Sun Meng walked over, took the scroll from Diwu Fusheng's hand, and immediately presented it to Chen Mo.

Chen Mo first invited Diwu Fusheng to take a seat and then began to examine the scroll.

The content of the scroll was about Prince Huai wanting to stabilize the lives of the people on both sides and ensure peaceful development, by establishing the scope of influence on both sides of the Huai River.

The treaty stated that Prince Huai had no intention of being an adversary to Chen Mo, would not invade, and hoped to improve their relationship.

Then came the stipulations of the treaty.

First, both parties agree not to use force or conduct invasive or aggressive actions against each other, either alone or in alliance with other forces.

Second, if one party is at war with a third-party force, the other party shall not provide any support to the third-party force.

Third, both parties agree not to participate in any organizations directly or indirectly opposing the other party.

...

Eighth, the treaty shall be valid for five years.

Diwu Fusheng took a sip of the tea brought by Sun Meng, looked at Chen Mo who was examining the treaty, and said softly, "If the Marquis has any requests, feel free to mention them. If approved by the Prince, they can be added to the treaty later.

Of course, if it's just minor requests, I can make decisions on behalf of the Prince."

Chen Mo gently drummed his fingers on the table, feeling as though the other party was handing him a pillow to rest on.

After conquering Linzhou, Chen Mo decided to recuperate and refrain from initiating any wars, to manage the Three States properly, and to conserve strength.

He didn't want to wage war anymore, but that didn't mean others wouldn't invade him, so the treaty from Prince Huai at least ensured the Prince Huai's forces wouldn't invade his territory, ensuring the stability of southern Linzhou.

However, in negotiations, it wouldn't do to let the other party see his needs and desires.

Now that Prince Huai had sent an envoy to find him, it indicated the other party had a stronger need.

Given this, the opportunity must be capitalized on.

Chen Mo put away the scroll, asked Sun Meng to show it to Zhang River, and then said, "I've read the treaty, but I am a minister of the Great Song Dynasty, and Prince Huai is a traitor, a rebel. The court has ordered me to campaign against Prince Huai; if I sign such a treaty, wouldn't it put me in a position of disloyalty and unrighteousness? How would the world view me?"

At the end, Chen Mo deliberately raised his voice slightly.

The atmosphere in the military tent instantly became oppressive.

Yet, Diwu Fusheng remained unfazed, calm as ever, saying, "I just mentioned to the Marquis that the Marquis has misunderstood the Prince. Prime Minister Xu Guozhong is dictatorial and corrupt, bringing calamity to the nation and people, acting against the heavens, overturning the Royal Family.

The Prince, to prevent the people from suffering, and the Grand Ancestor's foundation falling into the hands of the Xu Thief, coupled with the Emperor's Blood Letter accusing Xu Thief's crimes, only then did the Prince angrily send troops to support the King, punishing traitors and villains, restoring the Great Song's bright and clear world."

After speaking, a pair of dark eyes stared straight at Chen Mo and continued, "But who knew the Xu Thief would make a false countercharge, falsely accusing Prince Huai, misleading the world with their criminal heart?"

Chen Mo: "..."

A capable envoy indeed, quick with words.

"Is that so..." Chen Mo rubbed his face with his rough hands and continued, "Prince Huai and King Chong are both members of the Imperial Family, they are family, the Liang Family and the Xiao Family are closely connected, and previously I recovered Yu State, which led to a feud with King Chong and the Liang Family.

Now Prince Huai comes to sign a treaty with me; surely he has other intentions."

"Marquis, please don't say that, the Prince is sincere, otherwise he wouldn't have let me come alone." Diwu Fusheng said, "Moreover, part of my mission here is to ease the tension between you and King Chong."

From Chen Mo's words, Diwu Fusheng could tell that Chen Mo and Xu Guozhong were not in cahoots, not closely connected, otherwise, when mentioning Xu Guozhong, his reaction would have been different.

It seems he guessed right; Chen Mo indeed intends to establish his own force, rather than being someone else's "enforcer."

"Oh."

Chen Mo became interested, speaking frankly, "I kidnapped King Chong's daughter-in-law and imprisoned Liang Song. How does the envoy intend to resolve such a conflict?"

"You might not know, Marquis, the marriage agreement between King Chong and the Liang Family was not with Liang Song's daughter Liang Xue, but with Liang Mu's niece, Liang Yue, so this matter of kidnapping the daughter-in-law doesn't exist at all." Diwu Fusheng responded.

As soon as these words were spoken, Sun Meng, Cui Shuang, Zhang River all widened their eyes, and Chen Mo, who had just taken a sip of tea, almost spat it out, his mouth twitching slightly.

These Royal and Noble Families are indeed adept at self-deception.

But one must admit, this approach really works.

You must know, in the Great Song Dynasty, men were respected over women; even a Liang Family Girl was no exception.

This limited the possibility of women having independent names, as they were often referred to by the surname of their father, and those who married had to adopt their husband's surname.

When King Chong's Mansion and the Liang Family settled the marriage agreement, all the public knew was that King Chong's Crown Prince and a Liang Family Girl were engaged.

Apart from those who knew the details, who knew the name of the Liang Family Girl involved in the engagement, and whose daughter she specifically was?

And before Liang Xue got married, she often stayed in her boudoir, rarely showing her face in public.

