CHAPTER 664: CHAPTER 644: MARRIAGE ALLIANCE

Lin Helin pondered the Beiman King’s conditions: he wanted a fief. In Beining, aside from the Imperial Family, very few people could own a fief, and even if they had one, they lacked autonomy.

Lin Helin said, "Beining’s new governance reforms have already abolished the fiefdom system. Even for the Imperial Family, while they may retain their fiefs, they don’t hold autonomy. The new reforms have abolished fiefdoms altogether; in the future, royal descendants will no longer reside in fiefs and will only benefit from their rental taxes—income without authority. All lands in Beining will be managed by appointed officials. Even if a fief were granted to the Beiman King, he would enjoy only tax income without jurisdiction. If the Beiman King doesn’t mind residing in the Capital City, His Majesty would certainly provide him with a grand and imposing mansion and make proper arrangements for all members of the Beiman Royal Family, ensuring they live comfortably without worries."

This was practically a form of captivity. They wanted a fief and autonomy, but that was impossible. If they were granted a fief and a title, in just a few years, the entire fief would predominantly consist of Beiman people—virtually equivalent to them occupying the borders of Ningzhou. This was absolutely unacceptable. Measures would also be taken to disperse the Beiman people who arrived, preventing them from concentrating in one location.

The High Priest seemed caught off guard by the abolition of the fiefdom policy under the new governance reforms. Zhang Boju ordered someone to bring over the clauses of the reforms and explain them one by one.

This wasn’t specifically targeted at the Beiman; the clause indeed applied universally.

The High Priest briefly pondered, his expression unreadable, clearly unable to accept the situation. The reality differed greatly from what they had anticipated.

They had expected to secure a fief where the Beiman King retained governance over the people, but they hadn’t foreseen the new dynasty abolishing the fiefdom system altogether, meaning future royal descendants wouldn’t reside in fiefs either.

"What if my King doesn’t want to reside permanently in the Capital City but wishes to settle in Ningzhou instead?"

"Certainly!" Lin Helin replied plainly. "Ningzhou is under the jurisdiction of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. If the Beiman King wishes to live in Ningzhou, he simply has to abide by Beining’s laws. However, the Beiman Army must be disbanded and integrated as regular civilians. The private guards of a fief-holding Prince cannot exceed three thousand soldiers."

"Three thousand? That’s far too few. I recall that Beining’s Princes of fiefs could have up to thirty thousand private guards."

"That was under the old dynasty. After the new dynasty abolished the fiefdom system, the scale of military forces was also revised. Otherwise, fief-holding Princes could raise armies and rebel, bringing harm to the people and the treasury."

"Could the number be increased to thirty thousand?"

"Impossible!" Zhang Boju firmly refused.

The two sides continued negotiating terms back and forth. Fengyu overheard Qiuxiang say that Lin Helin had reached the point where he almost began cursing. From outside the hall, they could hear him shouting, as the Beiman people had grown increasingly audacious, proposing outrageous demands.

Fengyu chuckled and asked, "How did you know that?"

"Nuanyang told me." Qiuxiang blinked innocently. Since entering the palace, she had become remarkably shrewd. She didn’t intentionally inquire about political matters but casually asked about them now and then. Whenever she learned something, she relayed it to Fengyu, ensuring she wasn’t left in the dark. Nuanyang knew Qiuxiang would share information with Fengyu, so he didn’t mind.

Xie Xun was quite strict with those close to him, but Nuanyang and Feiying understood that many matters didn’t need to be withheld from Fengyu. Anything she wanted to know, they willingly divulged.

Chunlu complained, "Your Grace, Qiuxiang has been running to General Nuanyang’s quarters every day recently."

"Nonsense, I haven’t!" Qiuxiang’s face turned bright red. "It’s just to gather news for Your Grace."

"Ah, yes, all for gathering news. We understand," Chunlu teased. "But why is your face so red?"

"Who’s blushing? I’m furious! Why did you go snitching?"

Fengyu smiled at their playful banter, not taking it to heart. Her primary concern was ensuring the negotiations succeeded. If they did, Xie Xun wouldn’t have to go head-to-head with Dugu Jing.

Memories of the confrontation between Xie Zhang and Dugu Jing three years ago still lingered vividly. Fengyu couldn’t bear the thought of Xie Xun enduring such trials again—much less against the now more formidable and aggressive Dugu Jing.

Lin Helin and Zhang Boju continued discussions with the High Priest, fueling Fengyu’s hopes. When Xie Xun returned to the palace, Fengyu asked about the progress of the negotiations.

Xie Xun replied, "They haven’t reached an agreement yet. It’s likely they’ll be negotiating late into the night."

"Then send them some refreshments."

"The Imperial Kitchen has already arranged it. What’s for dinner tonight? I’m starving." After washing his hands, Xie Xun was eager for the evening meal. Fengyu wanted hotpot, so the kitchen had prepared two pots well in advance.

One was a spicy red oil pot, while the other was a rich broth simmered with old duck soup. Fresh vegetables, thinly sliced beef, lamb, and fish fillets were all laid out. Their evening meal was always quite simple. Fengyu avoided heavily spiced plates, leaving the flavorful pot to Xie Xun. He specifically ordered rice wine to pair with the steam rising from the hotpots. Soon, sweat glistened on his forehead as Fengyu poured him another drink and casually asked, "I heard the Beiman King’s entourage includes a Beiman Princess who has arrived in Shangjing."

"...Indeed." Xie Xun immediately grasped the implications behind Fengyu’s words. "This has nothing to do with me. Even if they were to offer her to the harem, I would categorically refuse."

"Sending two young princesses here on good terms clearly reveals their intent to forge matrimonial alliances. If the Beiman King agrees to surrender, but demands a strategic marriage, what will you choose?"