Chapter 804: First Volume_Chapter 804: Make a Show

First Volume_Chapter 804: Make a Show

Jing Ci was not foolish; she could feel the resentment radiating from the people, but she had no other choice—everything must be guided by national interest; if she merely catered to the people, it would only make matters more complicated.

To appease the people, Jing Ci immediately revealed the deal she had struck with Qin Feng.

"I have already reached an agreement with Qin Feng: if we cede him one shopfront, he will waive one million taels of silver in reparations—this sets a good precedent for future negotiations between our two nations…"

As Jing Ci enthusiastically presented her achievement, she failed to notice that the atmosphere had shifted.

The anger was clearly shifting away from Qin Feng and turning toward Jing Ci.

"What?! The Princess has made a secret deal with Qin Feng?!"

"Your Highness, Qin Feng is a vile scoundrel who has already brought us Di enough suffering—how could you make a deal with such a scum?!"

"Cede him a shopfront? Dream on! We'd rather burn every single shopfront to ashes than let Qin Feng succeed!"

"One million taels of silver to sell out Di? Hah—Your Highness, you've truly opened our eyes."

Jing Ci couldn't believe her ears; she stared dumbfounded at the furious crowd.

She didn't understand—she had bowed to Qin Feng, endured humiliation, all to reduce reparations and ease her nation's financial burden, yet in the end, she had become the criminal.

At this moment, the torrent of public opinion reached its peak once more.

Some scholars even rose to their feet, pointing at Jing Ci and shouting accusations.

"A merchant's daughter knows not the sorrow of a fallen nation—she still sings the songs of the palace across the river! After this war, our Di has lost too much—do we now abandon even the most basic dignity?!"

"Your Highness, matters of state should be handled by officials—you are merely a woman, how dare you interfere?!"

"Our blood feud with Qin Feng is irreconcilable—no matter how many more millions we pay, what does it matter? Di will never bow to Qin Feng!"

Facing the torrent of public condemnation, Jing Ci stumbled backward, her face flushing red and pale by turns—ashamed and heartbroken. She had poured her heart into Di's welfare, yet now she was a pariah.

When she looked toward Qin Feng, she saw him shaking his head, as if filled with disappointment at her actions.

In just one incense stick time, everything Jing Ci had done exceeded Qin Feng's expectations—he had thought her a capable woman, yet she had played a move so absurdly foolish.

Was this woman clever—or stupid?

At first, even Qin Feng had been confused, but soon he understood: Jing Ci was clever, but too young—she didn't understand political maneuvering, acted bluntly, and thus even good intentions easily turned into disasters.

Right now, across all of Northern Di, countless lives wished to flay Qin Feng alive—how fierce was this hatred?

Simply by this fact alone, as Princess of Northern Di, Jing Ci had no choice—emotionally, morally, publicly, privately—she must stand against Qin Feng, loudly condemn him, declare her stance—even if it was all an act. As for future negotiations, she could privately exchange cups and bowls in secret, speak with sincerity—no one would ever know.

As long as Jing Ci kept her composure, when the time was ripe, she could announce to Heaven that she had used her cunning to force Qin Feng into submission, compelling him to waive one million taels of silver, then reward Qin Feng with a shopfront to appease Liang. Thus, the people would gain both face and substance, and the deal between Qin Feng and Northern Di could proceed.

Between nations, chess is always real and fake, true and false—what is said matters little; what is done matters everything.

Seeing Jing Ci about to become a pariah, Qin Feng did not want her to collapse so easily.

After all, many future matters would go much smoother if Jing Ci stood between them as an intermediary.

To help Jing Ci salvage her reputation, Qin Feng immediately roared: "Your Highness, how could you reveal our deal to the public?!"

"We agreed—you would announce it only after I left Northern Di and returned to Liang!"

"Now, those who don't know will think I bowed to Northern Di—where is my dignity?!"

Qin Feng's sudden roar left Jing Ci stunned, and even the enraged crowd fell silent.

Qin Feng seized the moment, acting with perfect intensity, pointing at Jing Ci in fury: "This is outrageous!"

"Had Your Highness not personally negotiated with me, had I not sensed your nation's sincerity, would I have so easily waived the reparations?!"

"Hmph! Since you show no mercy, don't blame me for showing none either—the previous deal is null and void!"

Jing Ci stared at Qin Feng, slowly beginning to understand.

At that moment, she was startled to see Qin Feng blink—clearly signaling her to play along.

Only then did she realize: Qin Feng was inviting her to perform a duet, helping her recover from her downfall.

Jing Ci felt a surge of emotion, but she didn't know how to act—she could only spit weakly: "You… you… you're the one who's ungrateful and unrighteous—dare to do it but not dare to own up!"

Damn it, what was that? Too feeble—zero impact.

Qin Feng was exasperated—Jing Ci was facing mortal enemies; even cursing them publicly would be justified.

Just as the act was about to collapse, Qi Ya reacted swiftly, hands on hips, sharply screeching:

"Filthy wretch! One million taels of silver? What's that? The Princess herself came to negotiate with you—that's already given you immense face! Don't push your luck!"

"Even if you are Tianlu Marquis of Liang, so what? This is Northern Di's land—if you dare cause trouble, I'll chop off both your legs!"

Qin Feng silently slapped his thigh—now that was more like it. The people needed to vent; as for actual gains, they weren't indifferent—they were just too slow to realize.

After they vented and felt satisfied, they'd discover their entire income for the next twenty years had been stripped away—no amount of regret or bitterness would change it.

Those in power must let the people vent while recovering real gains.

Qin Feng and Chen Si were exactly like this: in official settings, they were always hostile, like oil and water; but in private, they called each other "brother" endlessly.

After all, real business was done in private.

Official appearances? Just make a show.

Jing Ci gradually adapted to this method, her face flushed red as she softly but sharply rebuked: "Bold Qin scoundrel! Don't push your luck—this is Northern Di's territory! You'd better keep your tail tucked, or I'll keep you here ten or twenty years as a proper host! By the time you return to Liang, everything will have changed!"

This girl learns fast…