In Chen Siyuan's view, Meng Zhao's wager of everything he had in arranging a duel with Tong Lie did not mean he truly possessed that level of strength. He was playing the Empty City Stratagem, leveraging psychological advantage to play a game with the Arctic Ice Plains savages.
For now, Meng Zhao had undoubtedly won his gamble, because Tong Lie had given no response. Most likely, he had been intimidated by that all-or-nothing, fight-to-the-death momentum.
But one had to note that Tong Lie had not directly refused either. He had merely remained silent. That meant that as long as he did not respond, this matter would remain unresolved, and whenever he wished, he could place the duel back on the agenda.
Chen Siyuan's purpose in saying this to Liang Muqiu was that he could use Prince Fu Beitang Shu's power and influence to cut this matter short at the waist and smother it, thereby helping Meng Zhao avert the eruption of this hidden danger.
It was still quite simple. So long as Beitang Shu issued a declaration in the dynasty's name and elevated Tong Lie's matter to the level of nation and people, then Meng Zhao would no longer be the one dealing with Tong Lie. It would be the entire Great Yong Dynasty.
At present—and this included before now as well—despite all of Tong Lie's actions, Great Yong's officials had not truly stepped into the fray.
First, Tong Lie's strength was simply too formidable. No one dared take the lead and draw such trouble onto themselves.
Second, Great Yong was presently swaying amid wind and rain, and no one knew what the future held. Only members of the imperial clan had the nerve to elevate the spearhead to the national level.
Liang Muqiu, however, pursed her lips and shook