Chapter 335

Just as Chen Wen was fully dealing with the Shadow Eclipse in Bian Liang, the Investigation of Things Institute of the Ministry of Works was rushing to produce the Heart-Guarding Talisman.

Beyond the light curtain, in the False Song imperial palace, inside the Hall of Supreme Reverence.

Zhao Kuangyin dismissed his attendants and stood alone before a huge map.

On the map, not only were the borders of False Song and the mirror-image Northern Han marked, but in the vast northern grasslands, a striking vermilion outline was drawn of the Khitan.

His gaze was deep and profound, carrying a bone-deep hatred and a hint of unwilling submission.

The failure of the northern expedition against the mirror-image Taiyuan was like a bucket of cold water, awakening him from the fantasy of quickly crushing Chen Wen relying solely on military force.

It also made him more clearly realize that his title of 'Emperor' and this 'Great Song' were, in the eyes of the master of the Iron Crow Army, merely a tool for advancing the historical node and repairing the data.

"A tool... must also have the awareness and proper use of a tool." Zhao Kuangyin muttered under his breath, his fingertips whitening from exertion.

He hated Chen Wen, hated how he had taken everything that rightfully belonged to him, hated how he had established the nonexistent Chen Dynasty.

But he hated even more the Iron Crow Army that controlled everything behind the scenes, and hated this damned, obligatory script.

Yet, at this moment, his hatred and humiliation had transformed into a deeper power.

He must press on, following this set path, utilizing everything he can, including the prophet and rules bestowed by the Iron Crow Army, to accumulate strength and await the opportunity to crush that variable together with its deformed dynasty.

A twist of shadow stirred within the hall, and that familiar, uncomfortable chill spread out.

The Iron Crow Army master's illusory figure, more phantom-like than before, flickered in the shadows, and his hoarse voice sounded directly in his mind:

"Node... setback... power... recovery slow..."

"Next... crucial... 'Treaty of Chan-Yuan'..."

Zhao Kuangyin's body trembled slightly.

"The Treaty of Chan-Yuan'? He did not know this from his own experience, but had glimpsed the name in the fragmentary information forcibly implanted by the Iron Crow Army, the so-called 'original historical process'."

That information was vague yet carried a certain inevitability, foretelling that in the future, his successor (perhaps his younger brother Guangyi, or perhaps a later descendant) would, under passive circumstances, reach an agreement with the northern Khitan.

An agreement that exchanged annual tribute of silver and silk for border peace.

It was an important node not born of victory, but of strategic calculation, even tinged with a hint of humiliation, yet it brought long-term stability.

"Now... pushing this node... is the timing... too early?" Zhao Kuangyin replied in a deep voice, trying to seize a bit of initiative: "The newly defeated Northern Han has not restored its strength; would the Khitan easily submit? Moreover, as you said, the party to the treaty is not of my generation!"

"Mirror-image... not real... rules... need node... accumulate corrective force..."

"Khitan... can be contacted... can be guided..."

"Treaty... form variable... essence must remain... tribute... peace..."

"Advancing early... distortion is no problem... as long as the core is achieved..."

"This is... a key step in restoring power..."

"Go do it..."

As his words faded, the chilling sensation receded like a tide, as if it had never appeared.

Zhao Kuangyin stood where he was, silent for a long time.

He walked to the map and pressed his finger heavily upon the land of Youzhou.

"The Treaty of Chan-Yuan... hum, since it is destined to happen, then I, Zhao Kuangyin, will personally push it forward!"

"But the treaty's counterpart, timing, and terms... need not follow your damned script exactly!"

A flash of sternness crossed his eyes.

Submission does not mean lacking one's own calculations.

If he could seize this opportunity to establish some connection with the mirror-image Khitan, even at temporary cost, perhaps he could lay groundwork for future resistance against Chen Wen, and even... counter the Iron Crow Army, planting some hidden moves.

"Come here!" he turned, his voice regaining imperial dignity.

The eunuch entered in response.

"Convey my order: secretly summon Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs Cao Bin and Vice Minister of the Household Department Lü Yuce to enter the palace immediately to see me."

Half an hour later, Cao Bin and Lü Yuce hurried over.

Both were trusted confidants of Zhao Kuangyin, deeply aware of the relationship between His Majesty and the mysterious Iron Crow Army, and fully cognizant of the nature of this mirror world.

"Two beloved ministers," Zhao Kuangyin said without preamble, pointing directly at the Khitan on the map, "I wish to send an envoy to secretly contact the ruler of this place."

Cao Bin and Lü Yuce exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in the other's eyes.

"Your Majesty," Cao Bin spoke cautiously, "The Khitan is a land of tigers and wolves; its lord Yelü Jing (the mirror-image) is unpredictable. Our dynasty has just been defeated by the Northern Han; contacting them now risks them demanding exorbitant terms, to our detriment."

Lü Yuce also added:

"Moreover, the light curtain blocks passage, making travel inconvenient; envoys face great risk. If the news leaks and Chen Wen learns of it, he may interfere."

Zhao Kuangyin waved his hand:

"The pros and cons, I am fully aware."

"Nevertheless, this must be done—not for temporary gain, but for the long-term fate of the state."

"You need only plan how to avoid the ears and eyes of the Chen Dynasty and convey my wishes to the face of the Khitan lord."

