“Princess, how is the taste of this mare’s milk tea?”
“Does it suit the Princess’s taste?”
Ning Que looked at Samuer with a half-smile.
Tea was a great weapon!
Controlling tea meant controlling Western Liang’s lifeline!
Therefore, he wasn't flustered at all right now.
Besides, he still had a trump card he hadn’t used.
“Very good.”
“How is this immortal tea sold?”
“The price is negotiable,” Ning Que waved his hand nonchalantly and said calmly, “Since Western Liang is submitting and paying tribute, we naturally won’t treat you unfairly. But the Princess must know what Great Feng needs.”
“As long as Western Liang agrees to make Jiuquan a buffer zone, it can facilitate peace talks and diplomatic relations between the two countries. At that time, a vast amount of tea, silk, and other goods will be transported to Jiuquan, and Western Liang can exchange them for livestock and furs. The two countries will benefit each other; this is a win-win!”
In reality, Great Feng would win twice…
Of course, none of that mattered.
“Heh…”
Samuer also stood up.
Her eyes held a smile as she looked at Ning Que.
“This immortal tea is indeed good.”
“Prince Ning is also very well prepared.”
“Including this mare’s milk tea, it’s very delicious.”
“But for Western Liang to cede Jiuquan, that is absolutely out of the question.”
“I remember Old Prince Ning once said something.”
“Ancestral territory must be defended to the death; not an inch can be given to others!”
“To show sincerity, we can take a half-step back.”
“Western Liang agrees to use Jiuquan as a mutual market, but it should be entirely under Western Liang’s jurisdiction. As for Great Feng stationing troops, that is absolutely not allowed!”
Emperor Feng frowned tightly, very displeased.
What kind of submission was this?
To put it plainly, Western Liang didn’t take the alliance seriously.
The so-called tribute was merely for profit.
This wasn’t the first time.
The alliances Western Liang had torn up could stack half a foot high.
They were not trustworthy people.
They could sign an alliance, and they could tear it up.
Jiuquan was very important to both countries.
No matter who occupied it, they could threaten the other side.
Therefore, Ning Que agreed to Tian Zhongxun’s proposal.
This was called shelving disputes and developing jointly.
Both sides would station troops together and manage together.
For Western Liang, this meant giving up half of its sovereignty.
It was normal for them to be unable to accept it.
Samuer’s idea was to open a mutual market.
And it could also be chosen in Jiuquan.
However, she could not accept Great Feng stationing troops.
But doing so would mean Great Feng worked for nothing.
Tian Zhongxun smiled sinisterly.
He knew it!
Western Liang valued Jiuquan more than its life!
It concerned the safety of the royal court.
Even if this immortal tea was useful, what then?
Western Liang would not agree!
Emperor Feng, meanwhile, looked down at the hall.
He did not express much.
He just looked at Ning Que again.
Now, what should be done?
…
…
All eyes turned to Ning Que.
Sima Changqing hesitated to speak.
He really wanted to help Ning Que do something.
After all, it was not easy to have negotiated to this point.
Ning Que was very capable.
His performance today was already quite good.
In the future, he would surely achieve great things and accomplish much!
It would be too regrettable if he were demoted to a commoner because of a bet.
Ning Que, however, sat down calmly.
It seemed that relying solely on benefits was useless.
National defense and military strength were the foundation of diplomacy!
Since that was the case, he could only resort to some methods.
“May I ask, Princess, can we still talk?”
“For example, in terms of benefits, Great Feng can make concessions.”
“It concerns Western Liang’s sovereignty; there’s nothing to discuss,” Samuer was also very firm, saying seriously, “Please forgive Prince Ning. If Prince Ning is willing, Western Liang can also offer benefits and purchase immortal tea at a high price.”
Ning Que let out a soft sigh of relief.
He picked up the teacup, examining its patterns.
Actually, he really didn’t want to go this far.
