Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 187 Qi Yan Contract, Activated!
"Lord Chen, how have you been in Yan these past few days?"

After leaving the post station, Chancellor Gongsun Xing led him to the main hall of the Yan King's palace.

On the way, both of them wore polite and respectful smiles.

“The wine in Yan is strong, and the women’s wine is even stronger,” Chen Xing said.

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Xing burst into laughter and said, "That Lord Chen truly understands Yan."

"But I don't understand the Prince of Yan," Chen Xing said with some helplessness.

"What does this mean?" Gongsun Xing asked in return.

“Envoys from the Great Qi usually get to see the Prince of Yan the next day. But I came here in person on the orders of my emperor, so why is it taking three days to see him?” Chen Xing asked in confusion.

"My lord has been far too busy lately," Gongsun Xing joked. "Besides, these three days haven't been entirely meaningless. Didn't you conclude that the beauties of Yan are exceptionally fierce?"

“But matters of state should come first,” Chen Xing said earnestly. “My Emperor has brought with him the utmost sincerity.”

"Of course I know that," Gongsun Xing said, half-covering his mouth and lowering his voice. "It is precisely because such a distinguished person as Lord Chen has come in person that our Great Yan should treat him with even greater respect."

This statement carries a hidden meaning.

Because this mission is different from the previous ones.

It was after a major battle that left both sides severely injured, and Ji Yuan's confidant came in person, so the Yan state had to hold countless think tank meetings.

It wasn't decided in the main hall by just the special envoy and the Prince of Yan.

Before the meeting, the Yan state had already basically discussed and agreed on the future route.

Of course, this does not mean that negotiations are meaningless.

Chen Xing knew that, for the Yan Kingdom, there must be several options.

They agreed to form an alliance.

They do not agree to an alliance.

And what conditions must be met before an alliance can be agreed to?

These mutually agreeable terms are the true purpose of negotiation.

How grand was it?

Chen Xing was no envoy from a small country; the enormous power behind him gave him the confidence to ask such questions.

"Don't worry, Lord Chen." Gongsun Xing patted him gently on the back. "I've already spoken to the King."

This is the significance of bribery.

In many ways, diplomacy is essentially about giving money to diplomats and officials.

This is especially true for diplomacy during wartime.

This is the rule.

Of course, don't think that this bribe can play a decisive role.

It can only play a certain or key role.

Ultimately, it still comes down to profit.

"Then I am relieved."

Chen Xing smiled faintly.

Finally, Gongsun Xing and he entered the main hall together.

Seated on the throne was Conson.

A man of about forty years old, dressed in a dark blue royal robe with pheasant patterns and wearing a nine-tasseled hat, who was slightly plump and rounded, and looked quite amiable.

Ji Yuan aptly described this person with two words: mediocre and weak.

It is neither incompetence nor weakness.

Rather, it is mediocrity and weakness.

A review that wasn't too bad.

He should not have been the one to succeed to the throne; it should have been his elder brother, the hostage sent to the state of Yu.

When the Emperor of Yan was about to die, he wanted to recall his elder brother, but several powerful ministers, citing the country's turbulent situation and the need for swift stabilization, quickly installed him on the throne after the old King of Yan died.

The real reason was that they felt he was less capable and easier to control.

Of course, after being king for so many years, power has gradually returned to his hands, so he is not a puppet. However, in terms of leadership ability, he is far inferior to Ji Yuan and Wei Ye.

"Chen Xing, the Grand Advisor of the Great Qi, greets His Highness the Prince of Yan."

Chen Xing slowly bowed.

"Lord Chen, it's been a long time." Kang Xun said with a smile, then asked Gongsun Xing, who was standing next to Chen Xing, "When was the last time?"

“Eleven years ago,” Gongsun Xing said.

"It's been so long," Kangxun said with a sigh. "Back then, you and I were both in our prime."

"His Highness Prince Yan is still young and vigorous, which is admirable," Chen Xing said.

"Lord Chen has indeed lost a lot of weight. It must have been very hard for him to follow His Majesty into battle."

