N-A-A Chapter 206 The Imperial Noble Consort is a Schemer for Ten Thousand Generations
Chapter 206 The Imperial Noble Consort is a Schemer for Ten Thousand Generations
The border market is about trading between each other. Today, a preliminary agreement has been reached with Beisha. The current dispute is about the location of the border market and the types of goods. Beisha naturally hopes that Da Zhou will provide as many goods as possible.
What the Great Zhou wanted most was Beisha's warhorses, but Beisha would certainly not be foolish enough to give them to the enemy.
A temporary ceasefire has been declared, but fighting will resume in the future.
The courtiers were in uproar.
But Prime Minister Pei knew that Shen Shixi possessed genuine insight, and asked, "I would like to hear the details!"
Shen Shixi said, "We don't need to trade with Beisha. May I ask you all, what does Beisha have that we want that we can obtain through trade? Warhorses? Will they give them to us?"
will not!
Shen Shixi continued, "Currently, the Great Zhou holds an absolute advantage. It is Beisha that has asked us for peace talks. His Majesty's trip to the Northwest was to inspect the border, and the meeting with the Wolf King of Beisha was just a side trip."
Of course, if we do not agree to trade, life in Beisha will become unbearable, and they will inevitably cause trouble. The Great Zhou wants peace, and the people want tranquility. If trade can solve this problem, we will naturally welcome it.
Prime Minister Pei racked his brains but couldn't come up with a solution, so he asked, "Does the Imperial Noble Consort have any brilliant plan?"
Shen Shixi pointed to Youzhou on the map, "Let's open a special trade zone here, allowing any merchant from any country to enter our Great Zhou territory for trade, provided they register in advance and pay high import and export taxes!"
Li Yuanke was very clever; he understood immediately, his eyes shining brightly. "Your Highness is truly insightful!"
When Pei Xiang and the others understood, they were filled with admiration.
I have to admit, this woman is really amazing!
"Why Youzhou? The Beiting Protectorate is clearly closer to the border. Youzhou is within our Great Zhou territory, quite a distance from the border. What if spies infiltrate?"
Shen Shixi said, "As long as the weapons and military strength of my Great Zhou are always invincible, what does it matter if there are spies? Youzhou is not far from the border, and outposts can be set up along the way."
Since it's trade, goods and money need to circulate. How much cargo can the Beiting Protectorate handle? How will it be transported out?
Youzhou has a canal that connects north and south. Goods traveling between the north and south gather here and can then be sold throughout the Great Zhou via the canal, greatly facilitating trade.
Everyone's eyes lit up again; they hadn't expected this.
Shen Shixi continued, "Perhaps you have only seen the benefits of commercial taxes. There is another point I must remind you of: once a transaction takes place within the territory of my Great Zhou, the settlement currency should be the currency of my Great Zhou. In this way, the currency of my Great Zhou will become the universal currency. I suggest that silver be used for settlement to avoid currency chaos and adverse effects on the people's livelihood and economy of Great Zhou."
A discerning official from the Ministry of Revenue stepped forward, bowed to Shen Shixi, and said, "Your Highness, the Imperial Noble Consort, is a sage who plans for generations to come. I admire you to the fullest!"
Taking this opportunity, Shen Shixi said, "If a situation of merchants from all over the world coming together is formed, and it becomes a world trade center, the things that my Great Zhou can best offer are tea, porcelain and silk, as well as glass and other items."
Other matters are easily discussed, but to increase the production speed of silk, we cannot rely entirely on manpower. On this point, I hope you will consider the Academy of Natural Sciences, which should recruit the world's most talented individuals to contribute to improving productivity and enriching the nation!
Shen Shixi left after she finished speaking; she was only there to set the stage and didn't want to do anything more.
However, her idea of a special zone broadened the horizons of the emperor and his ministers of the Great Zhou Dynasty, giving them a brand-new perspective and a completely high-end vision.
The subsequent discussions went very smoothly.
In the evening, the two countries held a banquet, which, as always, featured a bonfire and roasted mutton, as it was the Wolf King's side that was hosting the event.
Lin Guiyou, Guo Shi, Yuan Shi, and others couldn't eat it at all and looked worried. Shen Shixi then had someone roast the mutton and send it to them. Bai Ping and the others were quite skilled. They marinated the mutton beforehand and added a lot of spices, so the roasted mutton was indeed very delicious.
