Chapter 697: First Volume, Chapter 697: Secret Talks

First Volume, Chapter 697: Secret Talks

Qin Feng did not press further; after all... such a massive responsibility could not be borne by Han Yu, or indeed by anyone—not even the Northern Di King.

The agreement on the Huanchongqu could not be written in black and white; both sides could only maintain mutual understanding.

In this way, Northern Di could publicly claim it had never abandoned this province and was always prepared to reclaim it.

Yet the fact remained that one province had become a Huanchongqu.

Han Yu let out a long sigh and helplessly said, "If so, can we make concessions on the war reparations?"

Qin Feng raised an eyebrow: "What exactly do you want me to concede?"

Han Yu's face was strained, a bitter curve tugging at his lips: "Two hundred million taels completely exceed the capacity of our Northern Di Kingdom."

"If we agree, it will trigger a chain reaction."

Qin Feng had considered this too.

Such a vast sum—neither Northern Di nor even Shedynasty could afford it.

Once Northern Di capitulates and pays two hundred million taels in war reparations, and given that the cost falls on the people, this enormous deficit must be borne by the Common People.

At that point, the people will have no means of survival, leaving them only one choice: rebellion!

With all factions losing restraint, they will inevitably strike at Shedynasty's border security.

But between two harms, choose the lighter—the minor disruptions clearly cannot shake Shedynasty's foundation.

In comparison, a full-scale, desperate strike by the entire Northern Di Kingdom constantly holds the potential to overthrow Shedynasty.

Therefore, Qin Feng would rather see Northern Di descend into internal chaos than witness its prosperity.

"Han Da Ren, from the moment you decided to march on Shedynasty, you should have prepared for the worst."

"Since Shedynasty's founding, your Northern Di has constantly ambushed our borders, causing the deaths of border civilians and losses of grain and property."

"How could two hundred million taels of White Silver possibly make up for that?"

"If we were to tally up all past grievances, even ten billion taels wouldn't suffice!"

"I'm only asking you to pay for this one war—that's already leniency beyond law, demonstrating Shedynasty's magnanimity."

"If your kingdom refuses to recognize this grace and keeps pushing further, then let war speak for itself!"

The entire Negotiation Hall fell utterly silent, Qin Feng's voice echoing endlessly.

Whether the Northern Di Envoy Group or Shedynasty's Peace Negotiation Minister, every gaze converged on Qin Feng.

Everyone knew clearly: the focus of this peace talk was Qin Feng himself.

Han Yu closed his eyes and took a deep breath, as if driven into a corner.

After a long while, he slowly rose, claiming he needed fresh air, but instead called Chen Si with him.

Outside the Di Tang, Han Yu frowned deeply and asked in a low voice: "Chen Jiang Jun, it seems we have no room left to maneuver with Shedynasty."

"This Qin Feng is unbending—do we truly have to pay two hundred million taels in reparations?"

Chen Si's expression was also unprecedentedly grave.

Regarding political maneuvering, Chen Si was not skilled; thus, he analyzed purely from a military standpoint.

"The consumption of war is not static."

"As the saying goes: one-strike victory, then decline, then exhaustion."

"The first strike often determines success or failure, because after prolonged preparation, the reserves of grain and forage, weapons and armor, have already been pressed to the minimum."

"It is also the most advantageous strike."

"Once the first strike fails, you must begin draining national strength."

"Suppose, for example, in the first strike, one hundred taels of silver buy one hundred shi of grain; in the second strike, one hundred taels buy only eighty shi."

"In the third strike, it might be halved—one hundred taels buy only fifty shi."

"Thus, military expenditure rises continuously, growing ever greater, achieving half the result for double the effort."

"In this national war, our Northern Di Kingdom invested a total of five hundred million taels of silver; due to our decisive withdrawal to limit losses, the domestic situation remains relatively calm."

"But if we continue fighting, the same scale of war would require one billion taels of silver, and the drain on national strength will accelerate."

Hearing Chen Si's analysis, Han Yu felt utterly hopeless.

Must they really spend two hundred million taels of silver to buy this fleeting peace?

As if sensing Han Yu's distress, Chen Si hesitated, then finally gritted his teeth: "Han Da Ren, let me try?"

At this, Han Yu raised an eyebrow: "You? How?"

Chen Si turned his head, glancing with the corner of his eye at Qin Feng inside the hall, and said lowly: "Qin Feng's stance is firm—but this is only on the surface."

"Even if Qin Feng privately wishes to yield, he cannot show it, not with so many Peace Negotiation Ministers watching, and not here, inside Shedynasty's Imperial Palace."

"The Liang Emperor must be fully aware of every detail of these talks."

Though Han Yu saw little hope, he had no other option—he could only try anything now.

"Chen Jiang Jun, I leave it in your hands."

Chen Si gave a firm nod, no longer hesitating, and turned back into the hall, gesturing to Qin Feng with a hand motion.

"Brother Qin, could we speak privately?"

Qin Feng smiled inwardly—he'd waited this long, and now they finally wanted to talk in private?

In these two nations' peace talks, only three-tenths are discussed at the negotiation table; the remaining seven-tenths must be settled in secret.

Qin Feng did not hesitate—he rose and walked out of the hall.

"Brother Chen, I'm also troubled by this war reparations matter—we each serve our own sovereign."

"Our personal bond knows no national borders, but individuals do have national boundaries."

"Every single person in Shedynasty is watching me—I don't want to be branded a traitor and have people point at my back."

Chen Si nodded, showing understanding.

"In that case, the war reparations are halved; my Great Di is willing to pay one hundred million taels of White Silver."

"For the next five years, neither kingdom shall raise any Ji Zhan Bing Zhong. Is that acceptable?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Feng was not pleased.

"Big Brother Chen, you're cheating me!"

"Who ever negotiates like this? Straight-up halve it? Two hundred million taels cut to one hundred million—do you know how many of my Liang Kingdom's people will starve?"

"Without that hundred million taels, we'll have to dig into our own pockets to cover the gap."

"When our Holy Ones fly into a rage and cut me down, where will I go to plead my case?"

Chen Si let out a cold laugh, thinking this Qin Feng was the very essence of the Hawk Faction when he stood firm.

Yet in private, he was utterly cunning.

"Big Brother Qin, are you really playing this game with me?"

"Do you think I don't know your standing in the Liang Kingdom?"

"This matter naturally has its own authority to decide."

Since the matter had come to this, Qin Feng no longer concealed his stance; he shrugged, face utterly indifferent.

"Big Brother Chen, you're not calculating this right."

"My Liang Kingdom fears no resumption of Ji Zhan Bing Zhong—it's your Northern Di that fears further Consume."

"You get one hundred million taels of Silver to cover war reparations, troop withdrawal costs, and five years of peace all in one."

"Are all the good deals yours?"

"Big Brother Chen, given our relationship, no need for roundabout talk—if you want to reduce the war reparations? Fine! Offer something real."