On June 10th, a Khmer detachment stationed in Kengtung crossed into the demilitarized zone to cover the retreat of their own rioters. They engaged in a battle with pursuing Thanh Ha soldiers, with both sides calling for reinforcements, and the fighting escalated. Although the Kengtung officers and their troops eventually retreated to their own territory, Lu You and Nguyen Shiping, feeling the pressure from the Khmer military, formally requested reinforcements from the Xiangyun Prefecture and the Thanh Ha Earl's Palace.
On June 17th, without the knowledge of Xiangyun Prefect Bai Ang, an official document bearing the seal of Xiangyun Prefect was sent to Qinghe. The gist of the document was that Qinghe Bo Linhai was hoped to integrate forces, organize reinforcements, and defend the interests and borders of the empire.
On June 20, Qinghe Bolinhai accepted Bai Ang's request and asked the armed forces of Xichuan and Xiangyun to begin full mobilization.
On June 25, under the dual protection of the royal guards sent by the Cambodian Left Prime Minister and the heavy armored infantry sent by Lu You, Ling Yan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qinghe and the plenipotentiary envoy representing Lin Hai, arrived in Bangkok and met with the Cambodian King that afternoon.
"Foreign minister Lingyan pays homage to His Majesty the King of Cambodia." Lingyan, who was taken directly to the imperial study, did not kneel down to salute, but bowed to Xin Yueping.
"Bold..." The Khmer king's personal eunuch had just said two words when Xin Yueping waved his hand to stop him.
"Okay, I know what you want to do. It's nothing more than making some etiquette things for everyone to talk about, and then use this opportunity to tell me about Qinghe's strength, and then say from a moral point of view that this time it was Cambodia's fault..." Nguyen Shiping did not look angry at all, but said calmly.
"But that would be too much trouble. You have connections in my palace, so you should know that I don't have much time to talk calmly, so hurry up and talk about harvesting food."
"Hmm..." Even though Ling Yan had made various preparations before this, even assuming that the Khmer King would chop her off as a sacrifice or take her into the harem as soon as they met... In short, she had made plans for all kinds of possibilities, but she didn't do this one.
It can no longer be described as honest.
"Qinghe Bo hopes that Your Majesty can give him an explanation." Ling Yan said concisely.
Xin Yueping sat there with a calm expression, probably thinking, then suddenly smiled and said, "Little girl, you are not honest enough."
Xin Yueping pointed to a seat next to him and said, "Sit down, there's no outsider here."
Ling Yan glanced at the prime ministers present. Well, the entire room consisted of only Xin Yueping, the prime ministers, herself, and the two eunuchs who attended to Xin Yueping. It truly couldn't be more secretive.
"Little girl, tell me, how long will the task Lin Hai give you to delay? I don't believe he is ready. He must be asking you to delay time. Tell me, how long will it take you? One month? Two months? Or half a year?" Ruan Shiping looked at Ling Yan with amusement.
Ling Yan was horrified. Although she remained calm on the surface, deep down she wanted to return to Qinghe and hang Wang Zuo up and whip him. Oh no, she should stuff the principal's mace directly into his mouth! This Wang Zuo, what a bastard! The Khmer king was completely different from what the intelligence said. He wasn't the foolish and warmongering person he said he was.
As for Gao Shengtai and Yang Yizhen, they have not said a word and have not looked away since Lingyan came in. I don’t know if they have rehearsed it in advance or if the relationship between them is different from what the intelligence said.
"Qinghe Bo has no such intention." Ling Yan paused and said, "God is merciful and kind. Qinghe Bo's intention is to avoid war if possible. Otherwise..."
"Alright, little girl." Ruan Shiping interrupted Ling Yan with a rather rude look, "No need for politeness. If Lin Hai didn't want to fight, how did he get such a large territory? He couldn't have picked it up on the street, could he?"
"Besides, given Cambodia's current situation, it's indeed a good time for you to attack Cambodia. To be honest, if I were in Lin Hai's position, I would definitely attack. If such a good opportunity is missed, I'm afraid I will regret it for half my life.
I've heard that Lin Hai has ordered the garrisons to begin assembling. But this is probably just a pretext. It's not his style to start assembling now. If this is all he's capable of, then I've misjudged him.
Your main force should be almost ready, or even already. The mobilization order is just a trick to fool children, oh no, it still has some practical effect. At least you need to mobilize all your militia to fill the rear.
So, I'm just curious about one question: how much time does Lin Hai need? You can just say, "I need time too." If it's appropriate, I can just agree to it, and save you from wasting words here.
"Your Majesty is... different." Ling Yan really couldn't find a suitable adjective to describe the Khmer king in front of her.
"Hahahahaha, that's unique. You speak as if you've met countless kings." Ruan Shiping laughed and said, "Everyone who is not involved, please leave. I want to have a few words with the little girl alone."
After saying this, Gao Shengtai and Yang Yizhen both stood up and saluted, then followed the two eunuchs out of the imperial study without a word. Ling Yan was stunned. "Are these two guys here just for decoration? The prime minister of a country is so silent in such a situation, without even a single unnecessary movement or expression."
Noticing Ling Yan's expression, Ruan Shiping sighed and said, "Why, do you think there's something wrong with them?"
"Could it be that the two prime ministers are ill?" Ling Yan asked.
"Well, I guess so. It's a disease that spreads among the high-level officials. You will know it later. I have studied the official system of your Qinghe. At best, you will be a Minister of Rites in the future, and you will almost be the Minister of the Ministry of Rites. I hope you don't get the same disease." Ruan Shiping said.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com