Chapter 135: Qin State Had Ling Yi
Chapter 135: Qin State Had Ling Yi
After joking, Gu Tong seriously discussed with Ling Yi how to proceed with the upcoming negotiations.
The one who deserved the foremost credit for this matter was undoubtedly Ling Yi!
Just as Chu Yanyu had said, even though Chu State was severely weakened, it was not yet at the end of its rope.
Moreover, although Chu State led the affairs of Eastern Sea City, Zhao Country also had interests there.
Now the Four States of Han, Wei, Yan, and Zhao had also sent their diplomatic missions to Qin State, wanting to resolve the “declaration of war incident” from before, which had started strong but ended weakly. But deep down, they were afraid of that Blue Light, not Qin State.
If those four states truly united, with Qin State’s current national strength, they would actually still be unable to withstand them.
So this time, when Chu State’s new ruler, Chu Yanyu, wanted to return Eastern Sea City and a large territory, it wasn’t just Chu State’s own business; it also concerned Zhao Country.
This meant the matter remained very complex.
Ling Yi also wanted to ask Gu Tong about the progress of the negotiations in Qin State’s Capital City.
Gu Tong smiled bitterly. “The reason for the ceasefire ultimately wasn’t that we scared them with our fighting; it was outside intervention. So the attitudes of the diplomatic missions from those four states were highly aligned.”
“Apologies are possible, but reparations are out of the question. Anything else… even more so.”
Ling Yi slightly furrowed his brow. “They are only willing to apologize?”
Gu Tong nodded. “Both Qin Hao and I wanted to squeeze some benefits from them. Not to mention anything else, should they at least pay the compensation for our soldiers who were killed or injured? Also, once a war starts, the consumption of various resources is a staggering figure. Since they initiated a mistaken war, they must pay for their mistake. Unfortunately, the process hasn’t been smooth.”
“But right at this time, Chu State sent a letter, saying they were willing to renegotiate the ownership of Eastern Sea City.”
Gu Tong couldn’t help but sigh with admiration. “This news is too timely and too crucial!”
“Zhao Country should have gotten the news at the first moment as well. From the behavior of their diplomatic mission members, you could see they were both shocked and furious.”
“So now the negotiations in the Capital City have been temporarily suspended.”
“Everyone is waiting for the outcome of these negotiations among Qin, Chu, and Zhao.”
“If successful, then the Four States of Han, Wei, Yan, and Zhao will have to pay a price for their erroneous declaration of war against Qin.”
“If it fails, then we’ll have to return to our previous lives, lowering our heads and focusing on development.”
Ling Yi smiled and said, “It won’t fail.”
Gu Tong took a deep breath and looked at Ling Yi. “Having you here is Great Qin’s fortune!”
Ling Yi showed a humble smile.
Gu Tong said, “Before this diplomatic mission departed, the Aged Monarch instructed us to consult with you on everything and looked forward to your return to the country! Also, there’s one more thing you definitely wouldn’t expect.”
Ling Yi looked at Gu Tong.
Gu Tong smiled and said, “The Aged Monarch said that if we can really recover Eastern Sea City and those lost territories, then he will grant you a kingship! How about that? Surprised or not? In Great Qin, apart from the distant founding era, there has never been a case of creating a king from a different surname. But this time, it seems such a king will appear!”
Ling Yi was stunned.
Gu Tong grinned. “Prince of Donghai, and also the first City Lord of Eastern Sea City! How about that? Is this news surprising enough?”
Ling Yi looked at Gu Tong strangely and then muttered, “This is repaying kindness with enmity, isn’t it?”
Gu Tong: “…”
After a long pause, he glanced at Ling Yi speechlessly. “This kind of good fortune is something many people wouldn’t even dare to dream of. How come you’re reluctant despite having it? This is irreplaceable. Otherwise, do you know how many people would want to become that Prince of Donghai? Ling Yi, do you know how rich Donghai Prefecture is?”
Ling Yi nodded. “I know.”
“Then why are you unwilling?” Gu Tong found it a bit hard to understand.
“Afraid of trouble,” Ling Yi said.
“…” Gu Tong was utterly speechless.
The two didn’t continue talking about this topic afterward. Gu Tong also had matters to handle and left Ling Yi to go busy himself.
The Enchantress said to Ling Yi, “Actually, this might not be a bad thing either.”
Ling Yi sighed mournfully. “Even you think it’s good?”
Enchantress: “Of course.”
Ling Yi said, “Do you think I have the ability to manage a city… oh no, such a large territory? Moreover, Eastern Sea City has been jointly occupied by Chu and Zhao for over a hundred years! How much identification with Qin State do you think the people there still have?”
The Enchantress laughed. “If you can’t manage it, find people who can manage it to help you. Not identifying with Qin State… didn’t you say before that people who forget their ancestors and treat enemies as fathers are garbage? Just clean them up. Why care?”
“If only it were that simple…” Ling Yi sighed, but his mind had already started thinking about who could help him manage Donghai Prefecture.
He didn’t want to take on this task, nor did he want to be any kind of Qin State king from a different surname. But since even the Enchantress thought it acceptable, he couldn’t refuse anymore.
Qin Hao was busy until very late before returning. When he came back, his face was flushed with joy!
The young Crown Prince of Great Qin had never received such high international recognition before.
The high-level officials of the Four States of Han, Wei, Yan, and Zhao also showed him an unprecedented friendly attitude.
Although he knew that friendliness was more directed at Ling Yi, and those people at the banquet kept inquiring about Ling Yi, he still felt a great sense of pride.
The terrifying Great Demon King Ling Yi in your eyes is my Ninth Brother! He is a Great Qin citizen! And in the future, he will be our Qin State’s king!
