The Road to Glory

Chapter 82: Accompanying the Bride

The forced composure on Jiang Yu's face fractured for a moment as he suppressed his anger and said, "Is the Princess joking? This general hears no intention of cooperation with Southern Chen in your words!"

Wen Yu rested her elbow on the arm of the carved chair, looking down at him with detached authority: "I gave you opportunities. From the initial negotiations, I demanded only Xin and Yi provinces. It was Southern Chen's refusal that led to this sandbox deduction."

Her gaze remained exceptionally calm, yet beneath that calm lay an unyielding resolve: "The results of the military exercise are clear, Commander Jiang. With merely ten thousand troops from Ping Province, Great Liang can halt your northern advance. The scenario your envoy previously hypothesized—where Great Liang would be caught between Southern Chen and Pei Song if we allied with Northern Wei—never materialized. Instead, it is Pei Song, soon to be squeezed between Great Liang and Northern Wei, who should be concerned."

Fang Mingda felt a chill run down his spine, but Jiang Yu insisted stubbornly: "Wei Qishan would never hand over Xin and Yi provinces once he has them."

Wen Yu regarded him calmly: "I suppose the Commander seldom plays chess."

Jiang Yu stared at the Princess of Great Liang seated above him, no longer able to spare even a sliver of attention to appreciate her beauty.

This woman's intelligence felt inhuman, almost demonic.

If his thoughts lagged even slightly, he would fall into her traps. He had to focus completely on every word she spoke to barely distinguish truth from deception.

Faced with her seemingly irrelevant remark, he remained highly vigilant: "What does that have to do with chess?"

Wen Yu maintained her gentle demeanor: "Otherwise, the Commander should understand the principle of sacrificing a chariot to protect the marshal."

Her clear eyes held his with distant indifference, radiating a piercing coldness: "If I don't ally with Northern Wei, they'll stubbornly defend Xin and Yi provinces only to eventually fall to the combined forces of Great Liang and Southern Chen. But by sacrificing these two provinces, they gain Great Liang as an ally against Southern Chen. If you were Wei Qishan, what would you choose?"

Jiang Yu felt a cold dread seeping through their locked gaze, chilling him to the core.

Indeed, Southern Chen might cling stubbornly to Xin and Yi provinces. But Wei Qishan had no choice in the south—sacrificing these two "chariots" to gain a Princess of Great Liang as a daughter-in-law would legitimize his campaign against Pei Song while keeping their formidable rival Southern Chen beyond the passes. However calculated, it was a profitable deal.

In those brief moments, thousands of thoughts raced through Jiang Yu's mind, yet he could find no solution to break this deadlock.

Before the sandbox deduction, he had believed that even if Great Liang allied with Northern Wei, they posed little threat. But after the exercise, his arrogance and confidence had been completely shattered.

No one understood better than him what a terrifying opponent he faced—both across the chessboard and the simulated battlefield.

After a long silence, Jiang Yu's Adam's apple bobbed as he said: "This matter is of great importance. This general must report to our King and Empress Dowager and await the court's decision."

Wen Yu replied: "Agreed. However, your letter must be inspected by Ping Province officials before being sealed and dispatched. Does the Commander have any objections?"Jiang Yu understood that the specific military strategies from this sandbox deduction absolutely could not be mentioned in the letter, to prevent the Southern Chen troops stationed outside Hundred Blades Pass from learning their tactics in advance.

He said, "This general has no objections."

Fang Mingda wiped the sweat from his forehead and forced an ingratiating laugh: "This... My Lady, you didn't demand three million dan of provisions from Northern Wei, which would be enough to supply an army of one hundred thousand for a year. Southern Chen has faced both internal and external troubles in recent years. After His Majesty ascended the throne, he ordered tax reductions for three years. These three years haven't even passed yet, and Southern Chen's granaries don't have much stored grain. The recent heavy rains and mountain floods didn't spare Southern Chen either! Disaster relief requires grain, and soon the northern expedition will need military provisions. If Southern Chen's granaries can't provide the grain, we'll have no choice but to levy it from the common people. Forcibly extracting another three million dan would leave the people with no means to survive! Since entering the pass, I've consistently heard that My Lady cherishes the people as her own children. I boldly beg My Lady to also show compassion for Southern Chen's common people..."

