Eternal Saber

Chapter 641: Chapter 62: On the Six Kingdoms (Fourth Update—Seeking Monthly Votes)

The moment the chubby old man spoke, a commotion stirred below, and the civil and military officials exchanged glances, whispering among themselves.

"Elder Feng, your remarks are flawed."

Prime Minister of Qi cleared his throat and raised his voice, "Cutting off the Barbarian Army’s supplies is indeed gratifying and alleviates our deep-seated resentment, but it plants the seeds of disaster, leading to endless trouble."

The chubby old man sneered coldly, "What are you saying? According to you, when the Barbarian Race bullies us, we should just endure it?"

"The situation forces us to endure."

Prime Minister of Qi said in a solemn tone, "A ruler must consider the overall situation, not act impulsively like a Jianghu outlaw. Failing to endure small grievances disrupts greater schemes."

Chen Tang chuckled lightly, somewhat disdainfully.

"What advice does this ’Jianghu Hero’ have?"

Prime Minister of Qi glanced at Chen Tang, deliberately emphasizing the words ’Jianghu Hero’.

He looked down upon these people from Jianghu, who only relied on their barbaric power, knowing only to flaunt their courage.

"Utterly foolish."

Chen Tang shook his head.

"What did you say!"

Prime Minister of Qi rebuked, "In the Imperial Court, the ruler is present, how can you allow yourself to speak foully and disrupt the decorum here!"

"Prime Minister of Qi, this young man saved my life, it’s fine if he speaks casually."

The Great Kunmi quickly interjected, kindly reminding.

All the civil and military officials knew that the Great Kunmi was aided by a skilled person, escaped captivity, and regained power, leading to the death of the Little Kunmi and Prime Minister Qin.

However, they did not know that the skilled person was the young man standing before them.

Listening to the tone, Prime Minister of Qi’s heart trembled, vaguely realizing something, his tone softening, "Young hero, feel free to speak your mind, the officials and the King will judge for themselves."

"I don’t understand governance, but principles are universal."

Chen Tang said, "Do you think enduring for a while will resolve things? The Barbarian Race sees your endurance as an opportunity to bully you. The more you endure, the more they see you as spineless and easy to push around, when will you stop enduring?"

Prime Minister of Qi maintained a calm expression, smiled slightly, and asked in return, "May I ask Elder Feng and this young hero, based on your approach, if we don’t endure and intercept the Barbarian Army’s supplies, what harm can we inflict on the Barbarian Land?"

"Such actions would only anger the Barbarian Race, bringing their army to our borders, and Wusun Country would cease to exist! Who would bear this responsibility?"

The chubby old man’s brows furrowed.

What Prime Minister of Qi said wasn’t mere intimidation, it wasn’t exaggerated.

Li Shuhu, upon hearing it, grew anxious and instinctively looked at Li Zhongmou.

If Wusun Country doesn’t help and lets the Barbarian Race transport supplies through to Liangzhou, Liangzhou stands no chance.

Li Zhongmou pondered for a moment, then solemnly said, "Lord Qi’s words are not without merit, but this is just one possibility."

"Have you considered, Lord Qi, that the Barbarian Race using the passage is merely a test and an excuse, one territory cannot satisfy their ambition. After this battle, I dare assert, the Barbarian Race will take the opportunity to settle permanently, occupying the Wusun Celestial Pass."

"The Celestial Pass is the foremost pass of Wusun, strategically located, eastward connects to Yin Mountain, westward to Celestial Mountain, it is the lifeline of Wusun!"

"If it changes hands, it equates to opening Wusun’s gates wide, allowing the Barbarian Race to march in unimpeded, and then Wusun Country would cease to exist. Can you bear this responsibility, Lord Qi?"

Li Zhongmou’s words were powerful, outlining the pros and cons, exposing the ambition of the Barbarian Race.

"This statement is flawed."

Prime Minister of Qi said solemnly, "Intercepting the Barbarian Army’s supplies would only anger them, leaving no room for negotiation. But if we allow passage, perhaps losing a city or territory, we could take the opportunity to negotiate peace with the Barbarian Land."

