Fu Tang

Li Congjia was taken aback for a moment, and was just about to ask Khitan where the ship came from, and then he thought that he had traded Goryeo and Khitan for Yanyun Six States and Yinshan Grassland, so he just had a port and a ship?

Li Congjia asked, "Is it a merchant ship or a warship?"

Li Ping replied, "It's a merchant ship."

Li Congjia felt a little regretful, why is it a merchant ship?If this is a warship, it will be destroyed without saying a word.

Shi Xueting asked: "Has the boat been detained?"

Li Ping said: "It has been detained in Dengzhou Port, and the crew have also been guarded."

Li Congjia said with some regret: "The things on the ship were confiscated, the ship was detained, and then told Yeluxian to spend money to redeem him."

Li Ping was a little confused, he knew that Li Congjia would definitely not let go of this opportunity, but he didn't expect that Li Congjia would be so domineering, even if he seized other people's boats and things, he would even ask Khitan to redeem him with money!

He was at a loss and asked, "Your Majesty, is this..." Too aggressive?

Although Li Ping didn't say what his subtext was, Li Congjia had already heard it. He raised his eyebrows and said, "Khitan ships violate our territorial waters without warning, and deserve to be beaten to death. This is a merchant ship. If it is a war ship, they even No one wants to see it."

Li Ping looked at Li Congjia blankly, not understanding what territorial sea meant, when did this come out?

Li Congjia waved his hand at Li Ping and said, "Just go and talk to Dengzhou, and leave the rest to Honglu Temple to negotiate."

Li Ping was right when he thought about it, this could be regarded as a diplomatic accident, and Honglu Temple must be required to negotiate.

Li Ping left neatly. After he left, Shi Xueting asked, "Territorial sea? What is this?"

"Just like we have borders, we also have dominion over the oceans near us. Is there any problem with that?"

Shi Xueting asked again: "The sea is so big, how about us...?"

Li Congjia waved his hand: "Of course not, there is a distance, um, just... within two hundred miles of the coastline."

Originally, most of the territorial waters in later generations were within 44 kilometers, but Li Congjia felt that there was probably no such concept now, so what he proposed was regulations, so he simply said that it was farther away. If the sea was not really big, Li Congjia I really want to control everything in my own hands.

Shi Xueting raised his eyebrows: "Two hundred miles? How far is it from Dengzhou to Kaijing?"

Li Congjia thought hard for a while before saying, "More than 300 miles?"

Shi Xueting asked: "What if Khitan also thinks it is within their territorial waters?"

Li Congjia said confidently: "Then fight."

He was looking for trouble for Khitan, if he didn't hurt Khitan, they wouldn't know who was the boss.

If you want to break the contract, you can break the contract. If you want to compromise, you can compromise. In a blink of an eye, you continue to do business with Datang like a normal person, and you want to marry the princess of Datang?Good idea.

Don't say there is no princess, even if there is a princess, I won't give it to them!

Shi Xueting said: "The problem now is... to communicate with the cabinet."

Li Congjia belatedly remembered that the issue of territorial waters had not been mentioned to the cabinet, so he had to go to the cabinet first to discuss it with everyone.

The cabinet has not received any news yet, and when they saw Li Congjia coming, they knew that something must have happened, and it was not a good thing, otherwise Li Congjia usually called them to the Xuanzheng Hall.

Li Congjia was stared at by four pairs of eyes, and for a moment he was a little hairy. He cleared his throat and said, "Well, I just received the news that Khitan sent a merchant ship to set off, and was discovered by the governor of Dengzhou. The destination is unknown. I asked They seized the boat first."

Fan Zhi, who knew Li Congjia very well, asked slowly after hearing this: "Just detained the boat?"

"People also detained?"

Zhao Pu also joined in the fun: "Just detained people?"

"The gold, silver and treasures they brought were also confiscated." Seeing that Wang Pu was about to open his mouth, Li Congjia said decisively: "Just now I asked the people of Honglu Temple to find a way to tell Khitan to redeem people with money."

Wang Pu kept his mouth shut, thinking that this was probably their Majesty's usual method.

But this time, the ministers of the cabinet didn't feel that there was anything wrong. Over the years, the Tang Dynasty has proved its national strength by fighting everywhere. In addition, after the world has stabilized in the past two years, all aspects are flourishing. When the country was first established, it was not afraid of Khitan. Can't you be afraid now?

Seeing that they didn't respond, Li Congjia couldn't help asking, "Do you have anything to say?"

Wei Renpu said: "What reason do we detain their ships and people?"

Although it is said that there is no reason to detain it, and Khitan may not have a solution, but this is not in line with everyone's habits, so we must find an excuse no matter what.

