Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 351 Reward
Long Zheng has returned, bringing with him the results of his mission to the Demon-Repelling Pass.

To his surprise, the tent didn't have the strange atmosphere he'd expected; instead, it was quite cold.

His Majesty stood up and said coldly, "Since Lu Xingzhou is going to discuss the details, then let him discuss them. I don't have time to deal with such trivial matters. You do the talking."

Long Zheng: "?"

I?
No, I'm just a warrior. You can let me go first, but what's the point of me negotiating trade? I don't even know what goods our demon race lacks, or what their prices are. What's the concept of a border market again? How are commercial taxes calculated? I have no idea!

"It's alright if you don't understand, I won't... well, I'll have Yang Huan assist you. Once you figure it out, you'll be the commander of the border market." Long Qinghuang turned and left.

This is your main tent, why did you leave?
Long Zheng felt as if he were in a dream, staring blankly at Lu Xingzhou in front of him.

Lu Xingzhou picked up a cup of tea from the table and sipped it leisurely: "Brother, you've been promoted."

That was Long Qinghuang's teacup.

Long Zheng then realized that he had really been promoted. How high could his position be, as one of the "ones" who conquered the cities in the rear? After being defeated, captured, and released, he had become the person in charge of the market after such a humiliating experience.

The only unit that lost the battle was still credited with a meritorious service? What about the others who won?
Even though this great windfall had fallen into his lap, Long Zheng still felt that the reward and punishment were unfair, and wondered if others might rebel.

Little did they know that the reward and punishment were actually quite appropriate... As the market was newly opened, a trustworthy person was needed to be in charge. However, Long Lie and Long Yun were suspected of being traitors, and Shi Kuang and others were from outside the tribe... On the contrary, Long Zheng, who was an ordinary officer before, was not suspected of being a traitor and was from the Dragon Clan headquarters, so he was quite suitable.

If we're really talking about merit, Long Zheng truly deserves credit. That letter warning the Holy Mountain of a possible attack was an immense achievement. It's a pity Long Qinghuang didn't write it herself, but that's not Long Zheng's fault. Merit is merit.

Long Zheng could only feel that he was regarded as a wicked concubine by His Majesty, and that he was simply asked to cooperate with the wicked concubine in designing the border market system. He thought helplessly that since that was the case, what was there to talk about? He could only do whatever the wicked concubine said.

Thinking of this, Long Zheng's back bent three degrees. Regardless of whether the person from the Chaotic Demon Domain was this person or not, he had to curry favor with him for now: "Mr. Lu, please feel free to speak your mind. I will remember it..."

Lu Xingzhou almost burst out laughing: "Brother, your emperor is angry with me right now, not asking you for favors."

"That's alright, Mr. Lu wouldn't do anything to His Majesty, would he?"

“You’re right.” Lu Xingzhou picked up a pen and paper and scribbled on it, roughly outlining the rules for border trade: “You’re probably not very familiar with this, but I know a little about it. I’ll help you establish a general system, and you can adjust it according to your local conditions. Also, I have a suggestion: this isn’t just a border trade between the demon race and the Great Qian Dynasty. If the Tian Shuang Kingdom and other overseas countries are interested, they can also participate.”

Long Zheng couldn't help but blurt out, "This place belongs to the demon race, right?"

Lu Xingzhou chuckled softly, "Yes~"

The teasing tone made Long Zheng blush slightly, and he remained silent.

"As for ransom... theoretically, the generals who are currently trapped in the rear are not your prisoners yet. This ransom is different from the regular ransom for prisoners. Hey, brother, I didn't ask for any money when I released you, and your men, they stayed in the city and returned directly after we went to war, without asking for any money either."

Long Zheng immediately retorted, "I'm worthless!"

Lu Xingzhou laughed out loud.

However, Long Zheng was indeed grateful to Lu Xingzhou for this, so he secretly glanced around and saw that Yang Huan, who was supposed to come to help, had not come. He then whispered, "Actually, His Majesty won't care about this little bit of money. Just give a token amount."

