“Court Musician, play the Prince Ning's Battle Formation Music!”
“Understood!”
The Court Musician slowly stepped forward.
He was a subordinate official of the Ministry of Rites.
His main responsibility was the royal ceremonial music.
Prince Ning's Battle Formation Music…
Ning Que couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.
This piece of music was composed during the time of the previous Emperor.
At that time, the Yan Yun Sixteen Prefectures were occupied by the Liao Kingdom. Old Prince Ning divided his army into two routes. He feigned an attack with fifty thousand troops to draw out the Liao Kingdom's main force, then decisively marched north.
Within half a year, he captured thirty-six cities in succession!
He reclaimed the Yan Yun Sixteen Prefectures!
He washed away Great Feng's century of humiliation!
Along the way, he encountered fierce counterattacks from the Liao Kingdom.
Old Prince Ning's personal guards were surrounded by the Liao Kingdom.
He personally beat the war drums, igniting the passion of his personal guards.
Cooperating with the reinforcements, he slaughtered the Liao Kingdom's elite.
The previous Emperor was overjoyed and enfeoffed Old Prince Ning as the Grand Marshal of Heaven's Strategy. To commend his achievements, he gathered court musicians and, based on Prince Ning's drumming on the battlefield, composed the Prince Ning's Battle Formation Music.
This piece of music was exceptionally stirring.
It was grand and magnificent, filled with killing intent.
The instruments used were also specific.
War drums, chime bells, shakuhachi, zhu, flute…
The Court Musician stood at the front, raising his hand to signal.
The musicians took their positions and played one by one.
The first to begin was the sound of drums.
Followed by the clear sound of bells.
Then the instruments were played one by one.
While the music was being played, maidservants brought in wine and dishes.
Court banquets always used a system of individual servings.
Each official had their own dining table in front of them.
Behind them, there would be dedicated maidservants to attend to them.
Samuer listened quietly, her eyes slightly narrowed.
Is this the Prince Ning's Battle Formation Music?
Old Prince Ning's last piece before he died in battle!
Her grandfather once told her.
After Prince Ning was trapped in Hulu Valley, he personally beat the drums.
His already exhausted personal guards seemed to be possessed.
They repelled them again and again.
Until they finally ran out of ammunition and food, Prince Ning did not surrender. He beat the drums until the last moment, then used the Overlord Spear to fight the enemy. Before his death, he cut down dozens of Western Liang warriors before finally exhausting his strength and dying in battle.
This piece of music was a nightmare for the Western Liang people!
Emperor Feng ordering it to be played now was a form of deterrence.
While the music was being played, guards also entered.
They were clad in gleaming armor.
Holding a shield in their left hand and a sword in their right.
They changed their battle formations with the music.
Each time they changed formation, a shout would erupt.
They were full of killing intent, looking as if they were about to strike.
Samuer remained composed, completely unfazed.
She wasn't easily intimidated either.
This piece of music had more power on the battlefield.
Playing it in the palace, on the other hand, felt out of place.
“Music ends—”
“My lords, let us drink this goblet together!”
Emperor Feng raised his wine goblet as a signal.
All the officials simultaneously raised their cups and drank.
Samuer also took a few sips.
It wasn't that she couldn't drink alcohol; having grown up on horseback, she drank alcohol like water. For instance, the Western Liang people's most common drink was kumis, which had a mellower taste.
However, as today was for peace talks, she needed to remain clear-headed.
Tian Zhongxun subtly sipped two mouthfuls of wine.
At the same time, he looked at her with cold eyes.
What's going on?
Didn't they agree not to accept?
Would the Western Liang people really submit?
Of course, this didn't prove anything.
Don't think that Western Liang would suffer a loss by paying tribute.
Great Feng was a celestial empire!
Western Liang, on the other hand, was an uncivilized land.
Therefore, even if they paid tribute, they wouldn't get anything good.
On the contrary, Great Feng would have to give some return gifts.
Silk and brocade, gold and jade jewels…
The Feng People would certainly not accept hearing about submission.
Because Great Feng was a celestial empire!
And Western Liang was, after all, a small country.
The ideology of a small country was survival.
Let alone submitting, they would even call you 'father' if it meant survival.
As for face?
That wouldn't help them survive in Western Liang.
A small country's primary goal was survival.
