The southern region, with its high mountains and remote terrain, was connected to Tianjing (Nanjing). Even the threats from the Hu and Xiongnu against selling grain were ignored. The Hu and Xiongnu had recently sent troops to attack the area south of Huayin to intimidate the new Tianjing forces. The Xie family originally intended to send troops to teach the Hu and Xiongnu south of Huayin a lesson. Unexpectedly, Ma Hong led a thousand men, directly using the southern route of Huayin to cut off the Hu and Xiongnu's retreat, driving them into the territory of the new Tianjing, where the Xie family wiped them out in one fell swoop.
Although there were only three hundred people, they were suppressed by the Hu and Xiongnu, and few people knew about it. However, the officials and people of Huayin were no longer afraid of the Hu and Xiongnu, and began to open the south gate to do business with the new Tianjing.
Thinking of this sure-fire deal, Si Xitong's smile became even more calculating: "Huayin Kingdom's specialties are charcoal and a new type of coal. I'll buy it at 70% of the price, and settle the payment with grain. The King of Huayin Kingdom agreed."
"However, even if the King of Huayin wants ten times the price, I will still agree to this coal deal."
Because it was simply too worthwhile. With the high temperatures from coal combustion, the Ministry of Works could produce more steel, and the construction of the Gallery Treasure Ship was accelerated thanks to the assembly of 30% of the steel.
Xie Lanzhi hadn't expected so much to happen at her doorstep while she was away for a short time. Looking at her wife, who calmly handled everything and even managed to swindle a sum of money from Hua Yinguo, she was extremely pleased.
Little Phoenix is now completely independent.
"The King of Huayin promised you so many generous conditions, he won't let you off for nothing. Did you agree to something else in private?"
When Si Xitong talked about this, she said with great enthusiasm, "In Lanzhi's world, there is a South-to-North Water Diversion Project. I merely followed the wisdom of later generations and devised a plan for the ruler of Huayin to divert grain from the south to the north. I also gave him a cement road for free so that they could run on it. How could he not agree?"
Ever since the Ministry of Works accidentally produced cement, it has been favored by the people of New Tianjing. Over time, as demand increased, supply increased, and money began to be collected.
With money, one can hire people to complete the roads, earn money from foreign lands, and then receive coal in return. This symbiotic relationship, using coal to facilitate trade, greatly reduces the burden on the new Tianjing court, thereby improving people's livelihoods.
This was the most enjoyable business deal Si Xitong had ever made.
Seeing that she was in high spirits, Xie Lanzhi couldn't bear to tell her that her world was actually different from this one. And it wasn't even a future world. However, the little phoenix's ability to so quickly adapt modern methods for her own use was truly remarkable.
"In that case, the alliance meeting hosted by the King of Huayin was probably partly aimed at making a compromise on the grain route to the north."
It seems that even if they are blood relatives, the Hu and Xiongnu will not hesitate to attack.
Si Xitong said, "Huayin Kingdom is not as simple as it seems on the surface. Not only in Xin Tianjing, but also decades ago, the Hu and Xiongnu discovered that Huayin Kingdom was rich in mineral resources and arranged for pro-Xiongnu forces to occupy the mineral resources and sell them to Hu and Xiongnu merchants at low prices."
"This happened during the reign of the old king. Now, the new king, Anyi, is not content with the status quo and is trying to break this monopoly and cooperate with us."
“So,” Si Xitong gently stroked her nose with his fingertip, his eyes softened, and he smiled, saying, “Lanzhi, for my sake, give Anyi some face.”
Xie Lanzhi brushed her fingertips aside, stared into her eyes, and seeing her sincerity and piety, she couldn't help but reply helplessly, "Did you make any promises or reach any agreements in private?"
"My wife understands me best."
“I probably won’t agree.” Xie Lanzhi’s eyes suddenly darkened. “First of all, I don’t trust the King of Huayin.”
Si Xitong seemed unsurprised. She sometimes felt that Lan Zhi might maintain an open and enlightened attitude in public, but in private, she was actually conservative.
She was well aware that Lan Zhi had categorized her as conservative.
"Perhaps you can contact Anyi before making a decision."
Faced with his beloved wife's rapid changes, Xie Lanzhi felt that it was less a change and more an increase in her political activity, often exceeding his expectations.
