"Please rise, Taoist priest!" Li Shimin roared with laughter.
At this moment, Zhenzhu Tongsi Jijin and Ludongzan finally realized that they were still the clowns this time.
Li Shimin just wanted to tell them that those who followed him would prosper, while those who opposed him would perish.
Be well - behaved and respectful. Don't think too highly of yourselves, and don't assume that the countries behind you can truly rival the Tang Dynasty. As long as you lower your postures and be submissive, there will still be many benefits.
Of course, these benefits were only relative to Tubo and the Turks.
Thinking about the sweaters whose prices had increased tenfold and the cattle and sheep whose prices had been pushed to the lowest, it was really a bitter pill to swallow!
Although it was the early years of the Zhenguan era, the Tang Dynasty was already showing signs of prosperity. After all, it had just defeated the Eastern Turks. In the short term, the Western Turks, Tubo, and the Uyghurs, these relatively powerful neighboring tribes, had no intention of causing trouble.
It seemed appropriate to call the Tang Dynasty the "Celestial Empire" at this time.
However, it was very different from the self - proclaimed "Celestial Empire" of the Ming and Qing dynasties in later generations. The Tang Dynasty would never do things that harmed itself for the sake of praise.
Everything should be based on the well - being of the people of the Tang Dynasty.
Prince Tuchuo got the hint and stood up, raising his wine cup. He spoke eloquently, praising Gong Wenlin's magic as extremely wonderful, the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty, and the peaceful and prosperous life of its people. His words made Li Shimin feel extremely comfortable.
Li Shimin drained the wine in his cup in one gulp. Looking at his daughter who was burying her head in the food, he laughed even more brightly. "Serve Princess Chengyang another portion of Jinling Roast, Cherry Biro, and Sweet Dew Soup."
"Thank you, Father!"
The dishes Li Shimin casually mentioned were all Li Jingyun's favorites.
Prince Tuchuo almost lost his smile. He had been flattering Li Shimin all this time! But the rewards went to Li Jingyun?
It's okay. Don't panic. There was still a way to solve this.
After the banquet, Prince Tuchuo secretly sent someone to find Li Jingyun, saying that he wanted to meet her at the sweater shop the next day.
Li Jingyun turned around and told her father and elder brother about this. "What does Prince Tuchuo mean? I've already sold the sweaters to him at the Tang Dynasty's price. What else does he want?"
"The Uyghurs don't rely solely on herding. Most Uyghur people are merchants. They sell the goods from the Tang Dynasty at high prices to the Western regions like Byzantium and Sogdiana and make profits from it. This time he came to you, probably to take your sweaters to Sogdiana and Byzantium."
Byzantium was the Byzantine Empire. Due to the long distance, the two countries had always been on good terms. It was said that the Byzantine Empire would send envoys to the Tang Dynasty in a couple of years to strengthen the relationship.
Sogdiana referred to the Central Asian countries. Sandwiched between the Arab Empire, the Tang Dynasty, and the Turks, they had a hard time.
Why wasn't the Arab Empire mentioned? The Arab Empire was located on the Arabian Peninsula, with a tropical desert climate. They didn't need sweaters for warmth. Instead, they were more interested in the silk from the Tang Dynasty.
Li Shimin was slowly boiling milk tea. A fragrant smell wafted in the air.
Now, boiling milk tea had the same status as boiling tea in people's daily lives. It was regarded as an elegant activity. If a literati couldn't boil milk tea well, they would be ridiculed behind their backs.
Li Jingyun thought of something. "So, Father didn't agree to give them silver for disaster relief because they are actually rich."
"You're right. Even though the Uyghurs and the Tang Dynasty have always had a good relationship, the Tang Dynasty can't do something that would raise a tiger only to be endangered by it." Li Shimin nodded.
After the milk tea was boiled, Li Chengqian first poured a cup for Li Shimin, then for Li Jingyun, and finally for himself.
While pouring the milk tea, he said, "Father, look at Hongxuan. Hasn't she grown a lot in the past six months? Lord Tang, Lord Wang and others often praise Hongxuan, not to mention Uncle Changsun."
"Of course! She's my well - trained daughter and is favored by the immortal! Her future achievements will be limitless." Li Shimin waved his hand, almost spilling the milk tea.
Li Shimin retracted his hand awkwardly and took a sip of the warm milk tea to cover his embarrassment.
The siblings glanced at each other and burst out laughing.
Li Shimin couldn't hold it in either and laughed. The hall was filled with joy and laughter.
The next day, Li Jingyun came to the sweater shop as promised. Besides Su Gui, Duan Jia and others, Crown Prince Li Chengqian was also there.
Moreover, there was a beautiful woman sitting beside Li Chengqian. Her belly was slightly bulging, and she was holding Li Chengqian's arm. They looked very affectionate.
What the hell?
It was okay for the princess to bring so many attendants!
But why did the crown prince and the crown princess come too!
It was fine for the crown prince to come, but the crown princess was pregnant. Did she really have to pay attention to the sweater business?
Actually, what Su Rui was worried about was not the crown prince, but Su Gui. His nine - year - old younger brother had to manage such a big business, deal with the Turks and Tubo people, and now had to negotiate with the Uyghurs to sell sweaters to the Western regions.
Even Pei Mingli would have to think carefully about this. But Hongxuan and Su Gui were young and fearless, acting boldly.
"Greetings to the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, and Princess Chengyang of the Tang Dynasty." Prince Tuchuo bowed.
Li Chengqian waved his hand. "No need for formalities. Sit down. Prince, if you have something to say, just come straight to the point."
"Yes." Prince Tuchuo forced a smile.
He originally thought he could deceive the five - year - old Princess Chengyang and lower the price of the sweaters. Who would have thought that the crown prince and his wife would also come.
With so many people around him, he had to abandon his pre - prepared speech and start all over again.
"The Uyghurs want to sell Princess Chengyang's sweaters to Sogdiana and Byzantium. I've come here specifically to discuss the price with the princess. We Uyghurs are different from the Turks and Tubo. We are absolutely sincere. Princess, please trust us."
Prince Tuchuo quickly organized a long and sincere speech, which almost made Li Jingyun waver.
But then again, who would say no to money?
Selling the sweaters at a higher price so that the female workers could get more wages and have a good New Year, wasn't that a good thing?
Li Jingyun tilted her head and smiled cutely and warmly. Prince Tuchuo thought she would continue to sell the sweaters to them at a low price.
However, Li Jingyun spoke. "Prince, do you know the price of the sweaters sold to Tubo and the Turks? And this was after they sold their cattle and sheep to us at a low price."
These words made Prince Tuchuo's heart sink to the bottom.
"Princess, please show mercy!"
Prince Tuchuo knelt on the ground and kowtowed, performing a grand salute.
Suddenly seeing him kowtow, Li Jingyun was a little startled. Li Chengqian patted the back of her hand to comfort her, and Su Rui's look at Prince Tuchuo changed.
Using such means to force a little girl, the Uyghur prince really had a thick skin!
Fortunately, Li Jingyun had seen such things before. She calmly said, "My idea is to triple the price to a hundred wen per sweater. If the prince agrees, then sign and seal the contract. If not, then this matter is off."
Su Gui couldn't help but poke his sister from behind.
Sister, don't just sit there. Say something!
"Prince Tuchuo, get up quickly. People who don't know might think our princess is bullying you. What are you standing there for? Hurry up and help him up!" Su Rui frowned. Several palace servants quickly forced Prince Tuchuo up from the ground.