Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 175: The Game of Wits

Chapter 175: Chapter 175: The Game of Wits

Fengyu heard that the peace negotiation had reached a deadlock, all because Beiman demanded Xie Jue’s execution. Fengyu, like the entire court of civil and military officials, thought Beiman must have gone mad—how dare a defeated nation act so brazenly!

Was Beiman asking for peace just to seek revenge? What confidence did Dugu Jing have to demand Xie Jue’s life? Given his approach to the negotiation, it seemed as though he was eager to die in Yanyang’s Capital City.

Fengyu wasn’t well-informed about border affairs, but her concern for Xie Xun led her to ask questions about the negotiations from time to time. Feng Changqing explained, "The think tank of the Beiman Royal Court, Slate, is no ordinary figure. Dugu Jing’s demand for the Second Young Master’s life isn’t impulsive. We want Beiman’s red sand mine, and that will undoubtedly be included in the negotiation terms. The mine is the lifeblood of the Beiman army, and he definitely won’t surrender it easily. The Beiman King may have died, leaving the Beiman army with strength for one last battle, but for them to actively seek negotiation—it goes against all logic."

Fengyu already understood that Beiman’s request for peace made no sense. Having grown up in Ningzhou, she was familiar with Beiman’s ways—unyielding, defiant, preferring death over submission. Every Beiman soldier would gladly die in battle for their people rather than negotiate peace. If negotiation were an option, Beiman and Yanyang would’ve settled long ago, after fighting for so many years.

"The night Beiman requested peace, Marquis Zhenbei held a meeting in his military tent with his trusted generals to discuss Beiman’s intentions. These wolves under the sacred mountain would never bow their heads to Yanyang. Whether it’s the Sixth Prince or the Ninth Prince, they’ve both inherited the Beiman King’s wolfish nature. It’s unlikely that his death suddenly turned them spineless. The Second Young Master believes the peace negotiation is a trap, but even if it’s a trap—a probing maneuver from Beiman—we must suspend the war. Ningzhou can’t keep fighting anymore."

"Why?" Fengyu asked. "The Beiman King is dead, their morale is depleted. This is the perfect opportunity to press forth for victory."

Su Yuejiao chuckled softly, "Ayu, you’re in the Capital City, far removed from the battlefield. While the Beiman King’s death did dampen their army’s morale, once Dugu Jing arrived at the frontlines and executed a brilliantly strategic counterattack, their momentum surged. Fueled by revenge, the Beiman army could sweep through all resistance with unstoppable force. And yet, here they are, asking for peace. It’s as if they’ve seen through our exhaustion; continuing the fight for another year might end up dragging Yanyang’s national strategy into ruins."

Su Yuejiao sighed, "Without the red sand mine, we can’t forge red armor or construct battle wagons. Each major triumph we achieve is paved with the flesh and blood of our soldiers. The aristocratic families control the national treasury, effectively choking off the supply lifeline of the Northern Iron Cavalry. The Iron Cavalry requires provisions from all of Yanyang’s territories, yet the aristocratic families occupy most of the land and produce. Shu’er has struggled to gather enough supplies; for the past two years, she even resorted to secretly transporting them from Sannan. The aristocracy wants the Iron Cavalry to forever resist Beiman without returning to the Capital, yet sabotages military provisions. Why is that?"

Fengyu raised her eyebrows, "They, too, might be struggling to maintain control. Or perhaps the aristocracy holds differing opinions about Ningzhou’s war against Beiman, leading to internal divisions."

"Ayu, truly clever," Feng Changqing laughed heartily. His youngest daughter, both obedient and intelligent, made the seasoned father feel delighted the more he looked at her.

Feng Shu sighed, "The aristocracy’s warehouses are well-stocked, but their abundance is nothing more than a drop in the ocean for the Iron Cavalry. Decades of war have turned Ningzhou into rivers of blood, with a scarcity of able-bodied men, impacting Yanyang’s population, agriculture, and production. Ten years ago, the twelve provinces were bustling with people; now, three of the twelve cities stand deserted. Sparse populations and barren lands abound. This Yanyang aristocracy—born and raised in the Capital—remain blind to the suffering across the lands. Why are bandits so rampant in the twelve provinces? Because ordinary people can no longer survive. The defense line between Yanyang and Beiman is solid, so logically, Beiman wouldn’t have insight into Yanyang’s plight. Yet now they negotiate with brazen confidence. It’s clear someone leaked information about Yanyang’s internal situation, which is why the envoy is Dugu Jing. Beiman’s arrogance surpasses our expectations."

