Chapter 376: A Negotiation That Changed Dynasty History (Part 2)
On the fifth floor of Dafeng Building, in a spacious and quiet room, the lights flickered gently.
At the eight-immortals table, after Zhao Duan said this with a smile, the expressions of the father and daughter at the same table became visibly subtle.
"Haha," Prince Huai'an laughed subconsciously, as if he had heard something funny: "Is this what Your Majesty meant?"
He was trying to find out whether the empress had given Zhao Duan some instructions privately before he left the capital.
For example, what price would the court pay if it wanted to win the support of this wavering prince?
However, Zhao Duan just shook his head calmly: "This is just my own opinion."
Did the Empress discuss with him the issue of winning over Prince Huai'an?
Yes.
Before leaving Beijing, the emperor and his ministers did have a discussion on this matter, and the consensus reached at that time was that it must not be given.
Although giving up part of the interests to win over and divide the "Eight Kings" is an attractive proposal and is indeed feasible, in the long run, it is tantamount to "drinking poison to quench thirst."
If you give it once, there will be a second time. Where does the imperial court get such a rich fortune to satisfy the appetites of these princes?
Especially since compromise itself meant weakness, and the impression the Empress couldn't leave on outsiders the most was precisely that of weakness.
While a tough stance may create greater resistance to market opening, it will actually yield greater benefits in the long run.
"Is that so?" Prince Huai'an was obviously disappointed, and his expression became a little cold.
"Then why do you think I would be willing to offend others and get involved in this mess?"
Zhao Duan did not answer directly, but said:
"Among the three factions in the city now, the prince is the largest neutral faction. If the prince agrees, then opening a market in the Huai River area will be much easier. If the prince obstructs, it will be difficult.
I understand this, as do Prince Jing and the other six princes. That's why we have this dinner tonight.
But I dare to remind you, Your Highness, that not everything is like business, where you calculate weight and sell to whoever offers the highest price and pays the most. Many things in this world are not chosen for their own benefit, but rather to avoid harm.
Implications:
The opening of Huting Market is not a bargaining chip for you to inquire about prices from both sides and reap benefits.
It is a serious question of standing on the right side. Once you stand on the wrong side, even if you can make a fortune now, you may not be able to do so in the future.
Prince Huai'an seemed to smile, not looking frightened at all:
"Oh? So you're saying that I have to help either of you? Is it possible that I can't help either side? Or do you think, like those pedantic scholars, that neutrality has no good consequences?"
Zhao Duan smiled and said:
"Your Majesty can certainly choose not to help either side. In fact, among the eight princes, you are probably the only one who has the confidence to do so.
Because there are too many aristocratic families in the Huai River area, these powerful families have formed the Li Party in the court, and in the local areas, their tentacles have extended and penetrated every corner, and have long become a tumor in the Great Yu Dynasty. Your existence itself is a check and balance on this group of aristocratic families...
The Nine Circuits of Dayu, the Prince of Hejian in Xiping, the Prince of Yanshan in Tieguan, the Prince of Heng in Qingzhou, the Prince of Mu in Yunfu, the Prince of Chen in Binhai, the Prince of Qiong in Lingnan... and the Prince of Jing in Jiancheng, all of them have royal palaces with more power than the local aristocratic families.
However, the Huai River is special. Perhaps because the Huai River is the commercial hub of Dayu, the pond is large enough to accommodate many fish in peace. The Huai'an Palace and these aristocratic families restrain each other, and thus have a foothold.
Especially as far as I know, you have the smallest private army among the eight princes. Even if His Majesty has conflicts with the other princes, you are the one he least wants to touch.
Even if someone else were to become the emperor, they would still need a prominent member of the royal family to take charge. It is precisely because of this special position that the Huai'an Palace has the confidence to sit firmly on the Diaoyutai."
This was a very eloquent speech.
Halfway through the conversation, the little princess' eyes lit up.
At the end, the pot-bellied "big eater" also showed a little surprise.
It seemed that he had not expected that Zhao Duan, a mere military man, could actually reveal the key.
King Huai'an was silent for a moment, then smiled:
"I now believe what my daughter said about you being extraordinary."
Zhao Duan smiled and said nothing.
Prince Huai'an said calmly:
"Since you understand this principle, you should also know the reason why I will not interfere in your affairs."
"Really?" Zhao Duan said with a hint of sarcasm: "Your Highness, what you said is not truthful."
"oh?"
Zhao Duan said lightly:
“If it was before, you might have been able to keep your composure, but it’s different now that the court is open.
