Long Zheng returned, bringing the results of his mission to deliver a message to Juyau Pass.

The results perplexed him; the tent, unlike before, didn’t have that strange, subtle atmosphere, but was rather cold.

His Majesty stood up directly, his face cold, saying, “Since Lu Xingzhou will discuss the specifics, then let him discuss them. I don’t have time to haggle over such trivial details. You will handle the negotiations.”

Long Zheng: “?”

No, I’m a soldier. You can send me to lead the charge, but if you want me to negotiate trade, what am I supposed to talk about? I don’t even know what goods our Yaozu lack, or what the prices are. What exactly is a trading post, and how are commercial taxes calculated? I don’t know any of that!

“It’s fine if you don’t understand, I don’t either… hmm, I’ll have Yang Huan assist you. Once you understand it all, you’ll be the chief commander of the trading post.” Long Qinghuang flicked his sleeve and left.

This is your main tent, why are you leaving?

Long Zheng felt as if he were dreaming, staring blankly at Lu Xingzhou.

Lu Xingzhou picked up a cup of tea from the table and slowly sipped it. “Brother, you’ve been promoted.”

That was Long Qinghuang’s teacup.

Long Zheng only then realized he had truly been promoted. As one of the “conquering forces” behind enemy lines, how high could his status be? Yet, after being defeated, captured, and released—such a humiliating event—he had now become the person in charge of the trading post.

The only force that suffered a defeat actually performed a meritorious service? What about the others who won?

Even though such a great opportunity had fallen into his lap, Long Zheng still felt the rewards and punishments were unfair. Wouldn’t others rebel?

Little did he know, there was truly no problem with these rewards and punishments… For the newly established trading post, a trustworthy person was essential. However, Long Lie, Long Yun, and others were suspected of being traitors, and Shi Kuang and others were from other races… On the other hand, Long Zheng, as an ordinary general before, was not suspected of being a traitor, and he was from the Longzu本部 (main branch), making him quite suitable.

If it came down to merits, Long Zheng truly had them. The letter warning that Sacred Mountain might be attacked was a tremendous功勋 (meritorious service). Unfortunately, Long Qinghuang himself didn’t believe it, but that wasn’t Long Zheng’s fault. Merits are merits.

Long Zheng could only feel that His Majesty regarded him as the demon concubine’s man, making him cooperate with the demon concubine in designing the trading post system. He sighed helplessly, thinking, if that’s the case, what is there to discuss? Isn’t it just whatever the demon concubine says, goes?

Thinking this, Long Zheng’s waist bent three fen (a small unit of measurement). Regardless of whether this person was the one disrupting the Yaozu Domain, he had to curry favor now. “Mr. Lu, if you have any ideas, please speak freely. I’ll remember them…”

Lu Xingzhou almost laughed aloud. “Brother, your Majesty is angry with me right now, not trying to get you to offer favors.”

“That’s fine, Mr. Lu wouldn’t betray His Majesty, would he?”

“If you put it that way, indeed.” Lu Xingzhou took out paper and brush, sketching and writing, directly outlining a rough draft of the trading post’s detailed regulations. “This is probably unfamiliar to all of you. I understand some of it, so I’ll help you establish a basic system, which you can then adjust as appropriate. Also, I suggest that this not only be a trading post for the Yaozu and Da Gan, but also open to Tian Shuang Kingdom and the various overseas nations if they are interested.”

Long Zheng couldn’t help but blurt out, “The territory belongs to the Yaozu, right?!”

Lu Xingzhou chuckled. “Yes.”

The teasing tone made Long Zheng’s old face flush slightly, and he fell silent, abashed.

“As for ransoming people… theoretically, the generals currently trapped behind enemy lines are not yet your prisoners. This ransom is different from conventional prisoner exchanges. Hey, brother, I didn’t ask for money when I released you, nor your subordinates. After we went on campaign, they stayed in the city and returned directly, and we didn’t ask for money either.”

Long Zheng immediately said, “I’m not worth much!”

Lu Xingzhou laughed aloud.

However, speaking of this, Long Zheng really had to be grateful to Lu Xingzhou. He secretly glanced around and, seeing that the so-called assistant Yang Huan hadn’t arrived, whispered, “Actually, His Majesty wouldn’t care about such a small amount of money. Just a rough estimate will do.”

