When Chen Yucheng escorted the prisoners of war back to Xuanwu Pass, the news of the fall of Xuanwu Pass had already spread. Ouyang Shuo, who was still patrolling in Shaozhou County, specially sent a letter to the General Administration of Military Affairs to give Chen Yucheng a special reward.
The Leopard Tao Army was not satisfied with just taking Xuanwu Pass. The two major legions were aggressive at the same time, and they could attack the Weiwu Pass on the side of Guilin County and the new Guiping Pass at any time.
With the help of the P1 cannons, the fall of the two major passes was only a matter of time.
…
When Chuanbei City and Xiangnan City received the news, they were not so calm.
Shanhai City had just taken down Lingnan City in a blitzkrieg, and their morale was high. As neighbors of Shanhai City, the two major city states were trembling with fear. They were worried that one day the flames of war would burn their territory.
However, it was clear that Shanhai City wanted to deal with Yunnan City first to give them a chance to breathe. But at such a sensitive time, Shanhai City suddenly took down Xuanwu Pass, which was really shocking.
The lords of the two city-states gathered together once again to discuss countermeasures.
"What's Shanhai City's goal? Could it be that they're trying to create a diversion again? Is their true goal already set on our two city-states?" The feudal lords trembled with fear.
"Impossible. With Shanhai City's current military strength, it is impossible to declare war on two major city states at the same time. "
"Then, what if Shanhai City's target is one of us?"
"…"
The scene instantly quieted down, and the lords looked at each other.
The lords of the two major city states looked at each other with some indecipherable meaning in their eyes.
The atmosphere in the hall instantly became subtle.
As the saying went, "It's better for you to die than for me." If Shanhai City really had to choose one of the two, they naturally hoped that Shanhai City would choose the other party instead of themselves.
The lord of Chuanbei City was even more shocked.
After all, the second legion was attacking the allied forces under their command.
At this moment, someone stood up and said resolutely, "Impossible, Shanhai City will never go to war with us at this time."
"Why do you say so?"
When the lords saw that it was Zhang Liang who spoke, they did not dare to be negligent and humbly asked for advice. They had seen Zhang Liang's ability, and they were all amazed.
At this time, the two city-states really needed exciting news.
"Because the time is wrong, the location is wrong, and the strategy is wrong." Zhang Liang said three times in a row.
"Let's talk about timing first. At this time, Shanhai City was reorganizing its army, and the three new legions had yet to take shape. Wasn't it stupid to declare war at such a time? This is completely out of character for Shanhai City. "
"Let's talk about the location. After taking down Lingnan City State, the army of Shanhai City could directly attack Xiangnan Province from Shaozhou County or Chuanbei Province from Kunming County. If that's the case, why did you choose Guilin County, the middle place, to act rashly and alert the enemy? "
"Finally, it's combat techniques. Throughout the history of Shanhai City's battles, the various armies had cooperated with each other in every battle. This time, it was only the Leopard Army's Second Legion that had attacked. Even the First Legion did not cooperate with the Second Legion and took advantage of the situation to attack Guiping Pass. If they were really going to attack us, they wouldn't do this. "
"What's even weirder is that the Second Legion didn't follow up their victory and take down the Mighty Pass in one fell swoop. In other words, the enemy had a powerful weapon to attack the fortress, but they were unable to advance. Isn't that strange? "
Zhang Liang looked around at the lords and said firmly, "That's why Shanhai City wouldn't start a war at this time."
As soon as he said that, the lords clapped, all of them looking excited, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from their hearts. They felt relieved and the haze from before was swept away.
"Well said, it couldn't be any more correct!"
"That's right, that must be it. What Mister said couldn't be any more correct!"
The lords were not stingy with their praises, their expressions sincere.
Their feelings were understandable.
When the news of the fall of Xuanwu Pass came, which of the lords present did not panic and feel that the future was bleak?!
Only after they'd truly experienced the war did they truly understand exactly how great the fear they had towards Shanhai City was. Unknowingly, Shanhai City had become a huge mountain, pressing down on them until they couldn't breathe.
The lords who had recovered slightly asked Zhang Liang earnestly, "Mister, since Shanhai City has no intention of starting a war, what is their purpose in taking down Xuanwu Pass this time?"
Zhang Liang's expression was complicated as he said, "If I'm not wrong, they should want to take back Guilin County."
"…"
The lords found that they couldn't refute him.
A year ago, when they took down Guilin County, they weren't without pride. Who would have thought that in just a year, Shanhai City would become so powerful?
The originally beautiful Guilin County had suddenly become a hot potato.
"Then, should we return it to them?" a lord asked cautiously.
"Return what! We're already enemies now. Isn't it embarrassing to return it? "Before Zhang Liang could say anything, another lord had already raised an objection.
