The composure Jiang Yu had been forcibly maintaining on his face cracked for an instant. Suppressing his anger, he said, “Is Wengzhu perhaps jesting? This subordinate has not heard half a hint of willingness to cooperate with Southern Chen in Wengzhu’s words!”

Wen Yu rested her elbow on the armrest of her chair, looking down at him from above: “This Palace gave you an opportunity. From the very beginning when we proposed conditions, we said we only wanted Xin and Yi prefectures. It was your Southern Chen who refused, which led to this sand table simulation.”

Her gaze was especially calm, but behind that calm was an unyielding forcefulness that brooked no compromise: “Commander Jiang has also seen the results of the military simulation. Our Great Liang needs only ten thousand troops from Pingzhou to block your northward advance. The scenario your country’s envoys hypothesized earlier—that if our Great Liang chose to ally with Northern Wei, we would be caught between Southern Chen and Pei Song, attacked from both front and rear—did not materialize. Instead, it is Pei Song who should be in danger, about to be caught between our Great Liang and Northern Wei.”

Hearing this, Fang Mingda felt his entire back turn cold. But Jiang Yu still said with certainty, “Wei Qishan would never give you Xin and Yi prefectures that are already in his grasp.”

Wen Yu looked at him and said, “It seems Commander Jiang does not often play chess.”

Jiang Yu stared at the Great Liang princess sitting above him, unable to spare even the slightest bit of attention to appreciate her beauty.

This woman was clever beyond human—she was like a demon.

If his thoughts slowed by even a beat, he would fall into the traps she set. He had to muster all his mental energy to consider every word she said in order to barely distinguish truth from falsehood.

Facing Wen Yu’s cryptic remark now, he was also highly vigilant. He said, “What does this have to do with playing chess?”

Wen Yu’s expression remained gentle: “Otherwise, Commander Jiang should not be unaware of the principle of sacrificing the chariot to protect the king.”

Those clear eyes gazing at him were distant and detached, conveying a bone-chilling coldness: “If I do not form an alliance with Northern Wei, they will stubbornly hold onto Xin and Yi prefectures. In the end, they will inevitably be conquered by the allied forces of Great Liang and Southern Chen. But if they abandon these two prefectures, they can gain Great Liang as an ally to jointly resist Southern Chen. If Commander Jiang were Wei Qishan, what would you choose?”

Jiang Yu felt as if a chill was invading his heart inch by inch from where his gaze met Wen Yu’s.

Indeed, Southern Chen might stubbornly refuse to let go of Xin and Yi prefectures. But Wei Qishan had no choice in the south. Sacrificing the “chariot” of Xin and Yi prefectures in exchange for gaining a Great Liang princess as a daughter-in-law would make their campaign against Pei Song even more legitimate, and they could block their formidable enemy Southern Chen outside the pass. No matter how one looked at it, it was a profitable deal with no losses.

In that brief instant, countless thoughts flashed through Jiang Yu’s mind, yet he still could not think of a way to break this situation.

If before the sand table simulation he had still felt that even if current Great Liang chose to ally with Northern Wei, they would not be formidable, after the sand table simulation, that bit of pride and arrogance had been completely crushed.

No one understood better than him what terrifying opponents were behind this chessboard holding the pieces and across the sand table wielding the halberd.

After a long silence, Jiang Yu’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he said, “This matter is of great importance. This subordinate needs to send a letter to report to our King and Empress Dowager and await the court’s decision.”

Wen Yu said, “Very well. However, Commander Jiang’s letter must be inspected by Pingzhou officials before it can be sealed and sent. Does Commander Jiang have any objections?”

Jiang Yu then understood that this meant he absolutely could not mention the specific military tactics of this sand table simulation in the letter, to prevent the Southern Chen army stationed outside Bairen Pass from learning their battle plans in advance. He said, “This subordinate has no objections.”

