Bi Tu’s face flushed. “I never said we shouldn’t rescue the Grand Chanyu. I only said we need to consider the circumstances. The moment the Jinyang Army opens its mouth, it demands three commanderies.”
“Do you know how many warriors we sacrificed for those three commanderies? If we hand them over to the Jinyang Army so easily, how are we supposed to face the warriors who died?”
Bian Huai nodded. “You’re right. But our Ji Duo’er Tribe contributed the most to the attack on Chongzhou and sacrificed the greatest number of its finest sons. Yet now we can’t even save our own chieftain. That is what would truly dishonor the warriors who died.”
Qiu Lin frowned. “Does the Great General mean to give the three commanderies to the Jinyang Army?”
Bian Huai shook his head. “I mean that we should send someone into the city to negotiate. But we must act quickly, or the Grand Chanyu may not hold out until then.”
He glanced at the people whose expressions varied. “Don’t forget that besides the Grand Chanyu, there are also the civil and military officials, as well as our people, in Wenxia City. Many of them belong to your own tribes.”
The people in the tent exchanged glances. Whether they were willing or not, they all nodded in the end.
Hu Qiude pondered. “Who would be suitable to send?”
Shi Ju rose and bowed. “I am willing to go.”
Bian Huai was greatly relieved. “Good. Then let’s discuss our bottom line and how we can secure the greatest possible advantage.”
The meeting lasted an entire hour. One by one, the others departed, and soon only Bian Huai and Shi Ju remained.
Bian Huai lowered his voice. “If possible, try to exchange Shangjing Commandery for Shouci Commandery.”
He had a personal motive for proposing Shouci Commandery.
First, Shouci Commandery was surrounded on all four sides by his Ji Army, the Jiao Army, and the declining Quzhao forces, leaving it completely encircled.
Second, it was under the jurisdiction of the Bi Tu Yi’axi Tribe, the tribe most opposed to his Ji Duo’er Tribe.
Shi Ju sighed. “I’m afraid General Bi Tu won’t agree.”
They had just discussed handing over Shangjing Commandery.
Bian Huai said helplessly, “When the time comes, just say that the Jinyang Army demanded Shouci Commandery. Once both sides reach an agreement, there will be nothing Bi Tu can do to change it.”
He sighed. “You saw their attitude as well. If the Grand Chanyu really dies in Wenxia City, our Ji Duo’er Tribe will suffer enormous losses. The other tribes may not continue submitting to our rule.”
His expression grew solemn. “That is why we must save the Grand Chanyu. Besides, our clans and relatives are still in the city.”
Shi Ju thought for a moment, then shook his head. “Princess Jinyang probably won’t want Shouci Commandery. It’s surrounded on all sides and has no direct route to Fengzhou.”
Bian Huai rubbed his temples. “We can try, at least. If it doesn’t work, we’ll discuss it further.”
On the walls of Wenxia City, Jiang Jin looked at Ji Duoyan, who was barely clinging to life. “Give him some rice porridge.”
The soldiers soon brought up a bowl. Ji Duoyan, who had still been putting up a brave front just two days ago, immediately lowered his head and began eating. There was no need for anyone to feed him.
At his age, this was the first time he had ever gone hungry. The feeling was truly worse than death.
The plain porridge, with nothing added to it—something he would never have touched in the past—now tasted more delicious than any delicacy he had ever eaten.
After finishing it, he finally recovered a little strength. “Bring me another bowl. Add some salt and meat. Oh, and some ginger as well.”
Jiang Jin: “…”
Unable to hold back, one of the soldiers slapped him on the head. “Why don’t you ask them to add some shit too?”
Ji Duoyan: “…”
Jiang Jin remained gentle and composed. “How does it feel?”
Ji Duoyan looked at her with hatred, along with a trace of fear.
Though she had not allowed anyone to abuse him over the past few days, he had been hung out in public every day. At last, he had recognized reality.
“What exactly does Princess Jinyang want?”
