Chapter 1230: Walking Down a Path to Darkness

Tiemu Cheng is very strange.

"In the traditional culture of Longyan, this matter doesn't count for much... Besides, this Li Xuanya was long ago bestowed upon Liu Zheng by the Longyan Emperor; she was originally Liu Zheng's concubine, so whatever happens between the two of them is only natural."

Tiemu Cheng said indifferently.

"Does the Great Khan think that the Tanma Military Division would be unaware of such a thing?"

Zhongxing Yue asked.

Once Zhongxing Yue said this, Tiemu Cheng also began to ponder.

That's right, the intelligence-gathering capability of the Tanma Military Division is the best in the world; they can even obtain Liu Zheng's detailed itinerary, let alone this.

Why would Zhongxing Yue care so much about this matter? Could it be that there is truly some important detail here that he himself has overlooked?

"Great Khan, do you know why Longyan was able to defeat the Russian Army in Liaodong?"

Zhongxing Yue continued to ask.

"Of course, at the most intense moment of the war, the Li Dynasty navy launched a surprise attack on the Russian navy, which led to the collapse of the Russian Army."

Tiemu Cheng nodded and said.

"Great Khan, have you ever thought about why the Li Dynasty, a mere tiny place, dared to provoke Tsarist Russia? Even we are no match for Tsarist Russia, so what does the Li Dynasty rely on to dare?"

A flash of light passed through Zhongxing Yue's eyes.

Tiemu Cheng was startled and said: "This must be Liu Zheng's support!"

Zhongxing Yue nodded and said: "Great Khan, the current Li Xuanya is the Prime Minister of the Li Dynasty! With the two of them becoming even closer through this marriage, we will always be outsiders!"

"Military Advisor, the Li Dynasty is just a dog of Liu Zheng; this is something the whole world knows... What does this have to do with us? Longyan needs the Li Dynasty, and it also needs the Mongol. Military Advisor, you wouldn't be worried that after we surrender to Longyan, you will be retaliated against by Longyan, would you? Rest assured about this. You have made many contributions to our Mongol over these years, and the Tanma Military Division you established single-handedly has provided our Mongol with a great deal of precious intelligence. You are now a member of my tribe, and when the time comes, I will certainly protect you in front of the Longyan."

Tiemu Cheng said with solemn promises.

It seems he has made up his mind and wants to surrender to Longyan...

After all, dealing with the Longyan is much better than dealing with that pack of hungry wolves from Tsarist Russia.

Tiemu Cheng's words really struck a chord with Zhongxing Yue, but although Tiemu Cheng patted his chest to guarantee it, Zhongxing Yue did not believe him.

Surrender...

To put it bluntly, if Tiemu Cheng wants to surrender, he must have a "surrender certificate"!

It is only natural that he would send himself out as that surrender certificate!

He still understands the Mongol very well.

A selfish person like Zhongxing Yue will not trust anyone, especially now that Tiemu Cheng himself is barely able to protect his own life; he will not hand over his own safety to Tiemu Cheng.

"Great Khan, I really didn't expect that I have gone through fire and water for you, Great Khan, and for the Mongol, yet I cannot even exchange it for your trust." Zhongxing Yue shook his head and said with a bitter smile.

"Why does the Military Advisor say this?"

Tiemu Cheng frowned.

"Great Khan, do you think I am afraid of being retaliated against by the Longyan, which is why I won't let you surrender to Longyan? I, Zhongxing Yue, am a person without roots, a life of no value; if I die, I die, there is nothing to regret. What I care about is your great cause, Great Khan!"

Zhongxing Yue said with tears in his eyes.

"As for Liu Zheng, I presume you know him better than I do. He already gave you half of Liaodong, yet you still moved against Jinghua. Now, his heart must be filled with great hatred for you. Even if he chooses to forgive you to reduce unnecessary casualties, do you think he will still let you gallop freely on the Grassland?"

Zhongxing Yue asked.

Tiemu Cheng fell into deep thought as he listened to his words.

What Zhongxing Yue said also made sense.

