Diao Su went out, and three more figures came in succession. Naturally, they were Xiao Tang, Su Qin and Ling Tianfang. Wu Feng smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Oh, Tianfang, you don't want to rest, so you have to let me take a breather." , why, can’t we just wait one night?”
"Sir, it's about the overall situation. It's better to make a decision early." Xiao Tang answered. Judging from his mental state, Xiao Tang was in a good mood.
This is indeed the case. When he got Shanzhu to recruit the Gaoyue militia without authorization, Xiao Tang, who had always been calm, couldn't help but became furious. He thought that Wu Feng was dishonest in his words, and he was even more angry with the brave generals in the army who did not obey orders.
Fortunately, Wu Feng wrote a letter in time to explain the reason, and the Second Division, which had returned to the northwest earlier, did bring back a large amount of property. This made Xiao Tang turn from anger to joy, especially after fighting against the Second Division with Su Qin. After a simple appraisal of the large number of antique calligraphy and paintings brought back by the delegation, it was determined that the value of these items far exceeded Wu Feng's initial estimate, at least worth more than four million gold coins. Coupled with the recovered cash and gold bars, this trip to Luzon The harvest was at least six million imperial gold coins, which made Xiao Tang so happy that when Cui Wenxiu returned to Qingyang to convey Wu Feng's opinion on forming a northwest independent light cavalry division, Xiao Tang agreed without hesitation and made arrangements immediately Officials of the War Preparedness Department immediately allocated horses from the Qingyang Military Horse Farm, and if they were insufficient, they also began to purchase horses from the Luobei and Mote people.
"Oh, Xiao Tang, it seems you are in a good mood. Is there any happy event?" A smile appeared on Wu Feng's face.
"What happy event will he have? Your Excellency asked the Second Division to bring back a large amount of property from Luzon, which made our Director Xiao so happy that he couldn't close his mouth from ear to ear all day long." Su Qin said.
"Well, Brother Su is right. The things you sent back are a real help in times of need. I have already contacted Gu Ji in the imperial capital and asked him to find a way to digest and dispose of these things and try to sell them at a good price." Tang made no secret of his satisfaction.
"Xiao Tang, I think you should not be too happy too early. Although the harvest is quite fruitful this time, Northern Luzon is a territory newly under our management. The original economy is relatively backward. I also promised the local people to increase investment. , and strive to promote the local economy to take off as soon as possible, but that will also cost a huge amount of money." Wu Feng reminded Xiao Tang with a smile.
"I'm not worried about this. Now that your lord has included Northern Luzon within the empire's territory, how can the central part of the empire not express its intention to gain such a large piece of treasure land out of thin air? This is different from the northwest. In the past two or three hundred years, , The empire has never acquired half an inch of land from the surrounding areas! I think His Majesty the Emperor must attach great importance to this." Xiao Tang looked relaxed.
"Yes, your Excellency returns to Beijing this time to report on his duties. As long as we make clever use of His Majesty's mentality, I think we in the northwest will definitely gain a lot." Su Qin also nodded and agreed with Xiao Tang's point of view, "The current emperor has always attached great importance to military merit. In his heart, Eager to recreate the glory of conquering cities in the south and north in the early days of the founding of the empire, this time the adults seized such a large territory from the Luzon people without any skill. In the south, the two legions of the southern military region of the empire were in After repeated setbacks in the conflict with the Maci Khans, yesterday's Di Di newspaper stated that His Majesty the Emperor has removed Duke Chen Xiangnan, the commander of the southern military region of the empire, and the commanders of the fifth and sixth legions from their official positions, and escorted them to a military court. He was tried and his family was confiscated and made into slaves. Comparing the two, your achievements are really inspiring to the whole country."
Although Ling Tianfang didn't respond, his expression showed that he agreed with the two of them.
On the contrary, Wu Feng was not very satisfied. "The occupation of Northern Luzon this time is certainly a good thing, but it may be too early to draw a conclusion now about what the Empire, including His Majesty the Emperor, thinks. For this expedition, we Killing first and reporting later will definitely arouse attacks from many people in the court, and achieving such great results will also arouse the vigilance of important ministers in the court, including His Majesty the Emperor. I am afraid we still have to do a lot of work on how to resolve and dispel His Majesty's suspicions. , this cannot be achieved in a day or two.”
After pondering for a while, Wu Feng continued: "Today, our northwest strength is not strong enough, even if we add Northern Luzon, it is far from enough. We still need the support of the central government of the empire, and it will take some time to digest and develop. So here At this time, we should try to keep a low profile and try to avoid causing hostility and suspicion from other parties."
"Your Majesty's words also make sense, but now that the matter has come to this, Mr. Xiao and I have also discussed your Majesty's upcoming visit to Beijing to report on your duties. We believe that under the current circumstances, His Majesty the Emperor should not take other measures to deal with Your Majesty for the time being. After all, Your Majesty His triumphant return from Northern Luzon has won honor for the empire and glory for His Majesty the Emperor. From this point of view, His Majesty must be happy in his heart. As for whether there will be any change in His Majesty's attitude in the future, it may be necessary. It depends on what we do and the attitude of His Majesty's close ministers towards us." Su Qin has also been thinking about this. It is very taboo in any dynasty to have great achievements and shake the master. Wufeng's power is developing rapidly now. , will inevitably arouse the suspicion of some thoughtful people.
Xiao Tang and Ling Tianfang both agreed with Su Qin's view and nodded to each other.
