“Your Majesty, this subject refuses to accept!”
Gu Yuan walked out indignantly.
Ignoring his father Gu Mingzhi’s attempts to stop him.
“This subject has guarded the Western Border for many years and is familiar with Western Liang.”
“To defeat the main force of Western Liang, I endured days of ambush in the ice and snow.”
“Braving the bitter cold of winter, I pursued them for hundreds of miles, which forced Western Liang to negotiate peace. This subject is very familiar with the people of Western Liang; they adhere to the law of the jungle and survival of the fittest. They are nothing but uncivilized barbarians who do not submit to imperial rule and only know slaughter. This subject believes that the peace negotiations should be entirely handled by this subject!”
Gu Yuan was truly enraged.
He had painstakingly defeated the main force of Western Liang.
Now that it was time for peace talks, was the credit to be given to Ning Que?
Why? !
Emperor Feng merely raised an eyebrow.
He stared coldly at Gu Yuan.
Gu Mingzhi immediately realized the situation was dire.
He quickly stepped forward and pulled Gu Yuan back.
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger!”
“Yuan'er is just eager to earn merit.”
Emperor Feng looked at Gu Yuan and said coldly, “In the past, I raised a yellow dog that could help me catch rats and rabbits. One day, it became arrogant due to its achievements and even interfered with my hunting, so I ordered it to be stewed. There are many hunting dogs that can catch rats and rabbits; I don't lack that one. What I give you is yours. If I don't give it, who dares to snatch it?!”
“This subject and others dare not!”
Gu Yuan was utterly furious and aggrieved at this moment.
But facing Emperor Feng’s reprimand, what could he do?
Emperor Feng could elevate him, and he could also demote him!
Just one word from him could make him lose everything!
At the crucial moment, it was Gu Mingzhi who stepped forward.
He smiled, holding his jade tablet.
“Your Majesty, there is one matter this subject does not understand.”
“Speak.”
Gu Mingzhi glanced at Ning Que and slowly said, “Since we are to negotiate peace with Western Liang, how will merit be determined? This subject believes that this time, we should first establish three conditions. If Xiao Ning can compel the Western Liang people to sign the alliance, then the hundred officials will naturally have no objections. At that time, his princely title will be restored, making it legitimate.”
“This subject seconds the motion!”
“What Grand Tutor Gu said is very true!”
This time, even Cao Du stepped forward to support.
The other court officials also followed suit.
“Ning Que, what do you think?”
“This subject has no objections.”
“Good, Xiao Ning is indeed confident!” Tian Zhongxun clapped his hands and stepped forward, raising his hand and saying, “This Prince will only propose three demands. If Xiao Ning can make Western Liang agree, then this Prince will have no further objections!”
“Please speak.”
“Since our Great Feng won this war, Western Liang must henceforth submit and pay tribute annually. The specific amount will be negotiated by Xiao Ning.”
“Good.”
Ning Que did not refuse.
He knew this was also Emperor Feng’s intention.
This was his duty.
Inheriting the princely title meant responsibility and obligation!
Facilitating peace talks would benefit the country!
“Furthermore, Western Liang must cede Jiuquan as a buffer zone. It will be jointly garrisoned and governed by our Great Feng and Western Liang, and a mutual market will be opened in Western Liang to benefit the people of both countries.”
“Acceptable.”
Ning Que still did not hesitate.
Jiuquan was originally Great Feng territory, seized by Western Liang during Emperor Wen’s reign. The two countries frequently fought over Jiuquan, which is currently firmly controlled by Western Liang.
Jiuquan is just outside Yumen Pass and is a strategically vital location. If it remains in Western Liang’s hands, they can gather troops and store provisions in Jiuquan, seizing opportunities to attack Yumen Pass. If Great Feng reclaims it, they can advance into Western Liang’s heartland.
“Ning Que, do not be impulsive!”
Emperor Feng could not sit still.
He couldn't help but offer a reminder.
Asking Western Liang to give up Jiuquan was like cutting off their flesh!
This demand was too much!
Ning Que, however, smiled confidently.
“Your Majesty, rest assured, this subject has his own plans!”
“Very well.” Emperor Feng did not press further, but looked at Tian Zhongxun and said, “There is one last condition, speak it.”
“Western Liang must send its Crown Prince to Chang’an as a hostage to ensure the alliance.”