Fengyu still didn’t understand, "Decades of war—Yanyang may be on the verge of collapse, but wouldn’t Beiman face the same situation?"

Feng Changqing responded, "Our troops are on an expedition; our supply lines stretch far. Prolonged warfare is dangerous—we must either fight swiftly or sustain ourselves through pillaging. But the impassable Sha Ling Tian Mountain prevents the Iron Cavalry from crossing the snow-capped summit. Beiman, on the other hand, is different. Though the environment is harsh, their thriving livestock industry supports them. As long as they retreat beyond the Sha Ling Snow Mountains, their armies can recuperate, while we remain stuck in Ningzhou. The Sha Ling Snow Mountains serve as Beiman’s lifeline. Adjacent to it lies the red sand mine, freeing them from concerns over logistical supplies."

Fengyu fell into thought—Sha Ling Tian Mountain, this sacred expanse stretching thousands of miles, nourishes an entire people. It’s both a natural barrier and a fortress wall, separating Yanyang from Beiman.

Beiman’s dream is to lead their people away from their harsh homeland, seizing Yanyang’s fertile and picturesque landscapes. For decades, the Shaling River has turned into a mountain of bones. Victory lies just a step away.

Peace negotiation!

"If I were Dugu Jing, I’d stall the Northern Iron Cavalry for another year or so. Perhaps the Ningzhou defense line would collapse," Fengyu remarked, raising her eyebrows. "Unless internal disputes intensify, forcing their hand—or they’re already at the end of their rope. What’s so audacious about Dugu Jing? No matter what, he ranks among the defeated."

"Even so, Beiman seems convinced we want to halt the war," Su Yuejiao replied. "His gamble lies in whether we’d sacrifice the Second Young Master to achieve peace."

"Would we?" Fengyu asked. Sacrificing one life for ten years of peace sounded like a solid trade-off, but it felt unbearably humiliating.

"Absolutely not!" Feng Changqing laughed. "This isn’t just about the Second Young Master—Marquis Zhenbei wouldn’t agree even if it were any soldier in his ranks."

Fengyu reflected privately, aware of humanity’s inherent selfishness. "The Marquis of Zhenbei wouldn’t... but the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the inner cabinet might not think the same."

"Ayu, be cautious!" Su Yuejiao frowned. Criticizing the Heavenly Family as a subject was always inappropriate.

Fengyu rested her chin on her hand, "So that’s why the Marquis sent Xie Xun to handle the negotiation. If it had been a vacillating scholar eager for peace talks, Beiman’s demand for Xie Jue’s execution would’ve left them flustered and indecisive. Agreeing to the terms might incur the Marquis’ wrath, while rejecting them could lead to Beiman’s withdrawal. Stuck between these contradictions, the negotiations would break down. In matters of diplomacy, dominance is crucial. If Beiman detected such weakness in an envoy, who knows what kind of terms they’d propose. Only Xie Xun’s temperament could suppress the arrogance and hubris of Dugu Jing."

The negotiations were still at an impasse. It remained a question of who would blink first.

Fengyu mused privately. No matter how the game unfolded, no matter how much time Dugu Jing dragged out—the peace talks would progress somehow. But if the negotiations failed, the Marquis wouldn’t leave Dugu Jing alive to exit Yanyang’s Capital City.

This was a high-stakes gamble.

Both Beiman and Yanyang had wagered their national fates on this.

At present, Dugu Jing was strolling through Kyoto City leisurely, seemingly unbothered by the peace negotiations. Lin Cheng kept the Forbidden Army guarding the Beiman envoy residence, and the Marquis Zhenbei dispatched Iron Cavalry to safeguard the premises as well. No matter where Dugu Jing roamed, he was followed from afar. Their freedom in the Capital wasn’t unrestricted.

Dugu Jing was accompanied by a tall, slender youth—none other than Dugu Hongying in her disguise as a man—as well as the think tank, Slate.