluo did not relax. She knew that integrating the private army was only the first step, and that there were more challenges ahead of her.

In addition to the defense line in the south of Kaifeng, which worries Zhao Yingluo, Han Shizhong in the east also makes it difficult for her to be completely reassured. Although Han Shizhong has chosen to serve her and escaped from the control of the Great Song Dynasty, the army in his hands was once the soldiers and horses of the imperial court after all, and it is difficult to guarantee 100% loyalty.

Zhao Yingluo knows that if she wants to stabilize her position, she must firmly control these soldiers and horses in her own hands. So, she decided to go to the Daimyo Mansion in person, join Wen Boyuan's 100,000 army, and then join forces with Han Shizhong's soldiers and horses to guard the east together.

When the morning glow was reflected on the city wall of Wei County, Princess Zhao Yingluo's car slowly drove into this fortified city. Wen Boyuan, a loyal and capable general, had been waiting at the city gate for a long time, ready to welcome the arrival of the princess.

"General Wenbo, thank you for your hard work." Zhao Yingluo stepped out of the carriage and said to Wen Boyuan gently.

"Her Royal Highness the princess is serious, and the last general should be like this." Wen Boyuan replied respectfully, his eyes revealing respect and loyalty to the princess.

The two walked into the city together, and Zhao Yingluo revealed her worries to Wen Boyuan as she walked: "Although General Han Shizhong has joined me, the soldiers and horses in his hands were once the elite of the imperial court after all. I'm worried that their loyalty is not stable enough, so I want to join forces with Han Shizhong to guard the eastern front of the Great Song Dynasty. ”

After hearing this, Wen Boyuan expressed his support without hesitation: "Her Royal Highness the princess's decision is wise. Although General Han Shizhong is brave and good at fighting, it is indeed difficult to control the large number of soldiers and horses. The last general was willing to lead his soldiers to join forces with General Han Shizhong to jointly protect the Jiangshan Sheji of the Great Song Dynasty. ”

After hearing this, Zhao Yingluo nodded with satisfaction: "With the support of General Wenbo, I am relieved." Let's go to the Daimyo's Mansion to discuss the merger with General Han Shizhong. ”

The two had discussed and decided, and Zhao Yingluo ordered the whole army to prepare and set off. Under the leadership of Wen Boyuan, an army of 100,000 left the county seat of Wei and marched towards the Daimyo's mansion. The sun shone through the clouds on the walls of the Daimyo's Mansion, and Han Shizhong stood on the city gate, watching Princess Zhao Yingluo's convoy slowly approach. He was wearing armor and had a serious expression, but his eyes could not hide his respect for the princess.

"Her Royal Highness the Princess has arrived!" With the loud announcement of the city gate official, Han Shizhong led all the soldiers to bow neatly and pay respects.

Zhao Yingluo walked out of the car, she was wearing gorgeous clothes and a phoenix crown, looking noble and majestic. She looked around, then her eyes fell on Han Shizhong, and she smiled and said, "General Han doesn't have to be polite. ”

Han Shizhong stood up and arched his hand, "Her Royal Highness Princess Xie." Then, he led Zhao Yingluo into the city, and said as he walked: "Your Royal Highness Princess, everything is fine in the Daimyo's Mansion, but recently some envoys from the imperial court have come, and their words are quite provocative. ”

Zhao Yingluo frowned slightly and asked, "Oh? What did they say? ”

A trace of anger flashed on Han Shizhong's face, and he said, "It's ridiculous that they dare to persuade me not to betray the imperial court!" I, Han Shizhong, have been completely disappointed in the imperial court, how can I serve the imperial court again? As he spoke, his fists clenched as if to break the words of the messengers.

Zhao Yingluo looked at Han Shizhong's angry expression, and knew in her heart that he was loyal to her. She gently patted Han Shizhong's shoulder and comforted, "General Han, I naturally know your loyalty. Those messengers were little people and did not need to be shared with them. ”