Chapter 2065: Great Power Methods

Wang Xingyi immediately said: "From the standpoint, He Xiao opposes the Heavenly Demon and Between Between Between Beijia, and killed Miao Zhantian, so there is almost no possibility of reconciliation with the demons of Lingxu; this point is naturally close to us. From the situation, Between Between Between Beijia has always used the Yao Kingdom to secretly control the Shanjin Plain; if He Xiao can kill Bai Tan and destroy the Yao Kingdom, he can greatly reduce the Heavenly Demon's influence on Shanjin. Both these points are beneficial to our country."

"The National Preceptor Wang only speaks of benefits, not harms," Guo Shaoping said instead, "He Xiao calls himself the 'Dragon God Reincarnated', deceiving the world in Shanjin, stirring up a huge commotion. Once the Yao Kingdom falls, he will inevitably take the opportunity to establish a state; even if he still opposes Between Between Between Beijia, he will be hiding behind Damu. What benefit is that to us? It only adds a powerful neighbor."

Wang Xingyi found it amusing: "He just established a state and becomes a 'powerful neighbor'? Since when has our Damu been so conservative and afraid of the new? No one can easily enter that place Shanjin; if He Xiao doesn't occupy it, the Heavenly Demon will sooner or later find a way to prop up other forces there."

To speak more deeply, even if that place doesn't belong to He Xiao, it would be very difficult for it to become Mu Kingdom's.

"On the contrary, after He Xiao takes Shanjin, regardless of whether the territory he ultimately occupies is large or small, we can all exert influence on Shanjin through him, just as Miao Zhantian previously secretly controlled Shanjin through the Yao Kingdom."

Another minister said: "This He Xiao doesn't seem like an obedient one. The death of the Thousand Illusions Immortal Venerable still has many suspicious points to this day."

"The Thousand Illusions Immortal Venerable's second disciple, Liu Qingdao, has already verified He Xiao's testimony."

"Where is that Liu Qingdao?"

"Still in the Black Armor Army," Wang Xingyi said, "I also know Liu Qingdao; this Elder Liu, though gentle and harmonious, is loyal to his master's sect through and through. If He Xiao had any treacherous designs against the Thousand Illusions Immortal Venerable in the Upside-Down Sea, he would not have brought the Illusion Sect to join He Xiao. Furthermore—"

He turned to the Mu Emperor, with utmost respect: "Whether He Xiao can be made obedient depends on the Emperor's methods."

The Mu Emperor had been listening to their debate; only now did he sit up straight: "The Shanjin Plain has been in chaos for a thousand years; the emergence of a He Xiao is not necessarily a bad thing. Resisting Between Between Between Beijia and the Heavenly Demon should not only be Damu's effort. Shanjin is rich in resources; if He Xiao can stand firm, it will also benefit Damu."

Once he spoke, the ministers immediately assented.

The Mu Emperor took a document from the drawer and placed it on the table: "This is a letter the Between Between Between Beijia Demon Emperor wrote to me, just received this morning. He has relented, saying the ownership of the four strategic locations of Su Kui Fort can be properly negotiated; both sides take a step back, each showing some sincerity."

The Mu Kingdom and Between Between Between Beijia do not directly border each other; their war unfolds around two small countries caught in the conflict. The four locations of Su Kui Fort are strategic strongholds; for the sake of contending for them, these four countries have all expended energy and lives. To cede these four pieces of land would be equivalent to Between Between Between Beijia itself retreating a major step.

Hearing this, everyone was somewhat moved.

"But at the same time, Between Between Between Beijia has just launched a new round of major war. News from the front: Between Between Between Beijia's famous general Baili Hongsheng has just led thirty thousand troops into the western front."

Wang Xingyi said coldly: "Truly Between Between Between Beijia's consistent style."

Wanting to negotiate, one must first strike ruthlessly, to gain more chips at the negotiating table, and simultaneously pressure the enemy, making Mu Kingdom more eager to nod in agreement.

He then asked: "At this critical juncture, the Demon Emperor suddenly relents; could it also be for the sake of Shanjin?"

"Correct, wanting us to ignore Ya Kingdom's moves." The Mu Emperor took the letter and casually recited a line: "'For the sake of the overall situation, the Shanjin dispute, we should not intervene.'"

