Chapter 152.1
Yuan Tiangang clasped his hands and said, Your Majesty, your humble servant has a strategy that could bring the greatest benefit to our Great Xia!
Lin Beifan laughed and said, Minister Yuan, what is your plan? Speak quickly!
Yuan Tiangang chuckled, Your Majesty, at this moment, the three kingdoms are at war, and our Great Xias stance is extremely important! It can be said without reservation that whichever side we favor will surely win! So, why not extort all three kingdoms at the same time?
Everyone was shocked. Extorting all three kingdoms at the same time?
This Yuan Tiangang truly dares to think big!
However, the other partys words seemed to make some sense!
The key was in the execution!
Minister, explain your method in detail!
Yes, Your Majesty!
Yuan Tiangang began to speak, sharing the thoughts he had in mind.
After listening, Lin Beifan was very satisfied: This method is good, but the demand is a bit modest! How about this, I have decided that we will demand 10 million taels from each country!
Ten million taels! Everyone was shocked.
My goodness, His Majesty really dares to ask for a high price!
Although Great Shi, Great Zhu, and Great Xue are all great kingdoms with relatively strong national power, their national treasury income might not even reach ten million taels!
Asking for so much right off the bat, isnt that digging their roots?
Your Majesty, isnt that a bit too much to ask for? Im worried
No need to worry, they can definitely afford it. I have full confidence in them! Lin Beifan said with a beaming smile.
The civil and military officials looked at each other, and since His Majesty had spoken, they could only nod in agreement.
Lin Beifan continued, There should be no problem with the Great Shi and Great Zhu kingdoms, as their nations are on the brink of collapse and they should agree to our terms. However, its not the same with Great Xue!
The power of the Great Xue Kingdom is at its peak, and they definitely wont submit easily! Moreover, this trip to Great Xue could be particularly dangerous! After all, I have executed two of their envoys, and the Great Xue Emperor is a man who insists on vengeance. He might seek retribution!
So, who is willing to make this journey on my behalf?
At this, the officials looked at each other in dismay, and no one spoke up.
After all, since His Majesty had executed two of their envoys, it was only proper for the other side to respond in kind. If negotiations failed, it was possible that one of them would be executed in return.
Therefore, they truly dared not go to Great Xue, fearing that the Great Xue Emperor might snap them away.
Yuan Tiangang spoke loudly, Your Majesty, it was this humble servant who proposed this idea, so please entrust this matter to me. This humble servant is confident in accomplishing the mission and returning unscathed!
Lin Beifan looked at his very confident demeanor and, recalling the others capabilities, smiled, Very well, this matter shall be entrusted to Minister Yuan! Upon your return, we shall discuss your reward. Additionally, I will dispatch the Heng Ha Generals to ensure your safety throughout the journey!
Thank you, Your Majesty! Yuan Tiangang exclaimed loudly.
After the morning court session, Yuan Tiangang set off with the Heng Ha Generals towards the Great Shi Kingdom.
Traveling as fast as lightning, they arrived at the imperial palace of the Great Shi Kingdom in just three days and met with the Emperor of Great Shi.
The Great Shi Emperor was very surprised; Great Xia had actually sent an envoy at this time.
What exactly was the other party planning?
Great Shi Emperor, his mind buzzing with thoughts, asked, What important matter brings you here on behalf of Great Xia?
Yuan Tiangang bowed respectfully and said, Great Shi Emperor, currently, the nations of Great Shi, Great Zhu, and Great Xue are embroiled in conflict. Great Shi and Great Zhu are suffering defeat after defeat, and the situation is dire! His Majesty is deeply concerned and has sent us to discuss an urgent matter with you!
An urgent matter to discuss?
Great Shi Emperor pondered for a moment, his eyes lit up as he quickly asked, Is Great Xia willing to send troops to join us in resisting Great Xue?
That was the only possibility he could think of!
Otherwise, why would Great Xia specifically send an envoy?
Great Shi Emperors heart was already stirring with excitement.
As long as Great Xia is willing to send troops, they will surely be able to defeat Great Xue and win the victory!
However, Yuan Tiangang shook his head and said, Great Shi Emperor, you are overthinking it! Our sovereign has sent us here to inform you that, indeed, Great Xia is preparing to send troops but not to attack Great Xue. Instead, we are targeting you, Great Shi, as well as Great Zhu!
The face of the Great Shi Emperor changed drastically, and so did the expressions of all the civil and military officials in the court!
The Great Xia Kingdom is actually preparing to launch an attack against them?
This was the worst possible news!
They couldnt even win against Great Xue, so how could they possibly defeat the even more powerful Great Xia?
Could they win against the alliance of these two nations?
No one spoke, but the answer was already in their hearts.
Great Shi Emperors face turned dark with suppressed rage as he said, Is this the stance of Great Xia? I have received the message. You may leave now. Go back and tell Great Xia Emperor that I am ready to face the challenge to the end!
To the end! the entire court of civil and military officials shouted in unison.
Losing the battle but not the morale!
Even if they couldnt win against Great Xia, they had to rally their spirits!
