allonlinenovel Chapter 172 Diplomatic Battle of Wits
Chapter 172 Diplomatic Battle of Wits
In the evening, the lights began to come on, and the reception hall of the imperial palace was ablaze with light, yet the atmosphere was heavy and heavy. The envoys from neighboring countries, dressed in colorful yet arrogant attire, stood with their heads held high, their demeanor as if they were the masters of this land.
"You must cede the city, or we will go to war!" The neighboring envoy bluntly made this unreasonable demand, his eyes filled not only with provocation but also with a kind of determined greed. His arrogant demeanor seemed certain that his country would easily succumb to their coercion and become a prey for their territorial expansion.
Upon hearing this, the ministers were instantly enraged. Their faces flushed crimson, and the rage in their eyes threatened to ignite the very air before them. However, they knew that a war would bring untold disaster, leaving the people homeless and in mourning, and severely damaging the foundations of the nation. Thus, the pro-peace and pro-war factions instantly engaged in a heated debate.
The ministers favoring peace, their brows furrowed like twisted ropes, anxiously advocating compromise and concessions to avoid war. "We should value peace and not resort to force lightly. War is the root of all evil. Once it breaks out, innocent civilians will suffer, and national strength will be devastated like a broken dam. Moreover, the country is in ruins and cannot endure the pain of war." Their voices were filled with worry, their faces filled with helplessness and confusion, as if fate had strangled them.
The ministers who advocated war were furious. Their eyes were wide open, their clenched fists were clattering, and they retorted indignantly: "How can we bow to them! Ceding cities is an act of losing sovereignty and humiliating the country. It is a violation of national dignity and must be resolutely fought back! We are a great country with a glorious history and glory. How can we be afraid of the threats of such jumping clowns like them!" Their eyes were burning with rage, and the patriotic blood was surging in their chests, as if it could burst out at any time.
At this crucial moment of tension and stalemate, Concubine Su stepped forward like a plum blossom blooming in the cold of winter. She was clad in a magnificent and elegant palace gown, the phoenix embroidered on her skirt so vivid it seemed ready to take flight at any moment. Her hair, adorned with shimmering pearls and jade, shimmered brilliantly in the light. Yet, even more striking than these outward embellishments was her calm demeanor and unwavering gaze.
Concubine Su was fully aware of the gravity of this diplomatic incident. She frowned slightly, her clear eyes gleaming with wisdom as she calmly analyzed the situation. She knew the neighboring nation's attack was merely a bluff, attempting to exploit her nation's fragile rise and profit. She must not be intimidated by their superficial arrogance; she must discern their underlying weaknesses and schemes.
In diplomatic settings, Concubine Su wielded skillful tactics. Her smile, like a spring breeze, warm yet commanding. Her eyes, however, were piercing, as if she could see through the minds of her opponents. With graceful demeanor and sharp words, she responded to the provocations of the neighboring envoys. "Your demands are utterly absurd and contrary to moral principles. Our country has always upheld the principles of good neighborliness and friendship and has never committed the slightest offense. Yet, you are acting so aggressively. Do you believe we are weak and vulnerable? Or have you been blinded by greed and forgotten the principles of peaceful coexistence?" Her voice was low, but each word resonated with force, neither servile, reflecting the dignity of her country, nor impulsive, maintaining a diplomatic demeanor.
Meanwhile, Concubine Su secretly deployed military defenses. She dispatched trusted generals, each battle-hardened and both wise and courageous. They quickly rushed to the border, reinforced troop deployments, and reorganized military preparations. Soldiers drilled day and night, their cries of battle resonating with the earth, their morale high. Domestic artisans also toiled day and night, crafting impeccable weapons and ensuring sufficient supplies. These actions, like an invisible force, demonstrated the nation's formidable strength and deterred neighboring states from any rash action.
In her encounters with envoys from neighboring countries, Concubine Su deftly employed her wit to resolve one difficult issue after another. She evoked historical references, drawing on examples of success and failure in diplomatic relations throughout history to illustrate the importance of peaceful coexistence. Her historical stories, vivid and detailed, transported everyone back to the days of war. At other times, she argued forcefully, pointing out the unreasonableness of the neighboring country's demands, analyzing them from multiple perspectives—moral, legal, and human—with sharp rhetoric and rigorous logic. Each of her words was like a sharp sword, piercing the envoys' vital points, gradually dislocating them and dimming their previously arrogant arrogance like a flame extinguished by a torrential rain.
Behind the scenes, the military deployment proceeded with impeccable precision. Following Concubine Su's instructions, the generals moved swiftly, like a team of precisely cogwheels. Soldiers on the border held their ground day and night, daring not to slack off for even a moment. Their gazes were resolute, their postures erect, like insurmountable peaks. The people of the country also sensed the tense atmosphere and rallied together, contributing financially and physically to support the nation's decisions. Their united will formed a formidable force, filling the nation with confidence and courage.
As time went on, the envoys from neighboring countries began to realize that their country was not as easily yielding as they had imagined. Their attitude gradually changed, from their initial arrogance to a certain hesitation, with a hint of unease and fear in their eyes. Meanwhile, under the leadership of Concubine Su, the ministers of their country gradually unified their opinions and strengthened their stance.
Ultimately, Concubine Su's wise response successfully resolved the diplomatic crisis. The neighboring envoys were forced to retract their unreasonable demands and establish friendly relations with China. The atmosphere in the imperial palace reception hall shifted from solemn to relaxed, as ministers praised Concubine Su's wise decision, their praise rising and falling like a tide.
This diplomatic battle of wits not only showcased Concubine Su's intelligence and decisiveness, but also demonstrated the country's strength and dignity. From then on, the country's position among neighboring countries became more solid, the people were able to continue to live a peaceful and harmonious life, and the country ushered in a new era of prosperity.