Li Congjia immediately said: "Invasion of our territorial waters, what a strong reason for this, without prior communication, without customs clearance documents, they came to us, if not detain them, who will be detained?"

The four looked at each other, and Wang Pu asked, "What is the territorial sea...?"

Li Congjia explained the meaning of the territorial sea by the way, and the four ministers accepted it quickly this time. Well, the ocean near our coastline belongs to us. There is nothing wrong with this, so Li Congjia's decision seems to be correct.

The only one who was probably stimulated was Khitan. Ye Luxian has lost a lot of hair recently due to tension with Datang, and he has white silk. He is obviously younger than Li Congjia by nearly 11 years, but now he looks older than Li Congjia.

Sending merchant ships was also his helpless move. After Li Congjia's combination of punches, Datang stopped selling them grain and salt, and the Kara Khanate also temporarily broke the contract. Maybe it is not a temporary breach of the contract, but the Kara Khanate said Tariffs must be added to the price, since they are not willing to lose money anyway.

But the problem is that if tariffs are added, the price of grain will become a very scary figure. No matter how rich the Khitan is, they won't be able to buy it for a long time. After all, this is a long-term strategic cooperation, and we can't just look at the immediate future, so Khitan wants to find a way out You can only go by sea.

Moreover, he also heard that in a place a little to the south, where the seasons are like spring, the food on the ground grows casually, and people can eat without farming. Yeluxian sent people out to sea to find a land while envious of those countries. Trade routes, strive to do business with those countries, so as to make up for Khitan's shortcomings.

And Yeluxian's calculations are not bad, since the food over there is so rich, it may not cost much to buy it locally, and he only needs to spend the cost of the caravan's journey, which is actually cheaper than raising the price to buy Kara Things in the Khanate are much cheaper.

So Ye Luxian directly sent people out to sea. As for the territorial waters...he had no idea at all.

So when he heard that the merchant ship was detained, Yeluxian was furious on the spot, and almost sent troops to fight Datang directly, but fortunately he was persuaded to come back by the King of the Northern and Southern Academy and the King of Ning, Yeluxiu.

Ye Luxian said angrily: "It's too much to bully people, it's really too much to bully people!"

The three of them looked at each other, feeling a little helpless, yes, they all knew that Datang was too deceitful, but what could be done?People are targeting you, so what can you do?Do you really want to fight?

Although they were not afraid of Datang even if they fought, it would be fine if they won, but if they lost, Khitan might be torn apart.

After all, the various tribes of Khitan had been at odds with each other before. The late emperor Yelujing was so deadly that he almost messed up Khitan. This kind of stability is too fragile, just a little blow will reveal the prototype.

Ye Luxian took a deep breath and asked, "What is Datang's excuse this time?"

Brother Yeluxiu said: "Datang said that we violated their territorial waters, so they detained the people and the boat, and asked us to pay money to redeem them."

"Territorial sea?!" Ye Luxian raised his voice, he just knew that even the ocean belongs to Datang!

However, this time Datang did come up with his own bill. Ye Luxian almost vomited blood when he saw it. The territorial sea is within [-] miles of the coastline. Nima, how far is it from Dengzhou to the total?Is it just a short walk two hundred miles away?Doesn't this mean that the sea in the middle is basically within the scope of Datang?

Ye Luxian calmed down and said, "Since he mentioned territorial waters and we also have territorial waters, how should we count this territorial waters?"

The King of the Southern Court said with a wry smile: "This... I'm afraid it's what's left outside Datang's territorial waters, and it's our territorial waters."

Ye Luxian was almost blown up again, why, the worst is half of one person, Datang... is obviously bullying.

Ye Luxian said: "Go, send someone to discuss the issue of territorial waters with Datang. We cannot give way on this issue."

The King of the North Court asked: "Then... will those people be redeemed?"

Ye Luxian hesitated and asked, "How much do they want?"

The King of the North Court said cautiously: "Ten thousand gold."

To be honest, the King of the North Courtyard didn't really want to tell Ye Luxian, at least not now, because his Khan looked very wrong, and he was afraid that he would accidentally piss him off!

But he had to say it, so he had no choice but to say Datang's request bitterly.

I don't know if Ye Luxian was stimulated too much. After hearing the condition, he didn't get angry. He just kept silent for a long time before he said tiredly: "Go and discuss with Datang, the price is too high, it's impossible."

The king of the North Court heaved a sigh of relief, as long as they Khan is willing to discuss it, to be honest, if it wasn’t for the big fanfare of Datang this time, they would not necessarily redeem these people, they are just some merchants and sailors, the big deal It is like being swept away by wind and waves at sea, but the problem is that many people now know about this, so they must be redeemed, otherwise many people will be chilled by then.

