I work within the law. Not just our law, but the common law, and the common law

I work within the law. Not just our law, but the common law, and the common law history of how these disputes are settled in our ancient tradition.
AFAIK we must offer (Parley) a settlement (Terms) as did our forefathers, the founders, and our English forefathers before them.
Those terms must be ‘fair’ – meaning reciprocal.
And posting those terms lets us advertise them to the public, letting them understand the choice as well. (It is very difficult to argue with our terms because they benefit everyone.)
If they refuse the terms, refuse to negotiate, or offer immoral terms, then they can only desire to conquer and rule our people.
Upon refusal, we are left only with civil war – and have obtained a moral license for that war.
Since everyone knows this, it causes a desire to settle. Our objective (mine) is to bring about a peaceful settlement rather than war.
You might prefer winner takes all, but I would choose it only as a last resort.
Why? It’s not useful to keep them.
It’s not useful to govern people who hate you any more so that to be governed by people who hate you.