Samuer’s face was pale.
The warriors behind her all hesitated to speak.
Countless warriors from Western Liang had been buried in Jiuquan.
Every three to five years, battles would break out.
But now, they had to yield it to Great Feng for joint governance!
Yet, what else could they do?
Just as Ning Que had said.
Western Liang had no choice.
They were now begging Great Feng for peace talks!
“Good!”
Sima Changqing clenched his fists.
They knew the alliance would be torn up sooner or later.
Even if Western Liang didn’t tear it up, Great Feng would.
Emperor Feng wanted more than just their submission.
He wanted the entire Western Liang!
Signing the national letter would bring a brief period of peace.
Great Feng could seize the opportunity to develop.
They could use silk and immortal tea for trade.
And obtain more warhorses!
With warhorses, they could form more cavalry!
“Princess, your righteousness is admirable!”
Ning Que smiled and raised his hand.
He returned to his seat.
Feeling the fiery gaze.
He saw Tian Zhongxun’s eyes almost spitting fire.
He merely sneered.
The three conditions Tian Zhongxun proposed were harsh.
However, they overestimated Western Liang.
And underestimated Ning Que!
Western Liang’s current situation was difficult.
Their main forces were heavily damaged by Gu Yuan, suffering severe casualties.
Winter was approaching, yet they lacked sufficient food.
Liao Kingdom also chose this time to interfere.
Stating they wanted to redefine the national border.
Ning Que knew all these things.
Through this information asymmetry, he dared to make the gamble.
Western Liang was now at the end of its strength.
They could only choose peace talks!
Moreover, Great Feng’s conditions were not excessive.
The sovereignty of Jiuquan still belonged to Western Liang.
It was merely joint operation by both sides.
Samuer raised her head.
At this moment, she had also resigned herself to fate.
But she still needed to bring back some benefits to report.
“The national letter can be signed now.”
“As for how to conduct mutual trade, we can discuss it slowly.”
“Including Great Feng’s garrison, that can also be negotiated.”
“However, I represent Western Liang in these peace talks, yet I have gained no benefits. If I return to Western Liang, I will have no way to explain to my father. So, Ning Wang, why not yield a bit, so I too have something to report?”
“What does the Princess mean?”
Ning Que was not overly aggressive.
If they were pushed too hard, all his efforts would be in vain.
Samuer looked troubled and said softly, “Ning Wang understands my Western Liang well and knows our current predicament. We can accept all the conditions you have offered. Currently, I have only one request: please ask Great Feng to prepare ten thousand catties of immortal tea and three hundred thousand shi of grain.”
Emperor Feng frowned.
Grain was easy to manage.
But this immortal tea was not easy to obtain.
After picking and stir-frying, the weight would shrink considerably.
immortal tea was just starting, planted only in Chang’an.
There were certainly other places, but they were all wild.
And there were no specialized workshop workers yet.
There wasn't even enough immortal tea to drink now.
Even the landlord had no surplus grain…
“Five thousand catties of immortal tea, one hundred thousand shi of grain.”
“If the Princess agrees, it can be gathered in half a month.”
“Good!”
Samuer picked up the wine goblet and drank it all.
This way, she would have something to report.
Western Liang had poured its heart and soul into Jiuquan.
If Great Feng wanted to jointly develop it, it also had to shed some blood.
At least let Western Liang gain some advantage.
“Good, it is so decided!”
“Cao Shangshu, draft the national letter immediately.” Emperor Feng flicked his sleeve and said with a smile, “Princess, you may rest in the palace for these two days. If Ning Wang has time, he can take the Princess around to see the customs and culture of my Great Feng’s Chang’an.”
“Your subject obeys the decree.”
Ning Que raised his hand in acceptance.
Chief Steward Hu also understood.
He waved the whisk in his hand.
“Court dismissed—！”
“Your subjects withdraw!”
Although the court was dismissed, a private meeting was still necessary. Emperor Feng specifically kept Ning Que and his confidants like Sima Changqing. Emperor Feng held his teacup, laughing heartily.
