Huo Guang looked at Liu Tan expressionlessly, not knowing what was so simple about this thing.
If you really look into it, this can basically be regarded as a clash of customs between two ethnic groups, mixed with the desire of both sides to put themselves first, which is different from the conditions discussed before.
The resources of iron and salt were in the hands of the Han Dynasty. As long as the Han Dynasty's demands were not too excessive, the Huns would accept them. In other words, even if they were excessive, the Huns had no choice but to accept them.
But the form of trade is different. It must be negotiated. And maybe the Huns are too frustrated in the front, so they want to make trouble in this regard.
Liu Tan leaned over the table and said, "How about this, why not divide it into two areas: the Xiongnu sales area and the Han sales area?"
Huo Guang: ???
Seeing his confusion, Liu Tan explained, "They, the Xiongnu, sell their goods in their own territory. They can use whatever methods they like, even tents. It's up to them. We Han people also sell our goods in our own territory. We built our own city. We must follow our own rules in our territory, and we can also follow their rules in theirs. What do you think?"
Huo Guang: I don’t think it’s very good.
He didn't expect that Liu Tan would come up with such an idea. It sounded good, but a conflict was bound to arise sooner or later.
When Han people went to Xiongnu territory to buy things, they had to be wary of murder and robbery. Similarly, Xiongnu people had to be wary of the same when they came to Han territory. Could this trade still be carried out?
Huo Guang asked, "Your Highness, aren't you afraid of another war?"
Liu Tan thought seriously for a long while before saying, "Then just send guards. I've thought it through. I'll have my thousand elite soldiers take turns there and open an escort agency. If you feel unsafe and worried about being killed and robbed by the Huns, then you can hire people to protect you. They're a professional army and you can trust them!"
Huo Guang stared at him blankly and asked, "Your Highness, have you thought about this before?"
Liu Tan shook his head: "No, I just thought of it."
Huo Guang: Then you are really a talented person.
In a short period of time, you will find a way to make money.
Huo Guang couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, not all the merchants trading in the caravan are profiteers. You are... a little bit more like that."
Can you please stop trying to fleece these sheep?
Liu Tan thought carefully and said, "We suggest that ordinary merchants trade in their own territory. Big merchants usually have backgrounds, and that's our target."
Huo Guang: Who gave you us?
He took a deep breath and felt that he seemed to be getting more and more irritable recently, which was not a good sign.
"Your Highness!"
Liu Tan spread his hands. "Do you think there's any other good solution? Otherwise, what are you going to do if they mess with you? Even if they agree to our request to build the city, what can you do if they come and mess with you during the construction process?"
Huo Guang paused, then looked at Liu Tan deeply, "Your Highness truly...understands."
Liu Tanyi raised his head and said, "I have always assumed the worst of the Xiongnu."
Huo Guang asked, "But will this really work?"
He felt it was a bit ridiculous. Why did he seem to be convinced by Liu Tan?
Liu Tan laughed. "It's possible, actually. Think about it. Doing business with the Xiongnu is precarious. Our people don't want to go there, but the Xiongnu really need other supplies like salt and cloth, so they have no choice but to come here. And here we are clean and tidy, and the public security is good. Where do you think the average Xiongnu would prefer to do business?"
Huo Guang was stunned for a moment and said, "Your Highness, do you mean that the Xiongnu will come to us later?"
Liu Tan spread his hands and said, "Isn't this obvious? The Xiongnu are human beings too. Just because Wu Shilu is crazy doesn't mean all Xiongnu are crazy. When these people enter our city, they will automatically fall under our jurisdiction, which will save us from arguing with the Xiongnu about management issues."
Huo Guang laughed after hearing this: "Your Highness, this is a very clever move."
Liu Tan said, "So, go ahead and let Jiang Chong say this. If the Xiongnu still don't agree this time, he can find fault with them."
Huo Guang was silent for a while before saying, "Your Highness, I have another question."
Liu Tan said, "What's the problem?"
Huo Guang asked, "Where will the money for building the city come from?"
Liu Tan pondered for a while and said, "Let's sell the land."
Huo Guang was already able to follow his train of thought: "Same as Wang Du?"
Liu Tan shook his head. "No, it's different. The situation over there is complicated and ever-changing. Selling the property rights won't work. Only a few people will buy it. So, sell it according to the old rules. But don't sell it all. Leave some to make money from the Xiongnu."
Huo Guang asked, "What if it's still not enough?"
Liu Tan said, "How about I buy some?"
Huo Guang said straightforwardly, "Okay! How much would you like to buy, Your Highness?"
Liu Tan was shocked. "So straightforward, you've been eyeing my money for a long time, right?"
Huo Guang couldn't help laughing and said, "I heard that your Highness's treasury is full and he's planning to build a new one. So why not let me help you spend some of the money?"
Liu Tan was angry: "You just can't stand me having so much money."
Having said that, he still has to buy it. If nothing else, he can sell it for broken evil gold.
As for honeycomb coal, it needs to be promoted in the Han Dynasty and a small amount can be supplied to the grasslands. At any rate, this must be done only after ensuring that our own people can use it.
Liu Tan thought about this and suddenly said, "Come to think of it, why is there no news from Qi and Changyi? Did they find the coal mine?"
Isn’t it true that the entire Han Dynasty is relying on Liu Tan to make trouble at this coal mine?
Huo Guang said, "I do know something about this. It is said that the King of Qi and the King of Changyi sent many people to search for coal mines. At first, they looked for purple-red rocks, but they found none. Later, they simply sent people to dig in possible locations, but until now... they have found nothing."
"What?" Liu Tan said in disbelief. "I told them the whole place, and they still can't find it? Can they do it?"
Huo Guang was also very moved. These two people had amazing luck. Their prince almost pointed out where the coal mine was, but they still couldn't find it.
Qi and Changyi were indeed not small, but no matter how big they were, they were not as big as the Northern Border Kingdom.
Liu Tan said helplessly: "Forget it, I'll think about it later."
Huo Guang was stunned for a moment and wanted to ask him what he was thinking about, but he soon realized that his prince might be thinking about where there might be coal mines.
He looked at Liu Tan meaningfully. As expected, his prince knew a lot of things.
Huo Guang took away a not-so-good idea, and Liu Tan's focus shifted to the escort agency. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that this was a good idea.
This will allow the elite group to get close to the Huns and get to know them better. It can also be considered a form of training, and they can also be given money!
Even with Liu Tan's financial situation, he can afford to distribute money in the short term when there are fewer people, but he may not be able to support it when there are more people. This can also be considered a channel.
He called Wei Deng over and explained the situation to him. Wei Deng's eyes lit up instantly, but he still said, "If that's the case, then we'll have to adjust their training sequence. The Huns carry swords and bows and arrows with them, so we have to be careful."
Liu Tan frowned. If he didn't allow the other party to bring lethal objects like bows and arrows, the other party might not listen. The only thing he could ask for was that the Huns could not be brought into the Han territory. However, his elite troops were to protect people going to the Huns' territory, so adequate protection must be provided.
The previous armors can be equipped, but as for weapons, bows and arrows with sights are too large and inconvenient.
So……
Liu Tan pondered for a while and finally slammed the desk - only bows and crossbows can solve the problem!
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