Chapter 1499 -1494: Vigilance Is Necessary

Bai Qingyan had already guessed that Xiao Rongyan’s so-called offering tribute was merely a way for the court officials of Dongyi Kingdom to better accept the stationing of Yan Kingdom’s troops, which wasn’t surprising.

If Bai Qingyan is correct, after Yan Kingdom stations troops in Dongyi Kingdom, the expenses of the Yan Army in Dongyi will also be borne by Dongyi Kingdom, emulating Zhou. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

This essentially means using Dongyi Kingdom’s silver to prevent Zhou from instructing Dongyi Kingdom to cause trouble for Yan Kingdom, ensuring Yan Kingdom’s national security without affecting the current wager between nations.

If Bai Qingyan were in Xiao Rongyan’s position, the next step would be to find out the truth about Dongyi Kingdom’s seventh prince by befriending Dongyi Kingdom’s Empress and gaining her cooperation.

However, Bai Qingyan noticed Xiao Rongyan’s eyes scrutinizing Tuoba Yao several times and wondered whether Tuoba Yao’s behavior had dispelled Xiao Rongyan’s suspicions.

Regardless of whether Dongyi Kingdom’s seventh prince is genuine, as long as Yan Kingdom can station troops in Dongyi Kingdom, it becomes inconsequential for Xiao Rongyan and Yan Kingdom; the stationed troops will act as a sword at Dongyi Kingdom’s throat, capable of extinguishing Dongyi Kingdom if it makes any move.

This is probably why Xiao Rongyan kept five thousand men in the mountain nest next to the Jade River. He has already chosen that location and will establish it once Dongyi Kingdom agrees to the stationing.

The location is close enough to the capital to adequately deter Dongyi Kingdom from troubling Yan Kingdom.

“Then…” Xiao Rongyan smiled at Bai Qingyan and the new emperor of Dongyi Kingdom, “Dongyi Kingdom’s compensation is accepted by Yan Kingdom, but… the troops I brought will not return, staying in Dongyi for precaution. Naturally, as long as Dongyi Kingdom does not intend to provoke Yan Kingdom, these troops merely serve as a display; otherwise, without Dongyi Kingdom offering tribute or allowing troops, I wouldn’t be able to explain to our Emperor and the people after this war!”

Bai Qingyan’s smile deepened, indeed…

This matter concerns Dongyi Kingdom and Yan Kingdom, and Zhou does not wish to interfere too obviously.

“Where does Yan Kingdom wish to station its troops?” Tuoba Yao turned to Xiao Rongyan and asked.

“Since stationing troops is for deterrence and protection, naturally, they must be near the capital!” Xiao Rongyan finished, smiled at Dongyi Kingdom’s Empress, “Let Dongyi Kingdom’s Empress, new emperor, and all court officials rest assured, Yan Kingdom shares the same concern as Zhou; what matters most is the wager between nations, aiming for peace! If Yan Kingdom miraculously wins the wager, as Dongyi Kingdom’s new emperor said, Dongyi will be a subordinate. If Yan loses, naturally there’s no need to attack Dongyi for Zhou’s gain!”

Every sentence is reasonable, leaving no room for rebuttal.

Xiao Rongyan rested his elbow on the invisibly few, eyes brightening with a deepening smile, “Dongyi Kingdom’s reluctance to offer tribute and disagreement on troop stationing leads to all of Yan Kingdom being unable to agree!”

He adjusted his sleeve and continued, “Signing an alliance means compromise from both sides, not just one side yielding. Besides… Yan Kingdom is not the one to kneel and beg for peace, so Dongyi Kingdom should not be too unappreciative. Both countries take a step back, sign the alliance, and all will be well, Dongyi Kingdom gets stability, and I can explain upon returning.”

As the court officials from Dongyi Kingdom debated, Xiao Rongyan spoke again, “Now that Yan Kingdom and Zhou have fought to this point, Dongyi Kingdom shouldn’t treat one differently; indeed, our Yan Kingdom is not as strong as Zhou, we dare not fight Zhou, but we’re not afraid of small Dongyi!”

“We Dongyi are already a vassal state of Zhou, does Yan Kingdom’s Regent Prince not consider Zhou’s position!” A court official from Dongyi spoke towards Bai Qingyan, acknowledging Dongyi’s status as a tributary to Zhou, offering ten times the tribute previously given to Daliang, emphasizing their reliance on Zhou’s protection in times of need.

Listening to the Dongyi court official, Xiao Rongyan nodded and turned to Bai Qingyan, “Yan Kingdom and Zhou have a prior alliance, jointly extinguished Xiliang, resisted Tianfeng Kingdom, both now engaged in wagering. Regardless of winner or loser in three years, we’re united, Zhou attacking Dongyi was to vent anger, to secure interests, but if Zhou and Yan fight over Dongyi, ultimately, it’s their own loss; Dongyi benefits. Thus, Emperor of Zhou wouldn’t support war against Dongyi, or he’d have opposed when I suggested Dongyi offering tribute. Why didn’t he speak?”

Bai Qingyan slightly chuckled, “Pray tell, Regent Prince, why wouldn’t I speak.”

Xiao Rongyan bowed courteously towards Bai Qingyan, then slowly said, “If Emperor of Zhou opposed, wouldn’t Dongyi Kingdom then assume ulterior motives, thinking Zhou wants to station troops while preventing Yan, preserving Dongyi as a retreat, capturing Dongyi if Zhou wins, becoming emperor if losing, because Dongyi is such a kingdom prone to overreaching!”

Bai Qingyan smiled without word, simply observing Xiao Rongyan with detachment.

“Regent Prince of Yan Kingdom’s words are too much!” exclaimed the Dongyi court official angrily, “We Dongyi never harbored such thoughts!”

Even though a spirited Dongyi court official shouted this, some officials’ hearts skipped a beat, furtively glancing at their young master seated above, the Emperor of Zhou in silver armor, wondering if Zhou intends not to destroy Dongyi now to seize it later if they lose the wager.

Seeing the varied expressions of the Dongyi officials, Xiao Rongyan smiled softly, “If Dongyi wasn’t such a kingdom, why attempt war when our two nations are wagering, chasing Zhou’s envoy, then slaughtering Zhou’s naval forces under Prince of Hancheng’s command, threatening to feed his remains to dogs, forcing Yan and Zhou to be vigilant!”

“These actions were committed during the rebellious second prince’s reign, he is dead now, upon my ascension… Dongyi Kingdom will undoubtedly have a fresh outlook,” Tuoba Yao calmly replied, “Regent Prince of Yan needn’t worry.”