Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1673 - 529: Hostile Relations, Wild Imaginings, Cai Qianshan Arrives in Person

"How do you plan to protect Jin Mountain and Wuchuan, speak up!"

Xia Hong’s straightforward words made Cai Qiuhu’s face slightly stiffen.

He dared to take the initiative to visit, and led people openly into the main tent of the Xia Army, naturally having something to rely on. In his view, the brief encounter with Xia Hong last night at Beishuo City didn’t count as an official meeting between the two.

Today, although he brought so many Xianyang Level here, he did not trespass into the Xia Army’s camp or presumptuously called Xia Hong out directly. Instead, he honestly found people on the outskirts of the camp to announce his arrival before entering.

The reason for this gesture was that he elevated this second negotiation with Xia Hong to the first official encounter between Cai Qiu and Great Xia.

But it seemed Xia Hong didn’t appreciate this gesture!

From the moment they entered the tent, Xia Hong neither set out seats nor greeted them and didn’t even stand up from his seat from start to finish.

Cai Qiuhu’s wanton gaze was actually a rebuttal to Xia Hong’s rudeness, and Xia’s subsequent question about why he came again today after meeting only last night was a mockery.

Cai Qiuhu knew very well what he came to do, and Xia Hong definitely understood his intentions. Last night, he interceded with Xia Hong for Yangqu, and today he came to speak for Jin Mountain and Wuchuan, which was clearly inappropriate.

Xia Hong’s sarcasm preempted him, making the prepared words he had ready unexpressible.

Cai Shiqi’s deep-seated hatred for Great Xia made him directly accuse the other party, which, while regaining some face for him, also set an unpleasant tone for the feigned negotiations.

In theory, the side that shows its claws in a meeting between two parties is usually the weaker one, and Cai Shiqi’s presumptuous action somewhat displeased Cai Qiuhu inside. However, given that Cai Shiqi’s intentions were to preserve his dignity, he naturally wouldn’t say much.

But Xia Hong ignored Cai Shiqi’s accusation and directly asked how he intended to secure Jin Mountain and Wuchuan, which somewhat ignited Cai Qiuhu’s anger inside.

Because Xia Hong’s current posture suggested that Great Xia was the vassal town while Cai Qiu seemed like the town-level camp.

What gave Xia Hong the confidence, just those two Five Luminaries Realm Beast Emperor Puppets?

While Cai Qiuhu felt anger rising in his heart, he didn’t show it on his face. He calmly said, "Lord Xia, although I pleaded with Lord Cao last night, I also helped the Xia Army capture Yangqu Town without shedding blood. I showed such goodwill, and Lord Xia, do you truly not appreciate it?"

"So, it’s not that I gave Little Landgrave Cai face yesterday, but rather, Cai Qiu gave me face? Should I then prepare a generous gift to visit Cai Qiu and thank Lord Landgrave?"

Cai Qiuhu’s words did have some logic.

Xia Hong did intend to take Yangqu Town without bloodshed when he agreed to release Cao Qianyang and his people.

But this understanding was something Xia Hong should think about, not Cai Qiuhu speaking it out, and definitely not using it as a pretext to say Cai Qiu was showing favor to Great Xia.

Whether or not to release Cao Qianyang, the result for Yangqu Town wouldn’t change, except that the process might be more convoluted. Conversely, if the process was too convoluted, the fate of Cao Qianyang and the Cao family would undoubtedly be much worse.

Cao Qianyang didn’t want to surrender to Great Xia and intended to seek refuge with Cai Qiu. Cai Qiuhu accepted the Cao family under the guise of a life-saving grace, adding strength to Cai Qiu. Meanwhile, Xia Hong went with the flow and handed over the Cao family to Cai Qiuhu, allowing Great Xia to take Yangqu Town without bloodshed.

Both sides got what they wanted, so it’s fair to say it was a fair transaction, not exactly as Cai Qiuhu suggested, Cai Qiu showing kindness to Great Xia.

However, this view was based on both sides being equally matched.

In Xia Hong’s understanding, Great Xia and Cai Qiu were certainly equals;

Yet, Cai Qiuhu clearly didn’t think so!

"Lord Xia, do you really think we can’t protect Yangqu Town?"

Hearing the strong confidence in Cai Qiuhu’s tone, Xia Hong raised his eyebrows slightly.

The strength of the feudal town was surely more than what was before his eyes, he knew this well, but then again, Great Xia’s strength was beyond what Cai Qiuhu perceived as well.

Xia Hong suddenly lost interest in continued dialogue, waving his hand directly: "Little Landgrave Cai, I won’t waste more words with you. Say what you have to say directly!"

"Release the 50,000 troops of Wuchuan back to the town, and Great Xia withdraws its forces, letting Jin Mountain and Wuchuan continue to exist on the Southern Slope. My Cai Qiu is willing to write to establish friendly relations with Great Xia and jointly deal with Chen Cang."

"What’s the reason?"

Cai Qiuhu was momentarily stunned by the question, looking at Xia Hong in confusion.

Xia Hong shook his head: "Little Landgrave Cai, Moao River has four vassals in total. From what I know, your Cai Qiu’s situation isn’t great. Let’s set aside the troubles posed by Chen Cang. My Great Xia is capable of handling it on our own. In any interaction between two parties, the one who initiates must first show some sincerity. You Cai Qiu claim to want friendly relations with Great Xia, yet offer no tangible benefits while asking my Great Xia to suffer such a loss. Do you think I can agree?"

Upon hearing these words, Cai Qiuhu’s demeanor immediately turned somber. He stared at Xia Hong for four or five moments, eventually asking with a hint of skepticism in his voice, "Lord Xia, if I haven’t misunderstood, are you putting Great Xia on equal footing with my Cai Qiu?"

"Otherwise?"

Xia Hong’s straightforward counter-question made Cai Qiuhu freeze, his expression momentarily rigid. His face slightly halted, anger rapidly building up, and he eventually took a deep breath, unable to restrain a laugh.