Yuan Tiangang chuckled and said, Great Shi Emperor and all the esteemed officials, lets not be too hasty! Although it is true that Great Xia has intentions to discipline both Great Shi and Great Zhu, our emperor is merciful and is willing to give you a chance! As long as Great Shi is willing to pay ten million taels of silver, Great Xia will hold back its troops!
The Great Shi Emperor slammed his hand on the table in fury and exclaimed, Arrogant! You Great Xia are simply exploiting the situation, looting amidst the fire! 10 million taels of silver, where would we find so much silver? Even if we had it, I would never agree!
We will never agree! the civil and military officials shouted in unison.
Great Shi Emperor, please do not reject the offer so adamantly!
Yuan Tiangang said with a bow: Great Xue is preparing to attack, and you wont be able to protect your gold, silver, and jewels either. Its better to let us, Great Xia, benefit rather than Great Xue!
The Great Shi Emperor retorted angrily, Even if I were burnt to ashes, I would not let either of your countries benefit!
What a pity!
Yuan Tiangang said with disappointment, Originally, our emperor had said that in consideration of the 10 million taels, he would be willing to spare the lives of your royal family, but it seems thats no longer necessary! I will take my leave now
Wait, what did you just say?
The Great Shi Emperor asked urgently, Did you just say that Great Xia is willing to spare the lives of our royal family?
Yuan Tiangang bowed again, Yes! Our emperor has promised that as long as we receive the money, he will spare the lives of your royal family! As long as you come to Great Xia, you can rest easy, and no one will be able to harm you!
However, a flicker of surprise passed through the Emperors eyes, but it was quickly concealed.
He slowly sat down, his tone slightly softened as he said, Can he truly ensure our survival?
A monarchs word is his bond. This is the letter from His Majesty for your perusal, please take a look!
Bring it here at once!
Moments later, after reading the letter written to him by Lin Beifan, the Great Shi Emperors expression fluctuated, revealing his inner turmoil.
Now, with the Great Shi army suffering defeat after defeat, it could be said that their loss was certain. Therefore, he had to look for a way out to save his own life.
He already had several escape plans but still felt they were not secure enough.
Now, Great Xia had extended an olive branch, giving him one more option.
To exchange these gold and silver treasures, which were destined to be taken by others, for a chance to save his life, he felt it was worth it!
The only concern was whether the Emperor would keep his promise!
Upon further reflection, he realized he was worrying too much, as he no longer had a choice.
If he disagreed, Great Xia would send troops, and he would be finished immediately.
If he agreed, Great Xia would not send troops, and although he would still be doomed, he would have an additional way out.
Ordinary people all know how to choose.
However, he still asked a question: Does your Great Xia truly honor its promises?
Great Shi Emperor, you have absolutely no need to worry about this.
Yuan Tiangang said with a smile. Our sovereign is a person who keeps his word! Look at how many emperors are now residing in Great Xia, arent they all safe and sound?
The Great Shi Emperor nodded slightly.
This was no secret. Basically, everyone knew it.
Great Xia was now home to five former emperors. They had once fought each other to the death, but now they were all gathered together, enjoying food, drink, and leisure!
Although they no longer held the power they once did, their status and wealth remained, allowing them to live a life of dignity and comfort.
It was precisely because he understood these matters that he hesitated when the Great Xia Emperor proposed this condition.
To be honest, he felt that if he needed to flee, Great Xia would be a good destination.
After much deliberation, he finally spoke up: Someone come, tally the gold, silver, and jewels in the national treasury and send them to Great Xia!
The officials were immediately shocked and spoke anxiously.
Your Majesty, you must not do this!
The national treasury is the foundation of our nation; it must not be used lightly and certainly not given to Great Xia!
Great Xia is an enemy state; their words cannot be trusted!
Please reconsider, Your Majesty, do not act on impulse!
Great Shi Emperor became furious: Great Xias words cannot be trusted, but can yours be trusted? Dont think Im unaware that many of you have already secured your escape routes, ready to flee at any moment! I too wish to live, what is wrong with that?
The officials blushed with shame, for indeed they had prepared their escape routes.
In this era, wars were frequent and the turnover of states was common, so the loyalty of the civil and military officials was very low.
They could serve this Emperor, or they could serve another.
Seeing that the situation is unfavorable, escape immediately; staying alive is the most important thing.
Now, the Great Shi is on the brink of collapse, they will certainly flee. They cant just accompany it to its death, can they?
The Great Shi Emperor roared, Now, I am still the Emperor of Great Shi, and my word is law here! I am laying down the law nowif any of you speak another word, I will have his head chopped off!
The officials looked at each other, and in the end, no one spoke again.
The Minister of the Ministry of Revenue stepped forward with a wry smile and said, But Your Majesty, there isnt so much gold, silver, and jewels in the national treasury!
Is there not
The Emperors eyes sharpened: Then seize the assets. Whose family is wealthy, seize from them; whoever has money, seize from them. We must gather a total of 10 million taels!
Yes, Your Majesty! the officials trembled with fear.
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