The Road to Glory

Chapter 77 Negotiation

After the summer thunderstorms passed, the sun grew increasingly scorching with each passing day.

The Southern Chen delegation, left waiting for many days, had already gathered at the government office gates before the end of the Chen hour the next morning.

Officials heading to the government office for duty couldn't help but glance sideways at them as they passed.

Fang Mingda's back grew warm under the sun's rays. Just as he wiped the sweat from his plump face with a handkerchief for what felt like the umpteenth time, a summons finally came from within.

He led Jiang Yu, disguised as his attendant, through courtyards and across halls until they reached the administration chamber. Through the fine bamboo curtain that reached the floor, his plump face beamed with a smile as he bowed with clasped hands: "Your humble servant Fang Mingda pays respects to the esteemed Hanyang Princess of Great Liang."

The bamboo curtain allowed light to filter through, faintly revealing shadowy figures standing on either side inside.

Fang Mingda bowed with clasped hands, his lowered gaze unable to discern the appearance of the person seated in the main position. He only heard a clear, cold voice, like cracking ice and shattering jade, speak: "Our Great Liang now possesses but one prefecture and one commandery. We dare not accept the honorific 'esteemed' from the envoy."

Hearing this voice, Jiang Yu, disguised as a ceremonial attendant, subtly lifted his eyes to glance inside. But through the bamboo curtain, he could only make out the blurred figure of someone seated in the main position.

His gaze flickered slightly before he lowered his eyes again.

Meanwhile, sweat immediately dripped from Fang Mingda's forehead. Clearly, the other party was using the disrespectful words previously spoken by the martial general under Jiang Yu's command to counter them.

He offered an apologetic smile: "The foolish general from Southern Chen was previously disrespectful. Your humble servant offers apologies to the Princess here. Since its founding, Great Liang has established seventeen prefectures and thirty-six commanderies, widely opening trade routes and interacting with various nations. It is truly the deserving heavenly dynasty and superior state—how could it not bear the honorific 'esteemed'?"

As he spoke, his smiling, narrowed eyes lifted slightly, attempting to gauge the expression of the person inside. Unfortunately, blocked by the bamboo curtain, he could only continue with clasped hands: "Our king and the Empress Dowager were greatly shocked and angered upon hearing that the foolish general dared to be so disrespectful. They have already stripped him of his military position and ordered your humble servant to inform the Princess that they are willing to hand this person over to Great Liang, to be dealt with entirely at the Princess's discretion. The accompanying Senior Counselor, incompetent in controlling his subordinates, has also been temporarily dismissed and is under investigation. Southern Chen's desire for friendly relations with Great Liang has never changed. Before this journey, our king specifically ordered your humble servant to bring an additional one hundred twenty pieces of pearl and jade jewelry, two hundred sixty pieces of gold and silver porcelain, and three hundred twenty bolts of decorative brocade for the Princess, hoping only that the Princess will calm her anger and choose an auspicious date to marry into Southern Chen."

As his words fell, the large bamboo curtain hanging before the entrance hall was rolled up by maidservants. Both Fang Mingda and Jiang Yu felt their vision suddenly brighten.

Hesitantly, they lifted their heads and saw inside the hall over a hundred Great Liang officials standing in rows, all with hands tucked into the large sleeves of their official robes, looking down on the two with contemptuous eyes, their demeanor truly like tigers watching and eagles staring.

Behind the sandalwood desk directly ahead, a woman dressed in tu'bai deep robes slightly narrowed her phoenix eyes, exuding an aura of royal authority. Her countenance was exceptionally beautiful and peerless, worthy of being called stunning.

With just one glance, the respect on Fang Mingda's face grew even deeper than before.

His face full of smiles, he carefully watched the woman seated in the main position, waiting for her to speak.

Jiang Yu's gaze fell upon Wen Yu, clearly pausing for a brief moment. When he sensed a deep, icy gaze falling upon him, he hurriedly withdrew his gaze and bowed his head, holding the tray containing the gift list.Once that gaze shifted away, Jiang Yu discreetly looked back and discovered it was the young general from Pingzhou who had unseated his fierce commander with just two strikes of his blade. This time, before he could withdraw his gaze, it collided with the young general’s.

Just as fierce and intimidating as that day outside Pingzhou’s walls, like a lone wolf prowling the wilderness, yet there seemed to be an added layer of steadiness.

Jiang Yu feigned fear and lowered his eyes.

From the main seat, Wen Yu swept a calm glance over Fang Mingda and the others, her tone indifferent as she said, “Whatever Southern Chen has promised, Northern Wei can match in full. Envoy, what reason does Pingzhou have to insist on an alliance with Southern Chen?”