Lu Xingzhou said, “Emperor Longhuang needs something energetic and shiny. So, how about the Yaoye Beads from the southwest of Da Gan? These are not ordinary luminous pearls. If ground into powder and used in alchemy, they are the main ingredient for treating night blindness. They are quite valuable. A cartload should be enough…”

Long Zheng knew nothing of Yaoye Beads or alchemy, so he could only nod blankly, accepting whatever Lu Xingzhou said.

Yang Huan, recording behind the tent: “…”

How should I phrase this?

In fact, Lu Xingzhou wasn’t trying to trick anyone. While Yaoye Beads weren’t extraordinary treasures, their medicinal value and low output made them quite expensive. Moreover, they were shiny and beautiful, making them valuable as decorative items themselves, as many useless gems are precious simply for their beauty. This also perfectly aligned with His Majesty’s wishes… A cartload was quite a lot.

However, they were not ultimate treasures. For Gan, trading a batch of beautiful medicine for people would likely make everyone in Gan feel like they made a huge profit.

Both sides should be able to accept it, but the negotiation process was too difficult to document. How should I write this?

Yang Huan thought for a long time, then with a flourish of his brush wrote:

General Zheng said, “Like me, those of my ilk, the Yaozu domain is teeming with countless, unrenowned individuals. The generals of your esteemed nation are difficult to cultivate; they must be redeemed with precious treasures.”

Xingzhou said, “The Gan nation has a treasure called Yaoye, whose value is incalculable…”

Then followed a detailed account of their vigorous debate and bargaining, finally settling on ten斛 (hu, an ancient unit of measurement). The image of each person striving for their nation’s benefit leaped off the page.

Yang Huan wiped away cold sweat. Do you think this kind of work is easy?

“Your Majesty, the Yaozu have sent over the negotiation results and a national letter. The Dragon Emperor has already signed and sealed it.”

Inside Juyau Pass, Gu Zhanting looked at the negotiation results, his expression not good.

No matter how grand “trading post commerce” sounded, in essence, those lands had been reclaimed by the Yaozu. While a trading post seemingly allowed free entry and exit, making people feel a bit better, it was fundamentally a shift from host to guest, the nature had changed. It just felt slightly better psychologically.

The national letter also stipulated no further invasions. Although such a national letter usually had limited binding force, and one could break the agreement and head north if shameless enough, it was definitely impossible to act so perfidiously in the short term, becoming a laughingstock to the world. Any future actions would require a good excuse.

Years of territorial expansion had been nullified; the victory a decade ago was rendered meaningless.

But regardless, the Yaozu’s willingness to withdraw their troops was the desired outcome.

Though it seemed like the negotiations dragged on, in reality, from dawn when the army reached the city walls until now, it wasn’t even lunchtime; half a day hadn’t passed. His injuries, Huo Xingyuan’s injuries, and the casualties and fatigue of the army hadn’t healed. The generals behind were still trapped. The consequences of fighting further at this point would be unbearable, and it wasn’t a matter of simply declaring war with passionate fervor as Xiang An and others suggested.

And the ransom for the people was surprisingly low. Everyone looked at the cartload of Yaoye Beads that Lu Xingzhou “argued for,” and their expressions were all astonished.

Although this was still quite expensive, compared to the people being exchanged, wasn’t it almost like getting them for free? Not to mention the state paying for it, the families of those generals probably wouldn’t find it difficult to pay out of their own pockets.

This time, even the Grand Eunuch Hai Ruyuan couldn’t help but praise, “Truly a national hero.”

Gu Zhanting nodded, also acknowledging Lu Xingzhou’s ability and “integrity.” But he thought more… At this moment, Gu Zhanting felt a slight shift in his perception, thinking that even if the “Dragon Emperor stealing men” was false, Long Qinghuang genuinely wanting Lu Xingzhou’s abilities might be true, and Lu Xingzhou might not return from this trip.

If he didn’t return… Lu Xingzhou was Yi Tang’s arm. Severing her arm might not be a bad thing, right?

But thinking of his daughter, who traveled a thousand li (Chinese mile) to help this time without expecting anything in return, Gu Zhanting’s heart was more complicated than ever before.

