The expectant gazes of the generals were like invisible pressure wrapping around Wu Feng layer by layer, making him feel even heavier. To be honest, he really didn't want to be entangled here anymore. Regardless of whether his strength allowed it or not, whether it was to go north to regain Jiama and Fanlin or to help the Jerok people to hold Merington, he was unwilling to do so. After all, this was It will restrain too much of his energy and troops. The place that haunts him in his dreams is the east. The prosperous and fertile Central Plains in the east is his dream goal.
Thinking of this, Wu Feng couldn't help but recall the conversation he had with Ling Tianfang when he met him for the first time. Although the northwest is a vast land with sparsely populated people, it belongs to the edge of several major regions and has always been a land of hundreds of thousands of people. It is easy to gain a foothold in the battlefield, but if you want to develop and expand here, you will be restricted in all aspects. There are enemies on all sides. They may take you lightly before you reveal your strength, but once they find that you are a threat to them, they will spare no effort to strangle you. Fortunately, I have survived. This level. Weak economic strength is also the weakness of the northwest. The growth of economic strength takes time. This cannot be achieved overnight. Unfortunately, the empire is undergoing a huge change. There is not much time left. I really cannot wait until the northwest economy develops to fully meet the needs of my expansion. one day.
The lights flickered, reflecting the figures of Wu Feng and the generals. The generals all knew that everyone's opinions had moved the coach's heart, but the final decision was still in the hands of the coach. As a soldier and politician, Wu Feng needed to consider It is not just a military initiative and need. Once the political initiative and popular support are lost, this may be a trade that outweighs the gains and losses.
Slowly sitting back in the handsome chair, Wu Feng shook his head slightly, obviously having made up his mind, "The time is not yet ripe at this time. It is easy to occupy Merington and Nanjie Locke at the moment, but if you want to completely conquer Jie Locke, The public's support will be unparalleled. We cannot be so short-sighted. Things like this can never be kept secret. Once they are made public, the image we have worked so hard to build will be destroyed. I decided to give up this plan."
"Sir! -" The impatient Kang Jianguo couldn't help shouting, while others such as Sha Lang and Qi Bolin were hesitant to speak. Only Cui Wenxiu and Song Tianxiong lowered their heads and did not express their stance.
"Needless to say, I've made up my mind. We don't have the ability to go north and it's impossible, but garrisoning troops in Merrington City is necessary, and the Jerok people must show their sincerity, otherwise I would rather give up here." Wu Feng's face looked so clear under the light, and every change in his expression was seen by the generals.
"Jerok must be mine, and it can only be mine. No one can take it away, neither the Kamans nor the guys who are staying in Merington City now." At this point, Wu Feng showed his face and grinned. , The white teeth looked so dazzling under the light, and the smile on his face was so bright, which formed a strong contrast with the tone of his words.
When the generals heard what Wu Feng said, they all knew that Wu Feng had made up his mind, so they stopped talking and straightened their bodies to salute to show their compliance with the order.
"Okay, Berlin, tomorrow you go to negotiate with Lanmon and Barrins, tell them that I am not feeling well and will not participate. There is only one sentence, if Merrington can defend by his own ability, we will leave. If not, Just ask them to let us share the burden for Archduke Allen.”
"I obey your order." Zeppelin straightened his waist, his face flashing with excitement, "But, sir, if the number of troops in the garrison is higher -"
"Humph, they don't want us to garrison too many troops, right? I don't have that many troops. It's limited to one division. They will bear the military expenses. In addition, please convey my message. This time our army's reinforcements to Jerok will cause huge damage and cost. They're not young either. They are sensible people and should understand what we mean." Wu Feng stretched his body lazily, stood up, and said with a smile on his face, "Okay, everyone has worked hard during this time, too. It’s time to relax and enjoy yourself. Well, Duke Lanmont is really a smart man. He sent thirty dancers to comfort the army. Each of you can take a few back, and also take them back to your deputies. You don’t need to remind me about the duty issue. .”
"Hehe" "hehe" "haha" bursts of men's unique laughter sounded tacitly in the big tent, "Don't worry, sir -", the whole big tent laughed again and again, and the guards outside the tent also felt a scalp. It felt numb, as if I had walked into some special place.
"Master Qin, please!"
"Master Cui, please!" Qin Feng looked at the affectionate mature man in front of him with some flattery. If he hadn't reported his family name, he would never have thought that the Northwest King's top military general would come to visit him in person. .
The mansion where Qin Feng lives is a medium-sized house, not too big or too small. The location is also moderate. After returning from the defeat, he is living as a guest again. Such conditions are barely acceptable. Of course, with the gift given by Archduke Allen to Wu Feng and his generals, The mansion is incomparable.