"The preliminary terms..."

He paused, a flicker of complexity in his eyes, then spoke in a deep voice:

"We may permit wealth in exchange for border tranquility and mutually beneficial trade." He deliberately avoided the term 'tribute,' which carries strong humiliation, but the meaning was already clear.

Cao Bin and Lü Yuce felt their hearts sink.

Exchanging wealth for peace is nothing glorious for any Central Plains dynasty aspiring to rule all under heaven.

But seeing the emperor's unquestionable gaze, the two could only bow and obey the order.

"Subject... obeys the edict."

"Cao, you shall select from the Bureau of Military Affairs capable, reliable individuals familiar with northern conditions to form the envoy team."

"Lü, you shall calculate with the Household Department, draft an initial amount of wealth and trade terms acceptable to us; it must appear proper, show sincerity, yet not overly harm the state's foundation."

Everything must be absolutely confidential; the envoy members will disguise themselves as a caravan for cover, and the route… perhaps we can try to use that extremely unstable narrow passage provided by the Iron Crow Army.

We understand.

……

Just as the False Song was frantically preparing for secret contact with the Mirror Khitan,

East of the Light Curtain lay Great Chen's Bian Liang Huangcheng.

Inside the imperial study, Chen Wen had just received Wang Ru's report on the initial distribution of the Heart Guard Talismans.

The first batch of jade talismans had been prioritized for distribution to the premier, heads of various departments, core commanders of the Privy Council, and all officials who had previously shown abnormal signs on the list.

Initial feedback was positive.

Many officials who had previously felt uneasy and prone to irritability reported, after wearing the jade talismans, that the inexplicable sense of oppression and agitation had greatly lessened, and their minds had become considerably clearer.

Even Vice Minister Zhang, the official in the worst condition, after continuously wearing the talisman and supplementing it with herbal decoctions, though unable to fully recover, saw a marked reduction in his manic delirium and occasionally enjoyed brief moments of calm.

This proves that the Heart Guard Talisman, as a passive defensive 'shield,' is effective.

However, the source of the Shadow Erosion has not been eliminated; this is no long‑term solution." Chen Wen mused, "The master of the Iron Crow Army will certainly not rely on only this method.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Qian Gui rushed in to see him, his face grave.

Your Majesty, the hidden agent planted by the Jing'an Bureau inside False Song territory has risked his life to send back this intelligence.

Speak.

Recently, the False Song Privy Council and Ministry of Revenue have made unusual moves, with Cao Bin and Lu Yuqing secretly entering the palace several times.

At the same time, scattered reports from within False Song speak of a special‑identity caravan now assembling, its target apparently… the north.

The north?" Chen Wen's eyes narrowed; he instantly strode to the huge map. "Mirror Khitan?"

I share that thought." Qian Gui said solemnly, "Combining False Song's frustrated northern expedition with the slow recovery of the Iron Crow Army's strength, they are likely trying to obtain new power by pushing other 'historical junctures'.

Chen Wen's finger traced the map from False Song's Bian Liang, heading north, crossing the barrier of the Light Curtain, and came to rest on that vast expanse of grassland.

His political and military instincts are extremely keen.

False Song, newly defeated, urgently needs to stabilize its external environment and seek every possible source of strength.

And the Iron Crow Army's goal is to uphold a specific 'historical process'.

Taken together, False Song seeks to conclude with its powerful northern neighbor some kind of compromise‑laden agreement.

To gain support, or merely to 'advance the node,' is a perfectly logical inference.

He intends, by this means, to stabilize False Song's external environment while simultaneously drawing 'corrective force' for the Iron Crow Army?

Chen Wen instantly grasped their intention.

Your Majesty, if False Song succeeds in colluding with the Mirror Khitan, our dynasty will face pressure on both northern and western fronts, and the situation will inevitably become more complex and passive." Qian Gui analyzed.

We must absolutely not let this come to pass." Chen Wen declared firmly.

After a moment's contemplation, he swiftly made his decision:

Qian Gui, dispatch additional personnel to closely monitor the False Song envoy's movements, and ascertain as much as possible about their route, personnel composition, and what they are carrying.

At the same time, attempt to make contact with the genuine Khitan, whether to warn them or to sow discord—under no circumstances may we allow False Song to succeed easily.

Wang Ru, immediately select from the court officials who are eloquent, versed in diplomacy and northern affairs, and form a capable envoy team to stand ready at a moment's notice.

Zhang Cheng, prepare the corresponding riches and gifts; the standard must be high, to demonstrate the magnanimity and sincerity of Great Chen.

Wang Ru and Qian Gui were invigorated and replied in unison:

We obey your order!

Chen Wen gazed at the area on the map representing Khitan, his eyes sharp as a blade.

He intends to take the treaty road to gain external power?

Then I will personally send someone to overturn that road for him!

Let's see whether your script is harder, or the will of my Great Chen, which will better determine the course of this world!

A diplomatic struggle over the powerful northern neighbor, under Chen Wen's precise judgment based on real‑time intelligence, quietly opened its curtain.

Invisible smoke, spreading from the military, economic, and spiritual realms, further extended onto the diplomatic stage.

The two eastern and western dynasties, each for its own survival and future, are about to launch a new round of fierce clash upon that vast grassland.