Wen Yu said, "Simply deliver the three million dan of provisions you've levied."

Fang Mingda was greatly alarmed, and Jiang Yu also changed expression.

Fang Mingda said in panic, "No, this..."

Wen Yu interrupted him: "I want these three million dan of provisions not for my own use. When Southern Chen enters the pass for the northern expedition, I will distribute these military provisions monthly. Just as Commander Jiang and Senior Counselor feared unexpected changes and concealed their identities when visiting my Pingzhou, what I seek is merely to secure some assurance for myself and my subjects."

Fang Mingda hurriedly said, "Why would My Lady have such concerns? By then, My Lady will be the queen of our Southern Chen. Given our king's deep affection for you, everything our king possesses would naturally be yours as well. Our king would undoubtedly treat Liang officials and people no differently from Southern Chen's own subjects!"

This was difficult for Wen Yu to respond to directly. Fan Yuan, being a blunt man who didn't mince words, immediately said: "Since your King Chen's possessions are also our Lady's, then why are you unwilling when our Lady merely asks him to provide a small portion in advance?"

This successfully silenced Fang Mingda, leaving him somewhat embarrassed.

Wen Yu stared at both of them: "If Southern Chen agrees to my terms, these three million dan of provisions will naturally still be used for your own Southern Chen troops in the future. The three prefectures and one county led by Pingzhou, though managed by me personally, share the same interests as Southern Chen and present a united front against external threats."

Her gaze settled on Jiang Yu: "I await Southern Chen's reply."

After saying this, she seemed somewhat tired and, supported by Zhao Bai's arm, retired to the inner chamber to rest.

Li Xun looked toward Li Yao and, receiving his signal, announced to everyone: "Today's discussions conclude here. During this evening's victory banquet in Tao County and the welcoming feast for our envoys, colleagues may celebrate to your hearts' content."

The Liang officials all voiced their agreement. Many ministers present hadn't actually expected Southern Chen to ultimately compromise to this extent, but upon careful reflection of the negotiations, within Wen Yu's web-like strategy, Southern Chen truly had no room for retreat.

Amid their joy, they couldn't help but feel a chill down their spines.

Fortunately, such a person was their master.

Fan Yuan also felt quite relieved. He hooked his arm around Xiao Li's neck and laughed: "You lad, we haven't even celebrated your merit in capturing Tao County last time, and today you've brought honor to our Pingzhou army again! You must drink several cups with the brothers tonight!"

Everyone appeared joyful and relaxed, but Xiao Li couldn't bring himself to smile.Or perhaps, ever since Fang Mingda said that King Chen's was also Wen Yu's, his face had already lost all expression.

Although he had long known that Wen Yu would marry into Southern Chen, hearing others speak of her and King Chen still felt particularly grating.

After Fan Yuan finished speaking and saw that Xiao Li had no reaction, he followed his gaze and spotted Fang Mingda and Jiang Yu speaking with Li Xun in the distance. Thinking Xiao Li's grim expression was due to disliking these two envoys from Southern Chen, he snorted and said, "I can't stand these two bastards either! I'll make sure to drink them under the table at the banquet tonight!"

Xiao Li responded with "That's giving them too much credit," acknowledging Fan Yuan's remark.

Just as Fan Yuan was about to say more, he saw Xiao Li already striding away.

Over there, Li Xun was addressing Fang Mingda and Jiang Yu: "I must apologize. The recent continuous heavy rains caused severe flooding, and all officials in Pingzhou have been occupied with disaster relief. We haven't yet held a welcoming banquet for you two envoys, and the victory celebration for capturing Tao County was also postponed. Tonight, we'll combine both banquets, and I sincerely hope both envoys and Minister Sikong will honor us with your presence."

