Who understands? He traveled through time with a high-spec spatial ability.

When Tantai Zhou, who was a hundred miles away, received the peace request, he had just received a letter from his mother in the capital.

Tantai Zhou unfolded the Imperial Noble Consort's letter, which mentioned that Prime Minister Liang was assassinated in his residence after he was removed from his armor. Consort Xian was devastated upon learning this and went insane. Prince Jing was still missing.

The situation in the capital had changed suddenly, so he had to be extremely careful. He also learned from his previous memorial that Qiao Jingjing had also come to the border, and he was instructed to take good care of her.

After reading the letter, his brow relaxed, and he picked up a pen and paper to reply.

He originally came to the border to investigate the situation, but he was delayed until now and could not return to the capital. He did not know whether he would be able to attend his mother's coronation ceremony.

After replying to the letter, he picked up the peace treaty again, looked at it in his hand, and sneered inwardly.

At this moment, the deputy general entered the tent and said, "General, an envoy from the Yan Kingdom requests an audience, saying that he carries the sincerity of the new emperor."

A mocking smile curled at the corner of Tantai Zhou's lips. "Let him in."

A short while later, the envoy from Yan was brought in. After bowing respectfully, the envoy presented a list of gifts and earnestly expressed the new emperor's desire for peace.

Tantai Zhou crossed his arms and listened quietly, but his eyes were sharp.

After the envoy finished speaking, Tantai Zhou glanced at the gift list casually, then suddenly threw it on the ground. "Is this all you want to sue for peace? Does the Yan Kingdom think our Tongguan army is a beggar?"

The envoy knelt in fear, his forehead touching the ground. "Your Highness, please calm your anger. The new emperor has ascended the throne, and the situation is not yet stable. I hope the general will give us some time. I will certainly present you with generous gifts."

Tantai Zhou sneered: "The Yan Kingdom started the war without cause, and now that they can't win, they come to beg for peace. It's not that easy."

The envoy hurriedly said, "General, this peace request is truly the new emperor's sincere wish. I hope that you will consider the people of both countries and give us a chance. Our emperor will do his utmost to make peace."

Tantai Zhou did not respond immediately. Instead, he stood up, walked to the envoy, stared into his eyes, and said, "I can give you a chance, but I will set the conditions. I want your two cities, Yumen and Heyang, and you also need to send a member of the Yan royal family to my country as a hostage."

The envoy's expression changed, and he hesitated for a moment. The cession of the city was in line with the late emperor's plan, but he could not make a decision on the matter of the hostage.

Tantai Zhou said no more, instructing the envoy to return and inform the new emperor that if the conditions were accepted, a peace treaty would be signed on a chosen date. "I will only give you five days. I will not advance further during these five days. After five days, you must come to Qinglan City with sincerity; otherwise, I will lead my men to raze the capital to the ground."

The messenger repeatedly agreed and hurriedly left.

After the envoy left, the deputy general said worriedly, "General, I'm afraid the Yan Kingdom will find these conditions unacceptable. If they don't agree, they will really attack in five days."

Tantai Zhou's gaze was firm: "Naturally, the Yan Kingdom harbors wolfish ambitions. If we do not take this opportunity to suppress them, they will surely become a great threat in the future."

The lieutenant nodded in agreement and went to make arrangements for the defense over the next five days.

Meanwhile, Qiao Jingjing learned of this in her tent. She knew all too well that when two countries were at war, it was the common people who suffered.

After thinking it over, she decided to go find Tantai Zhou.

Upon meeting Tantai Zhou, Qiao Jingjing advised, "Tantai Zhou, peace talks between the two countries should prioritize the well-being of the people. Can the conditions be discussed further?"

Tantai Zhou looked at her, his gaze softening: "Jingjing, I don't want the people to suffer, but Yan must pay a price to achieve lasting peace."

Qiao Jingjing understood his intention and said, "I know. What I mean is that we can take this opportunity to open up trade between Yan and Daliang. In the end, we fight wars so that the people can live in peace. Yan is now severely weakened, which is a good time for us to penetrate the country economically and culturally."

After listening, Tantai Zhou fell into deep thought. Qiao Jingjing continued, "Opening up trade would not only allow the people of both countries to exchange goods and enhance communication, but also make Yan dependent on our resources. In the long run, this is more beneficial than simply occupying cities. As for hostages, they can serve as a symbol; there's no need to insist that they be members of the royal family."

Tantai Zhou's eyes gradually brightened; he had to admit that Qiao Jingjing's idea was very insightful. "What you said makes sense, but the specific details of this trade still need to be carefully planned."

Qiao Jingjing smiled and said, "I already have some preliminary ideas. Yan State produces a lot of furs, warhorses, and medicinal herbs, and they also like our Daliang's silk, porcelain, and tea. If we can build a trade bridge, it will benefit both sides."

Tantai Zhou nodded in approval, "Very well, we'll do as you say. When the Yan envoy comes again, I'll propose new conditions."

Over the next few days, Qiao Jingjing and Tantai Zhou worked together to finalize the trade details. They made detailed plans for the scope of trade, tax policies, and trading locations, and also agreed to use a member of a collateral branch of the Yan royal family as a hostage to show their sincerity.

Soon, the five-day deadline arrived. The Yan Kingdom's envoy appeared on time at the Qinglan City Prefectural Governor's Mansion.

There were three envoys from the Yan Kingdom who came this time, one of whom was the Grand Tutor Hu Jingzong.

The biting frost wind whipped up the flags on the city walls, and the post road outside Qinglan City was covered with dirty mud mixed with snowmelt.

As three black lacquered carriages approached the city gate, leaving behind a trail of scattered gold fragments, the bronze-cast "Azure Mist" door studs gleamed coldly.

The carriage curtain moved slightly, revealing Hu Jingzong's aged face. He stared at the ten-zhang-high city gate tower, a bloody taste rising in his throat. The "Yan" character flag that had been hanging there had long been torn to shreds, and the black-bottomed Changlin flag that was now fluttering in the wind stung his eyes.

"Please dismount and inspect the vehicle." The voice of the Tongguan Commandant, shrouded in the chilling aura of his armor, rang out.

Just as the young deputy envoy accompanying him was about to lash out, Hu Jingzong pressed down on him with his withered, bamboo-like fingers.

As the old man shakily touched the ground with the support of the cart shaft, the sneers from the city wall were like poisoned arrows.

This scene deeply wounded the already fragile heart of the old Grand Tutor.

This was originally our own country, our own city, but now we are subject to inspection and restrictions by an enemy country before we can enter.

This feeling is not only a sense of shame, but also a deep sense of powerlessness.