Ch.83Internal Affairs (2)

I resolved the succession rights issue to some extent.

Now that the most urgent fire was put out, it was time to address the suspended trade issues.

“If you want to resolve trade issues, you must first resolve diplomatic problems with the Jin Dynasty.”

At Elunka’s words, I couldn’t help but wear a serious expression.

As he said, if we wanted to resolve trade issues, we absolutely had to fix our diplomatic relations with the Jin Dynasty.

The reason was simply due to Western Xia’s location.

Western Xia was a nation located in the middle of the steppe route, a country that had grown through transit trade along what was commonly called the Silk Road.

Of course, it would be an exaggeration to say the entire country developed solely through transit trade, but it was true that Western Xia’s main source of income came from trade.

In any case, Western Xia accumulated wealth through trade with the Central Plains, Central Asia, and Middle Eastern countries.

This meant that relations with the Jin Dynasty, which controlled goods from the Central Plains, were crucial.

“Resolving diplomatic issues with the Jin Dynasty… that won’t be easy.”

The relationship between Ulus and the Jin Dynasty was damaged after we occupied Western Xia, which had been the Jin Dynasty’s ally and vassal state.

Evidence of this was when Jin’s medium cavalry led by Wanyan Shunan had advanced right up to Xingqing’s doorstep.

In other words, the situation had escalated to the brink of war breaking out again.

Under these circumstances, restoring diplomatic relations with the Jin Dynasty seemed absurd.

“What about focusing on trade with the Song Dynasty instead?”

“With the Song Dynasty?”

“Yes. You’ll remember that by occupying Western Xia, we now share a direct border with the Song Dynasty.”

I nodded at Elunka’s words.

With our occupation of Western Xia, Ulus now had a land connection with the Song Dynasty.

If we established a trade network through Lizhou, the route the Song army had used to enter, we wouldn’t necessarily need to trade with the Jin Dynasty.

To be frank, the reason Ulus had been dependent on trade with the Jin Dynasty wasn’t because their goods were superior.

As an inland country—Mongolia was essentially an island of land without access to the sea—the Jin Dynasty had been our only trading option.

Of course, if we only considered trade itself, commerce with Western Xia or Western Liao would have been possible.

But these countries lacked the necessities Mongolia needed, such as salt, food, and silk.

Even when available, their prices were much higher than the Jin Dynasty’s.

This was why Mongolia had remained under Jin influence for so long.

The Tatars were a prime example of this.

Anyway, separate from this issue, now that we had occupied Western Xia, Ulus had found a new trading partner.

“I hadn’t thought about the Song Dynasty. You’re right—if we have Song, our dependence on Jin trade would decrease.”

Elunka nodded at my words.

From an economic perspective, the Song Dynasty was a country Mongolia absolutely needed to ally with.

They possessed the best technology and production capacity of this era.

At this time, the Song Dynasty had the largest population in the world.

The fact that this enormous population could eat three meals a day without hunger spoke volumes about their wealth.

They were so wealthy that they had created and used the world’s first paper money, jiaozi.

In modern terms, using paper money might not seem like a big deal, but considering that paper currency was essentially credit money, it was clear how vibrant the Song economy was at this time.

Additionally, their technology was exceptional.

They had developed canal locks and lightweight compasses.

They also possessed military technology advanced enough to create and deploy proper gunpowder weapons.

There were even folk tales that they had ice-making technology, allowing children to eat desserts similar to shaved ice.

Ignoring such a good trading partner with this level of technology and economic power would be foolish.

“The Khagan is right. As it happens, Song’s Anmusa Xin Qiji is still staying in Xingqing. Would you like to meet with him?”

I nodded at Elunka’s suggestion.

It was the perfect opportunity to send a trade proposal to the Song Dynasty through Xin Qiji, who was favorably disposed toward Mongolia.

* * *

Xin Qiji was staying in a separate building within Xingqing.

The reason he remained here instead of returning home was simply because diplomacy in this era was an extension of trade.

Just as Goryeo gained significant profits from trade with the Jin Dynasty, the Song Dynasty also conducted trade while distributing imperial edicts.

For this reason, though not always the case, merchants generally traveled alongside officials carrying imperial decrees.

“With Western Xia coming under Mongolian rule, we can finally breathe easier.”

As the elderly man sighed with relief, Xin Qiji tilted his head curiously.

“I’m not knowledgeable about commerce, so I wonder—does Western Xia have anything the Central Plains need, Master Wang?”

The man addressed as Master Wang bowed respectfully and answered immediately.

“Of course, Your Excellency. Western Xia grows many medicinal herbs with excellent properties.”

“I see.”

“Additionally, since it’s now territory ruled by the Mongols who have submitted to the Celestial Dynasty, we can gain more profits through the steppe route that was previously blocked by the Jin Dynasty.”

As befitting one of Song’s wealthy merchants, Master Wang was keenly aware of where money could be made.

