Xie Ji thought that since Huang Ze dared to provoke the Grand Marshal, he wouldn't suddenly change his mind and surrender. That was naive.
Si Bogong retrieved the letter and said, "To be honest, this plan is the best strategy. Although the war seems uncompromising now, there are still ways to maneuver."
When Xie Guang was wreaking havoc in the four counties, the Grand Marshal's order to stop the killings already served as a warning to others. This is one point. Secondly, the peace talks fully demonstrate that the Grand Marshal's plans were complementary, not unilateral.
Xie Ji wanted to ask more questions, but his advisor Wu Qiu hinted that he should speak less.
Xie Ji had no choice but to shut up.
Meanwhile, in the Tianjing Imperial Palace, a handsome young man appeared in Huang Mang's council hall. He had washed himself clean, was dressed in silk, and his appearance revealed a few traces of the noble bearing of a crown prince before the fall of his kingdom.
Si Xinian's eyes were gloomy as he secretly observed the soldiers under Huang Ze's command in the council hall, who were either eyeing him with hostility or looking at him with contempt.
"How dare this bastard sit in the same room as me?"
"This is an utter disgrace."
“I heard that he is an old acquaintance of the Crown Prince of the Northern Region. The Crown Prince of the Northern Region vouched for him, and he also advised General Huang to win over the Northern Region. That is why he is qualified to sit with us.”
"Pah! I find such heartless and treacherous people disgusting!"
Huang Mang sat on the dragon throne in the main hall, exuding the aura of a supreme ruler, but his empty right arm greatly diminished that aura.
A cold wind blew in from outside, causing the empty sleeves to flutter like fallen rice in a field.
The Huang army soldiers below reacted with varying expressions. What did that empty right arm represent? It represented the shame etched by a woman. Every general loyal to Huang Mang wanted to use this opportunity to avenge himself.
Si Xinian merely glanced at the empty sleeve without making a sound.
It was the Empress who killed him...
Huang Mang sensed everyone's gaze and said coldly, "I heard that Master Si has brought Xie Ying's peace treaty to Tianjing. Do any of you have any insightful opinions on this?"
One of the soldiers stepped forward and shouted, "Fight! Kill Si Bogong and show our strength to Xie Ying!"
"No!" A civil official stepped forward and hurriedly advised, "General Huang, this is not advisable. The siege of Tianjing by Xie's army is already inconvenient for our army. If we further anger our benefactor in the Southern Region, it may be even more detrimental to us!"
"Moreover, Lord Sibo has always maintained good relations with various states. He holds a place in the Northern Regions and the State of Shi. He is highly respected in the Three Jin."
"If the general still wishes to make his mark in Shanxi, he should consider this carefully."
"This is truly an unsatisfactory answer," Huang Mang said to the civil official with a gloomy expression.
He asked Si Xinian, "What is your opinion, Fourth Prince?"
Si Xinian pushed back his chair and stood up, saying, "In my opinion, it wouldn't be a bad idea to meet with Master Si and listen to his negotiations."
Huang Mang fell silent for a moment, but he believed it was Si Xinian's idea and should be trusted, since he had other relatives under his control and wouldn't dare to plot against him.
"Then let Zheng Xin handle it."
The civil official immediately replied, "Your subject obeys!"
Huang Mang arrived at the Jin Palace Hall with Si Xinian and others first.
Soon, Si Bogong's carriage arrived. After getting out of the carriage, Xie Ji and Xie Shangguang were standing beside him.
Having a general from the Xie family guarding her side was undoubtedly an honor. It was also a warning from Xie Lanzhi: Master Si was very important. Don't even think about harming him!
Upon seeing General Xie Ji also present, Huang Mang's face stiffened. He had a good idea of what was going on; it seemed that Xie Ying attached great importance to this peace talk.
He then glanced at Si Xinian and thought to himself, "This kid is amazing; he actually predicted that Xie Ying would negotiate."
Si Xinian's expression remained unchanged, but his gaze had already fallen on Si Bogong.
Si Bogong's attention immediately fell on the boy next to Huang Mang, and he exclaimed incredulously, "Qinian, is it... is it you?"
