Eagle-eyed and wolf-watching

Chapter 1678 Another Mission to the Great Qian!

Upon hearing Habib's question, Chen Zhongshu quickly began to think.

With the Daqian army heading north to the Tuerte Grassland, the Kipchak army had no choice but to abandon its attack on Damao Mountain. Given this situation, it is expected that the Kipchak army will defeat the Daqian army, and the final outcome will simply be that the situation on the grassland will return to a balance of power!

So, in this situation, Habib asked himself what his purpose was.

After careful consideration, Chen Zhongshu still had no answer, and then said rather conservatively:

"Great Khan, there is an old saying in the Central Plains: 'Great strength is accumulated before it is unleashed.' Although our Khanate did not annihilate the Luobei people in this battle, we still severely damaged the combined forces of the Luobei and Daqian, demonstrating the Khanate's formidable military might to Daqian and the Luobei!"

"Under Your wise leadership, Great Khan, the Khanate will surely prosper and grow stronger. One day, the Khanate will completely crush the Luobei and conquer the Central Plains!"

Habib remained calm and showed no emotional fluctuation in response to Chen Zhongshu's description of the beautiful scene.

Chen Zhongshu, who had been speaking with great enthusiasm, looked embarrassed when he saw that Habib was not inspired at all.

Habib looked at Chen Zhongshu, who seemed somewhat at a loss, and felt extremely disappointed.

When Chen Zhongshu came to seek refuge, Habib was actually quite hopeful. After all, Habib knew very well that the Kipchaks were incredibly brave and fierce in killing enemies, with each one more valiant and ruthless than the last!
However, as a monarch, especially after witnessing the civilization of the Southern Great Qian, Habib increasingly realized that for a nation, simply being good at fighting is far from enough!
Military force is the cornerstone of a country, but it cannot be relied upon in the long run!
Based on this idea, Habib's initial aim was to cultivate talented individuals within the Golden Horde, hoping these people could develop and strengthen the Golden Horde's civil service system...

Habib had such ideas, but unfortunately, as a nomadic people of the steppes, the Kipchaks had many fierce generals, but very few outstanding administrators!

Faced with this unfortunate reality, Habib had no choice but to turn his attention to the Great Qian Dynasty.

The Kipchak Khan, who was keen to learn about the culture of the Central Plains, knew that there was an old saying in the Central Plains: "Learn the superior techniques of the barbarians to control the barbarians." Therefore, Habib thought that since Ye Mingsheng could recruit the Luobei people to deal with him, he could also follow suit and recruit the people of the Central Plains to deal with Ye Mingsheng!
Habib gave his strategy a name: "Learn from the strengths of the Great Qian to control the Great Qian," which can be considered as using the enemy's own methods against him!
It was with this in mind that Chen Zhongshu, a former official of the Great Qian Dynasty who had been dismissed and was under investigation for corruption, gritted his teeth and chose to join Habib, who was eager to find talent, in order to avoid going to jail!
In order to gain Habib's favor, Chen Zhongshu carefully packaged himself, making himself appear as a talented but unappreciated, ambitious but unfulfilled, and envied national genius!
Although Habib admired the culture of the Central Plains, to be honest, he hadn't actually met many truly capable people in the Golden Horde; most of the people he encountered were merchants doing business there…
So at first, Habib was also deceived by Chen Zhongshu's packaging and really thought that he had found some pillar of society, so he treated him with great courtesy as if he had found a treasure!

However, secrets can't stay hidden forever, and there's no such thing as a secret that stays hidden forever!

Although Habib treated Chen Zhongshu with great courtesy on the surface, out of caution and vigilance against the formidable reputation of the Joint Operations Department, the naturally suspicious Habib also sent people to investigate Chen Zhongshu's background.

This investigation had a significant impact. Habib uncovered everything about Chen Zhongshu and learned that Chen Zhongshu was not, as he claimed, driven by frustration and unfulfilled ambitions in the Daqian Dynasty, and ostracized by the jealous and envious Tongliao, which led him to leave in anger and seek refuge with Habib.

Instead, they came to him because they were under investigation for embezzlement and wanted to avoid going to jail.

Habib was very disappointed when he learned of this, but he still held a glimmer of hope for Chen Zhongshu. After all, he felt that although Chen Zhongshu was not the pillar of the state that he had boasted about, he must be a capable person since he was able to serve as an official in both the Great Zhou and Great Qian dynasties and hold a position of real power in both!

