Chapter 814: First Volume, Chapter 814: Wearing Out One

First Volume, Chapter 814: Wearing Out One's Lips 【2】 Qin Feng did not doubt Chen Si's determination to defend his homeland; he laughed freely, appearing utterly at ease, showing not the slightest fear of the possible collapse of the truce agreement. 【3】 "This national war, though your country lost, is not so much that Brother Chen was defeated by me, as that he was defeated by logistics." 【4】 "Now, we have lost our home-field advantage; both sides stand on equal ground. Only if I can defeat Brother Chen this time can it truly prove that my strength surpasses his." 【5】 "Hahaha, I look forward to it." 【6】 Qin Feng's laughter echoed through the room, but the three ministers present remained silent. 【7】 They could detect not a trace of "fear of battle" in Qin Feng's eyes; facing a man unafraid of war, military strategy must be even more cautious. 【8】 Qin Feng and Chen Si locked gazes, their eyes sparking with intense conflict. 【9】 On one side stood the Tianlu Marquis of Liang; on the other, the sole general the Northern Di could rely upon. 【10】 These two men alone could determine the fate of their two nations—whether to wage war or seek peace. 【11】 After a long stare, Chen Si's piercing gaze softened first; he threw back his head and laughed heartily: "Qin Feng, to be honest, sometimes even I find it strange." 【12】 "I've spent half my life charging across battlefields, invincible in attack, undefeated in combat—yet my most stubborn adversary turns out to be a greenhorn boy." 【13】 "Our two nations have poured immense effort into achieving these state peace talks; even if we resume war, we must proceed with the utmost caution." 【14】 "The situation is now clear: whether to wage war depends on two points—first, the unrest in Sang Zhou; second, the terms of the peace treaty." 【15】 "I am but a Martial man; matters concerning the peace treaty are not my concern." 【16】 With this, Chen Si smiled warmly at Li Yu, his gaze signaling him to take over and continue negotiating with Qin Feng! 【17】 In this private negotiation, the initiative did not lie with Qin Feng, but with the Northern Di side. 【18】 After all, facing three against one, the longer the talks dragged on, the more Qin Feng's energy would drain; in contrast, the three on the other side could rotate in a Carriage Wheel Battle and would eventually reach a conclusion. 【19】 Li Yu had already grasped Chen Si's deeper intent; this seemingly hasty banquet tonight was in fact of immense importance. 【20】 Had Li Yu lost his composure earlier and left the room, he would have missed the best opportunity for negotiation. 【21】 "Besides war reparations and prisoner exchange, and the Sang Zhou unrest, the treaty contains one other crucial clause: trade." 【22】 "I wonder, Marquis Qin, how do you intend to conduct trade with our country?" 【23】 All eyes in the room turned once again to Qin Feng; compared to war, trade was equally vital to the Northern Di. 【24】 After this great war, the Northern Di's BuddingSpirit was severely damaged; they urgently needed recovery, and trade was one of the most critical options. 【25】 Qin Feng quietly exhaled—he had discussed so many topics, and finally, they had reached the core. 【26】 Trade negotiations were Qin Feng's core interest. 【27】 Though not a single minister in charge of trade sat at this wine table, once an agreement was reached here, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works would merely follow procedure—there would be virtually no resistance. 【28】 Qin Feng lifted his Wine Cup, revealing an utterly sincere smile; at this moment, he was no longer a soldier, nor a politician, but a thoroughgoing merchant. 【29】 "Our demands are as follows." 【30】 "First, open trade routes to neighboring vassal states; your country must not disrupt these trade routes—in fact, ensuring their smooth passage is one of your responsibilities." 【31】 "Second, my Liang merchants entering Northern Di will abide by the law; as long as they trade, your country must not secretly obstruct them—Liang merchants must enjoy the same treatment and rights as Northern Di merchants." 【32】 "Third, market freedom: commercial matters must be resolved by commerce itself; unless local laws are violated, the court must not intervene." 【33】 "Finally, and most importantly, trade tariffs will be set by our side." 【34】 Upon hearing Qin Feng's words, all three present—even Jing Ci—snorted in derision. 【35】 Li Yu forced a smile: "Marquis Qin, this is not the attitude of someone negotiating. Your four demands are unlikely to be met by even one." 【36】 "This isn't trade—it's Military Siege Luedi in another form." 【37】 "It seems the rumors circulating in the streets were not baseless; Marquis Qin truly has no intention of letting our Great Di rest." 【38】 Qin Feng waved his hands repeatedly, beaming: "Minister Li, you're exaggerating. I've proposed these four demands purely for the sake of commerce." 【39】 "Without a healthy business environment, which merchant would dare come?" 【40】 "My Beixi County is proof: once a Qiong Xiang Pi Rang, it has now become the most vital trade transit hub." 【41】 Li Yu sneered twice: "Market freedom? Commercial matters resolved by commerce itself? How beautifully you speak—better than any song." 【42】 "Marquis Qin, do you think we're not Ministry of Revenue Officials, so we know nothing about commerce?" 【43】 "If market freedom is so wonderful and so beneficial to creating a healthy commercial environment, why hasn't your own Beixi County adopted it? Instead, you impose strict controls on commercial activity." 【44】 Facing Li Yu's challenge, Qin Feng felt deeply wronged—he truly had Northern Di's interests at heart; after all, if Northern Di's business environment improved, Liang merchants would also profit—a win-win situation, why not? 【45】 As for why he himself did not adopt market freedom… 【46】 Could one just randomly use such a thing? 【47】 Use it well, and commercial output multiplies; use it poorly, and the entire region plunges into ruin. 【48】 Forget distant examples—take Beixi County alone: all commercial activity requires three fundamental prerequisites. 【49】 Enrich the people, enrich the county, enrich the Northern Border. 【50】 Any merchant wishing to settle in Beixi County must give up part of their profit—allowed to earn, but not to overexploit. 【51】 After all, merchants have no nationality; if the profit is great enough, they would even sell their country. 【52】 Beixi County is merely a transit hub, unlike the Central Plains or Jiangnan, which are rich in resources and self-sufficient. 【53】 Added to that, its location on the Northern Border means any instability could be catastrophic. 【54】 All the money flows into the merchants' pockets, they pack up and leave, leaving Qin Feng and the common people behind, bewildered and abandoned. 【55】 Free trade, market economy—these are good policies, but for any poor, weak market environment, they are extremely risky. 【56】 Big fish eat small fish, small fish eat shrimp; the rich grow richer, the poor grow poorer. 【57】 Ordinary small merchants cannot compete with big merchants; in the end, all money flows into the pockets of the big traders. 【58】 Of course, the positive side is the promotion of the entire nation's economic development. 【59】 So, this risky yet profitable endeavor? Let the Northern Di handle it. 【60】 The Northern Di bears the risk—if it fails, Qin Feng walks away unscathed; if it succeeds, the Northern Di becomes Qin Feng's money tree.

