The prince is more stable

Chapter 498 The Price of Loyalty
When two people just meet and don't understand each other's personality, it's just right to blindly praise each other's business.

Xiao Fengxian was obviously a man who understood the ways of the world. His flattery was not only sincere, but also varied. Coupled with his deceptive appearance of a gentle gentleman who never lied, the flattering words that came out of his mouth were much more credible, making those who heard them feel happy and their favor towards them increased sharply.

Although Zhao Xiaoqian appeared calm on the surface when hearing Xiao Fengxian's praise for him, he was actually very happy in his heart. He believed from the bottom of his heart that this guy was telling the truth and that he was really that handsome and awesome.

Xiao Fengxian seemed very interested in the tea brought by Zhao Xiaoqian. He drank cup after cup with his eyes full of love.

"It is a blessing to be born in the Song Dynasty. The Central Plains is blessed with outstanding people and abundant natural resources. Even the leaves of the tea tree can be transformed into exquisite products. Drinking them is like nectar, with a long aftertaste that is intoxicating."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded with a smile. The meaning of Xiao Fengxian's words was expressed very subtly, but he understood it.

This is also an implicit statement, and the sentence "It is a blessing to be born in the Song Dynasty" should be emphasized.

Obviously, Xiao Fengxian already had the intention to surrender. This man really had no loyalty to the Liao Kingdom and only cared about his own interests.

The next issue is the price. How much should be paid to make him willingly become a pawn of the Song Dynasty?

"Your Highness, I don't know what this kind of tea is like..." Xiao Fengxian asked in a questioning tone.

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned. The production of this Mingyu tea was actually not high. After all, it had only become popular in the past year. It was a high-end product that ordinary people could not afford. It was mainly supplied to the imperial palace and powerful figures in Bian Jing, and the demand was not great. Only a small amount of tea flowed into the Liao Kingdom through caravans.

For this kind of tea, the Chu Palace bought two mountains in the south of the Yangtze River, transplanted many tea trees, and hired tea farmers to plant and pick tea every year. These trivial matters were all done by officials of the Chu Palace, and the same was true for roasting tea leaves. Zhao Xiaoqian did not understand anything about it, he just collected money.

But Xiao Fengxian now showed interest in tea, and this topic might mean that the ice was about to be broken, so Zhao Xiaoqian had to take it.

"Brother Xiao, if you like this kind of tea, I will send someone to send some to you every year. If you and your family enjoy it, one hundred kilograms a year will be enough. What do you think, Brother Xiao?" Zhao Xiaoqian said with a smile.

Xiao Fengxian laughed, "No, no, Your Highness, you misunderstood me. I was wondering if this kind of tea is sold in Liao?"

"They are available, but not in large quantities. Merchants from Song and Liao might bring some in every year. Brother Xiao, what you mean is..."

Xiao Fengxian's eyes suddenly became enthusiastic. "If Your Highness trusts me, I am willing to cooperate with Your Highness and sell Song Dynasty tea to Liao. We can share the profits. Is that possible?"

Zhao Xiaoqian blinked: "Brother Xiao, do you want to do tea business in Liao?"

Xiao Fengxian nodded and said, "The five capitals of Liao are quite prosperous. With my ability, I can sell tea in the five capitals without anyone harassing me. I can make money safely."

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't answer directly, but asked, "The Liao people have always been rough and untamed, fond of drinking and eating meat. They still retain the customs of the grassland and desert tribes. Do they like to drink tea?"

Xiao Fengxian smiled and said, "Your Highness is referring to something that happened decades ago. Since the Treaty of Chanyuan between Song and Liao, the two countries have eased relations and have been exchanging resources. Whether it's Central Plains culture or products, the Liao nobles have gradually adopted the southern style."

"Let's not talk about others. I'm from Liao and I really like this tea. I believe other Liao nobles like it as much as I do. If this deal is successful, there will be no shortage of buyers."

Zhao Xiaoqian thought for a moment and said, "Since Brother Xiao is interested, I have no objection. When you return, please organize a caravan to travel between Song and Liao. I can provide 2,000 kilograms of tea every year. As for the pricing, you can decide it yourself. We'll split the profits 50-50."

Xiao Fengxian hesitated for a moment and said, "Only 2,000 kilograms per year?"

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed, "My father only bought two tea mountains in Jiangnan, and the tea trees are newly planted, most of them are just seedlings. The annual output is not much, but we will buy more tea mountains and plant more tea trees in the future. The output will increase every year. Brother Xiao, don't worry."

Xiao Fengxian smiled with satisfaction: "That's good. Even if we have this deal, we will have a different price for small quantities and a different price for large quantities. After I hype it up in Liao, I guarantee that this tea can be sold at a gold price, so we will make a lot of money."

Zhao Xiaoqian raised his cup with a smile: "Then I wish you and me great wealth and prosperity."

Xiao Fengxian's eyes sparkled with excitement as he laughed heartily, "That's right, making a fortune every day, and making a lot of money."

The smile on Zhao Xiaoqian's face deepened. This guy really valued profit. With this business as a mutual binding of interests, the next things would be easier to discuss.

After all, the most unbreakable relationship between people is interest.

For example, after bribing Xiao Wuna and his son from the Liao Dynasty, Zhao Xiaoqian also used benefits to bind them. Thousands of kilograms of snow salt from the Song Dynasty were shipped to the Liao Dynasty every year.

This business is the unique business of the Xiao family father and son. This business alone is enough for the entire Xiao family to live a life of luxury and debauchery.