"Master Qin has been in Jeroke for some time, right?" The mature man was naturally Cui Wenxiu. He took a sip of hot tea and asked casually.
Sighing with a wry smile, Qin Feng replied with some emotion: "Well, it's been almost a year. Ever since the Kaman people started to launch an offensive in Jerok, two divisions of our Third Army were ordered to garrison. In the southern part of Jieluoke, two divisions from the Northeastern North Military Region also came in to help defend Fanlin. Later, the Taiping cultists started revolts in Beiyuan and Yanyun, and the Pu people also frequently provoked conflicts on the northern border. The situation in the north In a pinch, I pulled back the two divisions of the Northern Military Region, and the third division of the Third Army was drawn to Fanlin. Only my second division was left to struggle here with the Jerok people. Mr. Cui also knows what happened next. The Kamans broke through with heavy troops, but we couldn't withstand it and were defeated. If you hadn't come to help, I'm afraid we would have turned into corpses in Merington like the Jerok people."
"Lord Qin, you are serious. You and I are both members of the imperial family. Although we are not affiliated with each other, we are all considered outsiders in Jeroke. We should work together and support each other." Cui Wenxiu rolled his eyes. , comforted with a smile, "The fighting power of the Kaman people is by no means unworthy of their reputation. We were able to repel the Kaman people this time because they had problems in their own country. Otherwise, it is hard to say who will win. Our three on the southern front I heard that the division also suffered a lot of losses, exceeding the losses of our Northwest Army over the years."
Qin Feng felt comfortable in his heart. Although he knew that the other party was trying to comfort him, he did not think that his troops were inferior. The reason for the defeat was that the disparity in combat effectiveness was too great. It was not a fault of the battle. Of course, the other party could defeat Kaman. People do not rely solely on external objective factors as the other party just said. Troops without strength can never achieve victory on the battlefield.
"Mr. Cui is so humble. The achievements of the Northwest Army in the past few years are not false. From the Luobi people to the Luzon people, and now to the Kaman people, these are all achieved with real guns and live ammunition. Yes, although I am not talented, I also know that this war cannot be fought just by talking." Qin Feng shook his head and said, he still didn't know the purpose of the other party's visit, but the fact that the other party was able to visit in person has already made him happy. He was very grateful. After all, he was in dire straits, and even the Jerok people didn't think highly of him now. An upstart like the other party was the target of the Jerok people's fawning, but he came to visit him at this time. No matter how he said it, he looked down upon him. Own.
"Haha, let's not talk about this matter. My Lord Li was originally going to visit Lord Qin in person, but after receiving an emergency battle report last night, he had already left Merrington early this morning." Cui Wenxiu quietly dropped the topic. return.
"Oh? Emergency battle report?" Qin Feng's heart trembled. Li Wufeng's sudden departure at this moment must not be a small matter.
After thinking about it for a moment, Cui Wenxiu muttered: "Brother Qin is not an outsider, and I am not dissatisfied with you. The battle report came from the south. Lulong Mansion was attacked by the Taiping Cult the day before yesterday."
"Ah?! Lulong was lost?" Qin Feng couldn't help being surprised. He knew what the loss of Lulong meant. Merrington was now surrounded by enemies on three sides, with only the tiger's mouth bordering the west and northwest.
"Well, Mr. Li is very anxious and has already traveled south all night. Before leaving, we asked my younger brother to come and visit Brother Qin." Cui Wenxiu said every word with his hawk-like eyes firmly fixed on the other person's face.
This short sentence was like a branding iron on Qin Feng's heart, making Qin Feng shrink all over. Although he didn't know the true meaning behind the other party's words, there must be a profound meaning behind what the other party said.
"Brother Cui, you and I are both sensible people. Why don't you open the skylight and speak openly so that your brother can understand something." After calming down, Qin Feng asked calmly while thinking rapidly in his mind.
"Haha, what are Brother Qin's plans now?" Cui Wenxiu did not answer the other party's question directly, but asked about the other party's current plans.
He was startled for a moment, his face slowly dimmed, Qin Feng sighed with some lack of interest and said: "Plan? What other plans can there be? A defeated general, living in a foreign place, living under someone else's roof, with no home to return to, what else can he do? Let's go." Let’s take it one step at a time.”
Cui Wenxiu smiled calmly and nodded slightly: "Brother Qin is too pessimistic, isn't he? But is Brother Qin ready to wait like this forever?"
"What if I don't wait like this? Don't tell lies in front of a real person, Brother Cui. Now the road to the Central Plains is blocked by the Taiping Religion. The empire is now in danger. How will the situation change in the future? Who can say clearly? "Qin Feng has slowly figured out the other party's intention. Although it is not completely clear, it must be related to Merrington, who is currently stationed in his army. He is not in a hurry and waits for the other party to clarify.