Qin Feng did not doubt Chen Si's determination to defend his homeland; he laughed heartily, appearing utterly at ease, showing not the slightest fear of the possible collapse of the ceasefire agreement.

"This National War, though your country lost, it's not so much that Brother Chen was defeated by me, as that you were defeated by Logistics."

"Now, we have lost our home-field advantage; both sides stand on equal ground. If I can still defeat Brother Chen this time, only then will it prove my strength surpasses his."

"Hahaha, I look forward to it."

Qin Feng's laughter echoed through the room, but the three ministers present remained silent.

They could detect not a trace of "fear of battle" in Qin Feng's eyes; facing a man unafraid of war, strategy must be even more cautious.

Qin Feng and Chen Si locked gazes, their eyes sparking with fierce intensity.

On one side stood the Tianlu Marquis of Liang; on the other, the sole general the Northern Di could rely upon.

These two men alone could determine the fate of their two nations—whether to wage war or seek peace.

After a long stare, Chen Si's piercing gaze softened first; he threw back his head and laughed loudly: "Qin Feng, to be honest, sometimes even I find it strange."

"I've ridden the battlefield for half my life, invincible in every assault, undefeated in every battle—yet my most stubborn opponent turns out to be a green boy."

"Our two nations have poured immense effort into achieving State Peace Talks; even if we resume war, we must proceed with the utmost caution."

"The situation is clear: whether to wage war depends on two points—first, the rebellion in Sang Zhou; second, the terms of the State Peace Talks."

"I am but a Martial man; matters concerning State Peace Talks are not my concern."

Saying this, Chen Si smiled warmly at Li Yu, his gaze signaling him to take over and continue negotiating with Qin Feng!

In this private negotiation, the initiative did not lie with Qin Feng—it lay with the Northern Di.

After all, facing three against one, the longer the talks dragged on, the more Qin Feng's stamina would drain; in contrast, the three on the other side could rotate in a Carriage Wheel Battle and would eventually reach a conclusion.

