Chapter 104: Compromise

No matter how fiercely Li Xuan threatened, even resorting to relentless intimidation, Kong Sheng stood tall and unwavering, his expression growing ever calmer.

“From what I know and observe of Your Highness the Princess, even if I were to release you, you would never give up easily. Though I might escape for a moment, I would be doomed to live a life on the run. Since that is the case, I might as well take a gamble—I will reveal the news that the Princess is leading troops south to secretly trade grain. I will inform An Lushan’s rebel forces to blockade, besiege, and plunder the supplies. If Your Highness and all your men perish amidst the chaos, who then would know that I once dared offend the Princess?” Kong Sheng laughed loudly, “What say you, Princess?”

“If this batch of grain is lost, it will be difficult for the northern army to hold Pengcheng. King Guo has already lost city after city, retreating again and again. If Pengcheng falls too, how will you have a place to stand? And how will you answer to the court? When His Majesty the Emperor comes to demand accountability, will King Guo still keep his title?”

Originally, Kong Sheng thought the caravan’s grain trade was the greed of corrupt soldiers within the northern army. But knowing Li Xuan’s identity made him realize this was not a mere private deal—it was a direct order from King Guo. Li Xuan personally led the team disguised as merchants to operate the grain supply in Jiangnan, showing how seriously King Guo regarded this matter.

In truth, the grain at the Pengcheng front was running low and could not last much longer. Although these hundred thousand hu of rice would not solve the fundamental problem, at least it could ease the immediate crisis and help the northern army survive the harsh winter. When spring comes and everything grows anew, the northern grain production will recover, and there will be ways to gather provisions.

Kong Sheng’s words were passionate, each point tightly connected, his tone sharp and cold.

“You— you little thief, how can your heart be so cruel…” Li Xuan’s face changed drastically. This time, she was truly shaken, faintly frightened. If Kong Sheng was serious, then neither she, her subordinates, nor the guarded hundred thousand hu of grain would survive.

This was a plan to utterly annihilate them.

At this moment, Li Xuan believed Kong Sheng’s threat to kill and silence her was no idle threat, nor mere intimidation.

“If the Princess wants me dead, I will not simply kneel and wait to be slaughtered. If it comes to a fight to the death, who will laugh last remains to be seen.” Kong Sheng’s smile vanished. “Therefore, if Your Highness wishes to speak calmly with me, I have no objection.”

Li Xuan’s eyes flickered, falling silent.

Kong Sheng did not rush either, standing quietly as he awaited her decision.

After a long while, Li Xuan slowly raised her head, sneering coldly, “Kong Sheng, your endless threats only aim to force me to submit. Fine, you win. I am no coward afraid to die, but this mission of mine is crucial. This grain is the lifeline of the Pengcheng army. I cannot afford to lose.”

“You little thief, do you know that what you’re doing amounts to treason? If the supplies are lost, you will die an unforgivable death!”

Kong Sheng smiled faintly. “Princess, please do not pin such a heavy label on me. No matter what you say, I stand by one point: if one cannot even protect their own life, how can they speak of caring for the country and its people?”

“What exactly do you want? Speak plainly.” Li Xuan pressed her lips tightly.

Kong Sheng shrugged. “Very well. My request is simple: I ask the Princess to accompany us all the way until we enter the borders of Henan. Rest assured, I will never offend Your Highness in the slightest again.”

Li Xuan remained silent. Kong Sheng’s condition was expected; without her as a hostage, the safety of his group could not be guaranteed. His proposal was perfectly reasonable. But was it really that simple? She doubted it deeply.

“Of course, to prevent the Princess from going back on her word or seeking revenge later, I would ask for a token from Your Highness.”

Li Xuan thought, as expected. She looked coldly at Kong Sheng. “What do you want?”

“Just that jade token. It represents the Princess’s identity and is the strongest proof of good faith. If you break your promise, I will have ways to protect myself and retaliate.” Kong Sheng smiled as he extended his hand.

Li Xuan gritted her teeth in anger. “You little thief, my jade token is already in your hands. Why this pretence? You should know this is a sacred imperial gift. If you dare lose it, I will surely…”

“Alright, alright, enough of the threats. Isn’t it always the same—torn limb from limb or hacked to pieces? Can’t the Princess come up with something new?”

“Since the Princess agrees, I will keep it safe. If one day you truly let go of this matter and we turn from enemies to friends, I might even return this token to you.” Kong Sheng pocketed the jade token and finally exhaled in relief.

Li Xuan sneered disdainfully, thinking, “Do you really have the right to be friends with me? Turn from enemies to friends? Dream on. If I ever catch you, you little thief, you will learn the bitter price of offending the royal family!”

Though ruthless and proud to the extreme, Li Xuan valued this mission dearly. Given the current situation, if it came to a fight to the death, her people would suffer the most. Step by step, Kong Sheng had trapped her, and she had no choice but to compromise.

Weighing the pros and cons, she could no longer act blindly. If Kong Sheng exposed that last veil of secrecy, her grain caravan would hardly return safely to Pengcheng, even with northern army support.

Not to mention An Lushan’s rebels—the local authorities would never stand idly by: Who does King Guo think he is, sending troops disguised as merchants to buy up grain recklessly on our southern lands without official notice? What is his intention?

Officials would send agents to temporarily seize the grain. And when King Guo’s official letter arrives, whether the local authorities accept it remains uncertain. At this critical moment, the threat from the local government was no less than that from An Lushan’s rebels.

Li Xuan understood this better than anyone. That was why she disguised her people as merchants.

Thus, she had no choice but to reach an agreement and tacit understanding with Kong Sheng.

Immediately, the Princess’s pride and commanding presence returned. She coldly rebuked, “You little thief, since we have an agreement, why don’t you release me at once?”

Kong Sheng smiled as he ladled a bowl of steaming meat soup from a pot. Li Xuan saw him take a small white bottle from his pocket and sprinkle some powder into the bowl. Her expression changed: was the thief trying to poison her?

But Li Xuan was no ordinary woman; she knew resistance was useless. She relaxed her heart and chose to watch calmly.

Kong Sheng picked up a spoon, holding the bowl as he bent down. “After all this fuss, Your Highness might as well warm yourself with some hot soup first. Then I will untie you, and I promise not to break my word.”