Chapter 400 Getting Better

Capital city, Council Hall.

The emperor sat high on the dragon throne and asked the ministers what they thought about Beili submitting a letter to Daxing requesting the opening of mutual trade between the two countries.

Previously, Prince Chang'an Huo Zheng had submitted several memorials requesting the opening of trade between the two countries, stating the various benefits and how to avoid risks, but the emperor felt that his marriage of Princess Changning to Beili could ensure peace between the two countries for decades.

Opening up trade between the two countries at this time is nothing but making trouble out of nothing.

The emperor originally wanted to reject Xizhou's memorial, but recently the capital has always criticized him for deliberately suppressing the King of Chang'an. Demoting him to Xizhou is not enough. If he also rejects his memorial to open up trade between the two countries, it will inevitably make the situation worse. Therefore, the emperor has been reluctant to reply to Huo Zheng.

But I didn’t expect that Beili would submit another letter of credence so soon, mentioning mutual trade between the two countries.

Maybe Changning put some effort into it.

Since Beili has brought this matter up to the level of state affairs, it cannot be left aside as casually as the memorial from Xizhou. The emperor will ask for the opinions of his ministers during the grand court meeting.

Prince Rui Huo Yang knew his father's thoughts and did not want Huo Zheng to achieve any political achievements in Xizhou. He was the first to speak up: "Your son believes that the fact that the two countries are trading with each other is not advisable."

Upon hearing this, the emperor immediately asked, "Why is it not advisable? Tell me."

Huo Yang said, "Beili is short of supplies and often relies on Daxing for aid. They've only just gotten so much food and cloth by asking to marry our Princess Changning, and now they're turning around and wanting to open up trade with Daxing. What can they offer? Are they going to take the aid we gave them in Daxing and then take it back to Daxing to exchange for money?"

Upon hearing this, all the Rui Wang Party members echoed in agreement, saying, "The Beili people must have some ulterior motive for asking our dynasty to open a trade agreement at this time!"

"The Beili people are greedy!"

Huo Yang originally thought that after Huo Zheng was demoted to Xizhou as a vassal king, he had lost the qualifications to compete for the throne. He gradually stopped considering Huo Zheng as an opponent. However, he sent people to recruit Gu Yuanjia many times, but this Gu would rather travel thousands of miles to Xizhou than join his army.

Huo Yang therefore suspected that Huo Zheng was secretly making some big move in Xizhou. The opening of the two countries' trade might just be the beginning. He had to cut off Huo Zheng's possibility of making a comeback.

All the members of Prince Rui's party followed Huo Yang's lead, so whatever he said was natural to them in the court.

At this moment, the Ninth Prince Huo Yan suddenly stepped forward and said, "I think opening up trade between the two countries will bring more benefits than disadvantages. It is truly a grand event for the world."

"Oh." The Emperor noticed that Ninth Prince Huo Yan had become much calmer recently and asked, "Do you think opening a trade channel between the two countries is feasible?"

Since the Ninth Prince Huo Yan went to Xizhou to quell the rebellion and was captured, he was imprisoned for a period of time and then returned to the capital. He was criticized by many ministers. They said that he was captured by the rebel army because he did not have the emperor's order.

Huo Yang secretly sent someone to spread these remarks. Huo Yan had actually found out a long time ago, but his mother had fallen out of favor, he had been recovering from his injuries, and he had also lost the emperor's favor because of his refusal to marry Princess Xiling. This made Huo Yang feel proud these days.

Huo Yan had calmed down for some time and was much more stable than before. He spoke eloquently and with reason and evidence about the advantages outweighing the disadvantages of opening up trade between the two countries.

Even the emperor and a group of ministers who originally looked down on the Ninth Prince were shocked by Huo Yan's change.

No one knows why Huo Yan knows so much about the trade between the two countries.

Only he himself knows.

Huo Yan has been secretly keeping an eye on Rendong's movements these days. Rendong is very busy in Xizhou, busy curing illnesses and saving lives, and busy working with Princess Chang'an.

He knew how much effort Huo Zheng and Chunzhi had put into promoting trade between the two countries. Although he was reluctant to admit that Huo Zheng was better than him, Huo Zheng was definitely better than Huo Yang.

At least Huo Zheng is a man who can get things done, truly loves the people like his own children, and cares about the world.

Even the emperor did not expect that the ninth prince would speak for Xizhou in the court.

The Swiss royal party was even more caught off guard.

Only Huo Yang quickly realized that Huo Yan was willing to stand on Huo Zheng's side just to go against him.

When the Ninth Prince's party heard what Huo Yan said, they immediately spoke up to advocate for the opening of trade between Daxing and Beili.

Some even said that if the trade was held in Xizhou, which was already poor and had nothing for Beili to plot against, this would be feasible.

Mu Qingshan stepped out at the right moment and said, "Western Province is impoverished. If Prince Chang'an can achieve political achievements and settle the people, that would be great. If Prince Chang'an fails, the court will have to allocate money for relief."

As soon as these words were spoken, the emperor immediately reconsidered the trade between the two countries.

The national treasury is empty, where is the extra money to provide relief to Xizhou?

It seems that Xizhou really has no other tricks, otherwise Huo Zheng would not have come up with the idea of ​​opening up trade between the two countries.

Anyway, Huo Zheng and Xizhou officials are responsible for implementing this matter. If it succeeds, it would be the best, as it would leave a mark in the emperor's political career. If it fails, it would be the fault of Huo Zheng and Xizhou officials, and it would have nothing to do with him as the emperor.

After repeated consideration, the emperor nodded, and asked someone to reply to Beili and approve the memorial to Xizhou, and the opening of mutual trade between the two countries would be implemented immediately.

When Xizhou received the news, everything was ready.

On the day when the trade was opened, people from Xizhou City came and went, people from Daxing and Beili, and there were even many foreigners who came from far away to join in the fun, many of them with green hair, golden eyes, and skin as white as snow.

Huo Zheng took Chunzhi and a group of Xizhou officials to the mutual market in person. Gu Yuanjia and others who were proficient in both languages ​​were present to promptly resolve various problems arising from the transaction.

The trade had just been opened, and the marketplace was still a bit crude, with whole sheds erected. The aroma of tea brewed in Daxing wafted for miles, and the cloth had a variety of patterns. Herds of horses, cattle, and sheep from Beili came over, and the scene was bustling with activity.

As soon as the trade was opened, Beili sent Mu He, the son of Mu Xu, to lead a team.

Muhe brought the instructions from the Great Chanyu, as well as a handwritten letter from Princess Changning to her brother and sister-in-law and various Beili specialties.

Chunzhi couldn't wait to return home, so she opened the letter and read it in the market.

Huo Yanran said in the letter that after the beginning of spring, everything in Beili came back to life, grass grew and eagles flew. The children she taught were very smart and had learned a lot of Chinese characters and words. They all wanted to come to Daxing to take a look.

She said that Daxing and Beili would have peace and prosperity in the future.

She said she was living well in Beili.

I just miss my sister-in-law and Seventh Brother, my mother, Xiao Xinghui, and Wan'er...

But the little princess was very busy and could only take time to miss them.

So my sister-in-law and seventh brother don’t have to miss her too much.

Chunzhi could tell from the words in the letter that Huo Yanran was really doing well now, and she felt a little comforted.

Moreover, the mutual market was bustling with people. After reading the letter, she put it in her arms and went with everyone to see the various goods brought from Beili, promoting one transaction after another.

Xizhou will get better and better.

They will get better and better.