bioinnovel Chapter 216 After you are defeated in the war, you can settle in the Land of Water!
Chapter 216 After you are defeated in the war, you can settle in the Land of Water!
Chiba, a port city in the eastern part of the Land of Fire, is now covered with the bright red flags of the Land of Water.
The flags fluttered in the sea breeze, echoing the giant warships moored in the harbor, exuding the awe-inspiring power of the water kingdom.
On the morning of the agreed meeting, the eldest prince, Yuan Shixiu, arrived early at the most luxurious Wanghailou in the port, accompanied by three trusted ministers and some guards.
He was dressed in a brand-new purple court robe, made of fine material, but it couldn't hide the anxiety in his eyes.
Since the messenger brought back the news, he has been both hoping for the Water Kingdom's assistance to help him stabilize his territory and worried that this assistance would become a shackle, turning him into their puppet.
As soon as you push open the door of Wanghailou, the scene inside the lobby comes into view.
The fifth prince, Yuan Shihong, was already seated by the window, with an untouched cup of hot tea in front of him.
The guards around him, each with a long sword at their waist, did not stand tall and proud like the eldest prince's guards; instead, they bowed their heads slightly. Their eyes held a hint of restraint, and even their posture exuded caution, a stark contrast to the wariness in the eyes of the eldest prince's guards.
The Fifth Prince's territory was in the southern part of the Land of Fire. He was the weakest of the five princes and only managed to gain a foothold because of the deterrent power of the Land of Water.
So when he received the invitation, he came without hesitation.
He was well aware of his position; he depended entirely on the other party's support and had no right to refuse.
Upon seeing Yuan Shixiu enter, the Fifth Prince Yuan Shihong immediately stood up and bowed slightly in greeting.
His tone carried a deliberate air of respect: "Brother, you've arrived very early. It seems you also value this meeting highly."
The eldest prince, Yuan Shixiu, did not respond. He simply raised his chin, gesturing for his trusted ministers to sit down beside him, while he himself sat down in the empty seat opposite the fifth prince.
His gaze swept over the guards behind the fifth prince, then fell on the warships of the Water Kingdom by the harbor outside the window.
The warships were enormous, and the ninjas on the decks were training methodically. Their metal armor gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and even their movements exuded strict discipline.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the disdain and unease surging within him, and said in a somewhat stiff voice, "Isn't Fifth Brother here too? We're all here for the Land of Fire."
The two remained silent, creating an unusually subtle atmosphere in the lobby.
Yuan Shixiu picked up the hot tea brought by the maid, but did not drink it. He simply skimmed the foam off the surface with the lid, his eyes remaining distant.
The Fifth Prince, Yuan Shihong, occasionally stole glances at Yuan Shixiu, his eyes filled with apprehension.
Although the eldest prince's power has shrunk, he still has a remaining force, making him someone the prince dares not easily provoke.
The silence was broken around noon by a series of orderly footsteps coming from outside the door.
Accompanied by Kazami Tomohiko, Uchiha Mitsunori slowly walked into the hall.
He wore a magnificent black brocade robe with dark gold patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs. His dark hair was tied up with a jade crown, and he had a faint smile on his face, but his eyes were as unfathomable as a deep pool, causing the two princes to involuntarily tense up.
Yuan Shixiu subconsciously sat up straight, while the Fifth Prince quietly clenched his fists.
"Your Highnesses have been waiting for a long time."
Uchiha Mitsunori sat down in the main seat, and a maid immediately stepped forward to pour him a cup of steaming matcha.
He picked up his teacup, gently blew on the steam, and spoke in a relaxed tone as if he were chatting casually, as if the two princes of the Fire Kingdom were not his ordinary friends.
"The war in the Land of Fire has dragged on for so long, causing immense suffering to the people. The two princes must be exhausted, both physically and mentally. I've invited you here today to discuss something with you. I wish to mediate the war, on the condition that you acknowledge the territories of the second, third, and fourth princes."
Yuan Shixiu abruptly looked up, his eyes filled with disbelief, his voice rising several decibels: "Lord Sanfeng, you want me to acknowledge those three rebel territories? They colluded with foreign enemies, splitting the Land of Fire; they are utterly unworthy of fiefdoms!"
His fingers gripped the teacup tightly, his knuckles turning white, and he didn't even notice the tea splashing out.
The Fifth Prince frowned, his expression shifting slightly, but his tone was much more tactful than the First Prince's: "Yes, Your Excellency Sanfeng. If we rashly acknowledge their territory, I'm afraid we won't be able to win over the people, and the nobles and commoners of the Fire Kingdom won't agree either."
Although he relied on the Water Kingdom, he was also worried that the growing power of the second, third, and fourth princes would threaten his living space.
Uchiha Mitsunori put down his teacup, his gaze gradually sharpening: "Both princes, I know you have concerns. But have you considered whether the Land of Fire can withstand continued internal strife?"
He gestured to Kazami Tomohiko, who immediately handed a scroll of information to the two princes.
"In fact, three years ago, your father, the leader of the Land of Fire, had already foreseen today's situation."
Yuan Shixiu clenched his fists tightly, leaned forward, and said urgently, "What did you say? Father... he knew this would happen?"
Uchiha Mitsunori picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and nodded slowly: "Three years ago, he also wanted to seek my help, but I refused. I only promised to save your lives. If you are defeated in the future, you can settle in the Land of Water. Your father left you some money, enough for you to maintain a decent life."
These words struck like a thunderbolt, leaving the two princes stunned.
Uchiha Mitsunori chuckled, his tone tinged with sarcasm: "If the war continues, it will only allow the three countries to expand their territory, and eventually the land of the Land of Fire will be completely divided among them. At that time, not only will you lose your fiefdoms, but you might not even be able to keep the name of the Land of Fire."
Yuan Shixiu's fingers trembled slightly as he looked at the information on the scroll.
"They are sinners of the Land of Fire! How can we explain this to our people? How can we explain this to the people of the Land of Fire?"
Uchiha Mitsumine chuckled lightly: "Right now, the Land of Fire shouldn't be worried about who the culprits are, but how to survive. As long as you acknowledge the territories of the Second, Third, and Fourth Princes, I will persuade the Lands of Earth, Lightning, and Wind to cease their attacks. Giving you 5-10 years to develop is also important for you, isn't it?"
The fifth prince's eyes lit up, but he didn't dare to express his opinion immediately. He just looked at the eldest prince and waited for his reaction.
Sensing the fifth prince's wavering, the eldest prince became even more anxious, but he also understood that the current situation was beyond his control.
At this moment, the Fifth Prince spoke first, with a hint of ingratiation: "Lord Sanfeng, I have no objection. As long as the Land of Fire can be stabilized, recognizing their territory is fine."
Seeing the Fifth Prince's attitude and remembering his own precarious territory, Yuan Shixiu gritted his teeth and nodded: "I agree, but I have one condition. The three kingdoms must withdraw their troops immediately, and the Land of Water must not interfere in our internal affairs."
Uchiha Mitsunori smiled with satisfaction: "Your Highnesses, rest assured, I will negotiate with the three kingdoms as soon as possible to persuade them to withdraw their troops, and I will not interfere in your internal affairs..."