bookbashuk Chapter 1841: 1 Wen 1 Dou
Chapter 1841: 1 Wen 1 Dou
Li Shen's face was full of apology and he looked helpless.
This made Jin Chunqiu a little anxious. If even King Ji couldn't help him, then they in Silla would be really helpless.
"Your Highness Prince Ji, we really need your help. If we can't get the food back, I'm afraid our country will suffer.
Just like Goguryeo back then, there were corpses everywhere.
Please show mercy, Your Highness Prince Ji."
"Emissary Jin, what my prince just said is the truth. The grain produced by Prince Ji's Mansion is not enough every year, so we have to purchase grain from counties with more grain.
Could it be that you suspect that my prince is deceiving you?"
Before Li Shen could speak, Wang Xuance stood up and questioned him in an even more impolite tone.
"That's not what I meant. I just beg His Royal Highness King Ji to be merciful and help Silla overcome the difficulties."
Jin Chunqiu hurriedly explained.
"Hey? Xuan Ce, please don't be rude. I believe that Envoy Jin does not doubt me.
Moreover, our Buddha is merciful, saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda.
Unfortunately, I am powerless and can do nothing but chant sutras and pray for the millions of people of Silla in the palace.
I hope they can escape from the sea of suffering and reach paradise soon."
Li Shen bowed devoutly and chanted "Amitabha".
With his handsome appearance and the cassock on, he must be the reincarnation of Tang Monk.
Silla also practiced Buddhism, and seeing Li Shen's piousness, Jin Chunqiu was speechless.
Millions of their people are still alive, and yet they are allowed to ascend to heaven? You are too cruel.
That's not pious at all.
Wang Xuance almost laughed out loud. When did their prince start to believe in Buddhism again?
At first, he and Wang Hongfu were to be appointed as the left and right protectors of the Jinqian Cult.
Moreover, he suspected that King Ji said this on purpose. Was he trying to save people from suffering and let them die?
Li Shen waited for a long time but Jin Chunqiu didn't speak. He was a little puzzled. Was he too pious?
Are you shocked by being enveloped by your own holy light?
At this moment, King Jin Wen, who had been silent all this time, stood up and saluted, saying:
“Your Highness Prince Ji is so proficient in Buddhism that the foreign officials admire him.
Since Prince Ji’s Palace does not have so much food, I wonder if His Royal Highness Prince Ji can help buy it to save the people of Silla.
I heard that the grain production in the south of the Tang Dynasty has increased in recent years, and the people have plenty of surplus grain.
If His Royal Highness Prince Ji can help with the purchase, it will also help Silla out of its predicament.
The required money will be borne by Silla, and we only ask that Your Highness Prince Ji transport the food to Silla.
After the matter is accomplished, Silla will definitely reward you generously." (Tomato Novel Free Reading)
"Help you with the purchase?" Li Shen looked up at King Jinwen.
King Jin Wen, the General of the Left Guard, was conferred the title by his father himself.
According to his previous understanding, King Jinwen was a hostage left in the Tang Dynasty by Silla.
This is not surprising. The Tang Dynasty was too powerful, so many small countries and tribes around it sought protection from the Tang Dynasty.
They sent the sons of their leaders to the court as hostages, and let them live and study in Chang'an.
This will also strengthen the ties with the Tang Dynasty.
As far as Li Shen knew, countries like Silla, Tubo, Turks, Nanzhao, etc. had all sent hostages.
However, these hostages are relatively different from before. They are more free, and the Tang Dynasty does not require them to send hostages.
These protons can return home at any time.
King Jin Wen was special because he was a hostage of the imperial guards.
Of course, Li Shimin would not use him as a guard, as he had so many sons-in-law and children of dukes.
There are so many people from the royal family, just like Li An is also a member of the royal family.
Hearing his son's words, Jin Chunqiu's eyes lit up. That's right, since Prince Ji's Mansion doesn't have it, they can ask Prince Ji to help buy it.
It is definitely impossible for them to buy it, but King Ji’s identity is different, so he can definitely do it.
"Your Highness Prince Ji, please help me." Jin Chunqiu saluted.
"This...Xuan Ce, what do you think?"
It seemed that Li Shen was a playboy without any opinion of his own as he looked at Wang Xuance.
"Your Highness, theoretically there should be no problem, but the cost will probably be much more expensive," said Wang Xuance.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a little more expensive. I believe that Silla will not care about that little money for the sake of the people.
Envoy Jin, do you think what the king said is right?"
"Well... as long as it's not too expensive, we're fine with it, but I don't know how much Wang Changshi thinks it will cost?"
When he heard that the price was a bit high, he felt guilty and was afraid of being ripped off by Prince Ji's Mansion.
“This Wang is a civil servant and doesn’t know much about business, so the decision needs to be made by His Majesty.
However, I heard that there is a group of extremely vicious pirates in the sea of Silla.
If Silla were to transport the goods themselves, the price would be much cheaper, but if we were to let Prince Ji's Mansion transport the goods,
I'm afraid it will be much more expensive because we need to negotiate the toll with the pirates.
It should be indispensable." Wang Xuance threw the decision to Li Shen again.
And also pointed out the difficulties involved.
Jin Chunqiu naturally knew about the pirate group. This had been going on for many years. They specialized in intercepting merchant ships at sea.
The civilian ships were still a little short, so he didn't intercept them when he came over.
Moreover, the ships of this group were extremely fast, different from the Tang Dynasty's tower ships, and their style had never been seen before.
There were also merchants from Silla who tried to bring back goods from the Tang Dynasty, but none of them came back.
"Could it be that Prince Ji's Mansion can have a say with this group of pirates?"
It would be great if this were true. Silla was willing to pay a price to prevent these pirates from intercepting their merchant ships again.
This way they can come to Datang to buy necessities.
“This should be possible. I have always believed that money can make anything possible.
But even if the contact fails, it doesn't matter. I can ask for the Laizhou navy to escort them. If we are lucky, we may be able to wipe out this group of pirates."
Li Shen said nonchalantly.
"Then may I ask Your Highness Prince Ji, what is the price of the grain if it is transported to Silla?" King Jinwen asked at this moment.
From what he heard from his friends, Prince Ji was very shady in his business.
"Let me do the math. The current grain price is 20 wen a bushel. The transportation fee will add another 20 wen. If you can establish a relationship with the pirates, another 20 wen will be added.
There are also road losses, lost wages, water, electricity, gas...
The initial estimate is 100 wen per dou."
Li Shen muttered to himself, counted on his fingers, and finally said a number that almost caused Jin Chunqiu to die suddenly.
"One hundred coins a bushel?"
"One hundred coins for a bushel!"
Jin Chunqiu and his son stood up excitedly. They almost dropped their jaws in shock, wondering if they had heard it wrong.
"Well, I roughly calculated that it should cost one hundred coins per bucket. The extra money can be regarded as a small gift from my Jiwang Palace to the millions of people in Silla.
It’s not easy for everyone.” Li Shen nodded sincerely.
(The Tang Dynasty did have hostages, all of whom were sent by neighboring countries to enhance relations.
However, unlike the hostages in the Spring and Autumn Period, they are more free and are a way to show loyalty.
Just like King Jinwen, it is recorded that he later returned to become the king of Silla.)