Chapter 350: Chapter 195: Strength Reversal_2
Translator: 549690339
The initial firm embargo on peace negotiations gradually showed signs of softening.
If peace could be achieved, perhaps eighty or ninety thousand of the one hundred and fifty thousand soldiers of the Guangling Prefecture could be extracted.
Then, from the fifty thousand forbidden soldiers in the capital, twenty to thirty thousand could be drawn out, possibly forming another army of a hundred thousand and deploying them to Dongting Prefecture.
But this final army of one hundred thousand was already the limit.
By such calculations, the troops that the imperial court could muster were around only one hundred and fifty thousand.
Struggling to increase their troops further would merely resemble Lu Yuan and his allies forcibly conscripting civilian workers.
This might enhance their forces, and even with the capabilities of the imperial court, amassing an army of one million might not be impossible.
Yet, in terms of quality, this group of soldiers was only at par with Lu Yuan’s, a case of six of one and half a dozen of the other.
Under such circumstances, the imperial court had no absolute advantage in strength compared to Lu Yuan’s alliance. In fact, it could be said that both sides were at the same level of power.
After Lu Yuan and Yan Wangqiu had counted all the above details separately, Lu Yuan laughed and said, “But the enemies of the imperial court are not only us. They also have to face Zhou People.
At present, Zhou People have stationed three hundred thousand troops to the north of the river, and counting Li Xiong, have deployed five Inborn Grandmasters.
This power is enough to turn out in full force.
If the imperial court does not ally with us, and they found out that we were collaborating with Zhou People, then nine Inborn Grandmasters will advance west along the river with a million soldiers.
At that time, the earth will shake, mountains and rivers will break, and even the six surnames seven clans, this time will face national extinction and genocide, their bloodlines extinct.”
The situation is clear now.
The real power that the imperial court can command is the one hundred and fifty thousand soldiers, and perhaps the fifty thousand navy on the river.
With these two hundred thousand troops and five grandmasters, it would not be difficult for the imperial court to repulse Zhou People along the river.
But if Lu Yuan’s external forces were also considered, whichever side they support, the other side is doomed to fail.
If they support the imperial court, then nine Grandmasters will march out together, with Lu Yuan’s side supplying an additional one hundred thousand soldiers. They would not only repulse Zhou People, but might even restore Xichuan Prefecture with a single strike.
If they support Zhou People, as previously mentioned, Yue Country would be annihilated, and the ancient families would be obliterated.
Therefore, Lu Yuan and his allies have become the weight external to the balance, and whichever side they lean towards will determine the victor in this war.
At present, it is a matter of whichever side, Zhou Country or the imperial court, offers better terms, to purchase this weight.
“I had not expected that General Lu would have accomplished such a feat in such a short time.”
Yan Wangqiu appeared stunned after listening to Lu Yuan’s analysis and plan. His joy welled up from his heart, even his beards trembling with laughter. “If we can indeed win over the Poison Sect, then even if the imperial court does not wish to accept our terms, they will have to.
In fact, our terms can be raised further, and the imperial court might have to concede to them.”
Yan Wangqiu’s initial goal was to transfer the site of the country’s establishment to Yulin County.
But on their side, they suddenly gained two Grandmasters and two hundred thousand soldiers.
On the imperial court’s side, three potential Grandmasters were lost in response.
This shift in power balance had taken place.
So according to the principle of Jianghu where the amount of food you eat depends on your strength,
If we have grown stronger and the court weaker, then it is only right for the latter to surrender more benefits.
After all, Yulin County is somewhat remote and impoverished. South Sea Prefecture is more suitable for us.
‘Southsea Sect, South Sea Prefecture, this auspicious name, doesn’t it foretell that I am liable to establish a Southsea Kingdom?’
With such thoughts in mind, Yan Wangqiu’s heart started throbbing in excitement.
If he truly established a kingdom in Southsea Prefecture, then the full strength of the Southsea Sect could be preserved. There would not be the slightest loss, and they could even develop at a rapid pace.
Such a broad prospect is enough to thrill anyone.
Lu Yuan watched Yan Wangqiu’s enthusiasm and had a rough grasp of what was going on in the other person’s mind. However, he didn’t mind at all.
It was normal for Yan Wangqiu to want Southsea Prefecture.
Just like how he wanted Dongting Prefecture, no one wants to abandon their own base. Who would risk moving to a new nest while they could stay in their old one?
Therefore, he said at this time, “So after some time, I should go and negotiate terms with the Poison Sect. At that time, I hope that Elder Master Yan can go with me to deter those Miao People.”
Yan Wangqiu nodded, “This is easy.”
Whether they could win over the Poison Sect now related to whether their alliance could smoothly make the court back down.
So for this, Elder Master Yan was very concerned about this.
After agreeing to this, he thought for a while and then said again, “I can also send someone to Nine River Sword Sect to see if we can invite Su Xuange. Since the three of us have already formed an alliance, we should find a chance to have a talk. ”
“When the three of us Grandmasters unite, the Poison Sect should be more willing to surrender more quickly.”
The deterrence of three Inborn Grandmasters and the deterrence of Lu Yuan, an Inborn Grandmaster, signified different things.
The former represented that if Lu Yuan and his allies were willing, they could gather the power of three Inborn Grandmasters, spend a few years to desperately pursue and kill Lan Cai’er, and eliminate this hidden danger.
The latter represented that Lu Yuan was a lone wolf, a newly promoted Inborn, without absolute military strength.
Lan Cai’er could recklessly seek revenge on Lu Yuan for destroying their family, fully utilizing her nuclear deterrent military power to kill his subordinates everywhere and disgust him to death.