Chapter 480: Marriage as a Form, Hostage as a Core
"Either the daughter of an aristocratic family or a member of a branch of the imperial clan, and she can enter Daliang together with Princess Pingning. Only in this way can we show Dasheng's sincerity and make the two families forever united."
After hearing this, Lin Zhiqing frowned.
When the Daliang envoy glanced at her just now, she knew something was wrong.
If she guessed correctly, her name must be among the nine noble ladies!
But she never expected that Daliang would actually dare to speak so arrogantly!
The hall fell into deathly silence.
The high-ranking officials and their wives, who had just been secretly thankful that the disaster had not affected them, now felt as if they were falling into an icy cave.
"This is not a marriage proposal, it's clearly a request for hostages in the name of a marriage!" Lu Nanyue couldn't help but speak.
Daliang's move was intended to consolidate its power through marriage, and also to gather all the noble ladies of Dasheng together to restrain Dasheng from taking military action easily.
Marquis Anping suddenly raised his head, his body trembling slightly.
Now the Daliang envoys are going to add nine more people. My daughters are already isolated and helpless in a foreign land. Wouldn’t this arrangement make them hinder each other and make it even more difficult for them to gain a foothold?
Lin Qingshan couldn't bear it any longer and said directly:
"Your Excellency, do you know that the noble ladies of our dynasty are all from wealthy families? How can we assign them so arbitrarily?"
"You make such an unreasonable request, don't you think Dasheng can be bullied?"
The Daliang envoy was not afraid at all and bowed:
"Your Highness, the reignition of war is probably not what the Emperor wishes. These nine noble ladies do not have to be princesses. They only need to be registered daughters of official families with clean family backgrounds."
After saying this, he paused and added,
"Today's palace banquet, Miss Lin from the Changning Marquis's residence, Miss Lu from the Ministry of Revenue's residence, and Miss Bai from the Ministry of Works' residence, all opened my eyes and were quite stunning."
These words were like thunder that struck Lin Zhiqing, Lu Nanyue and Bai Ling.
Lin Yangyang was the first to stand up: "How dare you..."
Lin Shian and Lin Qingshan quickly stood up, especially Lin Qingshan, whose anger almost solidified into substance:
"Your Highness! Zhiqing is the only one left from his military service!"
Lu Huai clenched his fists and spoke quickly:
"Your Highness, the Daliang envoy's words do not take Dasheng seriously. His decision now clearly shows that he was well prepared."
"If Dasheng agrees to this matter just for the sake of cities, cattle and sheep, it will surely chill the hearts of loyal ministers and cause disunity between the ruler and his subjects. This is a grave taboo!"
"Daliang wants to cause the internal collapse of Dasheng. This is truly a wolfish ambition. Your Highness, please think twice!"
He said this very bluntly. If it had happened just now, it would definitely have led to a conflict between the two countries.
But by now, everyone knows that Daliang has become too arrogant.
"Your Highness, think twice!"
Many people knelt on the ground and did not get up.
Lin Zhiqing looked at the envoy from Daliang with a sharp look in his eyes.
She never thought that the Daliang envoys were actually trying to restrain Dasheng.
If it was only Princess Pingning, her father, Marquis Anping, who had no military power, would naturally have no influence on the current situation.
But if Lin Zhiqing and others are included, and if the marriage is decided, then everyone will become hostages of Daliang.
Because their daughter is in Daliang's hands, most people in Dasheng will definitely favor peace over war.
If this continues, the court order of Dasheng will surely collapse.
Furthermore, Lin Zhiqing did not believe that the list provided by the Daliang envoy did not contain any ulterior motives.
She, Lu Nanyue, and Bai Ling have a relatively better relationship than others.
Daliang has had dealings with the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion and must be very familiar with Lin Zhiqing.
The Daliang envoy only selected these three people, which means that it doesn’t matter who the others are, but these three people are a must!
How could this not have been known in advance?
There is absolutely no way that Lin Zhiqing would marry into Daliang's clan.
Many members of the Lin family were killed in Daliang, and there was little difference between them and their enemies.
Daliang’s purpose is definitely not simple!
Thinking of this, she quickly stepped forward and kowtowed heavily:
"Your Highness, please reconsider. What separates me from Daliang is the hatred between our family and country. Although the parents and brothers of the other young ladies have never had contact with anyone from Daliang, they are also innocent."
"If we go to Daliang and Daliang goes back on its word and refuses to make peace, then Dasheng will also be tied down because of us."
"Your Highness, please reconsider!"
She did not offer to commit suicide to prove her resolve as she had done before, because even if she died now, it would not have any impact or change.
This matter is not just about Lin Zhiqing, but about all the women who were selected.
Soon, Lu Nanyue also knelt down beside her.
Bai Ling also stepped forward and knelt on the ground.
Even Lin Yangyang made the same move.
But the other female members were quite hesitant and did not express their opinions.
Some families without daughters act as if it has nothing to do with them.
As the three of them expressed their opinions, the Duke of Pei frowned and said, "This is a matter of the imperial court. What qualifications do you have to speak? It's unruly. Why don't you step aside?"
"The Duke of Pei has such great authority!" Lin Zhiqing couldn't help but look up:
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince hasn't even told us to leave, so why is the Duke of Pei interfering in our affairs?"
"Besides, the Duke of Pei just now confidently said that marriage is an honor for us women."
"Let me ask you, since this is a matter concerning us women, why don't we even have the right to speak?!"
When these words were spoken, the Duke of Pei was stunned for a moment.
He didn't expect that someone would dare to challenge him.
"Duke Pei, just because you don't have a daughter at home, you can force us like this?" Lu Nanyue glared angrily.
"This is outrageous, this is outrageous!" The Duke of Pei laughed in anger.
"You are aware of the turmoil on the border. If we do not agree, the war will flare up again and the people will suffer."
"Your sacrifice is in exchange for the lives of ordinary people, so why not?"
"If I had a daughter, I would definitely send her to Daliang first!"
He spoke with conviction, no longer looking at Lin Zhiqing, but facing the prince, he said:
"Your Highness, the border dispute concerns the foundation of the country. If it continues, it will be detrimental to Dasheng."
"A twenty-year alliance will at least ensure peace on the border. Any further conflict would be a move that would shake the foundation of Dasheng and would be extremely unwise."
"I implore Your Highness to agree to the marriage!"
His voice was earnest.
Hearing this, Lu Huai opened his mouth again: "Your Highness the Crown Prince..."
"Tsk, I didn't expect that this Dasheng official seems loyal, but in fact he is quite prejudiced against us Daliang." The Daliang envoy interrupted Lu Huai and turned to the prince:
"Your Highness, our Daliang is sincere this time. If this fails, I'm afraid I'll have to go west again."
The people in the west are from the Western Regions, and they are not at peace with Dasheng, and there are occasional frictions.
This means that if Dasheng does not respond, they will marry a princess to the Western Regions.
By then, Dasheng will be standing between Daliang and the Western Regions.
If the other two parties join forces, what will happen to Dasheng?
The prince did not reply. Seeing this, the Duke of Pei said earnestly:
"Your Highness, the only solution right now is to agree to it first and then make long-term plans."
Lin Zhiqing's pupils shrank. What's the point of long-term planning?
After agreeing to this, there's probably no turning back!
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