Liu Tan was a little surprised: "You can't let it go?"

Wasn't he already very poor? How could he just not let go?

Miao Rui didn't show Liu Tan the account book, he just started to report a bunch of numbers.

Then Liu Tan noticed that some of it was sent by Princess Dangli. He couldn't help but slap his forehead and said, "I actually forgot about this."

When he read Princess Li's letter later, he didn't take it to heart.

Princess Dangli was also very caring in her heart and told him not to feel any pressure. The officials and wealthy families in Chang'an knew that the honeycomb coal could not be shipped on time because the Northern Border Kingdom was trying to resist the Huns. Not only did they not ask for compensation, they didn't even want a deposit.

The question is to contribute to the Han Dynasty's fight against the Huns.

To be honest, he didn't believe a single word of what Princess Dangli wrote in the letter.

He would not think the worst of human nature, but he would not think so well either. It is true that Chang'an would be happy and cheer when the Northern Border Kingdom repelled the Huns. This is a sign of national pride. However, when it comes to their own interests, perhaps some people do so sincerely, but more people will care about the money.

With such unanimous and spontaneous action, no one even asked for a deposit. Liu Tan tended to think that it was the result of pressure from Changan and the following trend.

As for the people who put pressure on him, it was only his parents and his brothers and sisters. No one else would do that. Even Princess Yangxin might not do that.

But these four people basically covered most of the circles. Chen Ajiao and Princess Dangli included ladies from different classes. Liu Che and Liu Ju directly influenced officials, and then influenced each other. The rest of the people, whether they wanted to flatter or fit in, had this effect.

However, it seems that his father did not have this concept, and even thought that he did not have enough money, so he sent him a lot of money, causing his treasury to be full.

Oh, the reason why the treasury can’t accommodate the money is that the speed of coinage has increased recently.

Liu Tan said with a puzzled look, "Either we find a new room or build a new one. The palace is big enough anyway."

Miao Rui lowered his head and did it. Liu Tan breathed a sigh of relief. After all, he had spent too much money recently, and the money he had originally saved was actually for Liu Che to build a temporary palace.

It is said that building a palace is a waste of money, but in fact, only the main building is not particularly expensive. The most expensive part is the layout in the middle, especially since Liu Tan also wants to go for an exquisite garden style. Don’t underestimate the money now. Once it is built and the courtyard is decorated, it will be spent like water.

In addition, interior decoration also requires a lot of money. Now that the trade is open, it is also beneficial. Liu Tan can see if there are any new things to play with for his father.

Liu Tan looked up at the official from the Grand Herald. This time, the one sent here was a traveler ordered by the Grand Herald.

Liu Tan was a little surprised when he learned that the messenger was being sent. The Grand Herald was the chief official, so it was fine if he was too busy to come, but for such a big matter, at least a Grand Herald Secretary should be sent. The messenger's rank was lower than that of the Grand Herald Secretary, so it seemed inappropriate for him to discuss such matters with the Xiongnu envoy.

But after he finished reading Liu Che's edict, he realized that Liu Che was handing the matter over to him because he was afraid that the officials sent would hinder him.

Xingren Ling had probably been reminded many times before coming, so after seeing Liu Tan, he did not have the arrogance of a central government official at all. Instead, he was very respectful and polite, as if he was afraid of angering Liu Tan.

Seeing that he had been sitting there with his head down and not saying anything, Liu Tan asked, "Does the emperor have any instructions?"

The pedestrian quickly straightened up, still not daring to look up at Liu Tan, and simply said, "His Majesty said that everything is up to Your Highness."

Liu Tan was helpless: "There must be some other requirements, right?"

If we let him make all the decisions, it would be bad. He knows his own character very well. If no one restrains him, I'm afraid he will destroy the Huns.

The pedestrian was silent for a moment before he said, "His Majesty said, as long as Your Highness doesn't suffer any loss, then it's fine."

Liu Tan: ...

He asked unnecessary questions!

Regardless, he is still a little cautious in his heart and reminds himself not to go too far, because if he does, his father might beat him.

Now his father has given him all the power, which means he is letting himself go!

Liu Tan took a deep breath and said, "In that case, you will be responsible for receiving the Xiongnu envoys. I will send people to assist you."

The pedestrian was a little surprised: "Your Highness should be the leader."

This means that Liu Tan should send a chief officer over.

Liu Tanxin said that I must have some pie too. He suddenly asked, "Do you speak Xiongnu language?"

The passerby was startled: "I am a dull person and have never learned it."

Oh, then we have to send someone over.

Liu Tan thought for a moment and said, "Come here, summon the Chief Justice Jiang."

The pedestrian shuddered, and began to wonder if he had said anything wrong. Otherwise, why would he summon the Court Justice? The Court Justice was in charge of the legal books!

Just when the pedestrian was getting very scared, Jiang Chong came over and said, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you."

Liu Tan raised his chin towards the pedestrian and said, "The imperial court has sent envoys to negotiate peace with the Xiongnu, but your father intends to prioritize the Northern Border Kingdom. So this time, you will take the lead in meeting with the Xiongnu envoys and negotiate with them."

Jiang Chong has seen all kinds of people and had followed him to the Western Regions. He is not rigid and is even a bit treacherous. He is also extremely bold and is indeed the perfect fit.

The trembling pedestrian was completely confused after hearing this. He looked up at Liu Tan and didn't know what to say for a moment.

I just think that the Northern Border Kingdom is so amazing that they actually let the Chief Justice take action to receive foreign envoys. What's going on? Are they planning to send people to arrest foreign envoys directly if they don't act according to reason?