"Marching and fighting are tough, but traveling with the illustrious Emperor and the invincible army, I feel only passion and no fatigue."

Fun fact: The Northern Liang state was considered to have won the war against the Qi state.

Here's another interesting fact: the Northern Liang state was considered to have won the war against Yu.

Therefore, it is not surprising that there are often huge discrepancies in the records of foreign wars in the history books of various countries.

If we suffer a major defeat, we should publicize our merit in resisting.

If the defeat is minor, then publicize it as a victory in a local battle.

If the battle is won, it will be a devastating blow to the enemy and a strategic victory.

Winning goes without saying.

There are only big wins, huge wins, and super big wins; there are no small wins.

Kang Xun smiled and nodded, indicating his agreement. After some pleasantries, he took the initiative to ask, "What brings Lord Chen here today? What instructions does His Majesty have for him?"

"Please take a look at this book, Your Highness."

Chen Xing extended his hand.

Then, the eunuch who had searched him and deposited the letter there voluntarily presented it to the Prince of Yan.

The Prince of Yan looked at it with a very serious expression.

This is "The Wealth of Nations," an essay by Song Shi'an on his imperial examinations.

Although the whole conversation revolved around how to make Dayu rich.

But writing articles isn't about creating castles in the air; it requires combining social situations and real-life examples.

Therefore, it was detailed in the trade policy of the Northern Yan.

The policy of establishing border trade relations with Northern Yan was adopted.

Exporting silk and tea from Dayu and importing horses from Beiyan stabilized the border while expanding the cavalry.

The plan was to resist the import of sea salt from Yan, and after the successful establishment of military settlements, to export grain at low prices and buy animal hides at high prices, causing the people of Yan to abandon farming and turn to hunting, leading to a decline in production and strangling their economic lifeline. Upon seeing this, the King of Yan frowned.

"Prime Minister, come and see."

Then, it was given to Gongsun Xing.

Gongsun Xing also finished reading it, his expression quite somber.

This is indeed an excessive economic sanction.

What's really frustrating is that if we fight an economic war like this, we might actually lose.

The small country was weak, and the productivity of the Northern Yan region was also poor, with scarce resources. What it was proud of was the relatively rich salt production along the peninsula's coast.

If a trade market were to be established, some of the common people in Yan would definitely become vassals of the wealthy merchants of Yu.

If a country's economic lifeline is strangled, it's likely doomed.

“Song Shi’an’s ambition is blatantly obvious,” Chen Xing said, stirring up trouble.

"But this is just a policy essay for the imperial examination," the King of Yan said casually. "So many scholars in the State of Yu have written one. Everyone is just talking big, but they may not actually implement it."

“But this Song Shi’an is no ordinary person; he is the top scholar in the imperial examination.”

"The top scholar is only good at writing essays; how can one govern a country with essays?"

Seeing that the Prince of Yan was still being stubborn, Chen Xing said directly, "In his previous essay for the imperial examination, he proposed the idea of ​​establishing military farms. And now, just as spring has begun, the false Yu has already relocated hundreds of thousands of people from Beiliang in preparation for establishing military farms. Your Highness, we must be wary of this!"

"Hmm..." Kang Xun really didn't know about this article, because there was no "The Wealth of Nations" at the time of the meeting, so he didn't know how to deal with Chen Xing now.

Therefore, they had no choice but to turn their gaze towards Gongsun Xing.

But Gongsun Xing took the money from the State of Qi.

So she kept smiling, as if she hadn't understood the hint.

"The idea of ​​military-agricultural colonies might be something the State of Yu has wanted to do for a long time," Kang Xun could only say, forcing himself to speak. "But with this policy of mutual trade, the purpose has already been exposed. Can it still be implemented successfully?"

"This is a calculated strategy, Your Highness. Calculated strategies are bound to be effective."

"But can't my Great Yan use open strategies to counterattack?"

As an emperor, Conson was not ignorant of everything.

Their eloquence and thinking skills are also superior to those of the vast majority of ordinary people.