Si Xinian suppressed his emotions and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Seventh Imperial Uncle."
"Ah, it really is you. Since you're still alive, why didn't you contact me?" Si Bogong tried to pull him over, but Xie Ji stopped him.
"Now is not the time for a reunion. Lord Sibo should prioritize the Grand Marshal's orders!" Xie Ji held his sword in his right hand and stood in front of Lord Sibo.
The two commanders, Huang Mang and Xie Ji, had not yet met on the main battlefield, but they met in the rear. If Xie Guang were standing in front of Huang Mang at this moment, Xie Guang might have killed Huang Mang on the spot.
Huang Mang thought to himself, "Thank goodness it wasn't that idiot Xie Guang! Otherwise, this peace talk wouldn't have even started." But considering the situation required him to buy time, he could only swallow his anger and say, "Lord Si, I only agreed to the peace talks because of you."
"Don't let me down."
Xie Ji was not Xie Guang; he inwardly despised Huang Mang, but he did not show it outwardly.
Si Bogong was filled with doubt, wondering why this child, who clearly had the ability to stand by Huang Mang's side, didn't take the initiative to contact him? Why hadn't he even contacted his sister?
What trauma did this child suffer? And why did he become Huang Mang's strategist?
Too many questions made Si Bogong somewhat upset. He always felt that things were not so simple. Qinian was smart since childhood, but his temperament was unstable, and it was hard to guarantee that he wouldn't do something irreversible!
"The conditions given by the Grand Marshal will definitely not leave you at a disadvantage."
Seeing a two-faced scoundrel still acting so arrogantly in front of me.
Xie Ji immediately retorted sternly, "The Southern Region is already the most powerful place in the world, and my Southern Region Marshal is your benefactor. You have betrayed your benefactor and deserve to die. Now, how dare you act so recklessly here!"
"Or do you want to die by my sword right now!"
These words immediately created a tense atmosphere, and the generals around Huang Mang drew their swords, ready for battle.
Huang Mang's expression changed, and he made a move to draw his sword, but Si Xinian immediately grabbed his hand and reminded him, "Don't let a moment of anger delay the plan!"
Huang Mang immediately withdrew from his posture, flicked his sleeves, and gritted his teeth, saying, "Right General, Lord Sibo, please!"
The crowd entered the courtroom.
The envoys and soldiers outside were waiting; for these insignificant people, this court negotiation would determine their very survival. They were all sweating with tension.
Marshal Xie, the overlord of the Southern Region, could destroy Tianjing with a single decision! This was a chilling ending for everyone.
Inside the courtroom, Huang Mang brought Si Xinian and three other clerks who had drafted a peace treaty.
Si Bogong sat at the table on the left, while Xie Ji sat in the middle. He handed over the initiative to Si Bogong and remained silent throughout the entire negotiation process.
"General Huang, I will not repeat the events of the Tianjing battle. I have been entrusted by the Grand Marshal to negotiate peace with you." Si Bogong pushed the prepared peace treaty in front of Huang Mang.
Huang Mang grabbed the peace agreement, crumpling it almost halfway. He suppressed his resentment as he read the contents, which still contained the four words: "Enough is enough."
"Very good, very good, this is Xie Ying's answer to this general!" Huang Mang was furious at not getting what he wanted, and he put down the peace treaty and was about to overturn the table when Si Xinian stopped him.
Si Xinian picked up the peace treaty, glanced at Si Bogong, and asked, "Seventh Imperial Uncle, as General Huang's strategist, may I ask you a question?"
"Thank you, Marshal." He said, his words heavy, "Is her sincerity just to send you here to fool General Huang?"
Si Bogong's expression was complicated. He wanted to tell the child that Qi Tong was very favored and that she was doing well for the time being.
Unfortunately, he was now working for Huang Mang, which made it difficult for him to talk about.
The child looked at him with resentment the whole time, and he knew that the child was very resentful.
Si Bogong replied, "Thank you, Marshal Xie, for granting me this grace period; she is truly kind..."
"Enough—" Si Xinian suddenly said indignantly, "Master Si only needs to get to the point."
