Chapter 378 Wei Shuyu's True Purpose

"Your Majesty, would you be willing to part with this?"

When the envoys from various countries looked at Li Yuan, they also had a fawning expression on their faces.

This strong liquor is a true delicacy.

"I've already said..."

Li Yuan said unhappily, "There isn't much wine left; after the banquet, there won't be much left!"

Not much means there's still some left.

"Your Majesty, I don't need much, seven or eight jars will be enough."

“We Tibetans are even more frugal; three jars are enough.”

"My Tuyuhun needs a bit too much, thirty jars!"

Swish...

Everyone turned to look at Murong Shun.

Thirty jars.

You really dare to shout that, you son of a bitch.

"What are you looking at?"

Murong Shun glared and said, "My Tuyuhun is the most sincere ally of the Tang Dynasty. How can you compare to us?"

The envoys from various countries were speechless.

After what happened with the Japanese envoy, they are now indeed inferior to Murong Shun.

"Stop arguing!"

Just then, Li Yuan suddenly flew into a rage: "I've already said there's not much left, and if I'm not giving it, I'm not giving it..."

this……

The envoys from all the countries were stunned.

They never expected Li Yuan to get angry.

They're here, they're here.

It's finally time for the great idol, Ji, to have his moment!

"The Emperor Emeritus..."

Choi Sin-ki said to Lee Yuan, "These envoys are all guests. If they like something, please give them some."

"If we don't give it to them... they'll curse the Tang Dynasty for being stingy."

The envoys from various countries looked at Choi Sin-ki, and a single thought suddenly occurred to them all…

This child is so sensible.

The Uyghur envoy even smiled at him.

This is the thoughtful kid who just poured himself a drink.

"Didn't we give a reward in return?" Li Yuan replied casually.

"But they love this wine."

Choi Shin-ki blinked his innocent big eyes: "How about we give them this fine wine in return?"

Holy crap.

The envoys from various countries were startled.

We simply want to add some fine wine to the list of gifts we'll give in return.

I never thought of exchanging the gift for wine!

"No, no..."

Li Yuan refused again: "I have already given them so much to taste, isn't that enough?"

Thankfully, I didn't agree.

The envoys from various countries breathed a sigh of relief.

"But you are the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty."

Choi Shin-ki continued, "They'll be unhappy if we don't even meet such a small request."

"This is a matter of harmony between countries."

this……

Li Yuan was caught in a dilemma.

The envoys from various countries took a look.

Holy crap.

Don't actually agree.

If you exchange a gift for wine, wouldn't your own king skin you alive?

"Still no good," Li Yuan refused again.

call.

The envoys from various countries breathed a sigh of relief.

"The finest nectar is a gift from heaven."

"Not just a divine brew, but an absolute marvel!"

"Use less and less; unauthorized trading is disrespectful to God..."

Li Yuan launched into a long, enthusiastic speech.

This further aroused the cravings of the envoys from various countries.

They looked at the wine glasses...

To be honest, the wine was really delicious.

If it's cheaper, they wouldn't mind...

"Your Majesty, this is the will of Heaven."

Choi Sin-ki further explained, "Why did Heaven bestow these gifts not earlier or later, but precisely when these nations were visiting?"

"It's just to treat everyone to a feast..."

Go to hell.

Can you please stop talking?

We can't afford such expensive wine!

The envoys from various countries cursed inwardly...

Sometimes, it's not good for a child to be too well-behaved.

But...

Choi Shin-ki continued to speak.

"Your Majesty, look..."

"What are all these countries doing coming to Chang'an from so far away?"

"They came to worship."

"They are a vassal state of our Great Tang Dynasty!"

"Think about it another way, they were also subjects of the Tang Dynasty."

"You have given them wine; it is the will of Heaven!"

These words sent chills down the spines of the envoys from various countries.

You're fucking driving us to the brink of despair.

"Is that so?" Li Yuan asked with a suspicious expression.

"yes."

Choi Shin-ki pointed at Fang Yi-ai: "If you don't believe me, ask about the remains."

Fang Yi'ai nodded immediately.

"That……"

Li Yuan tentatively asked, "How about I bestow some upon you?"

"Uh-huh."

"The Emperor Emeritus is wise."

Both of them chimed in.

"good!"

Li Yuan turned to the envoys and said, "Since you all enjoy this fine wine so much, I will bestow some upon you."

Holy crap!

All the envoys were stunned.

