Chapter 2200: Common Ground

These eight prefectures alone cover one-third of the entire Ya Kingdom, an area many times larger than what Ya Kingdom had previously ceded to Cangyan.

These two terms alone reveal the helplessness and fear of the Ya people.

These eight prefectures encompass Ya Kingdom's most fertile pastures and its most densely populated areas. Ya Kingdom would never have willingly relinquished them if there had been any other option.

Meanwhile, Mou Kingdom responded, "Well, since you've shown such sincerity, then let's have a proper discussion."

Consequently, it halted the advance of several armies. Letters and envoys traveled back and forth numerous times between the two sides, and negotiations even progressed to the point of arranging a face-to-face meeting between Mou Kingdom's Grand Chancellor and a Ya Kingdom prince.

Meetings between leaders of this caliber are not achieved overnight. They require thorough preliminary communication between both sides, with officials at various levels finalizing numerous matters before high-level talks can reach this conclusive stage.

The war, which had lasted nearly two years, finally saw the dawn of peace. Cangyan's spies in Ya Kingdom reported that the people in the capital were jubilant, even happier than during the New Year celebrations.

Ya Kingdom had been severely crippled by this war. Although its army was formidable, the nation's overall strength was far inferior to Mou Kingdom's, particularly in its supply of food and daily necessities. (Indeed, why else would it have previously resorted to raiding its neighbors?) After a year and a half of conflict, the domestic economy had nearly collapsed, with food, medicine, and weapons all depleted, and even horses in short supply!

Without proper feed, how could horses have any endurance if they only ate grass?

Furthermore, Ya Kingdom had suffered immense losses of able-bodied combatants and laborers during the war.

Ya Kingdom genuinely wished to cease fighting; from its leadership down to its common people, no one desired to continue the war. They had only now realized the true value of peace and were unwilling to let go of even a glimmer of hope.

After reviewing this intelligence, He Lingchuan offered a single comment: "Ya Kingdom is finished."

"Yangquan Pass is Ya Kingdom's very own Gate of Hell," Du Shan added. "You Huan has meticulously laid a trap for over a year, and the moment to spring it has finally arrived."

You Huan must have been anticipating this moment for a long time as well, hadn't he?

Mei Wuniang frequently sent messages to Cangyan, typically consisting of urban rumors and high-society gossip from Mou Capital. However, very little information was ever extracted directly from You Huan. He was extremely meticulous; only once, nine months prior, did he accidentally let something slip in front of Mei Wuniang, and he never divulged military secrets again after that.

"We should take some action," Du Shan said, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "What if we make things a little more difficult for Mou Kingdom?"

After all, it was clear that Mou Kingdom was determined to crush Ya Kingdom. Since they claimed it would be "at all costs," why not ensure the price they pay is even higher?

The weaker Mou Kingdom emerged after the war, the more amiable and closer it would become to Cangyan.

He Lingchuan, however, waved a dismissive hand. "No, on the contrary, we should offer Mou Kingdom some assistance. After nearly two years of conflict, Mou Kingdom is also weary. Now that victory is assured, since it aims to press its advantage, we might as well help them seal it."

Du Shan looked slightly regretful. "Yes," he conceded.

Seeing the shift in Du Shan's gaze, He Lingchuan knew what he was thinking. "Mou Kingdom has no fundamental conflict with us," he explained. "After all, we belong to the same camp and must jointly resist Beijia and the Sky Demons."

A wise man needs only a hint, and Du Shan instantly understood, reproaching himself. "I was shortsighted, Emperor, please do not blame me!"

He had been too focused on the subtle intrigues between nations, momentarily forgetting Cangyan's fundamental principles. Yet the Emperor always remained steadfast and righteous, adhering to his core values without deviation.

"It's fine," He Lingchuan replied. "I'll leave this matter in your hands."

"Yes, Emperor!"

A few days later, another large consignment of supplies that Mou Kingdom had ordered from Cangyan arrived.