Fang Mingda responded with an ingratiating smile, "We'll definitely be there, definitely be there."

After seeing them off at the main gate, Li Xun went inside to find Wen Yu.

Wen Yu seemed to have a headache from overthinking and was sitting in a chair by the window, with Zhao Bai massaging her temples.

Li Yao held a cup of hot tea, leisurely sipping while scraping the tea foam with the lid.

After reporting that Jiang Yu and Fang Mingda had been seen off, Li Xun said, "Fortunately, thanks to Minister Li and General Xiao devising a countermeasure in advance, today's negotiations went relatively smoothly. Whether the alliance treaty can be signed now depends on Southern Chen's reply."

Zhao Bai seemed to remember something and suddenly asked, "Should we have someone monitor whether they're in contact with Xin and Yi provinces?"

Wen Yu lifted her eyes and asked, "Why do you say that?"

A rare look of anxiety appeared on Zhao Bai's face: "We can choose to ally with either Southern Chen or Northern Wei, and the same applies to them!"

Hearing this, Li Xun couldn't help but chuckle.

Li Yao set down his teacup and said, "She appears steady, but who would have thought she's a foolish girl."

Zhao Bai, momentarily confused, said, "Shouldn't we be guarding against them? If those two sides form an alliance, they could attack Pingzhou and Tao County from both front and rear. While we can rely on the strategic advantage of Hundred Blades Pass to hold off Southern Chen, we might not be able to withstand an attack from Xin and Yi provinces from behind."

Li Yao glanced at Wen Yu: "You should take time to properly educate the people around you."

Wen Yu smiled faintly and asked Zhao Bai, "Why are both Southern Chen and Northern Wei unwilling to accept my terms?"

Zhao Bai thought for a moment and said, "Naturally, they're reluctant to give you Xin and Yi provinces."

Wen Yu said, "So if Southern Chen allies with Northern Wei, does that mean Northern Wei is willing to cede Xin and Yi provinces? Or that Southern Chen no longer wants those two provinces?"

It was as if a lightbulb went off in Zhao Bai's head. She quickly slapped her own forehead twice: "This servant was mistaken!"

According to the terms Wen Yu proposed, if Southern Chen agreed to ally with them, although the three provinces and one county led by Pingzhou would belong to Wen Yu, that would essentially be equivalent to Wen Yu's dowry.

Even though they wouldn't belong to Southern Chen, if Southern Chen had needs for military supplies or provisions, as long as Wen Yu consented, they could allocate some from these territories to Southern Chen.

If Southern Chen were to ally with Northern Wei, not to mention the fundamental conflicts of interest between them, even if they didn't fight immediately, they would inevitably have a decisive battle after dealing with Pei Song.Just the immediate interests and trade-offs alone couldn't be negotiated.

Given Southern Chen's current appetite, they clearly intended to swallow the entire Southern Border of Great Liang whole. They weren't even willing to let Wen Yu, the prospective princess consort who controlled three provinces and one commandery, keep her territories—how could they possibly allow Northern Wei, their powerful enemy, to hold onto Xin and Yi provinces?

For Northern Wei, ceding these two provinces to Wen Yu would at least secure a Great Liang princess as a bride for their young marquis and win the support of officials and commoners loyal to Great Liang.

What would Northern Wei gain by giving them to Southern Chen? They might as well declare war outright!

After reasoning this through, Zhao Bai looked back on his earlier concerns and found them somewhat foolish.

Li Xun cupped his hands toward Wen Yu and said, "The alliance matter likely won't face further complications now. Your Highness may begin selecting officials to accompany you to Southern Chen."

Wen Yu fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then replied, "I'll trouble you, sir, to draft a name list for my review."

Li Yao added, "Though this journey to Southern Chen may not be perilous, as a precaution, we should still assign a martial general skilled in both combat and strategy to accompany the bride's procession."

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