After his invasion of Longyan this time, a crisis of trust had developed between him and Liu Zheng. Liu Zheng would certainly not let him develop freely on the Grassland. When that time comes, he might use some methods to control the Mongol. At that point, he might become a puppet.

If the Mongols are brought under control, by that time, I might just become a puppet.

He still did not want to start a large-scale war with Longyan...

The population of the people on the Grassland is not large to begin with.

If Longyan really finds the time one day, it would still be very easy for them to finish them off.

"Then what is the Military Advisor's meaning? Not surrendering to Liu Zheng and leaning towards Tsarist Russia would result in the same thing. In my view, Tsarist Russia is even more dangerous than Liu Zheng. Liu Zheng only wants us to submit, but Tsarist Russia wants to annex us!"

Tiemu Cheng has dealt with both Liu Zheng and Tsarist Russia for a long time, so he understands them quite well.

Although Liu Zheng is warlike, he is not cruel; Liu Zheng still values peace. But the Russians are different. Although the Russians are not as good as the Mongol during the time of Tuolei, they are still the type to pluck feathers from a passing goose, leaving nothing behind wherever they go.

He is actually still very resistant to leaning towards Tsarist Russia.

"Great Khan, were you truly leaning towards Longyan before?"

Zhongxing Yue asked with a cold laugh.

"Circumstances forced me to act; that was also a method with no other choice..."

Tiemu Cheng now feels very aggrieved.

It is difficult on both sides...

"Then the same applies to Tsarist Russia."

"Longyan and Tsarist Russia have fundamental differences. Longyan is a country that has already had thousands of years of unified history; they emphasize 'Great Unity under Heaven.' They will turn you into one of them through subtle influence. But Tsarist Russia is different. Tsarist Russia's expansion has only been a few decades. Their territory is vast and boundless, but their people are pitifully few. For places like ours, they will mostly allow us to govern ourselves, as long as we hand over some gold, silver, cattle, and sheep on time. Great Khan, if you lean towards Longyan, you are living under someone else's roof; if you lean towards Tsarist Russia, you are still the master of this Grassland. You must consider this point clearly!"

"Longyan and Tsarist Russia are fundamentally different. The country of Longyan has a history of unification spanning thousands of years; they advocate for universal harmony and will, through subtle influence, turn you into one of their own. But Tsarist Russia is different. Tsarist Russia has only been expanding for a mere few decades. Their territory is vast and boundless, yet their population is pitifully small. For places like ours, they will mostly allow us self-governance, as long as we hand over some gold, silver, cattle, and sheep on time. Great Khan, if you lean toward Longyan, you will be living under someone else's roof; if you lean toward Tsarist Russia, you will still be the master of this Grassland. You must consider this point clearly!"

Tiemu Cheng fell into deep thought; it was obvious he had been swayed by his Military Advisor.

Tsarist Russia actually needs them now too. The Northeast has been newly defeated, and the war in the Northwest has made no progress; they are already at a disadvantage in the war with Longyan.

They also need a force to contain Longyan in the middle. As long as the Mongol promises Tsarist Russia to help them fight against Longyan together, the Russians will give them autonomy.

At that time, he could develop in secret, and when the time is ripe, he could plot his great cause again!

However, although he had this idea, it was still difficult to make up his mind.

"Military Advisor, I understand what you are saying. A long-term plan does indeed require doing this, but what about the immediate situation? With Liu Zheng returning this time, he will absolutely not let my attack on Jinghua go easily. If we do not surrender, the only thing waiting for us is death," Tiemu Cheng said with concern.

"Great Khan, do not worry; we still have allies," Zhongxing Yue said with a smile.

"Great Khan, there is no need to worry; we still have allies," Zhongxing Yue said with a smile.

"An ally? Are you talking about Tsarist Russia? Tsarist Russia has also just suffered a crushing defeat; I fear they will not send troops to help us," Tiemu Cheng said, shaking his head.

"Not at all. The ally I am speaking of is not the Tsarist Russians, but the Longyan," Zhongxing Yue said with a chuckle.

"The Longyan!?"

Tiemu Cheng's eyes lit up. Pop-ups are severe recently, please click to download to avoid pop-ups.