Chapter 349 Afraid to Die?

Chapter 349: Are You Afraid of Death?

He raked a hand through his hair in frustration, suddenly feeling that Yuli had drawn the short straw.

"But speaking of which," Cheng Ge's thoughts took another leap, and he leaned closer to Cui Ji, lowering his voice with a sly, speculative grin.

"How does Wuliji know Yuli? And why specifically ask for him?

Is there some... you know... history between them we don't know about?" He tried to pry some dirt out of Cui Ji.

Cui Ji paused mid-motion, glancing up at him coolly. "Beats me."

Cheng Ge figured Yuli was cursed with bad luck—trouble came knocking uninvited, and he'd been singled out by that rabid dog from the Northern Di out of nowhere.

The more he mulled it over, the more uneasy he got. He figured those pencil-pushers in the capital, too lazy to deal with the hassle, might just green-light the marriage alliance to wash their hands of it.

No, he had to fire off a letter to Zhou Mingqi ASAP—no way they were letting Yuli get "hitched" to the Northern Di.

"What are you thinking about?" Cui Ji's voice cut through his thoughts.

Cheng Ge snapped out of it, almost blurting out his thoughts, then scrambled for a cover.

"Huh? Oh... nothing, just wondering—why'd the Northern Di suddenly flip and want to talk peace?"

Cui Ji set a fresh skewer over the fire, the dripping fat flaring up in a small burst of flame.

His voice was flat and even, but it hit the nail on the head: "It's a front. They're running out of supplies."

That snapped Cheng Ge to attention, his brain shifting from daydreaming to hardcore military strategy, eyes lighting up.

"Running low on supplies? Right! That's what I figured!" He smacked his thigh. "They've gotta be on their last legs, using peace talks to buy time—maybe even hoping to mooch some grain off us!

And Wuliji specifically asking for Yuli—is that part of the play too?

Knowing Yuli's got some special status, they're trying to throw us off or stack the deck in negotiations?"

The more he rambled, the more it made sense, and his worry for Yuli quickly morphed into fury at the Northern Di's scheming: "Shit, that's sneaky! They almost dragged us straight into their trap!"

Cui Ji shot him a look, silently conceding that Cheng Ge had nailed the gist and closed his own logic loop (even if it was a bit skewed).

He flipped the meat over the fire and said evenly, "So, the peace offer goes to the capital as planned. On the front lines... we do what we've always done."

Cheng Ge got the hint right away: "Got it! Not only do we keep going, we crank up the heat and pound them harder!

We'll wipe out whatever they've got left until they've got nothing to swagger about! They want a marriage pact? In their dreams!"

Cui Ji watched his eyes gleam with excitement, didn't answer—just waved him over.

Cheng Ge had no clue what was up, but he leaned in anyway.

Cui Ji set down the skewer, pulled a clean handkerchief from his chest, and casually reached for the hand Cheng Ge had just smacked his thigh with.

Cheng Ge's hand was still slick with grease and spice from the meat.

Cui Ji bowed his head and carefully wiped each finger, from knuckle to tip, not skipping the gaps between.

Cheng Ge was caught off guard but didn't pull away—he spread his fingers and let Cui Ji do his thing.

He noticed Cui Ji's fingertips had rough calluses, and the brush against his skin was faintly ticklish. The focused look on his face made Cheng Ge's heart oddly calm.

Once he was done, Cui Ji didn't let go. Instead, he raised Cheng Ge's hand and pressed a feather-light, fleeting kiss to the fingertips he'd just wiped.

The touch was warm and soft, there and gone in a flash, but it zapped through his fingers like a tiny electric shock, sending a tingle straight to his chest.

Cheng Ge's fingers curled, his ears burning. The tent's serious, war-room vibe suddenly got heavy with something else.

Cui Ji wrapped the skewer's handle in the handkerchief and passed it over.

Cheng Ge took it, the tingle from the kiss still buzzing on his fingers. He bit into the meat—tasted like cardboard, his head totally elsewhere.

He snuck a peek at Cui Ji, who'd already grabbed another raw skewer and set it over the fire, looking totally unbothered.

But the tingle in his fingers and the lingering grip around his waist felt way too real.

Chewing, he mumbled, his voice softer and lower than before: "Cui Ji..."

"Hm?" Cui Ji replied, eyes still on the flickering flames and sizzling skewers.

His voice dipped a notch as he asked, out of the blue: "You afraid of dying?"

Cui Ji's hold on his wrist tightened just barely, and his wiping paused for a split second.

He looked up, eyes dark and locked on Cheng Ge, and answered without flinching, "I wasn't before."

He paused, then said, low and steady, "I am now."

Cheng Ge's heart lurched. "Why?"

Cui Ji didn't answer. Instead, he reached out, slid an arm around Cheng Ge's waist, and pulled him in.

Cheng Ge: "???"

