But the Northern Frontier had always been barren, even raising cattle and sheep had to depend on the gods. In this battle, even Great Liang used up all their resources, let alone that Jia Lai whose thoughts were full of vengeance and neglected producing.

In the long run, it was natural that they could no longer hold on.

Gu Yun: "Came for a peace treaty?"

"Yeah," said Shen Yi, nodding, "This matter had not been brought up to the Grand Court Meeting yet. The Emperor called us into the palace to discuss the terms of the other side. Do you know how I feel?"

Gu Yun eyebrows twitched.

Shen Yi said, "It was the same as when the old Wolf King offered Ziliujin and proposed to be the hostage back then. It was well-spoken, humble, and sincere. The conditions are very pleasant. Zi Xi, do you trust them?

Gu Yun was silent for a moment and slowly said, "I don't. The Barbarians are different from the Westerners. The Westerners are just greedy, but the Barbarians have harbored hatred for generations — especially Jia Lai."

Shen Yi asked hurriedly, "What do you mean?"

"Since Jia Lai took over the Eighteen Tribes, he has done nothing but seek vengeance on the Central Plains," Gu Yun said. "There are only two possibilities for them to come for a truce now. Either Jia Lai has been usurped by someone from inside their Eighteen Tribes, or he has ulterior motives."

Shen Yi: "We can't rule out the possibility that the Eighteen Tribes can no longer survive..."

"No, it's not winter yet. I don't believe they're on their last leg," Gu Yun said. "Listen to me, Jia Lai is a mad dog. Mad dogs don't care whether they eat meat or grass. They only bite people. By the way, what did the Emperor say?"

"The Emperor..." Shen Yi paused and lowered his voice. "This is the second thing I want to tell you. The Emperor has not seemed very healthy recently."

Gu Yun was stunned.

"Now the Grand Court Meeting has been changed to be held once every fifteen days, on the first and fifteenth of each month, all the other important matters that need to be discussed are to be taken to the Small Court Meeting and handed over to the Grand Council to be brought up to the West Warm Pavilion and wait for the Emperor's approval. I feel that the Emperor can no longer stand the loudmouth people arguing in the court meetings."

Shen Yi said in a small voice. "In the court meeting this month, as soon as the servant announced that the court was dismissed, the Emperor stood up and stepped on his own dragon robe, almost rolled down from the throne hall on the spot and was quickly caught by the attendants. As a result, here..."