Western Liang repeatedly attacked Great Feng also for plunder.
Samuer looked at the furious Tian Zhongxun.
She smiled inwardly.
She wished for Great Feng to be embroiled in internal strife.
Her agreement was also the Western Liang King's intention.
This condition was not a problem.
She would agree to it first, and she wouldn't lose out.
It could also make them temporarily lower their guard.
“Princess, what do you think of the music just now?”
“It's good, but it's not suitable for playing here.”
“Perhaps it would be better on the battlefield.”
Although Samuer was a woman, she was not timid in the slightest.
Her words were also sharp and sarcastic.
Seeing this, Ning Que took over the conversation.
The diplomatic relations between the two countries were of great importance.
They absolutely could not lose face!
“The Princess is right.”
“This piece of music is indeed more suitable for the battlefield.”
“Each drumbeat can inspire soldiers to fight.”
“His Majesty was afraid of scaring the Princess, so he didn't use war drums.”
“Heh…”
“Since the Princess has already represented Western Liang in choosing to submit and pay annual tribute, then, according to the rules, Western Liang must send a hostage. Whether it's a princess or a prince, either is fine.”
“No problem.”
Samuer agreed directly.
The matter of hostages had also occurred in the lands beyond the Great Wall.
An ancestor of Western Liang had once been a hostage.
He was originally a crown prince, but he was not favored by the Chanyu. Later, he was sent to the Liao Kingdom as a hostage. The Chanyu then led his troops to attack the Liao Kingdom, intending to use the Liao Kingdom's hand to kill him.
The Western Liang ancestor was very resourceful. He discussed with the Liao Kingdom's ruler. He borrowed eight hundred soldiers and returned to Western Liang. Then, he found an opportunity, shot his own father with an arrow, and finally declared himself king and founded Western Liang!
Clang!
Tian Zhongxun's hand trembled.
The wine goblet immediately fell to the ground.
“Prince Qi, what's wrong?”
“Cough, cough, Your Majesty, I cannot hold my liquor.”
“Then drink less.”
“This subject knows his mistake.”
Tian Zhongxun was extremely furious.
Two of the three conditions had already been met!
Ning Que hadn't even done anything.
If the talks truly succeeded, then he would be finished!
Tian Zhongxun couldn't help but look at Samuer.
What exactly was this person thinking?!
Whose side was she on?
If Gu Yuan had been the one negotiating, he could have guaranteed Western Liang would get more!
“Princess is magnanimous!”
Ning Que still did not smile.
Western Liang submitting, paying tribute, and sending a hostage.
These two conditions were actually nothing.
Ultimately, they did not touch Western Liang's foundation.
The remaining condition, however, was troublesome…
It was equivalent to carving out flesh from Western Liang's chest!
“Furthermore, this Prince has an idea.”
“Prince Ning, please speak.”
“Since the two countries are formally establishing diplomatic relations, and Western Liang is willing to be a subject, then this Prince believes a place can be chosen as a buffer, as a testament to the friendly exchanges between the two countries. At the same time, a mutual market can be opened to facilitate the exchange of goods between the two countries, with joint military management.”
“Acceptable.”
Samuer did not refuse; instead, she looked at Ning Que with a half-smile, “However, Prince Ning, what place do you wish to choose as the mutual market?”
Hmm?!
Ning Que frowned.
Samuer seemed to know what he was going to say.
He then turned to look at Tian Zhongxun opposite him.
No need to think, that old fox must have told her everything.
However, there was no need to worry now.
Since he dared to take on this task, he was confident!
Even if it was an open hand, he was not afraid of Samuer.
“This Prince has observed many places.”
“The only place that meets the conditions for a mutual market is Jiuquan.”
Bang!
The smile on Samuer's face instantly disappeared.
She slammed her hand on the table and stood up abruptly.
“Does Prince Ning not know the importance of Jiuquan?”
“Jiuquan is a strategic stronghold of my Western Liang!”
“If Jiuquan is lost, Great Feng's cavalry can attack my Western Liang Royal Court at any time! If my Western Liang were to propose a mutual market at Yumen Pass, would Prince Ning agree?!”
Seeing this, Tian Zhongxun immediately smiled.
Good, good…
He turned to look at Ning Que.
He had expected to see Ning Que looking troubled.
However, that fellow still had a smile on his face?!