Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress

Chapter 219: Chapter 217: The Talent of Generals and Leaders_1

Chapter 219: Chapter 217: The Talent of Generals and Leaders_1

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“Today, I have prepared fine wine and delicacies, intending to show goodwill to Jin Kingdom. I hadn’t expected so many unpleasant occurrences!” Li Zhijie, with a smiling face, showed flexibility. He sat down, took up an iron-bone fan, and clapped it in his palm, calling people to come in. “Quick! Help General Bai with his table, and serve him wine and dishes anew! I toast to you all as an apology!”

Perhaps because of Li Zhijie’s handsome appearance and remarkable demeanor, when his attitude softened, the expressions of the peace envoys from Jin Kingdom also eased considerably.

Liu Rushi, however, was not willing to save face, only wanting to strike while the iron was hot. “No need for apologies! I ask the King Yan to bring out the peace treaty of Xiliang and conclude this matter as soon as possible!”

Since Xiliang sought peace, Xiliang must first present the peace terms.

Negotiations between the two countries would inevitably involve haggling and disputes. Finalizing it would not be easy. The sooner peace talks began, the sooner the issue of the southern border could be resolved.

Li Zhijie nodded and had bamboo slips brought to the Crown Prince and Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Liu Rushi, one copy each.

“Our Xiliang is willing to cede eight cities and compensate Jin Kingdom for military expenses! Beauties, gems… they’re already on their way. As long as the treaty is signed, they can all be sent to Jin Kingdom!” Li Zhijie slowly spoke the contents of the peace treaty.

“Twenty-three cities, not one less!” Liu Rushi quickly scanned the bamboo slip, closed it, set it aside, and pulled out a detailed sheepskin map from his sleeve.

The guard behind Liu Rushi immediately took out ink and brush. Liu Rushi boldly circled the entire area south of Tonggu Mountain into Jin Kingdom’s territory, then had the guard take the sheepskin map to Li Zhijie to see.

“Using Tonggu Mountain as the boundary, the area to the north, including Qiushan Pass, Bailong City, and Zhongshan City, all twenty-three cities, will be ceded to Jin! Besides compensating Jin Army’s mobilization expenses, Xiliang must also pay indemnity for the casualties among our soldiers!” Liu Rushi sat upright, his face stern, making exorbitant demands. “Furthermore, the indemnity for our Bai family army, renowned for its valor, should be ten times that of ordinary soldiers. This matter is non-negotiable! Additionally, Xiliang must hand over twenty-three male members from the three clans of Auxiliary General Yun Poxing for General Bai to behead as revenge!”

The demand for Xiliang to turn over twenty-three male members from Yun Poxing’s three clans was merely a bargaining chip for gaining more advantages. Yun Poxing was already the Auxiliary General of Xiliang. If they truly handed over those men to be slain by Bai Qingyan, how would Xiliang retain its dignity?!

Moreover, even if Xiliang dared to send them, Bai Qingyan couldn’t possibly kill them, or it would ruin the Bai family’s reputation.

Bai Qingyan did not expect that Liu Rushi would also demand ten times indemnity for the Bai family’s soldiers.

Li Zhijie, looking down at the sheepskin map, gripped the iron-bone fan so tightly his knuckles turned white. He smiled warmly. “Jin Kingdom’s appetite is too large, isn’t it?”

“King Yan, have you forgotten who first waged war upon Jin Kingdom! Now you talk about a large appetite? When Xiliang conspired against us and attacked our borders, was your appetite… not grand?” Liu Rushi, as the peace envoy of the victorious nation, was extremely arrogant. “The Empress of Xiliang has just ascended the throne; her dragon seat isn’t even warm yet, and many plotters lurk within your borders! Xiliang desires peace. Our Jin Kingdom’s Emperor and Crown Prince, out of benevolence, offer Xiliang a chance to breathe. If Xiliang doesn’t want it, our Jin Kingdom doesn’t mind wading through the turbulent waters of Xiliang!”

Although Liu Rushi was a pedant, he had a good grasp of Xiliang’s internal affairs. Li Zhijie tapped his iron-bone fan lightly, maintaining a smiling mien but feeling a chill rise within.

It seemed Jin Kingdom was leaving no room for Xiliang to maneuver. But indeed, as Minister Liu said, it was Xiliang that first waged war against Jin. Now, with urgent internal strife!

Li Zhijie secretly pondered whether he should bring out the son of the Bai family as a bargaining chip. After all, in his hands, Bai family’s son was the last male descendant of the Bai family.

Li Zhijie couldn’t help but think of Lu Tianzhuo. He had agreed with Lu Tianzhuo to use this Bai family son as bait to ambush Bai Qingyan… to avenge his adoptive father, General Pang Pingguo.

His agreement with Lu Tianzhuo wasn’t entirely due to their camaraderie. Li Zhijie also felt that Bai Qingyan posed a greater threat to Xiliang than Bai Weiting.

Meeting Bai Qingyan today affirmed Li Zhijie’s belief. Bai Qingyan’s aura was filled with aggression and ferocity. Recalling General Yun Poxing’s words… this woman never missed a calculation, excelling both in strategy and leadership! In future conflicts between Xiliang and Jin, she would be the most formidable foe.

Li Zhijie found himself torn…

Should he use the Bai family son in the peace talks, Xiliang and Jin would have room for negotiation, yet miss the chance to ambush Bai Qingyan. If not, he would have to accept Jin’s exorbitant demands.

“Jin Kingdom’s appetite is large, aren’t you afraid… that Xiliang might bring our gold and treasures to seek alliance with the Rong or Daliang to the east? Should they join forces against Jin, it would be quite a trouble for Jin Kingdom! Furthermore, as Minister Liu said, Jin relies heavily on General Bai. But can General Bai be everywhere?” Li Zhijie smiled. “Why don’t we each make some concessions, end the negotiations, and let both countries live in peace.”

“King Yan needn’t worry about our Jin Kingdom. Before coming to negotiate, our Emperor already sent emissaries to sign non-aggression treaties with Daliang and Rong, and the ink is still fresh! Besides… our Jin Kingdom doesn’t rely solely on General Bai!”

Liu Rushi smiled and gestured towards Zhang Duanrui. “This is General Zhang Duanrui, who turned tens of thousands of Xiliang soldiers into porcupines in the Battle of Wengshan! Among our Jin Army are also the valiant Generals Zhen Zeping and Shi Panshan! Not to mention Generals Cheng Yuanzhi, Shen Kunyang, and Wei Zhaonian from the Bai family army! You should be quite familiar with these names in Xiliang.”

Liu Rushi wore a slight, contemptuous smirk. “And speaking of the Bai family… besides General Bai Qingyan, the Bai family’s Fourth Miss also joined the battlefield with General Bai, slaughtering your Xiliang army to the last! Not to mention… Bai family’s Second and Third Misses who have long fought in battles! Each of them possesses unmatched wisdom, inheriting the spirit of King Bai Weiting, living for the people and dying for the country! They do not take off their armor unless fallen in battle! King Yan, do you think Xiliang has annihilated the Bai family’s men and left the family empty? Look at our General Bai and realize that the Bai women are as valiant as any man, each a capable leader! Do you still fear Jin Kingdom lacks warriors?”

Whenever speaking of the Bai family army and Bai Weiting, Liu Rushi brimmed with admiration, his respect evident in his expression.