Long Xuan'en nodded. "Peace is precious. Nothing could be better than laying down our arms and ending the war, but what conditions does your country have?" He had already made his calculations: as long as Great Yong's demands were not excessive, he would agree.
Li Chenzhou said, "We hope your country will return the Eastern Luo Granary and the officers and soldiers captured in this campaign. Eastern Liang Commandery has always belonged to Great Yong. The decision to give it to your country was made during Emperor Yongqing's reign. At the time, he was gravely ill and not of sound mind when he made that decision. We ask that your country return Eastern Liang Commandery as well."
Long Xuan'en could not help frowning. Great Yong had clearly lost both battles, yet Li Chenzhou was now demanding compensation as though he were the victor. The Eastern Luo Granary was one thing, but he actually wanted Eastern Liang Commandery back as well. If Long Xuan'en agreed, would his subjects not curse him? They would surely call him weak and incompetent.
Li Chenzhou smiled. "I have not finished speaking. If Your Majesty returns these two cities, we will lift the grain embargo against Great Kang. We can also lend Great Kang five hundred thousand shi of grain to relieve its burning predicament."
Long Xuan'en was startled. Great Yong's offer truly brimmed with sincerity. Great Kang's current plight was directly tied to the grain embargo Great Yong and the surrounding countries had jointly imposed. Even with money in the treasury, they could buy no grain, adding frost to the snow of the famine ravaging their country. Lifting the embargo would mean Great Kang could resume normal grain trade with its neighbors. Moreover, Great Yong was volunteering five hundred thousand shi of grain for emergency