Once the trade market centered on the imperial court is up and running, the wealth of the entire Huai River will gather towards Hu Ting and flow continuously into the national treasury. Merchants and small families who become imperial merchants will also take advantage of the situation and rise. But when some people rise, others will fall.
The new policy was essentially to take wealth from the aristocratic groups back to the court, so that the aristocratic families in the Huai River would be weakened.
If they become weak, the role of the Huai'an Palace in balancing them will be reduced.
In other words, Your Highness, your importance is no longer as great as before. With your wisdom, you must be able to see this. How could you just sit there and wait for death?"
The slightly fat face of Prince Huai'an finally became serious.
If we look at what was said just now, we can't make anything out of it.
But this analysis has opened up his mind, revealing it almost completely:
"Oh, if that's really what you said, then shouldn't I do everything in my power to prevent the market from opening? To prevent the new policies?"
Zhao Duan smiled and shook his head, looking directly at the other party and said:
"But you can't stop it, because the biggest beneficiary of this new policy is not His Majesty, but the court, or more precisely, the person sitting on the throne.
The current Majesty will do his utmost to promote the new policies if he sits there, but even if anyone else sits there, they will also do their utmost to promote the new policies.
Ordinary people only think that the new policies are designed by His Majesty to make money, but those who are more attentive will understand that this system is like a magic box, once opened, it can never be closed again. "
Magic box!
It's Pandora's box!
Or it can be called an open conspiracy in a sense.
In the final analysis, the empty treasury of the Dayu Dynasty is not a problem that the empress has to face, but a problem that the "emperor" has to face.
The old emperor passed away, leaving a big pit to future generations. Even if Zhenbao did not succeed to the throne, the crown prince or the second prince would still have to solve this problem.
Even if the Eight Princes rebelled, and Prince Jing or any other prince sat on the throne, he would still have to face this problem.
The "new policy" solution proposed by Zhao Duan is the best solution at the moment.
This means that from the moment the new policy came into being, it could no longer be taken back, no matter who was in power.
These noble families in the Huai River are bound to decline, and the role of King Huai'an in restraining them is also bound to decline!
"Father..."
Xu Junling glanced at his father's fat hands hanging under the table and suddenly clenched them!
The veins on the back of my hands are bulging.
Obviously, Zhao Duan's words touched upon what he cared about most!
Zhao Duan's speech had not yet ended. He continued with a smile:
"Moreover, in my opinion, implementing the new policy is actually the most gentle and best outcome for these nobles, and even for you, Your Highness. The worse outcome would be war."
“Although I’m not a scholar, I have read the history books of the Great Yu Dynasty. During its 600-year reign, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. For example, 300 years ago, a banditry broke out that swept across the country.
At that time, wars broke out everywhere, and noble families in various places were either wiped out by bandits, or became bandits themselves...
In the end, although the imperial court won and failed to change the dynasty, the entire territory was torn apart by the flames of war. After the war, everything was in ruins, but it actually felt like it was revitalized?"
"Why? Because of a bloodbath that wiped out the nobles and officials who originally held a large amount of wealth and land, leaving many new positions vacant...
When I read history books, I noticed something even more interesting: in the smoke of war, behind some of the bandit troops, there was a faint shadow of the emperor of that time...
Haha, I naturally don’t believe it. I think it must be some malicious slander by some unofficial historians…”
Zhao Duan put on his armor and continued:
"And now, another three hundred years have passed. The entire Dayu Dynasty, like a pond, is now filled with dragons and turtles, and the accumulated people are suffocating... Do you think that if a few more rebellious armies erupted at this moment, would they take the opportunity to destroy the most prosperous Huai River Road as well?
By then, those who have troops will not be afraid, but it seems that the Huai'an Palace does not have a strong military force, right?
At that time, facing the swords and knives of the bandits, how many lives can money buy?
Well, I certainly believe that you will not be troubled by banditry, but what about the other nobles?
They may not be able to protect themselves, and if these people are gone, I think no one sitting on the throne would want to see the Huai River Road still have mountaintops left, what do you think...right?"
quiet!
As this long speech was uttered, the entire Dafeng Tower fell into an eerie silence.
Even the fourth floor below seemed to sense the sudden change in atmosphere upstairs and fell silent.
Prince Huai'an could no longer sit still. His fat body leaned forward slightly, his hands clenched tightly on the armrests of the chair, and there was no expression on his fat face.
Princess Xu Junling's face also turned pale. She didn't expect Zhao Duan to speak so directly and threateningly, and she seemed to be frightened by the picture he described.
threaten?
deterrence?
That’s right, Zhao Duan was just trying to intimidate.