You can impose sanctions, and I can retaliate.

“Yes, Your Highness can also respond to Song Shi’an’s schemes with a countermeasure,” Chen Xing said. “Why don’t our Great Qi and Yan first open a trade route to exchange goods? Then, why don’t we export our superior warhorses to the false Yu?”

"This strategy can indeed achieve a countermeasure," Gongsun Xing nodded.

In fact, the outcome of the meeting in Yan was that an alliance was possible.

But it requires huge profits to drive it.

But now even the prime minister is speaking up for him, which makes Kangxun feel somewhat dissatisfied.

Perhaps sensing these emotions, Gongsun Xing said, "If the State of Yu is targeting my Yan in this way, then my Yan can target them in the same way."

He smoothed things over.

This means it's too early to talk about an alliance.

For a long time, the state of Yan's national policy was to please both sides.

While acknowledging the Great Yu as their vassal, they also respectfully addressed Ji Yuan as "Your Majesty".

There's no denying the survival strategies of middle-income countries.

However, a situation that disrupted the existing order has emerged.

“Your Highness may feel that the situation is still stable,” Chen Xing said, “but Wei Ye clearly intends to give Song Shi’an a more important position. Moreover, he is strongly implementing his land reclamation and trade policies.”

"How can the world be controlled by a mere scholar?"

"But what if it succeeds?" Chen Xing countered.

There was a hint of sharpness in his eyes.

The Battle of Shuofeng was a disgrace, and as a citizen of Qi, he could not possibly mention it.

However, Kang Xun couldn't possibly be unaware of just how formidable Song Shi'an was.

If it were done by him, it would really be possible to make it happen.

If it succeeds, then we're doomed.

A powerful nation is about to emerge.

The weak swallow may be the first to perish.

"What are your thoughts, Lord Chen?" Kang Xun asked.

"We must not let Song Shi'an's reforms succeed, or even let him begin."

In response, Chen Xing spoke passionately and directly:

"First, Qi and Yan opened up the trade market to open up trade channels, and then closed the trade with Wei Yu."

"Then, Qi and Yan exchanged officials to supervise the reduction of troops on the border, and together they transferred the main force of the border troops to the south, forcing the puppet Yu to send a large number of troops to defend the border, and thus they were unable to reform."

"Finally, a war alliance treaty was signed."

As soon as he finished speaking, he added, "If my Great Qi is invaded, my Great Qi will personally fight back. If Yan is invaded, my Great Qi will immediately send troops to attack Shuofeng to tie down Yan's forces."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Conson was immediately intrigued.

It seems Ji Yuan is serious about this.

Such an alliance is too tempting.

The Yan region suffered virtually no losses.

Moreover, Qi's strategy has always been to move south, and it has never considered attacking Yan.

But the premise is... that this statement is true.

"I have never had any ambition to contend for the world." With a smile, Kang Xun said, "Your Majesty should also know that during the previous war with Beiliang, my army was not mobilized at all. In the conflict between Qi and Yu, I have maintained neutrality before, and I will maintain neutrality in the future."

Is there true neutrality in this world?

As Chen Xing countered with his question, he also stared at the Prince of Yan, reminding him, "My Emperor is inviting Your Highness to join forces in suppressing the false Yu. This requires the joint efforts of both countries. If Your Highness does not provide assistance, and the false Yu becomes powerful, it will not be something that one country can suppress."

Chen Xing was warning the King of Yan.

If you don't ally with me now, and the State of Yu becomes powerful, don't blame me for standing by and watching.

Moreover, it's possible that they won't just stand by and watch.

He hits you, I'll steal peaches and take over your territory from behind!

Conson could naturally tell.

He clenched his fists, stared at Chen Xing, and remained silent.

Seeing that things had progressed sufficiently, Chen Xing unleashed his final trump card: "I, Qi, am willing to offer the prince as a hostage to fulfill the alliance. Furthermore, I wish to persuade Your Highness to ascend the throne as the Heavenly King of Northern Yan. Qi and Yan will then be honored as two holy entities!"

(End of this chapter)