Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

"Helpful envoy Helian Qiong of the Xia Kingdom greets Her Majesty the beautiful and charming Empress!"

The following day, the Xia Kingdom's envoy appeared on time in the Taiji Hall.

The moment the envoy Helian Qiong saw Jiang Mengxuan on the dragon throne, he was immediately awestruck and made no attempt to hide his emotions.

The Western Xia was, after all, a Qiang people's kingdom, and lacked the refined manners of Confucian scholars. They were lavish in their praise of beautiful women.

Of course, such praise usually comes at a price.

"Your Majesty, do you know that if your beauty were within the borders of my Xia Kingdom, it would surely drive all the nobles mad?"

You are like the moon in the sky, pure and noble, making any woman feel inferior upon gazing upon you from afar.

Such blatant words immediately drew unanimous criticism from the court.

"Your envoy is far too rude. How dare you speak ill of His Majesty?"

Helian Qiong said nonchalantly, "That's just how the people of Western Xia are; they don't hide their thoughts."

They dare to praise beautiful women to their faces and even actively pursue their love, unlike the hypocritical behavior of you Chu people.

Even with Her Majesty the Empress, we openly express our admiration!

Jiang Mengxuan felt not only no liking for Helian Qiong's "special treatment," but also a sense of nausea.

She glanced at Shen Lang below the steps, only to see that Shen Lang was expressionless, but his right hand slowly reached behind his waist.

So she said directly to Helian Qiong, "Envoy, please explain why your country has broken its treaty and occupied the territory of my Great Chu?"

Helian Qiong placed his right hand on his chest and bowed deeply: "Your Majesty, it was all a misunderstanding."

The ruler of our Great Xia Kingdom believes that the Prefect of Luoyang is too corrupt and that continuing him in his post will only harm the diplomatic relations between our two countries.

Therefore, the King ordered the army to take over Luoyang City on behalf of Great Chu. Please forgive the failure to notify Your Majesty in advance.

Jiang Mengxuan sneered: "Is that so? Then can your country withdraw its troops from Luoyang and return the city to my Great Chu?"

Helian Qiong said, "Your Majesty, when the King came, he mentioned to me that the officials, both high and low, in Luoyang have always harbored deep prejudices against our Xia Kingdom."

The reason Your Majesty has sent me to meet you is to temporarily manage Luoyang City on Your Majesty's behalf, and to request that your country provide an additional 200,000 shi of grain for my Xia Kingdom's warriors each year.

Upon hearing this, Lü Lin was furious: "Haha, what a joke!"

Not only has the Xia state seized my Chu territory, but they also want my Chu state to provide them with military provisions? Are you dreaming?

Helian Qiong seemed to have anticipated this scene, and calmly said, "My king said that if your country is unwilling to agree to our Xia country's conditions,..."

That war will continue until your country is willing to accept all our terms. We, the people of Xia, don't have such ulterior motives.

If we want something, we must get it at all costs. If they give it to us, we'll be fine; if they don't, we'll take it ourselves!

The entire hall fell silent instantly.

If Hukou Pass were to fall, the flames of war would inevitably spread to the economically developed settled areas, which would be a devastating blow to the State of Chu.

For a moment, no one dared to rashly condemn Helian Qiong.

Helian Qiong stood there arrogantly, beginning to act as if he were the victor.

"Ha ha……"

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang couldn't help but chuckle softly, but he didn't say anything. He simply took out the dagger from his waist and began to carefully wipe it.

Jiang Mengxuan frowned slightly: "What other conditions does your Xia Kingdom have? Why don't you tell us?"

Helian Qiong immediately took out a sheepskin scroll from his bosom, unfolded it, and began to read.

"The King of Xia expresses his sincerest goodwill to the Empress of Great Chu."

In order to further strengthen diplomatic relations between our two countries, we request Her Majesty the Empress of Great Chu to sever the tributary relationship with the Xia Kingdom.

Furthermore, regarding the equal exchange between brotherly nations, we request that the Empress of Great Chu acknowledge the permanent allegiance of Yong and Liang provinces to Great Xia, and respectfully address their rulers as Empress.

Upon hearing this condition, the court officials dared not speak out in anger.

Although the Xia state was an autonomous entity, it maintained a tributary relationship with the Great Chu state.

Now, Li Shaohao, the ruler of Xia, is no longer satisfied with being a vassal state of Chu and plans to establish his own kingdom as an emperor, standing on equal footing with Chu.

Jiang Mengxuan clenched her hands, trying to remain calm and listen to him continue.

"Furthermore, please request that Great Chu cede all the land west of the Yellow River and Luo River and temporarily take over the city of Luoyang on behalf of Great Chu."

"In order to prevent unnecessary misunderstandings between the two countries, it is requested that the number of Chu soldiers stationed at Hukou Pass not exceed five thousand."

"The land in the Yongliang region is barren. We hope that the Chu Kingdom can provide our Great Xia Kingdom with 1.5 million shi of grain and 100,000 bolts of cloth every year."