She had also repeatedly said that she would catch up with her, but when she saw her treasure ship, she actually had a vague feeling that the little phoenix had actually... caught up with her.
Little Phoenix's private transaction with the King of Huayin further highlights her ability to stand on her own.
Upon hearing this, Xie Lanzhi suddenly felt a lump in her throat. She should have felt gratified and happy, but at this moment, her feelings were even more complicated.
"The Kingdom of Huayin is not to be trusted." This was Xie Lanzhi's last struggle.
Si Xitong's eyes flickered slightly. She wrapped her arms around her neck and kissed her lips.
The two clasped necks together for a while, their noses touching, their breaths mingling.
Si Xitong said, "I have never trusted anyone except you."
"But I have an idea."
Faced with her methodical approach to winning over her defenses, Xie Lanzhi finally couldn't help but soften her voice: "What are you thinking?"
"I want to initiate a special grain trade along the coast and cultivate pro-Jin forces in Huayin."
Grain trade along the border.
"Special shore" was another familiar term, and Xie Lanzhi's initial worries gradually subsided.
Her little phoenix has acquired the skill of localizing modern policies.
Tell me about it.
When Si Xitong faced her, his eyes sparkled, as dazzling as pearls.
"The people in the south of Huayin State are mostly former subjects of the Jin Dynasty, and their sense of identity with the Jin Dynasty is always stronger than that of the northern Hu and Xiongnu."
She had her own high spirits: "The pro-Jin forces in southern Huayin can hold their own against the Hu and Xiongnu forces in northern Huayin. This move is advantageous because it maintains a balance. No matter which side is favored, it will break the status of Huayin State for decades. Anyi does not want to see such an outcome, so it wants to win over the forces in southern Huayin and strengthen its power to resist northern Huayin."
"Isn't he afraid of his country being divided in two?"
"There's no difference now. Rather than waiting to die, we might as well save ourselves. That's not what you told me."
Xie Lanzhi asked, "What should we do next?"
“Cultivate the power of Huayin in the south, restore tribute, and establish a vassal state.”
After listening, Xie Lanzhi finally realized that this was a young future emperor who was beginning to rise to power.
"Then go and do it." Xie Lanzhi patted her buttocks, signaling her to get down.
Si Xitong propped himself up on his arm, rested his chin on his hand, and said to her, "I'm wondering why Lanzhi wouldn't agree to this deal that's guaranteed to make a profit."
"Because the ruler of Huayin is a man." Xie Lanzhi made no attempt to hide her strong jealousy and high level of vigilance.
Whether the ruler of Huayin can make decisions is another matter.
Little Phoenix's initiative to help cultivate power in southern Huayin was a thankless and risky decision. It involved a huge gamble.
Therefore, Xie Lanzhi was very worried.
I'm worried that she's only just learned to walk and she's already trying to run, taking too fast a step and getting tricked.
Or perhaps there are inside stories she doesn't know about, which is why Si Xitong seems so confident.
"That Huayin Kingdom ruler, he..." Xie Lanzhi had just finished asking.
Si Xitong then stood up, seemingly intentionally avoiding the topic, indicating there was indeed more to the story. This drove Xie Lanzhi a little crazy.
The little phoenix has its own little secret.
She had told Little Phoenix before that everyone has their own little secrets and doesn't need to tell everyone everything. Unexpectedly, she's now shooting herself in the foot; Little Phoenix not only listened but is also imitating her perfectly.
Xie Lanzhi felt like crying but had no tears left to shed.
At this moment, another envoy arrived from the Eastern Kingdom's guesthouse. This time, the envoy was different from the previous one; she was a soprano with a powerful voice.
"The King invites His Highness Feng Ning and Lord Xie to enjoy the fireworks in the rear pavilion."
"Lanzhi, get up quickly, let's go out for some fresh air." Si Xitong urged her as she got dressed.
Xie Lanzhi was unwilling to get up, so Si Xitong put on her bellyband, went to the bedside, pulled her arm, and helped her up.
This time, she seemed unable to refuse.
Xie Lanzhi had no choice but to get dressed. While Xiao Fenghuang was putting on her coat, she untied her belt and did something to deliberately hinder her from getting dressed.
Si Xitong tirelessly tied it again and again until Xie Lanzhi felt sorry for her and stopped.