Fang Mingda’s expression stiffened, but he forced a smile and replied, “Well… the marriage alliance between the Princess and our king was personally agreed upon years ago by the late king of Southern Chen and Liang’s Changlian Wang. Our king has long admired the Princess. Even when the rebel Pei brought chaos to the Central Plains, Southern Chen never troubled Pingzhou. For the Princess to now choose an alliance with Northern Wei would seem… somewhat faithless…”

Before he could finish, a cold snort cut him off.

Jiang Yu and Fang Mingda turned toward the sound. Among the hall full of standing officials, only the elderly man who had spoken was seated in a grand chair to the left and slightly below Wen Yu—a clear sign of his distinguished status. Fang Mingda instinctively fell silent.

Li Yao thumped his cane heavily, his aged yet sharp eyes slicing toward Fang Mingda. “Faithless? Southern Chen truly has some nerve! Who was it that openly humiliated Liang outside Pingzhou’s gates? Who insulted the Princess with disrespectful words? Did Southern Chen not receive Liang’s official annulment? What concern is it of Southern Chen if our Princess now chooses a more suitable match? And you dare bring up how Southern Chen refrained from attacking Pingzhou during the rebel Pei’s uprising? Back then, Southern Chen was beset by internal strife and external threats, surrounded on all sides, and it was only with Liang’s aid that you survived. Now, not only has Southern Chen failed to assist Liang, but you stand by idly and still expect Liang to owe you gratitude?”

Li Yao let out a scornful laugh. “Southern Chen certainly knows how to keep accounts!”

In matters of debate, few in the room could match Li Yao. The Liang officials felt a wave of satisfaction hearing his rebuke, straightening their postures almost imperceptibly as they cast hostile glances toward Fang Mingda.

Jiang Yu’s face darkened, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the edge of the tray. Only by reminding himself of his current role did he refrain from any untoward action.

Fang Mingda, unaccustomed to such confrontations, hurried to explain, “This humble envoy… did not mean it that way. That foolish general did not act intentionally—he merely wished to spar with Liang’s martial generals. Southern Chen has sincerely apologized, and our king and Empress Dowager have already punished that fool…”

Li Yao cut him off sharply. “Enough excuses! Since when has any marriage alliance involved such disrespect during the betrothal? Our Princess, even if she were to marry into Southern Chen, would be your queen! What, has Southern Chen’s etiquette decayed to the point where officials can openly insult the royal family? Do your martial generals mock your King Chen or Queen Mother when they spar among themselves?”

Jiang Yu’s expression grew stormy.

Fang Mingda flushed crimson under the reprimand. Even the most silver-tongued would struggle to find a clever retort now. He silently cursed Sikong Wei and Jiang Yu for leaving him such a mess, wiping sweat from his plump hand repeatedly.Li Yao's anger grew as he spoke, striking the ground with his cane and demanding, "How dare your Southern Chen act so arrogantly? Do you think our Great Liang has no capable men, or that the Wen clan has no one left? Now you try to shift all the blame onto that young general and sweep this matter under the rug—this is utterly contemptible!"

As soon as his words fell, the ministers in the hall erupted in righteous indignation, shouting, "Get back to your Southern Chen!"

"How could such crude barbarians from the wildlands be worthy of our Great Liang's Heavenly King's daughter?"

"As the saying goes, adversity reveals one's true character. Southern Chen's mercenary behavior is truly a disgraceful spectacle!"

Fang Mingda's heart sank in panic. He instinctively glanced toward Jiang Yu, only to remember that Jiang Yu was currently disguised as his attendant, keeping his head bowed in silence. Hurriedly, Fang Mingda bent his waist repeatedly, cupping his hands toward Wen Yu. "Southern Chen truly has no intention of disrespecting the Princess! I beg the Princess to see this clearly. Beyond what was originally promised, if the Princess has any other demands, please state them! As long as it is within Southern Chen's capabilities, we will not refuse!"

Wen Yu, seated above, wore a faint, almost mocking smile. "What if I want Xinzhou and Yizhou?"

Fang Mingda was momentarily speechless, but he managed to retain his composure. "Princess, please do not jest with your humble servant. Both Xinzhou and Yizhou are currently under Northern Wei's control. Southern Chen's army is blocked outside the Hundred Blades Pass—how could we possibly seize these two prefectures?"

Wen Yu replied, "What this Princess means is after your forces capture Xinzhou and Yizhou."

Fang Mingda was stunned, feeling as if Wen Yu's eyes could bewitch his very soul. He remained silent for a long moment until Jiang Yu's low cough brought him back to his senses. Cautiously, he asked, "This... does the Princess truly believe Northern Wei would grant you these two prefectures?"

Wen Yu deftly deflected the question. "Why not?"

Fang Mingda instinctively felt that Northern Wei would never agree to such terms. But when he considered Northern Wei's isolated position—besides Xinzhou and Yizhou, they had no allies and still had to face their formidable enemy—his conviction wavered. If Northern Wei abandoned Xinzhou and Yizhou, letting the remnants of Great Liang fight Southern Chen to the death, they could potentially swoop in later to reap the benefits.