Jiang Jin smiled faintly. “I want all of Chongzhou. Unfortunately, you aren’t worth that much. Besides, your subordinates may not even want you alive.”
“You!”
Ji Duoyan was furious, though he knew she was telling the truth.
Suppressing his anger, he quickly regained his composure. “Then what do you intend to do now?”
Jiang Jin did not bother with pleasantries. “If my guess is correct, your people will be here to negotiate soon. My demands are not high. I want only Punan Commandery and Shangjing Commandery.”
“Impossible!” Ji Duoyan rejected it outright.
Punan Commandery was the gateway to his Ji Tribe. How could he possibly hand it over to the Jinyang Army?
Jiang Jin did not seem to care. “Those are my only demands. If we cannot reach an agreement, you won’t merely be left hungry and hanging here. From now on, I’ll cut off one of your limbs each day.”
Ji Duoyan’s eyes bulged with fury. He shouted hoarsely, “You dare! If you do that, my Ji Army will crush Wenxia City!”
That was what he said, but fear had already crept into his eyes. He knew that she really would dare.
Jiang Jin smiled. “It’s only two commanderies. As long as you remain alive, you will still be the Grand Chanyu of the Ji Tribe, and your tribe will remain the strongest among the Ji people.”
“If you die, you’ll lose everything. Others may even reap the benefits in your place, and your tribe could decline as a result. Think it over carefully.”
With that, she left the city wall.
Ji Duoyan panicked and was about to call for someone, but another filthy rag was shoved into his mouth. He could only grunt furiously.
Yet it was precisely this attitude that made him realize with perfect clarity that Princess Jinyang truly did not fear his death—or a war.
When he recalled the power of the repeating crossbows wielded by the Jinyang Army that night, his expression darkened.
Walking along the streets, which were gradually regaining their vitality, Jiang Jin was in high spirits.
Her mood improved even further when she entered the county office and saw Qiu Liao hard at work.
Qiu Liao rose and bowed. “My lord.”
Jiang Jin nodded. “Go on with your work.”
Dongzhi poured Jiang Jin a cup of water, looking as though he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Jiang Jin smiled. “If you have something to say, just say it.”
Dongzhi scratched his head. “This subordinate is slow-witted. I don’t understand why you gave that Ji cur food. It’s only been a few days. He certainly wouldn’t have died. Besides, wouldn’t his death have been better? It would have dealt a blow to the morale of the Ji Army.”
Jiang Jin shook her head. “If Ji Duoyan dies, it will indeed damage the Ji Army’s morale, but it could also inspire them to fight even harder.”
Dongzhi seemed to understand, but then asked in confusion, “My lord, if Ji Duoyan dies, won’t his subordinates fall apart and establish their own factions? Wouldn’t that be more advantageous to us?”
Jiang Jin spread her hands helplessly. “It would. But before they begin fighting among themselves, they will first unite against us and seize Wenxia City. To them, this is the stepping stone to the pinnacle of power.”
That was the greatest reason she had kept Ji Duoyan alive.
The barbarian tribes were mostly made up of numerous separate clans. When their own Grand Chanyu was killed, no matter how deep their internal conflicts were, the tribes would unite and form a common front to avenge him. Only afterward would they discuss how to divide the power.
For the Ji people, this would be a war of vengeance, a war of loyalty, and a war for honor.
Although she had prepared a large number of arrows, her troops were limited, and they were isolated with no reinforcements available. If the Ji Army attacked the city recklessly, she would inevitably suffer casualties—and those casualties would not be few.
If she could exchange Ji Duoyan for two commanderies, she considered it well worth the price.
“My lord!” Just then, Bailu hurried in.
Qiu Liao raised his eyebrows slightly. “Have the negotiators arrived?”
Sure enough, Bailu’s voice soon followed. “The Ji Army has sent a delegation of envoys. Should we let them in?”
Jiang Jin smiled. “Tell Yao Ji to allow no more than three of them inside.”
