Chapter Twenty-Nine: Ceding the City Without Paying Indemnity

Hearing these words, Yang Chuan finally set down his bowl and chopsticks. He cast a glance at Tian Yueying before turning around, looking haughtily at the old ministers who had served under Cao Ding.

"Well now, my good official, I haven’t been in Great Qi for very long, and I haven't seen you much at court. At today’s banquet, whose leash was left unfastened to let you out?"

"We won the war, yet we are expected to cede land and pay reparations, acting like subordinates—where in this world is there such logic?"

After glaring at the official, Yang Chuan suddenly feigned a look of realization.

"Oh! I remember now. You’re one of the old cronies of the former Grand Marshal, Cao Ding, aren't you?"

"It’s a pity your master isn't in court today, but rather locked away in death row. Since he failed to keep his own dog on a leash while in office, once the banquet ends, I shall go and teach your master a lesson on your behalf!"

At these words, the official immediately clamped his mouth shut and buried his head in his meal.

However, Grand Protector Sun Xin, who had always favored the Empress and Yang Chuan, could not help but offer counsel.

"Chancellor Yang, while that may be true, executing a general on the battlefield does indeed violate the laws of war. If ceding some cities can induce Great Kang to make concessions, it might not necessarily be a bad thing."

Sun Xin was well aware of the accomplishments Yang Chuan had achieved in Great Kang over the previous three years. Because of this, when Tian Yueying had traveled thousands of miles to bring him back to Qi, Sun Xin had not voiced any strong opposition. However, he knew that making a nation prosperous was not a task for a single day. Some things could not be spoken of plainly in public, as he sought to protect the borders of Great Qi and its millions of subjects. He presumed that someone as clever as Yang Chuan would naturally understand the logic behind his words.

Seeing that the entire court of Great Qi was beginning to side with Great Kang, Zou Zhiping’s expression grew arrogant once more.

"See that? Chancellor... Yang!"

He deliberately drew out the title, reclaiming the face he had just lost. He then said with a grave expression, "A few days ago, when our Empress of Great Kang heard that Chancellor Jiang’s beloved protégé had been killed, she immediately ordered the mobilization of the entire nation’s forces to avenge General Guo."

"Currently, an army of five hundred thousand is gathered at the northern border, determined to annex the entire territory of Qi in one fell swoop!"

Upon hearing the number five hundred thousand, the officials in the court could not help but tremble. Several civil officials, who had just picked up their food, let their hands shake, causing their meal to slide back onto their plates.

Looking back at the head table, Empress Tian Yueying and Yang Chuan remained as calm and composed as ever. To them, it seemed as if this army of half a million was merely a number. Yet, even without fear in their hearts, seeing the terror among the officials, Tian Yueying had to whisper to Yang Chuan to stabilize the situation.

"Young Master Yang, I know your strategies are peerless and your martial arts are exquisite; dealing with Great Kang’s five hundred thousand troops should be no challenge for you."

"However, over the last three years, Great Qi’s national strength has been weak. If we engage in continuous warfare, we will surely face the resentment of the people. Would it not be better to go along with the envoy of Great Kang and cede the cities to them? It would buy us time to develop. What do you think?"

Yang Chuan smiled. Although he had been tough in the hall, he had already made up his mind regarding the ceding of cities and payment of reparations. Since Great Qi’s strength was currently insufficient, it was better to hand over the three border cities to Great Kang for now and hide in a corner to build up his strength.

Since ancient times, the best military strategy has been to attack the opponent's plans. Before one has the absolute power to defeat an opponent, showing weakness is no shame. Moreover, Great Kang’s economy was currently far superior to that of Great Qi. Let them manage the three cities; when the army was strong and the people wealthy, he could simply march out and take them back. Would that not save him a great deal of trouble?

He whispered his response: "Your Majesty, we may cede the cities, but we cannot pay reparations. Great Qi’s treasury is empty; if we pay a massive sum to the Kang state, it will only worsen our economic plight."

"But as for ceding the cities..."

He leaned in close to Tian Yueying’s ear and explained his plan, which caused the Empress to burst into a muffled laugh. Sun Xin, sitting in the front row, stared blankly like a fool, unable to fathom their game. They were clearly surrendering by ceding land to Great Kang—why did the Empress and the Chancellor seem to treat it like a stroke of good fortune?

Tian Yueying would naturally not let a third person know the contents of their whispers. After the two exchanged a meaningful look, she stood up and feigned reluctance. "Envoy of Great Kang, during the last battle at Hui City, our Great Qi was indeed lacking in decorum. We are now willing to cede three southern cities to Great Kang, in the hope that Great Kang will withdraw its troops early and that our two nations will never again resort to arms."

"Hmph! It seems the Empress of Great Qi is more sensible than that Chancellor Yang."

Hearing this, Zou Zhiping was certain that his mission was complete. Afterward, at the "gracious" invitation of Empress Tian Yueying, they enjoyed a feast, and she personally led the delegation to the Yulong Hall to sign the agreement for the land cession. Once the process was concluded, Zou Zhiping took the documents and happily returned to Great Kang.

Unexpectedly, upon his return, after he showed the documents to Jiang Ziqi, he was not praised, but instead faced a fierce reprimand.

"Zou Zhiping! How have I taught you all these years? You traveled thousands of miles to Qi, and you only brought back three cities?"

Although Jiang Ziqi had not been one to flaunt his intelligence, he was currently the most calculating man in Great Kang. Hearing that the cession of cities had been Yang Chuan’s own proposal, he grew even more suspicious of a trap. He glared at Zou Zhiping, ordered him to reflect on his failures, and then took the documents to his study to ponder them in detail.

Even though it was a plan Yang Chuan had devised on the spur of the moment, it took Jiang Ziqi an entire day of deep thought to see through the trickery. This alone showed the vast gap between him and Yang Chuan.

Once he understood everything, Jiang Ziqi hurried with the documents to the hall where Yan Wugou handled state affairs. When they met, Yan Wugou was still immersed in the joy of finally having bested Yang Chuan. She spoke to Jiang Ziqi, sharing her joy, failing to notice the complex expression on the old Grand Tutor's face.

"Grand Tutor, you say this Yang Chuan has ultimately chosen the wrong master. If he were still working for Great Kang, would he have ever endured the humiliation of ceding land and paying reparations?"

She toyed with a trinket in her hand, but when she looked up, she saw Jiang Ziqi’s grave expression, as if this land cession were not a good thing for Great Kang at all.

"Grand Tutor, what is the matter?"

"Your Majesty, we have all been deceived by that scoundrel Yang Chuan!"

Jiang Ziqi laid the documents on the table and analyzed them word for word for Yan Wugou: "Your Majesty, Great Qi only agreed to cede the cities; they mentioned nothing of reparations. His intention is to have Great Kang govern these three cities for them!"

"Think about it: these three cities are on the border of Great Qi. After some time, once our Great Kang has governed these cities into prosperity and wealth, they will then mobilize their army to attack. It is truly a case of reaping the rewards while others do the work!"