Chapter 334: Courtesy Demands Reciprocity

"This Southern Tang is absolutely dripping with wealth!" Liu Chengyou couldn't help but pick up the gift list presented by Han Xizai, and after only a brief glance, couldn't help but sigh.

Silk one hundred bolts, thin silk two hundred bolts, floss five hundred catties, porcelain one thousand pieces, jade one hundred pieces, various rare trinkets and ornaments in abundance...

"The wealth of the Southern Tang is right before my eyes!" Liu Chengyou muttered.

The saying goes that wealth should not be revealed—he had always known of the Southern Tang's prosperity, but had never had a direct impression of it. With just this gift list, one could glimpse a fraction of it. Liu Chengyou, whose heart had long been haunted by poverty, felt his greed instantly stirred.

If Li Jing had not come north to sue for peace, Liu Chengyou's greedy heart would not have burned so hot. But this initiative to come and "flaunt wealth" truly made his eyes redden with envy. In Liu Chengyou's eyes, the Southern Tang was a great slab of fat meat, waiting only to be plucked and skinned before it could be enjoyed. What he needed to do now was sharpen his teeth and prepare the utensils for eating meat!

"This generous gift from Li Jing, I shall graciously accept!" Liu Chengyou suppressed his restless greed, folded the gift list shut, and instructed Zhang Dejun: "Convey my words—the silk, porcelain, jade, trinkets, and ornaments offered as tribute by the Tang envoy shall be taken to the inner palace. Let the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the Noble Consort pick some for themselves. The remaining silk and cloth shall be stored in the imperial treasury. The Empress Dowager and the others are virtuous and sensible, and have never enjoyed luxury—this counts as my compensation for what I owe them!"

Zhang Dejun acknowledged: "Yes!"

After thinking for a moment, Liu Chengyou added: "The other items shall be traded for money and grain. Compared to gold and jade, what I need more are things that can be eaten and drunk!"

The Court of Ceremonial Reception, subordinate to the Court of State Ceremonial, was tasked with entertaining guests, yet its presence was truly weak—mainly because, since the founding of the state, the Great Han's external environment had been too poor. The envoys and guests received from within and without were only the Uyghurs, Jingnan, and Wuyue; the Southern Tang counted as the fourth to come pay court.

In the hall, Tao Gu, leading Wang Qiwu and the officials of the ceremonial court, had been negotiating with the Southern Tang's chief and deputy envoys sent to the Han over the terms of peace between the two states for many days. It was called negotiation, but in truth it was more like a debate. Tao Gu, with Liu Chengyou's authorization, was full of confidence and in no hurry at all, while Han Xizai was even more unhurried, as if he had come north on a sightseeing tour of scholarship and enlightenment.

Tao Gu could be considered sharp-tongued and quick-witted, but in dialogue with Han Xizai, he had not gained the slightest advantage in verbal sparring. Tao Gu was not a broad-minded man by nature, and after several days, feeling he had lost face, his patience was nearly exhausted.

So at today's meeting, the moment he opened his mouth, Tao Gu stared at Han Xizai with extreme aggression and laid his cards on the table: "Since ancient times, those who sue for peace have never failed to cede territory, acknowledge vassalage, pay tribute, or offer marriage alliances. Our court, considering the diplomatic relations between the two states and for the harmony of our armies and people, does not require you to cede territory or acknowledge vassalage—this is already great magnanimity and tolerance. Yet you people truly do not know your place. As for the tribute payments, there is absolutely no reason for them to be short. Jianghuai is prosperous; if the Tang sovereign truly has sincerity, how could he begrudge such a paltry sum of money and grain?"

Tao Gu's very beard-tips carried arrogance, but in Han Xizai's eyes, it was bluster masking cowardice. Revealing his signature gentle and refined smile, Han Xizai remained unruffled as ever, saying calmly: "This envoy will emphasize once more: my sovereign sent me with great sincerity for the peace and well-being of both states. If the ministers of the Great Han have no intention of negotiating peace and instead bully others with their power, then the Great Tang likewise has absolutely no reason to bend the knee and beg for survival!"

Han Xizai had been neither humble nor overbearing even before Liu Chengyou. Facing Tao Gu, after several exchanges, he seemed to have seen through the man and no longer intended to save his face.

