"How long until the envoy arrives in our territory?" Elizabeth asked.
"According to our reports, they passed through the active conflict zone a few hours ago. It should take them two to three days for our forces to escort them to the Yunyun Stronghold."
"What are their numbers and members? Who's leading the envoy?"
"There are approximately two hundred members in total, Your Highness. Most of them are from the Zhou Family, one of the four main subordinate families under the Li Family. The person leading them is Lord Sanping Zhou, the patriarch of the Zhou Family."
"Have they explained their intentions yet?"
"No, Your Highness. They intend to explain to the highest-ranking officers directly."
Everyone looked at each other and nodded. This was not too strange of a request since the Li Family was willing to send the Zhou Family's patriarch. It would be a loss of face if they discussed something this important with a lower officer.
"What are your opinions, General Dennis?" Elizabeth wondered.
"I believe there are two questions that we need to answer, Your Highness. The first is how to reply to the Li Family's request. In my opinion, the war against the Li Family is going as planned and we're pushing them from the Samfeng Province. We should strike while the iron is hot and advance before the Li Family can fortify the Tailong River. Even if they manage to do so, with the power of the Ten Dawns and the Arcanists, we should be able to bridge the river and attack. We hold the advantage and can dictate the course of the war. The only question is how the Imperial Council will react."
"If the Li Family retreats from the Samfeng Province, then we'll be forced to clash with the Imperial Council's forces," another Legion General added. "The same will happen if we ally ourselves with the Li Family. This being the case, then it's highly likely that the Imperial Council will launch a pre-emptive strike on our forces and sabotage the alliance at all costs. The Featherwind Sect and their strategic-level magic should make an appearance too. Should we take the initiative and ambush the Imperial Council's forces first?"
"That will be difficult. Most of their armies are south of the Quiton Gates with the Li Family's armies in between. We could send our agents behind the lines but the damage they could inflict would be minimal. It wouldn't be enough to tip the scales in our favor."
"Perhaps we can negotiate the control of the Quiton Gates from the Li Family," someone suggested. "The gates are a key strategic location, and if we have them, we can easily pressure the Imperial Council."
"That's true. There's no reason to negotiate with the Li Family, so we can pressure them into conceding territory to us in exchange for an alliance. This works in our favor. However, we would have to directly clash with the Imperial Council. About their strategic-level magic…"
Admiral Aura refuted. "We can't hold ourselves at bay because of this 'strategic-level magic'. Aside from the fact that the Featherwind Sect disappeared since then, we have not confirmed that what they used was really strategic-level. And even if it was, it would make no difference. We have more than two hundred thousand soldiers in the Xingyuu Empire with more reinforcements on their way. Judging from the current situation, I suspect that there were numerous restrictions or limitations that prevent them from using that magic. They are refraining from using it to prevent us from gathering more information about it. That would mean it isn't as great of a threat as we imagined."
"Regardless, the battle with the Imperial Council is inevitable," General Dennis said. "Our negotiation with the Li Family is a key factor that can control the initiative with both the Li Family and the Imperial Council. We can control how they will act, and thus plan around it."
"What's the second question then, General Dennis?" Elizabeth asked.
"Your Highness, it would be whether we should be truthful. We can choose to faithfully negotiate and follow the Li Family's agreement or sabotage them from behind. We can choose to publicly announce our stance and do the opposite. This is an extension of the initiative we have. In the first place, we also don't know the depths of the Li Family's sincerity. It would be dangerous to place too much trust in them. I propose that we ambush the leaders of the Li Family during the negotiations and seize control."
Everyone nodded with approval. That was right! If they could get in touch with the Li Family's patriarch, elder council, or the Imperial Princesses, then this was a golden opportunity to lop the snake's head off in one stroke. They might not fall with just that, but the impact would be great. With the Alzar Kingdom's momentum, it might be enough to push the Li Family to the brink. Using the negotiations as a trap was a marvelous idea! The only problem was getting them to the table.
"We would need to hear from Lord Sanping to understand the sincerity in their negotiations," Elizabeth said. "But they should be intent on negotiating. Most of the Xingyuu Empire, including the Li Family, have a negative opinion of our Alzar Kingdom. The Li Family announcing their negotiations with the Alzar Kingdom, coupled with their strategic retreat in the Samfeng Province… This is a huge hit to their reputation. Both their subordinates and subjects would be unhappy with the decision that they've made. In these tense times, where they're losing ground everyday, I find it hard that they would scheme against us. They have little to gain from it."
Everyone exchanged glances because it made sense. The Li Family was regarded as the strongest nobility family in the world. They had a massive reputation and history of dominating the battlefield, whether it be in military, politics, economics, or culture. They were widely seen as invincible and infallible! Their subordinates had already developed a fanatic faith to the Li Family! People standing in lofty positions, poisoned with glamor and fame, would never accept that their family had to concede, much less to their most hated enemy, the Alzar Kingdom? It would be an extremely bitter truth to swallow. What would they do in their case then? They would obviously usurp the foolish leaders and take their place! They would topple the patriarch and the elder council! To risk that much on a whim, no one in their right minds would do something like that. In all likelihood, the elder council must be earnest in their negotiation with the Alzar Kingdom.
"We'll continue this discussion after the envoy arrives," Elizabeth announced.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Three days later, the Li Family's envoy arrived. It was a long line of luxurious and expensive carriages, led by strong and healthy horses. Flagbearers holding the Li Family's banner waved them proudly in the air, as a hundred soldiers marched in unison. They were not the typical fodder either, but genuine experts nurtured by the Loon Family. There were even a few Perception Realms present, strong enough to stifle the Alzar soldiers. As expected of the Li Family, one of the preeminent nobility families, they would not let their appearance be tarnished even in these humiliating times. It was like they were the kings gracing the commoners with their presence. Arrogance was practically engraved into their bones! However, they remained tactfully aware about what they should do and should not do. No one did anything out of line. This combination of arrogance, but disciplined was strangely fitting for the Li Family.
Their visit was brief. They announced their intentions to negotiate with the Alzar Kingdom which would be held at a neutral location, two weeks from now. The Zhou Family patriarch did not have enough authority to decide things on behalf of the Li Family after all. Elizabeth and the other generals half-expected this, but they had to regard it wryly. The Li Family sent this large convoy with such fanfare, and they were only messengers. As a sign of their sincerity, they gifted several hundred treasures to the Alzar Kingdom. Crates upon crates were placed in the address hall, which Lord Sanping personally described in great detail.
The first was the best selection of wine and tea leaves that money could buy. The second was a tea set made by the famous craftsman. The third was a series of paintings and artwork. The fourth… In short, all kinds of priceless goods were assembled here as a token of goodwill. However, it came as a surprise to no one when the gifts did not include either hard money, weapons, or anything that could directly strengthen the Alzar Kingdom's army. The Li Family would never make the mistake of weakening themselves while strengthening their enemy. That was why the goods were primarily luxury items with no direct use. It was a perfect example being valuable but being worthless. When Lord Sanping finished explaining, he said that he accomplished his mission and left. The whole visit took less than two hours from start to end.