Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 1360

Chapter 1360: Chapter 1355: Blind Pursuit of Progress

"The Empress Dowager of Yan was deceived and betrayed Zhou. Given this situation... our Yan Kingdom will offer all the lands obtained during the alliance with Zhou to conquer Xiliang to Zhou, not occupying an inch of it! Let Zhou possess the entire territory of Xiliang alone, as a means of atonement!" Wang Hanbing looked at Commandant Lu, a smile playing on his lips, "I suppose... there’s nothing that can more clearly demonstrate our Yan Kingdom’s sincerity in wanting to atone for betraying Zhou this time, is there?"

Wang Hanbing’s voice remained unhurried: "We fought together, it was originally agreed that we would both share Xiliang. Betraying Zhou wasn’t the intention of our Emperor or the Regent Prince, and this was beyond our Yan Kingdom’s expectations, so... although our Yan Kingdom also sent troops to battle against the Tianfeng Kingdom and Xiliang soldiers, we acknowledge our guilt towards Zhou and willingly offer Xiliang!"

Lu Fenglang’s eyes suddenly narrowed, realizing he had fallen into Wang Hanbing’s trap.

Wang Hanbing, who had been reticent in the envoy team of Yan, as expected, was observing everyone in their Zhou envoy team, and now had figured out each person’s temperament, waiting intentionally to split the matters into separate discussions.

Fortunately, Zhou was currently strong, and since the Yan Kingdom indeed breached trust first, Zhou had the final say on how this matter would be decided.

Thinking of this, Lu Fenglang steadied his heart and before he could speak, he heard the voice of Liu Rushi from outside...

"If the two countries place their stakes on a national bet, the winning country would naturally get all the territory of the other, so now, whether it is our Zhou or your Yan, offering land is the least valuable!" Liu Rushi stepped over the threshold, lifting the hem of his official robe, his features clear and lips curved in a light smile, "If this is Yan Kingdom’s sincerity... it seems Yan Kingdom’s only sincerity is to offer land to delay time to deploy Xiliang’s main forces back to Yandou, it’s the sincerity without any national stake!"

Liu Rushi, who was assassinated by the guard of Yan Kingdom’s Prince Zhong Xingxiao and fell into a coma, awoke on June 16 and suddenly appeared at Honglu Temple to confront Wang Hanbing.

In the Yan envoy group, apart from the reticent Commandant Lu, Wang Hanbing had almost completely understood the personalities and negotiation tactics of the others, except for Liu Rushi, the Minister of Rites of Zhou.

"Minister Liu..." Commandant Lu stood up with the other officials, advancing to greet Liu Rushi, "Minister Liu, why have you come? Wasn’t it said you just woke up not long ago? Why not rest at home properly?"

This action from Commandant Lu caused the Yan envoys to also hurriedly stand up and look toward the door.

Lu Fenglang and Fan Yugan also saluted toward Liu Rushi.

"That’s right, Minister Liu, you suffered such serious injuries, nearly losing your life, you’ve just woken up and should recuperate properly, why rush to Honglu Temple so hastily!" Fan Yugan was genuinely concerned about Liu Rushi’s health.

Luckily, when Murong Li decided on the national gamble, he claimed it was for the people and to grasp a lifeline for Yan, so even if lost, future records on this young Monarch of Yan wouldn’t be too unkind.

Wang Hanbing tightened his fist, still having confidence in his Regent Prince and Emperor. He hadn’t encountered that Emperor of Zhou, but believed that since the Zhou Emperor originally hailed from a family of generals, and implemented aggressive new policies with such strides due to a fast-paced approach in warfare, possibly overlooking the need to advance slowly yet steadily in governance, focusing solely on progress!

The recent success of the Zhou Emperor in implementing new policies was merely due to the understandable challenges faced by the new Jin Dynasty establishment and Daliang’s recent restoration, with Xiliang not yet showing results, the powers of the Eight Great Families of Xiliang alone would pose endless headaches for this Emperor.

The influence of Xiliang’s Eight Great Families permeated the entire Xiliang, making it impossible for the Zhou Emperor to consolidate Xiliang without confronting these families, and these families would never consent to the Zhou Emperor’s new policies, which from the aristocratic family’s view... are harmful rather than beneficial!

Although the Regent Prince didn’t express it, Wang Hanbing understood this was the main reason the Regent Prince handed over the entire Xiliang to Zhou.

"Yan Kingdom’s envoys love to bring up the lives of all under heaven and soldiers as arguments..." Liu Rushi’s voice grew colder, "Why didn’t they mention it when the Empress Dowager of Yan betrayed Zhou?"