Xie Bing was immediately overjoyed and stood guard at the target, thinking to himself, "My wife is so gentle, she certainly won't destroy things like the marshal did. Maybe she won't even be able to hit the target."
As a result, an arrow grazed his nose and hit him squarely in the bullseye.
Xie Bing's forehead immediately broke out in a cold sweat: "..."
Inside the hall, a pot of tea was being brewed, and the stove was burning extremely brightly. The people of the Northern Region were mostly wearing fur coats, which was already the warmest they could get, but now the hall felt like a steam room, making them sweat profusely.
Yelü Lili wondered if the Xie family was so afraid of the cold. Then he thought about how the Xie family lived in the Southern Region, where rice could be harvested three times a year and the climate was suitable except for winter.
It truly is a place blessed with good feng shui.
The Northern Envoy was fat, and now, sweating, he turned into a round, wet ball.
"Your Highness, may I leave first?"
Seeing that they were almost exhausted from the heat, Yelü Lili, fortunately dressed in lighter clothing, let them leave.
He remained in the hall.
Just then, Xie Lanzhi brought people in. She was also dressed lightly, and the warmth she felt upon entering was immediately apparent.
Li Li immediately stood up: "Thank you, Marshal!"
"Crown Prince Yelü, you seem to be in much better spirits these past few days." Xie Lanzhi leaned closer to greet him, still looking weak, "Unlike me, who has been in a state of utter misery these past few days."
Her deliberate sigh was a clear hint, so he had no choice but to stand up and say, "I have come here specifically to apologize to you for my sister's matter, and I have also prepared three cartloads of jewelry and medicine as compensation for you."
Xie Lanzhi said politely, "Your Highness has gone to great lengths. In fact, it was just a minor skirmish and could not have hurt me at all. Perhaps it was just a flare-up of my rheumatism."
“But you don’t look like you’re alright.” Li Li looked her up and down with a strange gaze.
Xie Lanzhi straightened her back and took two steps. The next moment, she was about to fall forward, which startled Xie Sheng, who hurriedly lay down on the ground to cushion her fall. However, Xie Lanzhi regained her balance.
She gave him a knowing look and said, "Your Highness, I wasn't hurt by your sister at all."
"Don't make a mountain out of a molehill and damage the friendship between our two countries."
There has never been any friendship between the Northern and Southern Regions, let alone at this moment.
Do you really think he's blind?!
It seems that if we don't spend a lot of money to cover this up today, this woman will dare to exaggerate the matter tomorrow.
It will then be relayed to Father Khan.
His father would definitely take the opportunity to reprimand him. His position was already unstable, and his second brother's maternal clan's eight generals were powerful. They might seize any clue to smear him.
Yelü Lili cupped his hands and said, "Marshal, please allow me to make amends for you. As long as it makes me feel better, you can ask for anything and I will do it."
The dignified crown prince suddenly lowered his voice, whether it was truly for his sister or just a side effect, as an older brother he had already done a good job.
Xie Lanzhi released her grip and sat down in the chair, ordering Xie Sheng, "Go out and get a jug of chilled wine; it's too hot inside."
Xie Sheng: "Yes!"
Strange, this furnace wasn't added on the marshal's orders.
With Xie Sheng dismissed, Xie Lanzhi became more relaxed, while Yelü Lili looked at her strangely and couldn't help but scrutinize her.
Xie Lanzhi took the initiative to say, "Your younger sister is lively and lovely, which I admire, but if I don't teach her in time, she may suffer a lot in the future."
Yelü Lili said, "The Marshal is absolutely right. My sister is too spoiled and often causes me trouble, but no one in the Northern Region will blame her."
"Now that she has caused me such a terrible disaster, I will teach her a lesson when I return to the Northern Region."
"However, the Marshal summoned me here using my sister's matter, which is probably not as simple as an apology and compensation."
After saying this, Yelü Lili couldn't help but take out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat.
It's so hot.
Xie Lanzhi's forehead was also covered in a thin layer of sweat, but she acted as if nothing was wrong: "Your Highness, my purpose is very simple, just to ask you to discipline your sister properly and not ruin her life. She is a kind-hearted child."
