Chapter 138 Negotiation
The next day, the representatives of the Chu delegation revised the gift list and submitted it to the Court of State Ceremonies.
Lou Zhao handed the gift list to Wei Lin for review.
He was very pleased with Wei Lin's elegant and refined appearance.
She is cultured, and her whole demeanor is like a gentle breeze.
Such a person is perfectly suited for the position of Minister of State Ceremonies.
"Wei Shaoqing, what do you think of the new gift list that the State of Chu has submitted?"
Wei Lin stood humbly to the side, saying, "I have just taken office, so it is best for you, sir, to make the decision on this matter."
Lou Zhao was satisfied after hearing this. "It's alright. I've heard about your deeds. You debated with a hundred students and didn't lose. You have the same style as your father. We also greatly admire the heroic deeds of your father, Lord Wei. Tell me what your thoughts are on this negotiation."
Wei Lin smiled slightly, "In that case, I do have some thoughts to share with you, sir."
Lou Zhao nodded with a smile.
"The State of Chu and the State of Jin have been at war for many years. The State of Jin has suffered heavy losses and exhausted its people. It is only right that we should compensate them with gold and silver. Since we are surrendering, we should naturally show the appearance of surrender. I think the State of Chu should offer up cities to express their sincerity in surrendering."
Lou Zhao found this very reasonable. The items on Chu's gift list were not much more than the annual tributes from those vassal states. A defeated state that surrenders should naturally contribute its cities.
Do you have any ideas in mind?
Wei Lin took out a list from his pocket, which contained the names of more than a dozen cities.
Lou Zhao nodded. "These dozen or so cities are all prosperous places. Choosing any one of them would be very beneficial to our Jin Kingdom."
He handed the list to Wei Lin, saying, "Since you already have a plan in mind, then this negotiation with the State of Chu will be your responsibility. Don't worry, the others in the Court of State Ceremonial will help you."
Wei Lin narrowed his eyes, "I will never betray your trust, sir."
Qi Tianxing, the representative of the Chu delegation, and his entourage had been waiting for a long time.
Just then, they saw a young man sitting in the main seat of the Jin delegation.
I felt that the negotiations would go more smoothly this time.
After all, older adults tend to be more stubborn, while younger people, with less experience, are easier to talk to.
Wei Lin spoke politely to the Chu delegation, saying, "My lords, we have already discussed this, and your country's gift list is not sincere enough."
Lou Zhao nodded in satisfaction, displaying a refined and magnanimous demeanor befitting a great nation.
As expected, Qi Tianxing smiled and said, "In that case, please tell us if there is anything else that needs to be added to the gift list."
Wei Lin narrowed his eyes, "Since Lord Qi is so agreeable, I shall respectfully comply."
As he spoke, he pulled a list from his pocket.
Qi Tianxing was slightly taken aback. Usually, it takes several rounds of back-and-forth before the other party makes their demands. This is to test the other party's bottom line and protect the interests of their own country to the greatest extent.
However, Qi Tianxing wasn't too surprised. Looking at the young appearance of the man opposite him, he probably had never had such negotiations with other countries before.
It's normal to not understand anything.
Wei Lin pushed the list to Qi Tianxing.
Qi Tianxing spread out the list, and seeing that it contained all the cities of their Chu Kingdom, he was about to ask what the purpose of this was when he heard Wei Lin's gentle voice.
“Our state of Jin wants these fifteen cities as a token of our sincerity in surrendering to your state of Chu.”
Lou Zhao, who was happily drinking tea to the side, spat out a mouthful of tea, then coughed violently and looked at Wei Lin.
Wei Lin smiled and handed his handkerchief to Lou Zhao, saying, "Lord Lou, please be careful."
The entire negotiation room was so quiet that even breathing could be clearly heard.
Qi Tianxing felt as if someone had slapped him on the head a dozen times. He couldn't help but ask, "Has your Jin Kingdom gone mad?"
Fifteen cities?!
You can have the entire Chu Kingdom!
The Chu delegation was instantly enraged by Qi Tianxing's words.
"What does your Jin state mean by this?!"
"This is outrageous! It's utterly shameless!"
"Fifteen cities? Why don't you offer to give us the capital of our Chu Kingdom as well!"
Wei Lin listened calmly to the Chu delegation's indignant remarks.
The officials from the Court of State Ceremonial looked at each other in bewilderment.
This, this, isn't this going too far?
Wei Lin put down his teacup and looked at Qi Tianxing with a smile, "It is only right for a defeated nation."
Qi Tianxing took a deep breath. "Lord Wei, Chu and Jin have been at war for many years. You don't want the flames of war to reignite, do you?"
Wei Lin's expression remained unchanged. "If you hadn't surrendered, the flames of war wouldn't have needed to reignite. Our Jin state's war would have already reached the capital of your Chu state."
The delegation opposite slammed their fist on the table. "How dare you insult our Chu Kingdom! Our Chu Kingdom has tens of millions of iron cavalry. Do you think you can just take them in as you please!"
Wei Lin drank his tea. "You've surrendered."
"The Chu state has a strong border defense, and your Jin state has been attacking it for more than ten years without success. How dare you make such a boastful statement? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"
"You've surrendered!"
"If it weren't for the despicable nature of you Jin people, who used our Ninth Prince to threaten us, how could we have signed this surrender document!"
Wei Lin's smile widened. "Ah, not only have you surrendered, but your generals have also been captured alive."
Qi Tianxing's expression turned serious. "Lord Wei, it seems you have no sincerity in negotiating at all."
Wei Lin shook his head. "Lord Qi, you are overthinking it. I genuinely want these fifteen cities."
The officials of Jin who had fallen silent the moment Wei Lin spoke were almost unable to suppress their laughter.
God's sincerity, that's not wrong.
Qi Tianxing's face turned completely cold. "Since Lord Wei has no intention of having a sincere conversation, then we have nothing more to say."
As the Chu envoys prepared to leave, Lou Zhao grew anxious, wondering why the talks had suddenly broken down.
Wei Lin remained calm and composed. “Since that’s the case, I’m sure you don’t want to bring back your Ninth Prince. A Ninth Prince who is a military genius will surely become a major threat to my Jin Kingdom once he returns. Trading fifteen cities for the death of a talented man from Chu is quite a good deal.”
Lou Zhao's eyes widened and his heart pounded. Why did he think Wei Cha's son would be a good guy? Had he lost his mind?
Qi Tianxing's face was gloomy. The Ninth Prince was exceptionally talented and was their preferred candidate for crown prince. Moreover, he was a natural-born military talent. This trip to Jin Kingdom was solely to bring back the Ninth Prince.
But this Wei Lin is shameless; he just blurted out that he wanted fifteen cities.
For the sake of the Ninth Prince, Qi Tianxing suppressed his anger and was about to sit back down.
Then they saw Wei Lin take the list back.
"Since you all don't want to talk about it, we'll discuss it again tomorrow."
Wei Lin turned to look at Lou Zhao, "Lord Lou, let's go."
The old men obeyed Wei Lin's orders and quickly left.
He was afraid that if he walked too slowly, the Chu envoy's spittle would hit his face.
Qi Tianxing choked on his breath, and as he watched Wei Lin and the others leave, he kicked over a chair!
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