Three days passed, and sure enough, the prefect came with a letter from the court three days later.
"Sir Huang, this is the reply from our imperial court. We agree in principle, but we will also set up a similar guildhall in your country."
Hearing what the prefect said, Li Xiang looked at this guy with great interest. He never expected that there would be such a capable person in such a remote place!
I originally thought that these people would not set up guild halls in the territory of the Tang Dynasty, but I didn't expect that they would also think of this. If this is the case, then we cannot bully them unilaterally.
"That's absolutely fine. You can set up your guild hall in any city on the border of the Tang Dynasty, including some cities in Nanzhao and Chang'an in my country. However, there is one rule: our guild hall will strictly abide by your laws, and you must also strictly abide by our laws. If you violate any laws, we will punish you severely."
What Li Xiang said seemed very fair on the surface, but it was actually not fair. Because the Tang Dynasty was strong, it could set up guild halls in many cities and support their operation.
The Pyu Kingdom is just a small country. Their annual fiscal revenue cannot even catch up with the wealthy provinces of the Tang Dynasty. If they are asked to set up so many guild halls, even if you open this policy to them, I am afraid they do not have the ability to do so.
The prefect obviously didn't expect Li Xiang to be so nice. He actually opened so many cities to them at once. In fact, this is a manifestation of a great power. We are not afraid of you coming to our territory. Every place can be opened to you, and we will not hide it like you do. But whether you have the ability is your business.
Furthermore, the people of your country only know that the Tang Dynasty is powerful, but they don't know where it comes from. We should open some of our border cities and let your people go there to see more. When they return, they will know the true strength of the Tang Dynasty. This will also help our troops to meet less resistance when they arrive.
"Sir Huang, we only considered opening up one city on the border and our country's Wa City, and didn't think about opening up so many cities."
The prefect frowned and said that he was also a smart man, otherwise he would not be able to stay in this position.
There is a huge gap in the comprehensive national strength between the two countries. Opening a guild hall in a border city requires a lot of money, and there must be resident officials, which costs money every day.
"Does the prefect not have this authority? If not, please find someone with authority to talk to us. We can represent the Tang court, but I don't think the prefect can represent the Pyu court."
Li Xiang's words made the guy look a little unhappy, but what Li Xiang said was also true. You always ask for instructions. If you want to negotiate like this, how long will it take? Who doesn't find someone to call the shots in negotiations? We don't want to waste our breath here with you.
Although the prefect felt uncomfortable and felt humiliated, what Li Xiang said was true. He really had no say in the matter and could only take his leave again, and then he had three more days.
Cao Lian was watching from the side and it was really exciting. Although we were given three days, we had all the initiative. Look at the expression on the prefect's face. He didn't come here to negotiate at all. He was clearly here to be humiliated.
"You've almost paid what you're owed. You can stay here. We don't have the time to wait for them. All I ask is that we have a branch in every larger city. Don't worry about the cost. Just get them to agree to this."
Cao Lian was digesting what he had just learned when suddenly Li Xiang appeared beside him, giving the boy a fright.
"Me?"
Cao Lian said with some fear, "You know, it's only been four days since I became this official. Can I be responsible for such an important matter? If that's the case, then I really don't have the courage."
"Everyone has their first chance. I've placed you in this position, so you must make achievements. Otherwise, I don't know how many people in the court will attack me. Do you think this official position is so easy to obtain? I don't know how many people are waiting behind you. If you fail to complete this task, you will have no choice but to go back to being a businessman, or even not be a businessman anymore."
Sometimes you should give some motivation, but you also have to give some pressure. For example, at this moment, Cao Lian picked up an official hat from the sky, and you can't put any pressure on him. Without Li Xiang, you are putting pressure on him.
Cao Lian swallowed his saliva. He certainly understood how important the identity of an official was. A scholar might study hard for ten years but in the end he might not even be able to become a seventh-rank county magistrate. He could only find a sinecure in the capital and slowly work his way through it.
I'm lucky now. I just met His Royal Highness and then got this position. If I can't do anything for His Royal Highness, why would he put me here? Does His Royal Highness have no one else to rely on?
Thinking of this, the guy pinched himself hard. After making sure that he was not dreaming, he had to express his position to His Highness.
"I understand. I will definitely handle this matter well and will never let Your Highness down."
Cao Lian said confidently that although he was not a professional foreign affairs officer, he had traveled a lot over the years and had seen some things in society. Now Li Xiang had paved the way for him, and only the finishing work was left. If he couldn't even do this well, he might as well not say that he was personally selected by His Highness, so as not to embarrass His Highness.
"That's more formal. In addition to the 20 guards at the gate, I will continue to dispatch 50 cavalry from the country to you. Although they are relatively small in number, they are all elite. The most important thing is not to focus on the armed forces of your subordinates, but on the prestige of our Tang Dynasty. If you learn how to use the banner of a big country as a tiger's skin, you will be the most outstanding official in the Lifanyuan."
Diplomatic matters, in the final analysis, can be summed up in just a few words. Li Xiang has basically said them all now. It depends on whether you can do it. If you can, then this job is not difficult.