Ye Luxian said at the same time: "By the way, discuss the issue of territorial waters with Datang, we can't let them occupy the whole place!"

Brother Yeluxiu asked: "If Datang proposes conditions..."

Ye Luxian closed his eyes and said, "If it's not too much, I agree."

What else?The situation is stronger than the people, who made them take a wrong step before, but the price of this mistake was too high.

Ye Luxian was even worried that his throne might not be guaranteed if this continued. After all, the price of food in Khitan had reached an unbelievable level, even if the country started to suppress it, it would be useless.

After everyone retreated, Yeluxian heaved a sigh of relief. He looked at the roof for a moment and was a little lost.

He also couldn't figure out how it could be like this. When he was the Khitan prince, although Li Congjia was the prince of the Southern Tang Dynasty, at that time, the Southern Tang Dynasty was already at sunset, and he was no match for the Zhou Kingdom at all. At that time, the Khitan... even Zhou Guo didn't dare to provoke him at will.

Later, although there were some problems within the Khitan royal family, he was still raised in the palace by Yelvjing, and because Yelvjing had no children, he was also raised as an heir at that time.

Where was Li Yu at that time?Oh, Li Yu was being hunted down by Zhou Guo. Later, the Southern Tang Dynasty was broken, and he ran to the Western Regions like a bereaved dog.

At that time, everyone thought that Nantang was completely gone, but who would have thought that it would come back again in just a few years?

Up to now, Ye Luxian has even almost lost the courage to compete with Datang. He began to think whether he should really bow to Datang, or if Datang really hit him at sea...

Ye Luxian suddenly felt very frightened. Khitan was originally a land-based country, and basically never built large ships before, and some of them were small ships, let alone warships. This time, the ships he sent out to sea to find trade routes were found by Khitan officials. The materials, these materials were found in the ruins of Koryo and put together a little bit, and then a ship was built.

Although there is no comparison, Ye Luxian feels that this ship is probably not as powerful as Goryeo's original ship.

And Datang's ship... is an existence that can directly crush Goryeo. If Datang overbearingly forbids him to open up maritime trade routes, then Khitan may really have nothing to do!

For the first time in Ye Luxian's life, he felt that he had nowhere to go to heaven or earth, and this feeling was too frustrating.

Fortunately, the King of the North Court was more powerful this time, directly talking about the price of 5000 taels of gold, but no one was happy.

If they are strong enough, this money should not be used, and Datang is always on the issue of territorial waters.

What Li Congjia said about this is: "No matter how much money is, we take it for nothing. Don't force it too hard, but the territorial sea is not good, no one can say it. I say two hundred nautical miles is two hundred nautical miles. If they refuse to accept it, they will meet directly at sea." True chapter. The Khitan Khan should listen to whoever has the biggest fist.”

His words were conveyed to Ye Luxian in full, and Ye Luxian knew that the negotiation ended without a problem, so he only said one sentence at the end: "Everyone, this shame should be remembered!"

All Khitan officials held their breath, but there was nothing they could do. If it was on land, they would dare to wrestle with Datang, but at sea... forget it.

Brother Yeluxiu hesitated for a moment and said, "Actually, can we trade with people from Datang?"

Everyone looked at him in surprise, not understanding how such words would come from the mouth of the calm and rational Yeluxiu. After all, Datang is now completely blocking their transactions, and those businessmen in Datang are also working together. If they don't trade with Khitan, they won't be able to find any loopholes!

At that time, Ye Luxian also said with emotion: "If our people can do the same, why worry about the Khitan not being strong."

Now Brother Yeluxiu actually brings up the old story again, is he out of anger?

Brother Yeluxiu saw that everyone was looking at him, so he had no choice but to say: "I mean...go to the Yinshan grassland to find those tribes. Although Datang opened a mutual market and bought them all, the people of those tribes may not think I am from Tang Dynasty, so if we look for them, if we spend a little more money, we might still be able to buy them.”

Ye Luxian shook his head and said: "Even if we can buy it, it's just a drop in the bucket. Datang supplies them with a certain amount of grain in the mutual market every year, and it's said that it's a little tighter this year, maybe it's just to guard against us. "

The king of the South Court had no choice but to say: "Then continue to send ships out to sea. This time we are sailing in our own territorial waters, so the crew should be careful. If Datang dares to detain them again, then we will go to war directly!"

After hearing this, Ye Luxian said, "Good!"

