I'm in the Red Mansion

Chapter 133 Deadlock
The next day, the soldiers guarding the north gate of the capital began to block the gate, prohibiting civilians and caravans from entering or leaving the gate.

Less than half an hour later, a group of more than 20 Qing Dynasty envoys drove into the city, and the officers and soldiers lifted the blockade of the city gates.

This team of Qing Dynasty envoys was quickly received by officials from the Honglu Temple of Daxia and settled down in the Honglu Temple.

This delegation of envoys was headed by Hesheli, the Qing Dynasty's advisory minister.

Their mission to Daxia was to reach peace talks with Daxia and sign an armistice agreement.

However, Hesheli also came to the peace talks with a mission.

Although they suffered some minor losses in a series of wars in Caogu County, they were not prepared to give up Caogu County, which they had already occupied, in this peace talk.

It has to be said that this peace talk was very difficult.

But Hesheli was still quite confident.

Hesheli understood the mentality of the officials of Daxia very well. These people had their backbones broken by them.

Deep down, they were afraid of the fighting power of the Qing Dynasty.

Therefore, as long as they are put under enough pressure, they will eventually surrender.

Soon, Emperor Yonglong of Daxia met Hesheli in the palace.

Hesheli proposed that the Qing Dynasty and Daxia were friendly neighbors and should coexist peacefully.

This time, they went to Daxia to carry out the peace wishes of the two countries.

They were willing to sign a peace treaty with Daxia, and for the next twenty years the two countries would not engage in war and would coexist in peace.

After hearing what Hesheli said, the ministers, led by the prime minister of Qin, couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

This time, Hesheli really came with sincerity.

This time the peace talks will basically be a complete success.

However, at this time, Kou Xiang asked: "Lord Hesheli, we in Daxia also love peace."

"However, in the contract that Lord Hesheli just mentioned, I did not hear how your country would deal with the murderers who killed the people of Daxia, nor did I hear when your country would return the Caogu County that occupied Daxia."

After Prime Minister Kou finished speaking, the ministers finally realized what was going on.

That’s right, Hesheli didn’t say to return Caogu County just now.

And since he didn't say anything, it means he has no intention of returning it.

If Caogu County was really ceded to the Qing Dynasty, it would mean that this contract would be a humiliating contract for the country.

The reason why none of the ministers reacted was not because Kou was smarter than all the others.

But others were so eager to negotiate and cease fire as soon as possible that they overlooked things that should not have been overlooked.

After hearing Kou Xiang's question, Hesheli said, "Caogu County is now under the control of the Qing Dynasty, so it naturally belongs to the Qing Dynasty."

"Caogu County can be regarded as a witness to the peace between our two countries. It can at least bring about 20 years of peace between our two countries."

"As for the murderers who killed your people, we can tie them up and send them to your country after we return, and let your country deal with them as you wish."

For Hesheli, he cares more about the substance rather than the appearance.

As long as they could occupy Caogu County, their goal would be achieved.

As for just a few lives, they are totally insignificant to them.

Kou Xiang couldn't help but sneer and said, "Lord Hesheli, I'm afraid your country has forgotten that the war between our two countries this time was because you killed the people of Daxia."

"You even tore up the treaty and brazenly sent troops to invade and occupy Caogu County of Daxia. Now you want to cease fire but are unwilling to return Caogu County. Is there such a ridiculous thing in the world?"

"If you want to cease fire, you must return Caogu County to Daxia and hand over the murderers who killed the people of Daxia!"

"If not, then just keep fighting! For my Great Xia, why should we hesitate to fight!"

After Prime Minister Kou finished speaking, the faces of the members of the Qing envoys group all changed.

Even the ministers such as Prime Minister Qin's face changed slightly.

Deep down, they felt that if they could trade Caogu County for twenty years of peace between the two countries, it would be worth it. However, they did not dare to say it out loud.

Otherwise, they will become traitors nailed to the pillar of shame in history!

Hesheli immediately argued back, but Kou Xiang fought back without backing down.

Sitting on the dragon throne, Emperor Yonglong stopped the arguing between the two parties.

"Since this matter is controversial, let's put it aside for later discussion!"

Emperor Yonglong would naturally not hand over Caogu County to anyone else.

However, as the king of a country, he cannot end it easily.

After the envoys left, Emperor Yonglong left behind the cabinet elders, the six ministers, the officials of the Ministry of War and the officials of the Honglu Temple.

First, they discussed a series of issues regarding continuing the war with the Qing Dynasty.

Then Emperor Yonglong ordered Kou Xiang to lead the officials of the Honglu Temple to continue peace talks with the Qing envoys.

The bottom line given by Emperor Yonglong was exactly the two points that Prime Minister Kou had just mentioned.

First, hand over the murderer who killed the people of Daxia.

Second, surrender Grass Valley County.

As long as the Qing envoys do not agree to these two demands, there is no need to continue the peace talks.

By then, the victory or defeat will be decided on the battlefield!

Kou Shang immediately agreed.

Most of the officials, led by Prime Minister Qin, had worried looks on their faces.

Subsequently, the two sides held several rounds of negotiations.

The two sides were tit-for-tat and neither side gave in. For a while, the negotiations were deadlocked.

However, Prime Minister Kou had a very tough attitude and said bluntly that if the Qing Dynasty refused to agree to the two conditions, there would be no need to continue the peace talks and it would be better for them to go back directly and continue fighting.

Faced with this situation, Hesheli also had a headache.

The truth is, they can no longer fight this war.

Because in their country, the ruler is young and the country is in doubt.

The original intention of invading Caogu County this time was to increase the prestige of the young master.

Who would have expected that Daxia would be so courageous and actually hold out against them?

Once this war reaches a stalemate, the domestic situation in the Qing Dynasty will probably become turbulent.

It is even possible that it will threaten the young master's throne.

Therefore, they must stop this war as soon as possible.

However, they did not want to give up Caogu County easily after they had it in their hands.

But now the bandit prime minister of Daxia refused to give in.

This situation really gave Hesheli a headache.

In the end, Hesheli had to use the trump card he had prepared in advance.

When negotiating again the next day, Hesheli couldn't help but say:
"Prime Minister Qin, neither you nor I are willing to give in. If we continue to be at this deadlock, I'm afraid we won't be able to come to any conclusion even if we talk for another year."

"In this case, why don't we choose a compromise?"

Kou Xiang asked, "Master Hesheli, do you have any better ideas?"

Hesheli smiled and said, "It's very simple. We will send an archer and your country will also select an archer to compete in archery skills!"

"Whichever country wins, Caogu County will belong to that country. This strategy is simple and clear, and the deadlock will be resolved immediately. I wonder what Prime Minister Kou thinks?"

(End of this chapter)