Liu Yuan sent envoys for peace talks who only t Ji Yuan, not Zhao Hanzhang, not even Liu Yi.
After three days of tug-of-war, the envoys and Ji Yuan reluctantly reached so consensus, but the envoys needed to et Liu Yi before taking the peace docunt back to Pingyang City. Ji Yuan then sent word to Yonghe County, asking Zhao Hanzhang to bring Liu Yi back.
In the envoy’s heart, the suffering King of Beihai was riding on horseback, galloping like the wind from the west. With his tears ready, the envoy was dumbfounded and managed to choke back his tears.
Liu Yi, with his twenty or so bodyguards, trotted alongside Zhao Hanzhang from afar. Upon seeing the envoy, he smiled and said, "Grand Tutor, have you co to deliver the letter of state?"
Liu Huanle craned his neck to look at the person on horseback, devoid of any smile, his gaze shifting from Liu Yi’s face to Zhao Hanzhang’s, "Governor Zhao?"
Zhao Hanzhang sat upright on horseback, her whip hanging down, clasped her hands and smiled, "Indeed, it’s . I’ve long admired the fa of King Chenliu. Please convey my greetings to Grand Commandant Liu."
Liu Huanle squinted his eyes; she didn’t acknowledge Liu Yuan as Emperor, just calling him the Grand Commandant while using Liu Yi’s title. It must be known that both King Chenliu and King of Beihai were titles given by Liu Yuan, not by Emperor Jin.
Therefore, this Governor Zhao isn’t as resistant to the emperor as she seems, perhaps to avoid criticism among the Jin ministers?
Liu Huanle responded. Seeing Liu Yi still seated on horseback, he pursed his lips and said, "Governor Zhao, our Majesty hasn’t seen King of Beihai for days and misses him. So, I’m here to take King of Beihai back to see the emperor. I’ve heard Governor Zhao is very filial, so I suppose you wouldn’t stop King of Beihai from fulfilling his filial duty, right?"
Liu Huanle was prepared to be refused. Having seen Liu Yi was safe and unhard, half of his mission was accomplished, the rest would be mutual wrangling.
He feared they could only bring him back after the peace talks concluded.
Even so, he still had to ntion it, waiting for Zhao Hanzhang to refuse, then propose other conditions.
First, propose conditions the other party definitely won’t agree to, then move to harder-to-agree conditions, making the latter easier to negotiate.
This is a negotiation tactic.
Liu Huanle looked up at Zhao Hanzhang, seeing her nod and respond with a smile, "Alright."
Liu Huanle’s pupils shrank, "What?"
Zhao Hanzhang had already turned to Liu Yi and said, "Originally, I wanted to keep you for a few more days, but since the Grand Commandant misses you, I can’t stop you from fulfilling your filial duties. Please, after returning to Pingyang City, don’t forget our friendship and promise."
Liu Yi, who was deeply shocked yesterday and in awe of Zhao Hanzhang, imdiately nodded solemnly, "Rest assured, Governor Zhao, our friendship will last forever!"
Zhao Hanzhang smiled and nodded, looking at Ji Yuan.
Ji Yuan imdiately sent soone back to the camp to get sothing from Wang Si Niang, shortly bringing a sword.
Zhao Hanzhang dismounted, took the sword and drew a section to show Liu Yi, saying solemnly, "This sword is made of refined steel, extrely sturdy. I give it to you, hoping our friendship can be as strong as this sword."
The gleaming sword flashed in the sunlight, and Liu Yi’s eyes fixed on it without moving. It was clearly a precious sword.
He had long heard from his father that the Zhao Family Army possessed special slting techniques, with Zhao Hanzhang and her brother’s spearheads made from such techniques, extrely sharp, considered divine weapons. Zhao Hanzhang’s victories were not insignificant thanks to that long spear.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t find out who made the spear, and his father always wanted to seize the craftsman but couldn’t get him. Getting a weapon made of refined steel would suffice.
Unexpectedly, his father didn’t get it, but he did.
Liu Yi’s eyes shone as he looked at the sword in Zhao Hanzhang’s hand. Zhao Hanzhang sheathed the sword and handed it to him.
Liu Yi received it with both hands, suppressing his excitent, and solemnly said again, "Our friendship will be tough and lasting!"
