The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

Chapter 351 Taking a Different Approach to Connect and Cultivate Relationships

Gu Zhanghua and Zhao Xuan naturally didn't expect to achieve their goal in one conversation. They chatted with Ying Yang for a few more minutes about the desert scenery before seeing him out of the tent.

Qin Shao was somewhat pleased after hearing about the outcome of the first peace negotiation.

"It's already quite remarkable that Yingyang was willing to offer horses on their first visit to you."

Zhao Xuan laughed heartily and clenched her fist happily.

"He might be afraid that if he continues to be stubborn, we'll kill him, since his life is now in our hands!"

Qin Shao, however, did not take Zhao Xuan's words as a joke, and said seriously:

"If killing one Rongdi king could guarantee long-term peace and stability in the northern border, that would be too simple! His Majesty's ultimate goal is to negotiate peace with the Rongdi tribe and release Yingyang back to his tribe. This is the only long-term solution."

Qin Shao's expression became even more serious as he looked at the two of them.

"In the two years since Yingyang ascended the throne, although he has frequently harassed my northern border, he has acted with great restraint. He has only plundered food and supplies, but has not killed any of my Xia people, nor has he allowed his men to plunder women."

His sole purpose was to force us to establish a border market so that we could plan for the future of our tribe. That's why His Majesty relented and thought it was worthwhile to talk to him.

"So his alliance with Yue to harass the northern border and tie down your forces was just for show?"

Zhao Xuan voiced her doubts.

"That's true and that's not true. The alliance with Yue was just going with the flow. The main purpose was to exert pressure, show the strength of the tribe, and increase their bargaining power in peace talks with us. I never expected that they would become our prisoners."

Qin Shao couldn't help but shake his head with amusement.

"You can make demands of him, but you can't be too unreasonable. You have to find the right balance."

Gu Zhanghua's mind raced, and suddenly a good idea came to him. He couldn't help but smile and look at Qin Shao.

"Uncle Qin, I'd like to throw a birthday party for Sister Xuan tonight!"

Before Qin Shao could express his opinion, Zhao Xuan widened her eyes, pointed her right index finger at her nose, and looked at Gu Zhanghua in surprise.

"Celebrate my birthday?"

"Yes, didn't you say that Aunt Zhao said back then that since you were adopted, and she didn't even know what day you were born, you could live every day as long as you wanted to?"

"Uh……"

Zhao Xuan was speechless. Her master had said that he would sometimes act on a whim, celebrating her birthday and using the occasion to gather everyone together for a big feast.

But we're in the Northern Army right now, and we need to negotiate peace with Eaglewing, celebrate her birthday, and tonight is no good, is it?

Seeing Zhao Xuan's silly look, Gu Zhanghua flicked her forehead.

"Tonight, let's have a get-together with the Rongdi King and his captured clansmen outside the command tent, and hold a bonfire party!"

As he spoke, he looked at Qin Shao and held up three fingers.

"There are three objectives. First, to let the Rongdi tribes know that their king is not dead; second, to increase mutual understanding and play the emotional card to lay a good foundation for future peace negotiations; and third, everyone is exhausted from this great battle with the Rongdi tribes, and we want to let everyone relax."

Zhao Xuan understood, pretended to be angry, and punched Gu Zhanghua's shoulder.

"So it turns out you used my birthday as an excuse to achieve your ulterior motives. The birthday celebration was just a pretext!"

“I really want to celebrate your birthday. I ask you, in all these years since Aunt Zhao passed away, has your father ever celebrated your birthday?”

Gu Zhanghua asked Zhao Xuan with a serious expression.

Zhao Xuan was speechless again, her expression somewhat gloomy.

"How did you know? I haven't been in the mood for this at all these years. I think my dad has been busy making money to support me every day and has completely forgotten about it!"

"How did I know? I guessed! It's been over two years since you married me, and no one around you has ever mentioned celebrating your birthday. I guess everyone has probably forgotten..."

Gu Zhanghua had just remembered this incident, and to be honest, he felt a little guilty. Everyone else could forget it, but he was the only one who shouldn't have.