His gaze swept past Tao Gu, pausing briefly on the young Wang Qiwu beside him, and he said in a deep, measured tone: "Chancellor Tao, I suspect you lack the authority to agree to anything. Such idle debate and rambling discussion yields no results. I trouble you to inform the Emperor of the Great Han that peace between our two states is truly in the interest of both sides—there is absolutely no distinction of superior and inferior, no difference of noble and base. Mutual exchange and looking out for one another is the proper way of things. But if you recklessly demand excessive wealth, the Great Tang truly cannot agree!"

Han Xizai's words were spoken with extraordinary firmness, putting Tao Gu in a rather awkward position. His expression shifting unpredictably as he scanned the once-again composed Han Xizai, a flash of anger crossing his face, he flicked his sleeve and said coldly: "This official will faithfully report your words to His Majesty—rest assured, I will not disappoint you!"

"Many thanks!" Han Xizai clasped his hands in salute, elegant and graceful, his gaze sweeping left and right as he took the initiative to conclude the meeting: "This envoy shall take his leave for now!"

With that said, he rose and left his seat. The deputy envoy had the mind to explain things to Tao Gu, but recalling Han Xizai's forceful and self-assured manner, he decided not to make trouble and followed along.

Watching the departing figures of the Tang envoys, then looking at the still-fuming Tao Gu, Wang Qiwu took the initiative to speak with propriety: "Lord Tao, truly nothing more can be negotiated. The Tang envoy's patience is exhausted—perhaps we should report back to His Majesty."

Hearing Wang Qiwu's suggestion, Tao Gu's expression quickly returned to calm. He glanced sideways at him, acknowledged with a reserved grunt, and maintained his dignified bearing, unwilling to continue losing face before this younger man.

On the Tang envoys' side, the deputy envoy followed closely behind Han Xizai back to the guest residence. The moment he sat down, he spoke to Han Xizai with great bluntness, one could even call it interrogation: "Lord Han is so overbearing—if this angers the ministers of the Great Han, have you considered how serious the consequences might be?"

Han Xizai remained in his usual refined and easygoing manner, saying calmly: "You must remember—we came north this time to negotiate peace, not to beg for mercy. The ministers of the Great Han wish to intimidate us with their power, but I bear the heavy trust of His Majesty—how could I debase the reputation of the Great Tang and let them take whatever they want?"

"A bit of money and grain is nothing but a drop in the ocean to the Great Tang—why be so stingy?" The deputy envoy's lips curled slightly.

The Great Han's demands were not high to begin with, and had gradually decreased, down to one hundred thousand strings of cash and one hundred thousand dan of grain. But Han Xizai stubbornly refused to agree.

Hearing this, Han Xizai's expression immediately turned stern, as if a layer of frost had formed over it. His gaze, sharp as needles, fixed on the deputy envoy: "Even a single coin or a single grain is tax collected from the scholars and people of our Great Tang—how could it be given away lightly? The Han court obtained one hundred thousand hu of Shu grain, yet still had to cede the four prefectures of Qinfeng, Jie, and Cheng. For them to open their bloody maw so wide at us is clearly contempt for our court and extortion of us—how can we let them bully us?"

Han Xizai's anger carried no small amount of authority. The deputy envoy lowered his head, his eyes shifting slightly, and muttered: "But if we return north with nothing accomplished, how will we report back to His Majesty upon our return to court?"

"If we agreed to this treaty that humiliates the nation and these promises that disgrace our house, what face would we have to stand before His Majesty upon our return?" Han Xizai countered, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on the deputy envoy, making him extremely uncomfortable.

In truth, the deputy envoy did harbor certain thoughts—such as returning with a humiliating agreement in hand, which would give their faction the opportunity to make a big issue of it.

Once back in his own room, when alone, Han Xizai completely sheathed the sharpness he showed before others. His handsome and dignified face was suffused with deep contemplation. If it were up to him, there was no need to come north to negotiate peace at all. As a representative figure of the northern scholars who had crossed south, his political direction was essentially fixed: he advocated war, advocated the northern expedition.

But what a wonderful opportunity the past two years had been—and it had been squandered. If such a chance ever came again, it would likely depend on the will of heaven. Of course, he knew in his own heart that the Southern Tang had not unified Jiangnan after all, and there were too many hidden troubles in the rear. To fight the north with full strength would be too difficult. It was precisely for this reason that he felt such anguish over the fact that two years ago, the sovereign and ministers of the Great Tang had dawdled and done nothing, failing to seize the golden opportunity to strike into the Central Plains.