Beside him, Liu Huanle felt a sense of heart attack, feeling his heart ache sharply.
Zhao Hanzhang smiled broadly, waving her hand freely, "I won’t keep you, go back quickly so your father won’t worry."
Liu Huanle was not expecting Zhao Hanzhang to let Liu Yi go. Her ability to negotiate, wasn’t it because Liu Yi was in her hands?
Now letting Liu Yi go, isn’t she afraid they’ll tear up the unformalized treaty and fight her again?
Or is it that Zhao Hanzhang no longer fears their attack?
Liu Huanle thought many things in an instant, but his actions were swift as he pulled Liu Yi to bid farewell, leaving on the spot.
Upon mounting, Liu Huanle urged the team to speed up, galloping swiftly and occasionally glancing back, fearing Zhao Hanzhang might change her mind and send troops to attack them.
But every glance back t Zhao Hanzhang smiling quietly, her face becoming increasingly faint. His unease grew, further hastening his pace until he had run eighty miles, with horses snorting impatiently. Only upon seeing the gates of Pingyang City did the speed slow down.
Liu Huanle still pondered Zhao Hanzhang’s hidden sches. Upon returning to the Imperial Palace, he imdiately presented the peace treaty to the emperor, saying solemnly, "Your Majesty, what if we send troops to probe a bit?"
Liu Yuan hadn’t had ti to speak before Liu Yi, who had co to see the emperor, objected imdiately, "No, Grand Tutor, we’ve clearly agreed with Governor Zhao to sign the treaty. How can we go back on it and send troops?"
Liu Huanle felt his heart attack sensation again, "Seventh Prince, this is a matter of state and cannot be judged by personal feelings."
Liu Yi said with righteousness, "Precisely because it’s a matter of state, it cannot be treated frivolously. Once agreed, how can we go back on our word? If word spreads, won’t Xiongnu be seen as untrustworthy?"
Liu Yuan squinted his eyes, asking, "What personal relations do you have with Zhao Hanzhang?"
Liu Yi blushed, fearing his father might misunderstand their pure friendship, hurriedly saying, "Father, it’s friendship."
Liu Yuan’s breathing roughened slightly, asking, "Our two countries are adversaries, mutually opponents, and you were held and threatened by her. How could there be friendship?"
Liu Yi was taken aback, asking, "When was I held and threatened by her?"
Beside him, Liu Huanle couldn’t help but squint, asking, "Never asked Seventh Prince, how did you end up at the Zhao Family Army Camp, and how were these days spent?"
Liu Yi didn’t conceal anything, detailed his actions to prevent Zhao Hanzhang from attacking at night, and resolved the hostilities, indicating his contribution was minor. The key was, since a peace talk with Zhao Hanzhang was agreed, why not cease war entirely, sign a treaty, and coexist peacefully.
Liu Huanle couldn’t help his anger, "Seventh Prince, do you know the emperor’s aspirations? Our Han Kingdom aims for unification, Zhao Hanzhang stands in the way of our southern advance. How can we coexist peacefully?"
"Even if we must fight, not now!" Liu Yi, though naive, was not foolish. He certainly knew they’d eventually clash with Zhao Hanzhang. Wars can take many forms. He said seriously, "Father, the treaty drafted by the Grand Tutor is that we refrain from sending troops to Jinyang within two years and not attack Zhao Hanzhang. Two years is not long. Why not use this opportunity for the people to rest and recuperate, vigorously develop the economy, accumulate resources, train soldiers."
Liu Yuan’s gaze darkened as he stared at him, asking, "By then, you won’t have friendship with Zhao Hanzhang?"
"We will still have it, but the nation cos first," Liu Yi said seriously, "By then, I’ll persuade her to join father, co over to the light."
Liu Yuan asked expressionlessly, "What if she’s unwilling?"
Liu Yi said, "Then we’ll et on the battlefield, where life and death are settled by skill."
Liu Yuan finally showed a smile, saying to Liu Huanle, "I’ve gained a Qilin."
Liu Huanle let out a breath, though his expression was still not good. He insisted, "Your Majesty, the peace talks aren’t settled, we are indeed able to deploy troops."
Even after the peace talks are settled, if they tear them up, Zhao Hanzhang can’t do anything against them?
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