He immediately shifted his strategy, abandoning his previous submissive pleas for peace. Instead, he laid out the stakes with a threatening tone. "This humble servant does not believe an alliance with Northern Wei is a wise choice for the Princess."

Meeting the furious gazes of the Liang court officials, he faced Wen Yu with the same ceremonial bow as before, but now without any trace of submission. "Tens of thousands of Southern Chen's elite troops are stationed beyond the pass. Once they march north, how long does the Princess think Pingzhou can hold out, relying on a Northern Wei whose main forces have been severed by the Pei clan?"

Noting that the Liang officials' fervor had somewhat subsided, he paused before continuing. "To be perfectly frank, Pei Song had already approached Southern Chen seeking an alliance before this. It was only out of respect for Great Liang's Changlian Wang's past military assistance and the marriage pact with the Princess that our king and the Empress Dowager refused Pei Song's request. If the Princess allies with Northern Wei, you would be forcing Southern Chen into an alliance with Pei Song. When that happens, the four prefectures led by Pingzhou would face powerful enemies on both fronts, while Northern Wei's main forces remain detached. Why should the Princess sacrifice all of Pingzhou and Tao County to pave the way for others? This humble servant earnestly begs the Princess not to let momentary anger lead you to choose the wrong ally and disrupt the greater situation. If the Princess is angered by that foolish general's offensive remarks, Southern Chen is willing to offer further apologies."It must be said that Fang Mingda’s eloquence was truly capable of turning the dead into the living. The Liang ministers, who had initially regarded him with considerable hostility, now wore visible concern on their faces after hearing his arguments about the pros and cons.

Even the elderly man who had reprimanded him most harshly earlier leaned on his cane, lowered his eyes, and fell silent.

Fang Mingda’s back was soaked with cold sweat, and only now did he dare to exhale softly, feeling as though he had come back to life.

The only person whose expression remained completely unchanged was Wen Yu. She said dismissively, "Why is the envoy so certain that it will be Pingzhou, and not Pei Song, who ends up caught between two fronts?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu couldn’t help but glance at Wen Yu.

Fang Mingda was also taken aback, then replied with a mix of embarrassment and indignation at being underestimated, "Does the Princess truly believe that by allying with Xinzhou, Yizhou, and Tao County, Pingzhou can hold back our mighty Southern Chen army marching north, and still have strength left to assist Northern Wei in fighting Pei Song?"

Wen Yu said lightly, "To stop your Southern Chen, we don’t need the strength of four prefectures. Relying on the natural defenses of Hundred Blades Pass, Pingzhou alone can keep you outside the pass."

Fang Mingda’s sense of humiliation and anger surged sharply. Suppressing his temper, he said, "This humble envoy came here with sincere intentions to negotiate. Why does the esteemed Princess of Liang mock me with such words? Though Hundred Blades Pass is perilous, it is not impregnable!"

Wen Yu raised an eyebrow faintly. "Mock?"

She looked directly at Fang Mingda and said, "Pingzhou will leave only ten thousand troops to guard the pass. The envoy is welcome to use the sand table for a simulation and test how your Southern Chen forces fare in storming the pass."

Seeing Wen Yu’s confident demeanor, Fang Mingda briefly worried that her words might hold some truth. However, even at the peak of Great Liang’s power, no one would have dared claim that Pingzhou alone could keep them beyond the pass. Moreover, Southern Chen now commanded tens of thousands of elite troops, while Pingzhou’s forces were stretched thin. What gave Wen Yu the confidence to make such a bold statement?

With this reasoning, his earlier concerns vanished entirely. He concluded that Wen Yu knew nothing of military strategy and was merely bluffing to force them to accept her terms.

Contempt stirred in his heart, though he kept it from showing on his face. He bowed to Wen Yu and said, "This humble envoy reiterates: Southern Chen’s desire for friendly relations with Great Liang has never wavered. Since the Princess insists on this course, I shall respectfully comply!"

Xiao Li immediately looked at Wen Yu, who sat at the head of the hall. She met his gaze without turning away and calmly ordered her attendants, "Set up the sand table."

The attendants swiftly brought in the equipment and arranged a sand table in the council hall, measuring over ten feet in length and about five feet in width.Thank you to the little angels who irrigated with nutrient solution: Feixu 47 bottles; Mingyun 24 bottles; Nanye's Cat 20 bottles; Mint Aroma 17 bottles; 41103409 10 bottles; Yayayaya 6 bottles; Sixteen 5 bottles; Please Eat Lettuce, A Scone 4 bottles; Whale Doesn't Eat Cilantro, Plain Porridge with Salted Duck Egg 3 bottles; Finish Homework Then Play Arcade Games, Eight Treasure Porridge, Muzi Tells Stories, kfpy_L, Plump Fox, Successful Third Miss, Day by Day by Day, Pisces Little Heng 1 bottle;

Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!