“Imperial Brother, you have rendered a great service this time.”
“You helped my Great Feng with peace talks and garrisoned Jiuquan.”
“What surprised me most was this immortal tea.”
“It’s actually so important to Western Liang!”
“However, five thousand catties of immortal tea…”
“Imperial Brother, rest assured.” Ning Que no longer addressed him as ‘Your Majesty,’ and said with a smile, “I have always done business this way. Good things are kept for myself. As for export trade, the requirements can naturally be lower. A large quantity for satisfaction is enough; don’t expect these uncivilized barbarians to understand how to taste tea or the tea ceremony.”
“Haha, well said!”
Emperor Feng nodded with satisfaction.
It had to be him!
There was nothing wrong with what he said.
How could uncivilized barbarians understand the pleasure of tea?
For them, tea was about survival.
Ning Que’s idea was very simple.
He would use some defective products to make tea bricks.
There was no need to overly pursue craftsmanship.
As long as the quantity was sufficient.
“Imperial Brother not only facilitated the peace talks this time.”
“He also took this opportunity to weaken the feudal lords and reclaim Linzi County.”
“Did you see the Prince of Qi’s face just now?”
“Hahaha, it was as black as the bottom of a pot.”
Emperor Feng laughed heartily.
He was very happy at this moment.
Ning Que had brought him great honor this time.
He acted subtly, achieving multiple objectives.
Yu Ji nodded in agreement.
Yes!
Only Ning Que could have accomplished this.
“Your Highness has rendered a great service this time.”
“Once the national letter is officially signed, you should assume your royal authority.”
Sima Changqing spoke to remind him.
He was also requesting a reward for Ning Que.
This time, Ning Que achieved multiple objectives, which was very rare.
Mainly, he used his royal title as a wager.
He designed it to make Tian Zhongxun bet Linzi against him.
Indeed, Ning Que won.
But what if he had lost?
Tian Zhongxun was not a fool.
To entice him to bet, one had to put up real stakes.
Therefore, a reward should be given!
Emperor Feng nodded.
He was known for his clear rewards and punishments.
He looked at Ning Que, a slight smile on his face.
“Imperial Brother has officially been crowned, and should also form the Three Guards. I permit you to select elites from the army to form Ning Wang’s Three Guards. Including your father’s former generals, they can all be transferred.”
“Your subject, thanks Your Majesty!”
Ning Que raised his hand, his eyes red.
There were still many uncles in the army.
They were all sworn brothers of his father.
Some of them were now military commanders.
Such a reward placed more emphasis on sentiment.
“As for Linzi County…”
“Your subject has no interest in Linzi County.”
“That won’t do.” Emperor Feng smiled, “How about this, it’ll be similar to Jingyang. I will grant you a fief of thirty thousand households in Linzi, and you won’t need to bother with its governance; it can be handled by a regional official.”
“Your subject thanks Imperial Brother!”
Ning Que also smiled.
Just kidding…
Linzi was three thousand li from Chang’an.
How would he have the time to govern it?
Rather than being encroached upon by Tian Zhongxun, it was better to incorporate it into Great Feng’s county map.
Three thousand households as a fief was enough for him.
Asking for too much could easily cause trouble.
After the serious matters were discussed, Emperor Feng smiled.
A cunning glint flashed in his sharp eyes.
“Speaking of which, the Empress Dowager has been very busy these past few days. She even asked me to help her find suitable young women from good families. I think Princess Samuer is quite good; if you marry the West Liang Princess, it will surely become a beautiful story. Perhaps, one day, it could even resolve the enmity between the two countries.”
“No, thank you…”
Ning Que looked helpless.
Wasn't this just randomly pairing people up?
Resolve the enmity between the two countries?
The two countries didn't have much enmity to begin with.
It was purely for the sake of competing for interests.
“Speaking of which, your subject also wants to find her.”
“Oh?”
“Your subject wants to know who betrayed my father and brother!”