Unfortunately, Samuer was stubbornly refusing to budge.
“Princess, do you really want the two countries to go to war?”
“I naturally don’t want to.”
“But Jiuquan is extremely important to Western Liang.”
“If Great Feng stations troops, it’s equivalent to aiming a crossbow at my Western Liang Royal Court!”
“If Prince Ning refuses to concede, then there’s no need to talk.”
“My Western Liang can cut off flesh, but not territory!”
Samuer also had valid reasons.
Indeed, the price Ning Que offered was very tempting.
This immortal tea would become popular in Western Liang in the future!
It would become a necessity for the herdsmen.
But Jiuquan had extremely high strategic value for Western Liang.
This was a bottom line that could not be discussed!
“Even starting a war is fine?”
“My Western Liang does not lack brave men,” facing the threat, Samuer straightened her back, “If peace talks cannot be achieved, my Western Liang can only prepare for war. Even if blood flows like a river, we will never give up an inch of territory.”
Tian Zhongxun’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Good, good, good!
Well done!
He looked at Ning Que with a hint of provocation.
Now, a conclusion could be drawn.
Both sides had already revealed their trump cards.
And Samuer was unyielding.
She absolutely refused to agree to Great Feng stationing troops in Jiuquan.
Ning Que showed a helpless expression.
He put down the teacup.
He looked at Emperor Feng, only with expectant eyes.
Then he looked at the ministers.
The expressions on their faces were all different.
There was regret, there was disappointment.
There were also sneers, watching the show.
“Enough.”
“The Princess has come a long way; I’ll give you a gift.”
“Hmm?”
Ning Que turned his head and whispered.
The maid understood immediately and retreated.
Samuer didn’t care at all, saying calmly, “Prince Ning, you can put away these tricks. No matter what you give, I will not agree. I said, Jiuquan concerns Western Liang’s sovereignty, and cannot be exchanged for benefits.”
“It’s not too late for the Princess to see it.”
Ning Que calmly picked up the ceramic bowl.
Everyone was very curious.
Still giving gifts?
Could this trick get them Jiuquan?
Soon, the maid entered, carrying a wooden tray.
She stood in front of Samuer and bowed respectfully.
“Princess, please.”
Samuer frowned tightly.
She didn’t understand what Ning Que was up to.
She half-believingly lifted the cloth.
Inside was only a crystal-clear jade pendant.
This jade pendant had unique cloud patterns.
In the center was a wolf shape.
The reverse side was engraved with the three characters ‘Yizhi Xie’.
Click…
Samuer stood up in shock.
This… this was her brother’s personal jade pendant?
Yizhi Xie was the Crown Prince of Western Liang.
He was hailed as Western Liang’s most outstanding heir.
At a young age, he became an eagle archer.
He was well-versed in military strategy and highly skilled in martial arts.
His popularity within Western Liang was extremely high!
“What was given?”
“Why has the Princess’s expression changed so much?”
“What is all this?”
Samuer frowned tightly.
She looked up at Ning Que in the distance.
“May I ask, Prince Ning.”
“Why is my brother’s jade pendant with you?”
As her words fell, the entire court was in an uproar.
Even Emperor Feng showed a surprised expression.
He looked at Ning Que in confusion.
“I can quietly obtain the jade pendant.”
“Similarly, I can also kill the Crown Prince of Western Liang.”
Ning Que stood up, as if he had become a different person.
The smile on his face had disappeared.
In its place was extreme indifference!
This time, he really had to thank his Eldest Senior Sister.
If not for her help, it might have been troublesome.
“What did you say?!”
“Literal meaning,” Ning Que said calmly, without any ripples, “Also, I need to remind the Princess. On the grasslands, there is not only Western Liang, but also the powerful Liao Kingdom. This Prince knows that Western Liang and Liao Kingdom have an alliance. But you must know that there are no eternal friends between countries. Only eternal interests. What do you think would happen if Liao Kingdom defected?”
