Chapter 93

Yang Kai stood at the entrance of the classroom, took a deep breath, and firmly held the letter containing the secret given to him by his mother.

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Marriage alliance.

Yes, the Xiongnu Kingdom has proposed a marriage alliance.

Inside the grand hall of the Kong family in the capital.

Yang Kai looked at the letter in his hand and fell silent.

To be honest, what Yang Kai most hoped for was that the Great Xia Dynasty and the Xiongnu Kingdom would not engage in any war.

Now, the Xiongnu Kingdom has captured the culprit and beheaded the Great Xia Dynasty's soldiers.

This can be considered the greatest face given to the Great Xia Dynasty, and the culprit was indeed not from the Xiongnu Kingdom.

Of course, whether these things are true or not is unclear, but at least on the surface, they have done everything they could.

Between great nations, it's all about the approach. As long as everyone can save face, everything can be discussed.

After all, no one wants war. If you give me a step down, I'll give you a step down. Now, the Xiongnu Kingdom has indeed given a step down, and a very big one.

They have even killed their own people, which is enough to quell all the public resentment within the country.

But the only request made Yang Kai frown.

Marriage alliance?

It's not that a marriage alliance is shameful, but the Great Xia Dynasty and the Xiongnu Kingdom have never considered such a thing.

Would the people be against it? This is the first concern.

The second concern is that the Xiongnu Kingdom has killed their own people, which is a huge cost. After all, there's a saying that one helps relatives, not strangers. Unless the impact is too great, they wouldn't kill their own people.

Wouldn't the soldiers be disheartened in the future?

In short, someone impersonated the Xiongnu, burned, and looted. We don't know who they are, but they are not citizens of the Great Xia Dynasty or the Xiongnu people.

Someone impersonated them, and the Great Xia side believed it was the Xiongnu. Without concrete evidence, someone in the Great Xia Dynasty disregarded orders and beheaded the Xiongnu cavalry, and then they were also punished.

From the perspective of the Xiongnu Kingdom, the killing was not wrong, after all, they didn't provoke you.

But the Xiongnu King chose to kill his own people, giving the Great Xia Dynasty a step down, at the cost of offending all the soldiers. This is a huge face, and it's not an exaggeration to say he lowered his status.

However, all this was just for a marriage alliance.

It's a bit strange.

If the Xiongnu Kingdom did this and asked for some other benefits, he wouldn't have any problem. But just for a marriage alliance, it's too strange, too strange.

It's not that a marriage alliance is difficult, but it's a very easy thing to do.

From Yang Kai's perspective, a marriage alliance is simply about selecting a princess to send for marriage.

Then the two countries can be friendly, everyone is happy, and there will be no war on the border. They can maintain a balance, and because of the marriage alliance, your people can do business in my place, and my people can do business in your place.

I need iron and minerals, and you need food and salt. How much benefit and advantage can this bring?

If there is a war, before the troops move, the supplies must be prepared. The national treasury has several hundred million taels of silver, and all this silver must be used as war reserves. First, to reward the troops, then to buy supplies, and hire workers to make weapons.

Due to the war, many things will inevitably rise in price. The noble families will not miss this opportunity, and those not far from the border will likely buy iron mines and make weapons to sell to the Xiongnu.

Once the war starts, not to mention military supplies and food, the death of one person requires a compensation of five hundred taels of silver, and the family is exempt from taxes for three years, plus other benefits, such as if there are male descendants, they can attend private schools, and the government will subsidize half the cost.

This is the benefit for the Great Xia soldiers, which can make them fight with peace of mind, and the Great Xia will take care of everything after their death.

In this major battle, the death of tens of thousands of people is not an exaggeration, especially in a city siege.

According to the emperor's temperament, it will last at least half a year, and the casualties are estimated to be around one hundred thousand.

Just the silver alone is a compensation of fifty million taels, plus other things, at least one hundred million taels of silver.

Other things aside.

But if a princess is sent for a marriage alliance, it can directly save several hundred million taels of silver, and even promote trade, possibly earning several hundred million taels of silver over ten years, bringing a profit, rounded up, of one billion taels of silver.

The Great Xia Dynasty's annual national treasury income is two hundred million taels of silver, and one woman can bring in five years of national tax revenue.

Isn't this a good thing?

To put it another way, sacrificing one person to save the lives of one hundred thousand soldiers, this deal is too worth it.

It can be said that the marriage alliance is not a big issue, and all the officials will agree, even the emperor will agree.

But he feels that this matter is a bit different.

"Minister Yang, after such deep thought, do you think the marriage alliance is inappropriate?"

Kong Ping spoke, looking at Yang Kai and asked.

Upon hearing this, Yang Kai immediately shook his head.

"The marriage alliance is not inappropriate, but I can't understand why the Xiongnu Kingdom would go to such lengths just for a marriage alliance." Yang Kai replied, expressing his inner doubts.

