Rejected
Tang Feng sighed. His child had grown up and knew how to talk back. A father's heart was struck hard. Zhang Mobai was right; the people were indeed simple and honest, but they hadn't developed properly. It's said that war drives the rise and fall of dynasties, and this place certainly seemed to... resemble a paradise. Tang Feng smiled and entered the palace gates. He and his party were searched three or four times before being allowed in. Tang Feng rolled his eyes. "Is it really necessary? Searching them eight times a day?"
"My lord, our Khan has gone hunting today. After searching you, I will take you to the inn to stay at first," the palace servant said to Tang Feng, kneeling on the ground.
"Hunting? Why didn't you say so earlier? Now that we've searched you, do you think we're fools?" Binghu stepped forward and blurted out, feeling incredibly frustrated the whole way. Unlike Tang Feng, he didn't have the good temper to hold back his anger until now.
This time, Tang Feng didn't pay any attention, only letting out a cold laugh. "It seems... you Qiang and Hu people have quite a few grievances against me." He then squatted down, looking the palace servant in the eye. "Raise your head, look at me. I'll ask you a question, and you answer it. I hope everything you say this time is true, otherwise, I'll ask you to tell your Khan that our Yan Yun region is vast and rich in resources, and we have a million soldiers. Since we were able to destroy the Great Ruan, we can naturally destroy the Qiang and Hu as well. Do you think the Qiang and Hu have survived to this day because of anyone's blessing? The gods? We don't mind turning your grasslands into wasteland. Do you hear me? My patience has its limits."
"Yes...yes, sir."
Are you sure we'll see the Khan tomorrow?
"No, no, the Great Khan is on an autumn hunt and may not return for another three days."
"Alright! I'm asking you, I'm staying at the inn, can I come and go as I please?" Tang Feng squinted at the palace servant, who was so frightened he dared not move.
"Yes...yes, please feel free to do as you please."
"No one is following you?"
No... really no.
"It's best if that's not the case," Tang Feng stood up and dusted off his clothes. "Do you think that just because I'm here, you Qiang and Hu people will be passive at every turn?" Tang Feng looked down at the palace servant. "Then you are truly too superficial. If that's your attitude, I don't bother negotiating with you."
After speaking, Tang Feng turned and left. Not all negotiations require humility. Tang Feng knew that if even a lowly palace servant had to belittle him, future negotiations would only become more difficult. He needed to let the Khan of the Qiang and Hu tribes know that his restraint was an act of deference, not weakness. He also knew that the palace servant would relay every word back to the Khan; his words were meant for the Khan's ears. Moreover, Tang Feng had a premonition that the first negotiation three days later would not succeed. What king would be foolish enough to cede his land for a few tributes?
It seemed there would inevitably be a second round of negotiations. Tang Feng returned to the post station, changed into casual clothes, and went out with Qin Liuliu. On the way, Tang Feng kept pondering a question: what did the Qiang and Hu people need? In truth, the Qiang and Hu were backward and needed many things, but what was it that they needed most, something they were willing to exchange for a harbor? Tang Feng sighed, "Li Yunrui, Li Yunrui, you really know how to give me a difficult problem. When I return to Xiling, I'll make sure you give me three more months' worth of rewards."
"Brother, where are we going?" Qin Liuliu followed behind Tang Feng, and seeing him wandering aimlessly without any clear destination, she stepped forward and asked, "Didn't you want to eat roast lamb? I'll take you there." Actually, Tang Feng didn't know what he was wandering around for either; he just made up an excuse. After all, Qin Liuliu was still young, and knowing too much might scare her. Tang Feng found a small stall and said, "Boss, do you have any roast lamb legs here? Give me one, and two bowls of rice too."
"Sir...you must be from out of town," the shopkeeper said, wiping sheep's blood off his clothes as he approached Tang Feng. "We only eat meat here, we don't have rice."
"No rice?" Tang Feng pondered for a moment and then asked, "Is there no rice at all, or is it just the common people who are without it?"
"Naturally, it's just that the common people don't have any. The land near the Tengri River is fertile enough to grow rice, but almost all the rice grown on the grasslands outside of that area fails to produce a single grain. So, rice production is low, and the best things are naturally supplied to the imperial palace. How can the common people afford this?"
"Can't get rice? No wonder the Qiang and Hu people are so irritable, they can't get the sugar from carbohydrates! Tsk tsk tsk" Tang Feng twirled the chopsticks in his hand, already having a general idea in mind.
However, these things still need to be verified; we can't just listen to one person's story. Tang Feng called the owner and ordered food, then sat down beside Qin Liuliu, watching him devour a lamb leg with relish. He smiled helplessly, "I'm not going to take it from you. Eat slowly, don't choke." He glanced around; most of the vendors sold roast beef, roast lamb, and raw beef and lamb. Just as the owner had said, there was hardly any rice or noodles for sale. "Looks like... I'll have to go out again tomorrow." Tang Feng watched Qin Liuliu lick his bowl clean, then slapped him on the head. "Put it down right now! Don't be so pathetic! That's enough. You'll have plenty to eat for the next year and a half."
"Brother... are we going to be here for a year and a half?" Qin Liuliu covered her head and looked at Tang Feng.
"Scared?"
"I'm not afraid, I still want to protect you."
"You? We'll talk when you stop licking the plate clean!" Tang Feng chuckled, resting his chin on his hand. "Let's go back! We haven't had a proper rest in all these days. We need to recharge these next few days; I'm going to have a verbal battle with everyone in a few days."