Especially after what he had seen and heard on this journey north, what worried Han Xizai most deeply was that as long as the Northern Han recovered its national strength, the situation would once again become one of north strong, south weak. All the little maneuvers the Southern Tang had made in the Lianghuai region before were nothing but scratching an itch through one's boot—they had inflicted little actual damage on the Northern Han.

So much so that cutting off commercial exchange between the two states, preventing southern grain from being shipped north, would deal slightly deeper damage to the Great Han. In the two years since the Great Han's founding, aside from the ravages of war, tens of thousands of common people had died of cold and hunger. Thus, in this round of negotiations, the Han court, throwing all face to the wind, so nakedly and directly fixated on money and grain—one could glimpse their situation from that.

As he focused his thoughts, Han Xizai could almost see it: the iron hooves of the Han army crossing the Huai River, ravaging the prefectures of Huainan. After his meeting with Liu Chengyou, Han Xizai was almost certain in his heart that as long as no upheaval occurred in the north, that was an inevitability.

While Han Xizai was deep in long-term contemplation at the guest residence, in Chongzheng Hall, Liu Chengyou sat at ease, calmly listening to Tao Gu's report.

"Your Majesty, this Han Xizai is arrogant and self-important, insolent and rude—not worth talking to. Your servant and the others exhausted our tongues, speaking kindly to him, yet the man not only failed to appreciate our goodwill but grew even more obstinate and conceited." Tao Gu's mouth was full of complaints against Han Xizai, vigorously poisoning the well before Liu Chengyou: "In your servant's view, the sovereign and ministers of the puppet Tang likely have no sincere intention of negotiating peace."

Though Liu Chengyou was somewhat surprised inwardly, it was not enough to move him. He remarked mildly with a hint of feeling: "This Han Xizai does have some backbone! You tried to intimidate him with force—it's hardly surprising that it didn't work!"

Seeing that all his talk seemed to have had no effect, and that the Son of Heaven was instead praising Han Xizai, Tao Gu couldn't help but say: "Your Majesty, the Great Han and the puppet Tang have no small store of grievances. If we gain nothing, why bother negotiating peace with them? Are we to let that sharp tongue of the northern Tang envoy cut off our garrisons along the Huai and our path of southward expansion?"

Tao Gu directly ignored the heavy gift presented by the Tang envoy. And plundering was plundering, but when it came out of Tao Gu's mouth, it had been swapped for a more elegant term: expansion.

Liu Chengyou was not influenced by Tao Gu's words. He pondered seriously for a few moments, his muttering tone carrying obvious puzzlement: "Han Xizai came on orders, yet he doesn't seem to care much whether he accomplishes his mission?"

Glancing at Wang Qiwu standing beside Tao Gu, seeing his calm expression, he couldn't help but ask: "Minister Wang, you too have sat in on the negotiations for many days—what is your view?"

Wang Qiwu bowed in salute and answered: "In reply to Your Majesty, from your servant's observation, Han Xizai is truly a man of exceptional talent for his time, with no small insight. He may have some pride, but the reason he is so emboldened is likely that he has already perceived that Your Majesty also has the intention of peace. Moreover, given the current situation, our court needs to sheathe its weapons to restore tranquility and reduce the burden of border defense. As for the puppet Tang, though they are wearied by the harassment of our northern troops, it is difficult to wound their vital sinews and bones!"

Pausing briefly, Wang Qiwu organized his words and continued: "In your servant's view, though Han Xizai was dispatched to negotiate peace, where his heart and will truly lie is probably in hoping to resist the Great Han..."

"How can you tell?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Wang Qiwu replied composedly: "Your servant once spoke with the accompanying officials of the envoy and gleaned some information. In the puppet Tang's court, the northern-crossed scholars led by Han Xizai have long harbored ambitions of advancement—they are not people content with partial rule..."

"If Your Majesty agrees to the peace, then he returns to court bearing the merit of having served as envoy to the Han; if Your Majesty refuses and the two sides continue their enmity, that does nothing to hinder him from displaying his ambitions!"

Hearing Wang Qiwu's explanation, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but nod: "Minister Wang is truly sharp-witted, and has even studied the Southern Tang court! In that case, I absolutely cannot let Lord Han have his way!"

Hearing this, Tao Gu couldn't help but say: "Your Majesty, are you simply going to agree like this?"

