Lu Dongzan knew that Li Xiang was cheating, but after analyzing the actual situation, what Li Xiang said was very likely to be true. If it really turned out like this, even if you are eloquent, you probably won't be able to buy food from the Tang Dynasty. It's a case of sticking your head out and you'll get hurt too.
Lu Dongzan looked at the door with some guilt. Under Lu Dongzan's strong request, Songtsen Gampo had no choice but to change into the soldier's uniform and then stand at the door of the tent. You heard what was said inside. If there was any problem, Songtsen Gampo would probably remind them. This was also what the two had agreed before.
Songtsen Gampo understood very well that Lu Dongzan had dragged him into this matter so that he would not be blamed in the future.
This is no small matter, and it involves so much money. If it is handled wrong, it may be impossible to recover at any time, so Lu Dongzan doesn't dare to do it at all. If Songtsen Gampo doesn't come, then Lu Dongzan will go back and report. Even if you have appointed Lu Dongzan as the ambassador plenipotentiary, this guy will also think about his own future.
"Your Highness, please save us! I've often heard that Your Highness is a kindhearted person. We in Tibet are completely out of food. If Your Highness doesn't give us some food, many of our people will starve to death. How can Your Highness bear to watch them starve to death?"
When Lu Dongzan said this, he felt like vomiting, but he still had a doubt in his mind. If the Tang Dynasty really wanted to mobilize 200,000 soldiers, then food would definitely not be available.
"Does the Prime Minister want to kill me?"
Li Xiang is no longer talking about food. We just tried to jump to this topic, but now that you all understand, we won't continue talking about it. We are no longer talking about the price. We are now talking about not wanting to sell.
"Why do you say that, Your Highness?"
After Lu Dongzan said these words, he instantly understood what was going on. The Tang Dynasty must have promulgated relevant laws. Now that the country is in a period of war, all grain will definitely not be exported.
"Prime Minister, please take a look."
As he expected, Chang Sun Chong brought another letter from the side. This letter was written by General Qin Qiong. It said that the domestic grain prices were soaring, and reminded Li Xiang to write a letter back and ask him to sell all the grain in the granary. This was a good opportunity to make a profit. If Li Xiang could not return, he should write a letter to General Qin Qiong, and the general would send someone to deliver it to Chang'an to avoid missing the opportunity to make money.
"That's great! I've heard that Your Highness owns a number of farms, and now it's just right that he can sell us some grain..."
Lu Dongzan felt very happy, but Changsun Chong signaled him to continue reading. He also reminded Li Xiang not to sell the grain to the Tibetans because the border was now blocked and all the grain could not pass through. If he really sold it to the Tibetans, he had to find a way to get out quickly.
General Qin Qiong's letter was a bit unkind, especially the last few sentences, telling Li Xiang to just take the deposit and leave, and that he would not have to take any responsibility after leaving anyway.
"Prime Minister, I've even given you this letter. You should know my current situation. If I sell the grain to you, I might be deposed in no time. This is the order of our Emperor."
Li Xiang said with a bitter face.
"Your Excellency the Prime Minister may be wondering why I showed this to you. The reason I showed this to you is to let you know that I am powerless now. This is not a business matter between us. I just want to go back quickly. I am afraid that you will detain me in exchange for food, which is simply impossible. Even if you detain me, I have no food. I really don't have any food at all. I admit that I wanted to sell food here before in order to get a high price, but now you see the situation, the world has changed a lot..."
Li Xiang also looked heartbroken, but this guy's acting skills were very good, and he deceived both Lu Dongzan and Songtsen Gampo. Sometimes when you want to deceive people, it is useless to just tell lies. You have to tell half truth and half lies. Only in this way can you deceive people.
What Li Xiang said was true, that he really wanted to make money, and everyone knew this. But the situation is different now. No matter how much you want to make money, the seat under your butt is the most important. If you lose the third place in the Tang Dynasty, what's the point of making more money?
Lu Dongzan really felt the seriousness of the matter. If Li Xiang had not admitted that he came here to make money, then Lu Dongzan really felt that this matter was a fraud, and if Li Xiang negotiated the price with him, it would also be unreliable. But now Li Xiang has handed over all his bottom line, which means that the other party really doesn't want to do this business anymore and only wants to return to Chang'an as soon as possible.
"Your Highness, you can't do this. We are friends. Although we have had various disputes in the past, we can still get along generally. If Your Highness just abandons us like this, then wouldn't our Tubo be finished?"
Lu Dongzan was really panicked now. Just now, he saw Songtsen Gampo outside the door was also panicked. If it weren't for the soldiers next to him holding him back, Songtsen Gampo would probably come in and talk in person.
"Prime Minister, I really can't help you. The situation is different now. The whole country must make way for the war. Although I am the grandson of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, I can't take out my food at will."
Li Xiang looked like he was unable to help at the moment. Things had already come to this point, and he didn't even have the chance to tell you the price. If you still didn't believe it, then there was really nothing he could do. Li Xiang decided not to make any money from it.
"Your Highness..."
Just when Lu Dongzan didn't know what to say, Songtsen Gampo couldn't help it. He took the soldier's helmet directly from outside and walked in front of Li Xiang.
"This is?"
The guards around Li Xiang all drew their swords. If an ordinary Tibetan soldier wanted to come in and the guards didn't react, then you guys are really incompetent. Not to mention staying by His Highness's side, even ordinary generals' guards can't do that. The tent was a bit tense for a while...