The King of South Tianzhu, Héraud, had a bad look on his face. They already knew what the Tang Dynasty had done in Malacca. Although the Tang Dynasty did not attack any country on false charges, after eliminating the pirate groups, they took over the territory around the pirate's lair, as well as the cities once controlled by the pirates. They also set up a high-level county town.
In addition, when they helped the Ha Ling Kingdom solve the civil strife, they also accepted a large island as a gift from the Ha Ling Kingdom as their own territory.
These things clearly showed the justice of the Tang Dynasty. However, it seemed to be an indisputable fact that the Tang Dynasty had a certain demand for overseas land.
In addition, these words were said by the officials of the Tang Dynasty when they were drunk. Naturally, the words said by the officials of the Tang Dynasty were to uphold the justice of the Tang Dynasty. As for the truth, it was not easy for them to judge. Perhaps the situation was not as good as the officials of the Tang Dynasty said.
The most important thing was that the Tang Dynasty sent troops to the south with a mission to establish the Maritime Silk Road. The core of this mission was to ensure the safety of this trade route and to ensure that the countries along the way could cooperate well with the Tang Dynasty.
In order to ensure safety and cooperation, strength was the prerequisite. If there was not enough strength to control this trade route, the Maritime Silk Road would be empty talk.
How to maintain strength? Of course, they had to establish reliable strongholds along the way. Only in this way could they achieve absolute control over the trade route.
King Héraud knew the map of the surrounding area. The entire Silk Road route was basically in his mind.
Judging from the situation that the Tang Dynasty had established overseas counties, the southern ports of South Tianzhu, which were in excellent geographical locations, were likely to become the strongholds of the Tang Dynasty. These ports were the territory of South Tianzhu. As the King of South Tianzhu, Héraud was naturally unwilling to give them to the Tang Dynasty.
But when he thought about it carefully, things seemed to be out of his control. At present, these ports had been occupied by the Lion Kingdom. With the strength of South Tianzhu, it was absolutely impossible for them to take back these occupied ports. If the army of the Tang dynasty could really help to take back these ports, they would probably take the opportunity to occupy them, just like what they did in Malacca.
"The Tang Empire already has a territory of tens of thousands of miles, yet they're still interested in overseas lands. It looks like they're here to visit us. I'm afraid they're plotting to take over our South Tianzhu's land!"
One of the ministers said.
"Based on the analysis of what the Tang dynasty did in Malacca, they may really be interested in the ports in the south of us. Those ports have been occupied by the Lion Kingdom. If they want them, they should go to the Lion Kingdom!"
Another minister said dejectedly.
He had thought that the person who had come was a savior, but he did not expect that it was an enemy that was not much better than the Lion Kingdom. This made him very disappointed.
"What do you know? The Tang dynasty wants to put on a show of asking for benefits! When they were in Khaling, they had already put on such a show. They helped Khaling quell a rebellion, but in the end, they took over a large island of Khaling, "another minister said.
"That's possible.
Now many of our islands have been occupied by the Lion Kingdom, and we are also threatened by the Lion Kingdom. In this way, the Tang dynasty may offer to help us fight against the Lion Kingdom, but the premise is that we have to give up some ports and give them to them as a reward. "
A minister analyzed.
King Héraud nodded and said, "This is very likely. After all, the Tang dynasty has already done such a thing. How should we deal with it?"
A minister said, "Your Majesty, the Tang dynasty is thousands of miles away, and they will not ask for too much land. The Lion Kingdom is in the south of us, and the island is small. Sooner or later, they will occupy the whole South Tianzhu. We would rather give the ports to the Tang dynasty than to the Lion Kingdom."
"Your Majesty, is this appropriate? We are far away from the Tang dynasty, and the Lion Kingdom is related to us by blood. If one day, our land is occupied by the Tang dynasty, won't we become sinners?"
A minister objected.
"We would rather give the whole South Tianzhu to the Tang dynasty than to the Lion Kingdom. Over the years, we have been bullied by the Lion Kingdom, haven't we?"
Another minister spoke.
It seemed that the ministers did not agree, and each of them had their own ideas.
King Héraud said, "This matter must be considered in the long run. We are just guessing now, and no one can be sure about what will happen. Besides, no one has seen the strength of the Tang dynasty's army. It is really hard to say whether it is really so powerful."
