330: Chapter 330 The Price

Princess Meng Xi's heart tightened. Having stayed at the Generals Mansion for the past few days, she had learned a bit more about Lin Xiao.

As a renowned beauty of the grasslands, she was actually somewhat mentally prepared for her fate.

"Lin Xiao, this battle concerns the life and death of the Western Qiang people. If there is something you want, please speak plainly."

Princess Meng Xi felt that being the lover of a man like this god of war wouldn't be a loss.

But Lin Xiao suddenly asked, "Princess Meng Xi, do you truly believe that the Western Qiang will be destroyed if I do not intervene?"

Princess Meng Xi frowned. "What do you mean, General?"

"The reason the Northern Barbarians are invading Western Qiang is simply because this winter is harsh. They dare not invade the northern border, so naturally, they have no choice but to go to your Western Qiang to plunder."

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"After all, you've earned a vast amount of money, cattle, and sheep from them through border trade. Now is the most worthwhile time to rob you."

"But Khan Jilun is no fool. If he truly pushes the Western Qiang people to the brink of extinction, he will inevitably face a backlash."

"The Northern Barbarians will certainly do their utmost to preserve their combat strength to avoid letting our Zhenbei Army or the Khitan people take advantage of the situation."

Lin Xiao said with a smirk, "In short, even if we don't send troops, Western Qiang won't be destroyed; you'll just suffer heavy casualties."

"Princess Meng Xi, what you truly care about is not the Western Qiang people, but... your own status within Western Qiang."

Princess Meng Xi said defiantly, "Yes, I am indeed worried that once my father falls, I will no longer have a foothold in the tribe."

"No matter which of my brothers seizes power, they will find a way to marry me off for a political alliance or even execute me! I'm not willing to let it end like this!"

"But by coming here to beg the General to send troops, can't I also save more of my people? Is there a conflict between the two?"

Lin Xiao smiled. "There is no conflict, but to me, your thoughts affect the strategy of the operation."

Princess Meng Xi was stunned, a look of confusion appearing on her face.

Lin Xiao held up two fingers. "I have two paths for you to choose from."

"First, we send troops to Western Qiang to drive away the Northern Barbarian Army for you and help you seize the throne of Western Qiang."

"Once successful, you must hand over thirty percent of Western Qiang's cattle, sheep, and horses to my Zhenbei Army."

"The Darkhan Pasture Grasslands, including the three nearby iron mines, must be granted to my Zhenbei Army for ten years."

"Of course, trade between the Northern Trade Alliance and your people will become closer, so you won't have to worry about a lack of money."

"Furthermore, my Zhenbei Army will be permanently stationed in Darkhan Pasture. It won't be so easy for the Northern Barbarians to invade you."

Princess Meng Xi's pretty face turned pale, and she cursed Lin Xiao in her heart for being despicable—he was truly taking advantage of her misfortune!

One must know that Darkhan Pasture was the grassland with the lushest water and grass in Western Qiang, not to mention the iron mines.

Once taken by the Zhenbei Army, it would be like a pack of lions crouching at the door and a sharp sword hanging over their heads!

Even if she became the Queen, she would still be under Lin Xiao's control.

As for the "ten-year" agreement, who knew what the situation would be in ten years?

"Then... what about the second path?" Princess Meng Xi asked curiously.

A hint of coldness flashed in Lin Xiao's eyes. "We don't go to Western Qiang. While the Northern Barbarian Marshal Suhe is leading his troops on the expedition, we strike directly at the heart of the Northern Barbarians—the Tengger Grasslands!"

Princess Meng Xi trembled all over upon hearing this, her eyes widening suddenly!

"You... you're going to attack the Golden Tent Royal Court?!"

Lin Xiao said calmly, "That's right. Use the blood of your Western Qiang people to exchange for the blood of the Northern Barbarian royalty!"

"Kill Khan Jilun, and the Northern Barbarians will collapse again. The major tribes will inevitably be in constant conflict!"

"Although more of your Western Qiang people will die, in the long run, Western Qiang will actually be safer."

Princess Meng Xi thought to herself that this guy was a total lunatic.

But once the Northern Barbarians fell into internal strife, it would be an unimaginably wonderful prospect!

After all, only in chaos can a new order be reshaped!

"Then... for the second path, what must I pay?"

Lin Xiao smiled, but this smile made Princess Meng Xi shudder all over!

"Caiwei, give the terms to the Princess."

Zhao Caiwei nodded, rode forward, and pulled out a scroll of parchment.

"What is recorded on this are my conditions. You may take a look."

Princess Meng Xi had a faint feeling that something was wrong. When she opened it, she was even more dumbfounded—there were actually more than a dozen terms!

She was well-versed in Central Plains culture. As she read the first term aloud, her face changed drastically!

"Stationing troops year-round north of Darkhan Pasture and west of Tengger, establishing the Dingxi Protectorate and the Dingbei Protectorate!?"

Princess Meng Xi's blood ran cold!

These two locations were vital "water sources" for the Western Qiang and Northern Barbarians, and the only regions where cold-resistant crops could be farmed!

Once the Zhenbei Army was permanently stationed there, it would be equivalent to letting them control the lifeblood of the grassland people and their livestock!

Further down, Western Qiang was not allowed to privately "smelt iron" or "produce salt"; salt and iron would be controlled by the Zhenbei Army.

In the three border cities, including Stone Fortress, free trade zones would be established to ensure year-round trade between the grasslands and the Central Plains.

Military supervisors would be stationed in each major tribe, rotating every two years. The appointment or removal of a new tribal leader would require review and approval by the Zhenbei adjutant office...

...

Seeing all these various terms, Princess Meng Xi's hands trembled violently!

"Absurd! Isn't this asking me to sell out the people of Western Qiang?! You're asking me to betray my country!?"

She was about to tear it up forcefully, only to find it was parchment and couldn't even be torn!?

Damn it! He even considered this!

Lin Xiao said with a smile, "Princess Meng Xi, I advise you to calm down. Do you truly think... the terms on this are a bad thing for Western Qiang?"

"To be blunt, all the Western Qiang people want is to be well-fed, well-clothed, and to live a stable life."

"The reason they like the products of our Northern Trade Alliance is simply because your Western Qiang is too poor, too miserable, and too barren, isn't it?"

"Once military power is surrendered, there will be no more need for war."

"We people of the Central Plains have been educated by sages since ancient times and possess hearts of benevolence; we do not engage in genocide."

"Just like the Baiyue of Great Gan, with so many minority tribes, aren't they living perfectly well?"

"Rather than saying you are selling out Western Qiang, it is more accurate to say you are selling out the interests of the Western Qiang royalty."

"But for the ordinary people of Western Qiang, if you allow them to live a life free of worry about food and clothing, you will instead become a hero in their hearts."

Princess Meng Xi looked astonished and fell into deep thought.

Although she was unwilling to admit it, she knew that what Lin Xiao said might be true.

The most painful time for the common people of Western Qiang was during conscription.

The people they hated most were not those from the Central Plains, but the tribal nobles of Western Qiang.

On ordinary days, the nobles did not treat the commoners as human beings; they didn't even value them as much as an ox or a horse.

Taking the skulls of commoners for decoration, skinning them to make canvases, using living people as sacrifices, seizing the right of the first night from young girls...

The Western Qiang nobles killed far more Western Qiang people than the people of the Central Plains did.

As a member of the royalty, she saw it all but could not change it; after all, this was how the Western Qiang people had lived for generations.

Taking a deep breath, Princess Meng Xi calmed herself down and asked in return:

"Lin Xiao, even if I could agree to these conditions, can you truly kill Khan Jilun?"