"Finally, I hope that the Empress and the royal family will select a beautiful princess of suitable age to marry my king's son, so that we can further strengthen our friendly relations."

"If Your Majesty can agree to these minor conditions, I believe that the Great Xia and the Great Chu will be able to establish a lasting friendship and never wage war again."

These conditions were all challenging the bottom line of the Chu state, making the entire court tremble with anger.

Even the Empress, despite her excellent self-control, was on the verge of a breakdown.

Finally, the envoy looked at Jiang Mengxuan with even greater greed and shamelessly said, "If Your Majesty the beautiful Empress is willing to marry me, then the Xia and Chu kingdoms will surely be able to form a lasting alliance. I hope Your Majesty will consider this carefully!"

These crazy words, which flirted with death, made not only Jiang Mengxuan herself feel ashamed and indignant, but also all the officials.

"Finished?"

Just as Helian Qiong was looking at the Chu court officials with disdain, Shen Lang broke the oppressive atmosphere with a cold snort.

He got up and slowly walked towards him.

"All the conditions you have proposed are challenging the bottom line of my Chu Kingdom."

I can now clearly tell you that my State of Chu will not engage in marriage alliances, cede territory, or pay reparations.

These small, barbarian tribes have only gained some advantage through some schemes and tricks. What right do they have to be so presumptuous in front of our sect leader?

If it weren't for the fact that my Great Chu is a land of propriety and etiquette, and upholds the laws of benevolent rule, a savage like you wouldn't even have the chance to kneel before the Emperor in the palace.

"You want war? Then the State of Chu will fight you to the bitter end. I'd like to see how a mere barbarian state like you can contend with the millions of people of the Great Chu."

Helian Qiong was taken aback, carefully examined Shen Lang, and then asked, "Who exactly are you, daring to speak so rudely and insult my Great Xia?"

"Hmph, aren't you afraid that my 200,000 Great Xia cavalry will break through Hukou Pass and besiege your Jinling City?"

"You can try stepping on it!" Shen Lang's expression was extremely cold. "Do you really think your ridiculous excuse can fool the entire court of the Great Chu?"

Judging from the speed of your troops' advance, I can tell that your Xia Kingdom is now at its last gasp.

Having ventured seven hundred miles into the heart of the enemy territory, the battle lines were stretched thin, and the troops were already exhausted, their horses weary, and their supplies scarce.

The soldiers guarding Hukou Pass are well-rested and ready; if you could truly capture it, you wouldn't be here to negotiate.

Ultimately, the Xia Kingdom was nothing more than a bunch of thugs and hooligans, lacking any real foundation or substance.

"What right do you have to come to the capital and bark like that? My Great Chu will destroy you in the blink of an eye."

Helian Qiong was immediately rendered speechless by the rebuttal.

Indeed, the Xia Kingdom's iron cavalry has already shown signs of severe food shortages by the time they reached Hukou Pass.

Knowing that Hukou Pass could not be captured quickly, they sent envoys to negotiate.

Unexpectedly, his scheme was so easily exposed.

Unlike Helian Qiong's astonishment, the civil and military officials in the court were so frightened by Shen Lang's words that they almost lost their souls.

Is Shen Lang really not afraid of angering the people of Xia?

Although these words sound triumphant and are truly exhilarating.

But what if we push them too far and the Xia Kingdom starts a frenzied attack on Hukou Pass?

In fact, the officials were still inclined to negotiate with the Xia Kingdom; at least for now, it was most important to keep them in check.

As Jiang Mengxuan looked at Shen Lang's handsome and upright figure standing proudly in the court, she couldn't help but lightly bite her lower lip.

"Do you truly intend to fight the Xia Kingdom to the death?"

"It seems that unless I prove it, you barbarians won't believe in the determination of the entire Chu Kingdom!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Lang appeared behind Helian Qiong in a flash.

puff-

Before he could react, the sharp dagger had already severed his throat.

"you……"

Helian Qiong clutched her neck in pain, staring wide-eyed at Shen Lang, who had a cold expression on his face.

He collapsed in the Taiji Hall without uttering a last word.

The hall was deathly silent. Everyone stared at Helian Qiong's corpse, feeling both fear and a sense of catharsis as they vented their pent-up anger.

This feels very contradictory.

Only Jiang Mengxuan's face was full of admiration, all directed at Shen Lang.

"Now, there is no turning back. It's a fight to the death between Chu and Xia!"

Shen Lang raised the blood-stained dagger high and shouted coldly.

At that moment, all the officials knew that there was no point in arguing any further.

With the Xia envoy dead in the palace, there is now only one way left: fight to the death.

Moreover, Shen Lang's gaze was frighteningly calm right now. If he opened his mouth and provoked him, he might be the next one lying in a pool of blood.

Instantly, the entire court unanimously decided to wage war against Western Xia until the Heluo region was recovered.