Chapter 208 is a little different from what I expected.

After Ruan Xingzhi arrived in Shijie City, he learned that Dayu had agreed to meet with the Second Prince's people.

He's a bit strange.

He had previously received information that General Huangfu of Dayu had driven out the Second Prince's men, but now he suddenly agreed to talk.

There's definitely something I don't know about this...

"Your Highness, has something happened that I am unaware of?" Ruan Xingzhi asked the Second Prince softly.

The second prince had a good impression of Ruan Xingzhi.

It was he who devised the plan to drive the eldest brother out of Shijie City, and it was he who suggested that this side negotiate peace with Dayu.

Ruan Xingzhi's words at the time were very realistic.

"Dayu is a beautiful jade, while Biaoguo is just rubble. How can a beautiful jade and a rubble collide?"

The people of Dayu were more afraid of war than the people of Biao. Otherwise, given that Dayu possessed such advanced firearms a century ago, why didn't they conquer Biao a hundred years ago?

The second prince believed Ruan Xingzhi's words.

Moreover, the Second Prince himself thought so too. He was clearly so strong, yet he had watched the Biao Kingdom dart around for so many years. He must have had some concerns.

If that's the case, isn't this my opportunity?

"I am unaware of their actions. At the beginning, the Southwest Army was also firmly opposed to peace talks."

Later, Mr. Bai used some of his trump cards and gave away a large amount of gold and silver jewelry. In short, he managed to get someone to speak to General Huangfu.

That's why we'll have to discuss this tomorrow.

"Xingzhi, you must come with me tomorrow!" the Second Prince said with a smile.

Ruan Xingzhi glanced at Mr. Bai standing next to the Second Prince.

Mr. Bai didn't even glance at him, but instead stared at a bird's nest in a tree outside the courtyard.

"Mr. Bai truly lives up to his reputation as His Highness's foremost strategist. This is an excellent move!" Ruan Xingzhi said with a smile.

Mr. Bai snorted, bowed to the Second Prince of the Kingdom of Biao, and then left.

The Second Prince watched Mr. Bai leave with a smile before turning to look at Ruan Xingzhi.

“Xingzhi, Mr. Bai has been following me for many years and is very loyal.”

Although he has a somewhat eccentric personality, he is an extremely good person, so please don't take offense.

Oh, right, I just said you'd be coming with me tomorrow. You should go back and get some rest first. We'll go to Dayu together tomorrow.

"On this trip... I hope you will plan carefully and do your best to achieve the results we want," the Second Prince said earnestly.

After thinking for a moment, Ruan Xingzhi said with some difficulty.

“Your Highness, it’s not that I’m unwilling to go, but rather that many people there know me.”

At that time, I am not afraid that they will make trouble for me, but I am worried that they will affect Your Highness's great cause.

"This..." Ruan Xingzhi pretended to be hesitant.

The second prince waved his hand dismissively.

"You've overthought things. Tomorrow, Xingzhi will change into the clothes of my country. Besides, Mr. Bai is good at disguising people."

You can have Mr. Bai disguise you then.

"The people of Da Yu are full of schemes; I'll only feel at ease if you come with me."

Ruan Xingzhi was relieved and quickly bowed to the Second Prince.

"I, Ruan, will certainly do my utmost to assist the Second Prince!"

...

In Da Yu, Song Zhimian had just finished changing the young prince Xiao Jingjue's newly modified military uniform when Xiao Huaijin arrived.

The twelfth prince also came with Xiao Huaijin.

When the twelfth prince saw Song Zhimian, he immediately ran over to stand next to Xiao Jingjue with a smile.

"Greetings, Master of Ceremonies Song!" the Twelfth Prince said with a smile.

He still vividly remembered how Song Zhimian shielded him and Xiao Jingjue beneath her at that palace banquet.

Song Zhimian smiled, and then bowed to Xiao Huaijin.

"Your Highness Prince Qi, is there something important that you've come at this time?"

Xiao Huaijin lifted his robe and sat down on a chair in the room. Song Zhimian quickly ordered someone to bring tea.

Xiao Huaijin nodded after taking two sips of tea.

"There is something going on! The second prince of the Biao Kingdom will be bringing a delegation for peace talks tomorrow."

The peace talks were held at General Huangfu's villa.

Song Zhimian raised an eyebrow. "So fast! They must be getting impatient over there! It seems the Second Prince is under a lot of pressure."

Xiao Huaijin picked up a piece of osmanthus cake from the dessert plate on the table and put it in his mouth.

"The pressure is quite great. The message sent by Wei Yanli's people is that the Second Prince is now eager to do something."

The eldest prince returned to the capital of Biao Kingdom, but he made quite a few small moves.

If the second prince can't accomplish anything, he'll probably follow in the footsteps of the first prince and be summoned back.

Therefore, the Second Prince is now eager to talk with Dayu, but what the outcome of the talks is remains to be seen.

"Song Zhimian, tell me, what is that Second Prince thinking right now?" Xiao Huaijin stared at Song Zhimian.

Song Zhimian replied without hesitation.

"What are we waiting for! Let's wait for the people of Chongqing to make their demands!"

First, from their perspective, as long as Chongqing makes demands, it means they are willing to negotiate.

Secondly, both the Second Prince and Ruan Xingzhi knew that the Da Yu side was unwilling to negotiate.

Even if we sit down to talk for some other reason, they will definitely ask for an exorbitant amount.

Once Da Yu makes an exorbitant demand, they will have room to maneuver.

Internally, they would say that the Crown Prince had angered Dayu by insisting on using military force, thus shifting the blame for the failed negotiations onto the Crown Prince.

Furthermore, they could claim internally that the Great Yu was being too arrogant and that the failure of peace talks was due to their unwillingness to cede territory and sue for peace.

In any case, they are the beneficiaries.

In fact, Ruan Xingzhi might think about things a little more.

Once the people of Biao Kingdom become enraged, it will most likely trigger a nationwide war between Biao Kingdom and Dayu.

At that point, Ruan Xingzhi had achieved his goal.

Xiao Huaijin looked at Song Zhimian with some surprise.

Just as Song Zhimin had expected, the Second Prince's side was not prepared to discuss anything specific.

"Then tell me, what should we do for tomorrow's peace talks?" Xiao Huaijin looked at Song Zhimian with great interest.

"What do we need to do? We don't need to do anything!"

When they come, just give them a small stool to sit on.

As for tea and snacks, there's no need to serve them.

Anyway, they were the ones who came to talk, not the other way around.

They can talk or not, it's up to them!

As for what happened after they sat down...

Your Highness only needs to have General Huangfu inquire about their sincerity.

We shouldn't take the initiative to state our conditions; let them speak first. They can't come empty-handed!

Since we're going to talk, let's show our sincerity. We just need to convey their sincerity to the imperial court.

As for the final outcome...

"We don't know either!" Song Zhimian shrugged.

Xiao Huaijin understood what Song Zhimian meant; she was just trying to fool them!

"Alright! Take Jue-ge and Twelve with you tomorrow! They'll all broaden their horizons."

This must be the first time they've witnessed peace talks between two countries.

Alas, I've never seen it before either..."