Xie Ji frowned. Had this kid lost his temper? He was so irritable. If he weren't Madam Si's brother, and Madam Si was currently favored by the Grand Marshal, he would have definitely flipped the table first.
Si Bogong said, "The Grand General has restored peace to the four counties, but still controls the key roads to Tianjing. At the same time, Si Lei, the ruler of the Seven Jin Kingdom, has also promised Commander Xie that he will come to Tianjing to draft the final three articles of peace talks for her."
Three chapters of peace talks. Upon hearing this, Si Xinian subconsciously clenched his fists.
Huang Mang immediately became interested: "What are the three chapters?"
He was secretly surprised that Si Lei, that coward, dared to come to Tianjing in person; only Xie Ying could command him. Besides, even the Shi Kingdom and the Northern Region couldn't mobilize Si Lei. It seemed these two were still a bit inferior to Xie Ying.
Si Xinian clenched his fist tighter and tighter.
Si Lei! It was him.
The Seven Jin is the strongest of the Nine Jin, possessing an army of 100,000, and is currently the most promising ruler to unify the Nine Jin. Why would he risk standing up for Xie Ying?!
Clearly, Xie Ying had offered him some incentive, which motivated him to risk going to Tianjing.
Sibo Gong said, "Three conditions: first, a ceasefire; second, the return of the two rulers; and third, a return to the status quo with no further reprisals!"
Huang Mang laughed arrogantly, as if he had heard a joke, "These are Xie Ying's conditions. Why don't you hear my conditions first!"
Si Bogong said, "The Grand Marshal allows you to propose three equal conditions."
Huang Mang said, "It's very simple. I want to exchange two kings for Si Lei, and then Marshal Xie must return the four counties and withdraw Xie Xia's 100,000 troops in the Seven Jin!"
At this point, withdrawing Xiexia would undoubtedly open a large gap in the siege of Tianjing, which would lead to the failure of the siege without an attack.
Moreover, Huang Ze's every condition was outrageously demanding. Xie Ji was furious. What right did a dying man have to make such requests?!
He was about to lash out when Xie Shangguang held him back.
"Fifth Uncle, don't bother Master Si."
Si Bogong glanced at Xie Ji being pulled aside by the young man and continued to discuss, "General Huang, I will report to the Grand Marshal! Please give me time."
"Only one day!" Huang Mang said.
Even at top speed, it would take eight horses to die trying to get to the southern region from Tianjing; it would take two days. One day was simply impossible. Seeing Xie Shangguang pushing his luck, Xie Ji shoved him aside and shouted, "You scoundrel!"
With a shout, Huang Mang was so frightened that his men immediately surrounded him.
Outside the courtroom, a swift horse suddenly arrived, and Xie's trusted soldier raised his voice and shouted, "By imperial decree of the Grand Marshal—!"
The expressions on everyone's faces changed, and Huang Mang's expression suddenly became serious. Could it be that Xie Ying had changed his mind?
Worried that the plan might change, Si Xinian advised, "Know when to stop. Even Master Si and Si Lei are now under her command. If you continue to act recklessly, you might miss the opportunity."
Huang Mang stared intently at Xie Ji, and could only grit his teeth and say, "This general will consider it."
Si Bo Gong personally went to receive the letter, and the messenger specifically told him: "The Grand Marshal's orders are entirely at Si Bo Gong's discretion. Also, the rulers of the Seven Jin Kingdoms will soon arrive in Tianjing."
Si Bogong was shocked. When did he gain such trust from Marshal Xie? Even Xie Ji began to scrutinize Si Bogong, wondering what this guy had that he was better than, and why he was so highly regarded.
Si Bogong opened the letter, and the content was the same as the password: "This commander trusts you."
Suddenly, a great responsibility descended upon him, filling Sibo Gong with a strong sense of duty.
They returned to court again.
He personally told Huang Mang, "On behalf of the Grand Marshal, I agree to your request."
Huang Mang's eyes widened in disbelief: "What?"
He wasn't dreaming?
“I agree to your conditions on behalf of Marshal Xie, but you must give Marshal Xie an answer as soon as possible,” said Si Bogong.