novelraw Chapter 804 - 782: War or Peace
Chapter 804 - 782: War or Peace
Han Ziqi came looking for Xie Jue, and Fang Chuning was sitting nearby, with a rather protective demeanor. Han Ziqi thought to himself, with so many Shadow Guards around, what is she doing here?
"General Fang, I have some matters to discuss with the Prince. Could you please excuse us?" Han Ziqi politely requested.
His request was denied by Fang Chuning, "What matters do you have to discuss with Xie Jue that I cannot hear?"
"We have some private matters to discuss," Han Ziqi said flatly, insisting that Fang Chuning avoid, "The Prince also wouldn’t want our conversation to be known by outsiders, right?"
His hint was very clear that they were to discuss private matters, and their relationship was not ordinary. Xie Jue naturally understood. He glanced at Fang Chuning, recognizing her displeasure at once. The term ’outsider’ was like a match igniting a fire in her heart, making her extremely unhappy. Xie Jue calmly said, "If the Princely Heir has something to say, feel free to speak. Fang Chuning knows all about my affairs. She doesn’t need to avoid."
Han Ziqi’s heart skipped a beat. During his time in the Capital City, he indeed left no stone unturned to achieve his goals, even exposing Xie Jue’s identity, though Xie Xun intervened. The clan would always hear some rumors and gossip. Were they so close now that he didn’t need to avoid them?
Xie Jue’s protection also slightly reduced Fang Chuning’s anxiety. She spread her hands towards Han Ziqi, in a taunting gesture, and Han Ziqi had no choice but to endure, changing his tone to speak to Xie Jue, "Cousin, we share the same blood. Whether I went to the Capital or stayed in Sannan, I never harmed you, nor would I poison you. This attempted poisoning was my elder brother’s idea. Attacking the twelve states was also his suggestion. My father is old now and particularly favors him. He is belligerent and violent, never considering negotiating with Beining, always wanting Sannan to truly be independent. Please believe me. I am committed to negotiations and have never intended to harm you."
The term ’cousin’ was called out with genuine emotion.
Xie Jue’s attitude was indifferent, "Princely Heir, even if we are blood relatives, it doesn’t prevent you from harming me. As far as I know, the Sannan Royal Family only values bloodlines. After the Priest Court learned of my identity, they’ve always hoped I could return to Sannan to inherit the throne. Your line and the current King of Sangnan’s line are precarious. To maintain your power and status, you might also resort to poisoning me."
"Am I crazy? Knowing that Xie Xun values you as a brother, if I poisoned you, Xie Xun’s Iron Cavalry could easily flatten Sannan. Why would I invite trouble? My sincere invitation for you to come to Sannan this time is for negotiations. I believe you can see my sincerity, thus daring to take this risk. You, of all people, understand Sannan’s crisis. You are willing to take risks because you want to recover Sannan. How could I harm you? This is all a conspiracy by my elder brother to sabotage this negotiation."
"Or perhaps it’s you who cries thief to catch a thief!" Xie Jue remained unmoved. "Without solid evidence, I won’t convict anyone, nor will I believe anyone’s words, including yours."
"Fine, even if you don’t believe me, think about it. Since I became the Princely Heir, neither you nor the Su Family’s Trading House have had your assets confiscated in Sannan, nor have I ever troubled any merchants. Even when we attacked the twelve states, planning to go to war with Beining, I never touched your wealth. Moreover, over the years of war between the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry and Beiman, how much grain has Sannan transported to your front lines? We’ve also assisted Xie Xun in opening up the supply routes to Lanning. Sannan has never truly wanted to be enemies with Beining. The attack on the twelve states was a miscalculation on our part, thinking at the time that Beining was divided, your identity was exposed, and the royal status was unstable. We were eager to stabilize our power and thus made an error in judgment. It wasn’t a genuine desire for war. We know that our military strength cannot match Beining. If the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry stationed their troops at the border, we wouldn’t last a week. Under no circumstances would I choose to poison you, please believe me on this."
"Did you come to seek me out just to prove your innocence?"
Han Ziqi shook his head. "There’s still a two-day journey to the Capital, and because of your severe injuries, I haven’t had the chance to talk with my cousin. I want to know where your and Xie Xun’s bottom line is. If Sannan is unwilling to surrender in this negotiation, can we each take a step back to reach a broader understanding? Along this journey, you’ve seen the people of Sannan living peacefully and prosperously. We really don’t want to incite war."
"It’s truly laughable. Claim you don’t want to incite war, yet you led troops to surprise attack our West State, slaughtering the people. If it weren’t for the Empress’s steadfast resolve, leading five thousand Iron Cavalry to defend the city gates to the death, you would have already breached the twelve states, conspiring with the army to seize the twelve states. Now you tell me you don’t wish to incite war. Don’t you find it laughable?" Fang Chuning mocked Han Ziqi from the side, "Time and place change, and you don’t want to own up to the crimes you’ve committed?"
"General Fang, we are willing to make amends for the losses caused by that hasty decision."
"It’s too late."
Han Ziqi sneered, "I didn’t know General Fang could decide for the Emperor of Beining."
Fang Chuning stood with arms folded, in a relaxed and composed stance, "You should ask Prince Yan!"
Han Ziqi pursed his lips, feeling somewhat displeased. He wanted to talk privately with Xie Jue, hoping to play the card of emotions, but with outsiders present, it was difficult to maneuver. Additionally, if the conversation leaked, it would be very unflattering.
Xie Jue said calmly, "Indeed, as General Fang said, it’s late. Beining will not accept compensation. What we want, we can take ourselves. We don’t need you to compensate."
Han Ziqi frowned, "So, Beining is determined to reclaim Sannan?"
"Princely Heir, you also said, reclaim Sannan!" Xie Jue’s gaze was calm. "Sannan was originally Beining’s territory. In the chaos back then, Beining’s constant internal strife within the Yuwen Dynasty gave your grandfather the opportunity to declare Sannan’s independence. But at the time of independence, there was a national letter stating Sannan would eternally pay tribute, not proclaim itself as an empire, not raise an army, and remain content with one corner, no different from Vassal King’s autonomy. Yet you tore apart the alliance, waged war, and attempted to seize the twelve states’ land and resources. Thus, Beining is no longer obliged to abide by the old agreement and will reclaim Sannan."
Han Ziqi was speechless. The decision to attack the twelve states was a moment of impulse, and now in negotiations, they had lost the initiative. Han Ziqi was unwilling to accept this, "So, we have to reclaim Sannan?"
Xie Jue and Fang Chuning exchanged a glance, understanding why Han Ziqi wanted to confirm repeatedly. It was like he urgently wanted to know the worst outcome, then adjust his deployment accordingly.
Neither he nor Fang Chuning knew whether Han Ziqi intended to fight to the death or was willing to submit and become a subordinate.
"If the Princely Heir wants to understand the purpose of the negotiation, we shall reveal it at the negotiation table. Why are you trying to find out prematurely now?" Xie Jue sharply questioned, "Could it be that after knowing the outcome, you want to perish together with me?"
"I wouldn’t dare!" Han Ziqi remained composed, "I just want to know how long Sannan’s autonomy can be maintained. I also know that Sannan cannot defeat Beining. I know the Great General’s army is already stationed at the border. I... I am a nation’s Crown Prince and just want to know how long such peace can last."
Xie Jue said calmly, "Whether to war or to negotiate, the choice is yours!"