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Since either way the shock was inevitable, whether sudden or gradual, it was better to overwhelm him in one go.

Without hesitation, Xiao Heng continued, “JiaoJiao has been adopted as the foster daughter of Duke An of Great Yan. She is the designated heir of the Duke An Estate and has also been appointed the new commander of the Black Wind Cavalry. She is currently serving as a general under the Crown Princess’s command.”

“If you insist on going to war, then you’ll be fighting against us.”

“JiaoJiao mentioned you once owed her a favor. She wrote you a personal letter.”

As he spoke, Xiao Heng drew a letter from the wide sleeve of his robe and placed it on the low table between them.

Just as Yuan Tang was about to reach for the letter, Xiao Heng pressed it down with his hand.

Yuan Tang looked at him in confusion.

Xiao Heng’s expression grew serious as he said, “I came to negotiate with you not because I have this letter. The favor you owe JiaoJiao can remain unpaid. I came to make a deal with you.”

“Oh?” Yuan Tang smiled faintly and slowly withdrew his hand. “And what kind of deal does Your Highness wish to make with me? Let me make myself clear first. I don’t believe a single word of what you just said. You’re Xiao Liulang, not the State of Yan’s Eldest Imperial Grandson.”

Xiao Heng nodded. “That’s perfectly fine. I’m not here to negotiate with you in the capacity of an Imperial Grandson.”

Yuan Tang had been hit with surprise after surprise today, and by now, he had no idea what kind of scheme Xiao Liulang was trying to pull.

With a cold chuckle, he said, “You’re not planning to have that death warrior of yours seize me and hold me hostage to threaten the State of Chen, are you?”

Xiao Heng replied calmly, “There are far too many people within the State of Chen’s imperial court who wish you dead. If I were to really capture you, they would be overjoyed to see you die at my hands. Why would they let me use you as leverage?”

Yuan Tang’s smile stiffened.

“Your position as Crown Prince is anything but secure. Back then, your uncle Rong Yao assisted Bo Qinwang in rebellion, and it was you who personally delivered the imperial edict to arrest them. Although your uncle ultimately died due to Bo Qinwang’s matter, in truth, wasn’t it just as much by your doing? The Rong Family has long lost their loyalty to you. Forgive my bluntness, but it’s clear to me that the one truly beset by internal and external threats right now——is you.”

Yuan Tang retorted, “That’s exactly why I must win this war, to carve out enough wealth from the State of Yan to stabilize my rule!”

Xiao Heng asked, “Do you truly believe you still have the strength to take on the State of Yan right now?”

Yuan Tang gave him a strange look. “What do you mean by that?”

Xiao Heng let out a sigh of regret. “The main forces of the State of Qing have already arrived at the State of Chen’s western border. If we, both Yan and Qing, were to launch a joint attack on the State of Chen, I wonder if the State of Chen could truly withstand the pressure. And when I say ‘we,’ I mean the State of Qing, the State of Yan, and the State of Zhao.”

Yuan Tang’s brow furrowed tightly. “You——”

Xiao Heng remained unruffled. “If you don’t believe me, feel free to go back and wait. I guarantee that within three days, news of Qing’s army reaching your gates will be delivered by your own scouts.”

Yuan Tang clenched his fingers tightly and said in a cold voice, “The State of Qing would never help you!” And besides, the State of Qing doesn’t even have that kind of courage!

Xiao Heng let out a faint smile. “For the State of Qing, launching an attack on the State of Yan would require a long and arduous journey, with little to gain and much to lose. Compared to that, isn’t it far quicker and more profitable to carve up a neighboring state like yours? Besides, the State of Qing has already come to believe that both the State of Zhao and Great Yan are preparing to wage war on the State of Chen. So you don’t need to worry about whether they have the nerve to take a share, they’re already convinced they should.”

Yuan Tang sneered in disbelief. “There’s no way they’d believe such nonsense!”

Xiao Heng replied at an unhurried pace, “The Gu Family Army’s young master from the State of Zhao, along with Old Master Meng, the Chess Saint of the Six States, carrying a personal letter from the Emperor of Great Yan himself, have already slipped into the State of Qing. I imagine the weight those two carry should be more than enough to earn the State of Qing’s trust, wouldn’t you agree?”

Upon hearing this, Yuan Tang could no longer maintain his composure. “You, you, you… don’t push me too far! Do you think I’m afraid of you?”

Xiao Heng sighed softly. “Whether I am the Eldest Imperial Grandson or not doesn’t really matter. What matters is that I have the power to prevent the State of Chen from being jointly invaded by three nations. It’s time to choose, State of Chen’s Crown Prince.”

