Liu Tan said, "Road maintenance fee."

Huo Guang heard a new term and asked in confusion, "Road maintenance fee?"

Liu Tan nodded. "That's right. As the name suggests, this money is used to maintain the roads. Whether it's a cement road or a rammed earth road, it needs regular maintenance, which costs money. So the local government can collect a fee from passing caravans, or people transporting heavy objects, to use for maintenance."

Huo Guang immediately understood what Liu Tan meant. He couldn't help but wonder, "Can it be collected?"

Liu Tan said, "If you don't pay, you won't be allowed to leave. Set up a checkpoint. Ordinary pedestrians or those who are underweight or bulky enough go one way, and those who need to pay go the other way. What do you think the caravan will cost when it really grows in size?"

Huo Guang once again confirmed that his prince was really a genius at making money. When he thought about how people in Chang'an were worried every day about his lack of money, and how everyone except the crown prince liked to give him money, he felt that everyone was deceived.

However, he still said cautiously: "This requires long-term consideration."

The rationale for charging fees is clear, but the question remains: what are the standards? How will heavy objects be measured? Once a weight is set, will we still have to wait at intersections to get them weighed?

Liu Tan thought about it and it seemed a bit difficult. Finally, he simply said, "Then let's go by size. The size of the car."

Ox carts, horse carts, donkey carts and mule carts are all of different sizes. There is no charge for those who walk or ride on oxen or horses, and the fees for the rest will be gradually increased.

As for the specific costs, let each region calculate them by itself, report them after calculation, and write down the reasons for the report.

It’s not that we don’t want to unify the fees, but that we can’t unify them. The difficulty and cost of road construction in each region are different, and the complexity of maintenance requirements is also different, so the prices are definitely different.

Huo Guang took a deep breath and said, "Your Highness, you are not finding a way to make money for them, but giving me more things to do."

Liu Tan chuckled and said, "But think about it, the national treasury will have more money."

Road maintenance fees also require taxes. This type of charging item was first introduced in the Northern Country, so they have the final say on whether to pay taxes or not. But I guess even if other places really do this, they will not give up this good opportunity to collect taxes.

Huo Guang said helplessly, "I'll have someone figure it out."

Liu Tan stood up and said, "By the way, are the Xiongnu envoys coming soon? Who are they from Wu Shilu?"

Huo Guang said, "I don't know yet, but whoever it is, it will be enough for Jiang Tingwei to come forward."

Liu Tan touched his chin and said, "To show our friendship, please let me meet them when they come."

Huo Guang frowned: "How can they be qualified to see His Highness?"

Liu Tan sneered and said, "Those who are sent here must have a certain status in the Xiongnu. You know, this is a good opportunity to explore the strength of the Northern Border Kingdom. They won't let it go. So I have to meet them so that I can remember them. Alas, it's a pity that the elite regiment cannot be used right now, otherwise it would be possible to intimidate the Xiongnu."

Huo Guang said casually, "Someone will remember them, but Your Highness can see them if he wants."

But Huo Guang soon discovered that Liu Tan was indeed there.

Because the person sent by the Huns was actually the new Left Grand Commandant.

The Hun envoys arrived at the Surrender City first, inspected the entire team there, and reported the list. They would wait for the court's confirmation before sending the envoys.

Yes, the original idea of ​​the Han side was to negotiate in the Surrender City. The name has a good meaning, right?

As a result, a left general was sent. This man had entered the Han Dynasty and could meet Liu Che in Chang'an if he wanted to. If they blocked him in the Surrender City and treated him too lightly, it would be easy for the Xiongnu king to find a handle on him.

Liu Tan was confused and asked, "What is Wu Shilu thinking? Does he think he can slap someone in the face this way?"

The former Left Grand Commandant was killed. Not only was he killed, but his entire family was also killed, and none of the Huns who followed him escaped.

When Liu Tan received the news, although he hated Zhao Po Nu for being useless and not making good use of such a good opportunity, at the same time he secretly said in his heart: Kill more, kill more.

He even wanted to write a letter to Wu Shilu to ask: Do you want me to help you kill it?