Wang Xingyi found it amusing: "Between Between Between Beijia has reached into the Shanjin Plain to meddle for years, and still hasn't pulled out, yet says we 'should not intervene'?"

"The letter also suggests exchanging prisoners."

The smiles on the ministers' faces all vanished.

This sentence from the Demon Emperor is also pregnant with meaning.

The two countries have fought this long; naturally both hold prisoners, from soldiers to officials. Four months ago, Mu Kingdom General Xun Shiheng was ambushed while on a mission and unfortunately captured.

This man is the descendant of the famous general Xun Zhongen; the Xun family is also renowned in Mu Kingdom, with some serving as officials in court and some as leading generals.

If the two countries exchange prisoners, there is a chance to rescue Xun Shiheng back.

The Mu Emperor casually placed the two letters together.

One from the Between Between Between Beijia Demon Emperor, one from He Xiao.

Hmph, these two sides coincidentally wrote to the Mu Emperor, each putting forward conditions.

If we agree to the Between Between Between Beijia Demon Emperor, the frontline war situation becomes clear; not only do we recover strategic strongholds, we can also save many officers and soldiers;

If we help He Xiao resolve the Ya Kingdom threat, it is almost severing the demonic claws Between Between Between Beijia and the Heavenly Demon stretch toward Shanjin, and extending a helping hand in He Xiao's hour of peril. This favor, He Xiao must also remember.

Whichever side we agree to, both have their pros and cons.

The Mu Emperor's gaze was deep and inscrutable.

At this time, even Wang Xingyi dared not make a sound, fearing to disturb the Emperor's train of thought.

The Mu Emperor's gaze rested on that box of Punishment Dragon Pillars for a long time without moving away.

Although both overtly and covertly are transactions, the conditions the Between Between Between Beijia Demon Emperor put to the Mu Emperor are tangible conditions, that is, interest exchange;

He Xiao, however, sent eight hundred Punishment Dragon Pillars first; regardless of whether the Mu Emperor agrees or not, he could never take these gifts back.

Therefore, He Xiao's sincerity arrived first.

This is the attitude of one who has a request of others.

After a long while, the Mu Emperor finally tapped lightly twice on He Xiao's letter: "Have Ji YingSong lead fifty thousand, no, seventy thousand troops, station them at the Ya Kingdom border!"

This was the decision to help He Xiao.

The ministers immediately said: "The Emperor's grace and righteousness; we also hope He Xiao can understand."

"But a young man is arrogant; without a few knocks, he won't know the height of heaven and thickness of earth." The Mu Emperor looked at He Lingchuan's personal letter, and said to Guo Shaoping, "You think of a way."

"Yes!" As Chief Minister, Guo Shaoping not only acted on his behalf to administer state affairs, but also often had to deal with the Mu Emperor's sudden whims; not only was his mind transparent, his reactions were also faster than others'.

He pondered slightly, then said: "I have a method, justifiable on moral grounds."

Then he asked those around: "Where is Lu Qinglin right now?"

Someone quickly replied: "In Pang'an County. He went to garrison outside two months ago and has not yet rotated back to the country."

Lu Qinglin is currently not in Mu Kingdom, but in the southern region.

"Perfect!" Guo Shaoping immediately presented a plan, explaining it clearly in a few words.

Even Wang Xingyi felt this move of removing the firewood from under the cauldron was a bit ruthless, but should be effective.

The ministers were moved, all praising it as brilliant.

The Mu Emperor expressed neither agreement nor disagreement, only saying: "You go handle it."

Guo Shaoping immediately assented.

After the court session ended, the ministers withdrew from the Imperial Study.

Wang Xingyi left on his own first; two other ministers surrounded Guo Shaoping, praising continuously: "The Chief Minister's methods, this old minister admires! He should also teach that newborn calf He Xiao a good lesson, let him see and learn what is called a great power's methods!"

Guo Shaoping stroked his beard and smiled, also feeling two parts self-satisfied in his heart.

Only offering eight hundred Punishment Dragon Pillars as chips, yet wanting Damu to send troops to resolve his own mortal peril; He Xiao is still too stingy.

So Mu Kingdom must act on its own, to seize more chips.