Zhao Xuan, being easygoing, quickly dispelled her worries and instead comforted Gu Zhanghua.

"Alright, alright, it's not important. There have been so many messy things happening these past few years, where would I find the time to think about this?"

Seeing the young couple chatting so enthusiastically, Qin Shao couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter.

"Alright! Uncle Qin, then it's up to you. We'll celebrate Xuan'er's birthday properly tonight, as Hua'er wishes! And I also have some great news to tell you!"

Qin Shao paused deliberately at this point, keeping the others in suspense, his gaze towards the two men quite obvious.

Can you guess what wonderful news it is?

When it comes to showing care and concern for their loved ones, the couple immediately spoke in unison.

"What great news is it?"

He also pretended to be eager to know the truth, looking at Qin Shao with pleading eyes.

Qin Shao was very satisfied with the two's cooperation and suddenly slapped his thigh.

"The Yue Kingdom has withdrawn its troops from Fengcheng. With the sudden rise of the Song Kingdom's navy, the Yue Kingdom no longer dares to be careless and lightly declare war on the Xia Kingdom. At present, His Highness Prince Cheng is also negotiating peace with the Yue Kingdom! Guan Liushui, the special envoy, did a very good job this time!"

It was such a huge surprise that it completely stunned Gu Zhanghua and Zhao Xuan.

The two looked at each other in a daze, and after a while, they suddenly jumped up, hugged each other, cheered, jumped, and spun around.

Qin Shao looked at the two of them with a smile, feeling deeply moved.

The younger generation of Xia Kingdom has finally grown up. The older generation has gradually grown old, but the new generation, like the rising sun, is rising slowly.

Zhao Xuan suddenly slapped her forehead.

"We absolutely have to celebrate tonight! I'm going to get ready!"

"If anyone should be preparing, it should be me. What are you going to prepare?"

Gu Zhanghua was completely baffled by Zhao Xuan's sudden reaction.

Zhao Xuan grinned at Gu Zhanghua, her pastry chef skills instantly on point.

"I'm going to show off my skills and make some delicious pastries for everyone!"

While Zhao Xuan and Gu Zhanghua were leading everyone in a lively preparation for the bonfire party, Yingyang finally saw his captured tribesmen in the camp.

Wang Shubogegu, along with four Rongdi tribal generals, knelt before Yingyang, with Mengna among them.

Boggu couldn't help but shed tears, his voice choked with emotion.

"Your Majesty...we saw you fall to the ground, wounded by an arrow...and were captured by the Xia army without moving...we all thought you were...we never expected..."

Boggu spoke haltingly, and Yingyang could understand what he meant. Everyone thought he was dead, but they never expected to see him standing alive in front of them.

Yingyang quickly helped Boggu up and told the others to get up as well.

"Uncle Wang, how come you're also..." Yingyang looked Boggu up and down, "Are you injured?"

Boggu wiped away his tears and reported the truth to Yingyang.

"I was shot in the arm with an arrow. Their anesthetic was really strong. I was unconscious for a whole day and night before I woke up. It was that skilled young female doctor from Xia's army who treated my wound. Now I'm fine!"

Yingyang looked at everyone and, seeing that they were all safe and sound, then asked Boggu.

"Xia Jun hasn't allowed you to see me these past few days, so why did he suddenly bring you here today?"

Let Boggu answer Yingyang's question on behalf of everyone.

"I heard from Xia Jun that they're celebrating the Princess Consort's birthday tonight, so they released us leaders and let us accompany the King!"

Yingyang nodded, indicating that he understood, but in his heart he felt that this matter was not simple, at least not as simple as celebrating the birthday of the Princess Consort.

He invited everyone to sit around the table, thought for a moment, and then shared one of his guesses with them.

"I've been negotiating peace with the Xia Kingdom these past two days. Their actions are a deliberate gesture of goodwill, a way of showing their sincerity..."

For the Rong and Di tribes, being able to negotiate peace with the Xia state was of paramount importance.

Boggu made no attempt to hide his eagerness.

"Your Majesty, have the peace terms been agreed upon?"