"The only way to deal with this matter is to remain unchanged in the face of ever-changing conditions, so we don't have to worry too much." Seeing that the three of them were worried, Wu Feng waved his hands, "Now the Macihans are very powerful. The people from the east have repulsed the Milanese. Offensive, the Imperial Army was defeated in the north, and the situation in the occupied Yuejing Kingdom gradually stabilized. However, I see that the intelligence company's Fourth Army stationed in Kansai has been mobilized to prepare to go south, and several independent divisions in the Eastern Military Region The regiment has also moved west. Could it be that the empire is really determined to fight a war? What do you think?"
Both Xiao and Su looked at Ling Tianfang. Ling Tianfang thought for a moment and said, "Judging from the current situation, it seems possible. However, so far the empire has not declared war on the Machikhans, and even Milan People have not done so. From this point of view, it seems that the several parties are not willing to expand the war indefinitely. They may all want to fight a limited war and gain an advantage in favor of peace talks. However, once the war breaks out, it will It may not necessarily be controllable by those in power in various countries. As it is now, with the empire losing consecutive battles, where can His Majesty's face go? Only by constantly increasing troops and expanding the war situation, the situation will be difficult to control. Moreover, there are Many people are eager to make things more chaotic and are adding fuel to the flames."
"In your opinion, this war will definitely get bigger and bigger?" Xiao Tang couldn't help but ask. Military is not his strong point. He is more concerned about whether the changes in the war situation will affect the development of the northwest.
"Not necessarily. There are many factors that affect war. Politics, diplomacy, military, economy and even the personal feelings of those in power will all play an unexpected role in the changes in the war situation. It's hard to say now." Ling Tianfang smiled. Headline, "Intelligence shows that after three discussions, the Nanyang Alliance Parliament finally decided to remain neutral, and also sold a large amount of strategic materials such as grain, ordnance, clothing, pig iron, etc. to the Machi Khans. In fact, it was a disguised support for the Machi Khans. Of course, the Machi Khans The Khans also paid a corresponding price, and the Nanyang Alliance’s commodity transit tariff rate was reduced by 20% for a period of three years.”
"Well, it seems that the tone of the Mahad and Andak people in the east has also changed. The strong protests at first turned into calls, and the mobilization of the army has slowed down. I don't know why." Xiao Tang also joined the conversation.
"It goes without saying that it must be the Machi Khans who are playing tricks on them. I don't know what benefits they were promised." Su Qin replied with a smile.
"On the surface, the Machi Khans currently have the upper hand, but the empire's military strength is still far stronger than the Machi Khans. If the empire can get the Lin family of Sanjiang to send troops to support them, I am afraid that the Machi Khans will still be in trouble. "Wufeng analyzed slowly, "But the Machihan people must have thought of this, and now the attitude of the Sanjiang Lin family is very critical."
"Lin Guoxiong is so cunning and cunning, how can he not see this? Sir, I think he should have already had a countermeasure." Ling Tianfang said with a frown.
"It is definitely not in the interest of the Lin family to help the empire deal with the Machi Khanate, but if we refuse the empire's request, I am afraid it will also put the Lin family in an embarrassing situation. The fire lord is still difficult to control." Su Qin is also considering this. question.
"Don't worry, with Lin Guoxiong and Lin Yuexin in the Lin family, there will definitely be a way to deal with it." Xiao Tang valued the resourcefulness of the Lin family's father and daughter.
"Then let's wait and see what happens." Wu Feng concluded with a smile.
The capital of Sanjiang County of the empire is the Jiedushi Palace in Jiangchuan City. Lin Guoxiong, who was dressed in Confucian attire, and the secretly visiting diplomatic envoy Machi Khan raised their glasses at the same time, "Come and drink to our happy cooperation!"
"Cheers!" The envoy picked up the wine glass and drank it in one gulp.
"In five days, I will see the goods at Qixingguan. Mr. Special Envoy, it should be fine, right?" Lin Guoxiong narrowed his eyes and gently put down his wine glass.
"Please rest assured, Master Jiedushi. Thirty thousand horses are nothing to us Machikhan people. Being able to make friends with Master Lin is the biggest gain of this trip." A disgusting expression surged on the special envoy's face. fake smile.
Lin Guoxiong turned a blind eye and said, "That's good. I hope we can always cooperate happily."
"Lord Jiedushi, I would like to take the liberty to ask you, if the Central Committee of the Tanghe Empire asks you to send troops to support their army in the south, what are you going to do?" The special envoy mustered up the courage to ask, his eyes firmly fixed on the Confucian scholar in front of him. Pretending to be an old man's face.
"Send troops? Where can I find any available troops now? Tomorrow, the Guishan tribe in the south of Sanjiang County and the Niudang tribe in the west will break out in rebellion. My troops have already gone to suppress the rebellion, so how can I care about anything else? ? Do you think so, Mr. Special Envoy?" Lin Guoxiong rubbed his chin and asked with a smile and blinked his eyes.
"I understand." The special envoy showed a look of realization on his face, cursing in his heart that this old fox is really a thief.
When the special envoy disappeared from the door, Lin Yuexin emerged from the inner room and said, "Dad, is this the right thing for us to do?" A trace of worry appeared on Lin Yuexin's face.
With a long sigh, Lin Guoxiong seemed to have aged a few years, "There is no right or wrong. If our Lin family wants to survive in this world, this is the only way. If the empire wins, it will definitely threaten our survival. We cannot Tolerating the occurrence of this phenomenon, not to mention that we did not support the Machikhan people. Our Sanjiang County does not produce good horses, and the empire deliberately restricted it. This time we can obtain 30,000 horses from the Machikhan people, which can greatly strengthen the The combat effectiveness of the cavalry of the second legion can kill two birds with one stone, why not?"
"Oh, I'm afraid the empire will hate our Lin family even more deeply." Lin Yuexin sighed softly.
Looking out the window at the sky, Lin Guoxiong's voice also deepened: "We are not a family in the first place. Without this matter, water and fire are incompatible."