Please call me Your Majesty!

Chapter 206 Chu Shizhao shows his strategy in the negotiation, while Dawa weighs the pros and cons and waits for his reply

"Since this method doesn't work, what should we do?"

"Are we just going to let these guys invade our Great Zhou border without restraint?"

Hearing this, Chu Shizhao smiled and shook his head.

"Of course not!"

"This is also the fundamental reason why Your Highness proposed peace talks."

"General, think about it. Since we can't completely wipe out these guys, we might as well make peace with them."

"I heard that the cattle and sheep in the Kenwada tribe are very fat, and the horses they raise are good breeds that eat a lot on the grassland all day long. In this respect, they are much better than our Great Zhou."

"indeed!"

"Although Dawa is a very annoying guy, the cattle, sheep, and horses raised by his tribe are better than those in our Great Zhou."

Although Zhang Gan did not want to admit Chu Shizhao's remarks, the facts were before him and he had no choice but to admit it.

Seeing that the other party gradually accepted his idea.

At this time, Chu Shizhao felt that it was time to get down to business.

"General, if, I tell you, after this peace talk, I am sure that I can turn Dawa and his tribe into a food and horse supply base for my Great Zhou, will you still object to my peace talks with them?"

"what?"

Seeing that Chu Shizhao had brought the topic back to the peace talks, Zhang Gan's face suddenly became filled with worry.

After all this time, everything I said was in vain.

However, thinking of Chu Shizhao's analysis just now, Zhang Gan did not rush to deny the other party this time.

After thinking for a moment, he spoke in a deep voice.

"Your Highness, since you are so intent on negotiating with Dawa, would you mind telling me something?"

"If the other party really asks for too much, how are you going to deal with it?"

"You know, the reason why Dawa invaded our border this time was because of the problem of food and grass."

"give him!"

"Give him as much as he wants!"

Chu Shizhao waved his hand generously.

"what?"

Zhang Gan seemed not to have heard clearly and looked at Chu Shizhao in surprise.

However, Chu Shizhao seemed to have anticipated this expression of the other party.

"General Zhang, please be patient!"

"As a person, you need to have a long-term vision and not just guard your own little piece of land all day long."

"Sometimes, if you think from a different perspective, you might get unexpected results."

"Your Highness, what do you think?"

Zhang Gan, feeling that there was something else behind Chu Shizhao's words, subconsciously raised his doubts.

However, at this moment Chu Shizhao did not answer directly, but changed the subject.

"Let me ask the general, given his current strength, how much food and supplies can he take away at most?"

"At most 200,000 shi. Any more will affect their marching speed."

Zhang Gan analyzed with some doubt.

"Then let me ask you again, General, how much do our soldiers on the border consume in a day?"

"About 50,000 or 60,000 stones!"

"Why do you suddenly ask this, Your Highness?"

"General Zhang, do you think that given the greedy character of Dawa, he would only ask for a mere 200,000 dan of grain and fodder when he finally gets the chance to ask for a big sum from us?"

"This one……"

Halfway through his words, Zhang Gan seemed to suddenly think of something.

"high!"

"It's really high!"

"Your Highness, this plan is really too brilliant!"

Listening to Zhang Gan's praise, Chu Shizhao took the opportunity to continue speaking.
"This time, I will not only permanently resolve the external threat on this border, but also turn it into a permanent supply base for my Great Zhou!"

After discussing the next detailed plan with General Zhang Gan.

Afterwards, they sent a messenger to the camp of Xidawa to deliver the message.

Not long after, the messenger brought back a reply from Dawa.

As expected, the other party agreed to Chu Shizhao's request for a meeting.

The next morning, Chu Shizhao led a few trusted men to the place agreed upon by both parties.

Originally, Zhang Gan wanted to send a team to accompany him.

However, when he made this request, Chu Shizhao directly rejected it.

"General Zhang, this time I am going to negotiate, not to fight, why do you bring so many people with you?"

Seeing Chu Shizhao's insistence, I thought again that it was indeed not appropriate to bring too many people to the peace talks.

