Chapter 2200: Common Ground

These eight prefectures account for one-third of the entire Ya Kingdom's territory, far larger than the lands Ya Kingdom originally ceded to Cangyan.

Just looking at these two clauses, one can imagine the helplessness and fear of the Ya people.

These eight prefectures possess Ya Kingdom's finest pastures and densest population; given any chance, they would never willingly surrender them.

And Mu Kingdom replied:

Oh, since you're so sincere, then let's have a proper talk.

Thus it halted several major army offensives, and letters and envoys went back and forth many times, even progressing to a face-to-face meeting between Mu Kingdom's Grand Tutor and Ya Kingdom's prince.

Know that a meeting of such leaders is not arranged overnight; it requires prior proper communication between both sides, and all levels of officials must settle many matters before reaching this final high-level summit.

This war, lasting nearly two years, finally saw the dawn of peace. Cangyan's spies embedded in Ya Kingdom all saw the people of Ducheng overjoyed, happier than during New Year.

In this war, Ya Kingdom truly suffered grievous harm. Though its army was once formidable, the state's overall strength still lagged far behind Mu Kingdom's, especially lacking in grain and daily necessities; otherwise, why would it have needed to raid the borders before? After a year and a half of fighting, the domestic economy nearly collapsed—grain, medicine, weapons all exhausted, even horses in short supply!

Without fine fodder, horses eating only grass have no endurance.

Not to mention, Ya Kingdom lost vast numbers of elite warriors and laborers in the war.

It truly did not want to fight anymore—from top to bottom, no one wanted to fight; now it finally knows how precious peace is, and will not let even a glimmer of hope slip away.

After reading this intelligence, He Lingchuan had only one comment:

"Ya Kingdom is finished."

"Yangquan Pass is Ya Kingdom's Gate of Ghosts." Du Shan also said, "You Huan meticulously set a trap for over a year, and finally awaited the moment to close the net."

You Huan has also long awaited this moment, hasn't he?

Mei Wuniang often sent news to Cangyan, usually market rumors and upper-class gossip from Mu Capital, while little could be pried from You Huan's mouth. This person is inwardly meticulous; only nine months ago, in front of Mei Wuniang, did he let slip a word, otherwise never leaking military secrets.

"We should also take some action." Du Shan's eyes shifted, mischief arising, "Want to add some obstruction to Mu Kingdom?"

Anyway, they've already seen that Mu Kingdom is determined to crush Ya Kingdom, and since it's called "spare no expense," why not let it pay an even greater price?

The weaker Mu Kingdom becomes after the war, the more amiable and intimate it will be toward Cangyan.

But He Lingchuan waved his hand: "No, we should instead give Mu Kingdom some aid. After fighting for nearly two years, Mu Kingdom is also weary, victory is already certain, and since it wants to press on with full vigor, we might as well add flowers to the brocade."

Du Shan felt a bit regretful: "... Yes."

His gaze shifted, and He Lingchuan knew what he was thinking: "Mu Kingdom and we have no fundamental contradiction; after all, we belong to the same camp, and must jointly oppose Bekka and the Heavenly Demons."

The wise get the point—Du Shan instantly understood, self-reproaching: "I was narrow-minded; Sovereign, do not blame me!"

He was too focused on the subtleties between states, momentarily forgetting Cangyan's foundation. But the Sovereign has always stood firm and upright, guarding his original heart without deviation.

"No matter, then let this matter be entrusted to you to handle."

"Yes!"

A few days later, Mu Kingdom received another large batch of supplies ordered from Cangyan.

For over a year, Mu Kingdom and Cangyan have maintained close communication and frequent trade. Cangyan's internal and external environment is stable, developing rapidly on the dividends of the Imperial Elixir, truly providing Mu Kingdom with vast war materiel—medicine, weapons, gunpowder, armor, and so on.

Its support for Mu Kingdom is truly not something a mere Bailie could match, yet it is precious!

Recently, the war has intensified further; You Huan simply sleeps in the official residence, not returning home, staying up late and rising early. But this morning before dawn, the Transport Commissioner of the Eastern Three Routes already delivered the supply list to his desk, and this time also sent an Assistant Clerk Xiao over.

You Huan, while yawning, flipped through the list; after just two pages he exclaimed in surprise and flipped back.

"Wasn't this batch we ordered from Cangyan supposed to be silver-manganese? Why did finished characteristic weapons arrive instead?" He turned two more pages, "The quantity is also wrong."

These swords, spears, and halberds are still forged by Ya Kingdom's most famous foundry domestically, quality guaranteed, hailed as exclusive supply for elite troops. If bought by ordinary merchants, they simply cannot be obtained.

Assistant Clerk Xiao, dispatched to clarify: "Ya Kingdom's transport officer said, the Nine Abyssal Great Emperor wishes to aid our kingdom in achieving success in one move, so he personally altered the order, changing materials into finished characteristic weapons, a total of thirty-eight thousand pieces!"

"Good." You Huan's heart leapt—was this like sending a pillow when one is drowsy? "Have someone calculate the payment according to the price of finished characteristic weapons."

"The Nine Abyssal Great Emperor said, this batch of weapons is Ya Kingdom's gift, no additional fees will be charged."

Oh, it's a gift?

You Huan thought: "Also good. Tell the Transport Commissioner to send this batch of characteristic weapons to the front lines immediately—no delay even for half a day!"

"Yes!"

Assistant Clerk Xiao took his leave, and You Huan then closed the book to ponder silently; soon he muttered to himself:

"Actually seen through by Cangyan?"

The overall strategy against Ya Kingdom was his formulation; why did Cangyan not send earlier nor later, but choose to send this large batch of characteristic weapons precisely when Mu Kingdom won a great victory at Yangquan Pass and was enthusiastically negotiating with Ya Kingdom?

That is certainty—Mu Kingdom will surely need these weapons next.

That is certainty—this negotiation by Mu Kingdom is merely a facade, behind which lies a hidden blade.

How did the Nine Abyssal Great Emperor see through this?

At that very moment, You Huan felt the annoyance and unease of being seen through.

This is no small matter; after dawn, he went to the palace to report.

The Mu Emperor listened, raised his eyebrows: "He saw through your strategy."

Perhaps just a coincidence? You Huan had the words on his lips, but in the end did not speak them.

"Not a coincidence." The Mu Emperor saw through his inner thoughts: "The Nine Abyssal sent people to deliver these weapons—first to relieve our urgent need, second to tell you he knows what medicine you're selling in your gourd, third, to pass along a favor to Mu Kingdom by flowing with the current."

You Huan said nothing.

The Mu Emperor knew he was unconvinced, but pretended not to know: "If so, then write a letter of thanks in my name."

"Yes."

The Mu Emperor again let out a long sigh:

"The Nine Abyssal sees the subtle and knows the manifest—Qingyang truly did not suffer an unjust defeat at his hands."

Qingyang's defeat at the hands of the Nine Abyssal Great Emperor, when that news reached Mu Kingdom, also shook court and countryside, with no one daring to believe it.

The Mu Emperor rarely shows emotion, but You Huan heard boundless sorrow in this brief sentence.

Although the focus is on the Nine Abyssal Great Emperor, this sentence is actually also a high affirmation of Qingyang.

Could it be that the Emperor once had some dealings with the National Preceptor of the Qingyang Kingdom, Beijia?