"It's just that my sister is ignorant and it's my fault for not teaching her properly. May I ask, did Crown Prince Yelü also let her run wild in the Northern Region?"
These words were an extremely obvious test.
To find out if Yelü Lili is steady, reliable, or has any influence in the northern region.
Yelü Lili's expression suddenly turned serious.
Xie Lanzhi continued, "Some time ago, I mentioned Shangdu at the banquet. This matter is of great importance. What I need is a reliable and steady partner, not a brother who has to personally apologize even when his sister makes a huge mistake, or who only considers the power and influence of others and acts accordingly."
“Your younger brother Yelü Wen dared to instigate Huang Mang to test the waters for him. Although the plan failed, it showed his boldness.”
"The Southern Regions value martial prowess, but the Northern Regions value it even more. Compared to a master skilled in strategy, many would probably prefer to follow a warrior like Xiang Yu to sweep across the world. Although Yelü Wen is not worthy of the title of Overlord, he has already earned the reputation of a warrior of the Northern Regions simply by instigating attacks on the Southern Regions. Isn't that right? His contributions to the Hu and Xiongnu are smaller but his reputation is greater, while what you have done is all thankless work."
Xie Lanzhi reminded him: "Crown Prince Yelü, if you don't seize the high ground of public opinion, the enemy will."
In chaotic times, only force can prevail. This is the cruel reality.
Si Xitong's methods in dealing with the momentum of the Nine Jin could serve as a reference for Yelü Lili.
Li Li wasn't stupid; he understood what Xie Zhu meant.
She was reminding herself that he lacked nothing, not even status, so why should she be afraid? And certainly not of Yelü Wen, who had offended her.
Because Yelü Wen was on Xie Lanzhi's list of enemies to be eliminated, he was destined to be dealt with by her.
Yelü Lili stood up and clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your wise advice, Marshal. I am deeply grateful. Now that things have come to this, I will no longer hesitate. If we establish Shangdu, I would appreciate it if you would carefully consider the division of the interests of Shangdu and the cost of my protection of Shangdu, and then discuss it with me in detail."
After saying that, he was about to take his leave because it was too hot inside the hall, which made him restless and unable to concentrate. What if he accidentally caught a cold?
Her little tricks might actually work.
Xie Lanzhi also stood up and said, "I will draw a line for you. As long as you do not cross my bottom line, I believe that Crown Prince Yelü will not allow you to be humiliated."
Yelü Lili was good at doing things but not at networking; he preferred to wait rather than actively create opportunities.
Xie Lanzhi was most skilled at starting uprisings.
When the two met again, the advantages and disadvantages of each other became obvious.
Yelü Lili wiped his sweat and asked, "Marshal, what exactly is the bottom line you've drawn for the first round?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Lanzhi pointed at him and said, "It's you."
"The Southern Region only recognizes you and only does business with you. We won't serve anyone else."
"Six thousand shi of grain are given to the rank 1 free of charge every year. The rank 1's annual military rations are seven million five hundred thousand jin, while six thousand shi of grain is seventy-two hundred thousand jin. The grain given to you every year is enough for thirty thousand rank 1 soldiers to get through the winter. And it is millet that is given to you."
Xiaomi products are extremely durable and can be stored for □□ years. They offer excellent value for money.
Faced with such a huge amount of grain, giving it to the Northern Region might seem like too little, but in another region it would be equivalent to making a fortune.
Not to mention that the 6,000 shi (a unit of dry measure) was an extra gift, and the various taxes generated from the trips to and from the capital were enough to make them incredibly wealthy.
This is a business that everyone in the Northern Region envies. If he were weaker, even if he got these benefits, the forces in the Northern Region and his father would still fight for them.
After weighing the options, Yelü Lili was shocked to discover that Xie Lanzhi had promised him 60% of the benefits, which he could not believe was so generous.
He took a few steps back, carefully considering whether Xie Ying had other motives. Was she waiting for him somewhere else?
