Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1593 Only One Obedient Puppet is Needed (Added 241 Million Reward Points)

"He didn't seem reluctant to part with his sister; rather, he seemed to be weighing how many good things we could still offer."

A lean, shrewd-looking man with sharp eyes, named Helian Ze, chimed in, "General Uvi is right."

"The Great Zhou emperor values ​​practical benefits. The Xiongnu's warhorses have hit a nerve. His deliberations are just a way of waiting for us to escalate the situation. Or we can find a more respectable excuse to make this marriage more glamorous, so as to shut up the mouths of those pedantic civil officials in their court."

Everyone nodded.

They had witnessed firsthand the hypocrisy and scheming of the Zhou people.

Luan Di Yi Tu, who had been sitting back in a large chair, slowly turned the silver cup in his hand, raised his eyes but did not speak.

Seeing this, Uvi leaned closer: "Your Highness, if the Emperor of Great Zhou agrees, do you really want to marry that Princess Yun'an?"

His tone was hesitant, but a closer listen revealed a hint of contempt.

They had all witnessed Princess Yun'an's performance at the palace banquet.

His initial arrogance and subsequent loss of composure made him resemble a caged bird with only beautiful feathers.

Such a woman is not worthy of the fiercest wolf on their grasslands.

Luan Di Yi Tu sneered through his nose and placed the silver cup on the small table beside him: "Marry her?"

"What I want is nothing more than what the identity of the Great Zhou princess can bring me."

"Such as more favorable rates in border markets, reductions in annual tribute, and extra grain and ironware provided by the Great Zhou emperor to demonstrate goodwill."

"As for that woman..."

At this point, Luan Di Yi Tu paused, then said disdainfully, "Spoiled, foolish and shallow, all show and no substance, but weak inside."

"A woman like that, if placed on the grassland, wouldn't survive two winters, let alone give birth to strong wolf cubs."

Helian Ze nodded: "Your Highness is right."

"In the Xiongnu royal court, there are many princes and nobles of marriageable age. The son of King Zuo Guli, a general who has just lost his wife, or a warrior who has made meritorious contributions under the king's command... just pick one of those with decent status and marry the eldest princess of the Great Zhou."

"In any case, that woman is going to the Xiongnu for a political marriage. Does it really matter who she marries?"

unimportant.

It doesn't matter at all.

Everyone present understood the prince's meaning.

Princess Yun'an of the Great Zhou Dynasty was nothing more than a free gift that could be disposed of at will.

Her feelings and fate were as insignificant as a feather in the trade between the Xiongnu and the Great Zhou.

Uvi pondered for a moment and said, "Your Highness is wise."

"In this way, we can save face, gain real benefits, and avoid the need for the prince to personally marry that foolish and shallow woman."

"But... will the Emperor of Great Zhou mind that Princess Yun'an's husband is not a core member of the royal family?"

Luan Di Yi Tu sneered: "If the Emperor of Great Zhou truly cared for his sister, he wouldn't have been tempted in the first place. Since he has been tempted, he has tacitly agreed to the deal."

"As long as it's nominally the Xiongnu royal family marrying her, and it's respectable on the surface, does the Great Zhou emperor care whether the princess sleeps in the Chanyu's golden tent or some centurion's yurt?"

"Perhaps he'd be happy about it."

After all, a princess who is not married to a powerful figure will have fewer entanglements and concerns should the situation change in the future.

Luan Di Yi Tu saw things clearly.

Political marriages are essentially exchanges of interests. Beneath the facade of warmth and affection lies the coldest calculation.

Uvi grinned, revealing teeth stained yellow by smoky tea: "Your Highness is right!"

"Then let's wait for the Emperor of Great Zhou to make his decision and agree on the price."

"Just find any excuse, like some prince who admires the splendor of the Celestial Empire and falls in love with Princess Yun'an at first sight, and send him out on this mission."

Luan Di Yi Tu's eyes were deep and unfathomable: "Of course we need to have a proper talk."

"The Great Zhou emperor wants to keep us waiting while raising the price. We also need to let him know that the Xiongnu are sincere, but their patience is limited."

"Warhorses can be provided, but the quantity of tea and ironware must be doubled. The annual tribute should be waived if possible, or at the very least reduced by half."

He looked at Helian Ze and said, "These next two days, go and make contact with officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue of the Great Zhou. Don't be too formal. At the dinner table and in private, make our 'difficulties' and 'sincerity' clear."

“Remember, it’s about revealing it to them ‘accidentally,’ not asking them for it.”

Helian Ze nodded and said, "Understood."

"As for that eldest princess..."

Luan Di Yi Tu said indifferently, "Let her live in fear for a few more days."

"Fear can sometimes make a person more obedient and more valuable."

The Xiongnu didn't need a princess with personality and ideas; they only needed a submissive puppet.

The Xiongnu generals inside the room all smiled knowingly.

The Left Wise King they followed was not only brave on the battlefield, but also ruthless in the silent diplomatic maneuvering.

The Xiongnu delegation would not return immediately, but officials from the Ministry of Rites would conduct private negotiations with them to discuss the details of cooperation between the two countries.

The next day.

Luan Di Yi Tu presented a letter of state, stating that he was acting on the orders of the Chanyu and wished to have detailed consultations with the Great Zhou on matters such as border markets, annual tribute, and even the establishment of a permanent alliance between the two countries.

Nangong Xuanyu ignored them for several days.

When the Xiongnu envoys were getting anxious, he wrote a decree in vermilion ink, ordering the Ministry of Rites to take charge of the matter, with the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War to cooperate and discuss the procedures with the Xiongnu envoys.

The location was set at the Honglu Temple.

The Court of State Ceremonial was an official agency in charge of affairs concerning vassal states and foreign countries. It was not usually busy, but in the past few days it had suddenly become the focus of attention in the capital.

Security was increased both inside and outside the government office, creating a solemn atmosphere.

The officials coming and going all walked hurriedly, their faces solemn, unlike their usual relaxed demeanor.

The negotiations took place at 7:00 AM.

Gu Jinxiao was dressed in a brand-new purple official robe, with a gold fish pouch at his waist and a black gauze hat on his head. He was meticulous in every detail.

Behind him were several capable officials and assistant secretaries from the Ministry of Rites, as well as two secretaries from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War.

The group passed through the many gates of the Honglu Temple and arrived at the private residence specially set up for this negotiation.

The room has been properly furnished.

Two long tables were set up opposite each other, covered with dark brocade. On the tables were writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, as well as snacks and tea.

The window was half-open, letting in the crisp, cool air of early spring, bringing a touch of coolness.

On the Xiongnu side, the delegation was led by Luan Di Yi Tu, accompanied by his strategist Helian Ze and two deputy envoys who were fluent in Chinese and familiar with affairs.

Luan Di Yi Tu had changed into a formal Xiongnu noble's outfit today, still mainly made of leather and inlaid with silver ornaments. Her long hair was braided, and eagle feathers hung lightly.

He sat in the guest seat with an air of nonchalance, appearing relaxed, but his sharp eyes scanned every official of the Great Zhou who entered, finally settling on Gu Jinxiao.

Luan Di Yi Tu nodded slightly in greeting: "Minister Gu."

Gu Jinxiao returned the greeting with a cupped hand, neither humble nor arrogant: "Left Wise King".

He then took his seat in the main seat.

Both sides' entourages also took their places.