"Your Majesty, tomorrow morning, we will go to the port to meet the senior officials of the Tang dynasty. Before that, we must study the countermeasures! In case the senior officials of the Tang dynasty make such a request. "
A minister said.
Another minister said, "Your Majesty, we can first imagine several situations, such as how high the Tang dynasty's offer to help us is, how strong the Tang dynasty's army is, what will happen if a war really breaks out, and so on."
King Héraud said, "Now nearly ten of our ports have been occupied by the Lion Kingdom. If the Tang dynasty asks for three or five ports, we can agree and let them deal with the Lion Kingdom. If the Tang dynasty asks for three or five ports, we can agree and let them deal with the Lion Kingdom. If the Tang dynasty and the Lion Kingdom fight, both sides will suffer. If the Lion Kingdom wins, they will suffer heavy losses, and we can take the opportunity to take back our lost land. If the Tang dynasty wins but suffers heavy losses, we can also deny it and let the Tang dynasty occupy the ports of the Lion Kingdom. In this way, no matter what choice we make, we will gain and not lose."
"Your Majesty is wise. War is always a lose-lose situation. If we can really make the Tang dynasty and the Lion Kingdom go to war, then we can reap the benefits."
A minister was very happy. This was the most in line with the interests of South Tianzhu. The result they hoped to see most was that the Tang dynasty and the Lion Kingdom both suffered heavy losses, which would provide them with the conditions to recover all their lost land.
"Your Majesty, since we have a general idea of the Tang dynasty's intention, we must be prepared to guard against the Lion Kingdom. If the Lion Kingdom offers better conditions to the Tang dynasty, then we will be in a passive position."
A minister said.
"Yes! Your Majesty, the Lion Kingdom has occupied so many of our ports. If they give all of them to the Tang dynasty, the Tang dynasty may cooperate with them. Then we will be completely finished. "
A minister said.
King Héraud nodded and said, "Yes, we can't let the Lion Kingdom and the Tang dynasty form an alliance. We can't even let them contact each other. Since the officials of the Tang dynasty came to visit us first, then we must stabilize the high-ranking officials of the Tang dynasty and find a way to make the Tang dynasty and the Lion Kingdom go to war. This task must be completed."
"Your Majesty, why don't we spread false news to the Lion Kingdom, saying that the Tang dynasty's target is the northern ports of the Lion Kingdom and the southern ports of South Tianzhu, which have been occupied by them. We also have to say that we will agree to the Tang dynasty's request and give all the ports occupied by the Lion Kingdom to the Tang Empire. I don't believe that the Lion Kingdom will be so generous as to give all their northern ports to the Tang dynasty."
A minister said.
Another minister said happily, "That's right. In this way, all the ports demanded by the Tang dynasty are under the control of the Lion Kingdom. If we agree to the Tang dynasty, we won't lose anything. But if the Lion Kingdom agrees to the Tang dynasty, they will lose too much. Not only will they have to give up the ports that invaded us, but they will also have to give up their own ports to the Tang dynasty. They will definitely not agree."
"Your Majesty, let me go and spread the news! I know a thing or two about the spies of the Lion Kingdom. I can definitely do it well. "
A young minister volunteered himself.
King Héraud said with a smile, "There's no need to go through so much trouble. Didn't the Lion Kingdom give us an ultimatum and ask us to reply within a few days? If we reply now, we can tell the Lion Kingdom clearly that these ports have been targeted by the Tang dynasty. Our South Tianzhu can't afford to offend the Tang dynasty, so we naturally have to give all these ports to the Tang dynasty. We dare not agree to their request. In addition, tell the Lion Kingdom about the Tang dynasty's One Belt, One Road policy and what they have done in Malacca, so that they can be prepared to cede the northern ports."
After saying that, he happily paced in the hall. His mood was much better.
"Your Majesty is wise. In this way, for example, we can ignite the hatred of the Lion Kingdom towards the Tang Empire. In this way, they are likely to fight, and we only need to watch the show."
The minister happily agreed.
King Héraud said with a smile, "That's right. What we need to do now is to watch the show and provoke them from time to time to make them have conflicts."
"Your Majesty, it's not enough for us to just anger the Lion Kingdom. We also have to anger the Tang Empire and make them hate the Lion Kingdom."
A minister said treacherously.
"How to anger them? Do you have any good ideas?"
King Héraud asked.
The minister said, "The officials of the Tang dynasty living in the palace are bored and have gone to the city to play. We can send people to pretend to be the envoys of the Lion Kingdom and insult the officials of the Tang dynasty, thus causing conflicts."
