Chapter 641: Self-Indulgence

Liu Zheng narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing this.

Even though Tie Mucheng's bluntness was within his expectations.

He still did not expect that, just as one dance had ended, he would be so eager to probe for their intentions.

Tie Mucheng's meaning was already very clear. His Qiang tribes had long yearned for the lands of the Central Plains. Previously, they lacked the strength to covet the Central Plains, but now the Qiang Grassland had seen years of lush grass and strong horses, and a situation of unification had emerged. The subtext of this ancient saying was that if the Central Plains could not provide them with a perfect answer this time, they would take it themselves!

Arrogance!

A threat!

A provocation!

With these words, the aura around Tie Mucheng surged, and Zhebie and the other burly men also let out a cold snort.

The atmosphere in the entire tent changed drastically, tense and ready to snap.

Pei Qianyun's eyes widened in anger as he stood up, but Liu Zheng gave a chuckle and gestured for him to sit down. He said calmly, "The Khan's inclination toward Zhongyuan culture is something he can discuss more with Liu Zheng. As for the cultural barriers the Khan mentioned, there is absolutely no need to worry. The Emperor now intends to open the borders, widely embrace the cultures of various nations, and promote the great integration of all ethnic cultures. The Longyan Dynasty of isolationism is about to be a thing of the past! Therefore, the Khan need not worry about any cultural conflict! As long as the Khan is willing to lead his troops back to the Grassland, the imperial court will send some ritual officials to the Grassland to promote cultural exchange between the two nations! Perhaps even..."

"What?"

As soon as these words were spoken.

Many people on the scene were stunned.

This included Prince Yong, who had not heard of this.

The Longyan Dynasty, which had been closed off for over a thousand years, was going to open its borders and accept different cultures?

This was a major event!

The ideological aspects of a country were extremely important. Since ancient times, the Longyan Dynasty had always been closed off, refusing to accept the influence of other cultures. How could the high and mighty Celestial Empire accept the culture of these barbarians?

But immediately, Prince Yong understood.

The Emperor was going head-to-head with the remnants of the Prosperous Tang!

Good!

Using their own methods to deal with them!

Brilliant!

He never expected that after the Emperor became full of vigor again, he would be so domineering! You want to use multi-ethnic cultural integration to deal with the Longyan Dynasty! Fine, then I will use cultural integration to counter you!

Tie Mucheng and Zhebie exchanged a glance.

Unexpectedly...

His first reason for confrontation was quickly parried by Liu Zheng.

Tie Mucheng laughed heartily again: "Prefect Liu is indeed Prefect Liu, truly trusted by the Heavenly Khan! Such a major event was not mentioned by the negotiating envoys a few days ago."

Since the topic of negotiations had come up.

Liu Zheng did not stand on ceremony, picked up a cup of wine, drank it down in one gulp, and laughed loudly: "Liu Zheng came here this time to ask, when can the Khan's army withdraw? Christmas has already passed, the troops are in disarray, and the people are restless day and night. Reasonably and sentimentally, the army should disperse. What does the Khan think?"

Tie Mucheng smiled slightly. Before he could speak, Zhebie beside him snorted coldly: "That's easy to say. Prefect Liu, you are also a man who leads troops in battle; you should know that before troops move, provisions must come first. We fought our way here, how many brothers have died, how much gold, silver, and grain have we spent? You say we should retreat, so we just retreat?"

"Hahahaha, exactly!"

"Compensation!"

"Must have compensation!"

"If there is no suitable compensation, it is impossible for us to leave!"

Others also began to shout, extremely arrogant.

Liu Zheng narrowed his eyes slightly and just watched Tie Mucheng quietly.

Compensation!

The Longyan Dynasty could absolutely not accept that! But facing the tens of thousands of Grassland troops outside the city, they had no other method. This was also the reason why the previous negotiating envoys had returned empty-handed.

Liu Zheng shook his head decisively: "Compensation is impossible!"

Tie Mucheng smiled: "How about we put it another way? Outside the tent at this moment are thirty thousand Longyan captives. The imperial court should offer some sincerity to exchange for them, right?"

Liu Zheng continued to smile and shake his head: "I have looked into the price the Khan wants, and the imperial court cannot afford it! We will not trade for these captives!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the people around Tie Mucheng were furious again.

Zhebie roared angrily: "Then what did you come here for today?"

"Exactly, the envoys from a few days ago even offered two hundred thousand shi of grain!"

"What do you mean by this? You don't want to pay a single cent?"

Tie Mucheng also raised an eyebrow.

This Prefect Liu really did not play by the rules!

What was he here for? Was he here to humiliate their Grassland Warriors?

Several hot-tempered burly men could not help but draw the Curved Sabers at their waists.

Pei Qianyun stood up again.

Liu Zheng smiled nonchalantly: "Khan, do not be angry yet. Liu Zheng came here this time to offer the Khan a great fortune! Does the Khan not want his people to possess a fertile land and never worry about food or clothing again?"

"What did you say?"

Tie Mucheng's pupils contracted sharply.

Liu Zheng laughed heartily, took a map out of his pocket, and placed it on the table in front of him.

He pointed to the land of Liaodong and looked at Tie Mucheng with a smile: "Liaodong, is the Khan interested? Liu Zheng can guarantee that in just one year, this place will become a truly fertile land!"

Everyone was dumbfounded.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please slow down, please slow down!"

Xie Tianyao had truly been full of vigor these past few days, as if reborn, and his mood was excellent as a result.

He had also changed his habit of constantly shrinking back into the Yangxin Hall and had come out to bask in the sun. He walked with such imposing, tiger-like steps that even Grand Eunuch Zhou could not keep up, wiping sweat behind him and calling out with concern.

Xie Tianyao laughed heartily: "Looking at you like this, you really should exercise more. How is it that your body is not even as good as Mine?"

Grand Eunuch Zhou said ingratiatingly: "This old servant is but a mortal, how could I compare to the Son of Heaven? In this old servant's view, the Emperor's current health is such that siring another dragon son would be no problem at all."

Who does not like to hear pleasant words?

Xie Tianyao was also amused by Grand Eunuch Zhou into laughing heartily, his voice full of vigor.

"This Prefect Liu really has some substance!"

Xie Tianyao sighed with great emotion.

He walked leisurely through the inner palace, with a group of imperial concubines, palace maids, and eunuchs following behind him.

Grand Eunuch Zhou chuckled: "Emperor, entrusting the negotiation matters this time to Prefect Liu should surely result in no major errors."

Xie Tianyao laughed heartily: "Errors?"

"Errors, I fear there will be none... but I reckon that this time, he will once again have to bear the name of a traitor!"

Grand Eunuch Zhou gave a wry smile and said nothing more.

Indeed.

This was the clever part of Liu Zheng's plan this time.

The world-renowned Prefect Liu intended to perform a self-defilement this time!

This was a grand game of chess he and Xie Tianyao were playing together.

Likewise...

It was also the guarantee that he could safely leave Jinghua.

Ceding the territory of Liaodong!

Today's negotiations.

The entire Longyan would inevitably be stirred into a great uproar!