This was clearly a blatant attempt to stall for time; how could Zhang Fei not see that? They were completely treating him like a fool.
impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
Forehead!
When Zhang Fei discovered his intentions, Nan Ke wasn't surprised. He said awkwardly, "How about this, I'll give you ten million strings of cash first, and the rest in two months, is that alright?"
Delaying for another month is better than nothing. As long as our troops return to reinforce, and with the support of the Frostwest Empire, we will be safe.
Now it all depends on how the Great Liang chooses, as this will determine the future of the Zhennan Dynasty.
Zhang Fei shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Three days, at most three days. If you don't provide the compensation by then, Great Liang will have to come and collect it themselves."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Whether the Zhennan Dynasty would fulfill its promise was not within his consideration; the Great Liang army would naturally let him make the decision.
Three days!
Upon hearing this timeframe, Nan Ke nearly vomited blood. Three days wouldn't be of much use to him.
If it weren't for the Great Liang army besieging the city, he would have killed Zhang Fei. This guy was really too much of a bully, coming to his own lair to show off.
Watching Zhang Fei leave with an arrogant expression, he couldn't help but grit his teeth and say, "What an impudent brat! How dare a mere foreign minister be so presumptuous in my palace!"
One day, I'll make the Great Liang pay the price! I'll piss in front of their palace!
King Nan Ke was furious; this was an utter disgrace.
I will not rest in peace until I avenge this humiliation!
"Father, the Great Liang is going too far! We can't let this go, or they'll become even more arrogant!" Nan Yiming couldn't help but say angrily.
This is clearly our territory, why is this guy so arrogant? He's a complete lunatic.
If they were to concede defeat, the Great Liang would likely become even more ruthless.
"Prince, don't worry. The most urgent task is to stop the invasion of Great Liang. They are not the kind of people who just talk the talk!"
Zan Rihong also had this thought, but he knew now was not the time to be angry; he needed to strengthen the surrounding defenses.
Great Liang isn't the type to joke around; once they say they're going to do something, they'll definitely do it. So we absolutely can't afford to take any chances.
Nan Ke took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Three days should be enough to bring the army back, but I'm afraid they won't wait three days."
Send someone to give them ten million; don't let them use this as an excuse to cause trouble.
Furthermore, just in case, we need the support of the Frostwest Empire; only then can we be absolutely certain of success!
The Great Liang army is now basically in place and may launch an undeclared attack to put pressure on us, so we must be prepared for the enemy to invade.
By giving away ten million, Great Liang would have no reason to make a move, leaving them with some room to maneuver.
But that's not enough. To avoid excessive losses, we must take over the Frostwest Empire.
" The Frostwest Empire will probably take advantage of the situation, Bill III is not a generous man," Zan Rihong said with a wry smile.
snort!
Nan Ke sneered. Bill III was an old fox, and he himself was no greenhorn.
He scoffed, "Taking advantage of someone's misfortune? Let's see if the Frostwest Empire still wants to exist. Send someone to spread the word that I am old and frail, have no desire to be enemies with Great Liang, and intend to surrender to Great Liang!"
You want some benefits, huh? Well, I'll give you a little push and see if you can handle it.
Ahhh?
This statement left everyone dumbfounded; had the king become senile?
If this were to get out, the people within the kingdom would probably erupt in anger. Knowing their king was such a coward, they'd likely explode.
"Father, are you crazy? If this gets out, your prestige will be damaged, and our Zhennan royal family will become a laughing stock!" Nan Yiming was dumbfounded; his old man had gone mad.
For the emperor to release such a message to the All Under Heaven would make him a laughingstock.
Zan Rihong hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not refute it.
He Chu State was old and had lost his former ambition, he was also more cunning and shrewd.
This seemingly absurd decision was clearly intended to put pressure on Bill III through these remarks, while also lulling the Great Liang into a false sense of security so that they wouldn't take immediate action.
The only problem, perhaps, is the reputation of the Zhennan Dynasty.
"Hmph, what's reputation worth?"
Nan Ke sneered, "I only asked you to spread the word. The main target is the Frostwest Empire. The people in the country don't know about it."
Besides, as long as I don't admit it, who dares to do anything to me!
Having traversed the Southwest for so many years, I'm long past the age of naivety.
When have nations ever reasoned with each other? If being shameless could greatly reduce the pressure on the Zhennan Dynasty, he would rather be shameless.
Forehead!
Zan Rihong's lips twitched, and he chuckled dryly, "Your Majesty's plan is ingenious! This will probably make King Bill III extremely anxious, and he will definitely take the initiative to act!"
Of the three kingdoms, the Great Liang was the most powerful.
The Zhennan Dynasty and the Frostwest Empire can support each other, but if the Zhennan Dynasty chooses to give up, then the Frostwest Empire will be in dire straits.
Without the Zhennan Dynasty to restrain it, the Frostwest Empire is like meat on a chopping board.
So even knowing there was something wrong with the matter, Bill III dared not gamble. If he lost, he would be finished.
"Damn, as expected, the most shameless are the most invincible."
Looking at his grandfather's nonchalant expression, Nan Yiming couldn't help but laugh and cry. Bill III was probably about to be tricked into tears.
On the other side, after leaving the palace, Zhang Fei took ten million in valuables and headed straight for the border without lingering.
Behind them, more than a thousand soldiers from the Zhennan Dynasty escorted them out of the country, but their faces were grim, as if they wished they could kill them.
The soldiers didn't leave until they crossed the border.
After they left, the adjutant couldn't help but whisper, "Sir, the other side is clearly trying to stall for time."
They can send back a lot of troops in three days, which is a huge disadvantage for us!
My parents are very cunning.
He couldn't understand why his family would fall for such a simple trick.
"Nonsense!"
Zhang Fei glanced at it and said meaningfully, "I said I'd give him three days, but I didn't say that Great Liang wouldn't make a move."
Fighting is the Ministry of War's business, while we are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Court of Diplomatic Reception. We are not part of the same system, so our statement that we will not take action is useless.
If the Ministry of War wants to take action, there's nothing we can do to stop it!
We're already lucky to have this much money. Let's leave the rest with them for now and let the army collect it.
Holy crap, you can do that?
The adjutant was dumbfounded, looking at his superior officer's matter-of-fact expression, and was utterly speechless.
He was starting to doubt his own existence, and couldn't help but mutter, "So this is what diplomacy between countries is all about? It's clearly a game of deceiving each other!"