Xie Lanzhi indeed stopped. After she got dressed, Si Xitong pulled her out of the Guobin Mansion and they boarded a carriage to go to the back pavilion mentioned by the Huayin female envoy.
The incense and smoke inside the pavilion illuminated the sky with vibrant colors, and the carriage, matching the colors, seemed to descend from the sky as it passed through.
King Anyi of Huayin was already waiting at the front pavilion, accompanied by a young queen. The couple greeted the invited guests from the carriage.
After Xie Lanzhi alighted from the carriage, she first looked at the king, Anyi, who was handsome and elegant, but thin and tall, probably about 1.9 meters.
Perhaps she has Hunnic genes, which is why she is so tall, but her appearance makes it no exaggeration to say that she is a scholar from the Central Plains.
Is this Anyi?
Why does she look a bit like... a girl? At first glance, she seemed like a girl, but her height dispelled half of her doubts.
The people waiting around seemed to have long been used to it, and some even regarded the queen as a woman.
The royal family of the Xiongnu always looked down on Anyi, their grandson, because he looked like a boy but had feminine features.
The queen beside her was a stunningly beautiful Central Asian woman with a hot figure. She wore a thin silk dress that revealed her arms and a transparent veil that still showed her face.
The king, however, dressed conservatively like a man from the Central Plains. The couple looked completely mismatched standing together, even a little awkward.
As soon as Si Xitong got off the carriage, An Yi's eyes lit up and his gaze remained fixed on her, causing Xie Lanzhi to block her eyes from looking at the little phoenix.
When Anyi encountered Xie Lanzhi, he immediately looked away awkwardly, touched his head, and acted shy and reserved.
The queen beside him seemed quite used to her easily embarrassed husband. She even nudged his arm with her elbow without hesitation.
Even though Anyi was a big guy, he staggered forward several steps and almost fell on the grass carpet after being touched by the queen.
"Your Majesty is a little nervous meeting strangers for the first time. Please forgive him, Marshal Xie and Your Highness," the Queen greeted the guests with grace and courtesy.
She had never seen anyone so bold as to push her husband in front of a guest.
But the Queen took the initiative to walk over, seemingly very familiar with Si Xitong, even like best friends, and took Si Xitong's arm: "Sister, the rouge and powder you gave me last time, didn't you? There's also something called Rongfen, which is particularly good. I wonder which divine physician made it?"
Si Xitong followed her to the pavilion, seemingly intentionally leaving space for Xie Lanzhi. "Hmm, Madam Lu usually uses face powder for beauty. I brought two more boxes with me, enough for you to use for a year."
Xie Lanzhi understood her beloved wife's meaning and naturally did not leave.
She took the initiative to approach the tall King of Anyi: "I have been busy lately and have not been able to visit Your Majesty. Please forgive me."
“No, no, it is I who should be visiting you. You are the overlord of the south, the lord of Huayin.” The moment An Yi lowered his head, Xie Lanzhi felt as if she had seen a giraffe hurriedly lowering its head.
It was so funny that she couldn't help but hold back her laughter.
Especially when she looked up, she was at a loss and even stood in the wrong place, facing Xie Lanzhi sideways.
"Your Majesty need not be nervous. My wife and your Queen are having a very pleasant conversation. They seem to know each other?" Xie Lanzhi intended to inquire about the relationship between the Queen and Little Phoenix from Anyi.
An Yi then found a topic to reply to her: "Yes, she is A Zi's friend. They have known each other for five years."
Five years ago, when the late emperor was still alive, it was normal for Little Phoenix to have a few friends. She didn't press the matter further. A silence fell between them, and An Yi became even more tense.
Finally, he mustered his courage, clenched his fist, and whispered to Xie Lanzhi, "Marshal, could we... could we have a drink together?"
"I heard that Sister Qitong said she has a high alcohol tolerance and can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk."
Sister Qitong? In other words, this Giraffe King is smaller than the Little Phoenix.
Xie Lanzhi immediately looked the seventeen-year-old boy up and down, feeling that he exuded a strange aura.
This person is not only tall but also has social anxiety. On top of that, he stutters when he speaks.
"Alright. I'll have a few drinks with you." She was thirsty and wanted to know how the wine from Huayin Kingdom was. Was it better than the goat milk wine from Yifan? Or was the rice wine from Tianjing better?