LEGEND OF THE GOLDEN TIGRESS 200 I had to Pick a Side

'My ears hurt'

Mo Chen complained with all the noise around him and others heard a low rumble of the ferocious beast and the room went silent.

"I will not let you give away the lands my father protected with his sweat and blood", Seiren said in a definitive tone. Minister Sheng and Minister Zai were surprised how deep and authoritative he sounded just like his father even though he had a girly appearance.

" Those lands belong to us. You stole our lands and we must have it back", Chief Batukhan who was explaining everything to his companions gave their reply.

" We can let you live in our Eastern province only after you swear allegiance to our Wind Kingdom. You will follow our laws and follow our customs and pay taxes to our government if you want to live in our lands. You will mingle with our people and will live among them without affecting their way of life and we can promise your people to have the same life our people has as the citizens of the Wind Kingdom ". Huang AoTian spoke in a soft but firm tone as he spoke as the Prime Minister of the Wind Kingdom.

Xing's lips curved up to a slight smile as she knew her father would have the same solution as her that is almost in the middle not affecting both side tremendously. Actually it is more inconvenient to the Wind Kingdom as they have to accommodate these new people and protect them and help them integrate into their society.

Their demand of separate kingdom cannot be accepted because in the past two centuries, the wind kingdom has been depending on the Eastern Province for their fertile lands that provides them with food and their people have integrated with those lands too. They cannot lose it now and make the people there to leave the place they call home. At the same time the tribals cannot be deprived of their wish to go back to their native lands. So this is the middle ground where the Wind Kingdom could go.

This plan has serious implications too, as the tribals have been in war with the Wind kingdom for decades and the citizens in the Wind Kingdom have lost a lot and they won't be very welcoming of them living amongst them and there are many other issues around it too.

But Xing knew that the God of Rain is in the side of the Tribals and with the recent shortage of rainfall, their lands might be wasted. The only way to pacify the God of Rain is by letting the tribals back to their native land. It is the only way to get rainfall in the Eastern Province. And they probably know it too that if they are not returning to those lands those lands will become useless to cultivate crops and people will leave that place without having any way to make money. And after that they can claim those lands. May be this is why they are so sure of it this time.

Chief Batukhan translated AoTian's words to those other men with them and Xing did not need to understand their language to know that they are cussing them and refusing to accept their terms.

"Your Tianshi Emperor gave the promise to protect our ancestors too, but failed. Why would this time be any different?", Chief Batukhan spoke and it was obvious that he did not actually translate what those other chiefs said.

"Didn't your 'Allies' betray you previously? Why are you still with them?", Xing asked in a rather mocking tone. Is he really going to stay aside or is he going to go for war against them? She also had doubts if he had recognised her as Lord Táng as he had that not so surprised look on him compared to others.

" I'm not joining the war as I said previously and I thought you were staying aside too? Guess your people aren't that good at keeping your words, Lord Tá... "

"I had to take a side and my side will win", Xing interrupted him before he called her by her other name. Chief Batukhan had that slightly malicious look on her as he remembered how this one is partly responsible for the deaths of his tribesmen.

Other chiefs didn't understand what he said but knew even Chief Batukhan is angry and they were not pleased with the woman who boldly talk against them and they were scrutinising her with their looks. One of them even said a cuss word at her when Chief Batukhan regained his composure and told him to watch his words.

" Your ancestors Left, Chief! ", Rijun spoke in a clear tone as he realised the situation is veering off to a dangerous zone including the identity of his sister, " There were no records in our archives that suggest that your ancestors suffered under our rule. No complaints were sent from your ancestors to get the government's attention. You cannot blame our government or the Tianshi Emperor ". Rijun knew these because his sister told about these after she returned from the Southern Province and he had checked too. He could not find anything related to the mistreatment of the tribal people by the Chu family.

Chief Batukhan snorted as he knew Rijun is right in his point of view and he claimed down. She is not wrong too! The tribes have no definite proof by their side and it is only hearsay. And it is true they cannot lay claim to a land their ancestors left two centuries ago as if they still owe it.

But he should play his part as a person by the tribal people side as they all want this war for some reason. It is all fishy and he could not get to the details entirely too as he is being ostracised from the other tribes for voicing his opinions about not participating in this meaningless war.

The offer given by the Prime Minister is a good offer for them if all they want is to have a chance to live in their land they wish for dearly but they are not agreeing to those terms. There is definitely more to it!

"Agree to our terms or face war!", Seiren added his opinion.

Minister Sheng tried to speak when Xing stood up making the entire hall go silent and everyone looked at her.

"Our Tianshi Emperor claimed those lands for our Wind Kingdom and it is ours by right. No one other than the citizens of our Wind Kingdom will lay claim on those lands as theirs. We will not lose a single handful of our soil to outsiders. If you want to live in our land, kneel before our Emperor Tongtian... Otherwise we have nothing else to discuss", she showed them the door making those chiefs enraged after they heard the translation from Chief Batukhan.

One of them suddenly walked towards Xing to attack her by the dagger he had hidden on him while cussing at her and her father screamed, "Mingxia!". Others were shocked by this sudden turn of event and stood perplexed.

But before anyone moved, Mo Chen just lunged at that attacking chief with his sharp claws sinking in his shoulders and the Prime Minister's office was filled with the painful screams of that tribal Chief.

Mo Chen bared his teeth at the man lying under him and roared making everyone in there weak in their knees.

"Enough, Mo Chen", Xing stopped Mo Chen from biting that chief's head off and knocked off the dagger he was holding in his hand with her feet. With her eyes clear, focused and calm, she looked at Chief Batukhan, " Kneel in front of our Emperor if you want to get back to your fatherland. It is as simple as that". She looked like someone with absolute authority with that panther by her side, making the men in the room feel little about themselves.

"Is this your justice? What about the Chu family who drove us out previously?", Chief Batukhan asked her and his brown eyes focusing on her had no fear.

" I cannot speak for the sufferings the Chu ancestors may or may not have done to your ancestors. All I can promise on behalf of the Tongtian Emperor is that we will protect you if you wish to become out citizens", she placed her hand on her heart and gave a slight bow. This was her truest feelings too. But she knew that they won't accept it and will opt for war. They are prepared for it as well.

"I'll pass this information to others, your Highness", Chief Batukhan gave a deep bow to Xing and greeted others. He knew this one is good for her promises and if they want to go peaceful, all will end well. But will it go well on their side?

"Move", Xing told Mo Chen who was still reluctant to let go of the guy under him and he moved aside when Chief Batukhan picked him up and left.

Chapter end

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