…
After some wrangling, the negotiations officially began.
On the side of the Han army, the chief envoy for the peace talks was Wei Ji, on the side of the noble widow, the chief envoy was Odun, and the deputy envoys were Mabu Maqi and Mian Buye.
Saidan and Saipan father and son served as witnesses, especially Saipan, who was particularly concerned about the peace talks between the two sides after receiving the Han army's promise that he would be the new widow king.
Wei Ji took a sip of tea, then asked with a smile: "Then how sincere are you before I put forward the conditions? You can also tell me where your bottom line is, so that I can be mentally prepared."
Orton said: "Your Highness King Huai, General Bai has accepted our sincerity before. Logically speaking, he should withdraw his troops. Why did he go back on his word?"
Mabu Maqi also said: "Yes, please give us an explanation, His Highness King Huai."
Hearing this, Wei Ji chuckled and said, "I'm afraid the prime minister made a mistake. The money, food, property, and silk you sent that day have been used as ransom to redeem some people. Strictly speaking, it can only be regarded as a transaction.
Also, has General Bai promised you anything? As far as I know, you chose the person to be redeemed and left directly without any discussion about whether to retreat or not. How can you blame me, the Han army, for being unfaithful? "
These words left Orton speechless. It was true that he left after giving money and people, and a series of subsequent issues were not discussed.
But in his impression, since he has accepted the money and is willing to release the people, doesn't that mean he will withdraw his troops?
It seems that I think the problem is too simple. These Seris people are too cunning.
When Mabu Maqi heard this, he looked at Orton angrily: "Prime Minister, what you have done is really disappointing..."
Orton thought for a moment and said: "Your Highness King Huai, our widow is in a very difficult situation right now. We may not be able to meet your needs for a while. Please be kind and give me a break."
Wei Ji: "It's easy to say, how much sincerity do you plan to show?"
Orton said: "This... it's up to you, the prince, to tell you, we don't know."
Wei Ji nodded: "In that case, I will say so."
The next moment, he took out a clause agreement that he had already prepared and said word for word: "Article 1, recognize the Yuezhi Kingdom as an independent country. From now on, no one is allowed to step into the Yuezhi Kingdom without permission.
Article 2: Be loyal to the Han Dynasty, accept the authority of the Western Region Protectorate to manage the Western Region, and must not make any objections.
Article 3: All towns, pastures, and manors within the territory of Guidi must be open unconditionally to merchants and civilians who hold the Han Dynasty's general order, and no additional tariffs shall be imposed on them. The tariff rate shall be formulated by the Ministry of Household Affairs of the Han Dynasty.
Article 4: All our Han people must have the same rights as the nobles in your country. If anyone harms our Han people, they must be severely punished!
Article 5: The Han Dynasty has the right to garrison troops in Guiwi territory.
Article 6: All the land east of Turbine City is the territory of the Han Dynasty, and outsiders are not allowed to enter without permission.
Article 7: Abolish the current king and make Saipan the new king of the country.
Eighth, compensate the Han for 35 million silver dollars, 80,000 cattle, and 200,000 sheep for his military expedition.
Ninth, the canonization of the widow king must be approved by the Han Dynasty before taking office.
Tenth, from the date of signing of the agreement, all Yuezhi who have been demoted as slaves in Guiwi's territory and other civilians from various tribes in the Western Regions will be released immediately.
That’s all for now, we’ll make up for any shortcomings later. "
Orton almost vomited a mouthful of blood on the table. Every clause in this clause was aimed at putting the country of Guiwu to death.
Not to mention other things, the first one would probably be drowned in saliva by the people. The noble widow relied on the betrayal of the Yuezhi Kingdom to become the focus of public opinion, and made the lower class people work for her wholeheartedly, which was also an important means of diverting conflicts.
It's better now. Once the Yuezhi Kingdom is recognized as an independent country, those actions in the past will be acts of aggression, which will make the Han army's expedition justifiable.
