Who put the yellow robe on me?

Chapter 180: Western Regions Seeking Peace

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the entire tent seemed to freeze for a moment.

Jiang Chen's slightly joking words shocked everyone present, especially Zuo Yongyu. He never thought that this seemingly casual conversation would turn into a bet, and the stakes were his own future?

Zuo Yongyu suddenly felt a little at a loss. He stood there in a daze, his lips slightly parted, as if he had not yet recovered from this sudden "favor".

Although he was born into a military family and was accustomed to the rules and strategies of the army, Jiang Chen's words made him feel unprecedented panic. The other party's gaze was like a sharp blade, piercing his heart through his smile.

"Your Highness, please be so kind to me. I am overwhelmed. This..." Zuo Yongyu stuttered, not knowing how to respond.

As a general who climbed to the top through sheer force, he was never good at flattery, and he would not easily guess the commander's intentions.

General Zhong Wenbin saw this and took the opportunity to break the slightly awkward situation. He laughed heartily and came to Zuo Yongyu's rescue: "Haha, I have been in the army for many years. Rules are rules. There has never been a habit of betting in the army, but today I am willing to make an exception."

Zhong Wenbin changed the subject with a relaxed tone, as if giving Zuo Yongyu a way out while still supporting Jiang Chen.

Zuo Yongyu looked at Zhong Wenbin gratefully, knowing that the general's words were meant to help him out.

"General..." he whispered, with a hint of admiration and gratitude in his words. The general seemed to see what Zuo Yongyu was thinking.

Zhong Wenbin laughed heartily, his tone tinged with amusement. "This time, the outcome depends entirely on fate! But I'm willing to bet a penny that Your Highness will win."

Everyone in the tent burst into laughter, and the atmosphere suddenly became much more relaxed.

At this time, the Thirteenth Princess Jiang Sirou, who had been standing nearby, also came over with a hint of cunning and teasing in her eyes.

She seemed to be observing Jiang Chen and teasing Zuo Yongyu, and she chuckled softly, "Since the general is so optimistic about my sixteenth brother, I want to join in the fun. I'll bet a penny that my sixteenth brother loses!"

Zuo Yongyu couldn't help but look up at the Thirteenth Princess and found that the princess was looking at him with a smile, as if she was watching a good show. Seeing this, Jiang Chen just smiled slightly and said nothing more.

"General Zuo," Jiang Sirou said with a smile, "The General and I have already made the deal. Why don't you go and invite the Western Regions envoy in so we can take the cup?"

"Yes, yes! Your Highness is right. I'll go right away." Zuo Yongyu quickly obeyed the order and hurried out of the tent. As he walked, he felt a little puzzled. He couldn't figure out when the Sixteenth Prince had "taken notice" of him, yet he was overwhelmed by his sudden promotion.

It is true that official positions in the military are promoted step by step, but it is rare for someone to be suddenly "appreciated" like Zuo Yongyu.

Especially since he was well aware of Jiang Chen's current status and influence, this "bet" was probably not just a joke, but was paving the way for his future.

After a while, the envoy from the Western Regions was brought into the camp by Zuo Yongyu.

The envoy from the Western Regions looked cautious and slightly pale, and it was obvious that he was forced to be sent here under such tense war circumstances.

He glanced around at everyone in the camp, especially Jiang Chen who was sitting in the main seat, his expression showing deep awe and uneasiness.

"What's your name? Who sent you? What's your purpose?" Jiang Chen said in a light tone, his eyes fell calmly on the messenger, as if he had already seen through everything about the other party.

The envoy hurriedly stepped forward and bowed deeply, his voice trembling noticeably. "My Lords, my name is Chi Dongqing. I have come here on the orders of Lord Ji, the Right Censor of the Western Regions. My purpose is... to negotiate peace."

When Jiang Chen heard this, the corners of his mouth rose slightly, and a hint of understanding flashed in his eyes.

As he expected, the Western Regions sent people here just to take this opportunity to seek peace. The King of the Western Regions no longer had the courage to fight.

"Negotiation?" Jiang Chen sneered, a hint of mockery in his tone. "The war is at a stalemate, and the Western Regions suddenly send people here to negotiate peace? I'm afraid the Western Regions can't hold on any longer, right?"

Upon hearing this, the envoy's forehead was covered in sweat. He quickly explained, "Your Highness has misunderstood! We in the Western Regions are not without a way out. However, if the two countries continue to fight, it will inevitably cause endless casualties. My Lord Ji has considered it over and is willing to cede the border land as compensation..."

"Compensation?" Jiang Chen raised his hand to interrupt the envoy. His eyes were cold and fierce, and his voice was filled with unquestionable pressure. "Where is your sincerity in the Western Regions? If you want to negotiate peace, why would you only send a small envoy like you?

And the one who sent you here wasn't the King of the Western Regions, but Lord Ji? Are you trying to sue for peace, or are you trying to buy time and take a breather?

The envoy was shocked and quickly defended himself, "Your Highness has been wronged! I was only following orders. Your Majesty's sincerity is absolutely unquestionable! Moreover, this is also the intention of the King of the Western Regions, but..."

"It's just that the King of the Western Regions didn't want to lose face, so he sent you to test him." Jiang Chen said coldly, without giving the other party a chance to explain.

Seeing this, General Zhong Wenbin said softly, "Your Highness, since they have sent an envoy, we might as well take a look at their conditions before making a decision."

Jiang Chen nodded, his tone softened slightly, but his eyes remained fierce: "Okay, I'd like to see the sincerity of your King of the Western Regions."

The messenger trembled with fear and quickly took out a memorial from his pocket and handed it forward.

Jiang Chen took the memorial, scanned it with his eyes, and sneered, "Cede a few pieces of barren land, and expect to buy peace? You Western Regions are really calculating. I can hear it in the capital."

He casually handed the memorial to Zhong Wenbin beside him and said coldly, "General, take a look at this. How much is the sincerity of the King of the Western Regions worth?"

Zhong Wenbin took the memorial, glanced at it, and frowned slightly: "Your Highness, these territories are indeed barren. If we just negotiate peace like this, I'm afraid it will be of no benefit to Daliang."

A hint of coldness flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes. He looked up at the messenger and said, "Go back and tell Lord Ji and the King of the Western Regions that if you want peace, show your sincerity! If you continue to use these perfunctory words to prevaricate, don't blame me for not showing mercy!"

The messenger's face turned pale, and he quickly bowed: "Yes! Yes! I will report the truth."

Jiang Chen snorted coldly and waved his hand: "Back off."

The messenger hurriedly left the camp, covered in cold sweat.

After the envoy left, Jiang Chen stood in the center of the tent, looking at everyone coldly, his tone tinged with murderous intent: "The Western Regions can't hold out for much longer. We can't let this opportunity slip away easily. We must continue to exert pressure until they completely collapse."

Zhong Wenbin nodded in agreement, "Your Highness is absolutely right. The Western Region is facing internal and external troubles right now. This is the perfect time for us to attack."

Jiang Chen nodded slightly, his eyes sharp: "But we can't rush for success. If the Western Regions feel too threatened, they will fight to the death.

We must continue to advance steadily, gradually eroding their strength, and when they are powerless to recover, we will defeat them in one fell swoop."

The generals nodded one after another, and admired Jiang Chen's strategy in their hearts.

Zuo Yongyu couldn't help but speak out at this time: "Your Highness, your previous judgment was indeed correct. It seems that the Western Regions are sending people to seek peace this time, and it seems that the King of the Western Regions is unaware of it."

Jiang Chen smiled slightly, his eyes filled with deep meaning: "General Zuo, this is just a small test..."