I am currently eager to find talented people. If Chen Zhongshu can lend me a hand, then I should treat him with respect and courtesy regardless of his background!
So Habib never exposed Chen Zhongshu's lies. However, as their contact deepened, Habib gradually discovered that Chen Zhongshu had no real talent or ability and only knew how to flatter him and echo the crowd's praise of his own wisdom!

Habib was utterly disappointed in Chen Zhongshu. If he hadn't been hoping Chen Zhongshu would ultimately serve his purpose of "buying a horse's bones with a thousand pieces of gold," Habib would have already killed this man who dared to deceive him…
Thinking of this, Habib was too lazy to beat around the bush with Chen Zhongshu any longer and directly stated:

"Mr. Chen, I intend to send Akkin on another mission to the Great Qian Dynasty, and I would like you to help him out!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhongshu was startled and hesitated before speaking:
"Great Khan, what favor do you wish me to do for General Akkin?"

"It's nothing! Just a small favor, I just want you to accompany him on his mission to the Great Qian!"

"what!"

Upon hearing Habib's words, Chen Zhongshu was momentarily doubtful of his ears. However, seeing Habib's serious expression, he realized that Habib was not joking. Chen Zhongshu immediately stammered:
"Great Khan, I fled from the Great Qian Dynasty. If you ask me to go back now, wouldn't that be sending me straight into a trap?"

"Mr. Chen, rest assured! There will be no such problem. The Great Qian wants to arrest Chen Zhongshu, while you will use the alias Yerbol. You are a native Kipchak, and you are an envoy sent by our Kipchak Khanate to the Great Qian!"

"Isn't there a saying in the Great Qian Dynasty? It is said that when two countries are at war, envoys are not killed. So the Great Qian Dynasty will not do anything to you!"

"Akerkin is unfamiliar with the Great Qian Dynasty, and his last mission there was practically useless. This time, I hope Mr. Chen can help him out..."

Sensing Habib's unyielding tone, Chen Zhongshu, though unwilling, knew perfectly well that he had no right to refuse Habib here!
If you really anger Habib, the Kipchak Khan, who is known for his cruelty, will definitely not let you off easily!

But if I were to return to the Great Qian now, and were recognized, I would likely meet a gruesome end!

Thinking about this, Chen Zhongshu became increasingly conflicted. Seeing that Chen Zhongshu hesitated to accept the assignment, Habib gradually suppressed his smile and said:
"Mr. Chen, you're not saying anything, does that mean you don't want to do this job?"

Feeling the coldness of Habib's gaze, Chen Zhongshu couldn't help but shiver. Although he was still unwilling, he had no choice but to bow and say:

"The Great Khan has given the order! I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Seeing that Chen Zhongshu was somewhat sensible, Habib's expression softened, and he nodded, saying:
"Mr. Chen, I knew you truly wanted to serve our Khanate. Having a pillar of the state like you as our advisor is a blessing for the Kipchak Khanate, and also a blessing for me, Habib!" Hearing Habib's flattering words, Chen Zhongshu, though inwardly cursing Habib's female relatives, forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"Your Majesty flatters me. It is my honor, Chen Zhongshu, to serve the Golden Horde and Your Majesty!"

Hearing Chen Zhongshu say this, Habib nodded slightly. Although he felt that Chen Zhongshu was not very capable, Chen Zhongshu was not entirely useless. At least he could speak very nicely and was good at flattery!
Habib, still clinging to his desires, began to make empty promises to Chen Zhongshu.

"Mr. Chen, as long as you can complete this mission, I will definitely not treat you unfairly. When you return to Leisa City, you will be a hero of our Kipchak people, and I will treat you as a high-ranking official..."

Upon hearing the words "Chancellor of the Imperial Sacrifices," Chen Zhongshu's heart skipped a beat, and he cautiously probed, "..."

What is the Great Khan's Chief Minister?

"Your Great Qian Dynasty has the Imperial Academy, and the highest-ranking official there is the Chancellor, right? I'll also appoint you as the Chancellor of our Golden Horde, so that the young people of our Golden Horde can take you as their teacher and learn from you. What do you think, Mr. Chen?"