Fang Mingda wiped the sweat from his forehead and chimed in with an ingratiating smile: “This… Wengzhu, look, you didn’t demand three million shi of grain from Northern Wei. That’s enough to supply a hundred thousand troops for a year. In recent years, Southern Chen has suffered continuous internal and external troubles. After our King inherited the throne, he ordered tax reductions for three years. These… these three years have not yet passed, and Southern Chen’s granaries don’t have much stored grain. The recent torrential rains and mountain floods did not spare Southern Chen either! Disaster relief requires grain, and the northern campaign soon after will also need military provisions. If Southern Chen’s granaries cannot produce the grain, we can only levy it from the common people. Forcibly extracting another three million shi of grain would be cutting off the livelihood of the people below! Since entering the pass, this humble minister has constantly heard that Wengzhu loves her people like her own children. This humble minister presumes to humbly beseech Wengzhu to also take pity on Southern Chen’s common people…”

Wen Yu said, “Just send over three million shi of the military grain you’ve levied.”

Fang Mingda was shocked and horrified. Jiang Yu’s expression also changed.

Fang Mingda said anxiously, “No, this…”

Wen Yu interrupted him: “This Palace wants these three million shi of grain not for our own use. When Southern Chen enters the pass for the northern campaign, this Palace will allocate this military grain monthly. Just as Commander Jiang and the Grand Steward came as envoys to my Pingzhou, still fearing unforeseen circumstances and concealing your identities, what this Palace seeks is merely a guarantee for ourselves and our subjects.”

Fang Mingda hurriedly said, “Why should Wengzhu have such concerns? When the time comes, Wengzhu will be our Southern Chen’s Queen. With our King’s deep affection for Wengzhu, what our King has—isn’t that also Wengzhu’s? Our King’s treatment of Liang ministers and Liang people will naturally be no different from his treatment of Southern Chen’s ministers and people!”

This was not something Wen Yu could respond to directly. Fan Yuan was a straightforward man who spoke without reservation, and immediately said, “Since what your King of Chen has also belongs to our Wengzhu, then now our Wengzhu is only asking him to give a little bit in advance. Why do you refuse?”

These words successfully silenced Fang Mingda, whose face couldn’t help showing some embarrassment.

Wen Yu stared at the two of them: “If Southern Chen agrees to this Palace’s conditions, the three million shi of grain will naturally be used for your Southern Chen’s own army in the future. Although the three prefectures and one commandery led by Pingzhou are managed by this Palace, they share the same origins as Southern Chen and will unite against external threats.”

Her gaze fell on Jiang Yu: “This Palace awaits Southern Chen’s reply.”

Having said this, she seemed somewhat weary. Supported by Zhao Bai’s hand on her arm, she entered the inner chamber to rest.

Li Xun looked toward Li Yao. After receiving his signal, he said to everyone, “Today’s council session ends here. Tonight at the Tao Commandery victory banquet and the welcoming banquet for the envoys, may all colleagues enjoy themselves to the fullest.”

The Liang ministers all responded in agreement. Many of the ministers present had not actually expected Southern Chen to ultimately compromise to this extent, but carefully recalling this negotiation, within Wen Yu’s web-like arrangement, Southern Chen had no way out at all.

While joyful, they couldn’t help feeling their spines turn somewhat cold.

Fortunately, such a person was their master.

Fan Yuan also felt somewhat relieved. He raised his arm and hooked it around Xiao Li’s neck, laughing, “You lad, we haven’t yet celebrated your merit from taking Tao Commandery last time, and today you’ve brought honor to our Pingzhou army again! Tonight you must drink a few cups with the brothers!”

Everyone had expressions of delight and joy, but Xiao Li could not smile.

Or rather, from the moment Fang Mingda said that what belonged to the King of Chen also belonged to Wen Yu, his face had shown no expression at all.

Although he had known all along that Wen Yu would marry to Southern Chen, hearing others personally speak of her and the King of Chen still felt especially grating.

After Fan Yuan finished speaking and saw Xiao Li had no reaction, he followed his line of sight and saw Fang Mingda and Jiang Yu speaking with Li Xun over there. Thinking his sour expression was due to dislike of these two Southern Chen envoys, he said “Hah” and added, “I don’t like these two bastards either. Tonight at the banquet, let’s pour them full of wine!”

Xiao Li said “They’d be flattered,” which counted as responding to Fan Yuan’s words.

Fan Yuan wanted to say more to him, but saw he had already stepped away and was walking out.

