"Yan Ya?!"
When the two soldiers heard Yan Ya's words, their expressions changed. They knew that there was a tradition in the Southern Mountain Range. All the settlement chiefs would be named after their tribe.
This was different from the past dynasties where the ruler of the world would be called the Emperor.
Apart from being a name, the two words' Yan Ya 'were also a form of bloodline inheritance.
In the words of the Southern Mountain Range, the names Yan Ya, Shi Zun and Thunderous Lion each represented a mysterious power. The person who inherited these names was the messenger of this mysterious power.
"So it's Chief Yan Ya. I was not able to recognize you at first glance. I am ashamed. Give me a seat!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong looked at Yan Ya, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
However, there was still a faint smile on his face.
The middle-aged man in front of him was Yan Ya. This meant that his life was in Yan Ya's hands. At such a close distance, he had no hope of escaping.
However, he really did not expect that one of the Chiefs of the Six Great Tribes of the Southern Region would actually come to his tent alone to deliver a letter.
What was his motive?
"There's no need. I'm only here today to deliver a letter. Once Your Highness has finished reading it, give me a reply and I will naturally leave immediately." Yan Ya waved his hand and continued to raise the beast skin in his hand without moving.
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong smiled again.
He did not speak. He only gave the two soldiers a look.
The two soldiers reacted immediately. One of them quickly took the animal skin from Yan Ya's hands and held it above his head, handing it to Crown Prince Lin Tianrong.
The other soldier quickly exited the tent.
Not long after, there was a commotion outside the tent. Then, under the illumination of the fire, countless figures flashed by outside the tent.
Yan Ya still stood motionless on the spot, as if he did not see anything. His expression was calm and his aura was as steady as a mountain.
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong heaved a sigh of relief. He took the animal skin from the soldier and spread it out.
However...
When Crown Prince Lin Tian Zha Cai's gaze swept across the beast hide, his expression froze. Then, a cold glint flashed across his eyes.
"Call Lord Su in. Also, get rid of the people at the entrance." After looking at the beast hide, Crown Prince Lin Tianrong looked at Yan Ya in front of him. He hesitated for a moment before speaking to the soldier.
"This … Your Highness, you're alone …"
"What are you blabbering about? Do you not understand this prince's orders?"
"Yes!" The soldier nodded and quickly left the tent.
Almost immediately after the soldier left the tent, the tent flap was lifted again, and Su Qing, who was dressed in a black court robe, walked in.
"Greetings to the Crown Prince and Chief Yan Ya. I am the acting Imperial Messenger of the Great Xia Imperial Academy, Su Qing!" Su Qing bowed respectfully to Crown Prince Lin Tianrong. Then, he placed his fist on his chest and bowed to Yan Ya.
Yan Ya looked at Su Qing's bow and was slightly surprised. He could tell that Su Qing was using the Southern Region's etiquette. Furthermore, it was the Yan Ya tribe's etiquette.
"Lord Su, you are too polite. Although I am the chief of the Southern Region, the Southern Region is a vassal state of the Great Xia Dynasty. Lord Su, you do not need to address me as a lower official." Yan Ya nodded and bowed to Su Qing.
"Chief Yan Ya, you are too humble. Although the Southern Region is a vassal state of the Great Xia Dynasty, those who truly understand would know that the Great Xia Dynasty and the Southern Region have always been 'brothers'. We advance and retreat together. Therefore, it is only natural for me to address you as a lower official."
"Haha … Lord Su, you are too polite!" Yan Ya nodded. He did not intend to continue being polite and only waited quietly on the spot.
"Lord Su, take a look at this letter." Crown Prince Lin Tianrong looked at Su Qing and pointed to the animal skin on the table.
"Yes!" Su Qing nodded and walked to the table respectfully. He carefully took the animal skin with both hands and read it carefully twice before placing it back on the table. Then, he returned to his original position.
"What do you think, Lord Su?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong asked when he saw Su Qing return to his original position.
