SFS Chapter 356: 3 Counties Kill 2 Kingdoms
Chapter 356: 3 Counties Kill 2 Kingdoms
Qi State's Minister of Guests said,
"Prince Shen, wasn't this agreed upon during last year's negotiations? We demarcated the border first, and then you moved the capital. You can't blame us for this.
If that's not possible, we Qi and Liang can each give up two counties in the south of Shengjing as a buffer zone, and we can also get two more counties from somewhere else."
At this time, the State of Qi was still thinking about the nine counties, and even took the initiative to help Shen Changgong with ideas and negotiations and make concessions.
Qi's approach was well-reasoned and completely justified, and was the behavior of a gentleman. There was nothing wrong with it.
It’s a pity that the person in front of him is not a gentleman.
Shen Changgong never intended to give them so much land.
Not only did he not want to give it, he also wanted to swallow up Qi again.
To cooperate with Shen Changgong is to seek the skin of a tiger.
Shen Changgong waved his hand, and a young eunuch came over with a tray carrying an imperial edict.
Then, it was handed over to the envoy of Qiliang.
The envoys from both countries were confused and were horrified when they opened it.
This imperial edict is from Emperor Kun, and it is also stamped with the jade seal of the Kun Kingdom.
The general meaning of the imperial edict was that he had no moral integrity and had lost the world, and was ashamed of his ancestors. He ordered that all the territory of Kun State should be returned to Yan State, and hoped that the Yan State court would treat the people well, etc.
Qi State's Dianke's face turned pale. The anger that had been pent up for a long time due to Yan State's arrogant attitude burst out. He shouted,
"What does Prince Lanling mean by this? Does he intend to swallow up the entire Kun Land with just a decree from Emperor Kun?
In this battle, our two countries of Qi and Liang also contributed troops and manpower, and according to the alliance..."
"Ah, yes, yes, you two countries, Qi and Liang, did contribute, but from beginning to end, you only tied down 300,000 Kun border guards."
Shen Changgong's eyes were cold and he shouted in a deep voice,
"Even with this 300,000-strong army, it was only after our country destroyed the Kun Kingdom and those soldiers lost their supplies and reinforcements that you were able to destroy them at the end of the year.
The two countries sent out 800,000 troops, but they were unable to defeat Kun State even with 300,000 troops.
We, Great Yan, sent out an army of 500,000, which annihilated Kun Kingdom's million-strong army, and marched straight to Huanglong and captured Shengjing.
If it weren't for us, your two countries would probably not be able to conquer that border even in a hundred years.
Since ancient times, people have eaten as much as they can.
You can take as much territory as you can conquer."
The Prime Minister of Liang and Zhao Biao looked extremely ugly, and the Dianke of Qi was so angry that his face turned red and he almost vomited blood.
Qi State's Minister of State shouted,
"But our alliance clearly states that eight counties will be allocated to our country. We have lost so many soldiers and spent so much gold, silver and food, and we can only get one county?"
Shen Changgong snorted coldly,
"You can take whatever you have conquered. You didn't conquer other places, so why should you take them?
If it weren't for the heavy casualties inflicted by your two countries' military campaigns, I wouldn't want to give you these two counties.
For the sake of the alliance, Xingyang County will be given to Qi, Yuanma County to Liang, and Anyang County, such a rich place between the two counties, will also be given to you. Divide it among yourselves."
Qi State's Dianke pointed at Shen Changgong, his fingers trembling and shouting,
"Shen Changgong, how dare you be so shameless as to use a mere three counties to attack our two countries?
You are provoking our two countries and trampling on the dignity of Daqi and Daliang!"
Shen Changgong sneered,
"Dignity? Dignity lies only on the edge of the sword, truth only within the range of the cannon.
As a weak nation, giving you these is a sign of respect for you. If you want more, why didn't you let your soldiers put in more effort to conquer us?"
Seeing that the other party had turned hostile, it was certain that the negotiation would fail. Qi State Dianke said,
"What a shameless King Shen! A greedy, cunning, and treacherous barbarian! We in Qi will remember this shame today.
Prime Minister Daliang, let's go! The Yan State has no intention of fulfilling its alliance with us. They only want to humiliate our two countries!"
The Prime Minister of Liang State came with a mission and must not make enemies with Yan State. He quickly grabbed the guest of Qi State and said,
"Master Dianke, please don't be angry. Prince Shen is young and hot-tempered. I hope you will forgive his inappropriate words. Diplomacy between two countries is supposed to be negotiated. It is normal to have disagreements."
"You can talk to them here. We, the State of Qi, will not tolerate this great humiliation!"
After saying this, Qi State Dianke left angrily.
Liu Fugui looked at Shen Changgong anxiously, then exclaimed, and hurriedly caught up with Dian Ke.
Shen Changgong said to the two of them from behind,
"Once I speak, my words are like water spilled on the ground. Once I give something away, I will never take it back!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the Prime Minister of Liang State felt something in his heart.
What Shen Changgong meant was that if Qi did not want that territory, then the three counties would belong to them, right?
Although it is a little different from what was imagined, that is, four or five counties, three counties are not a small number.
The Prime Minister of Liang State came over quickly and said with a smile,
"Prince Shen, please don't be angry. Please don't be angry. When I return, I will persuade the envoy from Qi to come to the palace and apologize to you."
Shen Changgong laughed in his heart, but on the surface his face was ashen, and he said angrily,
"This envoy from Qi is so rude. I just stated some facts about the war, but he actually called us from Great Yan barbarians and called me a villain. I am really infuriated.
It’s called a country of etiquette. Bah, you have no etiquette at all. Which country of etiquette would call others barbarians and insult their emperor in the court?
Prime Minister, there is no need to persuade them, just let them go. We in Dayan do not welcome such rude people!
The land that we, Great Yan, gave away was not wanted by Qi State, so naturally there was someone who wanted it.
"Prime Minister, rest assured. We, Yan and Liang, are allies, ironclad allies that will never change. If anyone dares to bully you, we, Yan, will back you up. We prosper together and suffer together!"
Shen Changgong did not explicitly say that he would give all three counties to Liang State, nor did he explicitly say that he would definitely send troops to help, but the hint was almost there.
The Prime Minister of Liang State smiled widely and said,
"Ah, with Your Highness's words, I feel relieved. We are definitely iron-clad brother countries.
We in Daliang are not a greedy nation. When I return, I will naturally report to His Majesty the Emperor of Daliang and give that one and a half counties to Qi. It is better for us to live in peace. Qi did something wrong, so let them apologize."
Looking at the happy expression of the Prime Minister of Liang, how could Shen Changgong not know what they were thinking?
Everything is fine before you get the territory, but it’s different after you get it. No one is willing to give away their own flesh to others.
As Yan Fuyao said, the people of Liang are rude and barbaric, greedy and warlike; Qi is the hometown of Confucius and Mencius, a country of etiquette and gentlemen.