Who put the yellow robe on me?

Chapter 187: 2 States and 1 City

Jiang Chen sat in the main seat, his eyes deep and cold, reflecting the candlelight, looking particularly mysterious.

His fingers tapped lightly on the table, making a rhythmic sound.

Lord Ji stood below, looking cautious, with beads of sweat oozing from his forehead.

He felt an invisible sense of oppression and couldn't help feeling uneasy.

"Lord Ji," Jiang Chen said calmly, his voice like cool spring water, yet filled with unquestionable authority, "In addition to Gaochang, General Mammon needs to find another city."

Ji Daren's heart tightened, and he looked up at Jiang Chen, trying to read something in his eyes. However, Jiang Chen's eyes were like an abyss, difficult to guess.

He tried to calm himself down and forced a smile: "Which city is your Highness interested in?"

Jiang Chen raised his chin slightly, and his eyes swept over everyone in the room, finally settling on Lord Ji: "I think Kucha is good."

"What?!" Lord Ji's pupils suddenly contracted, and his heart seemed to be tightly gripped by an invisible hand.

The air in the room seemed to freeze in an instant, and the soldiers of Daliang also showed expressions of shock.

Kucha, that is the capital of the Western Regions!

Jiang Chen's words were undoubtedly an exorbitant demand and a naked threat.

Lord Ji felt his throat dry, as if something was blocking it, making it difficult for him to breathe. He tried to calm himself, but his voice trembled slightly. "Your Highness, Kucha is the capital of our Western Regions. I'm afraid it's not appropriate for you to go there."

Jiang Chen raised the corners of his lips slightly, revealing a hint of sneer, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes: "Offering Kucha will better demonstrate your determination to surrender to Daliang."

Lord Ji felt dizzy, and cold sweat trickled down his cheeks. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. "Your Highness, we can negotiate the cession of Gaochang, but we cannot cede Kucha. Please understand, Your Highness!"

Jiang Chen snorted softly, his eyes showing a hint of impatience: "Okay, if you don't want to give it to Kucha, then let's change to two other cities."

He turned to look at General Zhong Wenbin who was sitting beside him and said calmly, "General Zhong, which two cities should we choose?"

Zhong Wenbin smiled slightly, with a sly glint in his eyes: "Your Highness, I think Tingzhou and Yizhou are more suitable."

Jiang Chen raised his eyebrows and pretended to be blaming: "General, this is not very kind. We originally wanted three cities, why did you suddenly ask for two counties? Aren't you making it difficult for Lord Ji?"

When Lord Ji heard this, he was furious, but he had to suppress it. He felt like his teeth were about to break, and the muscles on his face twitched slightly.

He knew that Jiang Chen and Zhong Wenbin were playing a double game and deliberately forcing him.

Jiang Chen turned his head and looked at Lord Ji with a burning gaze. His voice was low and powerful: "Lord Ji, I wonder if your country can give up its love?"

Lord Ji felt a dull pain in his chest, as if struck by a heavy hammer. He knew that the Western Regions were at a critical juncture of life and death. If they did not compromise, they might be destroyed.

Taking a deep breath, he forced a smile, his tone a little stiff: "I'm willing... willing to give up. For the sake of the long-lasting friendship between our two countries, these two states and one city will be considered a gift from our Western Regions."

Jiang Chen nodded with satisfaction, a faint smile on his face: "In that case, please ask Lord Ji and the General and others to sign the friendly transfer agreement together."

"Friendly transfer agreement?" Lord Ji sneered in his heart, but did not dare to show it on his face.

He felt that he was forced into a desperate situation. He could only suppress his anger and nodded slightly: "As you command."

After Lord Ji and Zhong Wenbin left the General's Mansion, the oppressive atmosphere in the air eased slightly. Jiang Chen watched them leave, a deep light flashing in his eyes.

At this time, Zhong Xiaodan quietly walked to Jiang Chen's side and asked in a low voice: "Your Highness, will our Western Expedition continue?"

Jiang Chen raised the corners of his lips slightly, revealing a meaningful smile: "Go on, you must continue."

Zhong Xiaodan was a little confused: "But Your Highness, what you just said to Lord Ji..."

Jiang Chen's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness, and his voice was low and firm: "Today we will cede five cities, tomorrow we will cede ten cities, and then we can sleep peacefully for one night.

Second Young Master, you, your brother, and your father may need to prepare more troops soon."

Zhong Xiaodan was stunned for a moment, then he understood Jiang Chen's intention. A hint of admiration flashed in his eyes, and he laughed loudly, "I understand, Your Highness! I'll do it right away!"

Looking at Zhong Xiaodan's departing back, the smile in Jiang Chen's eyes gradually disappeared, replaced by deep thought.

He knew that the cession of the Western Regions was only temporary, and their internal divisions and conflicts were the best breakthrough point.

……

In a prison cell on the outskirts of the city, Xian Yulinyuan sat alone on a cold stone bed. His gaze passed through the iron bars, gazing out at the deep, starry sky. His heart was as heavy as the night itself.

At this moment, he vaguely heard footsteps coming from afar, getting closer and closer, making a clear echo on the stone slabs.

The footsteps stopped in front of the cell door, followed by the sound of a key being inserted into the lock.

The iron gate slowly opened with a creaking sound, piercing the silence of the night. A figure appeared at the door, facing the moonlight, and his face could not be seen clearly.

"General Xianyu." The man's tone was calm, with a hint of majesty.

Xianyu Linyuan raised his head and saw the face of the visitor clearly in the faint moonlight.

That was Jiang Chen, the sixteenth prince of Daliang, His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan.

He was wearing a dark blue robe with a white fox fur coat on the outside, which made him look particularly elegant.

"Your Highness." Xianyu Linyuan responded indifferently, his voice a little hoarse and without much emotion.

Jiang Chen walked into the cell and signaled the guards to leave.

There were only two of them left in the cell. Jiang Chen looked around and his eyes finally fell on Xian Yu Linyuan.

"It's late at night. General, haven't you rested yet?" Jiang Chen asked softly, with a hint of concern in his tone.

Xian Yu Linyuan gave a bitter smile and looked up at the starry sky outside the window: "How can we rest in this prison?"

Jiang Chen nodded, walked to his side, and looked out the window: "Tomorrow is the day of the general's execution."

The two were silent for a while, and the air was filled with a faint awkwardness and depression.

The breeze blew again, bringing the fragrance of flowers and plants in the distance, mixed with the unique coolness of the night.

"General, do you have any last wish?" Jiang Chen finally broke the silence, turned his head to look at him, with a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

Xian Yu Linyuan lowered his head, thought for a moment, and said in a low and firm voice: "Now that things have come to this, I have nothing to regret, but..."