Looking at Zhang Fangping like this, Zhao Xi suddenly thought of a story about logic in later generations.

  "Scholar, I want to exchange it for the Chu Prefecture."

  Zhao Xi still said this joke very seriously.

  "Your Highness, you have received the imperial army with courtesy and allowed them to attack the city. You may have a treacherous heart behind your back, but also military preparations that inspire awe. However, never think that controlling Chu Prefecture is equivalent to possessing the entire country."

  Zhang Fangping was very disdainful of Zhao Xi's words, but this time he didn't scold him, instead teaching him like an elder.

  "Gentlemen, I have not occupied Wu Prefecture."

  "What about Dongchuan Copper Mine?"

  "It was exchanged in Wichita Falls."

  "That place is not part of our country."

  "Yes, Dali has already taken it back."

  ……

  The usual roundabout conversation went around a few times, and even Zhang Fangping felt reasonable, but still felt that something was not quite right.

  Just stay there and think. After settling Zhao Xi's party, Zhang Fangping was still turning over the issue.

  Old chap, you scolded me for no reason, let you old chap deal with this matter.

  Early in the morning, Zhang Fangping was already waiting in the front hall.

  He couldn't figure out the relationship between Weizhou Mansion and Dongchuan Copper Mine, but he figured it out, this was the Crown Prince's deliberate intention.

  No use worrying about it if one is not as skilled as others.

  But as for the Dongchuan Copper Mine, Zhang Fangping still needs to get to the bottom of it and cannot let Taizi Mangan act rashly, which would make the southern border of the country unstable.

  "Your Highness, what do you intend to do with Dongchuan Copper Mine?"

  Zhang Fangping is also a straightforward person, who doesn't bother with trivial matters and only asks about the main issue.

  "Scholar, is it acceptable for a merchant to behave in this manner?"

  For such a Zhang Fangping, Zhao Xi still appreciates him and doesn't mind letting him get involved, also giving him a share of his own business.

  "Merchant?"

  Among them, Zhang Fangping soon figured it out.

  In today's society, intellectuals disdain to discuss wealth and goods, but there is no family without a merchant representative. By analogy, it is entirely possible for a merchant to represent the country.

  In this way, on the surface, the Great Li Kingdom did not lose any territory, and the imperial court could also obtain copper mines... It's doable!

  Who else can be a spokesperson for the country? If placed in the imperial court, it would also be a battle of wits and courage with words.

  The prince is still too naive.

  This plan might work for Dali, but the Crown Prince probably didn't think of it, and the court will start to get entangled in endless disputes.

  Zhang Fangping did not want to tell the Crown Prince about the actual situation in the imperial court, but seeing that the Crown Prince was so young and worried about state affairs, he couldn't bear it.

  A look of wanting to speak but hesitating.

  "Sir, you may send one person, and then we can discuss."

  "What does it mean?"

  "Merchants can be one person or a group of people. However, there is a prior statement that scholars' shares only enjoy dividends and can be inherited without decision-making power, and cannot be transferred. If it involves major justice and trends, they can be deprived."

  Profit is a universal pursuit of human beings, especially in this era where the imperial court is no longer dominated by aristocratic families. The scholars who entered the imperial court through civil service examinations actually attach great importance to profit in their hearts.

  So Zhao Xi uses benefits as a tool and means, whether it's gathering or restraining, using them well is the greatest help to his governance.

  Time was no longer ample, originally just probing the route, but ended up taking a detour to Rongzhou. Therefore, Zhao Xi and his party were in a bit of a hurry to rush back.

  Zhang Fangping definitely couldn't send it, after all, he had hidden his figure to come. Fortunately, Zhang Fangping didn't send it, and at the border, Zhao Xi and others unexpectedly encountered the ceremonial procession of the Dali Kingdom's envoy to the imperial court.

  It was not a return from the Song Dynasty, but rather another dispatch of envoys by the Dali Kingdom.

