She always loved to support the weak and encourage them.

Ding Sigu said, "I... I have a way to get the Barbarian Tribes greater benefits."

Although he was at the bottom, he had observed carefully and harbored an incredibly ruthless and toxic plan in his heart. This plan would make him be taken seriously and elevate him from an insignificant figure akin to a slave to a person of status.

At least, he would get an opportunity.

"Greater benefits? Wow, little Ding is quite impressive. Tell me, what benefits?" Xiao Hongliao looked at her little brother, who was as clingy as a shadow, with a smile in her eyes.

"Food," Ding Sigu immediately became spirited and said, "Without food, how can the Barbarian Tribes survive this year? Are we going to eat through all the Demon Beasts, cattle, and sheep? What will we do next year then?

Dashang is vast and has abundant resources; they have grain reserves. I just plan to help the Barbarian Tribes ask for more from them. This is for the good of all Barbarian Tribes."

Xiao Hongliao said, "Then tell me first."

Without another word, Ding Sigu grabbed a branch and started drawing on the snowy ground as he spoke, "To end the war is indeed the wish of both sides, but if we were to choose who desires it more, it's clearly Dashang.

They understand the consequences of unceasing warfare, and this is their home.

We just need to apply a little threat and make a request that would satisfy both sides. Then we can easily obtain the grain."

Then he started to speak with animation.

Deep knowledge and eloquent words flowed as he described different situations in various places, his points were well-reasoned and persuasive.

As he spoke, he used the branch to draw on the ground, imagining various scenarios of the army's attacks, while also criticizing how the Barbarian Tribes were too honest in battle. If it were up to him, he would do things differently.

As he spoke, he seemed to radiate light.

Xiao Hongliao was somewhat moved because she knew that the Barbarian Tribes were indeed in dire need of grain. Yet she hesitated and said, "But won't it be bad to obtain grain through threats?"

Ding Sigu said, "No, this is not a threat.

It's the advantage that we Barbarian Tribes have.

How can we not exploit our advantage in a conflict between two tribes?"

Xiao Hongliao said, "But... but if Dashang does not agree, won't that result in mutual destruction? It would ruin the peace negotiations."

Ding Sigu said, "Mutual destruction? No, Dashang has plenty of calculating people. If they don't negotiate now, my Barbarian Tribes might just go all out and, in despair, join forces with the Ghost Tide to move southwards, rampantly seizing Dashang's territories.

They wouldn't dare.

The lords of Dashang would only lose some money, and the negotiation officials of Dashang only need a little credit to report to the emperor; preventing a greater disaster would be seen as an enormous achievement!

But it could save many lives among the Northern Barbarians!

Our chieftain is good at fighting, but he can't see through such things... so, I earnestly ask you, Sister Hong Liao, to take me to the Golden Crow King. Even if it's just to let someone pass on the message, it would be good."

He looked at Xiao Hongliao with a longing gaze.

This was the plan he had reached after a year of various observations, deductions, speculations, and combining the current opportunities.

Of course, what he told Xiao Hongliao was only the first part of the plan.

The latter part, he dared not speak.

If he did, Xiao Hongliao certainly would not help him.

But even if he were to be blamed by Xiao Hongliao later, he must seize this opportunity.

After thinking for a long time, looking at the pitiful, hopeful eyes of the young man, Xiao Hongliao finally replied, "Alright."

...

...

The arrival of the shaman eventually led the guards before the Golden Crow King to go inside and pass on the message.

But after the person left, there was a long wait without return.

Ding Sigu stood in the frosty snow, his nose slightly red, as he breathed on his hands, nervously watching the tent where the glow of the fire basin mingled with the snowlight.

He was standing at the most critical juncture of his life.

He would definitely succeed.

Xiao Hongliao was rubbing her hands beside him, waiting outside with him.

After a long time, an even longer wait...

Ding Sigu was almost desperate.

He was not a patient man, and his time and opportunities were limited.

Xiao Hongliao seemed to notice his mood and softly patted his shoulder, encouraging him, "Little Ding, don't be nervous, I'm here with you."

Ding Sigu pursed his lips tightly and nodded nervously.

The time of extreme tension felt as if he were being roasted over a fire.

And after an indeterminable amount of time, hurried footsteps finally approached from a distance, and the Barbarian Soldier waved his hand, saying, "Follow me."

The two of them joyfully followed the Barbarian Soldier into the tent, then came to a majestic golden-edged central tent.

As the tent curtain lifted, inside sat a man with a sinister visage and deep-set eyes, a hooked nose like an eagle's beak.

The man's eyes held scrutiny and a cold killing intent. Without looking up at the two of them, he merely glanced at Xiao Hongliao and said, "Valley Wolf Clan's little shaman, what brings you to seek me at this hour? Is there some urgent matter that your father could not come for?"

Xiao Hongliao bowed and said, "Respected Golden Crow King, it's my brother who has something to say. He can secure a lot of Dashang's grain for our Barbarian Tribes in tomorrow's negotiations."

The Golden Crow King's gaze swept toward Ding Sigu, he raised a deer-horn cup, and said coldly, "You'd better say something useful before I finish this cup of wine."

Ding Sigu suppressed the panic in his heart, hesitated no more, and hurriedly stepped forward, beginning to analyze the situation rapidly. He had always been a village rascal, and rascals have their own means of survival. With this... he assessed the psyche of the Dashang Dynasty and started to discuss how to threaten and force Dashang to compromise.

He hastily pointed at a map, delineating a route and said, "If Dashang does not agree, just along this route, we Barbarian Tribes can penetrate deeply into Dashang's inland, forcing them to agree."

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