Wu Qiu, standing to the side, was speechless. This couple even had the same eye contact; he really didn't know how they were having this cold war.
Yelü Lili was dressed in a white cloud-patterned military uniform in the style of the Hu people, and was followed by about fifty tall and strong barbarian soldiers. They were clearly the elite of the elite. When he stood next to Xie, he was a head taller than Xie's generals, but Xie's imposing manner was not diminished. Xie Guang was also comparable in terms of burly stature.
Xie Guang was still recovering from his injuries, but when he heard that the Crown Prince of the Northern Region had arrived, he disregarded his injuries and had to crawl over.
Unexpectedly, the marshal agreed to come.
Yelü Lili stepped forward and was invited to a seat to the east of the throne. He clasped his hands and said, "Greetings, Princess Fengning."
He then turned to Xie Lanzhi with a faint expression: "Marshal Xie, it's been many years. I hope you're well."
Just as Si Xitong was about to speak, Xie Lanzhi said first, "The Crown Prince of the Northern Region is indeed a man of great talent, as I have heard so much about him."
Si Xitong replied, "Please don't be so polite, Lord Li."
Then Si Xinian arrived, but there seemed to be a girl about the same height as him by his side. She was dressed in a red women's Hu-style dress, with a thin veil revealing her slender arms. She covered her face with a pipa scarf, and it was clear that she was a beautiful young girl. There was also a clearly brown and gray leather whip tied around her upper right arm.
It seems he is also martial.
The Northern Regions value martial prowess, and so does the Xie Clan. Now that these two martial groups have come together, sparks are flying, causing the presence of civil officials to diminish further.
The civil officials thought to themselves that the military was indeed flourishing while the civil service was declining.
"Yelü Qiqi greets Marshal Xie and Princess Fengning." As Yelü Xiaomei approached, she blinked her bright eyes and looked around, as if asking if there was anything new or interesting that caught her eye.
Si Xinian bowed slightly and then sat down next to Yelü Lili with Yelü Qiqi.
Once everyone was seated, the banquet could be considered to have truly begun.
Fine wines and delicacies were continuously supplied by palace maids, while singers and dancers were all arranged by civil officials. The extravagance of wine, meat, and paper money was rampant.
The emperor's rites and music consisted of eight rows, while those of the feudal lords consisted of six rows. The Xie clan used the six rows, and the women of their clan all performed sword dances, which were elegant and graceful. The Jin dynasty, however, continued to use the emperor's eight rows of rites and music, with Xie Lanzhi's permission. The sixty-four palace maids were like colorful butterflies, lifelike and seemingly coming from a painting. Their dance had a touch of the splendor of the Jin emperor's time.
Yelü Lili's aesthetic sense was also particularly discerning. He had a lukewarm reaction to Xie's sword dance, but highly praised the traditional palace dance of the Jin Dynasty.
"Her silken sleeves fluttered, releasing a lingering fragrance; red lotuses swayed gently in the autumn mist."
A gentle breeze stirs the clouds on the ridge, and tender willows brush the water's surface by the pond.
Xie Lanzhi pondered that this person had also read Tang poetry.
Li Li praised the poem, which was well received by the civil officials.
Si Xinian echoed this sentiment, while Xie Shi could only clap and shout: "Great! Absolutely beautiful! Wonderful, the dance is wonderful!"
Xie Lanzhi covered her mouth and coughed lightly.
Wu Qiu immediately stepped forward and composed a poem: "The wind carries my embroidered sleeves, the sunlight reflects my floral hairpins."
"Sympathy urges us onward, we stand together in perilous situations."
The civil officials nodded in agreement with Wu Qiu. Praising ancient poems was a refined pastime.
Yelü Lili glanced at Xie Lanzhi beside Si Xitong, who was constantly refilling her wine cup and drinking with great relish.
He couldn't help but frown; it turned out Xie Ying was also an alcoholic.
Looking at Si Xitong, who hadn't touched a drop of alcohol, a hint of pain flashed in his eyes. He then stood up and toasted Si Xitong: "Princess Fengning, I toast you."
Si Xitong picked up her teacup, but said, "I am not good at drinking alcohol. May I use tea instead of wine, Lord Li?"
"Please." Li Li didn't want to put her in a difficult position, knowing that she was living under someone else's roof and couldn't make decisions for herself.
The two drank a cup together, and Li Li then toasted Xie Lanzhi. When Xie Lanzhi raised her wine cup to toast him in the air, one could clearly feel the hatred in the man's eyes, a mixture of emotions.
Xie Lanzhi drank it without showing any emotion. After all, Xie Ying had killed someone's uncle, and since she inherited Xie Ying's body, she had to accept the bloodshed she had caused in the world.
After she put down the wine cup, there was a thin slice of meat on the plate. She used her chopsticks to cut the meat and relieve the smell of alcohol in her mouth.
“Crown Prince Yelü, I have heard that the cattle and sheep in the Northern Regions are raised extremely well, and everyone in my Southern Regions who has tasted them has praised them highly.”