After the father and daughter took the initiative in the conversation, Zhao Duan broke it up.
His series of proactive attacks had quietly reversed the situation in the conversation.
Although there is only one person, he has the upper hand!
It’s not that Zhao Duan’s negotiation skills are so great, but because that’s how things are.
The King of Huai'an, who seems to be in a very powerful position and whom both sides are trying hard to win over, is actually the weakest in essence.
It is also the most tempting piece of fat.
As early as when the previous emperor was in power, the Prince of Huai'an had already anticipated that the crown prince would begin to reduce the power of the vassal states after ascending the throne.
At that time, he judged that the princes from all over the country were unable to resist.
Therefore, ten years in advance, he consciously reduced his private army, focused on money, controlled territory and power, and tried to bind himself with the Huaishui Dao gentry.
It has a sense of "nurturing the enemy to protect oneself".
The fact that the "Li Party" has become the largest force in the court in recent years is also due to the assistance of King Huai'an.
He deliberately raised such a group of aristocrats to ensure that he would not be suppressed by the crown prince after he ascended the throne and to escape from the subsequent reduction of power.
The King of Huai'an had a good idea and a far-reaching plan. He did not have much ambition and only wanted to continue the prosperity and wealth for his descendants.
But he was unlucky.
Unexpectedly, when the old emperor passed away, the second prince Jianwen staged a palace coup and directly beheaded the prince and his other brothers.
What was even more unexpected was that the Third Princess, who had practiced in the palace for twenty years, wielded the Tai'a Sword and killed her brother to quell the rebellion.
It's not so bad up to here. As long as the situation remains unchanged, he can still keep the enemy at bay, bet on both sides, and sit on the mountain to watch the fight.
But he did not expect that Zhao Duan's new policy would directly bleed him slowly and make the contradiction between the Eighth Prince and the Empress more acute.
And once the war starts, as Zhao Duan said, who wouldn't be greedy for the big piece of fat meat that is Prince Huai'an?
Even if no one would attack him at the beginning in order to unite all parties, what would he do after the new emperor ascended the throne?
Does he have the troops to compete for the throne?
No.
Does he have the geographical advantage like King Mu, King Qiong, King Yanshan and others who can retreat to their hometowns to protect themselves?
Neither do I.
So beneath the seemingly powerful exterior of the Prince of Huai'an, he was actually a panic-stricken individual who could be easily broken by a needle prick.
Zhao Duan saw this clearly, so he pointed it out so directly.
"Your Majesty,"
Zhao Duan sighed softly and took the initiative to break the silent atmosphere. He picked up the wine jug and poured wine for the father and daughter again.
This time, Xu Junling, who drank tea instead of wine, did not stop him.
Zhao Duan put down the wine pot and said seriously:
"In fact, you know very well that the current stalemate is already the best possible outcome, and the worst would undoubtedly be war.
If you stand with those princes, will the result be better than supporting His Majesty? No. As long as you support His Majesty, even if the new policy is indeed a slow bleeding, it is ultimately only bleeding, not killing.
Zhao Duan said sincerely:
"It will take ten years for the new policy to be successfully implemented to show initial results, and perhaps twenty years to see major changes. If it can be implemented smoothly, the Huaishui gentry will not disappear, but they will not be as powerful as they are today.
You are still useful, so why should Your Majesty move a meritorious official? The wealth of the Huai Palace will last for generations, so why be so greedy?
a long time.
The King of Huai'an slowly picked up the wine cup in front of him with his fat hand and slowly poured the clear wine into his throat.
Then he sat in the chair and closed his eyes.
A moment later.
He opened his eyes, regained his composure, and looked at Zhao Duan with a hint of admiration, saying:
"No wonder you were able to convince Mr. Zhengyang to respect you as his teacher. Your eloquence is truly remarkable. I was almost persuaded by your words."
Zhao Duan raised his eyebrows: "Your Highness thinks I'm talking nonsense?"
King Huai'an shook his head, then nodded, and said with a self-deprecating smile:
"Boy, you are more extraordinary than Jun Ling described, but I still have something to teach you."
Zhao Duan said respectfully, "I'm all ears."
A serious and cautious look appeared on the fat face of Prince Huai'an:
“No one knows which will come first, the thunderstorm or the bright sunshine. The future can never be predicted on paper, because everything is subject to change.
In the business world, if you want to convince people, you never rely on just your mouth. "
Zhao Duan seemed to be thinking about something.
The King of Huai'an said, "Show the guests away!"
…
The next chapter will be updated before midnight, and I will continue to ask for monthly tickets during the double period~
(End of this chapter)
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