Otherworld Advance Team-Chapter 1792 - 1785: The Economic Lifeline

"Of course I know," Cheng Ziang waved his hand and said, "I’m just making an analogy."

Then, he looked at the sand table, pointed to the settlements on the sand table and said, "Look, this grassland is equivalent to the ocean, and each settlement is equivalent to an island, while the enemy’s army is equivalent to a fleet."

"If you launch a frontal attack, the enemy will definitely gather forces to deploy at the frontline and seize an opportunity to ambush. The new army has no cavalry, so on the main battlefield, they can’t possibly defeat the enemy with cavalry."

"So, why not bypass them and directly take the Kunzhou to harass the enemy’s rear settlements. In this way, the enemy will be forced to run around in exhaustion."

"This is the so-called Island Hopping Strategy, whose core is to avoid the enemy’s elite frontline forces and harass the weaker rear positions."

"But unlike the Island Hopping Strategy, your Kunzhou are faster than riding horses anyway, and you can escape into the clouds, making it impossible for the enemy to capture your whereabouts, only to be led around by you."

"And even if the enemy returns in time, you can immediately board the Kunzhou to ascend, rendering the enemy incapable of threatening you."

"When the enemy’s rear has basically been destroyed, and the frontline forces are exhausted, seize the opportunity to actively engage in decisive battle and eliminate the enemy’s vital forces. Thus, the three tribes of Yipa can be pacified."

"The Manor Lord has a good strategy!"

Cheng Ziang’s speech greatly shocked the three Jiuyun Shuang members, and they all showed eyes of admiration.

"The incursions of the three tribes of Yipa on the Dongsheng border is nothing more than for the salt and iron resources not found in the grasslands. Thus, they naturally live in harsh environments. Compared to the Dongsheng Empire, Yipa’s economic foundation is more fragile, so long as the enemy’s economic lifeline can be effectively struck, the enemy’s troops will surrender without a fight."

In fact, Cheng Ziang really didn’t want to articulate these words, because although they sound gentle, having experienced war, he understands the blood and tears inherent behind these words.

The highest form of warfare is to defeat the enemy’s strategies, followed by diplomacy, and lastly, attacking fortresses.

Cheng Ziang deeply understands this truth. To resolve the harassment by the three Yipa tribes, the best way is through negotiation, allowing these nomadic peoples to live peacefully without casually rising to cause trouble.

There are many ways to resolve the issue, but the Wen Family Imperial Court chose the most extreme option, which is to send troops to conquer the tribes.

Actually, Cheng Ziang can understand the Wen Family Imperial Court’s decision. For them, the Yipa cavalry are too powerful indeed, so before subduing them, it’s essential to give them a good beating, weakening their substantial forces.

However, this so-called beating, who knows how many families will be broken apart because of it.

Were Cheng Ziang to resolve it, he could completely negotiate with the three Yipa tribes, incorporate or hire the Yipa cavalry, and head east to conquer the Beichang Empire.

In this way, not only would a two-front battle be unnecessary, but it could also be a perfect example of killing two birds with one stone.

Yet, as stated earlier, the Wen Family Imperial Court urgently needs to show the strength of the new army to those Wu Family forces coveting power.

Therefore, they naturally know they could rely on Yipa cavalry against the Beichang Empire. But they still chose a two-front battle, solely to prove the new army’s combat strength to the world.

Dealing with Yipa, indeed, other means are more effective than military.

Because, the essence of war is the extension of politics, and politics serve the economy.

In other words, as long as the economy of Yipa is struck in such a way that they have to depend on the Dongsheng Empire to survive, then the effect unattainable by military means can be achieved.

Yipa’s economic source, naturally, consists of their means of production, namely livestock such as cattle and sheep.

And Cheng Ziang’s suggestion is basically to find ways to destroy these means of production. In this way, the Yipa tribes will fall into economic distress, leading to humanitarian crises.

Of course, East Prosperity Nine States has no concept of humanitarianism. Plus, using this concept to describe Yipa’s impending situation is far too gentle.

Without their livestock, Yipa tribes may face famine, resulting in the tragedy of people eating each other. And with no economic sources, the Yipa cavalry might rampantly harass Dongsheng border towns, both out of revenge and survival.