"Heh, if you don't return it, won't they take it themselves? When the army of Shanhai City attacks Guilin County, how are we going to resist? Are we really going to start a full-scale war with Shanhai City? "a lord of North Sichuan City retorted with a disdainful expression.
"If they want to go to war, then go to war. Do you think they can take down our two cities?"
"Humph, it's easy for you to say. Have you forgotten how Lingnan City was destroyed?"
…
The lords argued endlessly, causing a huge ruckus.
However, the South of Rosy Clouds, Lord Ximen, and the other big shots didn't make a clear statement. As a strategist, Zhang Liang had no right to speak at this time. The whole situation was in a deadlock.
In the end, they parted on bad terms.
While the two cities were bewildered and uncertain, unable to come to a consensus, on the 24th day, the Chamberlain of Grand Chamberlain of the Protectorate of Southern Border sent a diplomatic mission to the two cities, bearing the ultimatum of Ouyang Shuo.
Ouyang Shuo announced to the two cities:
A year ago, the two cities took advantage of the precarious situation and took down Guilin County in disgraceful ways. After a year, Shanhai City is preparing to take back Guilin County. I hope that the two cities will not resist fearlessly.
If the two cities are willing to peacefully return Guilin County, not only will Shanhai City let bygones be bygones, but it is also willing to reconcile with the two cities. It is even willing to open a trade channel between the two cities, allowing the caravans of the two cities to carry out ocean trade through the sea trade channel opened by Shanhai City.
If they refuse to hand over Guilin County, the army of Shanhai City will resolutely defend the honor of their territory and forcefully take back Guilin County. Even if they have to pay a great price, they will not hesitate.
I hope that the two cities will not doubt the determination of Shanhai City to defend the honor of their territory.
He hoped that the two city-states would give Shanhai City an answer within three days.
...
This ultimatum was a combination of carrot and stick.
In the words of the South of Rosy Clouds: "Shameless to the extreme! It is reasonable for them to attack Lingnan City, but it is disgraceful for us to take down Guilin County? This is simply preposterous. "
Zhang Liang frowned when he heard this. Could it be that his lord still didn't understand that as a lord, especially a lord of the wilderness, being "shameless" was also a virtue?
Shanhai City was able to realize that it was a wise move to always put itself on the moral high ground.
If it was an ordinary person saying this, it would be understandable, but the South of Rosy Clouds was a lord of the wilderness. Wasn't it childish and laughable for her to say such words?
This move of Shanhai City was truly brilliant.
Just as Zhang Liang predicted, Shanhai City had no intention of going to war with the two cities. The previous military operation to occupy Xuanwu Pass was just to pave the way for the diplomatic mission this time.
Their real purpose was to smoothly reclaim Guilin County without bloodshed.
In this way, not only could they wash away the shame of losing Guilin County, but they could also use this to stabilize the Northern Region and remove a time bomb for the upcoming war in Yunnan.
More importantly, they could also plant the seed in the hearts of the two cities that Shanhai City could not resist, so as to establish a psychological advantage when they attacked the two cities in the future.
In this way, it could be said to kill three birds with one stone.
The current Shanhai City could be considered to have the bearing and embryonic form of a wilderness overlord. They no longer relied too much on force to solve problems, but used all kinds of means. They were extremely skilled.
In contrast, the two cities were still in internal strife, so it was not enough at all.
Zhang Liang was more and more pessimistic about the future of Rosy Clouds City and Xiangnan City. However, since he had boarded this ship, he would not easily get off.
If he were to sink, he would sink with the big ship.
As for the reconciliation and opening of trade channels mentioned in the ultimatum, although Zhang Liang did not know much about it, he knew that Shanhai City must have laid down a foreshadowing. It was not as simple as it seemed on the surface.
It was such a "bait" that it was difficult for the lords of the two cities to refuse.
Everyone had the mentality of an ostrich, and the lords were naturally no exception. Not only could they reconcile with Shanhai City, they did not have to live in fear, and they could also open up ocean trade. This temptation was difficult for them to refuse.
That was the truth.
The first to give up was the North Sichuan City.
In the battle of Xuanwu Pass, the coalition army of the North Sichuan City had lost more than 26,000 people.
How distressing!
They were even more terrified.
In the face of the army of Shanhai City, they had no confidence to defend Guilin County.
The interior of the North Sichuan City had long been conquered by the Office of the Grand Herald. Many lords were already "good friends" of Shanhai City in secret, and their hostility towards Shanhai City was limited.
Now that Shanhai City had taken the initiative to extend an olive branch, how could they not accept it? Not to mention them, even a great lord like Lord Ximen was also hesitant.
Few lords could refuse the huge profits of ocean trade.
With the "intentional people" adding fuel to the fire, and the continuous lobbying of the envoy group, the internal opinion of the North Sichuan City was slowly reaching a consensus, and they were willing to withdraw from Guilin County.
The situation was developing in the direction that Ouyang Shuo expected.
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