Chapter 711: First Volume_Chapter 711: Double the Expansion

First Volume_Chapter 711: Double the Expansion

Failing to discern one's own stance is the common failing of the vast majority of military generals.

Qin Feng, restraining his temper, spoke with earnest gravity: "Why do the two of you consider yourselves members of the Hawk Faction? Is it merely because you have fought on the Battlefield and resolutely engaged the Northern Di?"

"No. Whether one belongs to the Hawk Faction or the Dove Faction has nothing to do with having fought on the Battlefield, nor with being a military general or a civil Official."

"The Radical Faction is not necessarily the Hawk Faction, but anyone who belongs to the Hawk Faction is bound to be a member of the Radical Faction."

"The two of you, though you have fought bloody battles and shown no mercy when intercepting the enemy, are absolutely not members of the Radical Faction."

"On the contrary, you are very rational and prioritize the greater good. Therefore, you are not only not members of the Hawk Faction, but rather belong to the Dove Faction."

"Using the mindset of the Dove Faction to understand the Hawk Faction is clearly inappropriate."

"The Officials of the Northern Di led by Lü Li are the true Hawk Faction in the real sense!"

"What do you think—are Han Yu and Chen Si members of the Hawk Faction or the Dove Faction?"

The two men exchanged glances, momentarily at a loss for an answer.

Qin Feng did not press them, allowing the two to sort out their thoughts.

After a moment, Zhao Yuxiong ventured tentatively: "The Dove Faction?"

"After all, Han Yu and Chen Si are quite rational and conduct themselves strictly by the rules…"

Before Zhao Yuxiong could finish, Qin Feng had already waved his hand to cut him off: "No, quite the opposite—these two are also die-hard members of the Hawk Faction!"

At these words, both Zhao Yuxiong and Ning Hu wore bewildered looks, thoroughly confused.

Qin Feng did not blame Zhao Yuxiong and Ning Hu for failing to discern Han Yu and Chen Si's stance.

After all, they were Professional Soldiers, skilled only in military matters, with very little exposure to politics, and thus lacking political instinct.

But Qin Feng was different. Qin Feng and Chen Si had long been old adversaries, and now that he was presiding over the State Peace Talks, they had been clashing at every turn.

As the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.

Though Han Yu was indeed a civil Official, seemingly well-read and courteous, strictly observing the rules, in reality, when faced with Lü Li's radical proposals, Han Yu had never once objected.

On the contrary, Han Yu had consistently given his strongest support!

Without the support of Vice Envoy Han Yu, Lü Li's negotiation strategy could not have been issued so smoothly.

At the Negotiation Table, Han Yu also did his utmost to coordinate with Lü Li.

As for Chen Si, during the National War, Chen Si was able to override all dissenting opinions and lead the great army straight into Shedynasty's territory.

Such a reckless gamble clearly shows that Chen Si is a member of the Radical Faction.

If one insists on making a distinction, Chen Si and Han Yu were merely somewhat more rational compared to Lü Li.

Qin Feng stopped walking, looked at Ning Hu and Zhao Yuxiong, who seemed half to understand, and said: "What do you think—are my father and I members of the Dove Faction or the Hawk Faction?"

Zhao Yuxiong frowned tightly, pondered for a moment, and said softly: "The Hawk Faction."

The corners of Qin Feng's mouth lifted slightly: "Only half right."

"I am a member of the Hawk Faction; my father is a member of the Dove Faction."

"Don't be fooled by the fact that during the National War, my father was an unwavering Pro-War Faction advocate. Going to war was the result of his careful deliberation, not an impulsive act."

"Compared to my father's careful scheming, I prefer to gamble!"

"Gambling is not my exclusive privilege. Since I can gamble, then naturally others can gamble too."

"Therefore, the Hawk Faction of the Northern Di will inevitably go all in, scheming to eliminate me."

"If the entire Shedynasty swallows this Hatred and values peace above all, then the Northern Di has won its gamble."

