Once Wang Yang had applied enough pressure, he changed his tune:
"Still, Great Qi has always won people over through reason. Under ordinary circumstances, we do not favor one side over another simply because of closer ties and aggravate disputes. I came here not to help the Wenyang Tribe deal with the Yongning Tribe, but to turn swords and spears into jade and silk, and find some peace for the Barbarian Territories..."
Ang Ta did not believe a word of it. He mulled over "under ordinary circumstances," his expression dark.
Watching Wang Yang speak with such unruffled ease, Xiao Baoyue's gaze grew complicated.
Wang Yang continued:
"...Since we're going to talk, let's talk properly. None of this bidding with brocade and satin, competing to shower the Wuning Barbarians with money. People would laugh to hear it. Haven't you heard that when the snipe and clam fight, the fisherman profits? Since this concerns our two tribes, let's close the doors and settle it ourselves. Why should the Wuning Barbarians profit-"
Ang Ta suddenly said, "The Wenyang Barbarians have no brocade or satin in the first place. Naturally, they would welcome that."
Le Luoluo was about to argue, but Wang Yang held his folding fan across his path, and Le Luoluo shut his mouth. At the sight, Xiao Baoyue narrowed her almond-shaped eyes slightly.
Wang Yang waved his fan and smiled:
"Never mind that they already have brocade and satin. Even if we take ten thousand steps back and suppose they don't, does that mean Great Qi has none either? Didn't the brocade and satin you have now come from Great Qi? If we really competed to throw fabric around, could even ten Yongning Tribes outspend Great Qi? Forget Great Qi-you might not even outspend me personally..."
Ang Ta was furious and