Chapter 833

The smell on the Shiva people, they themselves perhaps still smug, but for Chen Wuji it is completely a huge torment; they dare not inhale forcefully, a little stronger and they feel their breath knocked out.

A Liao gave a panicked, embarrassed laugh, then hurriedly said: 'Respected Military Governor Chen Wuji, regarding your Bīngmǎ capturing our seven major cities, our king is extremely panicked; he believes this is a sign of national destruction and insists on negotiating peace with you.'

'But our several generals think our army merely neglected defenses and… let your large army find a loophole; if it were open combat, your Bīngmǎ would not be a match for our Shendu elite troops.'

After saying that, he quickly added, 'Respected Military Governor Chen Wuji, these words are not mine; I, a petty person, truly lack the gall to say such things in your presence; these are the words of those damned generals, who are overly arrogant and conceited.'

Chen Wuji's heart stirred slightly.

The Shiva people are an extremely arrogant nation; this point has been mentioned repeatedly in the histories of the Zhongyuan Dynasty, and every dynasty's understanding of it is nearly completely unanimous.

In the past, many strategists believed this was the best entry point for dealing with the Shiva people.

'How does your king intend to negotiate peace with me?' Chen Wuji asked, drooping his eyelids.

A Liao, seeing this, immediately seized the opportunity; he crawled forward two steps on his knees, his face wearing a fawning smile, shaking his head as he said: 'Respected Military Governor, if you are willing to negotiate peace with our king, I, a petty person, am willing to be the vanguard and spare no effort to bring this about.'

'Our king once said in front of the Court Officials that he was willing to cede three cities in exchange for your troop withdrawal, Military Governor Chen Wuji. But I think our king is being stingy; your Bīngmǎ painstakingly captured seven cities, yet he only offers three—too stingy.'

'I, a petty person, can strive to secure four cities, even five, for the Military Governor…'

Chen Wuji glanced at this envoy who seemed to have completely defected, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

Is the Shendu King trying to buy time for a buffer?

Regarding the Shendu state, his understanding is now fairly thorough.

Their so-called peace talks are merely a formal statement, with no real binding obligations.

One cannot tell; today they talk peace, tomorrow their Bīngmǎ might suddenly launch an attack.

Nevertheless, Chen Wuji remains interested in this proposal.

The Shendu King wants to buy time, and Chen Wuji happens to need it as well.

Why not try something that requires little effort?

If by chance the Shendu can actually manage this for several months, then he would profit!

'I demand seven cities!' Chen Wuji said in a low voice, 'I expended great military strength to capture these cities, and you think a single peace document can make me give them back—are you treating me like a fool?'

A Liao was startled, quickly waving his hands: 'Military Governor Chen Wuji, I, a petty person, dare not; I am merely following our king's intent to offer you a small suggestion.'

'Indeed, our king is too idealistic; your Bīngmǎ set out from Nan Jun, heading south all the way, not to mention other factors, just the cost of feeding men and horses is a tremendous consumption. Our king obviously hasn't considered this; he is overly arrogant.'

'I will earnestly persuade our king to accept your conditions, Military Governor Chen Wuji: seven cities, not one less; we will govern the Sanjiang Valley, cease war and lay down arms.'

Chen Wuji raised his hand to interrupt him: 'Don't rush to interrupt me; I haven't finished speaking!'

A Liao was startled, repeatedly kowtowing: 'Yes, yes, yes; I, a petty person, deserve death!'

'Besides the seven cities, you must also compensate me for the expenses of withdrawing my troops!' Chen Wuji said slowly, 'I am a down-to-earth person; I won't cheat you—however much grain and fodder I consumed in this war, you must reimburse me for that amount.'

A Liao's mouth slightly opened, and in his heart he cursed wildly.

He had never seen such a black-hearted person.

Not yielding an inch in the peace talks would be bad enough, but they even demand compensation for grain and fodder consumption.

Is this something a person could actually do?

Although he cursed inwardly to the heavens and back, A Liao still kept a bright, fawning smile on his face, nodding repeatedly: 'Military Governor Chen Wuji, I will certainly convey this condition to our king exactly as is; but, I dare say… I truly cannot guarantee success, for your condition is too… too harsh.'

'Our Shendu is merely a small state; its annual output is extremely limited.'

Chen Wuji gave a faint smile: 'It's fine; I also have no intention of negotiating peace with you. I am merely giving the Shendu King face to see your sincerity. If my terms cannot be agreed upon, that's fine too—we'll see the outcome on the battlefield.'

'In two months' time I can capture your seven cities; I would then like to grant another half a year, giving me a chance to march into your royal city and sit down face‑to‑face with your king to discuss this.'

A Liao's expression stiffened, and cold sweat instantly poured out.

He finally understood the deeper meaning behind the young Military Governor's words.

They never had any intention of negotiating peace.

But looking at the performance of the Nan Jun Bīngmǎ over this period, A Liao dares not doubt the young Military Governor's statement—this youthful commander governs troops with excessive ferocity.

In just over a year, he unified Nan Jun and swiftly invaded Qiang Land, cutting down those barbaric Qiang people as easily as slicing melons and vegetables; now he has also invaded half of the great Shendu Dynasty's territory.

That is their strength.

It is also the capital of this young man's arrogance.

'No, no, no, respected Military Governor Chen Wuji, please give me some time.' A Liao hurriedly said, 'I will return to the dynasty as quickly as possible, inform our king of this matter, and persuade that arrogant fellow to accept your conditions, Military Governor.'

'You have already been very merciful; I think if our king still has a bit of reason, he will surely not miss this once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity.'

'Write a letter, put my meaning in it and tell your king. Aren't you still going to the Court to file a complaint against me? Just continue your journey!' Chen Wuji said lightly.

A Liao was stunned, for a moment looking foolish.

He thought Chen Wuji was deliberately deceiving him, and hastily explained: 'Respected Military Governor Chen Wuji, I have no such intention; going to the capital of Da Yu to meet His Majesty the Emperor is the decision of those few generals.'

'Our king also agreed only under duress; please understand, our king currently faces considerable trouble. Those few generals hold the Military Authority Token, and our king cannot easily overturn their opinion; this matter still needs long‑term deliberation.'

'No problem, go ahead and file your complaint; I won't blame you for it.' Chen Wuji expressed it in a light‑hearted manner, 'Once you reach Bianjing, say whatever you need to say; you don't have to worry about my thoughts.'

A Liao was genuinely confused.

He did not understand why this young Military Governor would act this way.