"Indeed..." Shen Tianzhi added fuel to the fire, "Itâs just about the grain, why bother with stationing troops, relocating Tianfeng citizens, and even hiring our people! Itâs all a big fuss!"
Sal Khan: "..."
"What does Yan Kingdom think?" Liu Rushi said, glancing at the court officials of Yan for their opinion, completely disregarding Tianfeng Kingdomâs perspective.
Murong Yanâs lips curled into a smile as he picked up the teacup before him. This renowned speaker of Zhou, Liu Rushi, never disappoints, which is why Minister Shen of Zhou sits there as steady as a mountain, sipping tea without a worry.
"Minister Liu is right!" The Yan officials nodded in agreement, "Such a simple matter, why make it so complicated! They want to station their troops and have us send soldiers!"
Sal Khan glared at Liu Rushi, feeling displeased: "Renting land... no matter if itâs a natural disaster or human calamity, the grain harvest is all on us, but if buying grain..."
"Buying grain, regardless of natural disasters or human calamities, whatever you need, weâll provide, isnât Tianfeng Kingdom taking advantage?" Liu Rushi retorted, "The Monarch of Tianfeng insists so, which inevitably raises suspicions that Tianfeng wants to lease our Zhouâs territory with ulterior motives."
The Yan officials nodded along, increasingly convinced that Liu Rushi was right.
"This alliance could be simple to establish!" Liu Rushi crossed his arms within his sleeves, sitting up straight, "Currently, the relationship between Tianfeng and Xiliang seems remarkably good, Xiliang is willing to lease land and territory to you, thatâs not our concern! However... Tianfengâs army absolutely cannot cross into Zhouâs borders by even a step! Every year, choose a day, and we will deliver grain and supplies to the border, a clean and crisp transaction."
"Agreed..." The Yan officials looked at Murong Li and Murong Yan, "What do His Majesty and the Ninth Prince think?"
Murong Yan stroked the teacup with his fingers, smiling: "I think... itâs excellent."
"What does His Majesty think?" Liu Rushi also consulted Bai Qingyan.
"Excellent!" Bai Qingyan nodded.
"If the Monarch of Tianfeng also agrees, we shall redraft the alliance!" Liu Rushi stated.
If Tianfeng merely wants grain, this method is the best for Tianfeng. But if Tianfeng refuses to redraft the alliance, it will reveal the ambition. The officials from both Zhou and Yan attending here arenât fools.
Sal Khan was contemplating a solution, lips tightly sealed, turning to look at the Great Shamanâs disciple.
The discipleâs gaze focused on Bai Qingyan, watching her intently while muttering to himself, sensing Bai Qingyan as a divinely chosen ruler for this land... but also not.
Sal Khanâs eyelid twitched, raising an eyebrow to inquire the disciple of the Great Shaman, noticing he was looking at Yanâs Ninth Prince.
The disciple clutched his clothes tightly, feeling the same sense he got from the Ninth Prince.
The discipleâs back was already drenched in sweat, unsure whether to inform His Majesty that he couldnât ascertain whether Yanâs Ninth Prince or the Empress of Zhou is the divinely chosen ruler for this land.
He thought, perhaps... is it their parents, whose flesh and blood might become the ruler of this land?
No, thatâs not right...
The disciple of the Great Shaman fell into a chaotic thought process.
The divinely chosen ruler must have already appeared, otherwise... the Great Shaman wouldnât have been warned.
Could it be that the landâs ruler is somehow related to the Empress of Zhou and Yanâs Ninth Prince, but the day has not yet come?
Li Tianfu sat quietly, casting a side glance at Sal Khan with a cold smile in her heart. She had long advised Sal Khan that instead of slowly chewing over this alliance agreement by nibbling away, she suggested outright relying on the Elephant Army to attack Zhou. Only capturing cities and lands with the military force in oneâs hands could truly be seized.
Now, with Yan and Zhou signing the alliance, attacking one nation guarantees intervention from the other.
Li Tianfu stood up and looked towards Bai Qingyan, "Bai Qingyan... you and Yun Poxingâs three-year agreement have not been forgotten, have you?"
Bai Qingyan nodded.
"As for Lu Tianzhuoâs deep-seated enmity, I shall never forget, and Xiliang and Zhou shall have a battle!"
Bai Qingyan looked calmly at Li Tianfu, showing a demeanor ready to listen closely.
"Empress of Xiliang..." Sal Khanâs brows furrowed tightly.
Li Tianfu ignored him, turning to Murong Li and Murong Yan, "There was once an alliance between Yan and Rong that forbade involvement with Xiliang within three years..."
Upon hearing this, Bai Jinzhi couldnât help but chuckle, looking at Li Tianfu, "Rong no longer exists; it has now been annexed by Zhou... is the Princess of Xiliang unaware?"
"I donât care about that! But... since Yan had an alliance with Rong, it must not touch Xiliang within three years!" Li Tianfu declared arrogantly.
Sal Khan clenched his fists tightly, barely suppressing his murderous intent. How could there be someone as foolish as Li Tianfu, more capable of failure than success? Did Xiliangâs late emperor indeed bestow all wisdom on Li Tianjiao, leaving nothing but indulgence and stupidity for Li Tianfu?
Unable to control his murderous intent, Sal Khan pulled out the jade cicada from his sleeve, clutching it without wanting to partake in Li Tianfuâs foolishness.
Bai Qingyan raised her gaze towards Li Tianfu, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips.
Bai Jinzhi laughed at Li Tianfuâs "I donât care," remarking, "You want to care, but who lets you? Whatâs your basis? Is it that all Xiliang people are shameless?" Bai Jinzhi truly didnât know what Li Tianfu grew up on, "Do you assume everyone is your mother, indulging you! With this âI donât care!â If you want to throw a tantrum... want to act spoiled, go back to Xiliang! Donât disgust people here! This is the Four-Nation Allianceâs main tent, for national affairs and diplomacy, you canât throw tantrums here!"
Li Tianfuâs face turned ugly, looking at Murong Li like a soft target, asking, "Is the Emperor Yan planning to breach the alliance?"
Before Murong Li could open his mouth, Murong Yan spoke first...
"An alliance is mutually binding, and now that Rong is no longer, how can the Princess of Xiliang think... the alliance could still unilaterally bind our Yan?" Murong Yanâs stern gaze fell upon Li Tianfu, teasing, "Borrowing a phrase from Lord of Gaoyi of Zhou, Iâd like to ask the Princess of Xiliang, is it... based on Xiliang peopleâs lack of shame?"
Xiao Rongyanâs naturally low and cold voice, laced with mockery, made Li Tianfu want to draw her sword and cut down this Ninth Prince of Yan.
Li Tianfu, steaming with anger, sneered, "So Yan clings to Zhouâs thigh, wanting to gang up with Zhou to bully us Xiliang!"
Sal Khan, gripping the jade cicada tightly, struggled to contain his murderous intent, closing his eyes, realizing that this alliance meeting had turned into a farce because of Li Tianfu.