Upon hearing this, Kong Ping smiled slightly and then answered, "Actually, the Xiongnu Kingdom's intentions are very clear."

"Their national fortune has been reduced, and they are naturally worried, fearing that the Great Xia Dynasty will declare war."

"Therefore, they chose a marriage alliance to ease the relations between the two countries. Moreover, the twelve border cities, although occupied by the Xiongnu, are not suitable for the Xiongnu to live in, and they lack many resources, which can only be transported and purchased from the Great Xia."

"Otherwise, relying on the Fuluo Dynasty, the same item would be at least three times more expensive. Minister Yang may not know, but a bronze mirror, sold by the Fuluo Dynasty to the Xiongnu, costs fifteen taels of silver, while a bronze mirror at the Great Xia border costs only three to four taels of silver."

"Thus, by using the marriage alliance to ease the relations between the two countries and engage in mutual trade, it is a win-win situation. This is the intention of the Xiongnu Kingdom."

"Minister Yang, you are overthinking it."

Kong Ping smiled and spoke, his analysis was logical and confident.

Upon hearing this, Yang Kai also nodded in agreement.

He was right. The main city of the Great Xia border is only fifty miles from the twelve cities, but this fifty-mile distance makes a huge difference.

The Great Xia border strictly prohibits trade with the Xiongnu Kingdom, and anyone caught is sentenced to death. Although some take the risk, the border is strictly managed, and there are many bandits and robbers.

Therefore, the goods from the Great Xia cannot enter the Xiongnu Kingdom.

So the Xiongnu Kingdom can only rely on the Jin Dynasty to the north or the Fuluo Dynasty to the south.

The Jin Dynasty is better, with prices not too high, but many resources are lacking, or the craftsmanship is not as good as the Great Xia Dynasty and the Fuluo Dynasty.

But the prices in the Fuluo Dynasty are three times higher than in the Great Xia Dynasty.

Thus, the people cannot afford it. Living in the city, they cannot maintain their plain life habits and have to endure.

These are all issues.

So what Kong Ping said is indeed reasonable.

"Since that's the case, I will go to the palace now and inform the emperor."

Yang Kai nodded.

Although he doesn't know what the Xiongnu Kingdom is really thinking, regardless, not going to war is a good thing for the Great Xia Dynasty.

"Minister Yang, please take care."

Kong Ping stood up and saw Yang Kai off.

After Yang Kai left.

Kong Ping's smile became even more pronounced.

The steward walked in, not saying a word, just waiting for Kong Ping to speak.

"Tell the clan leader that the matter has been handled properly."

Kong Ping spoke, instructing the steward to run an errand.

"Yes."

The steward nodded and slowly left.

After the steward left, Kong Ping's gaze involuntarily turned to the northwest, the direction of the Xiongnu Kingdom and also the residence of the Marquis of the State.

At the same time.

After leaving the Kong residence, Yang Kai did not go directly to the palace but went to the Ministry of Rites to handle some official documents.

It's not that he didn't trust the information from the Kong residence; on the contrary, he believed that the information from the Kong residence would definitely be correct.

But the six ministries of the Great Xia Dynasty, such a large institution, did not receive the latest information, while the Kong residence somehow got the news first, which is a bit strange.

However, the Kong residence has such a vast intelligence network, which is not without reason. After all, the Kong family's students are spread throughout the world, and even in the Xiongnu Kingdom, many people admire the Kong family and respect the sage as their teacher.

The eldest prince of the Xiongnu Kingdom admires the sage, the Sage of the Ages, Kong Sheng, and has a very good relationship with the Kong family. He has repeatedly wanted to become a disciple of the Kong family, but due to his special status, the Kong family has not yet agreed.

Getting the information early is not a big problem.

But if he brings this news to the emperor, it might cause the emperor to be displeased.

The Kong family can get the news, so it won't be long before the border news reaches the Ministry of Rites.

Once the news reaches the Ministry of Rites and then the palace, it won't cause any trouble.

Just then, a voice sounded outside.

"Minister Yang, your granddaughter is here to see you."

As the voice sounded, Yang Kai was somewhat surprised, wondering why his granddaughter had come.

"Let her in."

Yang Kai spoke, though curious, he immediately responded.

Soon, two figures appeared, one was Yang Hanrou, and the other was Fairy Yaochi.

"Grandfather."

Walking into the office, Yang Hanrou immediately called out.

Seeing his granddaughter, Yang Kai's mood softened a bit, but looking at Yaochi, he couldn't help but ask.

"Is this a disciple of the Linglong Immortal Palace?"

Yang Kai spoke, not putting on airs, but also not being particularly casual, just asking a question.

"I am Yaochi, a disciple of Linglong Palace, meeting the senior."

Fairy Yaochi, in the manner of a Daoist, bowed to Yang Kai.

Yang Kai nodded and then looked at his granddaughter.

"Why did you suddenly come? Shouldn't you be in class at this time?"

