Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!

Chapter 238: Sacrifice Myself Alone

That day, because he brutally beat a prisoner of the Southern Army and almost killed the Southern Army’s main general—the Little Prince of the Southern Country—Xie Xun was detained in the tent by Shi Yuan, who ordered people to guard him and let him calm down.

Although Qi You had been in the army for less than a year, because of his personality, he got along well with everyone. Now that he was gone, the hatred among the soldiers towards the Southern Army reached its peak.

But at this time, the Little Prince could not be killed.

Shen Ruhui said, "Because the King of the Southern Country suddenly died without leaving any will, some people in the Southern Country say that the King originally intended to pass the throne to his youngest son, hence the rumor that Chu Guang’s ascension was illegitimate."

"Chu Yang holds military power, and Chu Guang sent him to the border, not providing him with food at this critical moment. He never intended for his brother to return alive to the Southern Country."

Su Juan immediately understood Shen Ruhui’s meaning. The war had reached a critical point, yet Chu Guang’s ambition was relentless, and the war would continue. To him, soldiers were just weapons; he could even kill his own brother, so human lives were not worth mentioning.

Rather than kill the Little Prince, why not make a deal with him, sending him back to the Southern Country to seize the throne?

When the snipe and clam fight, the fisherman benefits. As long as there was internal strife in the Southern Country, they would naturally not have the heart for war.

Shi Yuan also understood that if this plan worked, the war would end early, and the soldiers could return home sooner.

But after all, the Little Prince was from the Southern Country. In the conflict between two armies, how could they make him agree to cooperate? Even if they cooperated, they must guard against him.

Shen Ruhui said gravely, "For this matter, His Highness must come forward to negotiate. His Highness’s identity must be shown to convince the other party, only then can we cooperate."

...

Late at night, Su Juan brought Shen Ruhui and another person to the detention place of the Southern Country’s Little Prince, Chu Yang. The food sent to him was untouched.

Chu Yang resembled Chu Guang—they were brothers after all. His face was tense, "Kill or flay me as you wish."

Su Juan responded sternly, "Just die like this and let Chu Guang occupy the throne that should be yours. Let him oppress and kill your kin; are you willing?"

Chu Yang sneered, already guessing their intentions. He glanced at Su Juan, "Even if I die, I am still a prince of the Southern Country. If you want negotiations, at least find someone in the Jin Army who can speak on equal terms."

The young general behind them rebuked coldly, "Show some respect; this is our Princess Jinyang, the Crown Princess!"

This Southern Country man was truly brazen, even as a prisoner, still so arrogant!

Chu Yang sneered, "I heard rumors, but didn’t expect your Jin Dynasty really has a woman in charge."

Su Juan was not angry but laughed, "Trying to provoke us for a quick death? No wonder you lost to Chu Guang with vision like that."

This sentence directly crushed Chu Yang. He gritted his teeth at Su Juan, "What exactly do you want to say!"

Shen Ruhui beside them said, "In this battle, your army was heavily defeated. Even if you return alive, Chu Guang will surely kill you on this charge. By then, your maternal family members will also suffer, so your only option is to die in battle."

Chu Yang sneered, "Sowing discord? You Jinren only know this trick?"

Su Juan: "It is sowing discord, but it is also the truth. You have the army; instead of dying, why not fight back? There are many in your Southern Country dissatisfied with Chu Guang’s tyranny. Why not join forces with them to overthrow Chu Guang? My Da Jin can assist you."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yang instinctively sensed deceit but no longer sneered like before. His expression became more serious, "If you lend me a hand, what benefit will you gain from me?"

He wasn’t stupid; he knew full well that with the Jin Chu alliance, the Southern Country would definitely lose within a year or two. But the Jinren now proposed cooperation to him, there must be an agenda.

Su Juan responded gravely, "As long as there is no war, soldiers don’t have to sacrifice, and people can live in peace; that is the benefit we Da Jin want from you."

The defeat of the Southern Country was inevitable, but if the war continued, soldiers would die, and people would suffer.

Chu Yang was silent for a while, "How will you help me?"

Seeing Chu Yang’s attitude softening, already willing to cooperate, Su Juan laid out the plan and added, "You don’t have someone by your side to help advise you. I will select someone to accompany you back to the Southern Country to assist you in accomplishing great things."

Chu Yang stared at Su Juan for a long while and pointed at Shen Ruhui, who was beside Su Juan, "I want him."

It was said that a few years ago, Princess Jinyang was just a small merchant’s daughter, yet within a few years, she managed to win the hearts of the Jin Dynasty and was crowned Crown Princess, certainly aided by strategists around her.

He had already noticed that, though this person was in the military, he did not wear a soldier’s attire, looking delicate, yet following closely beside this woman and respected by the army, he must be a capable individual trusted by Princess Jinyang.

Su Juan furrowed her brows; Chu Yang had sharp eyes.

"He won’t do; I will choose another for you."

Chu Yang resolutely, "I want him and no one else."

He was afraid that Princess Jinyang would backtrack and outsmart him; only by keeping her person by his side, could he trust the cooperation.

Su Juan sneered, "Then starve to death here."

Saying this, she turned around and left, taking Shen Ruhui away without granting Chu Yang any room for negotiation.

Shen Ruhui never imagined in this lifetime that he would be so in demand. He smiled as he followed behind Su Juan.

Chu Yang was dumbfounded, "?"

The Jinren must be insane!

They were the ones talking about cooperation, and they were the ones changing their minds!

Just for asking one of them, no room for negotiation, what cooperation, treating me like a dog!?

...

Upon learning of the failed negotiation, Shi Yuan was somewhat disappointed but showed little emotion on his face. He simply stated that the war could continue, that soldiers could fight, and that killing this prince was not a big deal.

Walking behind Su Juan, Shen Ruhui teased her with a smile, "I never knew that His Highness was so reluctant to part with me."

Su Juan, however, did not find it funny, "There is no one simple in the Southern Country. If they want you, it’s because they see through your identity. If you really go, once things get accomplished, there’s no guarantee they won’t use you to threaten me."

Shen Ruhui walked briskly beside Su Juan, "Your Highness is reluctant to let me die, just say it, no need for roundabout words."

Su Juan glanced at him sideways, "You are mine, there is no reason to let you risk yourself in the Southern Country."

The Southern Country was so dangerous, and Shen Ruhui was one of her people. If his identity were exposed there, it would be certain death.

Shen Ruhui was slightly taken aback, not expecting her words.

Su Juan was about to stride into the tent, but a soft laugh came from behind, "Let me go."

She paused and turned her head. Their eyes met; Su Juan had never seen this expression on Shen Ruhui’s face.

Shen Ruhui stood by the campfire, draped in a silver-white fox fur, the firelight reflecting off his face, not like a joking matter.

"Letting me go alone might be able to lessen the years of war, or exchange for peace in the realm."

"Your Highness, this deal, in fact, isn’t a loss."