CHAPTER 673: CHAPTER 653: STABILITY

After the battle between Xie Xun and Dugu Jing, the negotiations between the High Priest and the cabinet proceeded very smoothly. Beining needed the Beiman’s mineral resources, while the Beiman needed a warm and stable place to settle. Since war could not resolve the issue, submission became the only option, leading to a massive migration of the entire tribe. Dugu Jing, having fought with Xie Xun once, seemed unsatisfied and regularly sought him out.

Xie Xun, gravely injured, did not attend court and was enjoying the early days of his newlywed life with Fengyu. Yet unexpectedly, Dugu Jing came looking for him, prompting Xie Xun to ask the Imperial Physician in irritation, "Isn’t he just suffering from superficial wounds? How can he run into the palace in the middle of winter?"

"Your Majesty, his injuries are indeed minor," the Imperial Physician replied truthfully. Dugu Jing’s wounds were far lighter than Xie Xun’s. His daily activities were unaffected, and he had no need for constant medication. Moreover, his robust physique rendered the cold and snow insignificant.

Xie Xun was speechless. His wounds were rather deep and conveniently allowed him to offload political duties onto his Second Brother for some leisure. Yet he hadn’t anticipated needing to entertain Dugu Jing — the negotiations were still ongoing, after all. He couldn’t ignore the situation but also couldn’t meet Dugu Jing in Changshou Palace. Thus, he could only receive him in the Jinxiu Palace on the western side of the imperial garden.

The palace where the Empress received guests was on the eastern side, so Xie Xun chose the west. Currently, the central area of the palace revolved around Changshou Palace. Given Dugu Jing’s demeanor, as if ready for another fight, Xie Xun couldn’t afford to appear as gravely injured as he was and could only grit his teeth through the pain to meet him. Naturally, his expression wasn’t pleasant.

"Why aren’t you recovering at the guesthouse? What business do you have coming to the palace to see me?"

Who knew Dugu Jing’s purpose was to deliver medicine?

"This is a unique ointment from the Beiman, highly effective for external injuries. Apply it to the wound, and you’ll see results in three to five days," Dugu Jing said, bringing a large jar of ointment with him.

Xie Xun, haunted by the Beiman’s use of poisonous insects, was wary but trusted Dugu Jing’s character. While Dugu Jing was temperamental, impulsive, and easily angered, he was also forthright and upright. He wouldn’t resort to using venomous insects to harm others. Moreover, Dugu Jing had once saved Fengyu’s life. Out of gratitude for this, Xie Xun’s animosity toward him wasn’t as intense as years prior.

"Thank you," Xie Xun said, ordering someone to take the ointment away, intending to send it to the Imperial Hospital later for research. The medical skills of their physicians seemed inferior to those of the Beiman, as evidenced by how quickly injured Beiman soldiers could return to the battlefield — something likely tied to their medicine. "Coming to the palace wasn’t just to deliver medicine, was it?"

"Let me remind you: send Han Ziqi back to Sannan as soon as possible," Dugu Jing said coldly. Despite his striking looks, his fierce aura and grim face made him appear menacing, even when speaking amicably.

"Han Ziqi..." Xie Xun murmured, knowing full well of Han Ziqi’s unyielding ambitions and his attempts to sow discord between him and his Second Brother. During the match between him and Dugu Jing, Han Ziqi had fanned the flames, likely enjoying the spectacle. If Dugu Jing had killed him on the stage, Han Ziqi would have celebrated with fireworks. "He’ll leave before the year’s end. You and Sannan have always been allies in military campaigns. How is it that you’re suddenly at odds?"

"Who said we were allied in battle? With Sannan’s paltry forces, they’re hardly worthy!" Dugu Jing’s tone was disdainful as he spoke lightly. "As early as last year, the Heavenly God foretold an impending period of extreme cold, making our homeland uninhabitable. Migration became urgent. We had two options: head south into Ningzhou or cross the Ice Lake Canyon heading north. Yet the north is an even more unfamiliar land, separated by the sea. Thus, moving south was the only viable choice. Given our military strength, we can’t defeat the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. Even if we negotiated, you’d never allow us to cross Ningzhou’s border. The High Priest and my elder brother, the Beiman King, already lean toward submission. Only submission can safeguard the people. But I was unwilling. After centuries of fighting, the hatred between the Beiman and Beining runs deep. Even submitting, Beining wouldn’t accept us, nor would we secure favorable terms. So, I wanted to take one last gamble. This year’s campaign was a desperate one — if we lost, we’d submit. But if we won, there’d be a glimmer of hope to preserve our homeland and independence. Sannan’s proposal merely served our plans, coincidentally aligning with our strategy. We’ve never colluded with Sannan. If we had, I wouldn’t have withdrawn when Sannan mobilized their forces."