Over there, Li Xun was greeting Fang Mingda and Jiang Yu: “Speaking of which, I’m ashamed—with the continuous heavy rains and flooding disaster in recent days, everyone in Pingzhou has been busy dealing with the flood disaster. We’ve never held a welcoming banquet for you two envoys, and the victory banquet for taking Tao Commandery was also postponed. Tonight we’re holding both banquets together. We ask that both envoys and Grand Steward Sikong honor us with your presence.”

Fang Mingda’s face was wreathed in smiles as he responded, “We’ll definitely come, definitely come.”

Li Xun saw them out the main gate before turning to the inner chamber to find Wen Yu.

Wen Yu seemed to have a headache from overthinking. She was sitting on a chair by the window while Zhao Bai massaged her temples.

Li Yao was holding a cup of hot tea, using the lid to skim the tea foam and drinking unhurriedly.

After Li Xun reported that he had seen off Jiang Yu and Fang Mingda, he said, “Fortunately, Lord Li and General Xiao discussed countermeasures in advance. Today’s negotiations went relatively smoothly. Whether the alliance treaty can be signed depends on Southern Chen’s reply.”

Zhao Bai seemed to think of something and suddenly said, “Should we send people to watch whether they have any contact with Xin and Yi prefectures?”

Wen Yu raised her eyes and asked, “Why do you say this?”

Zhao Bai’s face rarely showed some anxiety: “We can choose to ally with either Southern Chen or Northern Wei. Conversely, it’s the same for them!”

Hearing this, Li Xun couldn’t help but laugh.

Li Yao put down his teacup and said, “You seem steady, but unexpectedly you’re a foolish girl.”

Zhao Bai was puzzled for a moment and said, “Shouldn’t we guard against them? If the two of them form an alliance, they can attack Pingzhou and Tao Commandery from front and rear. We can rely on the danger of Bairen Pass to hold off Southern Chen, but we may not be able to hold off Xin and Yi prefectures attacking from behind.”

Li Yao glanced at Wen Yu: “She’s your own person. When you have time, you should teach her properly.”

Wen Yu smiled and asked Zhao Bai, “Why are both Southern Chen and Northern Wei unwilling to agree to my conditions?”

Zhao Bai thought for a moment and said, “Naturally because they’re unwilling to give you Xin and Yi prefectures.”

Wen Yu said, “Then if Southern Chen allies with Northern Wei, has Northern Wei become willing to yield Xin and Yi prefectures? Or has Southern Chen stopped wanting those two prefectures?”

Zhao Bai felt as if she’d received a revelation. She quickly slapped her own forehead twice: “This servant was thinking wrongly!”

According to the conditions Wen Yu set forth, if Southern Chen agreed to ally with them, although the three prefectures and one commandery led by Pingzhou would all belong to Wen Yu, that would be tantamount to Wen Yu’s dowry. Though not belonging to Southern Chen, if Southern Chen had needs for military resources or military grain, as long as Wen Yu consented, they could allocate some from it to Southern Chen.

If Southern Chen allied with Northern Wei, setting aside the fundamental conflicts of interest between them—even if the two sides didn’t fight now, after conquering Pei Song they would eventually have a decisive battle—just considering immediate interests, they couldn’t come to terms.

Given Southern Chen’s current appetite, they clearly wanted to devour the entire southern territory of Great Liang. They were already unwilling to have Wen Yu, this future Queen Consort, control three prefectures and one commandery. How would they tolerate Northern Wei, this formidable enemy, holding onto Xin and Yi prefectures?

For Northern Wei, giving these two prefectures to Wen Yu could at least secure a Great Liang princess as a wife for their young marquis, and gain the support of all subjects and common people throughout the realm who were loyal to Great Liang. Give them to Southern Chen—what would Northern Wei gain? They might as well just start fighting!

After understanding all this, looking back at her previous concerns, Zhao Bai also felt somewhat foolish.

Li Xun cupped his hands toward Wen Yu: “The alliance matter will likely not see any more complications. Wengzhu can begin selecting which ministers will accompany you to Southern Chen.”

Hearing this, Wen Yu fell silent for a breath before saying, “I trouble my lord to draft a list for Yu to review.”

Li Yao said, “This journey to Southern Chen, though not particularly dangerous, still requires precautions. We should arrange for a military general of superior martial skills and strategy to accompany the wedding escort party.”