Listening to Habib's description, Chen Zhongshu was also somewhat tempted. Since it was now inevitable that he would be sent as an envoy to the Great Qian, he should try his best to gain more benefits for himself. If he was lucky enough to return alive from the Great Qian, he would be able to truly gain a foothold in the Golden Horde!

"Thank you for your trust, Great Khan! I will do my utmost!"

Seeing Chen Zhongshu's expectant look, Habib felt utterly disdainful. People die for wealth, birds die for food, and he knew that someone like Chen Zhongshu would cherish even a bone thrown to him as a lifeline.

Having agreed on the terms, Habib solemnly stated his purpose:
"My hope in sending this envoy to the Great Qian Dynasty is to seek peace with them!"

"The Golden Horde is willing to fully open up to the Great Qian and engage in full-scale trade with the Great Qian. We will guarantee the safety of the lives and property of Great Qian merchants who come to the Khanate to do business!"

"Furthermore, I also intend to establish a marriage alliance with the Great Qian Dynasty, a genuine marriage alliance. My eldest son, Aska, is fifteen years old this year, and I want to ask for a princess from the Great Qian Dynasty to marry him. I don't want those deceptive princesses; I want Ye Mingsheng's own daughter..."

Seeing Habib repeating the same old story again, Chen Zhongshu felt somewhat helpless.

Previously, in order to sow discord between Daqian and Luobei, they used openness and mutual trade as bargaining chips, and also made a request for a marriage alliance.

However, the attitude of the Daqian side was indeed very cold, and they did not value the bargaining chips and conditions of the Golden Horde.

Even when the Golden Horde held the advantage on the battlefield, this was the case. Now that they have lost their advantage, can the Great Qian submit?
Thinking of this, Chen Zhongshu also shared his concerns with Habib.

Habib paused for a moment before speaking:
"What are your thoughts on the peace talks with Daqian?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhongshu hesitated, as if he wanted to ask something but was also somewhat timid and hesitant. Seeing this, Habibubu spoke directly:

"Please feel free to speak your mind!"

Having received this instruction, Chen Zhongshu carefully organized his thoughts and asked:
"Great Khan, why do you wish to sue for peace?"

After speaking, Chen Zhongshu looked at Habib, his eyes full of doubt and confusion.

If Habib's purpose in seeking peace last time was to sow discord between Daqian and Luobei, then Chen Zhongshu truly couldn't understand why Habib was so eager to seek peace this time.

In Chen Zhongshu's view, the Golden Horde was indeed facing some problems, but these problems were not enough to make Habib so eager to seek peace. Habib had only not won; he had not yet lost the war. Therefore, Chen Zhongshu could not understand Habib's thoughts at all.

Upon hearing Chen Zhongshu's question, Haribo initially resisted, seemingly unwilling to answer. However, perhaps considering that Chen Zhongshu would find it difficult to help him if he couldn't give his true thoughts, he still spoke up:
"Romans..."

"Romans?"

Hearing Habib's answer, Chen Zhongshu was momentarily confused, not understanding what Habib was thinking.

Now that Habib had spoken, he didn't hold back any longer. After a pause, he said quietly:
"Over the years, my relationship with Roman has been like that of a client and a bank. I've borrowed countless things from them. Do you know why the Romans were willing to lend to me?"

Chen Zhongshu honestly shook his head, and seeing this, Habib said calmly:
“I told them they supported me, that I would unify the grasslands and then conquer the Central Plains! Everything I gained from the Central Plains, whether land or gold and silver, would be divided equally with them!”

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhongshu looked at Habib in disbelief. He truly did not know that Habib and Roman had such a relationship.

However, upon closer reflection, while this was unexpected, it also seemed to make sense. After all, given the Romans' tendency to act without self-interest, their willingness to support Habib and contribute manpower and resources must have ulterior motives.

At this point, Habib began to speak freely:
"According to the latest intelligence, the force harassing the rear has only been a small group of cavalry from the Great Qian Dynasty. Their main infantry has not dared to set foot on the Turt Grassland. Guo Zhiping is indeed a remarkable figure. As a general, he dared to personally take such a risk. His courage is truly commendable!"

"By the time we learned of this, it was too late. News of the attack on our rear had already spread throughout the army. Even if we told the soldiers that it was just a trick by the Great Qian, they were unwilling to fight anymore. So we had no choice but to withdraw..."