Chapter 158: On the Peace Talks

Emperor Jing Sheng finished speaking, his expression turning stern, and then, with a dissatisfied tone, questioned Grand Scholar Xu Qianxue of the Eastern Hall:

"Minister Xu, why have so many officials from the Censorate and the Imperial Academy recently submitted memorials urging peace? Don't you recall that I have said the Da Han and the False Qing cannot coexist?"

The emperor's demeanor was rather uneasy; before each major battle, voices calling for peace talks or surrender always arise throughout the court.

In such a national crisis, officials think only of kneeling and begging for mercy instead of how to repel the enemy and achieve victory.

The reason the emperor questioned Xu Qianxue was, of course, that he is the Grand Scholar of the Eastern Hall and also Left Deputy Censor-in-Chief, and most of those who submitted peace petitions are his subordinate officials.

Moreover, Xu Qianxue is a leader of the old court faction and the pure stream, highly respected among scholars, and the current peace proposal originated from him.

Facing the emperor's questioning, Xu Qianxue was unperturbed; rather, as if prepared, he held his tablet and began his memorial:

"Your Majesty, I am aware that you once told the Duke of Zhao that the Da Han and the False Qing cannot coexist; the False Qing is a deep‑seated threat to our Da Han, and I fully concur with your statement."

"However, the peace we propose is with the Northern Yuan and Hun Xie, not with the False Qing."

"Your Majesty, the court only recently concluded a major battle in Liaodong; now the treasury is depleted and state affairs are difficult, making it unwise to launch another large‑scale war!"

"Furthermore, the Northern Yuan, Hun Xie, and the False Qing have each amassed tens of thousands of troops; if our court were to face three foes simultaneously on multiple fronts, the odds of victory are low."

"Therefore, we believe it is better to send envoys to negotiate peace with the Northern Yuan and Hun Xie, to avoid their forces, turn swords into silk, and then consider future plans."

Xu Qianxue's words were logical and well‑founded, resonating firmly.

He first affirmed the emperor's correctness in refusing peace with the False Qing, then shifted his argument to propose peace with the Northern Yuan and Hun Xie.

He cited two reasons: first, the Da Han would have to fight on multiple fronts, lowering its chances; second, the court's treasury is empty, making further warfare unsuitable.

He was not the only one in the hall sharing this view; Chief Counselor Chen Tingjing, Wang Ziteng, and others nodded thoughtfully upon hearing it.

Wang Ziteng immediately stepped forward as well, and bowed, saying:

"Your Majesty, I concur with the venerable Minister Xu; war brings widespread devastation, and countless civilians inevitably suffer death and injury."

"If peace negotiations can compel the Northern Yuan and Hun Xie to withdraw, it would be a great benefit to the nation and its people!"

Wang Ziteng was not unaware that Emperor Jing Sheng likely favored war and was usually hardline externally, yet he still stepped forward to voice this supportive counsel for peace.

Firstly, he was about to reorganize Jingying, a matter crucial to his promotion to Minister of War, and thus could not afford any misstep.

However, if conflict erupts in the northwest, his plans to reorganize Jingying would be severely disrupted, doubling the difficulty.

A major war in the northwest could spill over to Shenjing; the court would then seek stability, and his sweeping reforms of Jingying would encounter heavy internal resistance.

Secondly, he heard rumors that Emperor Jing Sheng intended to appoint Jia Jing as the chief commander for the northwest campaign, a scenario he was keen to avoid.

If Jia Jing truly were to command the hundreds of thousands of troops in the northwest, that would be disastrous!

Thus, whether peace benefits the state and the people mattered little to Wang Ziteng, but the peace talks were advantageous for his own power struggles.

Naturally, he felt compelled to step forward and staunchly support the peace proposal.

After Wang Ziteng finished speaking, the others in the hall remained silent for the moment.

Niu Jizong glanced at Jia Jing, saw he had no intention to speak, and likewise kept silent.

The other civil officials, senior ministers Zhang Tingyu, Li Guangdi, and Gong Dingzi, adhered strictly to court protocol and were unlikely to voice opinions readily.

As for Minister of War Chen Qiao, he merely squinted slightly and stood there motionless, as if asleep.

Emperor Jing Sheng glanced at Wang Ziteng and Xu Qianxue, his gaze deep and expression slightly cold, yet he said little.

Instead, after surveying the ministers, he turned to Chief Counselor Chen Tingjing beside him and asked:

"Counselor Chen, as Chief Counselor of the Cabinet, you seem to support Minister Xu and Minister Wang's views and agree to peace with the Northern Yuan and Hun Xie; what do you think?"

Chen Tingjing, meeting the emperor's gaze from the imperial desk, felt a sudden pang, sighed inwardly, and bowed, saying:

"Your Majesty, I truly believe this is not the time for war; the treasury lacks the funds to sustain a major campaign!"

"War is fought with money and grain; if a shortage leads to frontline defeat, it would be a disaster for the Da Han!"

"Better to endure for now; if peace negotiations can buy the Da Han a few years to strengthen governance, rebuild internal affairs, and reform the military, even a temporary humiliation could secure the dynasty's eventual prosperity!"

"In the past, Emperor Taizong of Tang forged the Weishui Alliance, using a temporary peace to secure time for the Tang to recover and develop its economy, leading to later prosperity; please consider this carefully, Your Majesty!"

As Chief Counselor and Minister of Revenue, Chen Tingjing was well aware of the court's fiscal condition.

In recent years the treasury has been running deficits, leaving no funds to support a massive campaign in the northwest!

Thus, even though he knew the emperor might dislike his words, he still spoke them.

He cited Emperor Taizong as an example, illustrating that the court should exercise patience and use peace talks to buy time.

When Chen Tingjing finished, both Wang Ziteng and Xu Qianxue showed pleased expressions.

"Even the Chief Counselor supports peace; surely Your Majesty will at least consider it!"

Emperor Jing Sheng's expression remained indifferent, still offering no opinion, but he turned his gaze to Li Guangdi and asked:

"Counselor Li, you are well‑versed in military affairs; what do you think?"

Li Guangdi, holding his tablet in thought, hurriedly bowed and said:

"Your Majesty, I believe the peace proposal still requires careful deliberation!"

"Now the Northern Yuan and Hun Xie are advancing vigorously; they are unlikely to cease easily."

"However, if we were to engage them, as Minister Chen noted, the lack of funds is indeed a major issue, and fighting three enemies simultaneously also lowers our chances of victory."

"Although I am knowledgeable about military matters, I am a civil official who has never seen battle; now Governor Niu and Marquis Jingwu are present, both seasoned border commanders, so perhaps we should first hear their high opinions."

Li Guangdi's remarks neither advocated peace nor war.

He merely pointed out the difficulties of both negotiation and combat without giving a clear stance, then turned to Jia Jing and Niu Jizong, hoping they would speak first.

Jia Jing glanced at Li Guangdi and silently judged him as a seasoned court slick.

Emperor Jing Sheng's gaze remained indifferent; he did not let Li Guangdi off the hook, but asked directly:

"We will hear their high opinions later; Counselor Li, first tell us whether Minister Chen and Ministers Wang and Xu's peace proposals are appropriate."