Chapter 993: Chapter 989: Caught Off Guard
"Since the Empress knows that the envoy returned to Zhou only on the day the Empress ascended the throne, did it never occur to you... that in the days before the envoy returned to Zhou, he might have been in Xiliang?"
Bai Qingqi’s indifferent gaze also turned to the Empress of Zhou. Though he seemed a cold and distant person...
Even though his words were sharp and unkind, perhaps due to his gentle demeanor and composed presence, people still felt he was graceful.
The Empress of Xiliang slightly tightened her palms, pretending to be calm, and smiled deeper: "Your honesty is commendable."
Bai Qingqi nodded slightly to the Empress of Xiliang: "It’s not that the envoy intends to trouble Your Majesty, nor is it that the training methods of the Bai family Huying Camp cannot be shared, but... the Bai family army will never allow comrades to be forcibly detained in another country! The Bai family army is known for standing up for its members, and I hope Your Majesty can understand! If there has been a misunderstanding... someone should take my subordinates to the Huoyun Army’s training site to check. If indeed there are none, both the envoy and the Empress of Zhou will remember this favor from the Empress of Xiliang."
The Empress of Xiliang understood well that Bai Qingqi had accurately stated the location of the Huoyun Army camp earlier, suggesting that he had already investigated. Now he was seeking justification to take back his people.
Bai Qingqi had just returned to Zhou and, without waiting for Li Zhijie to sign an alliance with Zhou, quietly entered Yunjing as an envoy, perhaps... for this matter.
"Naturally, if the Empress of Xiliang does not permit it, it is also understandable." Bai Qingqi’s lips seemed to curl into a very faint smile, "The envoy can understand, but cannot help but... remember."
This was indeed a threat.
The Empress of Xiliang recalled the humiliation of the previous alliance signed at Qiushan Pass with the Jin Kingdom.
A weak country has no leverage to bargain with a strong nation.
She suddenly recalled what Li Zhijie said upon returning with the peace agreement from Qiushan Pass, that Bai Qingyan had said... that when seeking peace humbly, one must show the attitude of seeking help, not adopt any posture in front of the victors, for the weak... have no such qualifications! She had also said that if Xiliang were to perish and cease to exist, what face or confidence would there be to discuss humiliation!
A weak nation lacks the confidence and dignity to talk about disgrace with a strong country.
But the humiliation of today, she remembered, and she vowed to rebuild Xiliang from ruins, to make it a strong country again, capable of competing with Zhou and Yan for dominance, and vying for the Central Plains with them.
The Empress of Xiliang maintained her smile and nodded: "Since your envoy is concerned, it is indeed possible to send someone to have a look."
Bai Qingqi bowed to the Empress of Xiliang: "The people I brought are currently waiting outside the country, and I kindly ask Your Majesty to immediately send someone to take them along; only then can the envoy be at ease."
Overstepping the bounds...
However, with Xiliang in decline, she had no choice but to nod and turned to the eunuch beside her: "Go tell General Yun to take the people accompanying the Zhou envoy to the Huoyun Army camp, so the Zhou envoy’s people can see for themselves... whether there are any Bai family army members in our Huoyun Army, to assure the Zhou envoy."
The Empress of Xiliang smiled as she looked at Bai Qingqi, who stood straight and grateful.
"Yes..." The little eunuch responded and exited the palace.
Outside the palace, Yun Poxing understood the Empress of Xiliang’s intention upon hearing the eunuch’s message.
He had not expected that as soon as Bai Qingqi arrived in Xiliang, he would be aware of the Huoyun Army. He pursed his lips, raised his hand for the eunuch to approach, and whispered in the eunuch’s ear: "Go relay an order to General Li to quickly head to the Huoyun Army camp and ensure that no one sees Yun Lan..."
"Yes!" The little eunuch immediately ran off.
Yun Poxing watched the eunuch run into the distance, then slowly instructed the imperial guard beside him: "Go to the Yun Mansion and say it’s my order... have the second master personally take the Zhou envoy to the Huoyun Army camp."
"Yes!"
Yun Poxing then turned to look at the elaborately carved wooden doors of the great hall, feeling a heaviness in his heart.
Inside the great hall.
Bai Qingqi again bowed to the Empress of Xiliang and said: "The Empress has been gracious; naturally Zhou will reciprocate. Allow me to mention one matter to Your Majesty, which bears no ill will towards the Xiliang court..."
"Please, do speak!" The Empress of Xiliang looked seriously at Bai Qingqi.
"King Yan of Xiliang went to Zhou with generous gifts, wishing to sign an alliance with Zhou, yet my Empress of Zhou hesitated to agree because... the Eight Great Families of Xiliang had once secretly sent someone to Jin to meet with the Crown Prince, planning to form an alliance as they supported a new emperor in Xiliang’s ascent to the throne, requesting Jin’s assistance for Xiliang. Yet, just as things were undecided, the chaos from King Liang’s rebellion ensued!"
The Empress of Xiliang, with clear and bright eyes, observed Bai Qingqi, seemingly assessing the truth of his words.
"Your Majesty must know, my Empress of Zhou had previously discussed everything with the Crown Prince of Jin before ascending the throne, so... this is why Zhou is concerned and has delayed forming an alliance with Xiliang!" Bai Qingqi continued, looking at the calm and unaffected Empress of Xiliang, "This time the Empress of Zhou sent the envoy to Yunjing in Xiliang, granting the envoy the discretion to decide... whether to form an alliance, which is why after coming to Yunjing, I have not hastily requested an audience, to consider... if the Empress can truly control Xiliang."
"Even if there were changes to the throne of Xiliang..." The Empress of Xiliang’s lips curved up, "No matter who ascends the Xiliang throne, they would certainly be eager to form an alliance with Zhou. Could it be... that the Empress of Zhou fears that if there were changes in Xiliang... the territories promised by this Xiliang emperor would be reclaimed by a successor emperor? Your words... seem to intend to cause strife between me and the Eight Great Families."
The Empress of Xiliang, as if suddenly thinking of something, raised her brows: "Or perhaps, your envoy tells me this to provoke a confrontation between me and the Eight Great Families, bringing internal chaos to Xiliang’s court?"
Bai Qingqi smiled faintly, straightened his spine, and bowed to the Empress of Xiliang: "The Empress’s insight is indeed sharp."
The Empress of Xiliang had not expected Bai Qingqi to admit so openly, with such candor... it was completely beyond her expectations.
Perhaps... this was because Zhou is a strong nation, so he does not fear Xiliang, nor does he fear her as the Empress.
"Then does your envoy appear in the court of Xiliang to form an alliance with Xiliang or... merely to sow discord within Xiliang’s court?" the Empress of Xiliang inquired further.
"Naturally, if I can sow discord within Xiliang’s court, there would be no need for an alliance. If unable to do so... then we shall set a date to negotiate the alliance with your envoys responsible for the peace talks," Bai Qingqi replied.
"Your openness... really catches me off guard!" The Empress of Xiliang said with a smile, "On the matter of an alliance, sooner is better than later. Please, return to the posthouse to rest; I will immediately arrange for a minister to negotiate peace with you."