mtl008 Chapter 149: Fight or Not? Territory Division
Chapter 149: Fight or Not? Territory Division
"Over the years, I've gotten to know the Sakura people quite well. They're just wolves in human skin. When it comes to personal gain, these people show no mercy!"
Old Zhang took out a pipe, took a few puffs, and narrated with a complicated expression.
"The war in Silla is a dog-eat-dog situation. Fundamentally speaking, no one will benefit from winning, unless someone can achieve domestic unification before the war is won."
"Otherwise, it would be in our best interest to create a standoff between the two of them."
"Yes, I think so too."
Zhang Ye has the same idea about this.
When he agreed to support Jin Junli, he didn't think that this group of people could defeat the Sakura Kingdom. The reason why he was willing to provide assistance was to delay the Sakura people's pace, forcing them to continue to send reinforcements to Silla and slow down the erosion of Fengbei.
In the current situation, whether it is the Silla battlefield or the domestic battlefield, what is lacking is time.
Especially on the domestic side, there are many powerful countries, and each faction has its own troops and is unwilling to submit to the other. They do not need any instigation from foreign forces. They can start a civil war among themselves and fight to the death.
In this situation, if there is another foreign invasion, Daxia is very likely to face the situation of being divided again.
Therefore, in the final analysis, it all comes down to the word "unification". As long as this vision can be achieved, external forces will not be a problem.
"Almost, what are you thinking now?"
A warm breeze blew over from the balcony. Old Zhang narrowed his eyes and asked in a deep voice.
"It's no exaggeration to say that in today's China, if you and I join forces, we can completely achieve the great task of unification. Give me your answer on whether or not to fight this war!"
"Brother, you are too anxious."
Zhang Ye smiled bitterly and shook his head when he heard that. He lay back in the chair and sighed with some melancholy.
"It's not time for a decisive battle yet. If we act rashly, we might attract attacks from other forces."
"The Feng faction's 300,000-strong army sandwiched between us is already enough to hold back the main force. Jiang Xiansheng of Min Prefecture in the south and Mr. Sun of Yangcheng have joined forces and also command an army of 300,000 to 400,000!"
"Although the situation in Sichuan is a bit complicated and has not yet been formally unified, the forces there should not be underestimated. We will definitely have no problem mobilizing 200,000 people."
"The remnants of the Duan clique in the northern part of the Great Wall have an army of nearly 100,000 men, eyeing us covetously. Looking west, there are also the Longquan and Xihai forces, who are staring at the Central Plains eagerly, eager to get in."
"We've been together for the past few days, and they've been unable to sleep. They're worried that Fengbei and Donglu will join forces. If we really do that, there's no doubt that these forces will unite the next day and go after us first!"
Zhang Ye has a very thorough understanding of the situation. He has done a lot of research on these major domestic forces in private.
Especially those warlord leaders in remote areas were much more anxious than others. They dreamed all day and all night about expanding their sphere of influence to the Central Plains.
The reason is simple. The income generated by agriculture in the current Great Xia Kingdom is pitifully small. It is simply a fantasy to rely solely on this meager profit to support a huge army.
If you want to seek better development prospects and a broader space for display, you must gather inland and towards the Central Plains!
Therefore, not only Lao Zhang wants to fight, but the warlords in remote areas also want them to fight. The more severe and brutal the fighting is, the more they like it.
It is also for this reason that Zhang Ye has not taken action. He is a person who strives for perfection in everything.
Unless you are absolutely sure that the battle can be resolved quickly, you must never take action.
Wars can be fought, but they must never be started in the area under one's jurisdiction, and it is even more unacceptable to disrupt the originally peaceful and tranquil daily lives of the people in the three provinces of Donglu because of the flames of war.
It was based on this consideration that he slowed down the pace of attack again and again.
"It's no use dragging it out like this!"
Old Zhang was a little anxious. He came to Zhang Ye with the intention of forming an alliance and wanting to share the world with her.
But now it seems that this kid is not willing to fight. This matter must be clarified. We cannot delay the Fengbei Army because of his thoughts.
"Feng Xi, are you sure you want to fight?"
Zhang Ye threw the question back, wanting to see the old man's determination.
"Fight! We must fight! They're entrenched around the capital, like a nail, holding up my eyelids. I can't sleep well unless I pull them out!"
This time, Old Zhang did not hesitate and responded very firmly.
The capital city borders Zhili Province, and it can even be said that they are connected together.
Now, the Fengbei Army has successfully entered the capital, and nearly 100,000 Feng troops are surrounding the area all day long, and they conduct some exercises from time to time to scare people.
No matter who this happens to, they will feel uncomfortable!
"Then fight!"
After listening to his ideas, Zhang Ye made a decision immediately.
"But I have a condition!"
"You say it, you say it!"
An unfading smile appeared in Old Zhang's eyes and he nodded quickly.
"I want Zhijiang Province!"
Zhang Ye, who had already made plans, had no intention of hiding anything. He chose to speak frankly and expressed his opinion directly.
"I will stop the Feng faction troops from Zhongyuan and Zhijiang Province, but after the war, I want Zhijiang Province!"
"Before that, I will inform Lu Yongxiang that if he is willing to surrender to the Fengbei Army, then he can give up his territory and I will let him go without any action!"
"Okay, I agree to this condition!"
Old Zhang agreed without thinking.
Before this, he had studied it and realized that if he wanted to cooperate with Zhang Ye, he would have to give up some of his interests.
Judging from the current territorial division, although Zhijiang Province has an enviable economic development, it is not a good place for the Fengbei Army.
Firstly, it is too close to Shanghu Wuyue, and there is no Fengbei Army territory nearby. It is just an enclave, and it is not convenient to develop and manage it once it is in hand.
Secondly, Fengbei is Lao Zhang's base camp, and he is reluctant to give up that fertile black soil at any time. Therefore, unless he has no choice, he will not expand southward and stretch his front line too long.
Even if he defeated the Feng faction this time and successfully took over Zhili Province, he would not continue to move south.
He is very clear about his own capabilities, and if he rashly takes on a large piece of territory, he will probably be "stuffed to death".
After working hard for so many years, the old man is very smart and will never put himself in the spotlight!