"Good idea! You go and arrange it now, haha! "
King Héraud was very happy.
The capital of South Tianzhu was not very big. It was far inferior to Chang 'an City of the Tang Empire. However, it was well-equipped and had all the necessary shops.
The officials of the Tang dynasty, accompanied by the low-ranking officials of South Tianzhu, strolled happily on the streets. They were in a very good mood.
At this moment, a few people of South Tianzhu who disguised themselves as the envoys of the Lion Kingdom quietly approached, ready to cause trouble.
The officials of the Tang dynasty were walking confidently, but the fake envoys were walking sideways and coming from the opposite direction.
"Get out of the way, get out of the way."
These guys were very good at their tricks. They overturned many of the vendors' stalls as they passed by. Suddenly, all kinds of small ornaments and objects were scattered all over the street. All kinds of shouting and complaints rose and fell one after another.
However, these fake envoys were all tall and burly men. There were more of them and they wore more expensive clothes. Therefore, the vendors did not dare to rush up and argue with them. They could only choose to swallow their anger.
"Who are these people? How can they be so arrogant and despotic?"
The officials of the Tang dynasty could not stand it anymore. Their eyes were full of anger.
The accompanying low-ranking officials of South Tianzhu recognized the fake envoys, but he already understood their intentions. Therefore, he also played along.
"Ambassador, they are the envoys of the Lion Kingdom."
The accompanying low-ranking officials replied.
"How can the people of the Lion Kingdom be so arrogant?"
The Tang dynasty official was dissatisfied.
"Ambassador, you don't know. The people of the Lion Kingdom have always been so arrogant. Many of our southern ports have been robbed by the Lion Kingdom. They also forced us to cede more land. If we don't agree, they will send troops to attack us."
The South Tianzhu low-ranking officials exaggerated.
"Hmph, they are too much. How dare they bully ordinary people. Tell them to stop."
The Tang dynasty official was very angry.
"Ambassador, we really can't afford to offend the people of the Lion Kingdom."
The South Tianzhu low-ranking officials refused.
"Coward, I'll do it myself."
The Tang dynasty official strode forward, pointed at the evil fake envoys, and scolded, "All of you, stop. How can you bully ordinary people?"
"It's none of your business. Get out of the way. Don't block the path of the Lion Kingdom's ambassador."
A low-ranking soldier pushed the Tang dynasty official.
"The small Lion Kingdom is nothing in the eyes of the Tang dynasty."
The Tang dynasty official's journey had been too smooth. He had developed a bad temper.
"I've never heard of the Tang dynasty. What kind of country is it? Is it half the size of our Lion Kingdom? Does it have as many troops as our Lion Kingdom?"
"Well, I heard that it is quite big. However, they are thousands of miles away. They can't do anything here! What can they do to us? Haha! "
The two fake envoys talked to each other.
The Tang dynasty envoy was furious. "How dare you slander the Tang dynasty? The Tang dynasty's troops will arrive in a few days. It will only take one day to destroy the Lion Kingdom."
This confidence came from the huge military strength of the Tang Dynasty fleet. It was completely achievable.
"Destroy the Lion Kingdom in a day? Are you crazy? Hahaha! Let's go. Don't lower yourself to the level of a lunatic. "
"What a boastful lunatic. People of the Tang dynasty are all like this."
"Lunatics from the Tang dynasty. Hahaha!"
Several fake envoys of the Lion Kingdom swaggered past the Tang dynasty official without any obstruction.
The Tang dynasty official only had a few soldiers around him. Their strength was below these fanatics. The South Tianzhu soldiers did not dare to offend either side. If he acted rashly, he would definitely be at a disadvantage. Therefore, he could only swallow his anger. After all, a wise man knew better than to fight when the odds were against him. The premise of standing out was that he had strong strength. Otherwise, he would be asking for trouble.
Anyway, the main force of the Tang Dynasty fleet would arrive soon. At that time, he would complain to Ang Lee and urge Ang Lee to send troops to teach the arrogant Lion Kingdom a lesson.
"These bastards of the Lion Kingdom are too arrogant. When the main force of the Tang dynasty arrives, let's see if they dare to be so arrogant."
The Tang dynasty official snorted domineeringly, trying to regain some dignity.
"Yes, yes, yes. Don't be angry, Ambassador. Let's continue. "
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