"If only our Northern Border sends troops, while the Sage watches coldly from the sidelines, reaping the benefits of the fisherman's gain, using this opportunity to weaken the Northern Border's strength—"

"The Northern Di still wins."

"Only when the Northern Border and the Sage stand united, acting together against the Northern Di, can we inflict a heavy blow upon them and make them lose this great gamble."

"Of the three possibilities, two are extremely favorable to the Northern Di. Tell me—will the Northern Di gamble or not?"

Hearing Qin Feng's explanation, Zhao Yuxiong and Ning Hu finally saw the light.

At first glance, Qin Feng already held an absolute advantage, but upon peeling back the layers, they discovered that both sides still held winning moves, and in the end, who would prevail was still uncertain!

Seeing the two men fall silent, Qin Feng did not waste words and got straight to the point: "Yuxiong, return to Tianji Camp immediately and begin Preparation for the diplomatic mission."

"The accompanying ministers need not be included—this visit to the Northern Di, I alone will suffice."

"But the accompanying troops must be elite, and then elite again."

"I want to make the Northern Di understand: if they wish to kill me, they must mobilize a massive force. Wanting to risk little for a big win? They'd better give up that notion!"

Zhao Yuxiong's expression had already grown exceedingly solemn, and he gave a heavy nod.

"Brother Qin, how many men should be prepared?"

Qin Feng pondered for a moment, and shortly after, the plan had already taken shape in his mind.

"Do not touch the troops in Jingdu. Stay in Jingdu and continue to hold down Tianji Camp, to prevent anyone from attempting to cut off the firewood from beneath the cauldron after I leave Jingdu."

"The troops in Jingdu concern the lives of my father, Second Sister, Third Sister, and countless others."

"You will draft a letter directly, drawing troops from Beixi County. Oh, right—draw a small number of Elite Troops from the Tianji Camp Guards and the Jinyi Anwu Guard."

Zhao Yuxiong cupped his fist: "I'll see to it at once!"

Watching Zhao Yuxiong depart, Qin Feng let out a soft breath and turned to look at Ning Hu.

"Ning Hu, go contact Liu Ming immediately and have him order the Jinyi Guard messengers to issue orders to the Northern Border."

"The Beixi County Soldiers are to officially begin expansion!"

"The Tianji Camp Guards and the Jinyi Anwu Guard are to be fully expanded to three thousand men. As for how much the Jinyi intelligence personnel and messengers need to be expanded, let Mo Li decide for himself."

"The Black Cavalry and Beixi Light Cavalry are to be expanded by double on the existing foundation."

"The Infantry are to be divided into two Strong Brigades. Heavy Armor Infantry are to be expanded to ten thousand men, and Light Armor Infantry to thirty thousand men!"

"These figures do not include the Beixi garrison troops."

"Given the continuous expansion of Beixi County, at least eight thousand garrison troops are needed to fulfill its defense duties."

"These eight thousand garrison troops must all be trained to the standard of heavy armor infantry; during peacetime they defend the city, but if battle turns fierce, they may be deployed at once for external support."

"By the way, notify the Ming Prince—he must issue the military order for the Three Great Generals of the North Border to restore their strength to pre-war levels."

Hearing Qin Feng's string of orders, Ning Hu was secretly astonished.

Almost doubling the entire Beixi County military force, Qin Feng was not satisfied with the current combat effectiveness—he intended to forge the Beixi County troops into a true expeditionary army.

Capable of launching a sudden thrust northward, striking straight at the Di royal court!

The Three Great Generals of the North Border, though nominally still obeying the Ming Prince's commands, had in reality become intertwined with Beixi County, each within the other.

Leaving aside distant matters, even in grain and forage and military expenditure, the three great generals must rely on Beixi County.

Restoring the pre-war organization meant Qin Feng intended to use these three great generals to guard the Northern Border, preventing any hostile forces from within the nation's borders.

Qin Feng… he was determined to focus entirely on confronting external powers!