Chapter 690: Important Matters

"Lord Sato, you must think of a way to save me, to save Qi."

The lamps flickered; in the Imperial Study, Han Zheng pleaded bitterly.

To him, perhaps the only thing that could save Qi right now was Dongying.

After all, Dongying was just as powerful as the Northern Di and was a mortal enemy of Yan Wang.

Otherwise, once Yan Wang learned that the Southern Liang troops had withdrawn, he would surely launch an attack on Lu City immediately.

By then, it would be hard to guarantee whether the Xie Family, the Liang Family, and the Fan Family would fight to the death against Yan Wang for the sake of Qi.

Sato Masahisa chose silence.

It was not just Han Zheng; the fact that Southern Liang had struck camp and retreated also shocked him.

The Dongying Navy had been annihilated by the Yan King Fleet, and he was heartbroken.

He had counted on the Anti-Yan Coalition to work together to fight Yan Wang; even if they could not eliminate Yan Wang, they would at least leave him severely weakened, avenging the destruction of the Dongying Navy.

But he had not expected that just as the great battle was on the verge of breaking out, such a blunder would occur.

"Trash, a bunch of trash," Sato Masahisa cursed in his heart.

His Dongying had spent vast amounts of manpower and resources to contain Yan Wang, even going so far as to hand over the flintlock forging technology to facilitate the Anti-Yan Coalition, yet it had all fallen short because of Southern Liang.

How could he not be angry? How could he not hate?

Looking at Han Zheng, he wished he could draw his blade and cut him in two.

Save him? How could he still save him?

With the Dongying Navy wiped out, Dongying could only rely on merchant ships to sneak back and forth to the Great Song; what else could he use to save him?

Yet, as the Dongying Envoy, he could not handle this matter based solely on his own likes and dislikes.

He had to ensure Dongying obtained the greatest benefit.

So he sighed heavily and continued to incite him, "With the Dongying Navy destroyed, even if Dongying had a million-strong army, it could not be transported to Qi; I fear that for now, you can only rely on yourselves."

He paused, then continued: "However, Your Majesty, rest assured; even if Qi is defeated, Dongying can still provide Your Majesty with a peaceful remaining life."

He was giving Han Zheng a sense of security.

What Han Zheng feared most was nothing more than the fall of Qi and falling into the hands of Yan Wang, in which case he would have no way out.

And by giving Han Zheng a retreat, perhaps Han Zheng could summon the courage to fight Yan Wang.

After all, even if defeated, his Han Family descendants could at least continue to enjoy wealth and honor in Dongying.

If Han Zheng could trust him, he could continue to stir up internal chaos in the Great Song, keep the Great Song bleeding, and simultaneously weaken Yan Wang.

He did not wish to see the Anti-Yan Alliance, which Dongying had worked so hard to facilitate, fall apart just like that.

Even if it could not be salvaged, he at least had to make the remaining powerful clans fight a battle against Yan Wang.

Even if Yan Wang eventually seized Qizhou, he must be made to pay a price.

Only then would he feel comfortable.

Upon hearing this, Han Zheng felt his hands and feet turn cold.

For Sato Masahisa to say this was equivalent to saying there was no way at all.

In fact, he had probably guessed as much.

Dongying was currently powerless, but he had only been able to cling to a sliver of hope in coming to seek help from Sato Masahisa.

Now, he had completely given up.

He was not the least bit interested in the retreat Sato Masahisa had left for him.

Dongying's cooperation with him relied on his status and strength in Qi.

If Qi fell, even if he fled to Dongying, the Eastern Japanese might treat him well for a short time, but what about in the long run?

Thinking of this, he suddenly lost interest.

Raising his hand, he was about to tell Sato Masahisa to return.

At this moment, a eunuch arrived outside the Imperial Study.

Han Zheng asked, "What is it now?"

The eunuch bowed to Han Zheng and said, "Your Majesty, there are three Eastern Japanese at the east gate of Lu City; they seem to be severely wounded. They wish to see Lord Sato, saying they have an important matter to discuss."

Han Zheng glanced at Sato Masahisa and said, "Bring them to the Imperial Study."

Sato Masahisa's eyes narrowed slightly.

If it were before, Han Zheng would certainly have avoided this matter, but today he seemed intent on hearing this "important matter."

Clearly, Han Zheng's attitude toward Dongying had changed.

He was mentally prepared for this; after all, as long as Yan Wang's fleet could not be defeated, Dongying would no longer be of much use to Qi.

When it came down to it, Dongying and Qi were merely taking what they needed from each other.

Before long, the three Eastern Japanese were brought to the Imperial Study by a pair of Imperial Guards.

Following orders from the Shogunate, they had hidden in a merchant ship and snuck into Qizhou under the cover of night.

During the day, they dared not approach the coast, as the warships of Yanzhou were constantly patrolling.

Seeing Sato Masahisa, one of them was about to speak, but suddenly seeing Han Zheng, he could not help but swallow the words that had just reached his lips, instead taking a letter from his bosom.

A smile appeared at the corner of Sato Masahisa's mouth; Han Zheng's plan to pry into the "important matter" had fallen through.

Han Zheng did not try to snatch it.

Although he no longer valued Dongying as much as he once did, he was not yet at the point of snatching a letter from Sato Masahisa; perhaps there would still be a use for Dongying in the future.

Sato Masahisa read the letter once, and his eyes suddenly grew more excited; he muttered, "As expected of the Great General; if this matter can be accomplished, Dongying will be safe, and Yan Wang will be trapped within the Great Song."

Turning to Han Zheng, he said, "Your Majesty, there is a way."

"There is a way?" Han Zheng was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed.

With a fawning smile returning to his face, he asked, "What way?"

Sato Masahisa handed the letter to Han Zheng.

Han Zheng scanned it quickly; although the Dongying characters differed somewhat from the Great Song script, he could generally understand the literal content.

Having understood this so-called "important matter," his face fell, "This is clearly a good thing for the Liang Family, what does it have to do with my Qi?"

"Does Your Majesty have a better choice?" Sato Masahisa's gaze was piercing.

Han Zheng choked, his expression immediately turning dejected.

Sato Masahisa patted Han Zheng on the shoulder and continued, "If this matter can be accomplished, with the support of my Dongying, Your Majesty will not be wronged; in the future, it will merely be a change of title and location."

Han Zheng's expression was one of struggle; just as Sato Masahisa had said, he truly seemed to have no other choice.

If Qi were to fall, his Han Family would become stray dogs.

But if Dongying could truly facilitate the "important matter" in the letter, his Han Family might still have a glimmer of survival.

"But will the Liang Family agree?" Han Zheng asked hesitantly.

"They cannot refuse; Yan Wang has captured Qizhou and Ningzhou, and his next step is to destroy their Wu. If this matter succeeds, it will be greatly beneficial to their Wu," Sato Masahisa said with absolute confidence.

He then added: "It will just take some time to facilitate this matter. Although Southern Liang has left, you must absolutely not flee at the first sign of trouble, otherwise, it will ruin the grand plan."

Han Zheng nodded slowly, "Lord Sato need not say it; how could my Han Family hand over the territory of Qi to Yan Wang? Even if that traitor Southern Liang withdraws, I am determined to fight Yan Wang."

After pondering for a moment, he said: "It is hard to say whether the Liang Family and the Fan Family will stay, but I should be able to persuade the Xie Family's troops to remain. Hmph, if my Qi is defeated, the Xie Family will be next; Xie Duan cannot be anything but anxious."

Sato Masahisa revealed a satisfied smile and said: "That is excellent; from here on, I shall rely on your two families."