Yang Kai, curious, asked Yang Hanrou.

"The teacher gave us a new assignment."

"Granddaughter didn't understand, so I came to ask you."

Yang Hanrou smiled, after all, it was her grandfather, so she was quite casual.

"What is it? What could make you so urgent?"

Yang Kai asked his granddaughter.

"Grandfather, do you know about the Zhang Ming case in Bailu Prefecture?"

Yang Hanrou asked directly.

"Zhang Ming case?"

Yang Kai was unclear and frowned, wondering why his granddaughter was involved in a case.

Yang Hanrou didn't waste words and directly explained the whole story to Yang Kai.

After hearing the explanation, Yang Kai frowned.

"Eleven days to execute?"

Yang Kai frowned, after hearing the story, he felt there was a problem. A criminal case could not be concluded in eleven days, and then executed immediately.

This is a big issue.

But soon, Yang Kai couldn't help but ask.

"Is it from the tenth year of Yongsheng?"

Yang Kai seemed to recall something and asked.

"Yes, Grandfather, it's from ten years ago."

Yang Hanrou nodded.

"In that case, I understand. The Ministry of Punishments reformed, and a human trafficking case occurred in Baiqiu Prefecture, where two hundred girls drowned. The Prefect of Baiqiu Prefecture deceived the higher authorities, and the Ministry of Punishments concealed the matter for half a year, causing widespread public resentment. In the end, it led to a major disaster, so the emperor required the Ministry of Punishments to reform, and any criminal case must be handled strictly and quickly."

"If there are no issues, a direct judgment can be made. Eleven days is indeed fast, but at that time, the emperor was furious, and the special approval from the Ministry of Punishments is normal and not strange."

"What does Mr. Wenjing mean by using this as an assignment?"

Yang Kai recalled, if it were any other time, he would have found it problematic, but the execution in eleven days was clearly an issue.

But in the tenth year of Yongsheng, it wasn't a big issue. Two hundred girls drowned, causing public resentment and shock throughout the court and the country. Dozens of officials from the Ministry of Punishments were executed and their families exiled, leading to the forced reform of the Ministry of Punishments. Criminal cases had to be thoroughly investigated and resolved quickly.

They couldn't drag their feet to prevent similar incidents.

So the execution in eleven days, though fast, was reasonable at that time.

"I see."

"Grandfather, I understand. I'll leave now."

Yang Hanrou didn't answer Yang Kai's question; she didn't know why Su Wenjing did this. After getting the answer, she left directly.

"Alright."

"Be careful on your way back to the academy."

"By the way, Hanrou, no matter what, be cautious. As a woman, don't get involved in anything unnecessary."

Yang Kai reminded her.

Although he didn't know what Su Wenjing meant, it was clearly not without purpose to take a case file from the Ministry of Punishments and use it as an assignment for the students.

If it involves something it shouldn't, it could cause trouble. The students of the Great Xia Academy are either from noble families or prestigious clans, and if they get involved, no one would dare to touch them.

"I understand, Grandfather. I'll leave now."

Yang Hanrou nodded and quickly left to rejoin the others at the Great Xia Academy.

After they left.

A secret report was quickly delivered.

"Minister, a secret report from the border."

As the official entered, Yang Kai immediately took the report, read it, and his face showed a determined expression.

Indeed, as the Kong family said, the Xiongnu King killed those generals, released over a hundred captives, and sent envoys to negotiate with the Great Xia, seeking a marriage alliance.

With the secret report, Yang Kai didn't waste time and immediately headed to the Chancellor's residence to discuss the matter with Li Shan.

Two hours later.

Yang Kai rushed to the Chancellor's residence and, without wasting time, handed the secret report to Li Shan.

Li Shan read it carefully and then remained silent.

"Chancellor, what do you think of this matter?"

Seeing his silence, Yang Kai couldn't help but ask, wanting to know his stance.

"If it's just a marriage alliance, there's no big issue, and it's a good thing."

"But the intentions of the Xiongnu Kingdom are not just about the marriage alliance. When you report this, be very cautious. If anything goes wrong, we will be the ones to suffer."

Li Shan spoke, he couldn't understand, but he supported the marriage alliance. Sacrificing one woman to bring peace to the Great Xia is a good thing.

However, the Xiongnu Kingdom went to great lengths and paid a huge price just to marry a princess?

This doesn't seem to make sense.

But the problem is, he couldn't figure out what they were planning. They could only agree first but still be cautious. If anything went wrong, and the marriage alliance was your doing, you would be held accountable.

"I understand."

Yang Kai nodded, he was clear in his mind, but he was even clearer that the Great Xia must not go to war.

Absolutely not.

With Li Shan's agreement, Yang Kai didn't waste any more time and headed straight to the palace.

He didn't hesitate.

With the secret report, he went to the Great Xia Palace.

At the same time.

Inside the palace.

In the Yangxin Hall.

Wei Xian stood by, recount