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Chapter 31: Even More Ridiculous
“Ah?” The military commanders stared at Pasha Callerga incredulously as if they couldn’t believe that he had just suggested such a thing.
“Big brother, the Khitans just killed our Sultana.”
The Second Imperial Consort couldn’t believe what she had heard too. She did harbor feelings for Momoana and wanted to avenge her, just that there were other priorities at hand. It seemed overboard for them to make peace with the Khitans after what had happened.
“We have no choice,” Pasha Callerga said in frustration. “There’s no way to guard this city, but the Khitans are going to be charging in at any moment. We’re at a critical juncture to decide the next successor. We have to appease the Khitans one way or another.
“The Morean army that supports us is on its way. Similarly, the Albanian army that supports the First Imperial Consort will be arriving very soon—they are much closer to the capital!
“The Morean army numbers 20,000, whereas the Albanian army has less than 10,000 men. They won’t be a match for us in a direct confrontation. So, what we have to do now is to stall till the arrival of the Morean army.
“Trust me. It’ll be beneficial to us if we appease the Khitans and eliminate the First Imperial Consort and the Fifth Imperial Consort. There’s no shame in lowering our head for the bigger picture.
“Conversely, if we choose to hold onto our pride…”
Pasha Callerga’s voice suddenly deepened. “The First Imperial Consort might beat us to negotiating with the Khitans and even acquire their support. It’d be the end of us once that happens.”
A brief moment of silence later, all of the nobles present agreed to his plan.
Thus, Pasha Callerga came up with a list of requests before calling some eunuchs over.
1. The Ottomains shall cease hostilities against the Romains, including ongoing attacks on Romain territories and its lockdown on the Bosphorus Strait.
2. All villages, cities, and fortresses on the Thrace Plains that are in Constantinope’s vicinity will be ceded to Romie.
3. 500 pounds of gold and 1000 pounds of silver will be paid to the Khitan Caesar.
4. The Khitans can collect ten days’ worth of rations from the city’s suburban villas.
In return, the Khitan Caesar is to withdraw his troops from Edirne as soon as possible, recognize the Second Imperial Consort’s son as the only legitimate sultan, and refrain from interfering in the Ottomain’s internal conflict.
The Ottomain’s First Imperial Consort hadn’t been idling around while Pasha Callerga was coming up with the conditions of negotiation. Shortly after noticing Shu Yichao’s troops, she quickly came to a decision.
“We need to bring the Khitans over to our side!”
It wasn’t hard for her to make this decision when she was at a disadvantage in this civil war.
Thus, she called her envoy over and instructed, “Tell the Khitan Caesar that I’m willing to pay him 5000 pounds of gold and 20,000 pounds of silver. I’ll also hand over Thessaloniki to Romie. That’s a port overflowing with wealth, with a population exceeding 90,000!
“Of course, there’ll be conditions too. He’ll have to work together with our Albanian army to eliminate the Second Imperial Consort and the others coveting the sultan’s seat, then subdue the Morean army with us.”
She handed over her seal and said, “You have my permission to negotiate with him if he has any other conditions. Now, hurry up and go!”
Neither the First Imperial Consort nor the Second Imperial Consort could have imagined that the one who was nearing her doom would offer even more ridiculous terms.
“We’ll be giving away the entire Balkans?! Including our capital too? Then we’ll take all of our people and retreat to Anatolia, and even change our religion on top of that?!”
The Fifth Imperial Consort nearly leaped up from her chair when she saw the terms listed by her younger brother. “Are you serious about this?! This is ridiculous!”
“No, it isn’t ridiculous at all.” The Fifth Imperial Consort’s younger brother lifted his head and revealed the gaze of a cornered beast. “My big sister, we don’t have anything left. I didn’t think you would be in the mood to torture slaves for entertainment at this critical juncture…
“It’s those very slaves whom you broke the arms of who snuck out and ratted us off to the Second Imperial Consort. That resulted in the purging of the officials who supported us, and the few soldiers we have were nearly annihilated.”
“Isn’t that what everyone does?” The Fifth Imperial Consort obstinately refused to admit her mistake. “Who knew that those lowly things would…”
However, her younger brother’s frosty eyes silenced her.
“What’s more important is that the First Imperial Consort and the Second Imperial Consort have military support, whereas we have nothing at all…” the Fifth Imperial Consort’s younger brother continued. “If we can’t offer something that can move the Romains and the Khitans, the only fate that awaits us is the execution of our clan!”
“…” The Fifth Imperial Consort sank back into her chair with a pale face.
“We’ll personally head over later to request for a truce.” The Fifth Imperial Consort’s younger brother rolled up the letter before glancing at his older sister’s beautiful face and seductive body. “I advise you to dress up a little. I heard the Khitan Caesar is a dashing youth in his late teens. Those of his age tend to be hot-blooded… You might have to make ‘sacrifices’ if needed.”
“HAA?!” The Fifth Imperial Consort widened her eyes.
“I’ve already told you, big sister,” her younger brother’s eyes remained menacing, “we don’t have any leverage left.”
“…” The Fifth Imperial Consort looked conflicted for seconds before lowering her head in defeat. “I understand.”
【My host, do you intend to enter the city?】
Sensing Shu Yichao’s location, System 12345 began offering its schemes.
【I don’t want to nag either, my host, but it’s at critical moments like this that you have to tread exceptionally carefully. The slightest misstep here might just become the greatest regret of your life.】
【You have to listen well to me here and do as I say. We might still have a chance to turn things around.】
System 12345 advised.
【Let me first decipher the situation for you.】
【A femme fatale is bound to be surrounded by venom beauties too. Well, you know, birds of the same feather flock together.】
【Momoana’s imperial consorts are dangerous too. They aren’t as extreme as Momoana, but if you get on their bad side, they won’t hesitate to throw you into a pit filled with snakes!】
【But my host, you don’t have to worry. I’m on your side! Come, let me decipher them for you.】
【I’ll first start with Momoana’s First Imperial Consort. She’s… Ahh?! What is going on?!】
System 12345 howled in disbelief.
【Why are the imperial consorts suddenly paying so much attention to you?】
System 12345 was unable to make sense of the situation.
【Did they notice you in the midst of a festival? The city does seem particularly boisterous today…】
【Tsk tsk tsk. My host, I can only say that your looks are unparalleled in this world. It didn’t take you any effort to hook those imperial consorts in.】
【Oh hoh! It looks like the Fifth Imperial Consort is even thinking of… Hehehe!】
System 12345 was so excited that it felt like pink bubbles were going to rise from it.
【My host, this is the perfect hand to start with! Wrap the Fifth Imperial Consort around your finger and have her mediate between you and Momoana on your behalf!】
【There’s no need to be shy here! Relationships between noblewomen and knights are common in this era. It’s time to show them what you’re capable of!】
【Oh ho ho ho ho!】