The more Nan Ke thought about it, the more reliable it seemed.
If I put myself in their shoes, I definitely wouldn't refuse such a request.
Thinking of this, he said in a deep voice, "What you say makes sense, my dear minister. This can indeed alleviate the enemy's offensive momentum and buy us enough time."
It just so happens to be the birthday of the Emperor of Great Liang, so we have ample reason to enter Great Liang.
To show our sincerity, we've increased the number of gifts tenfold; we think the Great Liang won't refuse."
It's just a feigned surrender anyway, so let's give them some benefits first. We'll take it back sooner or later anyway, so there's no big problem.
Hmm, not bad!
Everyone nodded in agreement. Although requesting allegiance would be a national embarrassment, it was easier to accept than the shame of national subjugation.
Seeing the king agree, a hint of a smile flashed in Zan Rihong. He frowned and said, "Since Your Majesty has made up your mind, then choose to feign surrender to buy time, but..."
"But what?"
"However, to gain the trust of Great Liang, we need someone of sufficient stature to go to Great Liang as a hostage, so that Great Liang can feel our sincerity!"
After speaking, Zan Rihong looked at Nan Yiming to the side, a hint of difficulty in his expression.
Holy crap!
Feeling Zan Rihong's gaze, Nan Yiming's face stiffened, and the excitement of finding a solution vanished instantly.
"What does this mean? Are they trying to make me a hostage?"
"Are you kidding me? I'm the future heir to the Zhennan! Has he gone mad?"
He was furious. This Zan Rihong was simply outrageous. Who would take the heir to a country hostage? This was absolutely absurd.
My father has several sons, so why me? This is definitely a malicious intent.
Cough cough!
Even Nan Ke couldn't stand it anymore. He glanced at Zan Rihong with displeasure and frowned, saying, " Zan Rihong, Yiming is the successor of Zhennan. If something happens to him, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Although his son was becoming increasingly assertive, he was still his own son, and he didn't want to put his son in danger.
"Your Majesty, the key issue is that even if an ordinary person goes, the Great Liang wouldn't trust them. What would the Liang Emperor think if an ordinary prince went?" Zan Rihong lowered his head and said with a wry smile.
He's just an ordinary prince; at the national level, he's nothing but a piece of shit, someone who can be sacrificed at any time.
But the successor to the state is different; that's absolutely reliable.
"This..."
Nan Ke's expression stiffened; this was indeed the truth.
If the roles were reversed, and Lin Yi sent a bastard child as a hostage, he wouldn't believe it either.
He looked at Nan Yiming, frowned, and said, " Yiming, how about..."
"Grass!"
Nan Yiming's face turned green. His own father had actually been tempted! Was he about to become a hostage?
He was clearly planning to use a gourd to create a million-strong army. If the news reached Great Liang, he would probably be torn to pieces by Lin Yi.
He chuckled dryly, "Father, this is inappropriate. I am the heir to the throne. If I am controlled by Lin Yi, he has every right to directly seize Zhennan..."
" Yiming!"
Before he could finish speaking, Nan Ke interrupted him, saying with a serious expression, "My son, as the heir to the country, it is your mission to buy time for the nation."
Don't worry, as soon as I take down the million-strong army of Great Liang, I'll immediately turn around and attack Great Liang. Lin Yi won't dare to touch you!
He knew in his heart that he was only fifty-six years old and could still be king for another one or two decades, so whether or not there was an heir was not a big problem.
Even if the heir is detained, I can just choose one of my sons; after all, who isn't an heir?
Perhaps, being old and vigorous, I can even have another heir.
Zan Rihong chuckled inwardly, "Now that the king has lost his fighting spirit, it is his greatest courage that he is able to grit his teeth and fight this battle."
Now that we're at a disadvantage, there's nothing wrong with making a sacrifice. Prince, you should go!
The eldest prince is ambitious and holds military power, which has suppressed him, a minister, and this is not what he wants to see.
Since you're so powerful, why don't you go to Great Liang and become Great Liang emperor Lin Yi, your rival?
"Crack crack crack!!!!"
Nan Yiming's fingers cracked so hard they were practically popping out of his head. A million curses ran through his mind as he glared angrily at his father.
At that moment, he even considered a coup d'état to seize the throne.
However, with his father's men everywhere, he had to abandon the idea, which filled him with resentment.
He wasn't stupid; he already understood that he had become a victim.
The idea that he could launch a counterattack against Great Liang and Great Liang wouldn't dare to touch him is utter nonsense. It would be strange if Lin Yi didn't kill him.
He glanced at his father and Zan Rihong, then gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I'll go!"
You just wait, if I return safely, I will make sure you all die a horrible death.
What father? He's just a cowardly old man who clings to life.
"Okay, remember to bring lots of gifts!" Nan Ke said, seemingly oblivious to his eldest son's displeasure.
Pfft!
Already heartbroken, Nan Yiming felt as if he had been struck by another arrow in the chest. He stormed off in anger, determined to make arrangements for his family. He no longer trusted his father.
On the other side, Bill III and the others also received the news, and they all hesitated immediately.
They would naturally attend the birthday celebration of the Emperor of Great Liang, but inviting a king-level figure was no joke.
Once they enter the territory of Great Liang, their lives will be in Lin Yi's hands, and this is no joke.
Bill III shook his head and said in a deep voice, "I will not go. It is no secret that the Great Liang is plotting against my Frostwest Empire. If I go there, I will probably fall into their hands."
That's far too dangerous; he would never take such a risk.
Even though the Emperor of Great Liang personally guaranteed the safety of the kings of various countries, he didn't trust Lin Yi; that guy was too ambitious.
If he could take over all the kings at once, the All Under Heaven would be his.
"The other side invited the kings of surrounding countries, probably not only to celebrate their own birthday, but also to show off the strength of Great Liang. The Liang emperor's ambitions are far-reaching!"
Minister of War Aksu took a deep breath and said in a deep voice.
He didn't believe Lin Yi was so free that inviting the king to his birthday celebration was a clear attempt to demonstrate his power and suppress other countries.
Upon hearing this, Bill III's expression immediately turned ugly.
If that's the case, the Frostwest Empire and the Great West Empire might be able to put up a fight, but other smaller countries probably wouldn't dare to refuse.
Because the Western Regions have set a good example: if you reject the goodwill of the Great Liang, you will be met with its malice, which is something that no ordinary country can withstand.
Thinking of this, he gritted his teeth and asked, "What did Abaddon of the Great West Empire say? Is he going?"
"According to the information, Emperor Abaddon of the Great West Empire has agreed!" Aksu hesitated for a moment, then said in a deep voice.