Chapter 816: First Volume, Chapter 816: Draw a Clear Path

First Volume, Chapter 816: Draw a Clear Path

Li Yu pondered carefully, weighed the options, and concluded that a purely trade-related agreement could largely be accepted, though it still contained numerous unequal clauses favoring Liang and harming Di.

But for Di Kingdom at present, there was little room for choice.

Yet Li Yu did not give an immediate reply; this matter required reporting to His Majesty, followed by deliberation among officials from the Ministry of Revenue and others before a final decision could be made.

Even if Li Yu could decide whether to approve it, he would not take the lead.

If handled well, it would be a merit for a thousand generations; if mishandled, he would bear all responsibility and become a traitor to history.

But then again, trade negotiations had set a good tone for tonight's "private banquet."

At least in Chen Si and Li Yu's eyes, Qin Feng was not so difficult to cooperate with.

With military and trade—the two most important issues—now concluded, Zhang Bingguo forcibly steered the conversation back to its starting point: war reparations.

"Marquis Qin, compromise on military matters is naturally impossible, as every general is a man of iron will."

"But trade negotiations are far more flexible."

"If Marquis Qin can concede one more step on war reparations, I shall petition His Majesty to host a grand Merit Banquet in your honor, and even facilitate the smooth progress of your future marriage to the late Emperor's Princess."

Zhang Bingguo had originally intended to refer to Jing Qianying as "Chang Princess," but the words caught in his throat and he changed them at the last moment.

After all, the title "Chang Princess" would easily enrage Qin Feng; to ensure smooth negotiations, Zhang Bingguo could only yield on political matters.

Qin Feng was very satisfied with tonight's progress; he picked up his Wine Cup and said casually, "How much of the reparations, may I ask, does Minister Zhang wish me to waive?"

Zhang Bingguo had been waiting for exactly this question from Qin Feng; he quickly explained: "Fifty million Tael of Silver is not much for the entire Great Di; in prosperous years, even paying it all at once would pose no problem."

"But after years of continuous war, our National Strength has been drained."

"Whether replenishing troops and Armor, restoring production, lowering taxes, or curbing ever-rising prices, massive fiscal expenditures are required. Some funds are fixed from the outset—even if the sky fell, they could not be diverted."

"Otherwise, it would be a situation where pulling one hair sets the entire body in motion."

"Even if we must pay, with our current circumstances, we cannot settle fifty million Tael of Silver in one lump sum."

"How about this: Marquis Qin waives twenty million Tael of Silver outright, or… the fifty million Tael of Silver is paid in installments over five years?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Feng felt profound contempt—he thought Zhang Bingguo was getting above himself.

To demand a direct waiver of twenty million Tael of Silver?

What nonsense!

How many practical things could twenty million Tael of Silver accomplish if brought back to Liang?

As for the idea of paying fifty million Tael in five annual installments of ten million Tael each—that was utterly unacceptable.

Ten million Tael of Silver, for a vast nation like Northern Di, could be saved with a little gritting of teeth.

In other words, once war reparations were spread out, the damage to Northern Di would be reduced infinitely.

Qin Feng had not come to Northern Di to play philanthropist!

Qin Feng swirled his Wine Cup, a faint smile curling his lips as he studied Zhang Bingguo with keen interest.

Feeling Qin Feng's piercing gaze, Zhang Bingguo grew uneasy.

"What, Marquis Qin, do you find this difficult?"

Qin Feng shrugged: "Not difficult—it's impossible."

"Minister Zhang, do you know my annual salary? Heh—it's only Twenty Thousand Li Silver."

"Remember, I am Tianlu Marquis, known as the First Marquis of Liang, granted a fief on the Northern Border; such high rank and power, with a flourishing clan, yet I receive only twenty thousand li of silver annually."

"Moreover, much of this sum is meant to appease me—an extra benefit granted by His Majesty of Liang."

"I, a Marquis earning Twenty Thousand Li Silver, am being asked to waive twenty million Tael of Silver with a few words—should I say Minister Zhang overestimates me, or takes me for a fool?"

"Minister Zhang, put yourself in my place—could you waive this money?"

"You'd be stabbed in the back by the entire Liang court the moment you did."

Zhang Bingguo gave a forced smile; he had expected Qin Feng's refusal and was not discouraged. He shifted tact: "Then let it be five-year installments. After all, Great Di will never break its word—we will pay annually, on schedule. Is that acceptable?"

Qin Feng set down his Wine Cup and glared coldly at Zhang Bingguo: "Five-year installments are not hard—but tell me, while your nation's pressure eases, have you considered the burden placed on Liang?"

"Does this war end with only Northern Di suffering losses, while Liang suffers none?"

"City repairs, troop replenishment, Armor restoration, civilian appeasement—don't all these require money?"

"To be blunt, ten million Tael is enough to do nothing!"

Seeing Qin Feng's firm stance, Zhang Bingguo spread his hands: "Even if Liang pressures us further, we simply cannot produce this much money—what then?"

Playing the bully?

Heh! Qin Feng was genuinely surprised—he never expected the Minister of War to resort to thug tactics.

Indeed, before national interests, even the highest minister will spare no means.

But Qin Feng had once roamed the Streets of Jingdu, Military Order daily with nobles and Wastrels—what kinds of riffraff hadn't he seen?

To play this game with him? He's asking for death!

Qin Feng smiled coldly: "If you can't pay in silver, pay in land—it's simple enough."

"Cede the entire Sangzhou to Great Liang, or cede half of Zhuozhou, adjacent to Sangzhou, as compensation."

As he spoke, Qin Feng's smile widened, filled with anticipation: "If your kingdom is willing to cede land, not only can the war reparations be waived—even hostages are unnecessary."

At these words, not only Zhang Bingguo, but everyone present—even Jing Ci—grew grim-faced.

Cede territory? Such a disgrace to national dignity—how could they possibly do it?

Zhang Bingguo was about to rage, but upon meeting Chen Si's subtle glance, he swallowed his Hatred: "Marquis Qin, I'll be frank—land cession is impossible, and we cannot pay this sum all at once. Think of another solution."

Qin Feng didn't hesitate—he replied instantly: "Easy! I'll draw you a clear path—but don't keep haggling over every detail. My patience has limits."

"Your kingdom covets Liang's fertile Central Plains rear area—but frankly, Liang also envies your lands."