As he said, trade with Mongolia was an excellent opportunity to enrich his pockets—no, the entire Song Dynasty.

During the Northern Song period, the main trading partners had traditionally been Goryeo, nomads, Tibet, and Dai Viet.

Of course, during that time, the internal market was well-established, so trade with other countries wasn’t particularly necessary.

But the situation changed dramatically when the Jin Dynasty pushed them southward.

Moving south made it difficult to obtain necessary goods.

As a result, the Song Dynasty focused on trade, but the Jin Dynasty wouldn’t just stand by and watch.

They interfered with trade with Goryeo and controlled all existing trade with the Western Regions through the steppe route.

Because of this, the Song Dynasty had been working to expand its influence south of Dai Viet to expand its trade market.

However, Dai Viet and Dali were by no means easy countries to deal with, so they didn’t submit to Song’s Celestial Dynasty, which caused disruptions in Song’s trade.

In this situation, with Mongolia occupying Western Xia and reopening the steppe route, a merchant like Master Wang couldn’t help but get excited.

“But I’m not certain the Mongols will be as enthusiastic about trade as Master Wang thinks.”

“Since Mongolia’s relationship with the Jin Dynasty has completely soured, they must also want trade with the Song Dynasty.”

“That makes sense. However, I’m unfamiliar with this field, so would you accompany me? Would that be acceptable?”

At Xin Qiji’s words, Master Wang lowered his body respectfully, as if there could be no question about it.

“How could I refuse, Your Excellency? I was actually going to ask for your help, but you spoke first, which fills me with gratitude.”

“Haha! Don’t stand on such ceremony. Weren’t you the benefactor who helped me when I raised a volunteer army in Shandong with nothing but my bare hands? Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Xin Qiji was born as the second son of an ordinary family.

As such, he had no significant connections to the government.

The fact that he could rise to the position of Anmusa, just below the Military Commissioner, was entirely due to Master Wang’s financial support.

“Not at all, Your Excellency. I only helped because I was moved by the chivalrous spirit you showed in your youth.”

“I am not a beast, Master Wang. I haven’t forgotten your kindness, so please tell me if you need anything.”

In fact, he had brought Master Wang along because of the merchant’s request.

“I am satisfied as things are, Your Excellency. Anything more would be poison to me.”

“Haha! You are indeed a true gentleman. Other merchants in the Central Plains should learn the way of business from you… Anyway, I will request an audience with the Mongol Khan immediately.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

Master Wang said this while taking out a small box and handing it to Xin Qiji.

Xin Qiji tilted his head curiously as he looked at Master Wang.

“What is this?”

“I’ve heard that nomads like such gifts. You could use it effectively to gain their favor. And I’ve prepared a separate box for Your Excellency.”

“Please don’t, Master Wang. As I always say, I don’t need such boxes. I’m satisfied just having your help.”

At Xin Qiji’s polite refusal, Master Wang nodded as if he had no choice.

However, he didn’t remove the box he had placed before him.

“I will follow Your Excellency’s wishes. But please don’t refuse the box for the Mongol nomads.”

At Master Wang’s words, Xin Qiji laughed heartily and shook his head.

“You may take that box back as well. In my view, the Mongol Khan is a true man of honor who understands righteousness and chivalry. If we offer such a box, the Khan might actually dislike it.”

“R-really?”

In the eyes of Central Plains people, nomads had always been seen as greedy beings.

They were thought to raid and disturb borders at every opportunity, so such thinking was natural.

That’s why Master Wang couldn’t help but look surprised.

“Yes. Moreover, the Khan seems to be someone who understands the world situation clearly. So if we make a sincere proposal for trade, he will likely agree.”

Xin Qiji confidently spoke words that seemed unlikely to work in the harsh international political climate.

Master Wang had to swallow his words.

This was because even a mere merchant like him knew that not everything could be resolved through righteousness and chivalry, as Xin Qiji suggested.

Additionally, they were dealing with nomads.

Unlike the Central Plains, it was a world of non-civilization where words like righteousness and chivalry were not commonly used.

That’s why Master Wang couldn’t help but worry.

However, voicing these concerns might hurt Xin Qiji’s feelings, so he refrained from adding to Xin Qiji’s words.

In any case, Xin Qiji and Master Wang began preparing to meet the Mongol Khan.

While they were preparing, an attendant approached and addressed the Anmusa.

“Your Excellency, the Mongol Khan wishes to see you.”

“The Khan?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm… I understand.”

Xin Qiji and Master Wang were already planning to meet the Mongol Khan.

So this was actually good news for both of them.

“I wonder why the Mongol Khan suddenly wants to see Your Excellency…”

“Haha. It seems the Khan is thinking along the same lines as us.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Never mind. More importantly, do you have any wine brought from the Central Plains? I can’t miss the opportunity to drink with a true Mongol hero.”

Xin Qiji was smiling happily at the thought of drinking.

Master Wang could only tilt his head as he looked at Xin Qiji.