The status of Longfengtuan tea is comparable to that of Wuyishan Dahongpao in later generations. It is a tribute tea exclusively enjoyed by the royal family and can basically only be obtained as a reward from the emperor.
Although the Liao emperor was also an emperor, he actually had no channels to obtain it, and the annual tribute did not include this thing.
That is to say, every year on Empress Dowager Xiao’s birthday, the State of Song would send a gift of congratulations from the royal family.
Since Empress Dowager Xiao was placed under house arrest, birthday parties were no longer held, and naturally the Song State no longer sent gifts. Dragon and Phoenix Tea became even more precious in the Liao State.
For this reason, many ministers of the Liao Dynasty advised Yelu Zongzhen to welcome back his mother for the sake of "the benefits of China's annual tribute."
"As long as Lord Zhongbao likes it."
Fan Zhongyan smiled and said, "After defeating Yuan Hao, His Majesty rewarded me with quite a bit. If you like tea, I'll give you a pound of it before you leave."
Zhang Jian was moved when he heard his words. He was amazed by the wealth of China.
This tea was said to be worth the same as gold, meaning one ounce of tea equaled one ounce of gold. In the Liao Kingdom, the price was several times or even ten times higher. If this pound of tea was sold to the Liao nobles, it would probably be exchanged for several pounds of gold, yet they gave it away so generously.
"Thank you for your kindness, sir. I will not accept any reward without merit. I appreciate it."
Zhang Jian shook his head and refused. Although he was very tempted, it was undeniable that he was also a very principled person.
Fan Zhongyan didn't continue to be polite. Instead, he became serious and got straight to the point: "Since Lord Zhongbao doesn't want to accept the gift, that's fine. I guess you didn't come here for tea today."
Zhang Jian got straight to the point: "In this war, the Liao Dynasty is willing to cease hostilities with the Song State and seek peace, restoring our friendship. We are even willing to agree to some of your demands."
"Tell me about it?"
Fan Zhongyan said.
Zhang Jian said, "First, the Song Dynasty must not cancel the annual tribute. Second, the Liao Dynasty may return the ten counties south of the Laishui River to the Song Dynasty, but must pay an additional 200,000 in tribute. Third, the Liao and Song Dynasties will sign a non-aggression pact. Fourth, the Song and Liao Dynasties will use the Laishui River as the boundary, and both sides will withdraw their troops. From now on, any thieves or fugitives who cross the border will not be allowed to shelter. All border cities between the two dynasties will remain normal, and no new city gods will be built."
This was not much different from the four demands put forward by Fan Zhongyan, equivalent to agreeing to three things. However, on the issue of annual tribute, the Liao Kingdom did not give in and even made one more request.
This is obviously not something a defeated country should mention.
Old Fan was amused and said with a smile: "After the Liao Kingdom was badly defeated in this battle, should the Song Dynasty really still demand annual tribute? The Song Dynasty is lucky enough that it doesn't ask the Liao Kingdom to pay annual tribute."
"well."
Zhang Jian sighed, "Does Prime Minister Fan really want to go that far? You know, if we continue to fight, both sides will suffer. If the Liao Kingdom is destroyed, the Song Dynasty will not feel good either."
"That's nothing for Zhongbao Gong to worry about."
Fan Zhongyan said calmly, "Even if the war continues, the Song Dynasty will definitely be the final victor."
"I believe that the Song Dynasty will be the final victor."
Zhang Jian said in a deep voice, "But the consequences of doing so would be nothing more than the people in the heartland of the Song Dynasty suffering, endless wars on the borders, and the annihilation of the Han people in the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun."
Fan Zhongyan retorted, "The Han people of the Song Dynasty and the Han people of the Liao Dynasty share the same origin, so how could it be so?"
"hehe."
Zhang Jian laughed and said, "You know better than I do how the Song people exploit their people. This time when you went north to Zhuozhou, did you see how many Han people, upon learning of the Song invasion, fled their homes with their families, unwilling to live under Song rule?"
These words immediately silenced Fan Zhongyan.
Because it's true.
Not to mention now, even in the Liao Kingdom, which had completely declined a few decades later, countless Han people in the Liao Kingdom fought bravely in the Battle of Yanjing, as if the Han people in the Song Kingdom were the invaders. This shows how much disgust the Han people in the Liao Kingdom had towards the Song Kingdom at that time.
Therefore, after learning from Zhao Jun how the Han people of Liao treated Tong Guan when he entered Yanjing, and now having seen with his own eyes the attitude of the Han people of Liao towards them, Fan Zhongyan was unable to make a strong counterattack.
"Decades ago, Zhao Guangyi's Northern Expedition was a grand success, and many Han Chinese hoped to return to their homeland. But he ended up in defeat, leaving countless Han Chinese disappointed in you."
Zhang Jian stabbed Fan Zhongyan in the heart again and said, "Now you want to disturb our peaceful life again. Do you want all the Han people in Yanyun to die? In the final analysis, we just want to survive. What's wrong with that?"
"In this matter, the Song Dynasty is indeed at fault. Your Majesty is benevolent and does not want the people to suffer. After I return to Kaifeng, Your Majesty will allow me to lead reforms, cut unnecessary expenses, and abolish excessive taxes to alleviate the people's urgent needs."
Fan Zhongyan said with some hesitation, "If the Han people of Yanyun trust me, I am willing to make a promise. As long as we return to Han territory, all taxes and corvée labor will remain the same as they were during the Liao Dynasty. There will be no increase in taxes."
Zhang Jian shook his head and said, "The Han people of Yanyun will no longer trust you. When the Han people in your Song territory can live a better life, we can discuss this again."
"well."
Fan Zhongyan took a deep breath, then picked up the teacup and drank tea to cover up his embarrassment.
He knew that the Song Dynasty was indeed in the wrong in this matter.
Although he could sit high and mighty and accuse these Han people of abandoning their country and joining the empire established by the Diyi people, he had no way of actually making a fuss about it.
People must always be true to their conscience. People just want to survive, and what's wrong with losing their sense of country?
Therefore, there is really no reason for the Song Dynasty to criticize them from a moral high ground.
Although Lao Fan was a politician, politicians could be shameless and have no conscience, but at most he would play tricks on juniors like Liu Liufu. It would be better for him to be honest with people like Zhang Jian to avoid humiliation.
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