Xue Donglai must be one of the most representative figures in the new policies.
He is thirty-two years old this year.
He was only eighteen years old in the first year of the new policy.
Eighteen-year-old Xue Donglai is a poor boy on the streets of Chang'an. Like most poor people, he also faces the tragic fate of being looked down upon by the mother of the person he loves.
But unlike most poor people, he grasped the pulse of the times and began to work hard after being completely abandoned by his beloved.
Starting as a lowly porter, his life took off, rising rapidly through the ranks.
It can be said that he is the most inspiring person among the merchants of the Song Dynasty today.
Although he is young, he is very experienced in dealing with people and things, and he is very composed in everything he does.
He always strictly adhered to the rules of the government and never did anything out of line.
However, those below occasionally cross the line due to the lure of profit.
After discovering the cases in time, he dealt with them severely and never tolerated them.
For example, three years ago, Xue Donglai discovered that his cousin was forcibly buying and selling land in the countryside. Upon learning this, he immediately expelled his cousin from his business and showed no leniency.
As for how upright he is, that's not really true.
After all, virtues are something that only young people who stay at home like to talk about.
In the outside world, everyone does things in a way that they believe is most beneficial to themselves.
Did Xue Donglai never bribe officials?
No, he sent Liu Zhiyuan a lot of good things.
Xue Donglai knew that he was doing these things to protect himself.
He played inside the safety line the whole time.
Therefore, over the years, he has been the most stable and reputable businessman in Chang'an.
Xue Donglai took small, quick steps, appearing to be hurrying towards the emperor's palace.
When Xue Donglai entered, Zhao Huan was discussing with Su Yu the Qin Kingdom and the Haixi Kingdom in the far west of the Western Regions.
"Your Majesty, the Great Qin Kingdom has a million soldiers, while the Haixi Kingdom is located in the south-central part of the region you mentioned. They have been fighting with the Abbasid Caliphate for hundreds of years, vying for the holy city they speak of."
Su Yu added, "If the Song Dynasty's paper money is to circulate in the Qin and Haixi Kingdoms, then the war between them that has lasted for hundreds of years must first be quelled."
"If we want to quell the war between the Haixi Kingdom and the Dashi Kingdom, then we must..." Su Yu stopped there, not daring to continue.
What is necessary?
It's obvious.
Zhao Huan sat at the table, looking at the map, and then, his brows furrowed, said, "We must stop the war with war, and make them accept the teachings of our Chinese sages!"
Zhao Huan's voice was strong and full of authority. This authority was not something he deliberately displayed, but rather a quality he had cultivated from being in a high position for a long time.
Xue Donglai, who had just arrived at the door, felt a tremor in his heart. Even before he arrived, he was already intimidated by the emperor's voice.
He felt an immense pressure, like Mount Tai, pressing down on his chest.
Wang Kuian walked in and said, "Your Majesty, Xue Donglai is waiting for you outside the door."
"Let him in."
"Summon Xue Donglai to an audience!"
Xue Donglai took a deep breath and walked in, his heart pounding with nervousness. He quickly bowed and kowtowed, saying, "This humble subject, Xue Donglai, kowtows to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be well!"
"I am well." Zhao Huan's gaze fell on Xue Donglai. "You may dispense with the formalities."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xue Donglai raised his head and looked at the emperor.
The emperor had striking features; although he was forty-one years old, his hair was thick and black, and his resolute features gave him an imposing and steady presence.
Zhao Huan said, "Master Xue, please sit down."
Xue Donglai hesitated for a moment, then walked over and sat down.
It was customary in the Tang Dynasty to sit down and discuss philosophy with the emperor, but this was limited to ministers.
During the Song Dynasty, ministers were all standing, but Emperor Huan of Song did not strictly enforce this rule.
But Xue Donglai felt extremely uncomfortable after sitting down.
"Serve me tea."
But then Wang Kui'an came over with a cup of tea: "Master Xue, please have some tea."
Xue Donglai was flattered and quickly stood up: "Thank you, sir."
"Please have a seat, Lord Xue. You are a distinguished guest invited by His Majesty."
Xue Donglai sat down again.
Seeing that Xue Donglai was a little nervous, Zhao Huan smiled and said, "I invited Lord Xue here today just for a casual chat."
Just chatting?
Xue Donglai did not believe it.
The emperor's time is so precious, how could I be so presumptuous as to let the emperor chat with me?
Xue Donglai was extremely nervous during his first meeting with the emperor.
Su Yu, on the other hand, remained calm and composed. After all, he had been going to the capital to meet the emperor every year over the years and was quite familiar with Zhao Huan.
"Lord Xue, I heard that your silk has already been sold to the Abbasid Caliphate?"
Zhao Huan's first question was indeed a very direct and incisive one.
Why is the emperor here at this time?
Because of the Western Expedition!
The emperor wanted to attack Yelü Dashi in the west.
Their silk had already been sold to the Abbasid Caliphate, but what about the nearby Liao Dynasty?
Definitely!
Isn't this a very pertinent question?
Xue Donglai, usually cautious, paused for a moment before replying, "Indeed, we sell to the Abbasid Caliphate, and we can sell 10,000 pieces of silk every year. However, this year, due to the war in the Western Regions, I am considering tightening trade with the Western Regions."
Why tighten it?
"Firstly, the trade routes are not safe. Secondly, the Khitan are rising in the west and are enemies of our Great Song. I am worried that some people below may take the opportunity to sell daily necessities to the Khitan."
During wartime, it was a very dangerous thing for a Song Dynasty merchant to sell goods to the west.
Zhao Huan nodded, but did not speak, instead changing the subject.
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