The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 173

But if they were to give them grain, and the Tang Dynasty asked for too much, then the entire nation would have to contribute grain from their own households to give to the Tang. Their domestic grain reserves were already insufficient compared to the Tang Dynasty's abundance; if they were to give them even more...

Xu Tian saw his concerns and said, "Give us as much as you can, but it can't be less than 500 catties."

There is still a lot of land in the Tang Dynasty that has not been planted yet, and the grain and other things will have to be planted slowly, and there will naturally be more in time.

Moreover, two hundred jin (100 kg) should be enough for him for a while. By then, the potato yield might double.

Upon hearing Xu Tian's words, Buck immediately nodded happily, "Okay."

He was worried that the Tang Dynasty would ask for several thousand catties of grain, but if they only wanted five hundred catties, they could still provide it.

In addition, their grain yield is uncertain, sometimes more and sometimes less. This year is a year of more, so giving away 500 catties is a simple matter.

"Since that's the case, then let's sign a peace treaty." The border general said, taking out a piece of paper from his sleeve. On the paper, he had already written down word by word what the Western Regions Kingdom would compensate him for.

Buck took it, looked at it carefully, and then nodded, saying, "You can sign it now."

After saying this, he picked up a pen, wrote his name on a piece of paper, and pressed his fingerprint on it.

The paper already bore the signatures and fingerprints of General Li and others, as well as Li Er's imperial seal.

Upon seeing this, the border general and Xu Tian also signed and pressed their fingers in succession.

In this way, everything can be considered settled.

The next day, the soldiers from the Western Regions brought a large amount of grain, which, after being counted, amounted to 500 catties, not a bit more or less.

Xu Tian didn't say anything. After all, the entire Western Regions Kingdom didn't know how to make good use of potatoes, and there were very few fields suitable for planting. It was already quite good that they had 500 catties of potatoes to offer.

In addition, there are five thousand taels of silver, not a penny less.

When the Western Regions General was taking inventory with the Border Guard General, he looked pained.

After all, that's five thousand taels of silver! A full five thousand taels of silver and five hundred catties of grain!

The border general, however, showed no expression; he was only concerned with when he would return to the border.

After everything was accounted for, the Western Regions general said, "King Bak asked if Queen Yanji could return with us?"

"Go back?" Upon hearing this, the border general raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "Go back to where?"

"Naturally, we should return to the Western Regions."

The border general's expression was now somewhat cold and indifferent. He said in a cold voice, "Princess Chang'an has now been banished to the cold palace by your previous king, who also said he would abandon her as queen. She is no longer considered a person of your Western Regions Kingdom. Princess Chang'an's hometown is Chang'an of the Tang Dynasty, so naturally she should return to the Tang Dynasty with us."

Seeing that his expression had turned cold, and considering that Princess Chang'an was no longer considered a citizen of the Western Regions, the Western Regions general simply took his leave.

In the afternoon, the border general took the grain back, while the second prince had to return to the southwest with General Li to continue the defense. The silver was taken back to Chang'an by General Wang and Marshal Hu. Before the two rested and set off, they stayed in the border general's camp.

It was already night when they arrived at the military camp on the border of the Tang Dynasty.

Nowadays, there are far fewer people in the military camp.

Many people, including A-Jie, have already returned to Chang'an.

At this moment, the adjutant saw them and hurriedly ran over, sighing, "General, the army is out of food again."

"Out of food again?" The border general frowned slightly.

"Indeed, the grain has been going down far too fast these days." The adjutant was also helpless, but he had no other choice but to tell the border general.

More and more people are joining the army these days, but the grain provided by the imperial court is all leftover from various cities, which is why it is not enough.