Chapter 769: Soft Bones

Here I've been waiting.

The Liao Dynasty still harbored ill intentions.
Li Chen now understood the true purpose of Yelü Shenxuan's personal visit.
It wasn't for revenge against his son.
... nor for Yelu Guzanqi, the Ninth Prince who brought shame upon the Liao kingdom. ...
but instead to continue promoting cooperation between Qin and Liao.
What appears to be a collaboration is actually a plan to conquer the Yueya Pass without bloodshed and devour the Qin Dynasty.
Yelü Shenxuan continued to speak loudly: "In order to make the Qin Dynasty believe our sincerity, we are willing to sign a friendship treaty with the Qin Dynasty and return half of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan Yun. As long as the Qin Dynasty nods its head, the Liao Kingdom can first give half of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan Yun, and then the Qin Dynasty will open Yueya Pass."
As soon as these words were spoken, the Qin court erupted in chaos.
Civil and military officials, many of them showed a look of interest.
One person stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, the Liao Kingdom's national power far surpasses our own. In this situation, they are still willing to show such sincerity, and even have the Crown Prince of the Liao Kingdom personally come to persuade us. In my humble opinion, the Liao Kingdom truly wants to cooperate with our Great Qin. We can agree to it."
With one person starting, others followed suit.
“That's right, the Liao Kingdom is far more powerful than we are. With six hundred thousand cavalrymen, who in the world could stop them? In my humble opinion, it’s best to agree to the Liao Kingdom’s terms. Not only can we regain the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Cloud and achieve unparalleled military glory, but we can also forge a good relationship with the Liao Kingdom. This is a win-win situation. What are you hesitating for?”
“As Wu said, the Liao Prince even came down from his position to persuade us. What else is there to hesitate about? With Liao’s national strength, they didn’t need to be so courteous, but they still did. They were even willing to cede the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun first. Such sincerity leaves nothing to doubt.”
The normally quiet Taihe Hall instantly became as bustling as a marketplace.

Although there are a few dissenting voices, the number of people who are opposed is significantly smaller.
Li Chen memorized the faces of all those who had agreed, planning to settle the score with them later.
But what chilled Li Chen's heart was that although the vast majority of those inside were officials from the cabinet faction, there were also quite a few from the moderate faction and even his own East Palace faction.
It is evident that within the Qin bureaucracy, there were indeed individuals who had become accustomed to submission. They truly believed this servility was a gift bestowed upon them by the Liao Kingdom.

But those who have been used to bending over, I can't forgive them!
Li Chen memorized the looks and names of these people, intending to settle the score slowly.
And the reaction inside the Taihe Hall of the Qin Dynasty pleased Yelu Shenxuan with a satisfied smile.
He looked at Li Chen, seeming to wait for his answer.
Besides those conditions mentioned earlier, Yelü Shenxuan also prepared many benefits and promises, he didn't believe that the current Daqin prince wouldn't be moved.
His greatest reliance was the 600,000 army stationed outside Yueya Pass.
In Yelü Shenxuan's view, even if Li Chen saw the true purpose of the Liao Kingdom and would immediately attack the Central Plains once he passed Moonlit Pass, what could Li Chen do to resist with a force of 600,000?
Looking at Li Chen, whose face was as gloomy as water, Yelu Shenxuan's smile was both triumphant and fearless.
This is the confidence that comes from the difference in national strength.
Yelü Shenxuan was very pleased.
Facing Yelü Shenxuan's smile, Li Chen suddenly descended from the imperial platform.
With strides, he walked through the Taihe Palace and headed straight for Yelü Shenxuan and his entourage who were still standing outside the Taihe Palace.
He still had the musket in his hand.

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