The two of them paused for a moment, seemingly understanding but not quite.
Su Zhen came to his senses. "Your Highness, I'm afraid the Northern Barbarians won't be willing to give up these places."
There's no way the northern barbarians would agree to such an outrageous demand.
"Negotiations are all about raising the bar first, and then slowly bargaining down the price."
Xiao Zhixing smiled slyly, "Besides, even if they don't agree, these places are already under our control, so it will remain the same."
Anyway, they can't take it back.
The two understood.
The idea is to negotiate; if the negotiations succeed, the territory can be occupied legitimately; if not, the territory will be occupied through concrete actions—the goal is to make the northern barbarians suffer.
Speaking of Gu Na again, Xiao Dong asked unwillingly, "Are you really going to let Gu Na's 50,000-strong army go?"
Xiao Zhixing sneered, "How could that be?"
She gestured in several places. "Uncle Black Moon, do you understand?"
Su Zhen nodded, his eyes sharp as knives. "Don't worry, I'll make him suffer."
We can't all go back unharmed anyway.
Six days later, the Northern Barbarian envoys arrived at Guixiong Pass in haste, fearing that Xiao Zhixing would annihilate the Gu Na army.
The leader of the team was Gu Modi, and the deputy envoys were Xiao Chi and Xiao Bao.
These two are really bold; aren't they afraid that once they come to Guixiong Pass, they won't be able to return?
On this day, the highly anticipated peace talks between the two countries began in the buffer zone between Guixiong Pass and Xincheng.
Military flags fluttered on the newly erected high platform, and heavy troops stood guard on both cities.
It was somber and chilling.
The delegation from Dasheng consisted of Xiao Zhixing, Xiao Bei, and Qi Danhe.
Both sides led their men out of the city gate and began exchanging glances from afar.
If looks could shoot knives, we would have been pierced by a thousand arrows long ago.
The soldiers and their entourages remained below the platform, while six men ascended the steps.
Xiao Zhixing dismounted, strode up the high platform, sat in his main seat, and swept his cold gaze over the three of them.
Gu Mo remained expressionless, Xiao Chi nodded in greeting, and Xiao Bao scrutinized him.
As the bugle sounded.
First, their respective deputy envoys announced the negotiation conditions. In reality, it was the Great Sheng who set the conditions, and the Northern Barbarians could only listen and finally decide whether to agree or not.
Qi Danhe unfolded the memorial, stating, "Order the Northern Barbarians to return Guixiong Pass, release 20,000 soldiers of the Song family army, pay an indemnity of 5 million taels of silver, and cede 400 million square kilometers of land outside Guixiong Pass to our country!" (Note: Here, approximately one square kilometer equals one thousand square mu, so 400 million square mu is equivalent to 400,000 square kilometers, roughly the size of Yunnan Province.)
"Impossible!!" Gu Modi's eyes widened, and he stood up angrily. "I absolutely cannot agree to such a treaty!"
Qi Danhe stepped down, and Xiao Zhixing sat there, raising his chin, his eyes sharp. "Lord Gumodi, don't rush. We can take this negotiation slowly."
Gu Modi took a deep breath and slowly sat down. "Prince Yuansheng, I have come on behalf of the Khan with sincerity. I want to return Guixiong Pass and the Song family army in exchange for my 50,000 troops. I can agree to this condition immediately. As for the payment, I can give up to two million taels of silver. However, the last condition is absolutely impossible!"
To cede territory and sue for peace is an absolute disgrace.
Even though they had anticipated that Xiao Zhixing would make such an outrageous demand, they were still shocked and angered by her mention of 400 million mu of land.
Although the Northern Barbarians claimed to occupy more than 800 million mu, the north was barren and not considered proper territory at all. Only the south, with more than 300,000 to 500,000 mu, was suitable for habitation.
She asked for almost one-tenth of the prime land as soon as she asked for it; even the Khan wouldn't dare to make that decision.
Xiao Zhixing said calmly, "Four hundred million cubic meters is my highest condition. I can lower it a little further, how about three hundred million cubic meters?"
Gu Modi's face remained dark.
At this moment, Xiao Bao spoke up, "Prince Yuansheng, these conditions are too harsh. We cannot agree to them. The payment can be increased to four million taels of silver, and the land will never be ceded."
Xiao Zhixing also dropped his amicable tone, "Have the three of you forgotten why you've come here? Believe me or not, I can annihilate the entire Gu Na tribe tonight!"
The aura of a Heavenly Realm expert exploded, causing the Northern Barbarian guards to rush onto the stage to protect the three.
Xiao Chi waved for them to leave and said, "Prince Yuansheng, you may state your bottom line."
"A reparation of ten million taels of silver and the cession of twenty hundred million mu of land!"
Gu Modi roared furiously, "Impossible! At most four million taels! We will never cede land!"
Xiao Zhixing withdrew his imposing aura, his smile sinister. "Since that's the case, I'm free to take it myself. In that case, what you lose may be more than just these 400 million mu."
The first negotiation ended in discord.
The three of them, Gu Modi and his companions, had to immediately send a message to Khan Jing, as they could not make the decision on this matter.
Xiao Zhixing then ordered the Southern Jiangsu Army outside the pass to make some moves.
When her conditions were reported back to Shengjing, the court officials remained silent, worried that she might suffer a loss.
As expected of Xiao Zhixing, I just wonder if the Northern Barbarians will agree to this condition?
It is said that An Wuxi's illness worsened upon hearing the news.
Not to mention Khan's capital.
Xiao Kui's face turned ashen, and he nearly coughed up blood.
He trembled as he held the letter, while the other ministers were furious and clamored to call back again.
Finally, the sound grew fainter and fainter.
The situation is dire; they can't win this battle right now unless they really want to give up on the Guna tribe. Otherwise, they'll have no choice but to swallow their pride.
On the third day, the second round of negotiations began.
Gu Modi immediately flew into a rage, "Prince Yuansheng is disrespectful! We are in the midst of peace talks, and you have sent people to attack our tribes. This is outrageous!"
Xiao Zhixing gave a forced smile. "Sorry, this is just how I am, and I don't have much patience. Seeing that the three of you haven't grasped the reality yet, I have to give you a heads-up?"
Gu Modi nearly vomited blood.
Seeing this, Xiao Chi took the initiative to ask, "Does Prince Yuansheng insist on the last item?"
Xiao Zhixing nodded, "At least 200 million mu, otherwise forget it!"
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