Lu Xingzhou said, "His Majesty the Dragon Emperor needs something that is both energetic and shiny, so let's make the Radiant Night Pearl from the southwest of the Great Qian Dynasty. This is no ordinary luminous pearl; when ground into powder and used in alchemy, it's a key ingredient for treating night blindness. It's quite valuable; one cartload should be enough..."

Long Zheng knew nothing about the Radiant Night Pearl or alchemy, so he could only do whatever Lu Xingzhou said, nodding blankly.

Yang Huan, who was recording behind the curtain: "..."

How should I phrase this?

In truth, Lu Xingzhou wasn't trying to rip anyone off. While the Radiant Night Pearl wasn't some extraordinary treasure, it had medicinal value, and its production was limited, so its price wasn't cheap. Moreover, it was shiny and beautiful, making it an attractive decorative item. After all, many worthless gemstones are valuable simply because they're pretty, and it especially suited His Majesty's tastes... There were quite a few in one cart.

However, it's not really a treasure. For the Qian Kingdom, being able to exchange a batch of attractive medicine for people would be a huge win for everyone in the country.

Both sides should be able to accept it, but the negotiation process is too difficult. How am I supposed to write about it?
Yang Huan thought for a long time, then wrote with a flourish:
General Zheng said, "People like Zheng are countless in the Demon Realm, yet they are worthless. Your country's generals are hard-won, and you must offer a great treasure to redeem them."

Xingzhou said, "The Qian Kingdom has a treasure called Yaoye, which is priceless..."

Then came the arguing and bargaining, which ultimately settled on ten bushels. The image of each side fighting for its own interests is vividly portrayed.

Yang Huan wiped away his cold sweat. "Do you think this kind of work is easy?"
…………

"Your Majesty, the demon race has sent the results of the negotiations and a letter of state, which the Dragon Emperor has already signed."

Inside the Demon-Refusing Pass, Gu Zhanting looked at the negotiation results with a grim expression.

No matter how appealing the idea of ​​open trade at border markets may sound, the essence is that those lands have been taken back by the demon race. While the freedom to enter and exit from border markets may seem comforting, the nature of the relationship has fundamentally changed, transforming the host into a guest. It may make one feel slightly better, but that's all that matters.

The agreement stipulated that no further violations of the treaty were permitted. Although such treaties were generally not very binding, and anyone shameless enough could break them and head north, it was certainly not something that could be done so easily in the short term, lest it become a laughingstock. If they wanted to do it, they would have to find a better excuse later. The territorial expansion efforts of the past few years had been wiped out, and the victory of ten years ago was rendered meaningless.

But regardless, the fact that the demon race is willing to withdraw its troops is the result everyone wants.

Despite the seemingly long negotiations, it's been less than half a day since the enemy arrived at the city gates at dawn, not even lunchtime has passed. His injuries, Huo Xingyuan's injuries, and the army's casualties and exhaustion are all still ongoing, and the generals in the rear are also in danger of falling. The consequences of fighting at this point would be unbearable, and it's not something that can be achieved by simply advocating for war with a few words from people like Xiang An.

The ransom was surprisingly low, and everyone was amazed as they watched Lu Xingzhou negotiate down a cartload of Yao Ye Pearls.

Although it's quite expensive, compared to the people being exchanged, isn't it practically free? Let alone the government paying for it, the families of those generals probably wouldn't have a hard time paying out of their own pockets.

Even the chief eunuch Hai Ruyuan couldn't help but praise him, saying, "A true national hero."

Gu Zhanting nodded, acknowledging Lu Xingzhou's abilities and "integrity." But he was thinking about something else entirely... At this moment, Gu Zhanting had a slight realization. He felt that even if the "Demon Emperor snatching a man" story was a lie, Long Qinghuang's desire for Lu Xingzhou's abilities might be genuine, and Lu Xingzhou might not return from this trip.

If he can't come back... Lu Xingzhou is using Tang's arm to cut off her arm, wouldn't that be just as bad?

But thinking of his daughter who had traveled thousands of miles to provide aid without expecting anything in return, Gu Zhanting felt an unprecedented mix of emotions.

