Chapter 2207: Take It or Not Take It

"No unusual activity." It has only been seven days since the death of the King of Xiluo.

"This is consistent with Beijia's usual style." Zhao Xianhe spoke, "It will first observe, wait for these powers to fight several rounds, determine a few warlords, and then Beijia will decide which one or which few to support, thus prolonging the war, perhaps allowing it to continue for several more years, contributing more demonic energy to the Heavenly Demon."

Beijia's method of sowing discord and creating chaos is highly proficient, and there is no need for it to intervene personally.

Now, with the frequent emergence of Imperial Flowing Glaze, the Heavenly Demon is enraged. The violent death of the Xiluo King actually helps Beijia fulfill its demonic energy task.

From this perspective, "Perhaps the death of the Xiluo King was also orchestrated by Beijia; after all, he was of no use anyway."

Beijia originally supported him to power in order to use Xiluo's homeland name to cause trouble for Panlongcheng, but this Xiluo King turned out to be worse than his father, never able to effectively deploy troops against Panlongcheng, instead consuming considerable Beijia resources and manpower, and even exposing two corruption cases.

On the Spirit Void Wang Ting, this strategy is often criticized as a waste of resources.

In that case, Beijia might as well eliminate him, create some turmoil, and contribute more demonic energy to the Heavenly Demon.

This could also be considered making use of waste.

Zhong Shengguang shook his head, pointing to the file on the table: "Palace attendants have identified that the sleeping aid given to the Xiluo King by his favored concubine came from a Panlongcheng merchant. Therefore, there are rumors in Ducheng that the mastermind behind the Xiluo King's death is us."

General Nankě boldly said: "Such rumors are unimportant. Zhong my lord, the Xiluo state has fallen, and that land is now ownerless!"

The Xiluo state has already been destroyed, and there are no victims left—who would care who the true culprit is?

Likewise, Panlongcheng will not care about such accusations from the weak, nor will it be influenced by them.

Everyone's attention is focused on the latter half of General Nankě's statement.

Yes, the territory of Xiluo has already become "something all under heaven contend for."

Previously, Panlongcheng did not attack Xiluo because it was once the "motherland," the homeland of countless Panlongcheng people.

Now that this layer no longer exists, what reason does Panlongcheng have not to act?

Wendaolun also spoke: "Last summer, a white silver ore vein was discovered within Xiluo territory; the Xiluo King at the time became arrogant and offered high prices to neighboring states. Now, with political turmoil, the value of this ore vein has become even more prominent."

These past two years, who does not know the great role of special-property weapons on the battlefield? And white steel is an important material for forging such weapons.

Although white silver is not the primary material for forging special-property weapons, it is an indispensable metallic auxiliary in the synthesis of silver-manganese and white steel,

Panlongcheng's territory has expanded repeatedly in recent years, but the production of raw materials for special-property weapons remains low, requiring overseas purchases. Lingzong has always held this over Panlongcheng.

If we can seize the white ore vein within Xiluo territory, Panlong territory's smelting methods will become more flexible, and military supplies will be more abundant.

This is a very important strategic consideration.

He Lingchuan listened silently.

The future Shen State also includes Xiluo territory, so this white silver ore vein naturally lies within Shen State's borders. He Yue once told him that this ore vein has abundant reserves, having been mined for nearly a century without exhaustion, and in the past was one of Yao State's important economic sources.

Several commanders also shouted in unison: "My lord, public sentiment is high, the people all hope to reclaim their homeland—this is a rare opportunity!"

"Yes, everyone is discussing it, hoping the Panlong army will march eastward and seize the former Xiluo lands!"

For many years, the Panlong Wasteland has been Xiluo territory. They would casually issue edicts scolding and shouting; now we have the chance to turn the tables and make Xiluo part of Panlongcheng's territory!

Just thinking about it makes both soldiers and commoners feel exhilarated.

This raising of eyebrows and exhaling of breath, this turning of feng shui wheels—phew, phew, phew!

With the people willing to fight and popular support, Panlongcheng's military action is naturally justified.

Dean Shishichu of the Shu Min Academy, however, said: "Xiluo state has not changed long, and Beijia is not in a hurry to act—why don't we wait for it to settle?"

General Nankě disagreed: "What meaning is there in waiting further?"

"It is rare that Panlongcheng has not fought for several years, the economy is flourishing, and the people are gradually prospering. With the frequent emergence of Imperial Flowing Glaze, it is best to focus on development and not lightly provoke war." Shishichu said, "The outside world is complex and chaotic; Panlong should still prioritize 'internal stability.'"

He Lingchuan glanced at Shishichu.

The dean rarely speaks up in such military meetings; today he seems somewhat unusual.

Is there some hidden matter here?

Therefore, He Lingchuan also refrains from expressing a stance.

Seeing his silence, including the door panel, seven or eight senior generals also restrained their thoughts and remained silent.

"At a time when heaven and earth's spiritual energy is surging, we have all the more need to expand our territory. More land, more people, means more spiritual energy, more production, more wealth!" General Nankě argued, "Why are we able to develop so well now? Is it not because we seized the Mao River Plain and gained much territory? If we had merely clung to the Panlong Wasteland as before, how could we have today's prosperity?"

This statement received nods of agreement from many.

Panlongcheng's steady rise indeed began with their eastward conquest of Jin State and securing the Mao River Plain.

The Mao River Plain is not only fertile but also leads to the seashore, making Panlongcheng's foreign connections suddenly rich and colorful.

Likewise, Xiluo also has other seaports, also connecting to other countries,

"If Panlongcheng were to seize Xiluo, its territory would nearly double, allowing it to rival a great state." General Nankě continued, "Moreover, Xiluo's land has always been superior to the Panlong Wasteland."

Xiluo's terrain consists mainly of plains and small hills, with only one-third mountainous—how could it not be stronger than the original Panlong Wasteland? If not for years of war, Xiluo would not have fallen to a state of national weakness and popular famine.

Shishichu stepped forward, not yielding: "At the beginning of Xiluo's change, if we rush in now, we do not know how long the fight will last. War is a mire; everyone present should feel this deeply. If we truly wish to fight, why not wait until the situation on Xiluo's front becomes clear, then act—it would not be too late."

He did not wait for General Nankě to speak, but continued:

"Do not forget that Xiluo's eastern border abuts Beijia—will it sit idly by while we comfortably and smoothly take Xiluo?"

No one responded, but everyone knows the answer is no.

The grudge between these two sides has long been deep-rooted.

"It will surely seize this opportunity to drag Panlongcheng back into the vortex of war, preventing us from developing properly. If we rush now, we fear we might fall into a trap they have prepared."

Zhao Xianhe was about to speak when Zhong Shengguang raised his hand.

The hall suddenly fell silent, all waiting for the leader's words.

"I know you are all fervent, since Xiluo is already ownerless, anyone can take it—why should it not be Panlongcheng?"

The generals nodded in unison—this is exactly the reasoning.