The Tang Dynasty: The Concubine of the Holy Soldier

Chapter 496 The Grain Controversy
Chapter 496 The Grain Controversy
The princes of the southern vassal states were silent for a long time, thinking quickly in their minds.

After all, there is no shortage of food in Liangzhou now, and the reason why the king of Beiliang mentioned the food is probably to find a way for them to step down on purpose.

And even if there were no such aristocratic families, they would still provide the King of Beiliang with a steady stream of food, and even compare with each other who gave more.

So the princes of these southern vassal states were thinking in their hearts: "There are still [-] shi of grain in the granary. What if we divide half of it?"

"Now the end of the year is approaching. But it won't be long before the south will be able to re-plant fields, and the time to ripen will be much earlier than in the north!"

"The food stored in the granary is neither seeds nor daily food, it's just storage!"

"If it is normal, what if all these grains are given to the King of Beiliang? But now that Zhou Qing's death has caused the rest of the people to be ready to move!"

"The food stored in the granary is the basis for waging war. If there is no food, how can we start a war?"

Therefore, the princes of several southern vassal states were worried about this matter, for fear that they would displease the King of Beiliang by giving too little food, or that they would give too much food, which would lead to a decline in their own strength.

Bai Jingyi looked at their troubled faces, smiled lightly and said: "Oh, although the people of Liangzhou don't have to worry about food and drink, but after the New Year's Eve, when it's time for farming, the people of Liangzhou don't have any seeds to cultivate. !"

"I don't know how much you can help? This king will borrow all the grain from you. When the people of Liangzhou have a good harvest in the future, I will definitely return the grain to you in full!"

Although the King of Beiliang still had that smiley expression, his tone was extremely cold...

borrow! ?

Although the King of Beiliang said that he borrowed food from them, it was really time for the autumn harvest.

If the King of Beiliang didn't return it, they would have no choice but to dare not ask for it. If the King of Beiliang really returned the food to them, they would not dare to accept it at all...

And judging from the current situation, the King of Beiliang was blatantly trying to borrow money. If it wasn't for borrowing, the princes of the southern vassal states present were all good people, so how could they not understand Bai Jingyi's meaning.

So they could only follow Bai Jingyi's words.

"The king of Beiliang loves the people like a son, which really makes me admire. This food should be given to the people of Liangzhou, and it can be counted as my contribution to the Great Tang!"

"Although the king of Beiliang is young, he has such a heart. It is really a blessing for me, the Tang Dynasty, and the people of Liangzhou! It is our honor to be able to contribute to the Tang Dynasty!"

"How could this food be lent to the King of Beiliang? It's all our gratitude to the people of Liangzhou!"

"Yes, my southern vassal state may not have many other countries, but there is really no shortage of food. I would like to offer [-] shi of food to the King of Beiliang!"

"Sigh~~"

When they heard this number, the princes of the other vassal states present couldn't help but gasped.

To actually give most of the grain in the granary to Bai Jingyi directly, wouldn't this weaken his own strength?
And in this way, if he and others give less, wouldn't it make the King of Beiliang suspect that he and others are stingy?
When Bai Jingyi heard this number, he thought in his heart: "Although it is easy to produce grain in the south, there are not many ancient grains with backward productivity!"

"Besides, one person took out these, and the rest of the people will definitely weigh the pros and cons in their hearts, or start to sell miserably, or do they want to swell their faces to pretend to be fat!"

"Since this is the case, then this king will help you!"

When thinking of this, the corners of Bai Jingyi's mouth slightly raised, and he said to the princes of the southern vassal states: "Now all the refugees and even beggars in the entire Tang Dynasty have gathered in Liangzhou!"

"The amount of food eaten every day is a terrifying amount! If there are not enough food seeds, I'm afraid I'll have to borrow some from you when the autumn harvest comes next year!"

Upon hearing this, an idea popped into the minds of the princes of the southern vassal states.

"What if you don't give it? Can you still send troops to the south?"

But this idea was quickly extinguished by them. Although they would not send troops to the south, as long as the king of Beiliang took some measures, they could increase the tax revenue in the south.

At that time, if the food is not handed over in full, not only will the king of Beiliang be offended, but it is also very likely that the imperial court will send troops to conquer.

Rather than committing suicide, it is better to honestly offer food to the King of Beiliang, and maybe get some benefits from him.At worst, he could gain a little favor from the King of Beiliang, so that he wouldn't end up in the same fate as Zhou Qing.

So now they must try their best to deliver the food...

Afterwards, the kings of several southern vassal states no longer hesitated, gritted their teeth, stood up, bowed to Bai Jingyi and said, "I would like to offer thirty-five thousand shi of grain to the people of Liangzhou!"

When he finished speaking, he gave the prince who was the first to speak a fierce look.

After all, the first person to speak has an absolute advantage, and at the same time forced them into a dilemma...

Then the princes of several southern vassal states got up one after another, bowed to Bai Jingyi and promised, "I would like to offer [-] shi of grain to the people of Liangzhou!"

"I would like to offer [-] shi of grain to the people of Liangzhou!"

"The land I belong to is barren, and I would like to offer 3 shi of grain to the people of Liangzhou!"

After the prince finished speaking, the scene suddenly became subtle.

The land in his territory was poor, so he was able to offer 3 shi of grain, and the other prince might have enough food, or maybe he only had so much grain, so he only gave [-] shi of grain!
The two princes looked at each other, and sparks seemed to spark in mid-air.

Bai Jingyi looked at the two of them indifferently, although he still kept a half-smile expression on his face, he was thinking in his heart: "The differences have already started to arise now, and the seeds must be planted for future struggles!"

The atmosphere suddenly became a little awkward, and the two looked at each other. Although neither of them spoke, the eyes between the two had already undergone subtle changes.

When the vassal states in the south go to war in the future, the fight between the two will definitely be the most intense!
Bai Jingyi glanced at them, thinking in his mind: "The grain donated by a few people is worth 10,000+ shi. If there is a war in the future, the grain will definitely become the goal of their struggle!"

Immediately, Bai Jingyi said tepidly, "Now that the New Year's Pass is approaching, when will you all send the food to Liangzhou!?"

(End of this chapter)