Zhao Tai's words caused the two of them to fall into deep thought.

Wang Wentong said: "Now our vassal government's finances mainly come from three aspects. Aid from the Southern Song Dynasty, taxation from states and counties, and commodity trade. Among them, aid from the Southern Song Dynasty accounts for about 50%, commodity trade 40%, and taxation from states and counties.

It only accounts for 10%. We really rely on the Southern Song Dynasty now."

Zhongyi Town now occupies the territory of Sizhou, Suzhou, Tengzhou, Pizhou, Yizhou, Haizhou, and six states. However, it was not long ago and was damaged by the war, so it could hardly collect any taxes.

In addition, the feudal town implemented the guard system, and a large amount of land was directly given to the guard, and the land that could collect taxes was reduced by nearly half.

Nowadays, most of Zhongyi Town's equipment, money and food are aided by the Southern Song Dynasty. The raw materials required for the production of Zhao Tai's workshop come from the Southern Song Dynasty, and the products produced are also sold to the Southern Song Dynasty.

Therefore, Zhao Tai cannot fall out with the Southern Song Dynasty at all now.

Wang Bin frowned, "Zheng Qingzhi aided the commander-in-chief because he hoped to regain the old territory with the help of the commander-in-chief. Last year, the Southern Song Dynasty aided more than one million, and Lin'an must hope to see results. That's why Zheng Qingzhi opened his mouth and asked the commander-in-chief

Shuai asked for Haizhou. This

It is not only to appease the Southern Song Dynasty court, but also a test for the commander-in-chief by Zheng Qingzhi. If we refuse, I am afraid Zheng Qingzhi will think that the commander-in-chief is out of control, and will cut off our assistance, and even guard against us, affecting our trade with the Southern Song Dynasty. "

Wang Bin paused and said in a deep voice: "That's why I think we can't reject the Southern Song Dynasty yet."

Zhao Tai pondered for a moment, "I know I can't refuse, but I really can't bear to leave this Haizhou."

Wang Wentong was silent for a while and suddenly said: "Zheng Qingzhi asked for Haizhou to appease Lin'an, to silence his political enemies, and to test the loyalty of the commander-in-chief. As for whether it is Haizhou or not, it is not important to him. Commander-in-Chief

If you are reluctant to part with Haizhou, then give it to other states and counties in the Southern Song Dynasty."

Wang Bin stroked his beard and said, "I agree with Zuo's military advisor. Now that the Jin Kingdom is about to fall, and the general wants to use Shandong as his foundation, Haizhou cannot be given to the Southern Song Dynasty. Haizhou is north of the Huaihe River. If the Song army takes this place,

They already have a foothold in Huaibei and are a threat to the commander-in-chief."

Zhao Tai frowned and asked: "If you don't give it to Haizhou, then which state will you give it to?"

Wang Bin narrowed his eyes and said, "I thought I would give it to Suzhou and Sizhou."

"Suzhou and Sizhou?" Zhao Tai was a little surprised. These two states were his original territory.

Wang Wentong frowned and said, "Not long ago, Suzhou was massacred by Kublai Khan and suffered extremely heavy losses. However, Sizhou was close to the Southern Song Dynasty but did not suffer any losses. Among the six states we occupy now, Sizhou has the largest population and the most tax revenue.

, why give Sizhou to the Southern Song Dynasty?"

Seeing the two people looking at him, Wang Bin said in a deep voice: "There are three reasons for handing over Suzhou and Sizhou to the Southern Song Dynasty. If Haizhou was handed over to the Southern Song Dynasty, when the Southern Song Dynasty wanted to take over the Central Plains, they would definitely ask for Sizhou and Suzhou again.

, open up the road to the north."

Zhao Tai stroked his beard. If Zheng Qingzhi led Duanping into Luo as in history, Suzhou and Sizhou would indeed be on the path of the Song army heading north.

At that time, the Song army will definitely demand Sizhou and Suzhou again.

Zhao Tai pondered: "What about the other two reasons?"

Wang Bin continued: "After the fall of the Jin Kingdom, the north and south faced off. We handed over Suzhou and Sizhou to the Southern Song Dynasty. The general only needed to defend Shandong and could concentrate on developing his forces. There was no need to guard the Huainan gateway for the Southern Song Dynasty. If the Song army entered Suzhou

and Sizhou, their land bordering Mongolia will become longer, and the conflicts between Mongolia and Song Dynasty will become more prominent. At that time, the Southern Song Dynasty will be able to act as the commander-in-chief, attract the attention of Mongolia, and share the pressure faced by the commander-in-chief."

