More importantly, Li Hu is still alive, in Zhao Muyun's hands.
He poured countless efforts into this nephew, treating him as his own son, and had a deep affection for him.
If we can use this opportunity to get...
As dawn broke, Li Jingang finally made his decision.
He summoned Feng Liang and a trusted member of the imperial clan, Li Yuan, who was currently in charge of the Imperial Guards.
"I have pondered this all night, and my mind is made up."
Li Jingang's voice was hoarse from not having slept all night, but his eyes were unusually sharp. "Let's follow the Right Chancellor's plan and take a two-pronged approach."
"Your Majesty is wise," Feng Liang said, bowing.
"On the surface," Li Jingang said to Feng Liang, "the Right Chancellor can spread the word that I am extremely angry about Zhao Muyun's arrogant words and have ordered all units on the western front to intensify their preparations for war, determined to flatten Xijing and capture and kill this traitor!"
"This will appease the pro-war sentiment in the court, mislead Zhao Muyun, and let the Northern Barbarians know that our dynasty has not relaxed its border defenses due to internal strife."
"This old minister understands," Feng Liang nodded.
"Secretly," Li Jingang looked at Li Yuan with a solemn expression, "Brother Yuan, you will go there yourself. I will give you a secret decree, granting you the power to make decisions on the spot."
"You are to secretly travel to Fenglingdu, between Longmen Pass and Shanzhou!"
“That’s a vacuum between us and Xijing, which makes it easier to meet. Go and see the representative sent by Zhao Muyun.”
He paused, then carefully stated his bottom line for the negotiations: "First, to test how sincere they are in their cooperation, whether they are genuinely committed to resisting the Di, or if it's just a delaying tactic."
"Second, if a temporary truce can be reached, the border will be based on the current line of actual control, and neither side will invade the other."
"Third," he took a deep breath, "you must bring Li Hu back to me. In addition to the territory, I can make appropriate compensation in terms of money, food and weapons."
"Your subject obeys the decree!" Li Yuan solemnly responded.
He knew that this mission was of great importance and extremely dangerous.
“Remember,” Li Jingang finally instructed, “this matter is top secret! No one other than me, the Right Chancellor, and you must know the details!”
"If things don't go well, or your identity is exposed, you know what to do."
"Your subject understands!"
Li Yuan kowtowed heavily, a resolute glint in his eyes.
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