Munitions Empire-Chapter 1035 - 957 take the general trend

Chapter 1035: 957 take the general trend

“Then I thank the minister greatly.” The Shu Country Ambassador stood up and bowed slightly, showing extreme humility. He truly needed help and naturally had to be very humble in his speech.

Nangong Hong also stood up to see him off, appearing extremely warm and friendly—at least it seemed that way. The two seemed to imply that they might serve together as ministers in the future.

In fact, this was indeed the case. Becoming a vassal meant acknowledging the Emperor of the Tang Empire as the sovereign, so there was some truth to the idea of serving together as ministers.

After sending off the Shu Country Ambassador, Nangong Hong immediately had his secretary schedule a time to meet with His Majesty The Emperor. Then, he deliberately leaked the news of the Shu Country Ambassador’s visit to the Qin Nation Delegation.

Such matters are usually handled by spies from various countries. Unfortunately, the Tang Empire’s counter-espionage work was too effective, and here in the imperial center of Chang’an, it was necessary to trouble the intelligence department to spread some information to achieve some unexpected effects.

…

“Actually, Your Majesty, there’s another reason behind letting Qin Country run rampant,” Nangong Hong said directly during his private meeting with Tang Mo.

“Oh? Let’s hear it,” Tang Mo did not beat around the bush but asked directly for his strategy.

Nangong Hong immediately shared his thought: “I believe that if Qin Country attacks Shu, they will become arrogant. All we need to do is keep indulging them, and Qin will overstep! At that time, we will have the moral high ground and can surely defeat them.”

What he meant was essentially to support letting Qin Country invade Shu Country to thoroughly stir up the situation in the Western Continent, which would facilitate the Tang Empire to take advantage opportunistically.

“…” Tang Mo understood Nangong Hong’s idea, but he still hesitated as such matters were indeed not easy to decide.

Shu Country was already kneeling, so to speak. According to the Shu Country’s Foreign Affairs Department, Liu Jing’s visit this time was to discuss the change of allegiance to the Tang Empire and become a vassal state.

If Tang Mo didn’t want the situation to become chaotic, he could easily acknowledge Shu as a younger brother. Then, he could secure a tribute from Shu, reap many benefits effortlessly, and make a big profit without giving much in return.

However, his subordinate Nangong Hong didn’t see it that way. This strategist preferred to see the situation grow chaotic. Nangong Hong’s strategy for dealing with Qin Country was a typical “pride troops” strategy, allowing Qin Country to act recklessly on issues between the Dahua Empire and Shu Country, which would eventually lead Qin Country to underestimate the Tang Empire.

Then, launching a military campaign, the Tang Empire, relying on its substantial national strength, would inevitably achieve victory. At that point, the Tang Empire could control the entire Chinese region and become an unimaginable hegemon of the Western Continent.

“Isn’t the cost a bit too high?” Tang Mo hesitated, feeling a bit embarrassed about plunging the entire Western Continent into chaos for his own ambitions.

Actually, he was just putting on an act, similar to Liu Bei dropping his child—he didn’t even drop his own child but simply put on a righteous demeanor to seem like a good person.

Ignoring Tang Mo’s somewhat pretentious demeanor, Nangong Hong continued to persuade: “Your Majesty, only in this way can we fulfill the grand ambition of unifying the world under the guise of a rescuer.”

Everyone is living well, so attacking them would be called aggression; but if they can’t survive anymore, and you bring them better days and a better life, then it’s called liberation…

This is a principle everyone understands; therefore, those in power need to consider how to position themselves on the side of righteousness and brand others as evildoers.

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Tang Mo was becoming more accustomed to this cruel game of treating people as mere numbers—after all, he used to be an arms dealer who didn’t take life seriously.

Being able to survive in the arms trade, Tang Mo himself didn’t believe he was a good person. Thus, he knew that righteousness and morals were just facades to him, not shackles.

When needed, he would uphold these morals, and when not, he could break these bounds. Nangong Hong could see that Tang Mo was such a person, so he offered such a strategy to him.

Similarly, Tang Mo knew what kind of person Nangong Hong was, which is why he retained Nangong Hong to devise strategies for him.

“Taking a bit of loss now and causing a big stir gives us the opportunity to intervene,” Nangong Hong continued to persuade Tang Mo as he still hesitated.

Though Shu Country was offering quite a bit now, compared to a greater momentum, these offerings were insignificant. After all, the Tang Empire wasn’t short of money, and what Shu could offer was not highly valued by the Tang Empire.

In fact, Tang Mo wasn’t hesitating; he had been convinced by Nangong Hong. For the Tang Empire to smoothly take control of the Western Continent, it needed a grand momentum to stand morally justified.