Caught off guard, he tumbled into an embrace smelling of clean soap and smoky roast, and he could hear the steady, strong thump of the other man's heart.

The hug was short but firm, like it was cramming every unsaid word into that one moment.

Then Cui Ji let go, patting his back firmly.

His voice went back to its usual flat calm, giving nothing away: "It's late. Eat up and get some rest."

Cheng Ge was still spinning from the sudden hug and those words—"I am now."

The skewer in his hand swayed as he mumbled a dazed "Oh."

...

In the gilded throne hall, aloeswood smoke curled from the burner, but it couldn't cut through the invisible tension hanging in the air.

"Your Majesty!" Imperial Censor Wu Zhongzi, beard and hair standing on end, raised his jade tablet, his voice booming so loud it nearly blew the roof off.

"Vice Minister of Works Zhang Qixian, while overseeing the Eastern Suburb Imperial Mausoleum, let his nephew strong-arm farmers off their land to dig up dirt, leaving three families homeless! The complaints have already landed on the capital magistrate's desk!

Plus, he jacked up prices on stone procurement to line his own pockets, skimming silver that's gotta be over ten thousand taels!

If we don't come down hard on scum like this, how can we keep the court in line or win the people's trust?!"

Before he even finished, Liu Wenzheng, Vice Minister of Personnel and part of the Second Prince's camp, stepped out to push back, dripping with sarcasm: "Censor Wu's being a bit one-sided!

The land-grab thing hasn't even been verified—how can we just take one side's word for it?

As for buying stone, prices vary from place to place, so slight fluctuations are normal.

Imperial Censor Wu speaks of embezzlement exceeding ten thousand taels—does he have solid evidence? Or is this just hearsay, an attempt to trump up charges?!"

Ever since the officials of the Second Prince's faction vehemently advocated for severe punishment of Cheng Ge, which led to his disappearance and unknown fate,

the remonstrating officials led by Wu Zhongzi have been like a swarm of enraged hornets.

They watched the officials of the Second Prince's faction day and night, and whenever they caught a single fault, they impeached them relentlessly with fierce words, never letting up until the other side was destroyed.

On the dragon throne, Zhou Mingqi propped his head on his hand, unable to conceal the exhaustion in his brows.

He watched the civil and military officials below, red-faced and arguing, almost rolling up their sleeves to fight, and he had given up on trying to intervene.

Such scenes played out almost daily, and everyone had long grown accustomed to them.

Many officials kept their eyes downcast, minds wandering, merely hoping this tedious court session would end soon.

Just at this stalemate, as the stalemate had everyone fighting drowsiness, a loud and urgent announcement suddenly came from outside the hall, like a thunderbolt shattering the stillness—

"Report—!!! An eight-hundred-li urgent military dispatch has arrived—!!!"

This shout was like an immobilizing spell, instantly silencing all arguments.

Wu Zhongzi's hand holding the jade tablet froze mid-air, and Liu Wenzheng's mouth hung open.

All the civil and military officials in the hall, regardless of faction, turned their heads sharply, their gazes fixed on the entrance.

Even several elderly ministers who had been resting with closed eyes suddenly opened them, their eyes gleaming with intensity.

Zhou Mingqi instantly sat up straight, the fatigue on his face replaced by his imperial composure, and he commanded in a deep voice, "Bring him in!"

The entire Golden Throne Hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, leaving only the sound of hurried footsteps approaching from afar, each step striking the hearts of everyone present.

The messenger was covered in dust, his armor still bearing the frost of the northern frontier.

He strode quickly into the hall, knelt on one knee, and raised a sealed copper tube high with both hands.

His voice was hoarse from the long journey, but it clearly echoed through the hall: "Your Majesty! From the northern frontier, from Cui Ji, an eight-hundred-li urgent military dispatch!"

The northern frontier! The northern frontier guarded by Cui Ji! Eight-hundred-li urgent! Good news? Or... bad news?

Fu Quan bowed and took the copper tube, carefully checking the wax seal was intact.

At Zhou Mingqi's signal, he carefully opened it with a small knife and took out the contents.

He quickly scanned it, a hint of surprise crossing his face, and then reported loudly: "Your Majesty, it is a... peace treaty from the Northern Di."

"A peace treaty?!" These three words were like drops of water hitting hot oil, instantly causing an uproar in the Golden Throne Hall.

Almost all the officials were stunned, wondering if they heard right.

The Northern Di were powerful and had been a major threat to the dynasty for many years.

In recent years, they had frequently violated the border arrogantly—how could they suddenly take the initiative to submit a peace treaty? It was like the sun rising from the west!

Some elderly ministers immediately showed uncontrollable excitement and relief on their faces.

If the war could end, the people could finally rest and recover...

However, some hawkish officials frowned in confusion, showing doubt.