“Whom did Lu Xingzhou’s envoy group request?”

“They only requested Lu Nuonuo, and specified that the escorting army be led by Sheng Yuanyao.”

“Sheng Yuanyao?” Gu Zhanting was startled. If Lu Xingzhou might not return, wouldn’t he consider whether Sheng Yuanyao could return?

So, Lu Xingzhou actually had confidence in returning?

Gu Zhanting felt a slight anticipation, wanting to know more. He nodded and said, “Granted. Furthermore, Sheng Yuanyao has made great meritorious service this time and should return to the capital for commendation. Since she wishes to accompany the envoy north, the commendation will be issued now: Sheng Yuanyao is hereby appointed Yingyang General, third rank, serving as deputy envoy for this mission. Upon her return from the mission, this will also count as a merit, and a permanent position will be determined then.”

“In addition, Lu Xingzhou is appointed Baron of the First Class. The title will be determined by the Ministry of Rites upon his return to the capital. He is awarded one thousand high-grade spirit stones, one mansion in the capital, and a pass to the Royal Library. His originating sect, Tianxing Jianzong, is granted a plaque inscribed with ‘Junzi Buxi’ (A gentleman strives ceaselessly) in His Majesty’s own handwriting, and the adjacent Danxia mountains are all bestowed upon them.”

“Xiang An is appointed chief commander of Juyau Pass, and the rest of the troops will return with Me. All other matters will be discussed upon our return to the capital.”

Everyone subtly exchanged glances. Other rewards were one thing, but this “荫其出身宗门” (benefiting his originating sect), directly granting an entire mountain range, was an unprecedented level of patronage… This was the Emperor rewarding Princess Chaohuang, using Lu Xingzhou’s name as a cover.

Junzi Buxi…

It seemed the times were gradually changing.

*Deng Deng Deng Deng!* Sheng Yuanyao, holding Anuomi, appeared outside Lu Xingzhou’s tent, poking her head in and saying, “First-class baron, hello.”

Lu Xingzhou was sitting there, stroking his chin, looking somewhat troubled. Hearing her, he smiled immediately. “Yingyang General, hello.”

Sheng Yuanyao, giggling, entered the tent with Anuomi. Seeing no one around, she plopped down beside him and poked him with her elbow. “Are you really taking me on this diplomatic mission?”

Lu Xingzhou chuckled, “Someone has to escort the group… I have my siblings, how could I ask someone else?”

Sheng Yuanyao was extremely happy and said with a smile, “Then aren’t you afraid of not being able to return, and dragging me into the Yaozu Domain with you?”

“Theoretically, even if the Dragon Emperor wanted to keep me, he wouldn’t care if you stayed or not. So if you want to leave, you can leave at any time.”

“Hey!”

“Of course, you wouldn’t abandon me and leave.” Lu Xingzhou said leisurely, “So we can all leave together.”

Sheng Yuanyao actually had no idea how Lu Xingzhou planned to leave, but since he said so, she believed him. Hearing this, she said happily, “Speaking of which, I really want to see what the Yaozu Domain is like. For so many years, I’ve only heard people make random guesses and descriptions. It’s a rare chance to get the inside scoop. So, if you dare not take me on such a great opportunity, I’ll fight you.”

Lu Xingzhou snatched Anuomi from her arms and kissed her loudly. “Dangerous places often hold opportunities. Some of Anuomi’s cultivation methods will surely be found among the Yaozu. And our own martial arts cultivation might also find breakthroughs among the Yaozu… Just for that, I wouldn’t leave you behind.”

Sheng Yuanyao said, “But you looked a bit worried just now?”

“I’m not worried about that.” Lu Xingzhou sighed. “I’m worried about what kind of title the Ministry of Rites will give me. If they give me ‘Phoenix,’ I’d rather die.”

Sheng Yuanyao: “?”

She couldn’t imagine what was wrong with “Phoenix.” Wasn’t it a nice-sounding name? Your wife… no, your Sect Master is Princess Chaohuang, maybe she’s ‘chaohuang’ (worshipping the phoenix) *you* as the phoenix.

Lu Xingzhou knew they wouldn’t understand the inside joke, so he laughed, picked up Anuomi, and stood up. “Let’s go, across this great river.”