Chapter 341: The Treaty's Difficult Birth

Inside the felt tent of the False Song envoy in the mirror-image Khitan court.

The atmosphere was oppressive, like low thunder before a storm.

The envoy's eyes were bloodshot, staring fixedly at the alliance draft before him, which Yelü Wuzhi (mirror-image) had rewritten in vermilion until it was unrecognizable.

The figures for the annual tribute on it were like a red-hot branding iron, searing his soul to tremble.

This was no longer negotiation but naked extortion, knowing full well the False Song's finances were strained yet still trying to wring out the last drop of its lifeblood.

He tried to argue reason, tried to bargain, even hinted that he could add some benefits to border trade.

But Yelü Wuzhi's (mirror-image) attitude was unyielding, like ancient, unchanging ice.

"Old precedents cannot be changed; this is heavenly decree."

Each time, with that light yet mountain-heavy sentence, they shattered all his efforts and struggles.

What chilled him further was the spy he had planted among the servants.

Today, a piece of news was quietly delivered.

——the envoy from Great Chen to the east seemed to be progressing smoothly in the genuine Khitan court.

He was in close contact with the Southern Court Prince Yelü Talié, and rumors even said the two had reached a preliminary understanding on trade and certain 'special cooperation.'

This news was like the final straw that broke the camel's back.

He could almost imagine how, upon hearing this news, Yelü Wuzhi (mirror-image) would become even more arrogant and unwilling to compromise.

What Great Chen displayed was cooperation and strength, a win-win future.

But False Song, here, was being forced to sign a unilateral tribute document that would weaken the nation.

What a contrast! How ironic! How desperate!

"Sir!"

A deputy envoy's face was ashen, his voice hoarse.

"Yelü Wuzhi's side has sent someone again to press for a reply, saying that if we give no answer today, they will regard our court as having no intention to ally, and all previous arrangements will be void……"

The envoy slammed his fist onto the low table before him, making the teacup jump.

"A reply? With what shall we reply?! To accept these terms would make us criminals of the state! How could we face the sovereign upon return? How could we face the civil and military officials?!"

His chest heaved violently; a sweet-sour taste rose to his throat, which he forced down.

He knew that Yelü Wuzhi's (mirror-image) overconfidence surely stemmed from the master of the Iron Crow Army pulling strings behind the scenes.

That invisible hand cared nothing for False Song's life or death, only whether that damned 'node' would be pushed forward, whether it conformed to the so‑called 'old precedent'!

"Could it be… we really have to sign this treasonous treaty?" he muttered, his gaze unfocused, filled with helplessness.

……

In the genuine Khitan court, the atmosphere was completely different.

Under the steady operations of Fan Zhi and Han Wei, especially after that small‑scale but immensely striking drill, the wind had already cleared.

The faction of Southern Court Prince Yelü Talié grew mighty, and many previously wavering tribal chiefs began to clearly show goodwill toward the Great Chen envoy.

The attitude of Khitan Emperor Yelü Jing also underwent a subtle shift.

In an informal audience, he expressed principled approval of the trade agreement draft brought by Fan Zhi; although details still needed negotiation, the overall direction was set.

Both sides will establish a stable border market, with Great Chen exchanging tea, silk, porcelain, and non‑military ironware for Khitan horses, furs, and medicinal herbs.

More importantly, Yelü Jing tacitly allowed Yelü Talié and Great Chen to discuss deeper 'security cooperation,' which includes limited military‑technical exchange and intelligence sharing and potential coordination against 'common threats.'

This is not a strict military alliance, yet it far exceeds ordinary friendly trade relations.

It won Great Chen's northern border a valuable strategic buffer and potential ally, while tearing a huge hole in the diplomatic encirclement False Song had tried to build.

"Lord Fan, this is already seventy‑to‑eighty percent done."

Returning to the relay station, Han Wei could barely conceal his excitement.

"As long as the final details are settled and the alliance sealed, our northern frontier will be secure for ten years! We could even use Khitan power to check False Song!"

Fan Zhi's face also showed a hint of relief, yet he remained clear‑headed:

"Do not be careless. Although Yelü Wuzhi has temporarily lost influence, he still has roots in the court. Moreover, the Khitan, who follow water and grass, have hearts as changeable as the winds of the steppe."

"Our success this time relies on the sovereign's virtue, the nation's strength, and our ability to adapt to circumstances."

"After the treaty is signed, we must nurture it continuously to solidify this relationship."

He paused, gazing westward, his eyes deep:

"Speaking of which, the envoy from that western 'neighbor' is said to be in a difficult situation… I wonder what choice he will ultimately make."

……

Beyond the light curtain, deep within the False Song palace.

Inside the secret chamber, the pulsation of the blue crystal became abnormally rapid and unstable.

The already illusory figure of the Iron Crow Army's master, reflected in the crystal's light, twisted and fluctuated more violently, as if it might dissipate at any moment.

"Resistance… delay… interference of variables……"

The hoarse voice carried uncontainable anger and a hint of… barely perceptible weakness.

He could sense that, on the genuine Khitan side, Great Chen's diplomatic efforts were unusually smooth, a vigorous momentum contrary to the 'history' he sought to preserve gathering and strengthening there.

This invisibly weakened his influence over the mirror‑image Khitan and over Yelü Wuzhi (mirror‑image).

More importantly, that damned False Song envoy is still hesitating, still trying to resist the treaty that ought to be accepted!

This delay consumes every second of his already scarce 'corrective force.'

"We can wait no longer……"

In the shadows, two points of scarlet light suddenly flared, bringing with them desperate madness.

He must forcefully push this node forward, even at greater cost, even if the treaty becomes deformed because of it!

Otherwise, once Great Chen fully stabilizes its northern line and forms a solid alliance with the genuine Khitan, his plan to regain power will suffer a fatal blow.

A more condensed, more overbearing will pierced the obstruction of the light curtain.

Like invisible shackles, it suddenly descended upon the mirror-image Khitan court, weighing heavily upon the minds and spirits of the mirror-image Yelü Wuzhi and that False Song envoy.

The False Song envoy was torn between heaven and man, suddenly feeling a bone-chilling cold sweep over his whole body, as if countless icy voices were shrieking in his mind, urging and forcing him.

"Sign!"

"Sign at once!"

"Defy… and you shall die!"

That voice carried the power to destroy reason, instantly turning his face as pale as paper, drenched in cold sweat, leaving no trace of resistance in his mind.

He knew the final moment had arrived.

He had no choice left.

Either sign this humiliating treaty, or… die, possibly bringing even greater disaster upon the False Song.

He trembled as he picked up the pen.

Meanwhile, the mirror-image Yelü Wuzhi also seemed to have received some absolute command; the last hint of hesitation in his eyes vanished completely, leaving only cold, unquestioning execution.

The final text of the treaty, under the forceful intervention of the Iron Crow Army's master, was about to be forged in a distorted manner.

However, this forcibly ripened fruit was destined to be full of bitterness and cost.