However, not to mention these officials, even ordinary educated people know what a disaster it would be if a country's sea and water routes were ceded.
After thinking for a long time, Pang Jue said firmly: "Even if I die, I will not agree to cede the three states and one river!"
The officials of Qing State present at the scene immediately showed great respect to Pang Jue, but they felt even more sad in their hearts that such a hero could only come to Jing State to negotiate with his head down.
The officials of the State of Jing also looked at this great scholar and the Left Prime Minister of the State of Jing with respect.
Fang Yun said slowly: "Then go die."
The air in the conference room suddenly froze.
Not only officials from Qing State, but also many officials from Jing State looked at Fang Yun in surprise.
Pang Jue looked at Fang Yun with grief and anger, his body trembling slightly.
"You, the Jing Kingdom, are going too far!" Pang Jue stood up angrily, his body swaying, and the people next to him hurriedly supported him.
Cao Dean hurriedly stood up and said, "Fang Xusheng, Lord Pang, calm down first. This is a peace talk between two countries, and we cannot act on impulse. Someone, bring some tea, and take a rest before continuing."
Pang Jue snorted coldly and sat down slowly.
After hearing what Cao De'an said, some officials came to their senses and realized that this should be the negotiation tactic used by Fang Yun and Cao De'an.
Fang Yun played the villain and used all means to put pressure on Qing State. Once the officials of Qing State could not bear it, Cao De'an would rush out to act as a peacemaker.
Moreover, the more aggressive Fang Yun was, the happier high-ranking officials such as Pang Jue were.
Because both sides knew that there was definitely room for negotiation in the conditions proposed by Fang Yun, the more humiliated Pang Jue was and the more fiercely he opposed, the less criticism he would receive after returning to Qing.
The people of Qing would only praise Pang Jue for not fearing power and for standing firm against unfair content despite the pressure from a great saint, thus preventing Qing from losing more territory.
Next, neither Fang Yun nor Pang Jue participated, and the officials in charge of foreign affairs of both sides began intense negotiations.
The three states and the area around the river ceded only accounted for one-third of the territory of Qing Kingdom. However, the tax revenue from this one-third of the territory exceeded half of the country's total.
At first, Qing State was determined not to give up Haizhou and the Yangtze River area, but they found that Jing State didn't care about Yongzhou and Lingzhou at all, and only cared about Haizhou and the Yangtze River area. If they really disagreed, then Jing State would definitely give up the peace talks.
The two sides talked for more than an hour but still could not reach an agreement.
Fang Yun finally showed an impatient look, and said to Cao De'an bluntly: "I told you a long time ago that they will not bow down unless the political seal is imposed! By then, they will be much more honest than they are now."
Cao Dean smiled bitterly and said, "Please say less."
The eyes of the Qing officials were red, and Fang Yun felt more uncomfortable saying such words than killing them.
They knew that this was Jingguo's negotiation strategy, but they were unable to fight back.
Pang Jue sighed and said, "Why don't we start talking about other terms first."
The two sides reached a compromise on this point and temporarily shelved the terms of ceding territory.
Negotiations on other terms went exceptionally smoothly.
For example, regarding the establishment of Fang's Library and Fang's Academy, Pang Jue guaranteed that he would not only allow it but also be willing to provide land for free.
As for the recruitment of workers, Qing State was also very cooperative. They hoped to set up a recruitment office of their own and take the initiative to provide labor from remote and poor areas to Jing State.
As for the issue of trade taxes, the two sides talked for a long time and finally made concessions. The minimum price of goods sold by Jingguo in Qingguo must not be lower than half of the market price in Qingguo. Cheap products priced below three cents will not be subject to restrictions.
The two sides had some exchanges and gradually finalized the other terms. Some of the terms were obviously unreasonable, and Jingguo also made concessions.
Eventually, the two sides negotiated other terms.
Tea, water, melons and fruits were served again, and both sides gathered their strength and began to eat and drink.
After eating and drinking, the two sides conducted final negotiations on the cession of territory.
The State of Qing knew clearly that the State of Jing needed Huzhou, but it still held on to it and was only willing to cede Yongzhou, which was not the most valuable. In the end, Fang Yun was so angry that he stormed out, causing the negotiations to be terminated, and the officials of the State of Qing were frightened.
Cao De'an hurriedly chased after him. After a quarter of an hour, Cao De'an retreated and said helplessly, "Don't blame Fang Xusheng. Before he came here, he boasted in front of the Queen Mother that he would definitely be able to seize the three states this time. Who knew that you were only willing to cede Yongzhou, which made him embarrassed. I tried my best to calm him down. He said that he would calm down first and come back when the time is right. Although he didn't say it explicitly, if he is not satisfied, I am afraid he will completely cancel this negotiation and directly impose the Zhengdao Zhenfeng."
The seldom-talking assistant prime minister Yang Xuwen said: "My fellow Qing country friends, think about it, once the political seal descends upon Qing country, what will be the use of Qing country even if it has so much territory?"
The Qing officials fell silent.
The power of Zhengdao is far superior to that of other schools. Even if the ancestor takes action, he can only control the situation to a certain extent. The officials of the entire Qing Kingdom will still fall into chaos.
Everyone knew that if the political closure lasted too long, the nearby countries might annex Qing Kingdom under various excuses.
After a long time, Pang Jue said in a cold voice: "If Qing Kingdom only wants Haizhou, I can agree even if I will be cursed for eternity!"
"Pang Xiang..."
The other Qing officials looked at Pang Jue with red eyes.
Cao De'an stroked his beard and said, "I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to explain to Fang Xusheng if that's all. However, Qing Kingdom can't cede any more cities along the river. How about both sides make concessions? We only want Haizhou, and as for the riverside area, we only choose five cities and lease them for a hundred years. How do you think?"
Pang Jue did not answer immediately, but a hint of joy appeared on the face of the Qing official.
Qingguo can totally accept this result!
The bottom line of Qing Kingdom is two ordinary states. Now ceding one Haizhou and leasing five cities sounds much better than ceding two states.
Pang Jue held the official seal and sent a letter. Finally, he raised his head and said slowly: "Qing Kingdom agrees to cede Haizhou and lease any five cities along the river for a hundred years!"
At this moment, the sky is slightly bright.
After the two sides finished discussing the details again, Fang Yun came in with a dark face. Finally, the two sides formally signed the "Haizhou Treaty".
As soon as the treaty was established, the fortunes of Jing State soared like a raging fire, while the fortunes of Qing State weakened significantly.
After seeing off the Qingguo negotiation team, the cabinet held a celebration banquet that evening!
In fact, Jingguo’s initial target was Haizhou and five cities along the river.
After the celebration banquet, the tipsy Fang Yun was sent back to the palace by the palace carriage. At this moment, Zhao Yuan was already fast asleep, so Fang Yun had no way to teach him. He had to be sent by the eunuch to the former palace cabinet where he usually stayed in the palace.
Fang Yun was just about to go to sleep when he received an encrypted and urgent message from Ao Qingyue, the Green-robed Dragon Marquis.
The dragon clan received news from the ancient land of Haiya, and Mr. Bi appeared in the ancient land of Haiya!
Zhuge Liang’s semi-saint former residence appeared in the ancient land of Haiya!
The treasure of the Holy Burial Valley appeared in the ancient land of Haiya!
The major forces in Haiya Ancient Land are fighting for the fragments of Wenquxing!
Fang Yun stared at the letter for a long time, and hurriedly used his talent to dispel all the drunkenness. He repeatedly contacted Ao Qingyue and finally confirmed that there was no problem with the letter.