Xie Lanzhi didn't actually need to make any other demands. She knew very well that the management costs of Shangdu were extremely high. Whether it was security, maintenance, port escort, or transportation, Yelü Lili had to bear all the costs alone. Xie Lanzhi was just a buyer, depositing grain and paying a few dollars to get it, while still holding the power of production. No matter how much the Northern Region earned, the Northern Region's economy would only depend on the Southern Region and be passive to Xie Lanzhi.
Anyone would accept her conditions, because they are so reasonable; only a fool wouldn't take advantage of wealth.
Xie Lanzhi's generosity wasn't just a free gift; it also made Li Li owe her a huge favor.
The favor bestowed by the Crown Prince of the Northern Region is far more meaningful than cattle and sheep.
What a generous thank you, my lord! What a shrewd strategist! She says the Northern Region looks down on those who are good at planning, but she herself is a good strategist!
Yelü Lili no longer doubted her. He bowed respectfully to her and said, "I agree to help Xie Zhurang establish the Shangdu."
"Thank you for your appreciation, Marshal. I will repay this kindness in the future."
After saying that, Xie Lanzhi couldn't help but hold her waist: "This general believes that Crown Prince Yelü is a responsible partner."
Yelü Lili did not forget the purpose of his visit today.
He said, "I am deeply grateful that the Marshal was so magnanimous in not blaming my sister. I will always remember this kindness of the Marshal."
That's two favors.
Xie Lanzhi smiled faintly and said, "It's a pleasure to cooperate with you, Crown Prince Yelü."
Yelü Lili's mind was in turmoil: he owed Xie Zhu a favor that he had to repay, otherwise Xie Zhu today could give him face in front of his father and gain him great leverage, or he could hand over those leverage to someone else and cause him to suffer a crushing defeat.
He's now completely on the ship of the Southern Region, and can no longer act on his own.
A note from the author:
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 18:20:37 on December 7, 2021 and 11:37:00 on December 8, 2021!
Thank you to the little angel who threw the landmine: Deep in 75 (1);
Thank you to the little angel who watered the nutrient solution: Lianghuan (5 bottles);
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 54 Lanzhi, you're not wearing...
Yelü Lili emerged from the palace drenched in sweat. It was cold outside, and he began to shiver as soon as he came out. Fortunately, a palace servant from Ziguang Palace brought him a hot water bottle, which helped him make it to his sister's chambers.
Xie Lanzhi had the stove removed, and she took off her clothes. Si Xitong then entered the hall.
After taking off her clothes, her waist and abdomen were firm, and her streamlined muscle vest was both beautiful and smooth.
Xie Lanzhi's skin was a light bronze color, and her thick, crowned hair was refreshing and elegant. When she turned around again, her bare waist revealed two lines of muscle that slid down to her lower abdomen, and below that...
Si Xitong's eyes froze, her gaze about to fall on the mysterious area, when suddenly a black robe covered her body. Xie Lanzhi fastened her belt, and felt that Little Phoenix had returned but hadn't made a sound and had been standing there silently.
She tied a bow around her waist and said to Si Xitong, "Little Phoenix, you're back."
Si Xitong withdrew her gaze, her eyes flickered a few times, and she coughed lightly: "My matters are almost settled."
"Do you want to go back to Tianjing?" Xie Lanzhi didn't notice that her expression was off. In the past few days, Little Phoenix had firmly grasped the public opinion of Jiujin, so she didn't need to worry for the time being that someone would use her restoration to promote a retrogression against her original intention.
The Xie family dared not disobey her. The rise and fall of the Xie family were entirely dependent on her. But the nine fiefdoms of Jin were different. These subordinate officials were powerful regional warlords who controlled their own territories. Their relationship with the emperor was limited to paying tribute and they could not interfere in internal affairs.
She told Si Xitong, "Li Li agreed to jointly build the commercial city. I think the allies need to continue to increase their stakes in order to make things go more smoothly."
Li Jun's agreement was exactly what Si Xitong had expected. She knew he was interested in the business, but also hesitant due to internal and external risks. However, if Lan Zhi increased her offer, she was sure she could get him to talk.