Chapter 96

"You..."

Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wugou's chest heaved continuously, her pretty face flushed red.

She looked absolutely furious!

How truly sad!

My Great Tang has always governed with benevolence and has always been on good terms with your Western Regions states.

When have we ever treated you unfairly in the past?

Yet today, you kick us while we are down!

This is simply outrageous!

Daring to snatch a man in front of this Princess Consort? (Seeking subscription!)

"Empress, why be so agitated?"

"The darkness of the human heart is nothing more than this; having experienced so many storms, do you not even understand this simple truth?"

"Whether it is so-called marriage alliances or the gifting of gold, silver, and jewelry, in the end, it is because one is not strong enough and needs to use various conditions to bribe them to achieve one's goals."

"If the Great Tang were truly strong, why would there be a need for marriage alliances? Why would there be a need for marital unions? In the history books a hundred years from now, this will be a stain that ten thousand people will spit upon!"

"Relying on women to maintain the stability of the borders is truly not a glorious thing."

"It's shameful!"

Qin Mu sneered, his tone filled with disdain.

Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wugou was speechless, truly unable to refute.

This was the truth!

An unchangeable truth!

The Great Tang's practice of marriage alliances was not an occasional occurrence; it had even become a routine political tool.

Of those women married off to distant foreign lands, which one had a good ending?

If they weren't suffering humiliation, they were swallowing their pride.

Yet those aristocratic families in Changancheng still lived lives of luxury and indulgence.

They enjoyed the best treatment in the world, yet they pushed Han women to the forefront of the storm.

Once war arrives.

It is not only the sorrow of the common people, but also the sorrow of Han women!

"Brother-in-law, you are so right! I toast you a cup!"

Princess Changle was so excited that she raised her wine cup again and drank it in one gulp.

Her small face was flushed, and she seemed to be drunk.

Li Li Xueyan's stubborn face showed no expression, but the tears rolling down her cheeks said it all.

Am I not a princess sent for a marriage alliance?

Am I not a victim of politics?

Great Tang, oh Great Tang!

From today on, I, Li Li Xueyan, am a person of Great Qin!

The banquet continued.

After the Western Regions states expressed their intent to sever ties with the Great Tang, Qin Mu established trade relations with them.

Hearing this, the rulers present were all overjoyed.

Ever since they stepped onto Great Qin territory, everything here had deeply attracted them.

All kinds of books, a dazzling array of goods.

Many things were not inferior to the Great Tang, and some were even more brilliant than the Great Tang!

Now that they had severed ties with the Great Tang, how to obtain the necessary goods became a major problem for the Western Regions countries.

Qin Mu's proposal to establish trade relations completely solved their worries, and they were now sincerely willing to sever ties with the Great Tang.

"Everyone, please be quiet for a moment. I have a proposal; I don't know if it's appropriate to speak."

The Queen of Jingjue stood up, her uniquely enchanting voice making everyone feel weak in the knees.

"Hahaha, Queen of Jingjue, today in front of His Majesty of Great Qin, just say whatever you have to say."

"Hehe, I wonder if the Queen of Jingjue wants to offer herself in marriage? Our Great Qin Majesty is a man of great talent and supreme strategy; where else could one find such a perfect husband?"

"Exactly! No wonder you rejected the marriage proposals from the Jingjue Kingdom several times; it turns out you wanted to marry His Majesty of Great Qin!"

"Hahaha!"

The rulers present joked one after another.

The Queen of Jingjue was a remarkable woman!

Since childhood, she had been learned and talented, proficient in the cultures of various countries.

Especially the Central Plains culture, which she knew by heart.

Not only that.

The Queen of Jingjue was also the greatest beauty among the thirty-six states of the Western Regions.

Countless men were infatuated with her, and many were even willing to give their lives for her.

"Hehe!"

"If His Majesty of Great Qin does not mind, this lowly woman would naturally desire nothing more."

The Queen of Jingjue cast a glance at Qin Mu, intentionally or unintentionally.

Absolutely charming!

"Hmph!"

Li Li Xueyan's expression suddenly turned cold, and icy killing intent appeared in her beautiful eyes.

Daring to snatch a man in front of this Princess Consort!

Tired of living, are you?

"Ahem..."

"Queen of Jingjue, let's hear your proposal."

Qin Mu coughed awkwardly.

Why was the atmosphere a bit strange?

"As you command!"

"Your Majesty of Great Qin, the thirty-six states of our Western Regions have been in conflict for over a hundred years, and all countries suffer from war because there is no one to preside over the overall situation."

"Today, this lowly woman proposes that His Majesty of Great Qin become the suzerain of our thirty-six states of the Western Regions! From now on, my Jingjue Kingdom is willing to serve His Majesty of Great Qin."

After speaking, the Queen of Jingjue knelt down, showing her loyalty to Qin Mu with unprecedented etiquette.

Once this proposal was made, it immediately received the approval of all the rulers present.

"Well said! My Gaochang Kingdom is willing to go through fire and water for His Majesty of Great Qin, and will not refuse..."

"My Yuezhi Kingdom is also willing!"

"Very well said, our thirty-six states of the Western Regions lack a leader. The Loulan ruler hereby pays respects to the suzerain!"

"The Qiuci ruler pays respects to the suzerain!"

The Western Regions rulers left their seats one after another, kowtowing respectfully to Qin Mu together.

Seeing this scene, Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wugou could not help but smile bitterly.

The leader of the thirty-six states of the Western Regions?

Isn't this the status that His Majesty has been dreaming of?

How ironic!

His Majesty spent so much effort, sending women and money, only to end up with the empty name of the "Homage of Ten Thousand Nations."

Qin Mu, however, without any effort, made these people voluntarily bow to him as their leader.

Your Majesty...

Perhaps we are all old?

"Since that is the case, then I shall reluctantly accept and comply with your wishes."

Qin Mu stood up somewhat helplessly, as if it were very difficult to accept.

"Pfft!"

Princess Changle, who was beside him, saw that Qin Mu was performing and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Brother-in-law!

You really know how to play!

After the banquet.

The great hall was empty.

Only Qin Mu, Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wugou, Li Li Xueyan, and Princess Changle remained.

"Brother-in-law, you are truly amazing! With just a few light words, you became the leader of the thirty-six states of the Western Regions, and they all bow to you; you are much more impressive than my father!" Seeing that the hall was empty, Princess Changle began to let loose.

Her dark, bright eyes were full of admiration for Qin Mu.

"Hehe!"

"That goes without saying, especially that Jingjue Kingdom. Perhaps your brother-in-law is feeling quite itchy in his heart right now!"

Li Li Xueyan pouted, full of jealousy, and said unhappily.

When the banquet ended.

The Queen of Jingjue hadn't forgotten to cast a flirtatious glance at Qin Mu.

Li Li Xueyan was almost driven crazy with anger!

"Ahem!"

"If being excellent is a crime, perhaps I should have been hacked to pieces long ago?"

Qin Mu shrugged, also being humorous.

"You!"

Li Li Xueyan bit her red lips lightly, her small face flushed with anger.

Seeing her appearance, Qin Mu could only sigh in his heart.