#546 - Peace talks (middle and lower)
“Lord Min.”
“Since Great Feng will become a vassal state of Great Ning in the future, there will naturally be no need for border defenses.”
“After the alliance is concluded, I hope your country can remove all the soldiers guarding the border between the two countries.”
“Of course, if your country is worried about bandits and mountain thieves, our country can also send troops to help your country garrison the border cities, and will never allow bandits to cause trouble.”
“This is also our country's responsibility.”
“…”
The hall was silent, with only Sima Cong's voice echoing within.
He spoke eloquently for a long time, but the meaning was simple.
That is, Great Feng cannot set up defenses on the border between the two countries, and even Great Ning's army must be stationed in Great Feng's border cities to help the latter "protect the people from bandits."
In fact, everything was normal up to this point.
However, Sima Cong's next words immediately changed Min Zhongguang's expression.
“Oh, and also.”
“In order to prevent future wars between the two countries, I hope your country's Emperor will issue an order prohibiting martial artists of the third rank and above from holding military positions.”
“In addition, in order to punish the chief culprits who harmed the two countries and their people, I hope your country can hand over all generals of the third rank and above who have served in the military to our country for disposal.”
“Our Ministry of Justice will definitely punish these criminals according to the law, in order to comfort the spirits of those who died in this war.”
“…”
From now on, there can be no martial artists of the upper three ranks in Great Feng's army.
And now all the generals of the upper three ranks in Great Feng's army must be handed over to Great Ning.
When Sima Cong finished speaking, the hall fell into a long silence.
This was the first time Min Zhongguang did not immediately object to Great Ning's conditions.
It was not because he felt that this condition was completely acceptable.
On the contrary, it was because this condition was too difficult to accept.
“Lord Sima, having come to this point, you should be clear about our country's sincerity.”
“But what about you?”
“You want our army to hand over all the generals of the upper three ranks to you?”
“Bang!”
Suddenly slamming the table, Min Zhongguang actually stood up, his eyes full of anger.
“On what basis?!”
“…”
“Lord Min, as I just said, these people are the chief culprits who harmed the two countries and caused the war, so they should naturally be punished accordingly.”
Looking at the furious Min Zhongguang, Sima Cong's expression was calm: “And our Emperor is worried that your country may protect such criminals, so this request was made.”
“Of course, if your country can prove that you will never tolerate evil, then this matter is not impossible to discuss.”
“Criminals, tolerate evil, hahaha!”
“Hahahaha!”
After listening to Sima Cong's words, Min Zhongguang was so angry that he laughed, his body trembling slightly with anger: “Lord Sima, don't you know what caused the people of the two countries to suffer this disaster?!”
“I know very well.”
Sima Cong narrowed his eyes, not giving an inch: “Wasn't it Great Feng who attacked our Yuanzhou first?”
“What, is Lord Min so forgetful?”
“You!”
His face flushed instantly, Min Zhongguang was choked for a while, but in the end, he couldn't say anything.
Indeed.
The war between the two countries was indeed caused by Great Feng.
Although the subsequent destruction of Yuanzhou City was the turning point of the war, there is no doubt about who initiated the war.
And when both sides held different opinions on the real culprit of the "Yuanzhou City Massacre", the right to define the "justice" of this war was undoubtedly in the hands of the victor.
In other words, even if this war was launched by Great Ning, the latter would still be the "just" side at this time.
What's more, the war was launched by Great Feng in the first place.
“Lord Sima…”
“What do we have to do to prove that we will not tolerate evil?”
Lowering his head, clenching his teeth, Min Zhongguang squeezed out a sentence from between his teeth.
It is impossible to hand over all the generals of the upper three ranks, which not only concerns the remaining combat power of Great Feng, but also seriously shakes the morale of the army.
After all, no one is willing to work hard for a country that will betray them.
Then, Min Zhongguang could only settle for the next best thing.
He stared at Sima Cong, waiting for the latter to offer new conditions.
However, Sima Cong did not answer immediately, but turned to look at Ning Yongnian first.
When the latter's gaze stopped on Meng Shi, the answer became obvious.
“Lord Min, this matter is also simple.”
“General Meng is the main general of your country, and the biggest culprit of this war, so he should be brought to justice immediately.”
“Hmm, let's do this.”
“If Lord Min is willing to execute General Meng here, then our country will believe that your country will not condone other criminals.”
“How about it?”
“…”
Executing Meng Shi on the spot can save the other generals of the upper three ranks.
The current situation is very obvious, Ning Yongnian probably never intended to target those generals, but wanted Meng Shi to die from the beginning.
Of course, Meng Shi only has the strength of the sixth rank now, and he can kill him at any time if he wants to.
But such a meritorious and loyal general, dying in the hands of the enemy and dying in the hands of his own people are completely two different concepts.
Ning Yongnian wanted to force Great Feng to kill Meng Shi himself, thereby causing Great Feng to disintegrate internally, and also making the people of Great Feng completely disappointed in the court.
This principle is not complicated and can be called a conspiracy.
However, Great Feng, which is in an extremely disadvantaged position in the negotiations, seems unable to refuse.
For a time, everyone's eyes were focused on Meng Shi, who was silent, and even temporarily ignored Li Wutong, whose expression changed to astonishment for a moment, and Li Qi, who seemed to tremble slightly.
At this moment, Li Qi couldn't pretend anymore.
He knew that Ning Yongnian must be watching him now, and if he showed any flaws, he was very likely to be seen through by the former, so that all the previous "hard work" would be in vain, and he would never have the chance to kill Ning Yongnian again.
However, he was unwilling to watch Meng Shi die like this no matter what.
The strength of rubbing the corner of his clothes couldn't help but increase a bit, but the simple and honest smile on his face was as always.
Li Qi didn't even look back at Meng Shi, but forcibly suppressed the grief and indignation in his heart, and tried his best to maintain this dull appearance.
He desperately hoped that Li Wutong could stand up at this time and save Meng Shi.
But the latter did not say anything after all.
Including Min Zhongguang, and more than a dozen civil and military officials on Great Feng's side.
“…”
“I never thought that I, Meng, would die because of this after a lifetime of fighting.”
Behind him, Meng Shi suddenly let out a sigh in the different gazes of everyone.
He slowly stood up, first staring at Ning Yongnian for a few breaths, seeming to want to remember the latter's appearance firmly, and then withdrew his gaze and looked at Li Qi's back.
Meng Shi knew that he couldn't say anything to Li Qi, so he just shook his head gently.
As for the others, he didn't even look at them.
“Bang!”
Without any hesitation, he struck his chest with a palm.
In the splashing blood, Meng Shi's vitality was completely annihilated.
But he still maintained his standing posture, like a statue made of flesh and blood.
Outside, the snow was getting heavier.
ps: Recently, everyone has been scolding Li Wutong, so let me say something.
Li Wutong was not designed to be a completely "positive character" from the beginning. She puts "Great Feng" first in her heart.
As for her stupidity... Well, I feel like I've hinted at it many times before.
In short, it's normal for everyone to hate this character, because that's how it was designed.
But it's really not disgusting readers! You'll know when you look at the back.
In addition, let me clarify again: Li Wutong is not one of the harem, and neither is Xu Sui.