“The Crown Prince as a hostage?”
“Haha, has Prince Qi’s brain been squeezed by a door?”
“How could you even say such a thing?”
“Do you think the Western Liang people are made of mud?”
The officials were all in an uproar.
Hostage situations were not uncommon.
But who would use their Crown Prince as a hostage?
Ning Que raised his hand, signaling the officials to step back.
He looked at Tian Zhongxun and said indifferently, “I hear that the Western Liang Crown Prince possesses extraordinary talent and is held in high regard. At a young age, he has already become a renowned eagle archer in Western Liang. He is well-versed in military strategy and once led an army of one hundred thousand to defeat the main force of Great Shang. To make him a hostage, Western Liang will not agree, and it will instead ignite their fury. Does Prince Qi wish for peace talks, or does he wish to force them into war?”
“If we don’t do this, how can your nephew’s ability be demonstrated?”
“It would be fine to replace him with another imperial prince or princess.”
“Then let’s replace him with an imperial prince or princess!”
Emperor Feng directly made the decision.
Sending the Crown Prince as a hostage was already hopeless.
Especially since the Western Liang Crown Prince was quite outstanding.
He was the most likely to inherit the Western Liang throne.
How could Western Liang agree to use their Crown Prince as a hostage?
“Good!” Tian Zhongxun looked at Ning Que with a hint of challenge and said indifferently, “Xiao Ning, do you dare to agree to this?”
“I dare, but it’s not enough.”
“Hmm?”
Ning Que looked at Tian Zhongxun and said indifferently, “This Prince can agree to all three conditions proposed by Prince Qi. Now, this Prince also wants to make a bet with Prince Qi.”
“Oh?”
“If this Prince fails to fulfill the conditions, then this Prince will be stripped of his princely title and henceforth demoted to a commoner, and Great Feng will have no more princes. Including the Jinyang fief, it can also be handed over to Prince Qi.”
“Is your nephew serious?!”
“Imperial Brother, don’t be impulsive!”
Emperor Feng was also greatly alarmed.
Isn’t this just foolishness?!
Better safe than sorry.
The three conditions proposed by Prince Qi were all very harsh.
Western Liang was also a great nation; how could it easily agree?
The Prince of Ning was the only prince in Great Feng.
This concerned the safety of Great Feng and could not afford any mistakes!
Ning Que raised his hand and smiled calmly, “Since it’s a bet, if this Prince can accomplish all of it, Prince Qi should also offer some congratulatory gifts, right?”
“That is natural.”
Tian Zhongxun’s breathing quickened because of this.
Young people are young people after all.
Too impulsive indeed.
He hadn't expected such an unexpected gain.
He had originally thought of delaying the enfeoffment and then devising a strategy.
He never thought that Ning Que would gamble his princely title.
“What does Xiao Ning want?”
“Even if it's mountains of gold and silver, this Prince can afford it.”
“This Prince wants Linzi County!”
“What did you say?!”
Tian Zhongxun was instantly aghast.
As an Other surname Prince, he held three eastern commanderies.
And Linzi County was the most prosperous.
Linzi was extremely wealthy and substantial, with prosperous households and sufficient people.
Due to the benefits of fishing and salt, its wealth amounted to tens of millions!
Emperor Feng’s pupils contracted, and he understood.
Ning Que was setting a trap for Tian Zhongxun!
Linzi was not only populous and wealthy, but its terrain was also important.
If it were taken, the three commanderies would be split in the middle.
Jiaodong and Langya County would also have difficulty connecting.
Prince Qi would essentially be half-crippled!
“If Prince Qi doesn’t dare, it’s fine.”
“Hmm.” Emperor Feng also understood, saying indifferently, “Such a wager is too absurd. Imperial Brother, you should also restrain yourself and not be so aggressive. As for Prince Qi, it would be wise to avoid his sharp edge.”
What a well-orchestrated rhythm!
Ning Que’s mouth twitched.
The two brothers had jointly dug a pit for Tian Zhongxun.
How could Tian Zhongxun not know?
But the temptation was too great!
As long as he could prevent the peace talks, he could eliminate his long-standing arch-nemesis!
With a dragon riding his face, he didn't know how he could lose!
Never mind, all in!
Tian Zhongxun raised his head resolutely.
“Me, avoid his sharp edge?”
“Good, this Prince agrees to you!”