Chapter 15: Agreement Reached

The next morning, twelve swift horses set off from the Xianbei camp, heading straight for Yan City. The city guards, upon seeing the foreign cavalry rushing toward the city, immediately became alert.

However, the Yan Prince’s residence had already sent word, stating that the Xianbei were invited to the city to discuss matters, though the guards still thoroughly checked everyone before allowing them passage.

Yan City, situated on the frontier, required vigilance. After learning the location of the Prince’s residence from the guards, Su Hetu led his attendants toward the Yan Prince’s mansion.

At the Prince’s residence, a line of guards stood on either side of the massive gate, and patrol posts were set at intervals along the high courtyard walls, each soldier armed with a spear and carrying a waist knife.

Su Hetu and his group arrived at the gate, where one servant stepped forward to speak with a guard, presenting the letter and invitation sent by the Prince’s residence the previous day.

The guard examined the documents, and upon confirming their authenticity, promptly reported back to the mansion.

Zhao Bin, preoccupied with the day’s affairs, had risen early. Upon hearing of the Xianbei’s arrival, he instructed Chunxi to go out and meet them.

Soon, Chunxi arrived at the hall’s entrance with about ten men. Xiao Chu signaled them to halt at the door. Chunxi turned to Su Hetu and said, “Chief Su, the guards can wait outside.”

Su Hetu paused briefly and then nodded in agreement. Speaking a few words of colloquial Xianbei to some servants, he stopped a worried middle-aged man from voicing concerns.

He knew well that once inside the Yan Prince’s residence, if the Prince intended harm, their mere ten men would be helpless. After organizing the servants, Su Hetu followed Chunxi into the hall.

Inside, Su Hetu saw a young man sitting at the head of the room, his expression warm with a faint smile. Behind him stood two attendants: a burly man with a resolute face, Wang Wu, and a beautiful maid named Ling’er.

Su Hetu understood that the young man was surely the master of the house, the Yan Prince. He stepped forward, crossed one arm over his chest, bowed, and said, “I am Su Hetu, chieftain of the Suhe tribe of the Xianbei, paying respects to Your Highness the Yan Prince.”

Zhao Bin rose and said, “Chieftain Su, please rise. Today, it is I who have invited you. There is no need for formalities. Please, be seated.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Su Hetu replied, standing upright.

“Ling’er, bring tea,” Zhao Bin said as he sat back down. “Chieftain Su, do you speak Han language?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Our Suhe tribe has settled here for a long time and has some contact with the local Han people. Many in our tribe have learned to speak Han. When the Xia army reclaimed Yan City years ago, they did not drive us out. We also pay the Yan City government 200 sheep annually,” Su Hetu answered.

“I see. Since you and the Great Xia have old ties, I will speak frankly. I believe the messenger who delivered the letter yesterday also gave you the salt I sent. I wish to exchange salt for your tribe’s cattle, sheep, and horses. Are you willing to trade?”

At this, a flicker of joy crossed Su Hetu’s lips. Salt was precious to any northern nomadic tribe; there was none on the grasslands, and smuggled salt at the border was scarce. Many herders went the whole year without tasting salt.

Su Hetu then asked, “How does Your Highness plan to conduct the exchange?”

“Simple. Two catties of salt for one sheep, five catties of salt for one cow or horse, regardless of size,” Zhao Bin stated directly.

This price was neither fair nor unfair. Even the fairest price is meaningless without supply.

Salt and iron in Great Xia were controlled by noble clans, and laws forbade selling salt or iron to nomads. Strengthening the enemy was akin to courting disaster.

Su Hetu said, “I agree, but how much salt does Your Highness intend to trade?”

“That depends on how many cattle, sheep, and horses your tribe can offer,” Zhao Bin smiled.

“What do you mean, Your Highness?” Su Hetu was puzzled; he had no idea how much salt Zhao Bin could provide—perhaps dozens or hundreds of catties.

Zhao Bin did not beat around the bush: “Except for what your tribe needs to keep, I am prepared to trade all the rest.”

After a moment’s thought, Su Hetu cautiously said, “My tribe can provide one thousand horses, two thousand cattle, and ten thousand sheep. Can Your Highness supply that much salt?”

“Xiao Chu, bring the salt,” Zhao Bin called outside the hall.

“Yes, Your Highness,” came the reply. Soon, two guards entered carrying two sacks, placing them before Su Hetu. When opened, they revealed gleaming white fine salt, freshly refined from the saltworks yesterday, weighing two hundred catties.

“Chieftain Su, consider this two hundred catties of fine salt as an advance from me. From now on, send people daily to deliver livestock and take salt. How does that sound?” Zhao Bin said.

Su Hetu, astonished by the fine salt before him, asked, “Is Your Highness serious?”

Zhao Bin smiled, “The salt is right in front of you. Why would I lie? If you couldn’t get salt, you wouldn’t send livestock, would you?”

Su Hetu slammed his hand on the table, “Agreed. It’s settled. I will immediately dispatch people from my tribe to deliver the livestock.”

“Not so fast. There is one more thing,” Zhao Bin said after a pause.

“Please speak, Your Highness,” Su Hetu replied, watching him attentively.

“I assume you have dealings with the Western Liao as well. I have a supply of coarse salt I can offer at a discount. You can take it to the border and trade with the Western Liao or other tribes for horses, cattle, and sheep. Then bring those animals here to exchange for more fine salt,” Zhao Bin explained.

“Also, other mountain goods can be exchanged.”

Su Hetu readily agreed; this would allow him to profit from the price difference. They discussed prices of other goods, and Su Hetu instructed two servants to carry the two sacks of salt as he happily left the residence.

After Su Hetu’s departure, Zhao Bin called Xiao Chu inside. “Xiao Chu, send word to the government office that I am hosting a banquet tonight. Invite the key officials.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Ling’er, have the kitchen prepare extra slices of lamb this afternoon and get the seasonings ready. We’ll have hotpot tonight,” Zhao Bin instructed.

“At once, Your Highness.”

“Old Wu, how are the blacksmiths and carpenters progressing?” Zhao Bin turned to Wang Wu.

“I inspected yesterday. They’ve assembled about thirty complete iron plows,” Wang Wu reported from the front.

“Tomorrow, take them to the government office, along with the blueprints. Let the office promote the improved iron plows and their use among the people. We can’t do all the work ourselves; it’s too much,” Zhao Bin said, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

That evening, the main officials of the government office gathered at the Yan Prince’s residence and were treated to their first-ever hotpot meal.