Chapter Fifty: Negotiations

Seeing this situation, how could Deng Qing’s side not understand Ashina Zanghe’s intention? It was blatantly clear that he intended to execute Zhang Hongde right in front of their own men—an act of extreme audacity and recklessness.

Yet Deng Qing remained silent and restrained. After all, he had already achieved his objective, albeit at the cost of Zhang Hongde’s life. How Ashina Zanghe chose to deal with Zhang’s fate was no longer within Deng Qing’s control, nor did he wish to intervene further.

However, while Deng Qing wished to let it go, the loyal soldiers could not. His concern was how to soothe the anger of his troops. As the commanding general, if he could not protect his own men, his authority and credibility within the army would inevitably plummet—a scenario Deng Qing was desperate to avoid. Zhang Hongde’s life was a small matter; the greater cause was paramount. He could not allow this incident to undermine his authority.

With his resolve set, Deng Qing feigned great anger and declared, “Mr. Ashina, I urge you to reconsider.” His tone made it clear that Ashina Zanghe must not proceed, warning that if he did, Deng Qing would be compelled to create trouble for the Turks, even at the expense of his broader goals.

Yet Ashina Zanghe, experienced and shrewd, was not fooled. He knew exactly what Deng Qing was up to—trying to preserve his authority within the ranks. But mere words would not suffice; if Deng Qing did not shed some blood, Ashina’s plan would be in vain.

A smile played in Ashina Zanghe’s eyes as he responded, “General Deng has spoken wisely. The older a man grows, the more thoughtful he becomes. His actions are measured, and every thought and deed is the result of careful deliberation.”

Though Ashina Zanghe said no more, his meaning was unmistakable. Even Li Zisheng discerned the implications behind the elder’s words.

“This Ashina Zanghe is quite ambitious,” Li Zisheng silently sighed, glancing at Mr. Zhong beside him. Unlike earlier, when tension crackled in the air, Zhong now appeared calm and detached, like an elder watching a play unfold, unmoved by the external turmoil.

In stark contrast, Deng Qing’s demeanor had sharply deteriorated. Once composed, he now seethed with hatred toward Ashina Zanghe after hearing those words.

Li Zisheng noticed Deng Qing stealing glances at Zhong with his peripheral vision. The more he observed, the more perplexed he became about the unfolding situation. Why had Deng Qing deliberately brought Zhong along? Why had he seemed unsettled earlier in the tent? At first, Li Zisheng thought Zhong lacked depth of mind, but now, seeing Zhong’s calm steadiness—how the former tension was effortlessly shattered—he realized Zhong was in full control, poised like a master angler watching the tides rise and fall.

Suddenly, it made sense why Zhong had reacted so fiercely upon meeting Ashina Zanghe—his harsh words were clearly meant to avoid being drawn into the conflict between Deng Qing and Ashina Zanghe. After all, Zhong and Ashina Zanghe were bitter enemies, their animosity beyond reconciliation. Further discourse was pointless.

In the end, Deng Qing’s cunning paled compared to Zhong’s; the difference was unmistakable.

Deng Qing saw Zhong’s attitude clearly. He had hoped Zhong’s ties with Ashina Zanghe might help him reclaim Zhang Hongde, but Zhong preemptively distanced himself from the old Turk, rendering Deng Qing’s plan ineffective. Truly, Zhong was a deeply calculating old fox.

Now, Deng Qing felt helpless. Somehow, Ashina Zanghe had learned of his intentions and was using Zhang Hongde’s fate to extort him. Though Zhang was merely carrying out Deng Qing’s orders and privy only to minor secrets, his death would have little impact—but Ashina Zanghe’s demands were clearly aimed at extracting some benefit.

“A wretched old fox,” Deng Qing thought bitterly. “Once the major matters conclude, I will surely end his miserable life.”

His hatred for Ashina Zanghe burned fiercely. As for Zhong, Deng Qing was powerless. After the Turk and Tang officials concluded their diplomatic talks, Ashina Zanghe was killed outright—yet the Turk side dared not protest.

“Mr. Ashina, this is still a time for diplomatic exchange. Bloodshed would disrupt the natural harmony; it is better to avoid it, don’t you agree?” Deng Qing said, his tone showing a trace of concession. He no longer wished to be entangled with the old Turk and subtly signaled his willingness to negotiate. After all, the matter could not be prolonged.

“General Deng, I am no cruel man, but justice demands that those who kill must pay with their lives, and debts must be repaid,” Ashina Zanghe replied earnestly. “Though the Turks won the contest, we have suffered ridicule from your soldiers. That is minor; one with integrity fears no slander. But your Captain Zhang killed my deputy envoy—this breaks my heart and chills my hope for friendship between Turk and Tang.”

Ashina Zanghe’s words carried weight and reason. Though the Turks no longer posed a threat to Tang—since their main forces had been destroyed by Emperor Taizong—they remained a sovereign nation, capable of diplomacy. His words left Deng Qing speechless, unable to counter either on a personal level or in matters of state.

Deng Qing’s anger flared anew, sensing Ashina’s demands were exorbitant.

“I wonder, what would it take to appease Mr. Ashina’s anger?” Deng Qing offered again, his voice low, audible only to Li Zisheng, Ashina Zanghe, and Zhong standing close by; the soldiers behind did not catch the words.

This marked Deng Qing’s bottom line, prompting Li Zisheng to speculate deeply about Ashina Zanghe’s true identity and motives.