Yuan Tang slammed his palm down on the table. “Xiao Liulang, this is nothing but extortion! Does JiaoJiao know just how shameless you’re being right now?”

Xiao Heng didn’t even lift his eyelids. “You’d be better off thinking about how to deal with a triple-front invasion.”

As he spoke, he stood up slowly and calmly, walking toward the exit of the tent.

He had already reached the entrance when he suddenly paused, as if something had just occurred to him. Letting out a soft “ah,” he turned back with a pleasant and amiable expression. “However, if you’re willing to work with me, I can guarantee you a share in the division of the State of Jin.”

“The State of Jin?” Yuan Tang was startled once again.

First, let Yuan Tang fall into the depths of despair, then dangle before him a tantalizing vision of glory.

Anyone would struggle to resist.

And as long as Yuan Tang agreed to join the State of Yan’s camp, dealing with the State of Qing would become much easier.

“Your Majesty, the Emperor of the State of Qing, if you refuse to accept peace negotiations, then the States of Yan, Zhao, and Chen will have no choice but to declare war against you!”

“The State of Chen won’t help you! And the State of Yan can barely protect itself, how could it possibly fight us?”

“This is a signed letter from the Crown Prince of the State of Chen himself. He has already agreed to form an alliance with the State of Yan. As for the State of Yan’s situation, good news has just arrived from Quyang that the State of Liang has surrendered!”

Not a single soldier lifted, not a single battle fought, yet both the States of Qing and Chen had fallen into line.

This was what it meant… to subdue the enemy without engaging in battle!

The key to this round of peace negotiations lies in Yuan Tang.

The prerequisite for the alliance between the two nations hinges entirely on Yuan Tang's agreement to the talks.

If Yuan Tang refused to participate, then progress on the State of Qing’s side would inevitably be hindered and unlikely to proceed smoothly.

"Will Crown Prince Yuan Tang of the State of Chen agree to it?"

After Yuan Tang had taken his leave, a seasoned general accompanying them inside the command tent posed the question.

Xiao Heng glanced over the battle reports stacked on the table and replied, "Find a way to get the victory report from Quyang City delivered to the State of Chen."

Without news of the State of Liang's defeat, things could have turned out to be quite tricky.

But now, everything was falling perfectly into place.

Yuan Tang was an ambitious heir to the throne; he would never willingly settle for the role of a mere puppet crown prince.

That was precisely why he was so eager to establish military merit and build up prestige not only in the court and the army but also among the common people.

However, if the outcome was destined to be a defeat, then Yuan Tang’s bold gamble would only hasten his downfall, becoming the final, fatal blow that sealed his doom.

"Your Highness." A guard’s voice came from outside the tent.

There was something unusual, even uneasy, in his tone.

Xiao Heng understood and responded calmly, "Let him in."

The guard led in a man dressed as a kitchen worker.

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Description:

In the suspenseful supernatural novel “Records of Mortals,” Jiang Baiyan, once a solitary and impoverished youth, finds refuge in the Shi family of Chang’an due to his extraordinary bloodline. With his clear and captivating peach blossom eyes, this seemingly innocent young man conceals a fanatical and malevolent lunatic within. Destined to succumb to darkness amidst hardship and degradation, he becomes a harbinger of chaos.

When Shi Dai suddenly transmigrates, she takes on the role of the Shi family’s young lady, the one who subjects him to countless trials, eventually leading to her demise.

The twist? She never got to finish reading the novel.

From what she knew of the plot, Jiang Baiyan was just a silent, timid, and often bullied pitiable character.

***

Jiang Baiyan had never encountered someone like Shi Dai.

After he had slaughtered all the evil creatures in the garden, the blood-stained young man, exuding a murderous aura, approached her step by step, his lips curling into a malicious smile, "Scared?"

Shi Dai responded, “You’re really amazing! I applaud you until I spin like a spiral and fly around the moon three hundred times! And also——you have dimples when you smile!"

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

—

After seeing her at a lantern festival with another man, Jiang Baiyan lowered his eyes, his fingers twirling her hair. He said in a mocking and sinister tone, "The mansion in the western suburbs...if I hide you there, no one will find you, right?"

Shi Dai replied, "Does it come with meals and lodging? Can I sleep in everyday? Oh, and your cooking is the best!"

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

—

Jiang Baiyan was supposed to dislike her, even hate her, but as their separation drew near, his eyes turned red and he grabbed her sleeve, pleading, "Don't abandon me, alri—”

Shi Dai responded, "Alright, alright, I’ll only have you. Mwah."

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

He hasn't finished his lines yet though…

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