Three days later, Li Xiang came to the prefectural yamen again.
Normally, a higher-level official should have been responsible for the handover, but Li Xiang was anxious to go back, so he could only meet with the prefect.
When the prefect saw the official document from the Tang Dynasty, his face was filled with disbelief. What did it mean to have a foreign affairs agency stationed here? He had never even heard of such a term.
"Let me explain it to you briefly..."
Seeing the expression on the other person's face, Li Xiang could only give a brief explanation. Otherwise, the other person might not be able to understand the above meaning even if he stayed here for a whole day. He didn't have that much time to waste with him here.
After half a day's effort, the prefect more or less understood the meaning of the above, which was that a guild hall would be set up here with Cao Lian as the leader. This guild hall was not private in nature, but was appointed by the Tang Dynasty court. Including Cao Lian, all the people were members of the Tang Dynasty court and they all had ranks.
In addition to representing Tang Dynasty merchants and expatriates in communicating with local government offices, this guild hall can also allow them to inform the Tang Dynasty court through the Tang Dynasty Guild Hall if anything happens in the local country. This can be regarded as establishing a fast communication channel to avoid not knowing who to consult when something happens.
After hearing this, the expression on the prefect's face finally relaxed. At least it is of some use to us. If it is of no use at all, why should we let you set up the Tang Dynasty Guild Hall here?
In fact, there have been similar organizations in the past, but they were not official organizations. They were all self-organized by businessmen. When they talked with local officials, they were always in a low position and had no way to speak up for their own rights.
Now Cao Lian straightened his back. With the 20 cavalrymen at the door, he regarded himself as an official of the Tang Dynasty. In his eyes, let alone you being a prefect, even if your king came, what could it matter? I represent the Tang Empire.
Li Xiang told him all these words. Our Tang Dynasty is the Celestial Empire. Even if all of you countries are scrambling to cooperate with us, it all depends on who among you is more filial.
Besides, in this era, the common people of the Tang Dynasty themselves felt that they were superior to others, so Cao Lian's action was not entirely pretense. As long as the court supported him, this guy dared to do anything. Anyway, he just said one thing: I am not a businessman now, I am an official of the Tang Dynasty.
A seventh-rank ambassador to a foreign country...
The prefect pondered these words. If he was referring to an envoy stationed abroad, then his rank should be higher. But the problem was that the man in front of him was only a seventh-rank official, which should be considered the lowest level in the Tang Dynasty.
Chang Sunze's letter was also placed next to it. Of course, Chang Sunze's letter was not addressed to him, but to the King of Pyu.
Chang Sun Ze was ordered to guard Anxi City. He was the garrison general of the entire southern Nanzhao and was considered a vassal of the Tang Dynasty. In addition, due to his father's status in the court, Chang Sun Ze was higher in rank than other generals. His letter could not be handled casually.
"Does the prefect have any questions?"
Everything that needed to be explained had been explained, and the prefect also called several of his subordinates to compare the letter with Chang Sun Ze's notes. They also determined that the letter was authentic. Moreover, all the customs documents had the seal on them, and no one dared to forge it.
"This involves the relationship between our country and the Tang Dynasty. I am a humble servant and cannot give a specific answer on this matter. Therefore, I can only send the letter to our capital. I hope that Master Huang can wait for a few days."
The prefect's eyes turned. The man in front of him was not a simple person. Moreover, this matter was beyond his ability. He could only delay it for the time being. As for how long it would take to go back and forth, that was a matter of the capital and had nothing to do with us.
"That's no problem, but General Changsun also has something to say. If you don't agree to our demands, we will temporarily close the border between the two countries and suspend trade until an agreement is reached."
After hearing Li Xiang's words, the prefect immediately panicked. The border trade between the two countries was also very important. They urgently needed salt and ironware from the Tang Dynasty. There were also some goods here to be sold to Datang. If the border was closed, it would have a far-reaching impact on the local people, which was not something he could afford.
"This is absolutely unacceptable. This is absolutely unacceptable. I beg Master Huang to understand me. I will immediately send someone to the capital at full speed. There will be news within three days at the latest."
Seeing this guy's miserable appearance, Li Xiang snorted coldly. If I don't teach you a lesson, do you really think I'm joking with you?
"Then I'll give you three days. If we don't receive a reply within three days, we will return to the Tang Dynasty first, and the border between the two countries will be temporarily closed. Let your court send an envoy to Chang'an. When this agreement is finalized, we will reopen border trade..."
After Li Xiang finished speaking, he was too lazy to waste time here. Cao Lian had just recorded Li Xiang's every move. This is the style of a great country.
Li Xiang had told him before that when facing these foreign small countries, he must not give them any face. Otherwise, some things would be difficult to discuss. He should put heavy pressure on them from the beginning to let them know how powerful the Tang Dynasty is.
At that time, Cao Lianhuan felt that the other party should be easy to talk to. If he came with a gloomy face, why would the other party talk to him?
Now seeing this scene in front of him, he was completely convinced. When dealing with these foreign small countries, the more face you give them, the more they will not know where the north is, and you have to use border trade to block them. If border trade doesn't work, you have to send troops to suppress them and threaten them with force. In short, we will say whatever they are afraid of. After all, bragging doesn't cost money.
What's more, we are not bragging. The comprehensive national strength of the Tang Dynasty is here. Let alone the entire Tang Empire, even if the Nanzhao Protectorate in the south alone deploys some troops, it will be enough for you to keep going for a long time.
The cavalry from the prefectural government quickly rushed out, heading towards the southern capital. They had to make a round trip within three days, otherwise the trade would be impossible, and he, the prefect, would be scolded countless times...