Raising his hand, Liu Chengyou rubbed it around his chin. Not a trace of worry had appeared on his face from start to finish. Looking at the two men, he said: "My two ministers, do you have any interest in taking a trip to Jinling?"

"Your Majesty wishes to send us as envoys to the Tang!" Tao Gu said.

"It is only proper to return a courtesy visit!" Liu Chengyou's eyes nearly narrowed into slits.

"Your servant is willing to go!" In unison, Tao Gu and Wang Qiwu said together.

Though the two men's considerations differed, both held great interest in going to Jinling to see it for themselves.

Their reactions did not surprise Liu Chengyou. With a slightly cunning air, he said: "With Han Xizai, you couldn't extract money or grain. With the Tang sovereign Li Jing, that's another matter. How much benefit you can secure for the Great Han will depend on the abilities of my two ministers!"

Exchanging a glance, the two ministers bowed again, volunteering with assurances.

Unable to reach a consensus, with "suing for peace" fruitless, Han Xizai finally decided to return south to report back. He had been told he had full authority, yet who could have predicted that the Han court would raise so many impolite additional demands.

In Chongzheng Hall, Han Xizai came in person to take his leave.

"Lord Han is leaving so soon? Why not stay a few more days—could it be that my hospitality has been lacking?" Liu Chengyou naturally made a show of false sincerity in urging him to stay.

"Your Majesty's warm hospitality, your servant shall remember with gratitude!" Han Xizai remained in that neither humble nor overbearing manner, his implication heavy: "But since Your Majesty has already selected envoys to go south, your servant is willing to serve as their guide!"

A flash of his eyes, and Liu Chengyou suddenly turned extremely solemn, showing the humility of a ruler seeking worthy talent: "Lord Han is a man of great talent, and I truly admire him. Why not remain in the Eastern Capital to take up office, assisting me in pursuing great achievements? I will surely grant you high position."

As if seeing through Liu Chengyou's false sincerity, Han Xizai declined tactfully: "The Great Han has no shortage of talented people—it will not miss one more Han Xizai!"

Liu Chengyou refused to let the matter drop: "Lord Han was originally a man of the north—surely you have no desire to return to your roots, to end your days far from your native soil?"

"One day a minister of Tang, a lifetime a minister of Tang!" Han Xizai appeared resolute, without the slightest trace of being moved.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou's face was full of regret, and he said with some helplessness: "To be unable to serve alongside you, sir, is truly a pity!"

"Enough—since Lord Han is returning south, you may convey my regards to the Tang sovereign on my behalf." Liu Chengyou's expression shifted quickly: "As courtesy demands reciprocity, I have also prepared some gifts..."

He had indeed prepared some gifts, though he himself found them somewhat hard to mention aloud—thirty head of cattle and a hundred sheep. In terms of value, they naturally could not compare with Li Jing's gifts, but they could be explained away with the saying that a small gift carries great sentiment...

"I thank Your Majesty!"

"This foreign minister takes his leave!"

After Han Xizai withdrew, Liu Chengyou smiled slightly. His invitation to keep Han Xizai had, of course, been deliberate. Having such a radical faction in the south was not a good thing for the Great Han.

He then summoned Tao Gu and Wang Qiwu, and gave them earnest instructions, laying out the details for their journey south. One principle: negotiate as much as could be gained, so long as the Great Han did not come out at a loss—but the precondition was that they must not actually let the talks collapse.

Additionally, he had the two men carefully investigate the situation in the Southern Tang—court politics, military affairs, popular customs... As for the accompanying clerical officials, Liu Chengyou also assigned them covert agents from the Wude Office and the Military Intelligence Office.

Incidentally, Liu Chengyou instructed the two men that after arriving in Jinling, they should do plenty of publicity for Han Xizai—for instance, how Lord Han did not fear power and influence, how he did not disgrace his nation's dignity under the intimidation of the Great Han's sovereign and ministers, how he expressed goodwill toward the Great Han, and how the Han Son of Heaven valued him and wished to keep him as an official...

In short, toward this banner of the northern émigrés in the Southern Tang court, Liu Chengyou did not begrudge striking a blow. Whether it had any effect, Liu Chengyou did not particularly care. If it did have an effect, whether it would stir changes in the Southern Tang court's political landscape was not his concern—that was a matter for the Tang sovereign Li Jing to weigh.