Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'-Chapter 829 - 500: Puluo State’s Way Forward (3)

"Now I’ve discovered that person is indeed you."

Li Banfeng chuckled, "So you want me to be the Balancer?"

Liao Zihui shook his head, "It’s not what I want, it’s what the Outside Provinces want. In their view, if you remain in Puluo State, it’s only a matter of time before it falls into complete chaos. Only by you becoming the Balancer can this situation be resolved."

"What if it doesn’t get resolved? Wouldn’t that just result in war?"

Liao Zihui sighed deeply, "Brother Li, what do you think war looks like? Is it the Outside Provinces sending troops and weapons by train to fight?"

"Isn’t it?"

"If it were that simple, I can tell you bluntly that given Puluo State’s current situation, it’s hard to say who would win or lose, because most of the technology from the Outside Provinces wouldn’t be effective in Puluo State.

But real warfare isn’t fought that way. Puluo State and the Outside Provinces have had similar conflicts before, and the Outside Provinces’ strategy was to simply withdraw the Defense Agency!"

Li Banfeng laughed, "Withdrawing is good, is there anyone begging you to stay?"

"The Defense Agency leaving doesn’t matter, but the boundary won’t leave. These boundary lines originally belong to Puluo State. The Outside Provinces have mastered controlling them, but Puluo State hasn’t. Once the Outside Provinces retreat, Puluo State will be completely fragmented, communication between territories will be totally cut off."

Li Banfeng frowned, "Weren’t these boundary lines lit by your people?"

Liao Zihui shook his head, "The boundary lines weren’t lit by the Outside Provinces. All boundary lines in Puluo State were originally lit. Some were extinguished by the Defense Agency, others even the Defense Agency couldn’t extinguish,

such as the Cloud Water Path on Bridge Yesong. There is a boundary line there that the Defense Agency extinguished with special equipment and only lights up when needed. When I was dealing with the Boundless Camp, I relied on lighting up boundary lines to catch them off guard.

The site selections for the Defense Agency are very special; some are in city centers, others on the edge of towns, some even in deep forests,

It’s said that such site selections are for strategic planning and long-term considerations. That’s nonsense, these locations were chosen based on boundary lines to ensure their own safety,

These boundary lines aren’t considered strong. The Defense Agency can control the start and stop of the lines, but boundary lines between regions are very strong, even the Defense Agency cannot control them and can only create small exits within the boundaries,

Once the Defense Agency leaves and removes their equipment, there will be no more exits between territories in Puluo State, and each territory will be completely isolated. Is this what you want to see?"

Li Banfeng spun the teacup in his hand, "Do you want to fragment Puluo State and then defeat them one by one?"

Liao Zihui shook his head, "It may not necessarily be us, it might also be the Inner State."

It might also be the Inner State!

This matter is crucial.

Liao Zihui said, "Puluo State is wedged between the Outside and Inner States, which means some things have no way out,

There are no boundaries between the New Land and Proper Land, and the Local Deities of the New Land are all appointed by the Inner State. Some things, you should have considered the connections,

The Inner State hopes Puluo State falls into fragmentation, as divide and conquer is their most common tactic,

Brother Li, I’ve told you many things today, many of which are confidential and I shouldn’t have said, but my intention is to show my sincerity,

I’ve told you that after I retire, I wish to stay in Puluo State. This is not just talk, I truly mean it,

You want Puluo State to thrive, and you do have that capability, I see it very clearly. The great families are no longer at odds, Greenwater City is doing well now,

Qi Qiu City is also doing well, New Land has just become Proper Land, and every venture is taking form. Even the hopeless Loess Bridge was saved by you,

It hasn’t been easy to reach this stage today, my brother, are you willing to let it end this way?"

Li Banfeng didn’t respond. Liao Zihui sighed, "You might not believe everything I’ve said. You can go to the Outside Provinces to see for yourself, to verify if I’ve lied to you,

I’ll be honest with you, going to the Outside Provinces might put you in danger, you might be monitored and even face life-threatening situations,

But you might also find more answers. The Outside Provinces have researched Puluo State in depth, and you might find a way out for Puluo State. I’ve said this much, do you still not believe me?"

After a few minutes of silence, Li Banfeng looked up, "If I’m willing to be the Balancer, things will settle down. If I’m unwilling, war will immediately begin. Is that what you mean?"

Liao Zihui nodded, "If you don’t want to be the Balancer, please let me know as soon as possible. I’ll start by taking action against the Chu Family, since Xia Shumin died at the hands of Chu Huaiyuan,

This would be considered a declaration of war against Puluo State. Next, the Defense Agency will target each of the major families. After a period of conflict, if resistance is encountered, the Defense Agency will light up all boundary lines and then withdraw from Puluo State,

This is the result I least wish to see, but it’s not something I can decide. I’ve said what I can, the decision is yours, and I await your response."

...

Liao Zihui left, and Li Banfeng returned to the Portable Residence.

"Beloved wife, if I need to go to the Outside Provinces, would you go with me?"

The Portable Residence fell silent, and his wife asked, "Husband, why go to the Outside Provinces?"

Li Banfeng roughly recounted what Liao Zihui had said. The phonograph sighed softly, "Little Servant has faced many life-and-death situations, forgetting much, but regarding this, Liao Zihui didn’t lie. If the people from the Outside Provinces all leave, no one will be able to unlock the boundary lines throughout Puluo State."