The Prodigal Son

We drank the wine and the tea.

However, the first meeting between the two sides ended in failure.

"Bastards! Those damned bastards!"

"There isn't a single good bird in the State of Yan!"

"If we get the chance, we must wipe out the Yan Kingdom!"

On the way back, Lü Si cursed all the way.

They had expected Yan to make exorbitant demands, but they never imagined Yan would be so unreasonable.

This is fucking like a robbery!

"Alright!"

Qin Yu stopped the enraged Lü Si, "Negotiations are supposed to be like this! Now that Yan is certain we won't fight both them and Bei Qi at the same time, it's understandable that they want to extort a lot of money from us."

"The Yan Kingdom didn't show any sincerity at all!"

Lu Si angrily said, "Why don't we just suspend the trade altogether! If we're not having an easy time, they shouldn't be either!"

Thinking of the Yan people's ugly faces, Lü Si felt a burning hatred.

"Severing trade routes is definitely not an option."

Song Xian picked up the thread, "Our navy still has to sail north along the coastline of Yan. Once the trade is interrupted, Yan will definitely try to intercept our navy."

"right!"

Qin Yu nodded. "Forget about cutting off trade! Actually, the point of our negotiation right now is Yan's military intervention to contain Bei Qi. If we don't talk about that, it's actually quite easy to reach an agreement."

"I doubt it!" Lü Si scoffed. "Even if we don't let them send troops to contain Bei Qi, Yan will definitely find other ways to extract benefits from us!"

Hearing Lü Si's words, Song Xian and Qin Yu couldn't help but exchange a silent glance.

To be honest, Lü Si saw things quite clearly.

He finally saw through the true colors of the Yan people.

However, they never even considered reaching an agreement with Yan Li today!

Reaching an agreement on the first try is more likely to arouse suspicion from others.

We need to pull them apart a few times first, so that the Yan state will completely lower its guard against them!

"Lord Qin, I have a suggestion!"

Just then, Zhu Songlan, who was following behind, suddenly spoke up.

"Oh?"

Qin Yu turned his head to look at him. "What suggestion?"

Zhu Songlan said solemnly, "If Yan wants to contain Bei Qi, it doesn't necessarily need to launch a feigned attack on Xianzhou! It only needs to have Yan move troops to Panshan Pass and make some unusual moves, and Bei Qi will naturally divert its forces to guard against Yan..."

The Yan state merely mobilized its troops, without launching any actual attack or feigned attack.

The Yan state's external relations can be described as a simple rotation of troops.

This is a normal military mobilization. Can Beiqi really prevent Yan from redeploying its troops?

In that case, Yan would not say that they would turn against Bei Qi and demand compensation from Da Ning, would they?

As Zhu Songlan continued speaking, Qin Yu and Song Xian exchanged another silent glance.

Zhu Songlan had the same idea as them!

That was their original plan!

First, they demanded military assistance. If negotiations failed, they then compromised by asking the Yan state to send troops to Panshan Pass, creating a disturbance there and indirectly putting pressure on the Northern Qi.

In this way, it was only natural to transfer the Yan state's available troops to Panshan Pass, making it easier for them to launch subsequent attacks!

Qin Yu pretended to think for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's a good suggestion! Let's discuss it properly later and then make further plans!"

Meanwhile, Yan Li also led his men back to Zhu County.

"Your Highness, where do you see Qin Yu's bottom line?"

During the journey, Feng Shu inquired about Yan Li.

Yan Li's lips curled into a smile as she replied, "At least halve the conditions I proposed! Given Qin Yu's personality, agreeing to 30% or 40% would be quite good!"

He knew Qin Yu would ask for a refund, which is why he asked for an exorbitant price.

Of course, Qin Yu understood as well.

Don't be fooled by Qin Yu's apparent anger; he's just putting on a show for himself.

They just wanted to get a better deal when haggling.

"Three to four tenths?"

Feng Shu was slightly surprised. "Isn't Your Highness's request a bit too low?"

"That's good enough."

Yan Li shook his head and smiled, "At most, we'll just put on a show for Bei Qi. How much more do you want? You're too greedy. If Qin Yu just gives up the third condition, wouldn't we suffer an even greater loss?"