Dugu Jing understood that persisting in war would only lead to more civilian deaths, and the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry was undefeatable. With the harsh winter looming, there were hundreds of thousands of lives in need of relocation. Therefore, they sought to finalize the terms before winter. Even if they couldn’t cross Ningzhou’s borders, they hoped to settle outside of Ningzhou City, migrating from the north of Sha Ling Tian Mountain to its southern side. The climate difference between the two sides was like night and day.

"No wonder you ended up fighting with Han Ziqi in the Capital City. He must hate you. As the commander-in-chief, all you needed to do was pin down the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry in Ningzhou, and Jiangnan would’ve been isolated. Without Ningzhou’s support, Sannan might’ve been able to overrun the Twelve Provinces. At that point, I’d have had to shrink the frontlines," Xie Xun said with a furrowed brow. "So, I’m curious: why give up? If you’d continued to pin down the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry, Beining might’ve fallen into disarray."

"At the time, opinions within our Imperial Court were split. The pro-war faction couldn’t overpower the pro-peace faction. Since the Heavenly God had already issued a warning, we hoped Beining would accept and resettle us. War was no longer viable. We couldn’t get past the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry, so we sought peace. After all, if we were to move to Beining, endless warfare there would benefit no one. Besides, I refuse to acknowledge Yuwen Jing as emperor. If I had a choice, I’d prefer you or Xie Jue to ascend the throne. While our animosity is deep, you brothers would treat the people far better than Yuwen Jing. That’s why I chose to cease fighting."

Xie Xun hadn’t been in Ningzhou at the time; negotiations were conducted by Xie Jue and Fengyu. Dugu Jing had hidden such thoughts so well that even after arriving in the Capital City, he consistently portrayed himself as unwilling to submit, maintaining a proud image. This undoubtedly reflected his true feelings. Yet he was also clear-headed enough to recognize the necessity of compromise. Remarkably, after all this time, he hadn’t once betrayed his intentions.

"Three days of separation, and one must view a man in a new light. Dugu Jing, you’re quite adept at concealing your plans!"

"Dugu Jing, rest assured," Xie Xun declared. "I promise you that as long as you harbor no intent to restore your nation or rebel, your Beiman people will surely live in peace in Beining." Xie Xun knew, however, that his promise might not be easily believed by Dugu Jing. Only time could demonstrate that submitting was the right choice for the Beiman.

"We’ll see about that," Dugu Jing replied, still harboring resentment. "If not for the worsening weather, the Beiman would never have surrendered. Someday, we’ll cross Ningzhou. If the Beiman had Sannan’s terrain..."

"Don’t even dream about it!" Xie Xun interrupted without hesitation. "Each region shapes its people. If you had Sannan’s terrain, you wouldn’t be such a valiant and warlike tribe. And the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry will defend the border to the death. You won’t cross Ningzhou through force; submitting is your best option."

Dugu Jing snorted coldly. "If the roles were reversed, would you simply accept it?"

"I wouldn’t, but you have no choice. The Heavenly God has already warned you — do you truly have any other options?" No one would willingly submit or abandon their homeland. "While the Beiman’s territory is vast, much of it is mining regions, snow mountains, and deserts unsuitable for living. Early migration is better for your people. In a few decades, you’ll come to think of Beining as your home."

As the victor, Xie Xun could lecture Dugu Jing freely. However, as a general — especially the commander-in-chief — Dugu Jing had to view submission as an immense humiliation.

If he were Dugu Jing, he’d rather die on the battlefield, where a general meets his end.

But he couldn’t say this to Dugu Jing!

Instead, Xie Xun said, "The High Priest and Beiman King both agreed to submit, which shows it’s the course of fate. The people need peace, and personal pride is insignificant. For the sake of the people and their descendants, your choice is the right one."

"Who knows!" Dugu Jing said bitterly. Many soldiers in his army would rather die in battle than submit. Yet the situation had reached this point — fate was inexorable. "The High Priest and the cabinet have practically reached an agreement. I hope you’ll open the borders as soon as possible. The Beiman winter after December is unbearably harsh; the people won’t survive it."

"Urge the High Priest to finalize the terms. I’ll send someone to Ningzhou. Relocating a million Beiman people to Ningzhou all at once is unrealistic. They can begin by migrating to Qianling Town, and some can later be resettled in Ningzhou. We also need time to plan this, perhaps at least six months, to determine how and where to resettle them. Which towns in the Twelve Provinces are suitable all requires detailed planning by the cabinet. In the short term, they can winter outside Ningzhou City."

In truth, Ningzhou in December was also snowy and frozen, but its conditions were far better than Beiman’s and tolerable for the Beiman people. However, after leaving their homeland, survival in the following months would be a challenge. Their grain, medicine, and winter clothing would depend on Beining’s aid and support.

"Fine!" Dugu Jing looked at Xie Xun and said in a deep voice, "Xie Xun, I hope you’ll keep your word and treat us equally!"