Unfortunately, the letter was sent back to him by Huo Guang, who also gave him a one-hour political education.

Liu Tan could only give up with great regret.

Huo Guang glanced at Liu Tan with a warning and said, "Your Highness, the other party has requested a meeting this time. Your Highness must maintain the demeanor of the Han Dynasty."

Liu Tan said solemnly, "Don't worry, Prime Minister. I never let you down at critical moments."

So you're using all your energy to torture me, right?

Huo Guang was so exhausted that he didn't even want to look at Liu Tan. He just said expressionlessly, "The Xiongnu envoys have already set out and will arrive soon. Your Highness, please be prepared."

Liu Tan didn't take this matter to heart. He was still counting the days until Lu Xuan came.

Huo Guang said that the envoy would come soon, and it really was very soon. Three days later, Liu Tan met the envoy.

In order to meet these envoys, Liu Tan wore a full suit in the middle of summer. Although formal suits are divided into four seasons, in order to reflect the majesty and luxury of the royal family, even the summer style has several layers.

The temperature in the north is indeed a little lower in summer, but not that low. For the first time in his life, Liu Tan felt that the ice basin was not enough while sitting in the hall.

Of course, it may also be mainly because there are too many people.

When the Hun envoy walked in, Liu Tan was very surprised to find that the new Left Grand Commandant was actually very young.

You have to know that due to the geographical environment, the Huns generally look anxious, which makes Liu Tan feel young. So this person must be really very young.

Liu Tan sat there and watched the Left Grand Commandant salute and said, "Please take a seat."

He didn't say a single word. He felt that being able to sit here and not take action was a testament to his good self-control. Of course, another reason was that he was probably no match for the opponent.

The left commander looked a little green. After sitting down, he subconsciously glanced behind him before saying a series of words.

Liu Tan looked at the translator. The translator behind him didn't look very old, about twenty years old. He said, "The commander said he hadn't been to Shuofang City for a while. I didn't expect such a big change. It's really shocking."

When Huo Guang heard this, his heart tightened and he turned to look at Liu Tan, fearing that Liu Tan would suddenly attack.

Unexpectedly, Liu Tan just said coldly: "I have heard that the Xiongnu royal court has remained the same for decades, just like the scene that the Champion Marquis saw back then. It is also very surprising."

The translator raised his eyebrows and actually smiled at Liu Tan, then said something to the Left Commander. There was no trace of respect between his brows, which surprised him.

This person... doesn't look like a Han Chinese. Could he be a Hun who is proficient in Chinese?

After hearing this, Captain Zuo's face turned red and white, and he looked at Liu Tan with a hint of anger.

Huo Guang on the side sat firmly again, well, his prince won.

Liu Tan was also surprised that the other party actually sent such a seemingly innocent person. Can this Zuo Da Duwei really hold on to that position?

The Left Grand Commandant gritted his teeth and spoke for a moment, and the translator continued, "We have come here sincerely to do business with the Han Dynasty, so the Chanyu has asked us to bring gifts to His Highness."

After he finished speaking, he took a box from the servant behind him and carried it up.

Liu Tan felt a little strange looking at him, but still told Miao Rui to go and answer it.

Unexpectedly, the translator dodged Miao Rui and said, "The Chanyu instructed us to personally deliver it to His Royal Highness the King of the Northern Territory."

Miao Rui's expression was cold: "Your Highness is a precious treasure, how can you approach me so casually?"

The translator ignored Miao Rui and just looked straight at Liu Tan, with stubbornness in his amber eyes.

Liu Tan chuckled and said, "Let him bring it up."

The translator placed the box on Liu Tan's desk and said with a smile, "Your Highness the King of the Northern Territory is indeed very courageous. Please open it."

Bi Gao, standing beside Liu Tan, stepped forward and opened the box. The contents were unfamiliar to him, but he needn't have been surprised. The translator explained, "This is a tiger talisman left behind by General Zhao of your country. I heard it's very important to the Han Dynasty, and now it's time to return it to its rightful owner."