I am the Holy Poisoner, the Empress advised me to calm down

"It's said that South Vietnam is behind this. They've sent people to lobby the Western Regions, saying there's something wrong with the quality of our cotton," Zheng Jiang said with a gloomy face. "Now, not only does South Vietnam not want our cotton, but even the Western Regions are starting to reject our goods."

Zhou Qing sneered in his heart. As expected, Nanyue wanted to completely cut off Daqian's cotton trade and force Daqian to submit.

"Your Majesty, there's even worse news," Zheng Jiang continued. "We've heard from across the border that the South Vietnamese army has begun gathering at the border, apparently intending to put pressure on us."

Xu Feihong's expression grew increasingly grim. With the cotton trade cut off and a military threat looming on the border, they were practically trapped both internally and externally.

"Your Majesty, why don't we compromise temporarily and stabilize the situation first." Zheng Jiang suggested cautiously.

"Absolutely not!" Xu Feihong flatly refused, "I won't give up an inch of Daqian's land!"

"But Your Majesty, if South Vietnam really sends troops, our current situation..." Zheng Jiang hesitated to speak.

Indeed, Daqian is now engaged in disaster relief, the treasury is empty, and the army is busy with disaster relief work in various places. It really has no spare energy to deal with the threat from South Vietnam.

"Your Majesty, please give me another month," Zhou Qing suddenly said, "After a month, I guarantee that South Vietnam will withdraw its troops on its own initiative."

"Lord Zhou, you..." Xu Feihong looked at Zhou Qing, her eyes filled with mixed emotions. She knew Zhou Qing was trying to help her, but the current situation was too difficult.

"Since I dare to make this bet, I am sure I can win," Zhou Qing said firmly. "Your Majesty, please trust me."

Xu Feihong was silent for a long time, and finally nodded: "Okay, I trust you again. But if the situation doesn't improve in a month..."

"If there is no improvement, I am willing to die as an atonement." Zhou Qing said without hesitation.

At this moment, a eunuch came running to report: "Your Majesty, the South Vietnamese delegation is here again!"

"Oh? What do they want to do now?" Xu Feihong sneered.

Soon, Fan Wencheng appeared in front of them again, this time with a smug smile on his face.

"Your Majesty, I'm disturbing you again." Fan Wencheng gave a hypocritical greeting. "I heard that Daqian's cotton business has been tough lately. My king expresses his deepest sympathy."

"Just say what you want to say." Xu Feihong said coldly.

"My king is merciful and has decided to give Daqian another chance," Fan Wencheng said slowly. "As long as Daqian is willing to cede the three border cities, my king will not only resume cotton trade but will also help Daqian persuade the nations of the Western Regions. What do you think?"

"Dream on!" Zhou Qing said angrily.

"Haha, this attendant is really a man of integrity," Fan Wencheng said sarcastically. "But integrity can't buy you food. I heard that Daqian can't even pay the soldiers now. How can they resist us?"

"Who said we can't pay the soldiers?" Zhou Qing asked back.

"The facts are out there, do I need to tell you?" Fan Wencheng said smugly. "Your Majesty, I advise you to be realistic. If you cede three cities now, you can still save the rest. If you insist on holding on, I'm afraid the losses will be even greater."

"Our bet is still in place, and the three-month deadline hasn't even expired yet," Zhou Qing reminded him. "The South Vietnamese envoy wouldn't want to go back on his word so soon, would he?"

Fan Wencheng's face changed slightly, but he quickly regained his complacent expression. "Of course I won't regret it. But I advise you to admit defeat as soon as possible, so as to avoid making things even more embarrassing later."

"Let's wait and see." Zhou Qing showed no sign of weakness.

Fan Wencheng snorted coldly and turned to leave. But before leaving, he looked back at Zhou Qing, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

After the South Vietnamese delegation left, Zheng Jiang said worriedly, "Your Majesty, it's clear that South Vietnam is well prepared. Can we really hold on?"

"We must hold on even if we can't." Xu Feihong said firmly, "I believe in Lord Zhou."

Zhou Qing felt the Empress's trust, and his resolve hardened. He had to succeed, not only to complete the system's mission, but also to live up to the Empress's trust.

That night, Zhou Qing finally made up his mind and exchanged all his Poison Master Points for the Primary Gene Enhancement Potion. Although this left him with no Poison Master Points, the investment was worth it in order to gain a stronger physique to face the upcoming challenges.

While taking the potion, Zhou Qing endured great pain, but he gritted his teeth and persevered. When the body transformation was complete, he felt that his strength and reaction speed had increased significantly.

"Now I just have to wait for the system task to be completed." Zhou Qing thought to himself, "Once I get 30 poison masters, I can buy long-grain rice seeds. Then everything will change."

Three days later, in the morning, Zhou Qing was sorting documents in the imperial study when a eunuch rushed in with a report: "Your Majesty, urgent news from the border!"

Xu Feihong took the military report and her expression instantly grew serious. Zhou Qing, seeing the Empress's expression, also felt a surge of worry.

"The South Vietnamese army has increased its troops. The number of troops gathered at the border has now reached 30,000." General Xu Feihong handed the report to Zhou Qing. "What are they planning to do?"

Zhou Qing sneered inwardly after reading the military report. The South Vietnamese were trying to use military threats to force Daqian into submission, but they probably didn't realize that this would give them the opportunity to complete their mission.

"Your Majesty, I believe the South Vietnamese dare not actually start a war," Zhou Qing analyzed. "They are just bluffing now, trying to achieve their goals through threats."

"Why do you say that?" Xu Feihong asked.

"First, although South Vietnam has assembled 30,000 troops, most of them are new recruits with limited combat effectiveness. Second, if South Vietnam truly wanted to go to war, they wouldn't have sent an embassy to negotiate. Third, their real goal is the economic value of those three border cities. What's the point if we destroy them?"

Xu Feihong felt a little relieved after hearing Zhou Qing's analysis. "So how do you think we should respond?"

"If an enemy comes, we will fight him with our troops; if a flood comes, we will block it with earth." Zhou Qing said confidently, "I suggest that the border troops be mobilized immediately to strengthen our defenses, and at the same time, demonstrate our resolve to South Vietnam."

"Okay, I'll issue the order right away." Xu Feihong nodded in agreement.

At this moment, Song Jiayun walked in and reported: "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister requests an audience."

"Pass it on." Xu Feihong said in a deep voice.

Prime Minister Li Mingde walked into the imperial study with a serious expression. As an important official in the court, his words often carried great weight.

"Your Majesty, I have just received news that many ministers in the court are beginning to waver," Li Mingde said bluntly. "They believe that the current situation is very unfavorable to Daqian and that we should consider compromise."

"Oh? Who are they?" Xu Feihong's eyes became sharp.

"Minister of Revenue Zheng Jiang, Vice Minister of War Wang Cheng, Minister of Rites Zhao Wen, and others," Li Mingde said truthfully. "They're worried that if they continue to fight, it will lead to war, which will cause even greater losses."