Samuer's breathing became ragged.
After a long while, she finally sat down again.
She stared straight at Ning Que.
"The Prince Ning line is truly declining with each generation."
"I never expected Your Highness to be so treacherous."
"Such actions are despicable!"
"They are not befitting of a great heavenly empire!"
Ning Que, however, remained indifferent.
As long as he had no morals, he couldn't be morally blackmailed.
He picked up his wine goblet and took a sip.
"Princess, your words are mistaken."
"My father died at the hands of your country. Great Feng often says that a father's murder is an irreconcilable enmity. And a son who does not avenge is not a son. This is called the restoration of the kingly way, honoring the king and expelling barbarians. An enmity of a hundred generations can still be avenged!"
"Good, well said!"
Emperor Feng couldn't help but cheer.
An enmity of a hundred generations can still be avenged!
From now on, Great Feng would have a legitimate reason to send troops!
Yu Ji stroked his goatee, smiling without speaking.
He had been teaching and educating people for most of his life.
His excellent disciples were as numerous as carp crossing the river.
However, none could compare to Ning Que.
Ning Que was a true all-rounder in every sense of the word!
He was infallible in his calculations, capable of grand strategic planning.
He was adept at devising ingenious plans, often coming up with brilliant strategies.
Listen to these words, how reasonable they are!
This gave Great Feng the legal basis for sending troops!
The restoration of the kingly way, honoring the king and expelling barbarians!
An enmity of a hundred generations can still be avenged!
"If you want to fight, then fight! Do you really think we're afraid of you?"
"Who knows who will win?"
"If you have the guts, then come!"
All the warriors of Western Liang were enraged.
In their eyes, this was a provocation.
Samuer raised her head.
"So what's there to negotiate?"
"If Prince Ning wants revenge, then let him come!"
"Heh..." Ning Que waved his sleeve, "This Prince still distinguishes between public interest and personal vendetta. This Prince indeed wants revenge, but this is a personal vendetta. Negotiating peace with Western Liang is for the public good. This Prince says these things all to facilitate peace talks. But if peace truly cannot be achieved, then this Prince will naturally take up his spear for revenge!"
Only then did Samuer nod.
When it came to hatred, who didn't have any?
Both of her elder brothers were killed by Great Feng.
But they died for their country, dying in their rightful place!
Therefore, Samuer had never hated Prince Ning.
Including her father, it was the same.
She held Old Prince Ning in great respect instead.
"I have already witnessed Great Feng's martial prowess."
"But when it comes to scholarly matters, I'm afraid it's nothing special."
"Scholarly matters?"
"Hahahaha, how dare the barbarians of Western Liang speak presumptuously about scholarly matters?"
"You don't even have your own written language."
"Let me handle this!"
Cao Du almost burst out laughing.
The people of Western Liang were all uncivilized.
They only knew self-interest, not propriety or righteousness.
In terms of martial arts, they had some ability.
But to speak of scholarly matters, what were they?
They didn't even have their own written language.
Whether it was composing poetry or couplets, what was there to fear?
Cao Du certainly couldn't miss the opportunity to show off.
He had studied the Six Arts in his early years.
To be able to serve as Minister of Rites, he certainly had some capability.
Samuer, however, sneered.
She didn't even spare Cao Du another glance.
Her gaze was burning, directed straight at Ning Que opposite her.
"In my Western Liang, there has always been a difficult problem."
"It is said to have been conceived by the first wise man."
"This problem has troubled Western Liang for hundreds of years."
"If Great Feng can solve it, Western Liang is willing to negotiate peace. Even if it means submitting as a vassal and paying annual tribute, it can be discussed. But if you cannot answer, then Great Feng must pay Western Liang five hundred thousand piculs of grain annually as tribute!"
"Good, please speak!"
Emperor Feng also looked at Ning Que.
Such an opportunity must not be missed.
Even if it meant taking a risk, they had to try!
Samuer stood up and slowly said, "In my Western Liang, we worship the supreme Heavenly Emperor. The Heavenly Emperor is omnipotent; his eyes became the sun and moon. The air he exhales transforms into clouds and mist. He is omnipotent; he can do anything."
