Section 67

"Since this is a negotiation, we should be frank and open with each other."

"Hiding things and being secretive, wouldn't that just be a waste of time?"

"Your Highness is right, absolutely right."

Cao Zhengchun nodded repeatedly, but inwardly, he was complaining to himself.

Chapter 63: The Empress Bows! Northern Qi Is Entirely in His Grasp!

Your Highness, you call this "speaking the truth"?

You are clearly just trying to scare her on purpose, prioritizing psychological warfare, aren't you?

However, Cao Zhengchun also knew that Li Chengping's methods were always like this: overbearing, aggressive, and unconventional.

But often, it is precisely these unexpected methods that achieve miraculous results.

"Your Highness, then... what should we do next?"

Cao Zhengchun asked cautiously.

"Next?"

Li Chengping raised an eyebrow, a playful smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

"Next, we just wait for that Empress of Northern Qi to deliver herself to our doorstep."

"I would like to see exactly how she will choose."

Outside the city of Linzi, on the official road.

A carriage drove slowly along, its curtains drawn tight, making it impossible to see the situation inside.

Around the carriage, there were only a few guards, appearing very low-key, yet exuding a hint of a murderous Aura.

Inside the carriage, Zhan Doudou wore a plain-colored robe, her expression calm, but her eyes were complex and difficult to read.

She had already decided to personally go to Linzi to meet with Li Chengping.

For the sake of Northern Qi, for the sake of the people, she had to take this gamble!

"Your Majesty, are we really going?"

Outside the carriage came the worried voice of the First Princess.

"That Li Chengping is as cunning as a fox and sinister and vicious; what if..."

"There are no 'what ifs'."

Zhan Doudou's tone was calm, yet carried a hint of determination.

"I have already decided."

"Going to Linzi this time, life and death are determined by fate, and wealth by heaven."

"But for the sake of Northern Qi, I will never regret it!"

The carriage continued forward, slowly driving into Linzi.

The city gates were wide open, and welcoming the Empress of Northern Qi was Li Chengping, along with his iron-blooded army.

Inside the main hall of the City Lord's Mansion.

Li Chengping sat upright in the main seat, quietly waiting for Zhan Doudou's arrival.

Before long, footsteps could be heard, and Zhan Doudou, surrounded by guards, slowly walked into the hall.

Their gazes met, and the air seemed to be permeated with a hint of tension.

"Prince Ping of the Qing State, Li Chengping."

Li Chengping spoke first, breaking the silence, his tone calm but carrying a hint of scrutiny.

"Empress of Northern Qi, Zhan Doudou."

Zhan Doudou did not show any weakness either, her tone cold, her eyes firm.

The two locked eyes, confronting each other like two unsheathed sharp swords, their edges exposed, neither willing to yield.

"Your Majesty, have you been well?"

Li Chengping's mouth curled slightly upward, revealing a meaningful smile.

"I thought you would keep pretending to be a man and refuse to see me."

Zhan Doudou's expression did not change, her tone remaining cold.

"Prince Ping, there is no need to beat around the bush."

"I have come here today to know: what exactly are Prince Ping's conditions for peace?"

"Conditions?"

Li Chengping raised an eyebrow, his eyes playful.

"Your Majesty, do you think you still have the qualifications to negotiate conditions with me now?"

He smiled contemptuously, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.

"My army is already at the city gates, and nine cities have been broken.

Your Northern Qi is nothing more than fish on a chopping block; how dare you talk to me about qualifications?"

Zhan Doudou's phoenix eyes narrowed, and a chill radiated from her entire body.

"Prince Ping, you speak with such arrogance.

Do you really think you have Northern Qi completely in your grasp?"

"In my grasp?"

Li Chengping playfully repeated these two words.

"Using the words 'in my grasp' is underestimating me too much.

What I want is not just as simple as having Northern Qi in my grasp."

He stood up, paced to in front of Zhan Doudou, and looked down at her from a high position.

"What I want is the entire Northern Qi, this vast expanse of land, and for this world to submit to me!"

Zhan Doudou was shaken by Li Chengping's Aura, her heart trembling, but she still forced herself to remain calm on the surface.

"Prince Ping is ambitious, and your appetite is quite large. But aren't you afraid of choking yourself to death?"

"Choking to death?"

Li Chengping acted as if he had heard some huge joke, threw his head back and laughed a few times, his laughter filled with arrogance and disdain.

"In my dictionary, there is no such thing as 'choking to death'!"

He suddenly stopped smiling, his eyes instantly becoming as sharp as knives.

"Your Majesty, I will give you two paths.

Either kneel and submit immediately, present a letter of surrender, and have Northern Qi pledge allegiance to me, and I can ensure the safety of your Northern Qi.

Or, I will immediately lead my army to the capital, trample your Northern Qi imperial palace, and abduct you, the Empress, back to the Qing State to be a slave and a maid!"

Li Chengping's words were like raging waves, fiercely impacting Zhan Doudou's mental defenses.

Her face turned pale instantly, her delicate body trembling slightly, but in her eyes, a flame of unyielding defiance still burned.

"Prince Ping, don't even think about it!"

Zhan Doudou shouted sternly, her voice carrying a hint of determination.

"The men of my Northern Qi would rather die than surrender; we will never wag our tails and beg for pity from your Great Qing!"

"Would rather die than surrender?"

Li Chengping sneered, his eyes filled with mockery.

"What a 'would rather die than surrender'.

But, are the soldiers of your Northern Qi truly all as spirited as you?

Or perhaps, are they more willing to kneel and beg for mercy in order to survive?"

He changed the subject, his tone becoming cold and dark.

"Your Majesty, do you know how dire the situation in Northern Qi is right now? Linzi has fallen, nine cities have been lost, the Grandmaster Ku He is seriously injured and his life hangs in the balance, and your Northern Qi army has long since collapsed and is unable to withstand a single blow. What will you use to fight me? Your so-called 'would rather die than surrender'?"

Li Chengping pressed on step by step, his words like knives, every word piercing the heart.

Zhan Doudou was rendered speechless by his questions, her expression becoming increasingly unsightly.

She knew in her heart that what Li Chengping said was true.

The situation in Northern Qi had indeed reached the edge of collapse.

If they continued to fight, they would truly face the outcome of their nation being destroyed and their people exterminated.

But, to have her surrender just like this and bow her head to the Great Qing, how could she be willing?

She was the Empress of Northern Qi, the ruler of this vast land.

Making her submit to someone else was simply more painful than killing her.

"Prince Ping, do not go too far!"

Zhan Doudou said through gritted teeth, her voice carrying a hint of grief and indignation.

"Even if my Northern Qi's national strength is weak, we are not lambs waiting for you to slaughter!"

"Going too far?"

Li Chengping laughed again, his smile carrying a hint of cruelty.

"I have always been like this toward my enemies. The weak are prey to the strong, and the victor is king; this is only natural. Your Majesty, if you are sensible, you should obediently accept your fate to avoid bringing humiliation upon yourself."

He paused, his tone softening slightly, carrying a hint of temptation.

"If you submit, I can guarantee that the people of Northern Qi can still live and work in peace, the land of Northern Qi can still be preserved, and I can even confer upon you the title of King of Northern Qi, allowing you to continue ruling Northern Qi."

"There is only one condition: you must be obedient and be my most well-behaved subject."

Li Chengping's words, like the whispers of a devil, echoed in Zhan Doudou's ears.