Chapter 664: First Volume_Chapter 664: This Is the Condition

First Volume_Chapter 664: This Is the Condition

Only then did Qin Feng understand Han Yuming's deeper meaning.

Directly seeking benefits for Gaoshan Country at the negotiation table was naturally not feasible.

But if one changed one's thinking, taking Liang Kingdom's own interests as the starting point, one could indirectly influence Gaoshan Country.

Protecting the trade route, on the surface, was a commercial act.

In reality, this trade route could change its purpose at any time, continuously transporting strategic materials to Gaoshan Country.

Seeing Qin Feng lower his head, lost in thought.

Han Yuming hurriedly added an explanation.

"Young Master Qin, although the Beidi have strong soldiers and horses, wanting to destroy our Gaoshan Country is by no means something that can be accomplished in a day."

"Even the Snow Wolf Brigade, once it enters our Gaoshan Country's borders, will surely face a thunderous strike."

"To say something boastful, fighting on home ground, our Gaoshan Country cavalry all have the ability to take on two!"

"If we also have the support of this trade route, our country can pin down the entire Snow Wolf Brigade."

"This is absolutely a deal where you only profit and never lose."

Qin Feng nodded, still in no rush to reply.

Gaoshan Country's troops, though few in number, were all fierce soldiers adapted to highland warfare.

Even when facing the Beidi Elite Cavalry, they could hold the advantage, and could even rout the Beidi Cavalry head-on.

Gaoshan Country's only fatal weakness was its lack of materials and supplies; it could not fight a war of attrition.

Once the trade route was cut off by the Beidi, surrounding without attacking could exhaust the enemy, causing Gaoshan Country to consume itself.

When Gaoshan Country was exhausted and struggling bitterly, the Beidi could launch a major offensive and destroy Gaoshan Country in one decisive strike.

And in fact, all along, that was exactly how the Beidi had done it.

Every time Gaoshan Country was "not behaving," the Beidi would directly cut off all trade routes leading to Gaoshan Country.

Often, without needing to move a single soldier, they could force Gaoshan Country to bow its head and submit.

The trade route between Shedynasty and Gaoshan Country did not need to be many; as long as there was one, it could cause a qualitative change in Gaoshan Country.

However...

Gaoshan Country's troops were simply too ferocious.

A force of just a few thousand dared to clash head-on with a great power's Expeditionary Brigade, and often still gained the upper hand.

If Gaoshan Country was fattened too much, there was the fear it would play both sides, devouring the Beidi and then devouring Shedynasty.

Now, Qin Feng's relations with all circles of Gaoshan Country were warm, and naturally a friendly relationship could be maintained.

But as the saying goes, a new Son of Heaven brings new ministers; who could say for certain about future matters?

Han Yuming was very straightforward, laying his cards on the table right from the start.

Qin Feng naturally treated him with sincerity as well.

"His Highness Han, maintaining the trade route is not difficult to arrange."

"I can even pressure the Beidi, forcing them to cede all the land along the trade route!"

"When the time comes, my army's garrison can advance forward, ensuring the trade route remains open for ten thousand generations."

"But taking the standpoint of the nation, this move can be done, or it can be left undone."

"The secret trade route in the Yinggang Mountain area of my Northern Border can already be used to transport materials during wartime, and it is entirely sufficient."

"To open up a brand-new trade route and transport materials to Gaoshan Country on a large scale."

"First, it would make the Beidi unable to sleep or eat in peace."

"Second, after Gaoshan Country's national strength rises, whether it can maintain its original intention is also an unknown."

"Third, my Shedynasty would increase military expenditure pointlessly just to protect the trade route."

"Look at it any way you like, the drawbacks outweigh the benefits."

Han Yuming had originally assumed that Qin Feng was an open-minded man and would certainly agree readily.

He never expected that Qin Feng's attitude would do an immediate one-hundred-eighty-degree turn, catching Han Yuming completely off guard.

At this moment, Han Yuming finally understood.

Qin Feng's open-mindedness all stemmed from personal feelings.

But once the issue rose to the level of the nation, Qin Feng would immediately display an absolutely rational, even "cunning," side.

He distinguished personal interests from national interests so clearly.

Han Yuming sighed inwardly, unsure whether he should admire Qin Feng or fear him.

Han Yuming frowned tightly and asked solemnly in return: "My Gaoshan Country pins down the Beidi; surely this single point alone is not enough?"

Qin Feng answered without even thinking, the words spilling out.

"Of course it's not enough!"

"I said it: a single secret trade route is already enough to transport materials into your territory and help you resist Beidi retaliation."

"At the same time, it won't overly stimulate the Beidi's sensitive nerves."

"In the final analysis, every move of the Beidi remains the most important issue for Shedynasty; no country, no matter, can be mentioned in the same breath as the Beidi."

"Maintaining the status quo is the best choice for my Shedynasty."

"Opening a trade route is not impossible, but at the very least it must allow my Shedynasty to profit from it."

"The reason you've given is far from enough to move me."

Hearing these words, Han Yuming could not help but smile bitterly in his heart.

Before coming, Father King had repeatedly instructed that although Qin Feng was tied to the rise and fall of Gaoshan Country, one should not expect to gain any benefit from him.

On the matter of family and country, Qin Feng had always been unshakably firm.

At this moment, Han Yuming felt deeply exhausted.

But interacting with someone like Qin Feng was, for Han Yuming, entirely beneficial and no harm—merely a necessary trial befitting a Prince.

Should he one day inherit the Herald, he would inevitably need to deal with Qin Feng.

Indeed, for Gaoshan Country, Qin Feng's importance even surpassed that of the Liang Emperor.

After all, the Emperor is far away, and the Liang Emperor's decisions had little impact on Gaoshan Country.

But Qin Feng was different—his power lay entirely in the Northern Border, within reach of Gaoshan Country with a single stretch of the hand.

"Young Master Qin, please be explicit: what price must Gaoshan Country pay before you are willing to open a trade route?"

Qin Feng had been waiting for this very phrase.

"Easy!"

"Aside from our existing trade, you must send two thousand Highland Horses to the Northern Border each year."

"Go back and tell your Monarch: we are family—don't play petty tricks on your own kin. Every horse you send is nothing but castrated males."

"So far, we have been unable to breed Highland Horses ourselves. You guard this so closely—how can I possibly trust you in return?"

"Each shipment must include at least ten percent mares."

"Additionally, every six months, I shall send a Diplomatic Envoy mission to your country; no matter where the mission goes, it must not be obstructed."

"Lastly, send one of your Princes to the Northern Border to enjoy a life of ease."

All three demands Qin Feng made exceeded Han Yuming's capacity to accept.

Put bluntly, this was a betrayal of national sovereignty!

So far, Highland Horses could be produced only by Gaoshan Country—this was Gaoshan Country's greatest advantage.

If Qin Feng could breed Highland Horses himself, Gaoshan Country's value would plummet.

As for sending Diplomatic Envoy missions, the polite term is "visitation"; the blunt term is "on-site reconnaissance."

Once Qin Feng has mapped out Gaoshan Country's entire terrain and military deployments,

should hostilities arise later, he could destroy Gaoshan Country even with his eyes closed.

The final demand was nothing less than handing over a hostage.

Should Qin Feng attack Gaoshan Country, he could use the hostage to install a puppet regime.