  What's wrong? Isn't it good enough? If you're uncomfortable with me taking up your turf, I'll leave, no need to go to the authorities.

  The Crown Prince of the Upper Country finally recovered from his illness. When meeting with the three family representatives, Zhao Xie's slightly sunken cheeks really made people believe he had been ill.

  After seventy or eighty days of continuous travel, day and night, anyone would look a bit haggard.

  Now it's time to get down to business and talk about Weizhou Prefecture and Dongchuan County...

  "I've troubled you all and caused you to worry. Due to Xi's illness, the king's army will be delayed for some time in Dali. It's an unavoidable move, I hope you can understand!"

  Zhao Xi said weakly but still politely, with a very sincere attitude.

  "The fault of the Dong family is not a reason for the court of Dali, it's clear. Now that this matter has been settled, Weizhou Prefecture is a territory under Dali, we cannot stay here for long. As for how to deal with it, it should be handed over to you."

  Nothing's wrong, it's just that everyone is waiting. However, Song Guo indeed has such a gentlemanly demeanor, but during this period of contact, they all understand that the Crown Prince of Shang Guo may not necessarily be such a person.

  After Dong Shi bound Nong Zhigao and left the city, he still completed the entire process of attacking the city, which means that this Crown Prince was not a good person at all.

  "Alas... it's embarrassing to say. My wife's sister's husband, my brother-in-law, due to the need for caution in words and actions in the imperial court, had ulterior motives, but was frustrated by the laws of the imperial court..."

  Zhao Xi hesitated for a moment, wanting to see if anyone would pick up where he left off.

  No one picked up the cue. Instead, Gao Jingxian and Su Song, including Cao Lin's facial expression became a bit richer.

  What excuse is there for selling out one's own relatives?

  "I've heard that there are some businesses within Dali Prefecture, so I'm using official channels to send a message and humbly request of you all: could you please provide me with some business opportunities?"

  What does it mean? The Song Dynasty is prosperous and flourishing, yet we have to go to a small country on the border to make a living?

  Wife concubine daughter uncle? Nonsense! Whether it's the Cao family or the Gao family, which one isn't a noble and prominent clan, do they still need us to take care of them?

  This excuse is too lame. If you have any requirements, just say it clearly, why make people guess what's on your mind?

  "Your Highness, Crown Prince of the Upper Country, I have a question. In the eastern part of our border in Dongchuan County, there are mountain people who occasionally mine for copper. Is this permissible?"

  Hmm, not bad, this interpretation is quite good. He still remembers what he mentioned before, he has potential.

  "Good! Don't disturb the mountain people, choose a place where no one is, just need a piece of land as big as a cowhide."

  A lesson from the past, a warning for the future. Zhao Xi said that a piece of land as big as a cowhide is not just a bad omen, but also has a cautionary meaning.

  Zhao Xi said that in other people's eyes, it is just an exaggeration, only to show that asking for something is not excessive.

  The size doesn't matter for these three companies.

  Dongchuan County has copper deposits, but they have been mined for many years and are now depleted, leaving the mountain people still struggling.

  I thought the Crown Prince of Song would take advantage of the situation to seek unlimited benefits, and even prepared to argue with reason and force, but in the end it was just a barren land as big as a cowhide.

  After all, it is still a country of benevolence and righteousness, with the style of a gentleman.

  You want to punish Dong's family because of your own intelligence and also because you have done too much in Guangnan.

  It's all good now, everyone thinks it's fine.

  Although the Duan family has yielded some land, it is all barren land, and whether they own it or not makes no difference. Moreover, this is not the territory of the Song state, but rather merchants operating within its borders, or relatives of the imperial family.

  Not bad, maybe giving some comfort and consolation can also achieve the goal of becoming the Crown Prince. And combining with Little Sister's diplomatic mission to the Upper Country...

  It's not even their own territory, so it doesn't matter much to the Yangs either. After all, he's just a merchant, and can't get entangled in too many things.

  It's more important to send our ancestors off with respect first.