"The relationship between the Southern Region and the Great Xia has always been like that of fish and water. The fish cannot leave the water and the water cannot do without the fish. Therefore, no matter what the Southern Region requests, we should try our best to satisfy them." Su Qing thought for a moment before replying.
"Mm." Crown Prince Lin Tianrong nodded. Then, he looked at Yan Ya and said, "I agree to the Southern Region's conditions."
"Thank you, Your Highness. The fifty thousand Great Xia soldiers in the Stable Mountain Pass have been separated into the Yan Ya and Shi Zun tribes. They will be handed over to Your Highness by noon tomorrow." Yan Ya didn't seem to be too surprised by Lin Tianrong's reply.
"There's no need for that. I will write an order now. Pass it to the Deputy General of the Stable Mountain Gate and ask them to meet up with me at the Icy Monkey Settlement!"
"Your Highness, speed is of utmost importance. Yan Ya thanks you on behalf of the King and the Crown Prince!" Yan Ya bowed when he heard this.
…
Moments later.
Yan Ya left the tent with the order. However, Su Qing did not leave. Crown Prince Lin Tianrong had no intention of letting Su Qing leave either.
"What do you think we should do?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong looked at Su Qing.
"From the Crown Prince's letter, he and Princess Shan Yu have already met up with Xing Hou and Nangong Hao on the way to the Iron Hill Settlement. Furthermore, they should be arriving soon. This means that what happened in the Sagely Mountain City should be true. In other words … the peace talks between the Southern Region and the Great Xia are all thanks to Fang Zhengzhi." Su Qing nodded as he replied.
"That's right. However, I don't understand why the Southern Region Crown Prince came to the Great Xia to negotiate with Fang Zhengzhi. Why does he want to punish Fang Zhengzhi and hand him over to the Southern Region?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong was confused.
"Actually, no matter what the Southern Region Crown Prince is thinking, it might not be a bad thing for us." Su Qing did not answer Crown Prince Lin Tianrong's question directly.
"What do you mean?"
"Your Highness, you haven't forgotten about the messenger you sent to the Icy Monkey Settlement?"
"Mm, I have already made preparations for this."
"That's right, Your Highness, you have a backup plan. Even in the courts, no one would dare to pin this on you. However, Fang Zhengzhi does not think that way."
"Fang Zhengzhi … haha, do you think that I am afraid of a rank four official?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong chuckled disdainfully.
"Your Highness, do you think that Fang Zhengzhi will still be a rank four official when he returns to the capital?" Su Qing asked softly.
"What do you mean?"
"The Southern Region Noblelite mentioned the Imperial Token in Fang Zhengzhi's hands. If I am not wrong, that Imperial Token is real. However, its purpose is not related to the Southern Region, but to the Ministry of Rites. Now that the Minister of Rites has died in the hands of the Southern Region Noblelite, and Fang Zhengzhi has done a great service to the country, then..."
"How could a mere Primary Grade Four jump four ranks and secure his position as the Minister of the Board of Rites?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong knew what Su Qing was getting at. However, he was still in disbelief.
"Based on Fang Zhengzhi's talent, it is impossible for him to become the Minister of Rites. However, he could be promoted to Rank 3, which would be two ranks higher. He could then take over the responsibilities of the Minister of Rites and find an excuse to be promoted to the Minister of Rites. That is not impossible."
"So what?"
"A Minister of Rites is no threat to the Crown Prince. However, what if Fang Zhengzhi supports King Duan because of his hatred for you?"
"Fang Zhengzhi and Sixth Brother have never been on good terms. Why would he side with him?"
Your Highness, you are talking about the current situation. However, as long as it is a situation, there will always be changes. Fang Zhengzhi used to be an idler, but once he entered the courts and took control of the Ministry of Rites, who would dare to say that he would not change? Furthermore, Your Highness, do not forget that Fang Zhengzhi is a petty person, a greedy petty person! "
"Smack!"
With a crisp sound, the cup made of jade was smashed to the ground. It was like a green flower suddenly shattered by frost and exploded.
"I will not allow such a thing to happen. I can sentence him to death for falsifying the Emperor's decree!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong clenched his fists.
