Chapter 1005

Chapter 1005: The Negotiation Falls Apart

“Me?”

In response to Shangguan Wuji’s inquiry, Wang Chen smiled and said, “Of course, I will respect Princess Qingyun’s wishes. If she is willing to marry the King of the Nanman, I will escort her to the Nanman.”

“What if she is unwilling?”

Shangguan Wuji directly voiced what Wang Chen had not yet said, his sixth-level martial honor gaze becoming as sharp as a blade: “Taibao Wang, how will you proceed?”

“And I heard that you are also the Princess’s mentor?”

“Indeed, I am her teacher.”

Wang Chen met Shangguan Wuji’s eyes, remaining calm: “If the Princess does not wish to go, then no one should try to force her!”

Their gazes clashed silently, causing the temperature in the great hall to drop suddenly.

Sun Zhengheng, sitting nearby, couldn’t help but shiver.

He had the weakest cultivation level among the three, leaving him without the chance to speak.

Shangguan Wuji fell silent for a moment, then began tracing the surface of the table with his finger, penetrating the hard wood to sketch a simple map.

“This is Da Qi, this is Dayan, this is the Nanman…”

After finishing, this general of the Hanhai army marked four points on the tabletop: “This is our Daliang.”

Geographically, Daliang occupied the best territory, boasting vast fertile plains, a climate that had distinct seasons, and an abundance of resources.

However, Daliang was surrounded by Dayan, Da Qi, and the Nanman, with the last two always coveting Daliang’s fertile lands, leading to continuous wars for centuries.

Although the relationship between Dayan and Daliang was decent, it would be naïve to believe that Dayan had no ambitions toward Daliang’s territory.

The existence of Hanhai City was to thwart Dayan’s ambitions!

These were external threats.

The internal issues were even more complicated, with traitors rising, heretics emerging, and countless monsters and demons wreaking havoc. Additionally, corrupt officials and powerful factions gradually weakened Daliang’s national strength.

In Shangguan Wuji’s view, the mediocre and weak-willed Emperor Shaowu lacked the ability to reverse Daliang’s decline, and marrying Princess Qingyun to Dayan would not change anything.

To save the crumbling Daliang, only a profound change would suffice!

Shangguan Wuji believed that aside from his status, Prince Jing surpassed Emperor Shaowu in every aspect.

This was the foundation of his support for Prince Jing in this great upheaval.

Even Prince Jing’s idea of ceding the three northern counties to Da Qi received Shangguan Wuji’s approval.

Because the three northern counties bordered Da Qi, with no natural defenses, countless resources had been invested over the years to counter Da Qi’s attacks, draining Daliang’s resources continuously.

Ceding the three counties would inflict intense pain in the short term, but the hundreds of thousands of elite border army troops could retreat to Tianyun Mountain Fortress and block Da Qi from advancing southward, ultimately saving huge amounts of money and resources.

Additionally, some border troops could be redeployed to the south to suppress the rebellious traitors and heretics, while also deterring the restless Nanman tribes.

It was a strategy with multiple benefits!

Furthermore, the lost territories could be reclaimed from Dayan.

Prince Jing’s willingness to set aside past grievances and endure humiliation to negotiate with Da Qi was also for the survival and revival of Daliang!

His decision to marry Princess Qingyun to the King of the Nanman was, on one hand, a demonstration of his determination to negotiate with Da Qi, and on the other hand, a temporary measure to stabilize the Nanman tribes, leaving their resolution for later.

“For the eternal stability of the Dayan kingdom and the peace of the common people…”

Shangguan Wuji declared with righteous authority: “I hope Taibao Wang can consider the bigger picture and persuade the Princess to go to Nanman!”

“A fine picture indeed!”

Wang Chen laughed: “And what if I choose to ignore the bigger picture? What will you do then?”

Shangguan Wuji’s expression darkened, revealing a hint of killing intent.

He did not answer, but his attitude spoke volumes.

Wang Chen, seemingly oblivious, put away his smile and said, “No need to see me out!”

A twitch at the corner of Shangguan Wuji’s eye betrayed his irritation. He took a long look at Wang Chen and stated, “The day Prince Jing ascends the throne will be the day the Princess heads south. Taibao Wang, take care of yourself!”

With that, Shangguan Wuji waved his sleeve and left.

Wang Chen watched the figure disappear at the great hall’s entrance, a cold smile on his face.

The general of the Hanhai army clearly harbored killing intent, yet he restrained the urge to act; his cunning was not ordinary.

Wang Chen turned to Sun Zhengheng, sitting nearby, and asked, “Are you alright?”

Sun Zhengheng’s face was ashen, beads of sweat pouring down, and his hands trembled.

The sudden surge of killing intent from Shangguan Wuji had deeply shaken him.

That he had not collapsed on the spot was already quite strong.

“I’m fine,”

Sun Zhengheng took a deep breath and forced a smile: “Taibao Wang, how are we going to handle things in three days?”

Now the marriage delegation was trapped inside the palace, and after a fallout with Shangguan Wuji, the situation was beyond dire; Sun Zhengheng could hardly imagine what awaited them!

Thinking of his family back in Daye, this commander of the Yulin Guards felt utterly despondent.

“Don’t worry, I will handle everything.”

Wang Chen said lightly: “Let’s wait for three days. If Shangguan Wuji remains stubborn…”

“Then I will send him to his end!”

Sun Zhengheng was shocked!

He could hardly believe his ears—Wang Chen actually wanted to kill Shangguan Wuji?

Was that possible?

By the time Sun Zhengheng snapped back to reality, Wang Chen had already left.

Wang Chen wasn’t exiting the palace; instead, he went to the inner hall to meet Princess Qingyun, telling her the current situation in detail.

After hearing, Princess Qingyun wilted like a frostbitten flower.

She had already endured a tremendous mental shock today, only to find herself facing an even grimmer fate!

Who was the King of the Nanman?

In the eyes of Dayan’s noble officials and common people alike, he was like a beast; a bloodthirsty, ruthless, and cruel savage.

Princess Qingyun could not imagine how she would be treated if she married the King of the Nanman.

The barbarians had no humanity; they lacked etiquette and shame!

The delicate girl trembled uncontrollably, feeling as though she had fallen into a bottomless ice cavern, the cold rushing up from her feet to her spirit, causing her to feel dizzy and precarious.

At that moment, a warm and strong hand grasped her delicate hand.

Princess Qingyun instinctively turned to see Wang Chen’s concerned gaze.

A warmth flooded her heart as she leaned into his embrace.

“Rest assured.”

Wang Chen gently patted her shoulder and said, “I will not let you go to Nanman. I can take you far away, away from all the grievances and conflicts, but I don’t believe that is the best choice.”

“Princess, have you ever considered becoming the first Empress of Dayan?”

Princess Qingyun was stunned!