Only when other countries are in continuous chaos can the Tang Empire, when necessary, extend its reach and position itself in those territories!

He was all too familiar with this strategy, which was essentially the same one played by the Anglo-Saxon gangs: first disrupt the area, then intervene as a savior and finally reap the benefits.

The difference between him and Daiying Lighthouse is that, in the end, his goal is to engulf these regions and bring them into the fold, making them a part of the Great Tang Empire. Daiying Lighthouse, on the other hand, just wants to make a quick buck and then disappear.

What eases Tang Mo’s conscience is that he will not run away in the end; he plans to rebuild these places into prosperous lands, providing the people there with a wealthy life.

This is the fundamental difference: previously, the bandits Tang Mo encountered intended to loot and leave. He plans to take over their homes, even keeping the wives and daughters…

It’s hard to say who is more inhumane.

“The Staff Department exercise concluded that Qin Country would win the war, which is expected to last about a year,” Tang Mo said nonchalantly about the exercise results from the Staff Department.

Nangong Hong understood immediately that Tang Mo had agreed to his strategy: “Your servant understands. If Qin Country does not offer more, this matter will come to an end.”

It was clear to him; Tang Mo wanted more benefits. Since the decision was made to support Qin Country, they must shed some blood.

Indeed, after he returned to his office at Wenhua Palace, his secretary informed him: “The Qin State Envoy is already waiting outside.”

“Let him in,” Nangong Hong instructed.

Soon, the Qin State Envoy was ushered into his office. As soon as he entered, the envoy eagerly tried to glean some information from Nangong Hong: “Minister! Regarding Shu Country…”

“You have hundreds of thousands of troops stationed at the border; even a blind man can see what you intend,” Nangong Hong signaled his secretary to pour tea. “Shu Country has come here seeking help.”

“Then…” The Qin State Envoy knew that the time advantage his side had was used up, with Shu Country’s involvement making Qin Country’s position even more unfavorable.

“My patience is truly running thin,” Nangong Hong said as he took a teacup from his secretary, looking at the Qin State Envoy who also received a cup. “Let me be frank with you. We are aware of Qin Country’s demands and Shu Country’s plea. Whether this matter can proceed as Qin wishes, depends on your country’s choice.”

After finishing, he wrote down five terms on a piece of paper and pushed it towards the Qin State Envoy: “If you agree, the deal is done; if you don’t, we’ll have to consider the protocol for receiving the speaker of Shu Country who visits Tang.”

Seeing the terms on the paper, the Qin State Envoy clenched his teeth, aware this was his and Qin Country’s last chance.

It was either go all-in or be resigned to decline—all depending on whether he nodded or shook his head now.

The air seemed to freeze, the Qin State Envoy feeling each breath he took abnormally difficult. Using all his strength, he just managed to keep his body from trembling.

Eventually, without knowing how he managed it, he opened his mouth, accepting the huge debt on behalf of his country: “Agreed!”

“Then don’t wait anymore. You may start the war before Liu Jing visits Tang; the neutral stance of the Great Tang Empire will not change,” Nangong Hong said with a nod and a smile. “I must commend your courage; if I were you, I’d make the same choice.”

No trace of excitement appeared on the face of the Qin State Envoy because the agreed conditions meant that about one-third of the war Qin Country launched was essentially working for the Great Tang Empire.

That’s the gross profit! In other words, aside from the costs Qin Country needs to bear, including the war’s own depreciation, Qin Country’s war revenue might still be less than that of the Great Tang Empire.

But that was unavoidable. To get the Great Tang Empire’s approval, such a compromise was necessary.

Actually, Qin Country still got off relatively easy considering Shu Country’s situation—they’d really hit rock bottom. In Shu Country personnel’s absence, the Great Tang Empire had already betrayed them completely.

Without deploying a single soldier, the Great Tang Empire could gain substantial benefits from both Qin Country and Shu Country. And once Qin and Shu commenced battle, the Great Tang Empire could focus all their attention on Fengjiang.

“Your Majesty!” Grabbing the phone, Nangong Hong joyously reported to Tang Mo: “Everything is unfolding as you hoped! Yes, Qin Country has agreed.”

“Then proceed as planned,” Tang Mo’s voice came through the phone, evidencing Nangong Hong’s success with his plan.

“Yes! Your servant understands!” Nangong Hong responded promptly, “Your servant will definitely accomplish Your Majesty’s mission.”

After hanging up the phone, he ordered his secretary: “Go find Daiying from Chu Country; there’s good work for him to do!”

——-

Today, two updates.