Do you really think Khitan has no temper?If you are in a hurry, don't care if the country is stable or not, just fight directly. Your weapons are powerful, and our cavalry is also very powerful!When the time comes, we will fight to the death and see if you, Tang Dynasty, can bear it!

Ye Luxian was also ruthless this time, and he still didn't believe it.

However, this time Li Congjia did not stop their ships, because Li Congjia had already read the memorial written by Lei Youzhong, which contained information about the Khitan ships and information from the crew members.

When Li Congjia saw the size of the ship, he knew that there was no need to intercept it. He said directly to Shi Xueting: "Unless Ye Luxian sends a very powerful fleet, otherwise...the food that this ship can transport is limited, and there is no way to relieve the Khitan. urgent need."

Shi Xueting said: "But if he really builds a large fleet, I'm afraid the shipping fee for this trip will be quite a lot, and the price may not be something he can afford."

Li Congjia laughed and said, "Isn't it? They may not have people who are familiar with the sea in Khitan. Without good sailors at the helm, it's hard to say whether their ship can reach the Angkor Dynasty."

Shi Xueting thought for a while and said: "The most important thing is that there is no supply among them. If we prohibit their ships from passing the customs, they will not be able to dock at any port in the Tang Dynasty for supplies. It is almost impossible to reach the Angkor Dynasty. impossible things."

Li Congjia shook his head and said, "No, there is no prohibition this time. If this continues, Ye Luxian will probably jump the wall. Although he has a low IQ, I don't want to fight him yet."

Shi Xueting laughed: "Low IQ?"

Li Congjia nodded and said: "That's right, he has the Koryo Peninsula, by the sea, what's on his shopping list? He still needs salt! Isn't that stupid?"

It was rare for Shi Xueting to say honestly: "It's not the fault of the king of Shu and Duke Qin."

When Li Congjia thought about it, it seemed to be true. Khitan is an inland country, and he definitely didn’t know how to open a salt field by the sea. At the beginning, Li Hongji and Zhao Kuangyin directly slaughtered the city, and then burned the city after the slaughter, directly turning most of the cities in Goryeo into ruins. , the Khitan may have found shipbuilding materials, but not the saltworks.

Li Congjia silently lit a candle for Ye Luxian in his heart, but he still insisted that he was a fool, and he didn't even think about the sea.

Li Congjia said indifferently: "Forget it, let them open up trade routes, but the Khitan ships must pay the customs clearance port tax after docking, otherwise they will not be allowed to go ashore, and they have to pay normal tariffs for everything they buy. "

Shi Xueting asked: "Well, if this is the case, let's add something to the Supplementary Act. It is only useful for special situations and special countries."

Li Congjia slapped his head: "Yes, I almost forgot about this."

If this article is not added, the Khitan will take advantage of a loophole and send merchant ships to buy things, buy a little from this port, and buy a little from that port, so that it will not attract attention, and the ship can be filled, and they will not use it at all. Go to Angkor Dynasty again!

Anyway, Li Congjia is now waiting to come over and bow down to him after running into a wall with Khitan, Ye Luxian is stubborn?Lao Tzu is tougher than you. To be tough these days is to rely on confidence. Unfortunately, Li Congjia is now full of confidence and dares to challenge anyone.

Li Congjia put the matter aside, looked up at Shi Xueting and asked, "How are the people sent by the Kara Khanate to preach? What happened?"

After hearing this, Shi Xueting said helplessly: "What's the trial? It's useless to interrogate me. Long Shisan just revealed his identity and told everything."

Li Congjia was stunned for a moment: "He revealed his identity? Why? Aren't you afraid that I will punish him?"

Shi Xueting said: "He said that he was forced to go to the Kara Khanate at the beginning, but after he settled down there, he found that it was not easy to come back. The Kara Khanate is very strict. The La Khanate will definitely pose a threat to Datang, so he stayed there as an undercover agent."

Li Congjia: ...

This statement is really... people can't make a mistake, the question is who will believe it?Anyway, Li Congjia didn't believe it, but Long Shisan probably believed it himself.

Li Congjia had no choice but to say: "He... since he went to be an undercover agent, why didn't he reveal his identity last time? And he fled back to the Kara Khanate?"

Shi Xueting said: "He said he was worried about your punishment."

Li Congjia rolled his eyes and said: "What did he say? The information he said is not enough, I still want to punish him!"

These days, when I became a traitor, I turned around and said that I was an undercover agent for the country. Do you really think everyone is stupid?

Shi Xueting hesitated for a moment and said: "He said... Musa wanted to develop you into a Muslim, and he also seemed to want to marry the princess."

Li Congjia: Hehe, your face is really big.