Tang Feng returned to the post station and took out the amulet Zhou Ziliang had given him. "Ziliang... I don't know if I'll be alive to see you again in the next couple of days." In the days that followed, Tang Feng dressed in ordinary clothes and went to the streets to inquire about the local people's living conditions. He mostly learned that rice was scarce and wheat was in short supply. Tang Feng smiled and said, "It's quite remarkable that these natural pastures can't grow anything. I'll reluctantly help you; maybe it'll allow me to return home sooner."
"My lord... we've been inquiring about these things these past few days. What are your thoughts?" After spending these past few days with Tang Feng, Binghu realized that Tang Feng wasn't the pampered young master he seemed. Before, on the road, she thought Tang Feng was simple-minded and wouldn't say anything if he didn't like her, resorting to petty tricks. Now, however, she saw that Tang Feng had a broad perspective and a generous heart, which made Binghu admire him even more.
"Hmm... I think the negotiations with the Khan tomorrow might not be successful, and everyone needs to be prepared to stay here long-term." Tang Feng was already making his own calculations. He was gambling—gambling on whether the Khan of the Qiang and Hu tribes dared to gamble with him.
The next morning, Tang Feng and his entourage were summoned to the palace. Greeting Tang Feng at the gate was the same palace servant he had scolded that day. The servant trembled upon seeing Tang Feng and said, "Lord Master of Ceremonies... our Khan is waiting for you in the Anhe Hall!" Tang Feng glanced at him and smiled, "What are you afraid of? I won't do anything to you." The servant trembled and dared not speak, inwardly thinking, "You won't do anything to me, but what are you going to do to the Qiang and Hu tribes?!"
Tang Feng entered the palace gate and saw the Khan of the Qiang and Hu tribes sitting on the dragon throne, with court officials standing on both sides. Judging from their attire and appearance, the left side consisted of civil officials, and the right side of military officials. It seemed that Sujiha had not lied to him; there were indeed more military officials than civil officials. Tang Feng walked to the center, where Qin Liuliu and Binghu stood behind him. Tang Feng knelt and bowed to the Khan, saying, "Your subject is Tang Feng, the chief envoy of the Yan-Yun delegation, who has come to pay homage with tribute." Tang Feng knelt on the ground for a while before the Khan of the Qiang and Hu tribes said, "Rise!"
Tang Feng stood up and bowed, "Great Khan, these are the tributes we brought. Please examine them one by one."
"What brings the envoy from Yan and Yun here today?"
"Our Crown Prince has heard that the Qiang and Hu peoples value production, while we, Yan and Yun, value commerce. If the two are combined, it will be like adding wings to a tiger, promoting the economic development of your country. Therefore, our Crown Prince hopes that your country can lease Ayi Harbor to us. Yan and Yun will naturally reward you with generous goods and will also transfer some production technology to your country."
"Insolence! Do you know what you're saying? Great Khan, Ayi Harbor is our blessed land, and it absolutely cannot be leased to outsiders!" Sujiha knelt on the ground, his eyes bloodshot as he looked at Tang Feng. "You brat, spouting nonsense! Why should such a large nation as the Qiang and Hu cede territory to Yan and Yun?"
Tang Feng smiled. "General Su, you must have misheard! I said lease, not cede territory. Ayi Harbor was your blessed land, and it will remain so. We simply hope to use Ayi Harbor for maritime trade, with profits split 30/70. You get 70%, we get 30%. I know your country has always relied on animal husbandry, which has hindered development for a long time, not only because of its geographical location but also because its economy cannot support production. Furthermore, Ayi Harbor is a blessed land for the Qiang and Hu people. Utilizing Ayi Harbor to improve the economic and living conditions of the Qiang and Hu people is another form of benefit."
"These things from Tang Sicheng are merely verbal promises. What I see are only a dozen or so boxes of tribute. My Ayi Harbor has a century-old tradition of offering sacrifices to you, generation after generation. How can you expect to get them back with just a few promises?" The Khan of the Qiang and Hu tribes sat on his dragon throne, looking at Tang Feng. He had heard the palace servants talk about Tang Feng a few days ago and thought that Tang Feng was a rare talent, showing such courage at such a young age.
"Great Khan! We in Yanyun have an old saying: 'Use people without suspicion, and don't use those you suspect.' If you trust me, I will certainly not disappoint you. On my way here, I heard that your country is extremely short of food and relies on agriculture for a living, but the yield is not high, only enough to supply the royal palace. I have a way to double the yield."
"Is this true?" Upon hearing that grain production could double, the Khan could no longer remain seated. He rose from his dragon throne. "If what Tang Sicheng says is true... then I can certainly consider this deal."
"In that case, thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. Please grant me three months. If you are concerned, you may have me work day and night. Your Majesty can check the results after three months."
Tang Feng came out of the palace and stretched. "What a long battle!"
"My lord... why are we helping them so much?" Binghu stood at the back, somewhat puzzled. She had wanted to ask Tang Feng this question in the main hall, but had held back until now.
"You can't catch a big fish without casting a long line," Tang Feng said, pulling out a map of the Qiang and Hu people. "This is the lower reaches of the Tengli River. Logically, the soil downstream should be fertile and easy to cultivate, but their land is vast and sparsely populated, and their labor force is far from sufficient to support double the amount of farmland. So... I plan to send them something." Tang Feng smiled. "Don't worry, I won't gamble with my own life or the safety of the delegation. I'm very confident in my abilities."
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