"I don't think so." Su Qing shook his head.
"Why not?"
"Even though Fang Zhengzhi falsified the decree, he allowed the Southern Region to negotiate with the Great Xia. No matter how you look at it, he has done a great service. Even if he is to be punished, he will not be sentenced to death!"
"So what you mean is that I have no way of punishing Fang Zhengzhi? Do I have to kidnap Fang Zhengzhi and hand him over to the Southern Region Noblelite? "
"That won't be necessary. Not many people know the truth about what happened in the palace. In fact, we don't need to know the truth."
"We don't need to know the truth? What do you mean? "
"If, after we read the letter from the Southern Region Noblelite, we thought that... the Ministry of Rites Minister had already reached an agreement with the King of the Southern Region, and Fang Zhengzhi had suddenly barged in and purposely sent a fake Imperial Decree in order to obtain the credit, then used the Southern Region Noblelite to kill the loyal Ministry of Rites Minister, and claimed all the credit...
"Hahaha … Su Qing, thank goodness you are not one of Sixth Brother's men. If not, I would have to be wary of a mere rank four cultivator like you!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong's expression froze when he heard this. Then, he burst into laughter.
"Haha …" Su Qing shuddered, almost as if he had thought of something. However, he quickly regained his composure and smiled.
"Alright, we will do as you say! I don't know how Fang Zhengzhi offended the Southern Region Noblelite. However, I will punish him and hand him over to the Southern Region. Even if the Emperor finds out, he will not blame me. Instead, he will say that I was merciful for not killing him on the spot! "
…
In the Southern Region, a mile away from the Iron Hill Settlement...
Numerous black figures shuttled through the mountain forest. The routes they took were extremely covert, but their speed was extremely fast, like shooting stars.
At the very front of the group, there were figures wearing beast skins and rattan armors leading the way. At the back of the group, there were soldiers wearing bright armors following closely.
Shan Ling stared intently at the black fortress in front of him. He clenched his fists tightly, his expression anxious.
On the other hand, Princess Shan Yu was frowning slightly, her lips opening and closing continuously. It looked as if she had something on her mind, but didn't know how to say it.
"Sister, are you still thinking about the conditions that Third Brother gave the Great Xia?" Shan Ling gestured to the settlement chiefs surrounding him. Then, he asked in a low voice.
When the settlement chiefs saw Shan Ling's hand signal, they immediately spread out. Each of their bodies glowed with a faint aura, blocking off the space around them. It was as though they had formed a huge barrier.
"Even though that guy is shameless, he is still a rank four official of the Great Xia. Furthermore, he topped the court theory examinations and topped the imperial examinations …"
"The Great Xia has no say in this matter. The lives of 50,000 soldiers in exchange for one person. Sister, do you think that the Great Xia is not even willing to show this bit of sincerity?"
"This …"
"Little sister, don't worry, they will definitely agree. When that time comes, I will hand Fang Zhengzhi over to you. Even though he slapped you, if he is willing to pledge allegiance to the Southern Mountain Range and work for us, it is not completely unforgivable … but if he is unwilling, you must kill him personally, lest he returns to the Great Xia Dynasty."
"Kill him?"
"Of course, Fang Zhengzhi is already in the Supernatural State at such a young age. With Fang Zhengzhi in the Great Xia, it will be difficult for the Southern Region to find a chance to become Emperor in the future. Most importantly, I have asked Xing Yuanguo of the Stabilization Constabulary. They have no agreement with Fang Zhengzhi at all. This means that Fang Zhengzhi was the one who predicted all of this. There is no one else in the Southern Region who can match up to him!"
"Third Brother, have you not given up on becoming Emperor?" Princess Shan Yu shuddered when she heard this, her expression one of shock.
"Sister, you don't have to worry about this. Let's resolve this matter first. The Southern Region cannot remain a vassal state of the Great Xia forever! I only ordered the release of the 50,000 soldiers, but the Stable Mountain Pass is still in the hands of the Southern Region! "Shan Ling's eyes glowed with determination.
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