"So?"
"The first wise man pondered a question." Samuer looked at Cao Du, "He said, can the omnipotent Heavenly Emperor create a stone that he cannot lift?"
"This... this..."
"What kind of question is this?"
"I think you are deliberately making things difficult!"
Samuer looked at Cao Du with a half-smile, and said faintly, "This is the problem that has troubled my Western Liang for hundreds of years. If none of you can answer, then please, Emperor Feng, fulfill your promise."
"Minister Cao?"
"Your... Your... This..."
"Get back!"
A flicker of anger flashed in Emperor Feng's eyes.
He didn't even bother to think clearly.
How could Western Liang's questions be so simple?
"Grand Tutor Yu?"
"Your subject..." Yu Ji slowly walked out, frowning, "Your subject believes it is possible."
"Clearly not."
Sima Changqing stepped out to add.
But as soon as he finished speaking, he retreated.
What kind of question was this?
Yes, it's not; no, it is!
"Do any of you ministers have an answer?"
Emperor Feng could only look at the others.
Unfortunately, no one answered.
Finally, Tian Zhongxun slowly walked out, looked at Ning Que, and sneered, "This peace negotiation is overseen by Prince Ning. Now that Princess Samuer has posed a difficult question, it should rightfully be answered by Prince Ning. Prince Ning, do not forget that this matter concerns the peace talks between our two nations. If you cannot answer, you will cause Great Feng to pay five hundred thousand piculs of grain annually!"
Emperor Feng frowned.
Finally, he still looked at Ning Que.
"Actually, this problem is not difficult."
"Please enlighten us, Prince Ning."
"Before answering, this Prince would like to tell an interesting story."
Ning Que stood up and said with a smile, "Earlier on Chang'an Avenue, there was a blacksmith selling weapons he had forged. Because business was poor, he loudly hawked his wares. He claimed that the spear he sold was indestructible and could pierce through anything. He also claimed that the shield he sold was very strong and could not be pierced by anything. So someone asked him, what would happen if he used his spear to pierce his shield?"
"Hahahaha..."
All the ministers burst out laughing.
Even Emperor Feng showed a joyful expression.
At this moment, he had basically guessed the answer.
Samuer, however, frowned in confusion, "What does Prince Ning's story have to do with my question?"
"Of course it does." Ning Que stepped forward and explained, "The merchant exaggerated to sell his spear and shield. Therefore, a shield that cannot be pierced and a spear that can pierce anything cannot exist in the same world."
"Your question is also like this."
"An omnipotent Heavenly Emperor and a stone that the Heavenly Emperor cannot lift also cannot exist in the same world."
"So this is a self-contradictory paradox."
Upon his words, the entire hall erupted in murmurs.
Princess Samuer even stood up.
Tian Zhongxun's eyes widened, also very surprised.
"Prince Ning, what kind of answer is that?"
"You can't answer the question, so instead you blame the question for being wrong?"
"If you can't do it, don't try to show off."
Gu Yuan stood up in a moment of urgency.
He was truly afraid that Ning Que would answer it.
This was related to his future development!
Afterward, Emperor Feng looked at him coldly.
The words on Gu Yuan's tongue got stuck back.
Tian Zhongxun helplessly held his forehead.
This was truly a pig teammate!
Had he forgotten his own identity?
Whatever happened in private was fine.
But how could he publicly undermine Ning Que?
Emperor Feng looked back at Samuer.
"Princess, what do you think of this answer?"
Samuer stood up and respectfully bowed, saying, "Thank you, Prince Ning, for clarifying. We are very satisfied with this answer. Therefore, I can represent Western Liang in agreeing to Prince Ning's first condition. From now on, Western Liang will submit to Great Feng as a vassal and pay annual tribute!"
"Hahahaha, good!"
"Come, prepare wine and a banquet, and the alliance treaty!"
Emperor Feng laughed heartily, while also looking at Ning Que.
He cast a look of approval.
Good boy, well done.
However, there are still two conditions left!