Volume 1, Chapter 18: Another Way of Putting It

Scolding erupted from all sides. The military officials, their faces dark with fury, stood ready to intervene at any moment.

Agula Batu looked at the enraged ministers of the Chu Kingdom with nothing but contempt, showing not a hint of fear. He let out a cold laugh and declared, "Hmph! My Northern Barbarians are here to negotiate with His Majesty the Emperor of Chu. You lot have no say in this, so why are you making such a racket? If you have the guts, then let us go to war directly! The hundreds of thousands of troops of the Northern Barbarian Kingdom have long sharpened their blades and are ready for battle at any moment!"

Agula Basang quickly interjected, "Your Majesty, the Emperor of Great Chu, my companion is of a fiery temperament. We Northern Barbarians truly desire peace; after all, we have engaged in border trade with the Great Chu in the past."

Watching the two envoys play their "good cop, bad cop" routine, Chu Xiong’s face darkened. "Your demands are excessive."

"No, Your Majesty. While our list of requests is long, for a vast and wealthy empire like the Great Chu, it is but a drop in the ocean. As for our Great Khan wishing to marry a princess of the Great Chu, that is merely to demonstrate our sincere desire for peace," Agula Basang replied respectfully.

"That’s right! Your Majesty, we hope you will give us an answer soon. Does your kingdom wish to accept peace? After all, our patience is limited!" Agula Batu added immediately.

Chu Xiong felt a surge of anger; this was undeniably a direct challenge to his authority. Although Fang Yang’s "Discourse on the Six States" and the declaration that "the Son of Heaven shall guard the gates, the monarch shall die for the state, and there shall be no appeasement, no tribute, and no submission" had bolstered his resolve, he still felt immense hesitation at the thought of actual war. The current state of the Chu treasury would be stretched to the breaking point by a large-scale conflict.

He swept his gaze across the assembled officials. "What are your views, my lords?"

Immediately, a courtier stepped forward. "Your Majesty! Your servant believes that peace is beneficial to both nations. However, the demands made by the Northern Barbarians are indeed too heavy a burden for the Great Chu. I suggest we continue to negotiate and consult with them further."

"I second that! Since the Northern Expedition of the late Emperor, the Great Chu and the Northern Barbarians have lived in peace for over twenty years. We should strive to maintain this hard-won stability."

The civil officials stepped forward one after another, expressing their support for continued talks. Chu Xiong frowned and turned his gaze toward the military ranks. Feeling his eyes upon them, one of the military commanders stepped out. "Your Majesty! The Northern Barbarians are ambitious, and their demands are completely preposterous. I believe a war between us is inevitable, so why must we debase ourselves now?"

Chu Xiong’s eyes brightened.

Another military official spoke up, "Your Majesty! The Great Chu and the Northern Barbarians speak of peace, but have the private skirmishes ever ceased? Every autumn, they raid our southern borders. If not for the high walls and deep moats of our border cities, they would have long since galloped across the Central Plains!"

The entire court erupted into a chaotic clamor. With calls for war and calls for peace clashing, the scene was noisier than a marketplace. Watching the spectacle, a smirk curled on Agula Basang’s lips. This was the Great Chu—a dynasty that possessed a world of splendor but was constantly consuming itself from within. If this continued, it would only be a matter of time before the Northern Barbarians conquered the Central Plains.

As the court grew increasingly rowdy, the Prince of Su, who had remained silent at the very front of the assembly, finally spoke.

"Your Majesty!"

The moment he spoke, the grand hall fell deathly silent. Everyone’s gaze turned to the Prince of Su. Even Agula Basang looked on with some surprise. Chu Xiong frowned slightly but remained silent.

Only after the voices had faded did the Prince of Su continue. "Your servant believes that the matter of paying tribute as proposed by the envoys is out of the question. Tribute is something only a vassal state offers its suzerain. Therefore, I cannot agree!"

Agula Basang frowned. Agula Batu started to retort, but was stopped by a look from Basang.

Chu Xiong asked with curiosity, "Does my Royal Uncle believe we should go to war?"

"Your Majesty, not necessarily. I believe that since the Northern Barbarian Khan wishes to take a princess of our Great Chu as his bride, we could send her with a dowry of money, grain, and silks. Naturally, the Northern Barbarians must also provide a betrothal gift in return."

A gasp rippled through the court.

Hearing this, Agula Basang immediately understood—the Prince of Su was on their side! He was trying to secure both face and substance for them. After all, "paying tribute" sounded disgraceful, but a "dowry" was different. And with a "betrothal gift" added to the mix, it sounded even better. Even if they gave a few stray cattle and horses in return, this group would happily accept it.

Chu Xiong’s expression shifted violently. He had not expected such a suggestion from the Prince of Su. If he agreed to this, what dignity would he have left as an Emperor? He looked toward the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister also frowned and said, "Your Majesty! This is a matter of great importance. I suggest we have the two envoys wait at the Court of State Ceremonial for a few days while we deliberate and negotiate further."

Agula Batu frowned immediately. "What is the meaning of this? We must wait again? We have already waited for over seven days."

The Prime Minister replied unhurriedly, "This matter cannot be decided in a single day. Please, envoys, continue to wait."

Agula Basang did not press the issue. He bowed to Chu Xiong and said, "Very well, Your Majesty. We shall wait."

At a gesture from Chu Xiong, the two were led away. Once they were gone, the faces of many officials were grim, while the Prince of Su remained as calm as ever.

Chu Xiong frowned. "Royal Uncle, what was the meaning of your words just now?"

"Your servant merely offered a suggestion, Your Majesty. Whether or not to act upon it is entirely up to you," the Prince of Su replied without the slightest hint of intimidation.

"Hmph! Marriage for peace is absolutely out of the question!" Chu Xiong said, his face cold. The Northern Barbarians had already pushed their luck to the limit; for them to demand a princess was nothing but a pipe dream!

...

At the Cheng Estate.

"So sore, so bloated." Fang Yang clutched his head, feeling a wave of dizziness.

"Young Master! You’re finally awake!" A crisp voice rang out.

"Lian'er?" Fang Yang asked, confused. He looked around. "When did I get back?"

"Young Master, you drank too much yesterday, and Zhang Long brought you back," Lian'er said, handing him a cup of hangover soup. "Young Master, drink this; it will help with the headache."

"Mm." Fang Yang took the soup and gulped it down. A warm current flowed through his empty stomach, and his throbbing head began to clear. Memories of the previous night slowly resurfaced.

"Did I say anything yesterday?" Fang Yang frowned.

"Nothing much, Young Master. You were just calling out Miss Song’s name and a girl named Rou'er. You also said, you also said..." Lian'er blushed deeply.

"Said what?" A bad feeling washed over Fang Yang.

"I... I..." Lian'er seemed unable to say it.

"Speak!" Fang Yang’s voice dropped.

"You said you loved them, couldn't live without them, and in this life you only..."

"Enough!" Fang Yang cut her off. Lian'er immediately fell silent.

"Where is Wang Long?" Fang Yang asked, frowning.

"Waiting in the front courtyard."

"Tell him to bring my guards here!" Fang Yang said coldly.

Seeing Fang Yang’s grim expression, Lian'er hurried away to summon them. A short while later, Wang Long arrived in the back courtyard with several guards. Seeing the strange looks on their faces, Fang Yang was left speechless.