vrcanaries Chapter 2229: Conditions
Chapter 2229: Conditions
Chu Xuan was well aware of his situation.
Although the Youzhou army is temporarily obedient, their morale may not be entirely aligned.
The alliance with the Scorpion Clan is based on mutual benefit. If one cannot demonstrate the ability to acquire and consolidate territory, such an alliance is as fragile as thin ice.
Li Shiming appeared to be observing from the sidelines, but in reality, he was watching with predatory eyes. If he didn't perform well, it was hard to guarantee that the Tang emperor wouldn't have other ideas.
For a moment, Chu Xuan fell into a brief silence.
The sunlight shone on his magnificent python robe and armor, reflecting a dazzling light, but it couldn't penetrate the turbulent weighing and calculation in his eyes.
He could feel the gazes of the five hundred elite soldiers from Youzhou behind him, and the intriguing look of Li Shiming to his side.
Across from him, Chu Ning's seemingly calm yet unfathomable gaze was fixed on him, awaiting his offer.
The silence lasted only a few breaths, yet it felt exceptionally long.
Chu Xuan suddenly laughed. The smile returned to his face, but it was less deliberate and more profound and decisive than before.
He no longer avoided Chu Ning's question; since he couldn't escape it, he would face it honestly.
The key is to offer a price that aligns with one's own best interests, tests Chu Ning's bottom line, and avoids revealing too much of one's own strengths and weaknesses.
He cleared his throat, met Chu Ning's gaze, and spoke slowly, his voice loud and clear, ensuring all three could hear him:
"Since Your Majesty has asked, then I will speak frankly."
Chu Xuan's brief silence was broken. He met Chu Ning's seemingly calm but actually imposing gaze, and his signature smile, full of deep calculation, reappeared on his face.
He cleared his throat, deliberately raising his voice to a loud and clear tone, echoing across the sky above Changting Slope, ensuring that every word struck the hearts of the three groups like a heavy hammer:
"If we want to bring back Mr. Su Tingmei—the indispensable national hero in His Majesty's eyes—it's very simple."
He held up two fingers, his eyes sharp: "First, I want Bingzhou and Jizhou! These two provinces are adjacent to my Youzhou, with vast lands and prosperous people, and they guard the vital passage between the north and south."
"Your Majesty must immediately issue an edict to announce to the world that these two prefectures shall be placed under my rule, and all garrisons, officials, and treasuries shall be handed over!"
Upon hearing this, even Chu Ning's generals, who were already mentally prepared, such as Guan Yun and Ran Ming, couldn't help but flash anger in their eyes.
Bing and Ji provinces are located in the heart of the Central Plains, with extremely important strategic positions. They are also important hubs and sources of grain and taxation for the Chu army's southward and northward advances.
Chu Xuan demanded two states without hesitation; his ambition was so great that it could be described as a whale swallowing everything!
However, Chu Xuan had not finished speaking.
He then slowly raised three fingers, his smile revealing undisguised greed and oppression:
"Secondly, five million taels of gold and five million dan of grain! They must be transported to the location designated by me in batches within half a month."
"These funds are intended to compensate for the military expenses incurred by me in raising an army to purge the court of corrupt officials and rectify the government, as well as to appease the soldiers who have fought alongside me through thick and thin!"
Five million taels of gold!
Five million dan of grain!
That's almost the annual revenue of a medium-sized country!
Chu Xuan's demands were not merely exorbitant; they were insatiable. He intended to completely drain Chu Ning's war potential, laying a solid material foundation for his own separatist rule or even hegemony.
On the slope, apart from the sound of the wind, there was only the sound of gasps for breath and suppressed anger.
Even among the Tang army troops on the west side, many generals showed surprise, clearly shocked by Chu Xuan's astonishing price.
Just then, a calm voice, tinged with a hint of helplessness and self-mockery, rang out from inside the blue-canopied carriage in the Youzhou army formation, clearly breaking the silence:
"Bing and Ji provinces are fertile lands with millions of households, five million taels of gold, and five million dan of grain, enough to save hundreds of thousands of people from famine."
"Ting Mei is just a commoner, weak and powerless, only knowing a few words and having read a few books. What merit or ability does she possess to be worth such an exorbitant price?"
"Prince Xuan, your price is far too kind to me."
It was Su Tingmei.
He sat upright in the car, his voice coming through the curtains, calm and undisturbed, as if he were evaluating an antique that had nothing to do with him.
These words were both a response to Chu Xuan's offer and a subtle reminder to Chu Ning—do not pay the price of shaking the foundations of the nation because of one person.
However, upon hearing this, Chu Xuan was not angry at all. Instead, he burst into laughter, his laughter wild and full of joy, echoing across the hillside.
"Hahaha! Mr. Su, you're being far too modest!"
After he finished laughing, his gaze suddenly shifted to Chu Ning, his eyes turning cold and provocative, the curve of his lips carrying a strong sense of sarcasm:
Whether it's worth the price or not is not for you, Su Tingmei, to decide, nor for me, the king!
He suddenly raised his hand and pointed at Chu Ning, his voice rising sharply with a questioning tone.
"It is he—the Emperor of Great Chu, Chu Ning—who calls the shots!"
"How are you, my dear brother?"
Chu Xuan stared intently at Chu Ning, each word like a poisoned nail: "My terms are right here!"
"The two prefectures of Bing and Ji, worth five million taels of gold and five million dan of grain, will be exchanged for Su Tingmei's safe return to your side, unharmed!"
"Would you be willing to agree?"
He threw this enormous problem, along with all the pressure and ridicule, back at Chu Ning intact.
Asking for an exorbitant price is not only a sign of greed and a test, but also puts Chu Ning in a dilemma.
If we agree, we will suffer a severe blow to our morale and lose all credibility.
If they do not agree, the stigma of refusing to help will be confirmed, which will also damage their prestige and discourage their advisors.
All eyes instantly focused on Chu Ning.
Guan Yun, Ran Ming, and the others clenched their fists, veins bulging, yet dared not make a move.
Li Shiming leaned forward slightly on the chariot, his eyes filled with even more interest, as if he were watching a trapped beast's last struggle.
In the suffocating silence, Chu Ning suddenly smiled.
The laughter was very soft, starting with just a slight upturn of the corners of the mouth, then turning into a clear, light laugh as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
The laughter sounded particularly abrupt and thought-provoking in the heavy atmosphere.
"Ah……"
Chu Ning shook his head, shifting his gaze from Chu Xuan's face as if the question posed by the other party was not a problem concerning the fate of the nation, but a childish joke.
When he looked at Chu Xuan again, there was no ripple in his eyes, only a calmness that looked down on him, and even a hint of pity.
"Brother."
Chu Ning spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but with a strange penetrating power.
"Do you think Mr. Su's value is limited to these two states, a few gold and silver items, and piles of grain?"
He paused, not giving Chu Xuan a chance to refute, then his tone suddenly changed, becoming extremely solemn, even carrying a declarative solemnity:
"In my heart, Mr. Su is an unparalleled national hero, capable of stabilizing the country and bringing peace to the people."
"His value cannot be measured by land or wealth."