"Whom did Lu Xingzhou's delegation want?"

"Only Lu Nuonuo, and the troops specifically designated to accompany the group, will be led by Sheng Yuanyao."

"Sheng Yuanyao?" Gu Zhanting was taken aback. If Lu Xingzhou couldn't come back, did he not consider whether Sheng Yuanyao could come back?

So Lu Xingzhou actually had the confidence to return?

Gu Zhanting felt a little excited about following the story and nodded, "Approved. In addition, Sheng Yuanyao has made great contributions this time and should be rewarded upon returning to the capital. Since she is going to accompany us north, the reward will be given now. Sheng Yuanyao is appointed as General Yingyang, a third-rank official, and will serve as the deputy envoy for this mission. After she returns from the mission, she will be considered to have made a contribution and will be given a formal position later."

"Furthermore, Lu Xingzhou is hereby promoted to First-Class Baron, with the title to be determined by the Ministry of Rites upon his return to the capital. He is to be awarded one thousand high-grade spirit stones, a residence in the capital, and an access pass to the Imperial Library. He is also granted the privilege of being from the Heavenly Sword Sect, and is bestowed with a plaque inscribed by me, 'A Gentleman Never Ceases.' All the mountains adjacent to Danxia are hereby granted as a bestowal."

"I hereby appoint Xiang An as the commander-in-chief of the defense against the demons, and the rest of the troops shall follow me in returning to the capital. All other matters shall be discussed upon our return to the capital."

The group exchanged glances discreetly. Other rewards were one thing, but this "benefiting her from her sect" was an unprecedented honor, granting her a mountain range. This was the emperor rewarding Princess Chaohuang, all under the guise of Lu Xingzhou.

A gentleman never gives up...

The day seems to be gradually changing.

…………

"Tap tap tap~" Sheng Yuanyao, carrying A Nuo in her arms, appeared outside Lu Xingzhou's tent and poked her head out, saying, "Hello, First Class Man."

Lu Xingzhou sat there stroking his chin, looking somewhat troubled. Upon hearing this, he immediately smiled and said, "General Yingyang, hello there."

Sheng Yuanyao chuckled and carried Anuo into the tent. After checking that no one was around, she plopped down next to him and nudged him with her elbow: "You really brought me on this mission?"

Lu Xingzhou laughed and said, "Someone has to accompany the group to escort us... I have brothers, how could I ask someone else?"

Sheng Yuanyao was overjoyed and said with a smile, "Aren't you afraid you won't be able to come back and will even trap me in the Demon Realm?"

"Theoretically speaking, even if the Demon Emperor wants to keep me here, he won't care whether you stay or not, so you can leave whenever you want."

"Hey!"

“Of course you won’t abandon me,” Lu Xingzhou said leisurely. “So we can all go together.”

Sheng Yuanyao actually had no idea how Lu Xingzhou should get there, but since he said so, she believed him. Hearing this, she said happily, "Speaking of which, I've also really wanted to go to the Demon Realm to see what it's like. For so many years, I've only heard people making wild guesses and descriptions. It's not easy to finally get to see it for myself. So, if you dare not take me with you on this great opportunity, I'll fight you to the death."

Lu Xingzhou snatched Anuo from her arms and gave her a kiss: "Dangerous places often hold opportunities. Some of Anuo's cultivation methods must be found among the demon race. And our martial arts cultivation opportunities might also come from the demon race... For this reason alone, I wouldn't leave you behind."

Sheng Yuanyao said, "But why did you seem a little worried just now?"

“That’s not what I’m worried about,” Lu Xingzhou sighed. “What I’m worried about is what title the Ministry of Rites will give me. If they give me a phoenix title too, I’d rather die.”

Sheng Yuanyao: “?”

I can't see anything wrong with the phoenix. It sounds pretty good, doesn't it? Your wife... no, your sect leader is Princess Chaohuang, but maybe she's worshipping you, the phoenix.

Lu Xingzhou knew they wouldn't understand the joke, so he laughed and picked up Anuo as he stood up: "Let's go, let's cross this great river."

(End of this chapter)