Dong Changlan looked at Xiao Rongyan with great surprise that Xiao Rongyan would think of mutual trade. He smiled and shook his head, saying, "Mr. Xiao, what you said, my late father had also suggested to the Imperial Court years ago. However, the Emperor believed that if the Jin Kingdom proposed mutual trade first, it would be seen as bowing to the Rong, which would harm the prestige of the Jin Kingdom. Moreover, he was also afraid that the Rong spies might infiltrate."
Later, Dong Qingyue wanted to secretly send someone to the Rong to negotiate and make them propose mutual trade first. But Dong Qingping persuaded him against it, fearing that his brother's goodwill might lead to charges of treason.
Upon hearing this, Bai Jinzhi couldn't help but roll her eyes. As if the suffering of the border people being looted every year didn't harm the country's prestige.