The officials of the Miscellaneous State were extremely angry, while the officials of the Qing State were confused and uncertain, and some of them were also filled with rising anger.
The Peace Negotiation Division endured humiliation in the Holy Academy and had finally dragged the situation to a point where it was favorable to Jing State. It could have allowed Jing State to escape the disaster, but Fang Yun offered conditions that even the people of Jing State could not accept.
Fang Yun's behavior didn't seem like bargaining at all, and it wasn't even like asking for an exorbitant price. Instead, he was deliberately disrupting the negotiations.
"I didn't expect that after ten days of hard work in Jing Country, I would get this result! Is this the sincerity of your Jing Country?" Hong Maoshan shouted angrily.
The officials of Jing State were all furious. Sheng Boyuan coughed lightly and said, "Fang Xusheng, your exorbitant price is too high. Take a break first. As for Lord Hong, this is just a joke from Fang Xusheng. Not to mention you, even we will not agree. I think this matter should be renegotiated."
"Since Lord Sheng thinks I was joking, you two can talk first. I'll go back to Zuo Xiang Pavilion to treat my illness." After Fang Yun finished speaking, he left with Hu Li.
Leaving the whole house filled with the smell of durian.
Hong Maoshan really wanted to leave, but in the end he sighed in his heart and slowly sat down.
An official from the Miscellaneous House said, "Gentlemen of Jing Country, is this your sincerity?"
Sheng Boyuan smiled bitterly and said, "You all misunderstood. This should be Fang Xusheng's opinion. It is still somewhat different from the conditions we negotiated with the Ministry of Peace and Jingguo. Since Fang Xusheng has given us the power, let's negotiate first."
"After we have completed the negotiation, will Jingguo execute it immediately?"
Sheng Boyuan looked embarrassed and said, "Of course it needs the approval of the entire cabinet."
"I heard that all cabinet ministers have the power to veto over Jingguo's political affairs?" Hong Maoshan asked.
Sheng Boyuan said helplessly: "That's true, but this situation is rare. We should negotiate first, it's better than sitting there doing nothing, what do you think?"
Hong Maoshan did not speak, but used his official seal to secretly discuss with several other important officials. After a long while, Hong Maoshan said, "Then let's officially start the discussion."
The atmosphere at the scene was extremely depressing, and no one on either side spoke.
After a long stalemate, Sheng Boyuan sighed and said, "Since Mr. Maoshan has taken the initiative to state his bottom line, let's talk about it. Our bottom line with the negotiation department is not high. We just want Jingguo to continue to develop and contribute to the human race without being interrupted by any external forces. Although negotiations require careful consideration, we should also respect and accommodate each other. After all, we are all human beings. I also think that Fang Xusheng's previous suppression of Qingguo was too much."
The miscellaneous official's expression gradually relaxed.
However, the faces of some Jing State officials became gloomy, including several generals who had fought against Qing State.
Sheng Boyuan continued, "We are all human beings. If we really fight to the point of both sides being hurt, it would be an advantage for the demons. Therefore, in terms of compensation, our Jing country will make a concession and accept 100 million taels less silver. As for the price of purchasing your country's resources, it should be higher than the cost. In order to appease the people of Jing country, it should be lower than the market price."
Hong Maoshan said with emotion: "Minister Sheng is the pillar of the human race."
Receiving the praise from the great scholar, Sheng Boyuan smiled and felt relaxed.
The officials of Jing State had different thoughts. Some felt proud, some watched coldly, and some had no expression on their faces.
Sheng Boyuan said: "These are all trivial matters..."
Yu Xingshu sneered, "How come the interests of the country and the people become trivial matters when they are in the mouth of Minister Sheng?"
Everyone was stunned. They didn't expect that officials from Jing State would suddenly argue at the negotiating table.
Sheng Boyuan's face flushed with shame and annoyance, and he asked, "The two countries are negotiating, why are you provoking internal strife?"