Sizhou and Suzhou were on the north bank of the Huaihe River, blocking the Mongolian route from southeastern Henan to attack the Southern Song Dynasty.

Zhao Tai stationed troops here just to stand guard for the Southern Song Dynasty, which did not bring much benefit to his own development.

By giving Sizhou and Suzhou to the Southern Song Dynasty, the Song army had a stronghold on the north bank of the Huaihe River, and this stronghold would directly threaten Kaifeng.

At that time, the Mongolian army will have to pay attention to the Song army stationed in Suzhou and Sizhou. Once a conflict breaks out between the two sides, Zhao Tai will become more relaxed.

When Wang Bin saw Zhao Tai nodding, he continued: "Finally, Zheng Qingzhi asked the Marshal for Haizhou, which was a test of the Marshal's loyalty. Haizhou was just acquired by the Marshal, and the Marshal directly offered Suzhou, which had been operating for a long time, to the Southern Song Dynasty.

He Sizhou, Zheng Qingzhi must

I will no longer doubt the loyalty of the commander-in-chief. In addition, Sizhou and Suzhou now belong to the Jin Kingdom in name. The commander-in-chief dedicated them to the Southern Song Dynasty. He thought that the Southern Song Dynasty might not dare to take over immediately. We have enough time to transfer materials and

population."

Zhao Tai thought for a while and said, "What the right military advisor said makes sense. Does the left military advisor have any opinions?"

Wang Wentong pondered for a moment, "Now that we cannot do without the Southern Song Dynasty, we can only show our loyalty to the Southern Song Dynasty in the hope of continuing to receive assistance and markets from the Southern Song Dynasty. Beizhi has no objection to Youjunshi's analysis, but Beizhi believes that we must develop ourselves as soon as possible and reduce the number of

Dependence on the Southern Song Dynasty. Otherwise, next time the Southern Song Dynasty makes excessive demands, we will still be unable to refuse."

Zhao Tai nodded heavily, "The two gentlemen are right. Then I will return to Haizhou tomorrow morning to meet with the Song envoy."

Early the next morning, Zhao Tai had breakfast and took a boat back to Haizhou.

In the state government office hall, Liu Bin, an official sent by Zheng Qingzhi, was sitting drinking tea when there was a sudden noise outside.

"Hahaha~" Zhao Tai laughed heartily, walked into the living room, smiled and handed over his hands, "The envoy came from afar, and Zhao was neglectful."

When Liu Bin saw it was Zhao Tai, he also stood up with a smile, "Shuai Zhao really has everything on his plate."

Zhao Tai smiled and said: "I was inspecting Donghai Island. I heard that Enxiang sent Liu Yushi here, so I hurried back. I didn't keep Brother Liu waiting for a long time."

"Where~" Liu Bin said straight to the point: I came here under the order of the Prime Minister, hoping that the commander-in-chief can hand over the newly acquired Haizhou to the imperial court. I wonder if the commander-in-chief is in trouble?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Tai walked to the middle hall and sat down, motioning for Liu Bin to sit down as well, and then said in a deep voice: "May I ask Brother Liu, why does Enxiang ask for Haizhou?"

Liu Bin said: "Since Enxiang came to power, he spent millions to aid the Kingdom of Jin, but got nothing, which aroused criticism from the government and the public. In order to calm everyone's opinions, he asked the commander for Pizhou and Haizhou to calm the domestic criticism.

"

Zhao Tai nodded when he heard this and fell into deep thought. Seeing this, Liu Bin couldn't help but frown and asked in a deep voice, "Is it possible that the commander-in-chief is unwilling to give up Pizhou and Haizhou?"

"Haha~" Zhao Tai laughed quickly and said: "How could it be? I just think that Pizhou and Haizhou are of little use to the imperial court. Since there are people in the country who criticize Enxiang, I will calm down the discussions of the officials for Enxiang.

The ruling and opposition parties must see the results of Prime Minister Eun’s policies

Therefore, I decided to dedicate Suzhou and Sizhou to Enxiang. These two states are located to the north of the Huaihe River, close to the old capital Bianjing, and their status is much more important than Haizhou and Pizhou. If the imperial court obtains these two states, then Bianzhou

Zhou Zaiwang is in line with En Xiang’s strategy of regaining the three capitals.”

Liu Bin was shocked, "The commander-in-chief wants to dedicate Suzhou and Sizhou to the imperial court?"

These two states were Zhao Tai's home base. The Southern Song Dynasty actually wanted these two states, but they were afraid that Zhao Tai would not agree, so they asked for Pizhou and Haizhou.
Chapter completed!