Getting the benefits in hand is the most practical thing!

If the talks break down, it won't benefit anyone!

"Your Highness sees things very clearly."

Feng Shu chuckled. "What are Your Highness's thoughts on Qin Yu's second condition?"

What are you thinking?

Yan Li countered with a question.

Without hesitation, Feng Shu replied, "Agree to their request. At the same time, sell this important intelligence to Bei Qi. This will not only allow us to gain benefits from Bei Qi, but also demonstrate our stance to them!"

Yan Li shook her head upon hearing this, "You don't understand Qin Yu."

"What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"

Feng Shu looked at Yan Li, puzzled.

Yan Li's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "Have you considered what would happen if we sold this intelligence to the Yan Kingdom, and the Northern Qi made defensive preparations, but the Great Ning didn't send its navy to attack?"

Upon hearing Yan Li's words, Feng Shu's eyelids twitched suddenly.

Believe it or not, it's actually possible!

Selling false intelligence to Bei Qi caused Bei Qi to divide its forces to defend against the harassment of the Da Ning navy. Bei Qi will definitely blame them!

Unwittingly, the Yan state and the Northern Qi state became enemies!

Feng Shuming realized, "Your Highness means that Qin Yu might be using us?"

"Oh, right!"

Yan Li nodded slightly, "You've underestimated Qin Yu! He's a smiling tiger; he might seem all smiles and laughter on the surface, but his cunning is terrifying..."

How to deploy troops when two countries are at war is a top secret!

Qin Yu didn't trust them to begin with, so why would he tell them about Da Ning's troop deployment plan?

He guessed that Qin Yu was just waiting for them to sell this intelligence to the Yan Kingdom!

In this way, not only can the Yan State and the Northern Qi State become enemies, but their words can also be used to force the Northern Qi State to divide its troops to defend, thus resulting in insufficient troops on the main battlefield!

A lie can have such a powerful effect.

This is a sure-fire way to make money!

If the Yan state were to sell this intelligence to the Northern Qi, it would fall into Qin Yu's trap.

Unwittingly, the State of Yan helped Da Ning.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is indeed as astute; I am truly humbled!"

He was only concerned with his immediate interests and didn't think much about it.

If Yan Li hadn't seen through Qin Yu's scheme, they probably would have fallen into it.

Yan Li is so young, yet he has such a meticulous mind; it is truly admirable!

It must be said that Yan Li is the crown prince with the most imperial potential since the founding of the Yan Kingdom!

When Yan Li ascends the throne in the future, he will surely make the Great Yan even more powerful!

That's because you don't understand Qin Yu.

Yan Li comforted Feng Shu, saying, "He is undoubtedly the number one talent in Da Ning!"

"You should know that before March of last year, Qin Yu was a spoiled brat despised by everyone!"

"But look at all the things he's done. What kind of things would a spoiled brat do?"

"Qin Yu has endured for many years; his cunning is far beyond our imagination!"

"If this man doesn't die, he will surely become a formidable enemy of our Great Yan!"

For someone who is so good at hiding their true feelings, no amount of caution is too much!

If you are careless, you may fall into Qin Yu's trap!

Hearing Yan Li's words, Feng Shu suddenly realized that something was wrong.

Why is he so warm towards Qin Yu, as if he were a close friend, when he is clearly so wary of him?

Could it be...?

A tactic to sow discord?

Feng Shu quickly realized what was going on.

Daning has a fatal problem!

Empress!

The Qin family already held considerable military power, and Qin Yu was also exceptionally talented!

If Qin Yu continues to befriend Yan Li, the Crown Prince of Yan, it will be difficult for Empress Da Ning not to be wary of him!

Having figured this out, Feng Shu immediately probed, "Is Your Highness deliberately trying to make people think that Your Highness and Qin Yu are close friends?"

Yan Li smiled noncommittally and asked in return, "Do you really think I can become friends with him?"

"Your Majesty, I understand!"

A smile suddenly appeared on Feng Shu's face. "So, when our Highness negotiates with Qin Yu later, will he give Qin Yu some face at the appropriate time?"

Yan Li nodded and smiled, but said nothing more...