Li Yu understood Chen Si's deeper intent; this seemingly hasty banquet tonight was in fact of immense importance.

Had Li Yu lost his composure earlier and left the room, he would have missed the best opportunity for negotiation.

"Besides War Reparations, prisoner exchange, and the Sang Zhou rebellion, the treaty contains one other crucial clause: Trade."

"I wonder—how does Lord Qin intend to conduct trade with our country?"

All eyes in the room turned once more to Qin Feng; compared to war, trade was especially vital to the Northern Di.

After this great war, the Northern Di's BuddingSpirit was severely wounded; they urgently needed recovery, and trade was one of their most critical options.

Qin Feng silently exhaled—he had finally reached the core topic after so many rounds of talk.

Trade negotiations were Qin Feng's core interest.

Though not a single minister in charge of trade sat at this table, once an agreement was reached here, the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Works would merely follow procedure—there would be virtually no resistance.

Qin Feng raised his Wine Cup, offering a smile of utter sincerity; at this moment, he was no longer a soldier, nor a politician, but a thoroughgoing merchant.

"Our demands are as follows."

"First, open the Shang Dao for trade with neighboring vassal states; your country must not disrupt this trade route—in fact, ensuring its smooth passage is one of your responsibilities."

"Second, my Liang merchants entering Northern Di will abide by the law; as long as they trade, you must not secretly obstruct them. Liang merchants shall enjoy the same treatment and rights as Northern Di merchants."

"Third, market freedom: commercial matters shall be resolved by commerce itself; unless local laws are broken, the court must not intervene."

"Finally—and most importantly—the trade tariffs shall be set by my side."

Upon hearing Qin Feng's words, all three men present—even Jing Ci—snorted in derision.

Li Yu forced a smile: "Lord Qin, this is not the attitude of someone negotiating. These four demands of yours? Not one is feasible."

"This isn't trade—it's Military Siege Luedi in another form."

"It seems the rumors circulating in the streets weren't baseless after all—Lord Qin truly never gives up his desire to destroy our Great Di."

Qin Feng waved his hands repeatedly, beaming: "Minister Li, you're exaggerating. I've made these four demands purely for the sake of commerce."

"Without a healthy business environment, who would dare come?"

"My Beixi County is proof: once a Qiong Xiang Pi Rang, it is now the most vital trade transit hub."

Li Yu sneered twice: "Market freedom? Commercial matters resolved by commerce itself? How beautifully you speak—better than any song."

"Does Lord Qin think we are not Ministry of Revenue Officials, so we know nothing of commerce?"

"If market freedom is so beneficial for creating a healthy commercial environment, why hasn't your own Beixi County adopted it? Instead, you impose strict controls over commercial activity."

Faced with Li Yu's accusation, Qin Feng felt deeply wronged—he truly had the Northern Di's interests at heart. After all, if their business environment improved, Liang merchants would profit too—a win-win. Why not?

As for why Qin Feng himself did not adopt market freedom…

Could one just randomly apply such a thing?

Use it well, and commercial output multiplies; use it poorly, and the entire region plunges into ruin.

Take Beixi County as an example: all commercial activity rests on three essential prerequisites.

Enrich the people, enrich the county, enrich the Northern Border.

Any merchant wishing to settle in Beixi County must give up part of their profit—allowed to earn, but not to exploit excessively.

After all, merchants have no nationality; given sufficient profit, they would even sell their country.

Beixi County is merely a transit hub—it lacks the rich resources and self-sufficiency of the Central Plains or Jiangnan.

Added to its location on the Bianchui, should any unrest arise…

All the money flows into merchants' pockets, they pack up and leave, leaving Qin Feng and the common folk stranded in the wind.

Free trade, market economy—these are good policies, but for any poor, weak market, they are extremely risky.

Big fish eat small fish; small fish eat shrimp. The rich grow richer; the poor grow poorer.

Ordinary small merchants cannot compete with big merchants; eventually, all money flows into the pockets of the large traders.

Of course, the positive side is the promotion of the entire nation's economic development.

So, this risky yet profitable endeavor? Let the Northern Di take it on.

The Northern Di bears the risk—if it fails, Qin Feng walks away unharmed; if it succeeds, the Northern Di becomes Qin Feng's money tree.

To trick the Northern Di into accepting a free market, Qin Feng went to great lengths, even wearing out his lips.