Beisha also had a song and dance performance, with the Wolf King's Queen and her ministers and soldiers holding hands and dancing around the bonfire.
Shen Shixi found it hilarious.
After the dance was over, Prince Xun, Li Yunjue, requested, "Your Majesty, it is only right to reciprocate. Since the Wolf King of Beisha is so hospitable, our Great Zhou should not be impolite. I request that my concubine and I also perform a song and dance for our distinguished guests from Beisha."
[Oh, Li Yuanqian's son has finally lost his composure and is about to jump out? Interesting, he's trying to curry favor with the Wolf King! Alas, even if Prime Minister Pei is powerful, can he protect a grand-nephew who's plotting a rebellion?]
Li Yunjue's concubine was also a member of the Pei family, the Empress's cousin. She had made preparations long ago, and stood up wearing a dance costume. Her slender waist and delicate beauty were captivating.
"Approved!" Li Yuanke said.
Li Yunjue then pulled out a jade flute from his waist and began to play a tune, while Consort Pei danced.
After their performance, Li Yuanke gave a shout of "Reward!" which enlivened the atmosphere. Both sides then competed to perform, and the monarchs on both sides bestowed generous rewards.
The Grand Consort requested, "Great Khan, I have become very close to the Imperial Noble Consort at first sight. Please play a piece of music for me, as I have a dance to offer to my Imperial Noble Consort sister."
[Hmm? What does the Grand Queen mean? Is she sincere, or is she just trying to impress the Wolf King?]
Shen Shixi stopped eating, looking pleasantly surprised. "Sister Zhuoyan, you're too kind. Sister Zhuoyan is of such high status, how could you possibly dance on stage yourself?"
[Don't jump! If you jump, I'll have to return the gesture, won't I? Why make things complicated? Isn't it better to sit and eat, drink, and admire handsome men and beautiful women?]
Li Yuanke was furious. How could this woman be so lustful?
It's not appropriate to talk to her much in this situation, even though she's sitting right next to him.
The Wolf King of Beisha said, "This is the highest courtesy I can offer to my most distinguished guest in Beisha. Bring me my zither!"
Then the wolf king played the bamboo drum and the queen danced, and the atmosphere reached its climax.
The firelight danced on the Grand Queen's face and the silver ornaments on her body. Her eyes were resolute, her dance was sharp, and her figure possessed a grace that was beyond her years.
The wolf king's gaze was fixed intently on her.
Shen Shixi surprisingly understood this dance.
[It seems the Grand Queen has deep feelings for her first husband. The Wolf King is quite something; he killed her husband and child, and yet he dares to share a bed with her. Where does he get his confidence? Is it because he's good in bed?]
Li Yuanke resisted the urge to slap her.
After the dance ended, the entire hall fell silent, as if waiting for something.
Since the Grand Consort danced, the Great Zhou had to show their appreciation, just like when someone toasts you, you have to return the toast, otherwise it would be considered disrespectful.
Shen Shixi remained still, and no one else dared to move.
Shen Shixi's smile was more like a grimace. "Your Majesty, shouldn't I do something to express my gratitude?"
The Wolf King said, "If the Imperial Noble Consort is in a difficult position, perhaps His Majesty the Emperor can do it for you!"
After saying that, he gestured for him to enter.
[Oh dear, I really want to see Li Yuanke dance, but unfortunately that bastard is tone-deaf!]
Li Yuanke looked at her with a smile, "You want me to do it for you?"
The Grand Princess smiled and said, "I've heard that Hee-hee sings very well. I wonder if I have the honor of singing today?"
Shen Shixi understood her meaning and was willing to grant her wish, saying, "Whether it's good or not is not important. What's important is that I admire Sister Zhuo Yan and want to give it to her!"
She reached out, and Li Fude handed her a purple bamboo flute from behind. Shen Shixi then stood up, tuned it, and began to play the tune of "Lone Eagle." This was a tune that had been lingering in her mind ever since she heard the story of the Grand Consort years ago, whenever she thought of her.
Like a lone eagle that has lost its mate, she is trapped under the low-hanging dark clouds, yet she stubbornly flies against the storm and wind, piercing through the gaps in the clouds, chasing the glimmer of light that draws her in. She herself has become the brightest star in the night sky of this grassland, yet she is unaware of it.