"Young Master Li is concerned about Liangzhou, doesn’t want it to fall, I understand, but if you want to drag Wusun Country into it, your intentions seem too obvious."

Many court officials around echoed his sentiments.

This last statement from Prime Minister of Qi hit the mark.

No matter if Li Zhongmou’s words held reason, his affiliation with the Li Family of Liangzhou brought entanglements of interest, leaving him vulnerable to criticism.

Li Zhongmou’s brows furrowed, momentarily at a loss for a rebuttal.

"Today we surrender a city, tomorrow five cities, and then enjoy a night’s respite. We look upon the borders, only to see the Barbarian Army arriving again!"

Chen Tang suddenly exclaimed, "Yet Wusun’s land is limited, the Barbarian’s greed boundless, the more we offer, the more urgent their invasion! To sacrifice ground to appease the Barbarians, is like holding firewood to fight fire, until the firewood is gone, the fire won’t cease!"

These words were forceful, resonant and righteous, echoing through the Imperial Court, instantly silencing the surroundings.

Prime Minister of Qi was stunned, his eyes slowly changing as he looked at Chen Tang, showing a trace of shock.

He could scarcely believe such insightful words could emerge from a Jianghu outlaw.

Just in that moment, even he was nearly convinced.

Li Zhongmou, Li Shuhu, Changsun Ming, Murong Haitang and others looked at Chen Tang with surprise.

Even Changsun Ming, who had a life-and-death bond with Chen Tang, saw Chen Tang speak so persuasively for the first time.

"Brother Chen is still so modest."

Li Shuhu whispered, "Able to speak such words, yet just said he doesn’t understand governance."

Li Zhongmou also nodded, "I understand the logic, but to articulate it clearly in a mere moment as he did, I can’t manage."

"To sacrifice ground to appease the Barbarians, is like holding firewood to fight fire, until the firewood is gone, the fire won’t cease..."

The chubby old man had an odd expression, muttering in his mind, "These words sound scholarly, not like something he could come up with?"

"Damn, this kid’s playing hero again!"

These words weren’t concocted by Chen Tang.

Earlier, upon hearing the Little Emperor wanted to cede Liangzhou to appease the Barbarian Race, this passage from ’Theory of Six States’ learned in his past life flashed through his mind.

During the recent debate, hearing Prime Minister of Qi propose ceding territory, these words from ’Theory of Six States’ surfaced instantly.

He forgot most of the essay.

Only these few sentences were remembered clearly, slightly revised, and in a moment of anger, spoken publicly.

Chen Tang surveyed the surroundings.

Throwing out the words from a renowned essay of a past life, indeed had an impact.

Prime Minister of Qi, putting aside his disdain, slightly bowed to Chen Tang, "The young hero’s words are correct, but having experienced the recent rebellion, Wusun has suffered greatly, the people’s hearts are divided."

"Right now, it’s difficult to assemble a seasoned army, trying to stabilize internal affairs and suppress remnants of the Little Kunmi is already a struggle, let alone contend with the Barbarian Army, I hope the young hero understands."

His words were much more courteous and tactful.

Yet, he still hadn’t conceded.

Chen Tang could still understand.

After all, sending troops to intercept the Barbarian Army concerns of later vengeance by the Barbarian Race, leading to national destruction.

Chen Tang pondered a moment, "How about this, I’ll organize an army within Wusun Country, not under Wusun’s name, but under my own name to intercept the Barbarian Army’s supplies, you all just don’t interfere."

"You alone, young hero?"

Prime Minister of Qi paused, shook his head, "The Barbarian Race will arrive at the Celestial Pass in three days, the young hero has at most half a day to gather manpower, in such a short time, how many can you assemble."

"Moreover, they are untrained and disorganized, trying to intercept the Barbarian Army’s supplies seems purely fanciful."

Just then, someone in the crowd whispered.

"Is it Demon Monarch?"

Chen Tang instinctively turned his head.

Upon seeing Chen Tang clearly, the person was greatly shaken, hurriedly ran forward, expressing heartfelt emotion, prostrating and exclaimed, "Greetings to Demon Monarch!"

The Imperial Court was thrown into chaos upon hearing the words Demon Monarch!