Bringing too many people might cause misunderstandings on the other side, thus disrupting His Highness's plan.

Since Chu Shizhao is so confident, he can only let him do what he wants.

Little did he know that it was because Zhang Gan did not insist that Chu Shizhao was put in danger.

……

Chu Shizhao and his trusted men waited at the agreed location for a while before they saw Dawa arriving at the agreed location with a team of personal soldiers.

Looking at the surroundings, Dawa was a burly man with a stern face, and his eyes revealed the fierceness that was unique to grassland men.

He rode his horse to the front of the two armies, took a quick look around, and then set his eyes on Chu Shizhao.

"Are you the fourth prince Chu Shizhao who was sent by the Great Zhou Dynasty to be in charge of this peace negotiation?"

Dawa spoke in a deep, muffled voice with a thick accent.

Chu Shizhao stood up and responded with a smile: "That's right."

"I have heard of the general's great name for a long time. Today I meet him and I can see that the general is indeed worthy of his reputation."

The reason why Chu Shizhao was so polite at the beginning was to show weakness to the enemy, thereby relaxing the other party's guard and establishing a preliminary atmosphere for dialogue.

In his opinion, this is crucial to the success of the subsequent negotiations.

Upon hearing this, Dawa snorted coldly.

"Stop talking nonsense and get started. Since you asked me to come here, what's the matter?"

"General, to be honest, I invited you here because I wanted to discuss with you how to end this war."

Hearing this, Dawa couldn't help but frown slightly.

"End the war?"

"Why, are you from the Great Zhou scared?"

"Want to seek peace? As long as your Great Zhou is willing to cede territory and pay compensation, this matter is not impossible to discuss."

As he spoke, Dawa on the opposite side immediately revealed an attitude of superiority as a winner.

Chu Shizhao, who had been prepared for the other party's request, smiled slightly.

If his guess was correct, the other party would make a huge demand next.

However, since he knew the other party's inner thoughts, Chu Shizhao naturally would not give Dawa the opportunity to speak. "General Dawa, in my opinion, ceding land and paying compensation is not a good idea."

"The reason why I took the initiative to invite you to come for a meeting this time is that I cannot bear to see the people of our two countries suffer and be devastated by the war."

"I deeply sympathize with your tribe's plight."

"If the general is willing to withdraw his troops, we in the Great Zhou are willing to lend a hand and help your army through this difficult time. What do you think?"

The reason why Chu Shizhao gave such conditions right from the start was because he knew it very well in his mind.

The tribe where Dawa belongs is now facing drought and food shortage.

This is also an important reason why they launched the war.

As long as this point is raised, even if Dawa is not interested in peace talks, it can at least arouse his interest in continuing the conversation.

Sure enough, after hearing Chu Shizhao's proposal, Dawa couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

He was moved!

However, soon the other party seemed to have thought of something and suddenly looked at Chu Shizhao with a sullen face.

"Help us through this? How?"

"I don't believe that you, the Great Zhou, would be so kind."

"Besides, the warriors of our tribe have hands and feet. Even without your help, we are capable of getting these things!"

"If the Fourth Prince only offers this kind of condition, it may not be enough to make us withdraw our troops!"

Chu Shizhao had long expected that the other party would not agree easily.

"General, please be patient!"

"In addition, we in the Great Zhou can also conduct trade with your tribe."

"To be honest, both I and the people of our Great Zhou are very interested in your country's cattle, sheep and horses."

"If our conflict this time can be resolved peacefully, and we establish a trade route in the future, your tribe will be able to obtain abundant wealth, food and supplies even if you don't fight."

The reason why Chu Shizhao proposed mutual trade was mainly because trade between the two sides would benefit both sides.

Based on his understanding of Dawa, the other party should be able to see the benefits.

I have already given my conditions, now it all depends on how this guy weighs them.

Sure enough, after hearing the conditions given by Chu Shizhao, Dawa fell into deep thought.

After a while, he nodded slightly in agreement.

"Trade with each other?"

“It sounds pretty good.”