They immediately started making excuses one by one.

"Your Majesty, we don't actually need that much of this fine wine and liquor."

"Your Majesty, our Khan does not like to drink alcohol, so there's no need for that, is there?"

"Your Majesty, we also have a prohibition on alcohol in our country."

Um?

Li Yuan's expression suddenly turned cold.

I've been acting for so long, and you're saying you don't want it?

The envoys from various countries felt their scalps tingle.

We can't afford to offend Li Yuan...

Looking to the side, even Li Shimin's expression turned cold.

"Greetings to the Emperor Emeritus of the Tang Dynasty."

The envoy from the Eastern Turks suddenly stepped forward: "It's not that the Eastern Turks don't want it, but we are here on orders."

"If we were to exchange all the gifts for fine wine and liquor, we would have no way to explain it to the Khan."

Finally, someone has spoken the truth.

The messengers quickly echoed this sentiment.

"I see..."

Li Yuan feigned regret.

"Gentlemen."

Just when the envoys thought the matter would end there, Wei Shuyu jumped out again...

"Have you all forgotten that the tribute system has been changed to trade accompanying the tribute?"

"The tribute you submit to the Tang Dynasty is only a small part."

Um?

Upon hearing this, all the envoys were taken aback.

yes.

After the trade was changed to tribute, the Tang Dynasty only accepted a small portion of the tribute.

The rest will flow into the private sector.

If you think about it this way, it doesn't seem like it's unreasonable to exchange some fine wine and liquor for a reward.

"We understand your difficulties."

"I also think it's not appropriate to exchange all the gifts for fine wine and delicacies."

Turning around, Wei Shuyu bowed to Li Yuan and said, "Your Majesty, these envoys are guests from afar. I humbly request Your Majesty to grant them this favor."

What?

Bai Ci?

Everyone was shocked.

"What do you mean?" Li Yuan asked, frowning.

“In the past, when tribute was paid, the Tang Dynasty would reciprocate with gifts at a price that was double or more.”

"This feels pretty awkward."

"Moreover, it is also a burden on the Tang Dynasty."

"The essence of tribute trade is trade."

"I believe that the tributes from the various countries should be exchanged for an equivalent amount of copper coins, and in return, fine wines and delicacies should be bestowed upon them!"

"this……"

Li Yuan was conflicted.

"Your Majesty, the key to returning the favor lies in the word 'bestowing'."

Wei Shuyu then added, "If the price is too high, people will accuse our Tang Dynasty of being heartless."

"What do you think, Shimin?"

Li Yuan turned to look at Li Shimin.

After all, Li Shimin was the emperor.

He had to give Li Shimin face in front of the envoys from various countries.

"Father, please make the decision."

Li Shimin responded with a smile.

The return gift of more than double becomes a 1:1 equivalent, which is nothing more than giving away two more jars of wine.

Saved money again, how great!

"good."

Li Yuan nodded: "Then let's do as Shuyu says, and bestow two jars of fine wine and jade liquor upon each of the various kingdoms!"

"The Emperor Emeritus is wise! His Majesty the Tang Emperor is wise!" Everyone bowed in unison.

call.

Seeing that the envoys from various countries had finally agreed, Wei Shuyu breathed a sigh of relief.

He puts so much effort into promoting the wine; making money isn't his primary goal.

How long can you make money selling alcohol?

One year, ten years, or a lifetime?

The brewing recipe will be revealed sooner or later.

Wei Shuyu's most important goal was to use wine to bind the various states and force them to accept tribute trade!

After a few years, other countries will no longer have much aversion to tributary trade.

A reward must be given!

If we don't give it to them, many distant countries will not submit, nor will they come to pay homage.

Even if tribute arrives, they won't bring much...

That would defeat the greatest purpose of paying tribute!

What is tribute? It's trade!

It serves as a link between the economies of the two countries...

Our great China, wherever it is, it's made in China!

This is trade!

Unlike today, conducting cross-border transactions was not so simple in ancient times.

The most direct way is to connect with the national leadership, so that Datang's products can be quickly popularized in various countries!

The current tributary system...

Li Shimin had no idea what trade was; he was simply putting on a show of wealth and giving away money.

And trade with tribute.

While establishing a dominant position, it does not lose much in return.

While the Tang Dynasty increased tax revenue, the people's economy also improved!

This is a national policy with far-reaching implications.

Even if the Tang Dynasty falls, subsequent dynasties will continue to benefit from it!