No way out
Pei Jin smirks hearing Shiyou who was still acting to be a gentleman. The bulging veins on his neck and sideburns failed his wise and calm facade. How can he let him go so easily not to mention he dared to even have his designs on his beloved.
With a chilling voice he replies "emperor...we cannot leave our cities charred and people on streets for a month...you should have prepared yourself when agreeing for this meeting...a mere letter can solve this problem why need to travel back and forth...benwang believes all your subjects will understand your difficulties and will agree as long as you agree to our demands...
The entire world knows how Nanling struggles to keep the three cities stable...right after it was constructed it was destroyed...like your eastern territory for us Jing plays crucial part for prosperous Nanling...the capital which for more than thousand years stood tall...pride and heart of Nanling was dirtied and ravaged by your so called loyal pillar of huajin...
If still you and your subordinates feel that we are asking more than we can chew then no problem...you don't need to pay just wait here and watch the same thing happening in your land...sometimes unless wounded can't feel how it hurts when seeing others wound...
Don't worry benwang will not kill a person more or less...similarly not a house would be burned more and less...same poison shall be used found on our wells... benwang have all the numbers clear in mind...benwang will order our men to be precise with the numbers...oh and your imperial ancestral shrine and palace will also be taken care of the same way...
Once started without coming to a result none of us shall leave this vicinity as it is the ancient way of doing things...back when we were at war it was handled the same way by our fathers later...as their descendants we too shall follow their path...hence don't feel threatened or captives for we are also bound here with you all...
You all should feel some relief that nor benwang or great general duke would be taking command of the men...but benwang can't say same for our army...benwang won't hide that as we speak Jin and yan army are closing on your north and south borders...
Three days is the time Nanling will give you...sufficient for you to discuss the matters among yourselves including sending and receiving message from your consuls from capital...before midnight the final answer should be made...if not....benwang believes no need to explain...meanwhile during these three days beside leaving be at ease...shelter, food, drinks and other necessities will be provided as per your status.."
The ministers couldn't help but tremble when hearing of the Jin and yan army. Shiyou was near to vomit blood from anger if not for having his martial strength gone, he would have attacked Pei Jin for repeated provocation. Mo Yan was truly taken by fear and shock from Pei Jins intellect which soon was replaced by endless hate.
More than the ministers both Shiyou and Mo Yan knew that as of current they were truly trapped with no way out. If they agree to this deal huajin's state treasure would be emptied to its last coin, there vast resources will be taken leaving them with soon to crumble country not to mention they would be observed day and night by their enemy.
This deal was rather giving the entire huajin on the silver platter than paying reparations. As they were the ones at fault if Nanling declares war it would be justified as huajin failing to shoulder responsibilities . Also if there is a war huajin is sure to loose being pressed from all sides as they don't have many capable generals like Nanling. Not to mention they are already in pinch from the beast wave and barbarians sudden attack.
Shiyou at this moment felt regret for not having sufficient and capable generals like of Nanling because of previous war huajin had already lost many named and famed generals. The young talents yet to experience real battlefield would only be a great risk if suddenly given command over thousands of soldiers.