Wu Qiu seized the opportunity to say, "The cattle and sheep from the Northern Regions have always been a source of meat for us traders."
“In previous years, the trade volume was as high as 100,000 heads, and the amount of rice exchanged with the Southern Region was nearly 200,000 catties.”
Trade between the Northern and Southern Regions had always been substantial. Xie Bing needed a large number of cattle and sheep to supplement his nutrition for warfare, while the Northern Regions, having chosen to de-Sinicize and adopt Chinese customs twenty years prior, had consistently used rice. Moreover, they had long been addicted to rice and couldn't do without it; after all, who wants to return to poverty after enjoying a good life? Therefore, trade relations between the two regions remained stable. However, after the Huang Mang era, relations between the two regions deteriorated sharply.
When Crown Prince Yelü saw that his benefactor from the Southern Region had brought up the matter of trading, he fell into deep thought and looked at Si Xitong again.
Si Xitong nodded to him and then said, "Marshal."
Xie Lanzhi unconsciously turned her head and saw Si Xitong hinting at something to Yelü Lili. She pursed her lips and said, "Madam, please speak frankly."
Si Xitong raised an eyebrow slightly. If she had been more direct last night, neither of them would have had to suffer from insomnia.
But for now, business is business, and personal matters can only be discussed after the banquet.
She said, "The fiefdom under Lord Li is called Yifan. Yifan is close to the intersection of the Red River and the Jing River. The main stream of the Jing River is in the southern region, and its branches mostly converge at the capital of the Seven Jin.
Therefore, Si Lei's fiefdom occupies a strategic location, essentially serving as a transshipment port between the north and south. With just a little management, it can achieve top-notch results and generate tenfold profits.
"The Imperial Uncle is also a subordinate of the Marshal. Since he opened up trade routes, whether by water or land, the smooth operation of trade between the north and south requires the coordination of the two officials."
Li Li also said, "Since the Marshal knows that the Northern Region is closely connected with the merchants, may I ask, apart from my brother Awen's reckless actions offending you, what else has the Northern Region offended?"
These words caused the Xie clan members to secretly scoff. It wasn't just offending them; it was downright treacherous. If it weren't for Lord Xie, Tianjing would likely be either under the control of the Yellow Emperor or the Northern Regions. It would be better for the Xie clan to take it over; after all, they were people from the Central Plains.
For over two hundred years, the Jin Dynasty had used the southern regions as a place of exile, but those exiled were all from the Central Plains. Therefore, the rule of the Xie family over Tianjing was a hundred times better than that of the Hu people.
How could any foreign race compare!
Those in the know understand that Crown Prince Yelü intentionally downplayed the seriousness of the matter. His attitude was initially firm and uncompromising towards Yu Ping, but now he has changed his stance, which is quite intriguing.
Xie Lanzhi knew that Li Li had listened to the young girl's opinion. Although she was a peach blossom, she was not stupid and knew the difference between primary and secondary matters.
His ability to maintain a rational and open attitude is something to be admired.
However… Xie Lanzhi narrowed her eyes and said, “Crown Prince Yelü, the Southern and Northern Regions should not avoid old grudges. If one day my Southern Region and you reconcile, what if we still harbor personal resentment? Doing business and forming alliances both require sincerity. This estrangement between us must not be ignored. If you try to downplay the seriousness of the matter and pretend that nothing happened, that would truly dishearten me.”
These words made Yelü Lili pause. He stared at the wine cup in Xie Lanzhi's hand and began to ponder. She had already drunk quite a bit, yet she was still not drunk. How could she be so clear-headed as to discuss the problems in the North and South with him?
It seems that Lord Xie has begun to be more mindful of propriety. Unlike before, when his envoys sent from the Northern Region almost never returned, and were often swindled out of their cattle and sheep by Xie's merchants.
They have absolutely no integrity. If it weren't for the fact that they control the largest granary, no one would lower themselves to trade with the Xie family. Because the Xie family are all treacherous and untrustworthy people.
He also put aside his prejudices, stood up and spoke directly to Xie Lanzhi: "Is this the Marshal's attitude towards the killing of my three uncles?"
The implication is clear. Does that mean you admit to killing them?
Xie Lanzhi raised an eyebrow and said frankly, "This general has killed countless people and never remembers their names."
Yelü Lili's expression immediately darkened: "Thank you, Marshal!"
Changing the subject, Xie Lanzhi added, "Only after I killed the three generals of the Northern Region did I realize the deep and inseparable relationship between the Northern and Southern Regions."
"I also believe that the Second Prince instigated Huang Mang to rebel against us, causing tens of thousands of deaths and injuries in the Southern Region and Tianjing. An eye for an eye, and this retribution has been given to the Southern Region and to me."
"What a fine example of 'repayment'! What a fine example of 'an eye for an eye'!" Everyone knows that all the benefits went to the Southern Region. She thanked the Lord, but now she wants to use her foolish brother's deeds to clear her name. It's simply... utterly shameless.
