Chapter 196

What is going on?

"Your Majesty, what is this about the trade with Great Qin?"

"Yes, Your Majesty! I have never been able to understand why you would hand over Jiannan Dao to Great Qin on a silver platter?"

"What exactly did Your Majesty discuss with Great Qin?"

The dukes and ministers in the hall were all confused.

They really wanted to know what Li Er had experienced in Great Qin.

"Fine! You will know sooner or later anyway, so I will tell you now."

Li Er nodded and recounted the two deals he had made with Qin Mu.

The reason this matter was not announced in the court was mainly because Li Er wanted to put all his energy into the reform.

If these two matters were brought up, perhaps those with ulterior motives would use them to stir up trouble.

Then the main goal of the reform would fall short of success!

To avoid complications, Li Er did not make these matters public.

The dukes and ministers before him were all his trusted confidants.

Telling them was naturally no problem.

When Li Er finished speaking, everyone present showed complex expressions on their faces.

Ceding Jiannan Dao to Great Qin, and the two countries having a ten-year trade alliance.

No one knew if this was a good thing or a bad thing.

If one were to say it was a bad thing, the trade with Great Qin might weaken Great Qin's economic strength.

As everyone knows.

The abundance of Great Tang's products is incomparable to any surrounding country.

Porcelain, tea, silk, etc., might be commonplace within the Great Tang, but once they leave the Great Tang borders, they can be sold for sky-high prices.

Great Qin is located on the Tibetan plateau, where resources are scarce.

Once trade begins, wouldn't silver flow into the Great Tang easily?

In the long run.

Great Qin's economic strength will definitely decline rapidly.

This is something everyone is willing to see.

If one were to say it was a good thing, ceding Jiannan Dao is indeed somewhat unacceptable.

Ceding territory and paying indemnities is not a glorious thing in any dynasty.

From the monarch down to the ministers, all will be reviled by future generations for these conditions that forfeit sovereignty and humiliate the country.

Of course!

A small Jiannan Dao is not enough to make one's heart ache.

After all, there are no people for hundreds of miles around there.

The manpower and material resources consumed by stationing troops there are huge; it is truly like a chicken rib.

It just doesn't sound very good in terms of reputation.

"Your humble subject supports Your Majesty!"

Just as everyone was lost in thought, Zhangsun Wuji suddenly stood out and expressed his full support for Li Er.

Everyone's eyes held a hint of surprise.

This old fox is extremely deep and usually never easily expresses his stance on anything.

What is wrong with him today?

Zhangsun Wuji remained calm and composed, not caring about the gazes of others.

Of course.

He wasn't just supporting Li Er that simply.

In fact.

The Zhangsun family, headed by Zhangsun Wuji, controls the iron ore resources of the Great Tang.

In that era.

Controlling iron ore resources is simply sitting on a mountain of gold and silver!

Whether it's the pots and pans used by common people or the armor and weapons needed by the army, but the Great Tang is currently in a prosperous age.

The imperial army no longer needs excessive iron ore.

The pots and pans needed by common people are not consumables.

In this way.

The iron ore in Zhangsun Wuji's hands was showing signs of sluggish sales.

The Zhangsun family is nominally the number one prestigious family in the Great Tang.

What doesn't require iron ore?

Daily expenses are extremely high.

Spending money like water!

Zhangsun Chong spends thousands of gold in brothels without blinking an eye.

With such consumption, even a mountain of gold and silver wouldn't hold up!

Zhangsun Wuji was worrying about this when he heard Li Er propose trade with Great Qin.

It was exactly what he wanted!

If trade between the two great powers opens, wouldn't those sluggish iron ores be snapped up in minutes?

With such a good thing, how could he not support it fully?

"Very good! Wuji is worthy of being the head of the officials; I am very comforted!"

Li Er looked at Zhangsun Wuji with gratification and nodded in praise.

"The Duke of Zhao has always been cautious; since he thinks it is feasible, then this humble subject also supports it."

Du Ruhui also stood out.

Following that.

Fang Xuanling, Cheng Yaojin, Li Ji, and others also nodded in agreement.

Li Er finally breathed a sigh of relief.

These people are the pillars of the Great Tang.

With their support, half the battle is already won.

Li Er looked at Zhangsun Wuji calmly, and the hint of imperceptible vigilance in his eyes gradually faded.

Perhaps...

Did I misunderstand him?

Since returning to the Great Tang, Li Er has had a question in his heart.

That night.

What exactly did Zhangsun Wuji and Qin Mu talk about?

But now seeing Zhangsun Wuji fully supporting him, Li Er suddenly felt a bit soft-hearted.

Perhaps Wuji just didn't intend to cause a dispute with Qin Mu?

That kid Qin Mu is not someone who stays under others for long.

Perhaps he has had rebellious intentions for a long time!

Good! Then it is decided!

"Xuanling, you are the most familiar with Great Qin, so I will leave the matter of trade with Great Qin to you," Li Er said, looking at Fang Xuanling with renewed spirit.

"Your humble subject obeys!"

Fang Xuanling agreed without hesitation, his heart filled with excitement.

This task was indeed what he had dreamed of.

Fang Xuanling is, after all, the Great Tang's number one strategist, known for his wisdom!

Now that he has repeatedly lost to a young kid, how could he be reconciled?

No matter what, he must win back a round!

Starting with trade between the two countries!

Qin Mu, we shall meet again!