"Since you know that it is a negotiation between the two countries, why don't you stick to the interests of my Jing country? Fang Xusheng has mentioned national interests countless times! National interests! Have you ever remembered half a word? If you want to be a selfless saint, use your own property and use less of our people's interests to satisfy your face pretending to be a saint! You keep talking about mutual benefit. If you achieve mutual benefit, will the Qing country be willing? Aren't you still stabbing in the back? What do you think made the Jing country strong? It was under the leadership of Fang Xusheng that thousands of Jing people shed blood and sweat, stood on the corpses of countless sacrificed predecessors, and worked hard to become strong! It's not because of your boasting about mutual benefit, nor by selling out the interests of the people! Why did the Zajia take the initiative to seek peace this time? Is it for mutual benefit? No, it's because we are so powerful that they have to bow their heads! Internally remnants and external tolerance!"
After Yu Xingshu finished cursing, he stood up and walked out of the meeting room, and several military generals followed him.
"Military personnel interfering in politics is harming the country and the people!" Sheng Boyuan cursed.
There was a brief silence in the conference room, with only the sound of Sheng Boyuan's breathing.
After a long while, Sheng Boyuan controlled his expression and said, "My friends, don't mind what those people said before. I will definitely withstand the pressure and complete this peace talk. Let's continue. It's too much to ask Qing Jun to commit suicide. It would be best if Qing Jun could abdicate. In this way, the resentment of officials and people in various parts of Jingguo will be mostly dissipated. After Qing Jun abdicates, I will find a way to push the Water Palace to lift the water ban. After all, the ordinary people of Qingguo will suffer from the existence of the water ban."
"Mr. Sheng is a sensible man. I would like to thank you for your great kindness on behalf of the people of Qing Kingdom." Hong Maoshan said.
Sheng Boyuan showed a happy expression and said, "You are polite. However, there are some things that can be compromised, and some things that cannot be compromised. If our country is willing to hand over the civil service examination, then from now on, Qing country cannot attack our country, and the Miscellaneous School cannot expel our scholars, and cannot use all means such as the Saint Dao Zhenfeng to harm Jing country."
Hong Maoshan smiled bitterly and said, "To be honest, I have discussed the conditions you proposed, but we have not yet reached a conclusion. However, don't worry, I will convince the other great scholars of the Miscellaneous School as soon as possible and try my best to ensure that the Miscellaneous School will never take action against Jingguo."
At this time, Cao De'an said: "I wonder if Zongsheng can protect the peace of Jingguo for ten years."
Sheng Boyuan frowned slightly, as if he was dissatisfied with Cao Dean's sudden question that affected his plan.
Hong Maoshan said helplessly: "You think too highly of me. Not to mention me, even the head of the Zong family cannot influence the will of the Zongsheng. This matter is completely beyond our control. The Zongsheng can help if he wants to, and not help if he doesn't want to. What's more, this kind of thing has never happened in the past dynasties."
"The Ten Kingdoms has never appeared in history, but it has appeared before the Ten Kingdoms." Cao De'an said.
Hong Maoshan thought for a moment and said, "How about this, we will hand over your conditions to the East Saint Pavilion. In the end, we cannot influence the will of the Patriarch Saint."
"Okay, please ask Master Hong to pass the letter to Dongsheng Pavilion. The incarnation of the ancestor saint is in Dongsheng Pavilion, and we will give a quick reply whether it is approved or not." Cao De'an said.
Hong Maoshan looked embarrassed and said, "Your Majesty Dong Sheng is very busy, I'm afraid it will be difficult for him to reply immediately."
"Then let's wait for his reply before continuing the negotiations." Cao De'an said firmly.
The officials of the Miscellaneous School were extremely displeased.
"Prime Minister Cao, you are facing a half-saint, not some false saint. How can you be so rude?"
"That's the East Saint Pavilion, not a place where just anyone can go!"
"You Jingguo can make things difficult for us, but if you want to plot against the patriarch, be careful that you will end up killing yourself if you do too much evil!"
Cao De'an snorted coldly and said, "If Dongsheng Pavilion doesn't reply, I won't negotiate! Come, change the fruit plate."