It's shameless, but they also have their reasons. They earned their advantages through their own efforts.
For a moment, he was unable to refute it.
Must he really say something so rude as to say: "If you want revenge, you might as well kill your own family to pay for it"?
But Xie Ying...where are her relatives?! Does she expect Princess Fengning to pay for her debts? Yelü Lili would never do that.
Even if the Southern Region were to back down and not reconcile with the Northern Region, it would still have the upper hand.
The thought that Xie Ying had suppressed the story of her own uncle being murdered by her only fueled his resentment.
"The Marshal's candor is truly admirable."
Xie Lanzhi covered her mouth and coughed: "Thank you for the compliment, but this general is not good at being praised. It would be better to talk to Crown Prince Yelü about something more practical."
Yelü Lili had no intention of letting the matter drop: "May I ask what instructions the Marshal has?"
Xie Lanzhi also knew that the resentment would not be resolved by the idea of an eye for an eye; it was just a delaying tactic. The most important thing was that both sides needed a way to back down so that they could continue to cooperate.
Cooperation would be more beneficial than harmful to her, and it was precisely because Crown Prince Yelü knew this that he stood here and spoke with her.
"The so-called national and family feuds are all caused by the invasion of foreign enemies. No matter which region, the South or the North, has the upper hand, it will always do more harm than good. It would be better for our two regions to make peace for the time being, put aside our hatred, and focus on restoring the agricultural and trade economy. That is the right way."
"If Crown Prince Yelü agrees, I will adjust the trade routes in the Southern Region, with the Red River as the capital. The Southern Region will pay port taxes to the Northern Region every year, while the Northern Region will provide security for the merchants of the Southern Region to ensure their trade is safe. The grain that the Southern Region buys and sells can be sold at a 20% discount, and an additional 6,000 shi of grain will be sent to the Northern Region every year."
Upon hearing this, Yelü Lili was clearly shocked. Using the Red River as a trading hub to cooperate with the Southern Regions was tantamount to transferring all of his father's business in the Southern Regions to his own hands. Moreover, changing the route to the Red River was not so simple. The best route would involve transiting through Weidu and ending in the main capital of the Northern Regions.
But now Xie Ying wants to make the Red River the final destination, which means that the grain from the Southern Region will have to go through a detour to Tianjing, and then Tianjing will be used as a transit point to transport the grain through the Red River.
In this way, Shang Ji's power and bargaining power all fell into his hands.
It has to be said that the temptation was huge. It allowed him to take over the affairs of his father Khan in advance and stabilize his position in the Northern Region. Even if Yelü Wen and the eight generals were very powerful, as long as he controlled the import and export of grain in the entire Northern Region, Yelü Wen and the eight generals would not be able to shake his position.
This is a golden opportunity!
Yelü Lili clenched his fists, his body trembling with excitement at the prospect of enormous profits within his grasp.
Seeing his actions, Xie Lanzhi said, "What does Crown Prince Yelü think? My sincerity is as clear as day."
"I..." Logically speaking, Yelü Lili should not have refused.
As Si Xinian and Yelü Qiqi sat down, a soft, beautiful young woman's voice spoke first: "Brother, you must not agree. If you do, Father Khan will blame you."
"You are already under control in Yifan. Now, if you agree to let the Huns see Yifan become a trading capital in the west, and there is a constant supply of grain as a lure, they will definitely waver and then invade Yifan at all costs."
"While this matter has great advantages, it also has great disadvantages."
The woman's voice was calm and pleasant, causing everyone present to pause in surprise. Some of the younger members of the Xie family stared at her, their eyes wide. Wu Qiu also noticed the little princess of the Northern Region; her words were truly astonishing.
Si Xinian sat down beside her and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Princess Qiqi, this matter should not be discussed lightly."
As Yelü Qiqi spoke, her eyes shimmered with tender affection: "Why can't I participate? It's not your brother-in-law guarding the front line, it's my brother. My brother has already taken a great risk to come to Tianjing to establish the alliance, and the Hun people have always wanted to skin him alive."
"But my brother is very capable. He not only protected his people, but also made 200,000 Xiongnu people fear us."
"His achievements are universally acknowledged throughout the Northern Region."
Si Xinian moved his lips, but ultimately remained silent. Forget it, she's Yelü's sister; why should he contradict her?
Yelü Lili's passion was instantly extinguished by his sister; reality always hits hard.
Si Xitong looked at her younger brother and, seeing that he was deliberately keeping quiet, understood what Yelü Lili had promised. It was precisely because of a favor Yelü Lili had forced Xi Nian to restrain himself.
Xie Lanzhi could tell that her brother-in-law wanted to say something, but he swallowed it back.
She said directly, "Qinian, say everything you want to say."
Si Xinian paused, then stood up and replied, "Marshal, I think the little princess is absolutely right. She just lacks... a bit of boldness."