As for this ‘king from a different surname,’ it had actually caused quite a bit of controversy within Great Qin’s high levels.
But ultimately, the Aged Monarch made the final decision.
The Aged Monarch only asked the opponents one question: “What We failed to achieve in several decades, what Our father also failed to achieve! Ling Yi accomplished it. If any of you can do it… if any of you go and conquer the Chaos Zone, We will also grant you a kingship!”
This one sentence shut everyone up.
In fact, most of the opponents were imperial clansmen.
A bunch of people good for nothing but causing trouble.
They really ought to go to Chu State and see what the ancestral halls of the completely slaughtered imperial clansmen looked like!
“Ninth Brother, you are now Great Qin’s deity!” Qin Hao was a bit emotional and looked at Ling Yi. “Before, when you sounded the whistle to warn, although unknown to others, we remember that achievement. You were already a living Buddha of countless Qin households at that time!”
“This time, this time is even more amazing!”
“Haha, even Chu State’s new ruler has become your… cough, is willingly returning Eastern Sea City for your sake.”
“Ninth Brother, I admire no one else. I only admire you!”
He originally wanted to have a good talk with Qin Hao, but seeing him like this, a proper conversation seemed impossible.
He hadn’t drunk much, but he seemed profoundly drunk.
“You should go rest properly. If there’s anything, we can talk tomorrow,” Ling Yi prepared to take his leave.
“Don’t go, Ninth Brother! We brothers must talk all night! Besides, it’s so late, where else can you go? The diplomatic mission has plenty of rooms here. I’ll have someone prepare one for you right now!” Seeing Ling Yi about to leave, Qin Hao became anxious. He still had so much he wanted to share with Ninth Brother.
“I’m returning to the Imperial Palace.” Ling Yi smiled, stood up, and patted the shoulder of the stunned Qin Hao. “See you tomorrow.”
Qin Hao: “…”
Only after Ling Yi had left for quite a while did he finally calm down. Looking at Gu Tong, he said speechlessly, “This show-off act by Ninth Brother…”
Gu Tong also looked speechless and smiled bitterly. “It looks like showing off, but actually, it’s truly awesome!”
Qin Hao thought about it and could only nod. “Awesome, really damn awesome!”
For the upcoming negotiations, Ling Yi similarly did not appear at the negotiation table.
Facing Chu State’s “showing weakness,” Zhao Country displayed an extremely tough attitude.
They simply refused to agree to return Eastern Sea City and that large territory.
Eastern Sea City, with Donghai Port, was just too important!
As the largest port in the east, the significance of Donghai Port wasn’t just economic; it had immense military importance too!
It could dock warships!
For Qin State, which had now become a completely landlocked country, once they regained control of Donghai Port, they would undoubtedly control naval power again in a short time!
Resources weren’t only found on land.
The various resources in the sea were equally coveted!
By then, Qin State’s economic power would directly soar. Militarily, because they would have maritime influence, they could potentially sail to the doorsteps of the other six nations via sea routes at any time…
Anyway, from Zhao Country’s perspective, returning Eastern Sea City would cause too great a loss to their interests.
It was utterly unacceptable.
Chu State’s diplomatic mission was also arguing fiercely!
On the surface, they also seemed not to agree to return Eastern Sea City.
Of course, Zhao Country truly didn’t want to return it, but Chu State… was acting.
There was no choice; otherwise, they couldn’t explain it to Chu State’s common people!
To make the act convincing, the two sides might even need to fight another battle at the border!
Then Chu State would suffer a major defeat!
Only then would the people of Chu State understand that their days of looking down on others and bullying other nations at will were gone forever.
But unless absolutely necessary, the war at the border wouldn’t actually start.
Because even military exercises could cause casualties.
Not to mention a war that had to be performed; the soldiers on Chu State’s side might not be so willing to cooperate.
At the negotiation table, arguments flew spittle in all directions. The three sides argued until their faces were red.
Simultaneously, this news quickly spread everywhere.
Eastern Sea City.
Exploded!
Countless people rushed into the streets, roaring for Qin State to get lost!
They yelled, screamed, and their ugly, disgraceful behavior was simply sickening.
“We are not Qin People!”
“Eastern Sea City belongs to the people of Donghai! Qin Dogs, get lost!”
“If you couldn’t protect it back then, then give up forever! Eastern Sea City has nothing to do with Qin State!”
Various slogans rose in a clamor.
Almost every major media outlet in the Seven Nations, as well as online networks, were feverishly hyping this news.
At the negotiation table.
The people from Zhao Country sneered at the chief envoy of the Qin State Diplomatic Mission, Qi Gaofeng, and said, “See? This is public opinion! Even the people of Eastern Sea City don’t want your Qin State involved. Why insist on shamelessly pushing your way in?”
Qi Gaofeng said calmly, “It’s a matter of national territory, and you call it shameless? Eastern Sea City was originally Qin State territory, indivisible! No matter when, it is Qin State’s land! As for calling it shameless, then let me be even more shameless. Could you please carve out a piece of Zhao Country’s territory for us?”
“Haha, how ridiculous! Let’s put it this way: your Qin State has nothing, yet you want to reclaim Eastern Sea City? That’s a dream! We don’t care about Chu State’s attitude, but our Zhao Country would never agree!” The chief envoy from Zhao Country, who was also a high-ranking official at the level of Deputy Prime Minister, wore a rogue’s expression. He crossed his legs, held a cigar in his mouth, and looked at Qi Gaofeng with disdain.
The negotiation room was filled with swirling smoke.
Qi Gaofeng glanced at the other side and suddenly smiled faintly. “Qin State has nothing? You are mistaken. Qin State has Ling Yi. You do not.”