Chapter 899

However, a problem currently loomed: Great Qin simply did not have enough manpower!

Everywhere needed people, everything needed people, and Great Qin only had a total population of over twenty million.

To rapidly increase the population in a short time, the best method was to take the Tianzhu Continent.

The five nations of Tianzhu had a total population of over twenty million, which could absolutely solve the current predicament of insufficient population.

Qin Mu was not worried about taking the five nations of Tianzhu.

The people of Tianzhu were just loud-mouthed and loved to clamor; when it really came to fighting, they were always vulnerable.

But wanting to move tens of millions of people on a large scale was not an easy task.

As he thought, Qin Mu thought of the Great Tang.

The relationship between the Great Tang and Great Qin was now more like a pair of enemies. Whenever there was a thankless task, Qin Mu would always think of the Great Tang.

Clearly, this was another good opportunity to pit the Great Tang.

The next day.

Morning court.

Fang Xuanling and Old Li, unsurprisingly, appeared in the grand hall again.

For them, the Great Tang and Great Qin had just negotiated two collaborations. Their relationship was at a relatively close stage.

Perhaps they could take this opportunity to further improve their relationship with Great Qin.

Qin Mu looked at Fang Xuanling and Old Li, but it was as if he were looking at two pieces of prey, his eyes filled with playfulness.

"Minister Fang, I heard your Great Tang wants to buy some prisoners of war?"

"Answering Your Majesty, yes."

Fang Xuanling did not know what Qin Mu's intention was in asking this.

The previous matter of buying prisoners was negotiated with Zhang Juzheng. What Fang Xuanling and Old Li feared most was Qin Mu suddenly vetoing it in court! If that happened, even Zhang Juzheng would be powerless to save the situation.

Therefore, when Fang Xuanling answered, he appeared particularly cautious, nervously watching Qin Mu's movements.

Qin Mu did not deny it. Instead, unexpectedly, he proposed another suggestion.

"I heard your Great Tang is currently very short of labor. These are not problems; however many you want, Great Qin can sell them to you!" Hmm?

Fang Xuanling and Old Li could not help but look at each other.

It seemed they couldn't believe Qin Mu would actually say such a thing?

Why would Qin Mu suddenly be kind?

At a time like this, offering help to the Great Tang?

Fang Xuanling said excitedly.

"Your Majesty, the Great Tang needs a huge number of laborers. Since Your Majesty agrees, could the two nations sign a contract now to ensure the effectiveness of the promise?" Fang Xuanling was afraid Qin Mu would go back on his word, so he asked to sign a contract to solidify the matter first.

Qin Mu waved his hand and laughed.

"Signing a contract is fine, but for now, there are a few numbers that need to be confirmed."

"Your Majesty, please speak!"

Fang Xuanling did not dare to be careless with every word Qin Mu said.

Past experiences of suffering losses told him that Qin Mu's words often hid deep meanings. If one didn't understand those deep meanings, one would suffer a great loss in the end.

Qin Mu's attitude today was different from the last morning court; it faintly revealed a smile, and he seemed to be in a good mood.

"How many prisoners of war does the Great Tang need in total?"

Fang Xuanling secretly glanced at Old Li with the corner of his eye.

Old Li had to make the decision on this matter.

When Old Li heard this question, he was already overjoyed.

Previously, they had spent so much effort just to arrange the purchase of thirty thousand prisoners from Zhang Juzheng. This number of people was simply not enough for the Great Tang.

Although the Great Tang had retreated to the south of the Yangtze, its territory was not even half of its peak period. But the total population was still maintained at around ten million.

With such vast territory, if they really opened up to using prisoners of war, it would be a terrifying number!

Old Li stood out.

"Your Majesty of Great Qin, the Great Tang needs many prisoners. If the price is cheap, even if there were a million prisoners, the Great Tang could still handle them!"

These words were quite heroic...

But they were met with eye-rolls from many ministers in the court.

A million prisoners?

Does Great Qin intend to sell all the prisoners they capture to the Great Tang?

Clearly impractical!

Who knew, Qin Mu smiled and nodded.

"Can do!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the whole hall was shocked!

Qin Mu then continued.

"How about this, the prisoners are free, no money charged.

As long as the Great Tang helps do one thing, after the matter is accomplished, a million prisoners will belong to the Great Tang.

How about that?"

Free?

There is such a good thing?

Fang Xuanling and Old Li were both stunned for a moment, not daring to agree so quickly.

They had been pitted by Qin Mu too many times; facing such an enticing condition, their first reaction was that this was a trap.

But after thinking over and over, they didn't know where the trap was set.

"Your Majesty, I wonder what you want the Great Tang to help do?"

That was a matter of giving away a million prisoners in one go; it would definitely not be simple!

If there was a trap, it would mostly likely be in the task to be performed.

Fang Xuanling asked cautiously.

This was also a question the Great Qin ministers wanted to ask.

Do a little work and get a million prisoners; this deal looked profitable no matter how you looked at it!

Qin Mu pinched his fingers and said lightly.

"This matter is not difficult; it is just to have the Great Tang transport ten million people from the five nations of Tianzhu to Liaodong."

Transport people?

Old Li and Fang Xuanling started looking at each other again.

This matter was indeed quite simple, with no technical requirements. It was just that transporting ten million people would take a relatively long time.

But that was not a problem; after the transport was finished, they would get a million prisoners!

Moreover, in the hearts of Fang Xuanling and Old Li, there was a little secret thought.

If they secretly held back some people during the transport, it would likely be hard to detect.

Then the number of prisoners they would get in the end would definitely exceed a million!

This matter seemed doable!

They couldn't detect where the trap would be at all.

Fang Xuanling and Old Li both saw the temptation in each other's eyes.

Once they secured these million prisoners, the goods manufactured by the Great Tang could definitely compete with Great Qin. "Your Majesty, this matter is fine, the Great Tang agrees!"

At least in terms of cost, that is.