Now, if tea is used to bind Xiao Fengxian, given his profit-oriented nature, from now on he will be more devoted to the Song Dynasty than Xiao Wuna and his son, and become a genuine and die-hard traitor to the Liao Dynasty.

After discussing business, it’s time to talk about business.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Zhao Xiaoqian slowly asked, "Brother Xiao, what do you think of the future of the Liao Kingdom?"

Xiao Fengxian lowered his head and took a sip of tea. He said, "The state of the country is not good. In the next ten years, unless a brilliant hero emerges from nowhere to turn the tide, the Liao Kingdom will only decline. It may not necessarily perish, but it will definitely become a vassal of the Song Dynasty."

As he spoke, Xiao Fengxian looked up, his expression complex, whether it was emotion or envy, as he stared at Zhao Xiaoqian. "Unfortunately, this incredibly talented hero was born in the Song Dynasty. With Your Highness as a young hero, the Liao Dynasty's decline has intensified. Perhaps within a few years, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun will also fall into Your Highness's hands?"

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at him with admiration. This man seemed cynical, but he had a very clear understanding of the situation between the two countries. As expected, none of those who could become powerful figures were fools, but elites of the country.

"Brother Xiao has a sharp vision, I admire him very much. The country is in decline, I wonder where Brother Xiao will go?"

Xiao Fengxian chuckled and said, "Your Highness, there is no need to test me. The fact that I'm here today is the answer."

"A wise bird chooses a tree to roost in, and it is human nature to serve the strong. If Your Highness does not abandon me, I am willing to serve Your Highness and the Song Dynasty with my unwavering devotion."

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed cheerfully, "Brother Xiao, you are quite sensible about current affairs. I will not treat you unfairly. Just tell me what you want."

At this point, both sides had made their cards clear. Xiao Fengxian no longer concealed his thoughts and said frankly: "I want money, but I also want a way out."

Zhao Xiaoqian said without hesitation: "In addition to the tea business, I will give you another 3,000 taels of gold every year. South of the Juma River, I will leave you ten thousand acres of fertile land, and all the annual output will belong to Brother Xiao."

"As for your escape route, I will secretly report to the emperor and use the national treasury to help you enter the Liao Kingdom's Shangjing Central Government. After entering the central government, Brother Xiao, if you can secretly make contributions to the Song Dynasty, I will increase your salary every year."

"If Brother Xiao is exposed and can no longer stay in the Liao Kingdom, the government will not abandon him. The Song Dynasty will retain a fourth-rank official position for you and confer the title of Earl of Baron. This will ensure that you will live a safe and worry-free life as a wealthy man."

"Brother Xiao, are you satisfied with these conditions?"

Xiao Fengxian was overjoyed when he heard this. He stood up and bowed deeply: "I am satisfied. Thank you, Your Highness."

Zhao Xiaoqian also stood up, held his arm, and said with a meaningful smile: "Brother Xiao, you and I are family from now on."

"Your Highness, please wait. I will not let you down."

Xiao Fengxian is going on a secret trip today and should not stay for long.

After the two chatted, Xiao Fengxian hurriedly said goodbye and left.

Zhao Xiaoqian was still sitting alone in the pavilion, taking a sip of tea from his cup, and muttering, "I'm only now beginning to appreciate the flavor of this tea..."

Looking around at the surrounding mountains, the streams and the chirping birds, Zhao Xiaoqian took a deep breath and said, "As expected, elegance and scenery complement each other. Drinking tea here is indeed more charming than drinking tea at home. The ancients' emphasis on rituals is indeed well-founded."

Chen Shou, standing beside him, couldn't help but ask, "Prince, can this Xiao Fengxian really be trusted? Can you guarantee his loyalty?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned and looked at him strangely: "You are talking about loyalty with a traitor? Are you crazy or is the traitor crazy?"

Zhao Xiaoqian said slowly, "It's just a deal. He sold his loyalty for a good price. As long as both parties are satisfied with the price, he will be loyal to the Song Dynasty and me for the time being."

"Trust? Not really. It's just a form of coercion based on interests and leverage. After today's meeting, he's well aware that his leverage has been handed over. He can only work honestly for the Song Dynasty from now on. Otherwise, not only will he not gain any benefits, but he'll even lose his head."

Chen Shou didn't seem to understand, but he still looked confused, just like a poor student in the classroom trying to fool the teacher.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Forget it. The most valuable thing about you is your clarity and innocence. Maintain your characteristics and don't try to force yourself into the circle of smart people."

Chen Shou smacked his lips, feeling that what the prince said was not a good thing, but it seemed that the praise was sincere.

Zhao Xiaoqian ignored him, looked at the pleasant scenery around him, stood up and stretched.

"A place with such beautiful scenery, anyone who comes here must leave a trace, otherwise it would be a big loss..." Zhao Xiaoqian murmured.

Chen Shou's eyes lit up. "Sir, do you want to leave your poems and calligraphy on this mountain? I'll ask someone to bring paper and pen right away."

Zhao Xiaoqian waved his hand: "No need! I will only leave traces, not calligraphy."

After saying that, he walked out of the pavilion, lifted up the hem of his robe, half-removed his trousers, and under Chen Shou's astonished gaze, a puff of light yellow urine gushed out.

Zhao Xiaoqian faced the beautiful mountains, urinated while swaying his body, and made a gesture of machine gun fire.

After a long time, he shuddered all over, still reluctant to put the bird back into the cage.

"Great!" Zhao Xiaoqian shouted, picked up his pants and left.

Chen Shou followed behind foolishly. Now he finally understood what it meant that "wherever there is, there will be traces left behind."

(End of this chapter)