Still loyal to the Han Dynasty and returned to the Western Region Protectorate for dispatch?
What is the essential difference between this and surrender?
The third and fourth items are acceptable, but the fifth item is not acceptable. The Han army actually wants to station troops in Guiwi territory? It is tantamount to the Han army conquering the widow in name and in fact.
The sixth article is to hand over two-thirds of the country to the hands of the Han Dynasty. Once implemented, the noble widow will never be able to rise.
As for the next few articles, except for the one that abolishes and establishes, the rest are also unacceptable.
So Mabu Maqi was the first to express his dissatisfaction: "Your Majesty, after this agreement is signed, what is the difference between us as noble widows and the destruction of the country? No, I really can't accept it."
Orton also said: "Yes, Your Highness King Huai, we really cannot accept these terms."
Wei Ji smiled "hehe": "You can't accept it, right? It's easy to say, father-in-law, please send a few of them back. At most, we will lead the troops to Natuoluo City to talk again in a few days."
When several people heard this, they were immediately frightened. Mi Buye said hurriedly: "His Royal Highness King Huai, if you have something to say, we can discuss it again, and discuss it again."
Mabu Ma Qi also changed his face: "Yes, His Highness Prince Huai, don't be angry. We can talk slowly, don't be so anxious."
Wei Ji watched their performance and couldn't help but sneer in his heart: "Do you want to do this with me? I'm afraid you don't realize that you are a loser."
"Okay, let's continue talking. If anything is unreasonable, just talk about it and see if I can be accommodating."
Oton said: "The Yueshi and the noble widow are feuding. In the early years, the Yuezhi separated from the noble widow. It is impossible for us, the noble widow's subjects, to recognize them like this.
There is also the second article. We can only acquiesce in private that the Han Dynasty has control over the Western Regions, but we cannot express it openly.
Articles 3 and 4: We can give Han civilians and businessmen special rights, and we can also allow them to enjoy the same treatment as nobles.
As for Article 5, I'm sorry, this is the bottom line. I really cannot allow your country to station troops in my territory.
And Article 6..."
When Orton said this, he found that Wei Ji had already stood up and came to the window sill. Saipan quickly ran to him and lit a cigarette for him. The two of them started smoking by themselves, no longer paying attention to what Orton said.
After a long time, Wei Ji blew out a smoke ring, turned around and chuckled, and said lightly: "It seems that not enough people have been killed..."
This sentence came from Wei Ji's mouth with a smile, but in the eyes of the three of them, they looked like a devil.
Only then did Orton realize that the Han army had absolute control over the war. As a loser, he could sit here for peace talks because the Han army had given him great dignity.
Once he sends his troops into the city, Tuoluo City will surely suffer unprecedented destruction. This is a scene that no one wants to see.
Saidan angrily shouted: "Odon, are you planning to drag your widow into a place of eternal destruction?"
Orton swallowed, then lowered his head and said, "I'm sorry, Your Highness Prince Huai, I was rude."
Wei Ji said with a smile: "It's okay. Negotiations must be accepted by both parties, otherwise it will be nonsense. Prime Minister, don't be afraid. Keep talking and speak boldly."
Orton was so angry that he scolded his mother and said nonsense. Do I dare to speak?
At this time, another sentence came to my ears: "If you don't tell me, don't you want to give me face?"
Orton's cheeks couldn't help but twitch slightly, and finally he said with trembling hands: "The noble widow acknowledges that the Han Dynasty dominates the Western Regions, and also acknowledges that the Yuezhi Kingdom has officially become an independent kingdom.
Common people and merchants of the Han Dynasty enjoy the same special rights as nobles in the territory of Guiwi. This country will do its best to protect the safety of their lives and property.
As for abolishing the establishment, surrendering to the Han Dynasty, and releasing the Yuezhi and civilians from the Western Regions, there is no objection. The only issues are the garrison, the king's need to be canonized by the Han Dynasty, the amount of compensation, and the division of territory.
Can His Highness Prince Huai discuss this further? "