Because of this, Cheng Ziang hopes the Dongsheng army will sever Yipa’s lifeline, compelling them to surrender quickly, and that the Dongsheng Empire will provide appropriate compensation, preventing famine.

But after all, this is only a beautiful notion. No one knows whether events will unfold according to their preset direction.

Thus, Cheng Ziang, who proposed such a plan, actually harbors a heavy guilt internally.

Because of the unease in his heart, after a brief silence, Cheng Ziang couldn’t help but ask: "If you conquer the three Yipa tribes, will you grant them appropriate compensation?"

"What does the Manor Lord mean?" Jiuyun Shuang asked probingly.

"After you harass the enemy’s rear tribes, it will inevitably lead to severe famine, which just might force Yipa to surrender. Should they choose to surrender, will you provide them with appropriate compensation to help them overcome the famine?"

"The Manor Lord need not worry," Jiuyun Shuang, hearing this, cupped his hands and said, "If they submit to the Heavenly Dynasty, they will be seen as subjects of the Heavenly Dynasty, and the Imperial Court will not stand idly by."

"Then it’s good," Cheng Ziang said with a bit of relief, as if talking to himself, "Then, the next step is to pray that Yipa will surrender soon."

"If that’s the case, I will teach you how to deploy the new army, hoping you can conquer the three Yipa tribes quickly, to avoid a greater crisis."

After taking a deep breath, Cheng Ziang made up his mind and continued pointing at the sand table.

While Cheng Ziang was guiding Jiuyun Shuang, Luo’er also entered the palace on a carriage.

He is one of the rare few who can enter the palace directly by carriage. Because even the Hundred Chiefs of the Cabinet must walk upon reaching the palace gate.

The Wen Family Imperial Court set strict rules to constrain Emperor Wu and the Wu Family. So in principle, only Emperor Wu has the privilege to ride a carriage into the palace.

The carriage did not stop at the front hall but directly bypassed to the rear hall, because the front hall is where the Cabinet conducts its affairs. And since Emperor Wu can’t interfere in politics, he rarely visits the front hall.

The carriage continued deeper, finally stopping in front of a majestic hall, where the Yellow Door eagerly stepped forward to lift the curtain for Luo’er. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

This is Zixiao Palace, the residence where Emperor Wu cultivates daily, and the place he stays most often.

The air was filled with faint incense, the hall lined on both sides with armor-clad soldiers holding long halberds, and the Yellow Door along with several maids attended to Luo’er, slowly climbing down from the carriage and ascending the hall’s steps to the doorway.

As he reached the door, Emperor Wu eagerly came out to greet him, his face immediately lighting up with joy upon seeing Luo’er.

As mentioned before, due to being a half-blood Elf, Luo’er is exceedingly pleasing in appearance.

Not only do women like him, but even men are enamored with his looks, instinctively overlooking his pointed, drooping Elf ears.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." Seeing Emperor Wu, Luo’er said calmly, slightly bowing and cupping his hands.

In fact, ordinary people meeting Emperor Wu should kneel directly, but obviously Luo’er did not follow traditional practices.

The most important thing is, Emperor Wu didn’t mind either.

"I’ve been yearning day and night for the National Scholar, and he’s finally here." Emperor Wu walked up, joyfully holding Luo’er’s hand and said.

Beside Emperor Wu was Luo’er’s old acquaintance, Ichuan Fei. He stood silently next to Emperor Wu, head down and brows drooped, revealing nothing of his expression.

Given he’s Emperor Wu’s close aid, how could such a scene occur without him present? Clearly, he also doesn’t trust Luo’er, worried he’ll speak irresponsibly to Emperor Wu.

Emperor Wu was dressed in plain attire, with nothing resembling the grandeur typical of an Emperor of martial prowess, instead bearing the likeness of a refined scholar.

This isn’t the first time Luo’er has had such a feeling; as the nominally most powerful emperor of Kyushu, this Emperor Wu clearly does not live up to his reputation.

But Luo’er is certain that Emperor Wu is indeed a cultivator.

Because if Emperor Wu were merely an ordinary person, the Wu Family forces would definitely stir unrest.

And regardless of how influential the Wen Family group could be, it would be unlikely to support an ordinary person ascending the throne. That would mean the Wen Family completely controls the Empire’s power, disregarding the interests of the Wu Family.

The most uptodat𝓮 n𝒐vels are published on (f)reew𝒆(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