Peace? Why sue for peace all of a sudden? Wasn't it just reported a few days ago that their grain supplies were intercepted? Logically, the Northern Di should be pressing their advantage, not asking for peace—why would they come to negotiate?

Zhou Mingqi maintained his imperial composure and ordered calmly, "Read it."

"This servant obeys Your Majesty's command." Fu Quan cleared his throat, unrolled the silk scroll with both hands, and began to read the peace terms in his characteristic voice.

"To His Majesty the Emperor of Great Zhou: Heaven and Earth are compassionate; the emperor embodies the benevolence of pacifying distant lands.

We humbly consider that the Northern Di and Great Zhou share a border and neighboring peoples, yet unfortunately war has raged and beacons have burned for years, causing border unrest and suffering among the people—countless have died, a tragic loss.

I, the Khan, have received Heaven's mandate to rule the Northern Di. Whenever I read the border reports, my heart grieves.

Now, to protect countless lives and secure lasting peace on the frontier, I wish to cease hostilities with Great Zhou and forge an alliance of friendship.

I have sent a special envoy with this letter to inform you, and hereby present the peace terms as follows:

Upon signing the treaty, both sides shall cease all military actions. The Le River on Great Zhou's northern border shall serve as the boundary, with each side withdrawing troops thirty li to the north and south respectively.

The north of the river belongs to the Northern Di, the south to Great Zhou. A stone marker shall be erected as a permanent pledge.

The Northern Di are willing to release all captured Great Zhou officers, soldiers, and border residents from previous battles, totaling 20,372 people.

Great Zhou shall also release captured Northern Di personnel as a gesture of fairness.

We request to establish five trading posts on the border, allowing merchants of both countries to trade.

Great Zhou's tea, salt, and ironware, and the Northern Di's horses and hides, may be traded per regulations, with prices stabilized to meet mutual needs.

The Northern Di's land is barren and cold; every harsh winter, many livestock die and the tribes suffer famine.

We request Great Zhou to bestow annually one hundred thousand shi of grain and fifty thousand bolts of silk to relieve the suffering people and manifest the holy dynasty's virtue of cherishing distant lands.

...

Hearing the content of the peace treaty, the hall buzzed with discussion.

"One hundred thousand shi of grain and fifty thousand bolts of silk?! This is not a peace treaty—it's clearly tribute!"

"The Northern Di suffer from bitter cold; asking for some grain and silk is understandable..."

"Understandable? This is taking advantage of a crisis to loot!"

Just as the ministers were arguing fiercely, Fu Quan's eyes fell on the last few lines, and his voice suddenly stopped.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, his hand holding the silk scroll tightened slightly, and his expression showed a hint of helplessness.

Seeing his state, all the civil and military officials in the hall couldn't help holding their breath.

The officials who had been arguing just a moment ago also fell silent, thinking that the Northern Di bastards must have proposed some outrageous terms!

Zhou Mingqi on the dragon throne darkened his gaze and said, "Continue."

Fu Quan swallowed hard and continued reading in a dry voice:

"Our Northern Di general, Wuliji, is the bravest in the three armies, his might shaking the northern deserts.

We have long heard that the eldest son of the Lin family of Zhou, Lin Nanshu, is elegant in demeanor and brilliant in literary talent."

General Wuliji has long admired the eldest young master and wishes to seek his hand as Khatun, to forge a lasting marital alliance.

This act accords with the will of Heaven and the wishes of the people, making the friendship between our two nations as solid as rock.

The above five terms are offered with utmost sincerity. Should Your Majesty grant approval, then weapons will be laid down for good, trade in jade and silk will flourish, and the people of both nations shall enjoy the blessings of peace. The Northern Di Khanate sends its envoy to await Your Majesty's decision."

As his voice faded, the hall fell into a deathly silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The civil and military officials, who had just been arguing heatedly over the annual tribute, now stood frozen as if under a spell.

This last condition was even more shocking than all the others put together.

A marriage alliance?! General Wuliji of the Northern Di, seeking to marry Lin Nanshu, the eldest young master of the Lin family?!

Someone, unable to contain themselves, let out a short, choked sound, like they were stifling a cough, then quickly clamped a hand over their mouth.

But this subtle disturbance, like a stone dropped into a still pond, instantly shattered the tense atmosphere.

Quiet murmurs rippled through the hall like a rising tide.

"A... marriage alliance?! And to wed the young master of the Lin family?!"

"Is this Wuliji mad? What impropriety!!"

"Absolutely absurd! Unheard of!!!"

Grand Tutor Lin, standing at the forefront of the civil officials and struggling to maintain his composure, was struck as if by a thunderbolt the moment he heard the final term, his entire body jolting violently.

His usually gentle and refined face flushed crimson in an instant, and he nearly choked on his breath.

"Absurd! You barbarians of the Northern Di, how dare you insult our Great Zhou like this! Insult the honor of the Lin family!!"