"However, why should I believe you just because you said so? What if you change your mind right after I withdraw my troops?"

It seems that the other party's attitude has softened.

Chu Shizhao immediately promised: "General, you can rest assured about this!"

"Here, I am willing to sign a peace document with you as the fourth prince of the Great Zhou. General, you should know that the people of the Great Zhou always value promises. With this peace document, we will definitely keep our promises."

"In addition, if you are still not assured, we can also clearly state the rights and obligations of both parties in the negotiation agreement."

"If our Great Zhou violates the agreement, your tribe can use the documents in your hands to raise an army and punish us at any time."

"Are you satisfied with this?"

After listening to Chu Shizhao's words, Dawa did not express his opinion immediately, but stared at Chu Shizhao.

It seemed as if he was secretly evaluating the sincerity of the guy in front of him.

Seeing that his general had not yet expressed his opinion, a guy who looked like a general suddenly leaned close to Dawa's ear.

"General, I've heard that the people of the Great Zhou are cunning by nature. What if they are just stalling for time and waiting for reinforcements? Then, we will..."

Although there is a certain distance between the two sides.

However, with Chu Shizhao's hearing ability, he could still clearly hear what the other party said.

Seeing that the other party was still worried, he immediately interrupted him.

"General, don't worry. I came to this peace talk with sincerity."

"If you don't believe me, you can send someone to inquire about it. I, Chu Shizhao, always keep my word."

"Besides, we have no signs of mobilizing troops at the moment, and you can see that at the border."

Hearing this, Dawa relaxed his attitude a little and nodded slightly.

"May I ask, Fourth Prince, how exactly will the trade you mentioned be carried out?"

Seeing the topic back on track.

Chu Shizhao couldn't help but feel happy.

"General, we can set up a trade market on the border between the two countries, and merchants from both sides can trade freely."

"The Great Zhou will provide security to ensure the smooth conduct of trade."

"Your country's cattle, sheep, horses, furs, minerals and other specialties have a huge market in Da Zhou."

"And the silk, tea, porcelain, etc. of the Great Zhou are also needed by the people of your country. Through trade, both sides can benefit."

Chu Shizhao said this, but he was already 70% sure in his heart.

Since Dawa is so concerned about trade operations, he must have developed an interest in the trade between the two sides.

Next, as long as you explain the benefits in detail, it is only a matter of time before you reach a cooperation.

Dawa frowned and thought: "It sounds good, but how should the benefits of this trade market be distributed?"

Chu Shizhao was prepared for this.

"General, regarding taxation, we can distribute it according to the principle of fairness and rationality. Half of the tax will go to your tribe, and half will go to our Great Zhou."

"This way, we can protect the interests of your tribe and not waste our efforts."

"You know, it costs money to establish a trade market and maintain public order!"

"what do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Dawa snorted coldly.

"You are really calculating!"

"By the way, when are you going to deliver the food and supplies?"

"As long as we reach an agreement, I will immediately arrange for personnel to deliver the first batch of food and supplies to your tribe."

"Subsequently, it will be provided regularly as agreed."

The reason why Chu Shizhao did not send all the food and supplies to the other party at once was actually because he had his own little thoughts.

After all, this is the first time they are cooperating. If these guys go back on their word and attack them again after getting the food and supplies, then they will lose more than they gain.

This point, he had to guard against.

He is not Zhou Yu. He will not do a business that would lose both his wife and his soldiers.

However, even though Chu Shizhao had shown his sincerity, the greedy Dawa clearly felt that this was not enough.

Since the other party took the initiative to negotiate, he naturally thought that he could get more.

The next second, Dawa on the opposite side spoke again.

"You've said so much, but the war has already started, and many of my brothers have been killed or injured. How do you settle this account?"

Chu Shizhao knew in his heart that the other party was asking for compensation.

However, in his opinion, compared with the benefits that will be brought by the establishment of trade between the two sides in the future, the current investment is nothing.

However, if we satisfy these guys so easily, they will think that we are easy to talk to. Then, who knows whether Dawa will make even more excessive demands.

(End of this chapter)