A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

A bitter smile appeared on Wang Xuance's lips. He had made this decision after considering many factors.

When he was sent on a diplomatic mission, he was captured by a small country. Later, he risked his life to borrow troops and destroy the country, and was ennobled for his merit.

However, the court has changed too much. Emperor Li Zhi has retired to the inner palace, Empress Wu Zetian is fighting with powerful clans, and there is an invasion from an eighteen-nation coalition, now there are more than 20 countries. Crown Prince Li Hong has been deposed and the second prince has ascended the throne. All factions in the court are trying to win over neutral officials. It's a complete mess.

Wang Xuance felt that the entire imperial court was like a furnace about to explode, which was extremely terrifying.

That's why he wanted to join the army and escape the powder keg that was the imperial court.

If he stayed in the court, he would inevitably get involved, and given his small stature, he would very likely be crushed to pieces.

At this moment, he felt the thrill of escaping alone with just the two of them back then.

The feeling of walking a tightrope on a cliff gave Wang Xuance a long-lost surge of passion.

There's less backstabbing and intrigue in the imperial court, less hypocrisy and pretense; we're focused on building a future together!

If he succeeds this time and comes back alive, he can at least have a peaceful end if he is implicated in the future and his camp loses, based on this achievement. At most, he will be buried in obscurity and never be given important responsibilities again.

Even if he doesn't come back alive this time, his legacy will ensure that his family continues to thrive.

"This is the latest signal flare made by the Mohists. I will ignite it after the mission is accomplished."

Wang Xuance took out a sealed cylindrical object and waved it in front of Xue Rengui.

"How do you intend to negotiate, sir?"

Xue Rengui asked.

Wang Xuance chuckled twice; no one understood negotiation better than him.

"Having served as an envoy for many years, I know firsthand that in verbal battles between the two countries, especially those between the Taiwanese faction, the most important thing is to pay attention to one's words and speak with magnanimity."

"We must be polite and courteous; this is how we demonstrate the grandeur of our great nation."

Xue Rengui nodded thoughtfully, realizing that this was how envoys were sent on missions.

We should be mindful of the magnanimity of a great nation.

As an envoy whose name appears in historical records, Wang Xuance must have had exceptional insights.

After saying this, Wang Xuance turned and left, heading towards the enemy camp.

Only his back was left in Xue Rengui's eyes: a man in a green robe and jade belt, unrestrained and elegant, exuding the air of a gentleman.

Wang Xuance led several followers to the allied forces' tent. Among them, one follower had a shifty look on his face and seemed quite clever.

Approaching them were numerous generals, their eyes filled with mockery and radiating murderous intent without mercy.

The commander of the allied forces, Xiang Yuan, sat in the main seat. It is said that he was a descendant of Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, and inherited some of Xiang Yu's strength. His martial prowess was only slightly weaker than Xue Rengui's.

"Tang envoy, what has Xue Rengui sent you for? To beg for peace, or to surrender?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the commanders of the various states burst into laughter, making a ruckus and pointing at Wang Xuance, intending to humiliate him so that they could gain the upper hand in the subsequent negotiations.

Faced with the provocation of this group, everyone in the group changed color, except for Wang Xuance, who didn't even blink.

A strange light flashed in Xiang Yuan's eyes. He hadn't expected Wang Xuance to be so patient. He truly deserved to be a man who could destroy a country single-handedly and become famous throughout the nations.

Many members of the allied forces had served under Wang Xuance.

"Xuan Ce came here to save your lives, but it seems you are not very grateful."

After Wang Xuance finished speaking, he turned to leave.

One step, two steps, three steps, "Tang envoy, please wait."

Xiang Yuan stopped Wang Xuance. They had been fighting for five years and really didn't want to continue.

"Forget the platitudes, Marquis Jingyuan, just tell me what you're here for. I hate those scholars' roundabout ways the most."

"Since the 28th year of Yonghui, various countries have invaded, and five years have passed since then."

"The Tang Dynasty occupied the land of China, a land of outstanding people and abundant resources, and also occupied the provinces, which were rich in resources."

"The eighteen-nation coalition has launched a fierce attack for five years, dividing its forces into five routes, but has not yet set foot on the Central Plains. Now, the nations are exhausted and barely clinging to life. If the fighting continues, I fear that you will all become prisoners of the Tang Dynasty."

Wang Xuance spoke eloquently, seemingly oblivious to the generals in the camp.

"What a joke! The Tang Dynasty was only one country, while we have eighteen. How can the manpower and resources of one country compare to those of eighteen?"

"Not to mention that many countries are now coming to offer assistance. Don't you understand the principle that those who act justly receive much help, while those who act unjustly receive little help?"

An official stepped forward and said disdainfully to Wang Xuance.

"I don't understand. All I see is the defeat of the allied forces in the northern desert, the cities captured by the allied forces being recovered by the Tang Dynasty one by one, the allied forces showing signs of defeat, and the allied forces being unable to advance an inch."

Wang Xuance said calmly.

"Stop with the empty talk and tell me your Tang Dynasty's conditions."

Another official changed the subject, saying that their country's national resources had long been depleted, but the sunk costs were too high, so they had been borrowing to make ends meet, and were the country that most wanted the war to end.

"All troops of your country must withdraw from the territory of the Great Tang, and you must also compensate for the cost of the army's departure."

Wang Xuance gestured, and Xin Youwu, the rather clever envoy standing behind him, stepped forward and made an outrageous demand.

"impossible!"

"How can we continue this discussion?"

"If that's your intention, then please return."

Inside the camp, all the generals glared fiercely at Xin Youwu. If they withdrew their troops and returned to their respective countries, it would mean that their five years of fighting had been for nothing, and they had gained nothing.

It's absolutely impossible to compensate the Tang Dynasty for its military expenses.

If that's the case, then it's better to continue fighting and see if we can wear down the Tang Dynasty and divide the land.

With the wealth of China, even the greatest losses can be recovered.

"There was really nothing to talk about."

Xin Youwu sneered.

"That condition is impossible. Let me tell you our conditions."

An official from the State of Chu standing next to Xiang Yuan spoke up.

"The land of the Great Xia should be returned to the descendants of the Xia Kingdom, and the Great Tang should return to the Central Plains, while also compensating the various countries for their military expenses."

"Are you kidding me? The lands of Great Xia that my army has occupied will never be returned to you!"

Wang Xuance glanced at the Xia descendants who had stepped forward and sneered inwardly. It seemed that some of those killed back then had escaped.

"That's our country's territory!"

A descendant of the Xia Kingdom's royal family stepped forward and said anxiously.

"Your territory is your territory back. If you want it back, send troops to fight!"

"How about we keep negotiating, and wait for your Xia Kingdom royal family to raise an army to fight? After that, we can continue negotiating."

"A coalition of nations could also do this: we can continue negotiations after the fighting is over!"

"I've long seen through your true colors!"

Xin Youwu spread his hands, speaking provocatively.

The descendants of the Xia Kingdom's royal family were so angry they couldn't speak. If they were capable of fighting, why were they engaging in this war of words?!

They drove out the Tang army long ago and rebuilt the Xia dynasty!

Wang Xuance secretly gave Xin Youwu a thumbs up.

The soldiers risk their lives; if the officers are not strong, they will be letting these soldiers down!