Coupled with such a disgraceful matter, neither the Liang Family nor King Chong's Mansion would make it public, deceiving the public completely works.

Bear in mind, throughout history, very few women's names have been recorded in the official historical books.

Even if they were recorded, they were often replaced with "Such-and-such surname."

"This..." even Chen Mo didn't know what to say.

Forget it, just state the demands directly.

"Since that's the case, this treaty is not something I can't sign, but I have a few demands," Chen Mo said.

"Please speak, Marquis," Diwu Fusheng had anticipated Chen Mo would agree, so his expression remained calm upon hearing this.

He had studied Chen Mo; if the other party truly was ambitious, having control over the Three States, his next step would be steady development, making peace very necessary.

"Firstly, Prince Huai must publicly acknowledge the Court's conferment of titles and ranks to me," Chen Mo said.

Whether or not Prince Huai acknowledges this makes no difference, from a legal perspective, Chen Mo already has these.

This demand, in Diwu Fusheng's view, wasn't really a demand.

He agreed on behalf of Prince Huai directly.

"Secondly, since we are to become friendly neighbors, I hope Prince Huai lifts the commercial blockade on the canal, allowing us both to trade," Chen Mo wanted to sell his goods to Jiangnan and Hedong, which required passage through the Huai River; without Prince Huai's consent, it was impossible.

At this point, Diwu Fusheng hesitated for a while, and then nodded in agreement.

There are over two million people under Chen Mo's rule in the Three States; if trade is allowed, it would benefit the Prince as well.

"Lastly, I propose that this treaty be signed on the Huai River, with both parties sending envoys to ride small boats on the river and take an oath by blood; this will also announce it to the world, wouldn't that be splendid?" Chen Mo said.

Diwu Fusheng thought for a moment: "Agreed."

...

This matter was more or less officially settled.

When the treaty is officially signed, according to Diwu Fusheng, Chen Mo needs to hand over Liang Song and Ning Wan to Prince Huai.

Chen Mo hosted Diwu Fusheng for one night in Longmen County, and the next day, Diwu Fusheng left.

At this moment, Xia Zhining found Chen Mo: "You previously released Liang Song, and now no one knows where he's gone. When the day to sign the treaty comes, where will you find him to give back to them?"

"Who said I released Liang Song?"

Xia Zhining's face darkened: "I'm not deaf. The other night, I heard what you said to Liang Xue in bed, and the next day I saw him leave Longmen County with my own eyes."

"You saw him leave, so he definitely left?" Chen Mo gave her a sidelong glance.

Xia Zhining realized: "You tricked her."

"It's not really a trick. When the day to sign the treaty comes, isn't that releasing him?" Chen Mo held Xia Zhining's delicate hand and said softly, "I've told you, I was just putting on a show with her. You're the one I truly care about, but you didn't believe it, always getting irrationally jealous. Do you believe me now?"

"Cut it out," Xia Zhining rolled her eyes at Chen Mo, but inside she was feeling quite happy, she liked hearing this.

Xia Zhining said, "Aren't you afraid that she will find out you never released her father, and then come to make trouble for you?"

"If you don't tell her, she's always in Longmen County, how would she find out?" Chen Mo pulled Xia Zhining into his arms, caressing her cheek, "Hao Zhining, let me visit Nanshan tonight, these days my internal injuries have healed by themselves, I've almost recovered."

Xia Zhining's face instantly flushed, angrily shoving Chen Mo away, scolding: "I knew this scoundrel didn't have good intentions, always tormenting me."

"Come on, Zhining, do me a favor." Chen Mo lowered his head to nibble at Xia Zhining's earlobe, whispering softly.

Xia Zhining felt weak all over, "Then... then you don't call her tonight."

"I knew Zhining was the best, come, give a kiss."

"Annoying, all drool."

...

Back in the backyard.

While Chen Mo was thinking of how to talk to Liang Xue about this treaty, he saw Ning Wan trimming flowers and plants in the yard.

Ning Wan wore a cool double-slit blouse, covered by a white silk shawl.

Ning Wan's voluptuous figure was comparable to Han Anniang, that figure wearing a double-slit blouse was simply a stunning sight; when she bent over to trim, it seemed as if two fierce creatures were about to rush out from the middle.

It was the first time Chen Mo saw this kind of attire, and he couldn't help but brighten up.

Ning Wan also noticed Chen Mo's arrival and greeted him first: "Marquis."

"Aunt Ning, your clothes are very beautiful, I haven't seen them before in Yu State, where did you buy them, so I can get a few sets for my wife," Chen Mo said.

Ning Wan's face turned red, her heart bashful, a man asking a woman about clothes, and where she got them, this carries teasing implications; Ning Wan didn't know if Chen Mo did it on purpose or spoke unconsciously.

But Ning Wan felt he did it on purpose, after all, this wasn't the first or second time he had peeked at her.

"This is the style of dressing from West River, Yu State is close to the North, of course, you won't find them there. If the Marquis doesn't mind, I can make two sets for your wives," Ning Wan said.

"I'm afraid I couldn't bear such blessings," Chen Mo laughed, "Aunt Ning, good news, yesterday Prince Huai sent an envoy, I told them about your situation and requested they take you back."

Even at this moment, Chen Mo didn't forget to pat his own back, highlighting a hint of shamelessness.

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