In the Qinzheng Hall, ministers from the two countries sat opposite each other.
The empress sat on the high throne, with the envoys from Dagan sitting on her left and the ministers from Beixia on her right. After a long pause, the empress spoke, "I asked you to come here this time to discuss an alliance."
The two Jiang Ling brothers looked at each other and realized that it was time to start discussing the alliance, otherwise it would be a waste of time to continue like this.
The Grand Tutor whispered, "Okay, then let's finalize the alliance between the two sides. If Donglin attacks Dagan in the future, I hope Your Majesty will send troops to assist."
"That's natural. Beixia and Donglin are at odds, and this day was bound to come sooner or later. The conditions remain the same, and as for marriage... that's unnecessary."
"Alliances between nations are based on interests."
After half an hour, the negotiation was concluded. The Third Prince gave the two of them a long look before leaving the palace and speaking: "Young General is truly remarkable. I didn't expect the Empress to agree so quickly."
"Your Highness, you are too kind. Alliances are mutually beneficial. Now that Da Gan and Bei Xia have a common enemy, it is natural for them to form an alliance and fight together."
"Besides, Dagan poses no threat to Beixia. Your Majesty, it would be more advantageous for you to ally with Dagan than with other countries. Don't you agree, Third Prince?"
The Third Prince probed, "What's with that weapon? What exactly is it? Why did it make the Empress give in like this? Could you please let me see it for myself?"
Jiang Ling didn't refuse directly, but said perfunctorily: "Yes, after returning to Dagan, Your Highness can go to Beihuang to check out the weapons. Those things can't travel long distances and will easily explode on the way."
"Oh, then how do you plan to transport it to Beixia? Why not make more and send them to the capital, so that the emperor can see what it is and whether it can compete with Beixia."
"The Third Prince is right, but this product consumes a lot of iron ore. It will take a year or two to make what Beixia wants. Your Majesty naturally has some too, but we'll have to wait a year or two."
In one or two years, the entire Northern Wilderness will be able to declare itself a kingdom. By then, there will be no need to fear the imperial court. If you have the ability, just attack the Northern Wilderness. It will be impossible to get weapons.
The Third Prince sighed, "What a pity! This prince would like to see more of it. If there really is such a powerful weapon, Donglin wouldn't have to worry about sending troops."
Jiang Ling said solemnly: "The Third Prince is right."
After the others left, the two brothers went into the house and sat facing each other, lowering their voices: "Brother, I think the Third Prince is targeting us. This matter really can't be kept secret."
"When we return to Dagan, I'm afraid the emperor will do something strange. What should we do then? Will we fall out?"
Jiang Ling shook her head slightly: "No, the Northern Wilderness conscription has ended. The most important thing now is to train the troops. It will take some time to discuss it with the court before a decision is made. It's not the right time yet."
"This time when we come to Beixia, even if the Third Prince refuses to tell you after he returns, the Grand Tutor will have to tell you the truth. By then, I'm afraid the Emperor will set his sights on you. If he wants to keep you, he'll have to grant you a marriage with the Princess."
Jiang Sheng's face fell. "Ah, if I become a prince consort, then I will be trapped in the capital in the future. How can I do that? I will go crazy under the emperor's nose."
Seeing his brother's face full of resistance, Jiang Ling curled the corners of his mouth slightly: "Yes, so you need a shield, and what could be better than the Princess of Beixia?"
"I have discussed this matter with the Empress. You should arrange a marriage with the Princess. This way, after returning to Dagan, even if His Majesty is interested, you will have to consider whether Beixia agrees."
"In the future, when Beihuang has grown up and can challenge the imperial court, you can cancel the marriage. As long as the marriage doesn't take place, it doesn't matter. It's just a marriage."
Jiang Sheng's eyes lit up. Yes, with such a nominal marriage, who would want to interfere with his marriage?
"Wait, what about you, brother? What if His Majesty wants to keep you? If he grants you a marriage with a princess, you will be left in the capital. That's not okay."
Jiang Ling chuckled, his tone firm, "It's alright, I have my own plans. Even if it's a marriage, it doesn't matter. Princess, you must follow me to the Northern Wasteland."
"If the princess is a well-behaved person, she will naturally have a good life in the Northern Wilderness. If she is not, then she will be trapped in the backyard."
Jiang Sheng looked at him worriedly: "But if that's the case, how are you going to explain this if you have a girl you like in the future? Wouldn't that mean you can't marry the girl you like?"
"Ha, I'm not sensitive to love between men and women. The world is in turmoil right now, and love between men and women is nothing."
"As long as Beihuang becomes stronger, these won't matter."
Jiang Ling patted his shoulder and whispered, "Okay, go and get some rest. We'll go to the Empress tonight to discuss this matter and finalize the marriage before we leave Beixia."
Jiang Sheng thought of those watery eyes and his heart softened: "Okay, I understand, brother."
The next morning, Chenyu trotted into the hall.
He leaned down slightly and whispered a few words in her ear.
Bei Yueli was surprised and asked, "What? You said Young Master Jiang wanted to get engaged to me. How could it be so sudden?"
"I'm not sure. It might be something His Majesty said. Young Master Jiang had been against it before. Perhaps he was afraid that you two would be separated. In any case, it's best if he agreed."
"Your Highness has finally gotten what he wanted."
"...Well, but I can't leave Beixia. Even if we're engaged, it's only in name. It's hard to say whether Young Master Jiang will think of me after a long time."
Bei Yueli thought for a moment, then stood up and ran towards the Empress's bedroom. She wanted to ask her mother if she could let her go out and live a good life, otherwise what was the point of separating the two places so far apart.
Soon, the sound of porcelain breaking could be heard from the palace. The empress said angrily, "Are you crazy? You don't want to be a princess, and you don't want to be an empress in the future. Why do you have to chase after men?"
"You know it's a long way to go. If someone bullies you, even the Queen Mother won't be able to protect you. If you follow a man just for his little love, you'll be looked down upon."
The empress looked at her most beloved daughter and felt very disappointed. She was so confused about her love for her daughter. How could she hand Beixia over to her in the future? I'm afraid it would be... dangerous.
Although she didn't want to admit it, the eldest princess did have the appearance of an emperor, and the youngest daughter was too young, so it would be difficult for Beixia to entrust her with such a big responsibility.
Bei Yueli looked at her eagerly: "Mother Queen, you know how capable I am. I am really not suitable to be an empress. I just want to live my life happily."
"You, you, come, go and call the eldest princess."
"Yueli, you have to think it over carefully. If you really decide to go all out, there's no turning back. In the future... no matter how hard it gets, you can only learn to do the same as those women."
"What would you do if a man changed his mind and was fickle?"
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