Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 1362

Chapter 1362: Chapter 1357: Hostages

After speaking, Liu Rushi addressed the official recording the negotiations between the two countries: "What are you standing there for? Write it down. The Regent Prince of the Yan Kingdom is equivalent to the Emperor of Yan. From now on, if we, the Zhou Dynasty, have any national affairs to discuss with the Yan Kingdom, we can go directly to the Regent Prince’s residence!"

Wang Hanbing squinted his eyes slightly and said with a smile: "Minister Liu, why distort my words? While our Emperor of Yan is indeed wise and decisive, in times of true national gamble between the two countries, the Emperor may set the strategy... but its implementation requires the control of our Regent Prince. This is common knowledge in the Yan Court, just like the last time... even if the Regent Prince disagreed with the Emperor’s strategy, he still brought the envoys to the Zhou Dynasty to discuss the national gamble on behalf of Yan."

Liu Rushi, observing Wang Hanbing’s demeanor, chose not to press further and simply said: "Your Yan Kingdom’s Regent Prince, Prince Murong Li, and Great General Xie Xun, must all be sent as hostages to the Zhou Dynasty! Firstly... these three are all formidable warriors from your Yan Kingdom, and we, the Zhou Dynasty, cannot rest easy with them remaining in the Yan Kingdom! Great General Xie Xun, being an outsider of the Yan family, if your Yan Kingdom were to betray the alliance, the Imperial Family of Yan wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice General Xie!"

"And as for Prince Murong Li, despite your Emperor ascending the throne for some time now, he has not been granted a title, indicating that this son of the former Emperor does not please either the Empress Dowager or the Emperor, making a betrayal of the alliance by Yan a matter of little concern!"

"Therefore, only by sending your Regent Prince as a hostage to the Zhou Dynasty can we be assured of engaging in a national gamble with your Yan Kingdom!"

Liu Rushi’s speech was swift and steady, leaving no room for the envoy of Yan to interject. After finishing, he picked up the teacup in front of him, but before bringing it to his lips, added: "After all, a national gamble doesn’t benefit us, the Zhou Dynasty... our court officials mostly oppose it, but it’s out of compassion for the soldiers and people that our Emperor agreed to discussions. If negotiations fall through, it would only delay things by a few days for us."

After speaking, Liu Rushi leisurely took a sip of tea, as if he didn’t care much or particularly wish to conclude the national gamble.

The Yan envoys, on the other hand, were anxious, whispering among themselves, which Liu Rushi pretended not to hear.

Wang Hanbing understood why Commandant Lu had sat passively at first, realizing that gentle negotiation was futile. Liu Rushi’s tough stance upon arrival was clear, as the Zhou Dynasty had nothing to worry about—whether at war or not... it was Yan that would suffer.

Quickly, Wang Hanbing responded, the hand in his sleeve clenching slightly: "Minister Liu’s statement about the second Prince not being favored by the Empress Dowager or the Emperor, is something I, Wang Hanbing, cannot agree with. Although the second Prince has not yet been given a title... he is a valuable general in our Yan Kingdom. How could our Empress Dowager and Emperor not be pleased with him? Furthermore... the Crown Prince, who shares the same parent with our Emperor, has also not been titled yet. Does that likewise imply displeasure from the Empress Dowager and Emperor?"

"As for General Xie, General Xie’s father is still the Wenjuan Marquis of our Yan. Why would we willingly sacrifice him as a hostage to the Zhou?"

As Wang Hanbing spoke, he saw Liu Rushi lift his gaze, closing the lid of his teacup, seemingly eager to engage with Wang Hanbing in discussion.

It was then that Wang Hanbing boldly made a decision, raising his eyes to look at Liu Rushi: "The Regent Prince cannot be sent as a hostage to the Zhou. But... as Minister Liu mentioned, with the Zhou Dynasty holding the upper hand, if we are to show sincerity, Yan Kingdom must offer it. Therefore, in addition to sending the second Prince and General Xie as hostages, we will also send the Emperor’s full-brother, the Crown Prince, the biological son of our Empress Dowager, to the Zhou. Could this not demonstrate the sincerity of Yan Kingdom?"

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