Over the past year or so, communication between Mou Kingdom and Cangyan had been close, and transactions frequent. Cangyan's internal and external stability, coupled with its rapid development thanks to the benefits of Dilu Paste, truly allowed it to provide Mou Kingdom with a large quantity of military supplies, including medicine, weapons, gunpowder, and armor.

The support it offered Mou Kingdom truly could not be matched by a smaller state like Baillie, but it came at a high price!

The recent intensification of the war meant You Huan had simply been sleeping in his official residence, not returning home, and consistently keeping late nights and early mornings. However, before dawn today, the transport commissioner for the Eastern Three Routes had already delivered a supply list to his desk, accompanied by an additional Clerk Xiao.

You Huan yawned as he flipped through the list. Before he had even gone through two pages, he let out a sound of surprise and quickly flipped back.

"Didn't we order silver-manganese from Cangyan for this batch?" he wondered. "Why did finished special weapons arrive instead?" He flipped two more pages back. "The quantity isn't right either."

This batch of swords, spears, and halberds had been forged by Cangyan's most renowned armory. Their quality was guaranteed, and they were reputedly made exclusively for elite soldiers. Private merchants would not even be able to purchase them.

Clerk Xiao, who had been sent to provide answers, explained: "Cangyan's escort officer stated that the Great Emperor Jiuyou wished to help our nation achieve complete victory, and therefore personally altered the order, substituting the raw materials for thirty-eight thousand finished special weapons!"

"Excellent, excellent," You Huan muttered, his heart skipping a beat. Was this a case of receiving a pillow precisely when one was sleepy? "Have someone calculate the cost and process the payment at the price of finished special weapons."

"The Great Emperor Jiuyou said that this consignment of weapons is Cangyan's congratulatory gift, and no additional fees will be charged," Clerk Xiao replied.

"Oh, they're a gift?" You Huan murmured.

You Huan pondered for a moment. "Very well," he said. "Convey a message to the transport commissioner: this batch of special weapons must be sent to the front lines immediately; not even half a day's delay can be tolerated!"

"Understood."

Once Clerk Xiao had withdrawn, You Huan closed the scroll and sat in silent contemplation, soon muttering to himself, "Did Cangyan actually see through my plan?"

The overarching strategy against Ya Kingdom had been formulated by him. Why would Cangyan choose to send such a large consignment of special weapons precisely at this moment—not earlier, not later—just as Mou Kingdom had achieved a major victory at Yangquan Pass and was engaged in seemingly cordial negotiations with Ya Kingdom?

This implied a certainty that Mou Kingdom would desperately need these weapons in the immediate future.

It also implied a certainty that Mou Kingdom's current negotiations were merely a facade, concealing a hidden agenda.

How had the Great Emperor Jiuyou discerned this?

In that instant, You Huan felt a surge of anger and unease at having his plans seen through.

This was no trivial matter. After dawn, he intended to report to the palace.

After hearing You Huan's report, Emperor Mou raised an eyebrow. "He has seen through your strategy," he stated.

"Perhaps it was merely a coincidence?" You Huan considered saying, but ultimately held his tongue.

"It is no coincidence," Emperor Mou declared, having discerned You Huan's unspoken thought. "Jiuyou sent these weapons for three reasons: first, to address our immediate need; second, to inform you that he knows your true intentions; and third, to extend a favor to the Great Mou."

You Huan remained silent.

Emperor Mou knew You Huan felt unconvinced, but he feigned ignorance. "Since that is the case," he instructed, "write a letter of thanks in my name."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Emperor Mou let out another long sigh. "Jiuyou perceives the subtle and understands the significant," he mused. "Qingyang truly did not lose unfairly to him."

Qingyang's defeat at the hands of the Great Emperor Jiuyou had, back then, sent shockwaves through Mou Kingdom's court and public alike; everyone had been in disbelief.

Emperor Mou rarely displayed emotion, but You Huan detected an immense sense of wistfulness in that brief remark.

While the emphasis was on the Great Emperor Jiuyou, the remark was, in fact, also a high acknowledgment of Qingyang's capabilities.

Could the Emperor have had some previous interaction with Beijia's Imperial Advisor Qingyang?