CHAPTER 1077: CHAPTER 1033: THE PATH BENEATH THE HUMAN HEART WAS ALREADY PREDESTINED

For this answer, all the Qiang tribe leaders felt the same disbelief, but after accepting this reality and reflecting, they realized every Qiang-Han conflict seemed never to be provoked by the tribes that made treaties with the Han Dynasty.

To exaggerate a bit, those tribes that formed treaties with the Han, upon noticing Qiang-Han tensions, even tried to mediate as much as possible, but ultimately it was like drawing water with a basket, ending in vain.

The tension between the Qiang tribes and the Han Dynasty was so taut that the slightest disturbance would snap it, inevitably leading both sides to war.

The reason why those tribes with treaties didn’t first clash with the Han Dynasty was rather simple; for these initial tribes that pledged allegiance, there was a need to set an example to inspire confidence in future followers, so it was impossible to act rashly, and thus conflict was naturally avoided.

Of course, Xun Youi couldn’t tell these Qiang tribe leaders such truths; he was merely guiding the Qiang thinking into a direction he needed.

With this fact, all the Qiang tribe leaders gained some understanding of the continuous past conflicts; it wasn’t that the Han Dynasty was unreasonable, but rather that both sides never clarified the situation.

The oath between the Ling Qiang and the Han Dynasty was certainly observed by the Ling Qiang, as well as by the Han Dynasty, but other tribes were unaware of this; they acted as they deemed fit, and the Han couldn’t distinguish the Ling Qiang from other Qiang tribes, so naturally, they demanded compliance from all tribes, leading to inevitable conflicts.

Although Xun Youi’s words involved some conceptual misdirection, they were generally reasonable enough that none of the Qiang tribe leaders could immediately think of a more correct explanation.

This answer placed all Qiang tribe leaders on the same page, significantly increasing the consistency in their perspectives and understanding of how to resolve the issue. The astute Qiang leaders began to look towards Ma Chao, the King of Renqiang.

As Xun Youi’s words subtly hinted, all Qiang tribe leaders understood that no single tribe equaled the Han Dynasty. The treaties they formed with the Han could only bind them but not all Qiang tribes.

The problem for the Han Dynasty was that a treaty binding one tribe held no significance; they needed a treaty binding the entire or at least the majority of the Qiang tribes.

Previously, the treaties between Qiang tribes and the Han Dynasty were always signed based on individual tribes, while the Han believed they were made with the entire Qiang tribes; fundamentally, this was a miscommunication, like chickens and ducks speaking.

No single tribe could represent the Qiang tribes, reflecting the actual situation of the Qiang. The Grand Elder guarding the ancestral land could not represent all Qiang; they represented their tribes, maybe stronger ones, but not the entire Qiang.

No independent tribe would allow itself to be represented by others, as it implies subjugation and dependence, nor would any tribe represent non-subservient tribes, as it would mean provocation.

The only one who can represent the Qiang is the King of Qiang, and similarly, the only one who can represent the Han is the Son of Heaven of Han or the Prime Minister with False Token of Authority.

Therefore, for a harmonious Qiang-Han treaty to be established, one not guaranteed by martial force but by trust, the King of Qiang and the Son of Heaven of Han must be the signatories.

Although Ma Chao isn’t the most clever, he cannot fail to understand Fa Zheng’s strategic moves. As the King of Qiang, he is indispensable in forming this treaty.

The Son of Heaven, though freed from imprisonment, still had power out of his hands. Ma Chao forming this treaty as the King of Qiang is greatly beneficial for Liu Xie’s prestige. Although the emperor is young, to make such a decision quickly after ascending the throne benefits the country and the people, paving the way for Liu Xie.

Moreover, since the Son of Heaven can’t leave Chang’an and time is pressing, Ma Chao, by his character, would certainly crave to personally meet the Son of Heaven. Not long after ascending the throne, being visited by a foreign nation’s ruler is a revitalization of national prestige for the Han Dynasty.

This is unquestionable — Ma Chao almost has no choice but to go. Visiting Liu Xie as a king makes fairer terms more attainable, advantages that others might not receive.

What’s more critical is the urgency of the situation. With Cao Cao’s inadequate military, with battles on two fronts, he can’t afford to miss the opportunity. With the Qiang aligning with the Han, Yongliang would shift from being pressured on two fronts to forming a united front, and at this point, Cao Cao would not reject such a positive outcome.

"Does the Han Dynasty still have countless loyalists striving for it?" Ma Chao pondered silently, feeling that he understood Fa Zheng’s purpose, recalling his father’s complex emotions towards the Han Dynasty. In the past, he found it hard to comprehend, but now he had a faint understanding.

Ma Chao never considered that Fa Zheng’s real intention was to ensnare Cao Cao by this approach, since Fa Zheng already understood Liu Xie’s character in full from Liu Ye, thus presenting Liu Xie with this significant gift.

With this gift, Liu Xie, who could have held his impulse in check, would no longer be able to tolerate patiently, and the relatively harmonious relations would quickly clash with this catalyst.

In Fa Zheng’s view, there was no doubt Liu Xie would lose. Subsequently, regardless of how Cao Cao dealt with Liu Xie, it would become a massive issue, providing not only Liu Bei with an excuse but also causing unrest within Cao Cao’s ranks.

Even if Cao Cao handled this matter well, for some, it would be a thorn — a thorn forever lodged in the heart, and even if the truth was revealed later, that thorn would remain.

Fa Zheng could understand human hearts but failed to truly comprehend them. This was an issue of intelligence, experience, and emotional intelligence. His schemes began with human insight but would also end due to human complexity since human hearts are incredibly perplexing.

"What I said may still leave you with many doubts, but since both sides have reneged countless times, you might as well do so once more. What if this time things change?" Xun Youi’s words held implicit sarcasm, forcing the Qiang tribe leaders to contemplate.

Indeed, having betrayed so many times, one more hardly mattered. The desperation of a broken jar was insignificant. Since this time there was hope, failure would mean merely repeating the past, with nothing to lose.

Driven by this way of thinking, the Qiang tribe leaders looked at Ma Chao expectantly, and he did not disappoint them, nodding in approval of the plan. As he regarded the Qiang nobility below, Ma Chao sighed internally, realizing that achieving this would solidify not only Liu Xie’s prestige but also that of Ma Chao as the King of Qiang! (To be continued. If you like this work, please go to qidian.com to cast your recommendation and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)