It was already February when Li Yuan arrived in Shangjing, the capital of Jin State again.
Everyone knew that the peace talks between Qin, Chu and Jin had to be concluded by March.
Because the beginning of spring is the time when the armies will attack each other. If it is delayed any further, the armies of the two countries will be stationed on the border of Qin for a long time, which is never a good thing.
On the day of arriving in Shangjing, Li Yuan conveyed the Jin emperor's thoughts to Qu Yuan.
The latter actually said with a sense of relief: "It is not easy for Your Majesty to have such determination."
The former was extremely puzzled by this and asked, "Why do we still have to form an alliance with Jin after all this has happened? The worst that can happen is that we can just withdraw our troops."
Hadn't the previous attack on Qin also failed? It also led to the death of the famous general Xiang Yan.
What's wrong with withdrawing troops now?
Qu Yuan shook his head and said, "You are looking at the problem too one-sidedly. This time we will attack Qin differently from the past. If our army is defeated, the Chu State will be in danger."
"Can we really destroy Qin by relying on Jin?" Li Yuan asked.
"That is something Wu Qi should consider. As for us, we just need to work hard to promote Jin's determination to destroy Qin." Qu Yuan responded.
Li Yuan asked again, "I wonder if the Qin envoy has made any moves in the past few days?"
Qu Yuan shook his head and said, "This Guo Kai is not someone who can accomplish anything. Ever since the Jin Emperor met him, he has been staying at the post station every day to listen to announcements. This has actually given us an opportunity."
Afterwards, he took Li Yuan into the palace to meet the Emperor of Jin.
After the two sides met, the Jin Emperor asked with a smile, "I wonder what the Chu Emperor thinks?"
Qu Yuan explained Mi Xiong's intention: "Your Majesty, after conquering the Qin State, our Chu State only wants one-third of the land.
In addition, the food, fodder, supplies, silver, and other items originally promised to your country will be doubled. I wonder if Your Majesty is satisfied with this concession?"
He had almost made it clear.
The most Chu can do is to make concessions here. If you continue to press us aggressively by using Qin as an excuse, then let’s not talk about the alliance anymore. Let’s just part ways amicably.
But then again, that was indeed all the benefits that the State of Chu could offer.
The expenses of this war alone have overwhelmed them.
Almost all the wealth accumulated by successive Chu emperors has been exhausted.
The State of Chu was willing to do this for only one purpose, which was to destroy Qin.
They believed that as long as they could destroy Qin, no matter how much they paid, it would be worth it.
Ji Chong'er nodded and said, "Satisfied, of course I am satisfied. Since your country is so sincere, if I change my mind every day, I will lose my credibility with the world.
Please return and wait. I will issue an order soon to send reinforcements to the front line."
In other words, you are indeed sincere, but I don't want to agree immediately and need to consider it for a few days.
As the saying goes, you can't eat hot tofu in a hurry. Qu Yuan certainly understood that it would be difficult to get any results today.
He could only be patient and continue to wait.
On the way back to his residence, Li Yuan pretended to be dissatisfied and complained:
"This Jin State is really too much of a bully. We've given them so many benefits, yet they still want to play guessing games with us."
Qu Yuan exhaled a breath of turbid air, and said with a sense of loss: "Actually, it's good that we can talk to this extent today. At least he didn't reject our opinion."
"You keep putting it off, how long will it take to end? My Lord, it's almost March."
Li Yuan frowned deeply.
Qu Yuan suddenly stopped, looked up at the clear sky, and murmured, "Yes, March is almost here. How wonderful it would be if there were news of a victory at this time."
Wu Qi: I want to, too. Do you think I don’t?
...
The Imperial Palace of Jin.
Ji Chong'er discussed the matter with Mao Sui and others.
"The conditions offered by the State of Chu are indeed extremely generous. I always feel that they are much more reliable than the State of Qin."
The former said slowly.
The State of Chu really wanted to destroy the State of Qin, so naturally it would do so at any cost.
Mao Sui said, "From what Your Majesty has said, are you continuing the alliance with Chu?"
Ji Chong'er nodded and said, "We only need to send the army and don't have to worry about anything else. Why not form an alliance?
Compared to the benefits offered by Qin, I would still be happy to receive a large piece of Qin's land."
Lin Xiangru added: "Before that, we can also obtain a portion of Qin's interests."
As soon as these words were spoken, the emperor and his ministers looked at each other and smiled.
Half an hour later, Guo Kai was summoned to the palace.
Ji Chong'er told the latest bargaining chips offered by the State of Chu.
Guo Kai said without hesitation: "Although Qin is not as rich as Chu, it is difficult for us to give your country double the amount that Chu has offered.
However, we, the Qin State, will also give our all. The key is that your country can capture the Youyun area of our Qin State without bloodshed."
If he continued to insist and Qin was willing to pay double the price, then Jin would have reason to doubt Qin's brain and wonder if he was stupid.
After all, what the State of Chu gave was really too generous.
If the Qin State dared to double the gift, it would probably empty its treasury and still not be able to meet the demand.
Both sides are well aware of this.
Once Guo Kai said that, there was no reason for the Jin rulers and ministers not to doubt Qin's intentions.
Ji Chong'er nodded slightly and said, "I like peace and tranquility, not war, because war always results in death.
Therefore, I can withdraw my troops, but before I do so, you Qin must show me your sincerity."
What I mean is that you have to give some money, and once the money arrives, the war will naturally not start.
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