Jiang Chong was also a little surprised. He didn't expect Liu Tan to let him go. He couldn't help but hesitate: "Your Majesty...is not in good shape. I am afraid it will bring shame to the Han Dynasty."

He lowered his head as he spoke.

Ever since he was disfigured, Jiang Chong has always felt somewhat inferior. After being disliked by Zhao Po Nu, he even wrote a letter to Liu Tan to resign.

At that time, Liu Tan advised him: "It is better if the person in charge of the law is more fierce. This can deter the scoundrels and make them dare not commit crimes easily."

In fact, he was unwilling to let Jiang Chong retreat like this. After all, it was not his fault, so why should he bear it? What's more, he was still a meritorious official.

But in the Han Dynasty, people with facial disfigurement could not become officials. Not to mention being disfigured, even being ugly could not become an official, unless they had extraordinary knowledge. But even then, they would not be given an official position with real power.

Liu Tan was willing to keep Jiang Chong as the Minister of Justice. Jiang Chong was very touched at the time, but he also felt that he might have to stay in this position for the rest of his life and die of old age.

But when you think about it, it makes sense. The position of Chief Justice in a vassal state is already very high. If you want to go further, you have to leave the vassal state and work in the central government. He basically gave up this idea and started to concentrate on reading case files and rarely went out.

Don't say that hard work pays off. In recent days, he has uncovered many unjust, false and wrong cases and revised all of them, which has greatly improved his reputation in Shuofang City. Even though he has a scar on his face, people are gradually not so afraid of him.

But even so, it doesn't mean that he can represent the Han Dynasty to negotiate with the Huns. Isn't their prince just fooling around?

Liu Tan looked at Jiang Chong and said, "Don't be nervous. The Xiongnu are different from the Han. The Xiongnu envoys might even think you're a warrior. Is that what the traveler told you?"

The pedestrian nodded frantically: "Your Highness is right. The court judge might be able to intimidate the other party and prevent them from doing anything rash."

Jiang Chong felt quite amused and helpless after hearing this. Wasn't it a joke to intimidate the other party with his disfigured face?

He would believe that his prince had previously blown up a coal mine to intimidate the other party.

Liu Tan immediately made the decision and said, "It's settled. The traveler must have come a long way and must be very tired. Let's go to the posthouse and rest."

The pedestrian immediately breathed a sigh of relief, and without looking back, he followed the eunuch who was leading the way.

Liu Tan looked at his fleeing figure, puzzled. "What's going on? Am I that scary?"

Jiang Chong thought that His Highness was not that scary, but perhaps he had received an education in Chang'an.

But he didn't say anything. Jiang Chong knew that Liu Tan must have something important to tell him if he kept him here.

As expected, Liu Tan said, "The envoy does not understand the Xiongnu language. Although there will be a translator, in order to avoid misunderstandings, we must choose someone who understands the Xiongnu language as the chief officer."

Jiang Chong immediately understood. He thought about it and realized that there were many people in the Northern Border Country who knew the Xiongnu language, but not many of them could really take on this important responsibility.

If he doesn't go, then the prime minister will have to go. But the problem is that the only people who came are Hun envoys. How can the prime minister come in person?

The Huns were defeated before, and as for Wei Buzhi... not to mention that he is young, his identity is not suitable. What's more, what if he gets angry and starts fighting during the conversation?

So he seems to be the most suitable one anyway.

Jiang Chong immediately bowed and said, "I will definitely live up to your highness's high expectations."

Liu Tan said, "Apart from anything else, there are a few things you must grasp. First, salt and iron are important commodities. Salt will be limited in the trade, and the sale of iron is strictly prohibited. If the Xiongnu raise these two issues, we must insist on not giving them any, even if it means we can't establish a trade. As for the salt limit... let them make their demands, and then directly supply them with 30% of their supply."

Jiang Chong certainly understood the importance of salt and iron. To be honest, the reason why the Huns invaded the border year after year was not only for resources, but more for these two things, or more for salt.

People cannot live without salt, but there are no salt marshes on the grassland and salt production is not very high, at least far less than that in the Central Plains, not to mention that some parts of the Han Dynasty are near the sea.

Wu Shilu's request for trade may have been for these two reasons.

But Jiang Chong still asked, "What about the food?"

Liu Tan stroked his chin and said, "Grain can be sold, but it must be stipulated that only cattle and sheep can be exchanged for grain."

Liu Tancai didn't believe the nonsense that the Huns would not invade the south if they had enough food. The Huns were destined to be a very aggressive race. Sufficient food would only make their population continue to grow. After growing stronger, they would covet the resources of the Central Plains even more. At that time, if they invaded the south again, it would be even more difficult for the Han Dynasty to resist.

Using cattle and sheep to exchange for food is basically exchanging our food for yours. For the Huns, cattle and sheep are everything to them. If we can reduce the number of cattle and sheep they raise by exchanging food, and gradually control the lifeline of the Huns through food, that would be good.

But he was just thinking about it. It was true that the Huns had no written language, but it was also true that they were not stupid, otherwise they would not have been able to fight against the Han Dynasty for so many years.

Jiang Chong nodded and wrote it down. Seeing his seriousness, Liu Tan said, "This is just my idea. You can ask the Prime Minister later and change the inappropriate parts."

Liu Tan was certain that his policy was correct, but he did not know how to handle the flexibility within it, so he simply handed it over to Huo Guang.

At this time, he couldn't help but sigh that the prime minister was really omnipotent.

However, Jiang Chong was no pushover. He asked perceptively, "How is the tax calculated?"