Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 480: A marriage alliance as the outward appearance, hostages as the underlying reality.

"Whether they are daughters of noble families or from collateral branches of the imperial clan, they will enter Daliang together with Princess Pingning. Only in this way can Dasheng's true feelings be shown and the two clans be forever united in friendship."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhiqing frowned deeply.

She knew something was wrong the moment the Liang envoy glanced at her.

If she wasn't mistaken, her name must be among those nine noble ladies!

But she never expected that Da Liang would actually dare to speak so arrogantly!

A deathly silence fell over the hall.

The high-ranking officials and their wives, who had just been secretly relieved that the disaster had not befallen them, now felt as if they had fallen into an ice cave.

"This isn't a marriage proposal; it's clearly using the guise of a marriage alliance to demand hostages!" Lu Nanyue couldn't help but exclaim.

Daliang's move was intended to consolidate its power through marriage alliances, and also to bring together the noble ladies of Dasheng, thereby restraining Dasheng from easily launching military campaigns.

Marquis Anping suddenly looked up, his body trembling slightly.

Now that the Liang envoys are going to add nine more, my daughter is already isolated and helpless in a foreign land. Wouldn't this arrangement make them hinder each other and make it even harder for them to stand firm?

Lin Qingshan could no longer hold back and spoke directly:

"Does the envoy know that the noble ladies of our dynasty are all of noble birth and cannot be assigned so casually?"

"You're making such an unreasonable demand, do you think Da Sheng is easy to bully?"

The Liang envoy, however, showed no fear and bowed respectfully.
“Your Highness, the reignition of war is probably not what the Emperor desires. These nine noble ladies do not need to be princesses; they only need to be registered daughters of officials with a clean family background.”

After speaking, he paused, then added,
"At today's palace banquet, Miss Lin from the Marquis of Changning's residence, Miss Lu from the Ministry of Revenue's residence, and Miss Bai from the Ministry of Works' residence all broadened my horizons and were quite stunning."

These words struck Lin Zhiqing, Lu Nanyue, and Bai Ling like a thunderbolt.

Lin Yangyang was the first to stand up: "How dare you..."

Lin Shi'an and Lin Qingshan quickly stepped forward, especially Lin Qingshan, whose anger almost materialized:
"Your Highness! Zhiqing is the only bloodline left behind by the soldier!"

Lu Huai clenched his fist and spoke quickly:
“Your Highness, the Liang envoy’s words show that he does not take Da Sheng seriously. His selection is clearly a result of prior planning.”

"If our Great Sheng agrees to this matter for the sake of cities and cattle, it will surely chill the hearts of loyal ministers and cause the relationship between the ruler and his subjects to become estranged, which is a great taboo!"

"The Great Liang's attempt to incite internal strife within the Great Sheng is truly a wolf's ambition. Your Highness, please reconsider!"

His words were very blunt; if it had happened just now, it would have certainly led to a conflict between the two countries.

But now, everyone knows that Da Liang has become increasingly arrogant and overbearing.

"Your Highness, please reconsider!"

Many people knelt on the ground and did not get up.

Lin Zhiqing looked at the Liang envoy with a sharp gaze.

She never imagined that the Liang envoy's true intention was to contain the Sheng.

If it were only Princess Pingning, her father, Marquis Anping, would not have any military power and would naturally not have any impact on the situation.

However, if Lin Zhiqing and others are included, and if the marriage alliance is finalized, then everyone will become a hostage of the Great Liang.

Because their daughters are in the hands of the Liang dynasty, most people in the Dasheng region will likely be inclined to peace rather than war.

If this continues, the order of the imperial court in Dasheng will surely collapse.

Furthermore, Lin Zhiqing did not believe that the list provided by the Liang envoy was not smuggled in with ulterior motives.

She, Lu Nanyue, and Bai Ling had a better relationship than the others.

Since the Liang family had dealings with the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence, they must know Lin Zhiqing very well.

The Liang envoy only selected these three, meaning that it didn't matter who the others were, but these three were essential!

How could I not have known about it beforehand?
Lin Zhiqing would never agree to a marriage alliance with Daliang.

Many members of the Lin family perished in Daliang, and there was little difference between them and their enemies.

Da Liang's intentions are definitely not pure! Thinking this, she quickly stepped forward and kowtowed deeply:
"Your Highness, please reconsider. What separates me from the Great Liang is the hatred between my family and my country. Although the parents and brothers of the other young ladies have not had any contact with the people of the Great Liang, they are also innocent."

"If we go to Daliang and Daliang goes back on its word and refuses to make peace, then Dasheng will also be held back because of us."

"Your Highness, please think again!"

She did not propose to die to prove her innocence as before because even if she died now, things would not have any impact or change.

This matter is not just Lin Zhiqing's concern, but concerns all the women who were selected.

Soon, Lu Nanyue also knelt down beside her.

Bai Ling also stepped forward and knelt down on the ground.

Even Lin Yangyang made the same move.

However, the other women hesitated and did not express their opinions.

Some men without daughters acted as if it were none of their business.

As the three women spoke, the Duke of Pei frowned: "This is a matter of the court. What right do you have to speak? You have no manners. Step down!"

"The Duke of Pei has quite the airs of an official!" Lin Zhiqing couldn't help but look up.

"Even His Highness the Crown Prince has not allowed us to leave. What are the intentions of the Duke of Pei who is overstepping his bounds and making this decision?"

"Furthermore, just now the Duke of Pei spoke eloquently, claiming that marriage alliances are an honor for us women."

"Let me ask you this: if this is a matter concerning us women, why don't we even have the right to speak about it?!"

Upon hearing this, the Duke of Pei was taken aback.

He never expected anyone to dare to talk back to him.

"Duke of Pei, just because you have no daughters, does that give you the right to force us like this?" Lu Nanyue glared angrily.

"This is outrageous! This is outrageous!" The Duke of Pei laughed in fury.

"Do you know that the border is unstable? If we do not agree, war will break out again, and the people will suffer."

"Your sacrifice is for the lives of ordinary people, what's wrong with that?"

"If I had a daughter, I would definitely send her to Daliang first!"

He spoke with absolute certainty, no longer looking at Lin Zhiqing, but instead facing the Crown Prince and saying:

"Your Highness, border disputes are a matter of national importance. If further turmoil arises, it will be detrimental to Dasheng."

"A twenty-year alliance can at least ensure peace on the border. To start another conflict would be to undermine the foundation of the Great Sheng Dynasty and would be extremely unwise."

"We humbly request Your Highness to agree to the marriage alliance!"

His voice was incredibly earnest.

Upon hearing this, Lu Huai opened his mouth again: "Your Highness the Crown Prince..."

"Tsk, I didn't expect that these officials of the Great Sheng Dynasty, seemingly loyal and virtuous, actually harbor such prejudice against our Great Liang." The Great Liang envoy interrupted Lu Huai, facing the Crown Prince:
"Your Highness, our Great Liang is extremely sincere this time. If this matter fails, I'm afraid I'll have to make another trip to the west."

The people to the west are from the Western Regions, and their relationship with the Great Sheng is not entirely peaceful, with occasional frictions.

This statement implies that if Dasheng does not comply, they will make peace with the Western Regions through marriage.

At that time, the Great Sheng will be the one standing between Daliang and the Western Regions.

If the other two parties join forces, what should Dasheng do?

The Crown Prince did not reply. Seeing this, the Duke of Pei earnestly advised:

"Your Highness, the best course of action at present is to agree to this and then discuss it further."

Lin Zhiqing's pupils contracted. "A long-term plan? What a load of rubbish!"

Once you agree, there's probably no turning back!