Chapter 252

But, what ways are there to accomplish these things? Everyone admired Ye Tao's boldness, but in this situation, how would Ye Tao achieve this?

"Mister Dai!" Ye Tao cupped his fist towards Dai Shikui and said, "You mentioned that the Dai family originally planned to bring ten thousand Tieyun cavalry to participate in the alliance, so how about adding ten thousand more Blood Kirin Army cavalry?"

Dai Shikui's heart stirred, and he said seriously, "If so, it should be enough to deter petty villains."

"Old General Xu, I want to participate in the alliance. Can you take care of the matters on the Northern Liao side?" Ye Tao said respectfully.

"Negotiations are not my forte, but the situation is such that it is most appropriate for me to go." Xu Jingtian nodded and said, "I will prepare and connect with the Northern Liao side as soon as possible."

"Qiu Haohui, I'm taking away ten thousand cavalry, and the remaining twenty thousand Blood Kirin Army will be under your command. I need you to cooperate with the generals of the Dai family to achieve a victory within fifteen days. The more brilliant the victory, the better, and the smaller our losses, the better. If the main goal is to create momentum, I won't force you to annihilate the enemy; routing them is also acceptable." Ye Tao said seriously, and after thinking carefully, he added, "Taking away ten thousand cavalry will weaken the Blood Kirin Army's strength considerably. In terms of finding opportunities to fight, you can obey the Yun Province command."

Qiu Haohui clasped his fist and said, "This subordinate understands. This subordinate will immediately discuss joint attack matters with General Dai Rong."

Ye Tao nodded with satisfaction and said, "Once the alliance is over, I will adjust the deployment as soon as possible based on the situation at that time. The ideal situation would be to lead the Yun Province tribal army south, giving the Xiling army a fatal blow from the flank, completely kicking Xiling out of the power struggle centered on Yun Province."

Ye Tao's tone was a bit somber as he continued, "Of course, if the situation is unfavorable, I prefer to fight at Benlang Plain, where the alliance is located... At the very least, I hope to use a relatively large space to fight and retreat, dragging the tribal army onto the battlefield. Therefore, Zeng Zining and Zhu Juewen will lead these ten thousand cavalry. Especially Zeng Zining... in case we need to escape, we still need to rely on your miraculous abilities."

Xu Jingtian asked cautiously, "What method are you going to use to prevent the tribes of Yun Province from siding with the Korka?"

Ye Tao closed his eyes, thought carefully, and then said in a deep voice, "Even in the northern part of Yun Province, those tribes who are close to and obedient to Yun Province have their own interests to consider. All people have their own needs. Some of their needs may not be able to be provided by Yun Province as an independent administrative region, but when they face the entire Dongping, some problems are not so difficult to solve. For example, salt and tea. Judging from the situation of the tribes controlled by the Dai family, the northern tribes, whether they are close to Yun Province or those further north who are eyeing Yun Province, have a large demand for salt and tea. Their population growth and the increase in the number of livestock have indeed greatly increased the demand for land and grasslands, but in general, there is still relatively ample room for maneuver. However, the tribes close to Yun Province can obtain some salt and tea from Yun Province, while those further north can obtain even less. As for the price, it is simply unbelievable for most of us who are used to living in Danyang. If we promise that the northern tribes can form their own merchant groups to enter the Central Plains to purchase various supplies, and give them tax优惠 (youhui, preferential treatment), ensuring that they can obtain salt and tea at a much lower price than they do now, it should be very attractive. Naturally, their large quantities of fur, wool, medicinal materials unique to the grasslands, gems, etc., can also obtain equal trading opportunities, instead of being monopolized at low prices by a few merchants who can penetrate deep into the grasslands. In addition, I want to promise to build a city in Benlang Plain as a future center for trade between the Central Plains and the tribes, ensuring an equal supply of various daily necessities, luxuries, silk, etc., from the Central Plains, ensuring that their children can receive the same respect as all ordinary people in Yun Province and Dongping, as long as they also respect Dongping's laws and regulations. The derogatory term 'barbarians' will no longer appear in official documents, but the recognition of them by the local areas and the people needs to be earned by themselves. I want to promise that those families with conditions can send their children to Yun Province and Dongping to study in various schools, and promise that they will gradually obtain equal treatment in terms of official selection and military service. I want to promise them that after assisting Dongping in repelling threats from all sides, we will send officials to conduct in-depth investigations into the living conditions of the tribes and jointly formulate ways for nomadic and agricultural peoples to coexist harmoniously in a way that is in line with the reality. Naturally, I will propose at the same time that their mutual hostility must be controlled. I will promise that the tribes can organize a joint army, and under our formation and training, participate in the future hegemony wars in the Central Plains and obtain the same right to distribute spoils. I will guarantee a ten to fifteen-year period of technological protection, during which the trade in ironware and military equipment between Dongping, Yun Province, and the tribes will be closely monitored, and they will only be able to obtain a limited variety and quantity of weapons, and will not be able to obtain large military equipment, Huoxing Dan (Mars Bullet) or Huoyou Dan (Oil Bullet) and other core weapons of ours. ...Basically, I will use a complete tribal policy framework to persuade them. If they still cannot accept such conditions, I will not hesitate to fight."

After carefully pondering what Ye Tao said, Xu Jingtian and Dai Shikui looked at each other. Xu Jingtian said, "It sounds good. But, going like this, you are taking two big risks."

Dai Shikui chimed in, "The first risk, presumably, is whether there are enough wise people on the tribal side. These conditions are not as direct as rewarding wealth, and not as ostentatious as conferring titles, but they are indeed good strategies for allowing the grassland tribes to live better lives. Not only those tribes in Yun Province, but even those tribes in the north will benefit from this. If there are smart people in the tribal alliance, they will naturally understand from the conditions offered by you, Milord, the generosity and magnanimity of Dongping towards the tribes, the hope for the long-term peace and stability of Yun Province and the northern grasslands, and the ambition to contend for the world and create an eternal foundation. However, if there are no smart people, your thoughts, Milord, will be like casting pearls before swine. On the contrary, they will be used by some people to attack."

Xu Jingtian nodded and said, "And the other risk lies within the Dongping court. Going to Benlang Plain now, you will not be able to wait for His Majesty's reply, to wait for the court's affirmation of your identity and the expansion of your authority. If things don't work out, you will be subjected to accusations and impeachments from a large group of people in the court who have long disliked you, and His Majesty may not be able to protect you. If things are negotiated but these regulations are not passed by the court in the future, then you will inevitably be ruined. And even if everything goes as you wish, Dongping will stabilize Yun Province because of your conditions and gain the support of the tribes, you will still have to deal with many impeachments. Offering such conditions, even if it is a matter of urgency, does exceed your current authority. In fact, the act of stabilizing the tribes may be considered to be disloyal. You must represent the Dongping court to make these promises, which will make it easier for you to be attacked. Are you really prepared to do this?"

Ye Tao smiled and said, "When I led the Blood Kirin Army to attack, I was prepared to either die or end up in prison, regardless of success or failure. Now, no matter how bad the situation gets, it's just like that, right? His Majesty spared my life and is still willing to marry the princess to me. This favor must be repaid. If I don't use this life to fight for something for His Majesty and Dongping, then there's really no point. Once the Yun Province matter is over, if they just strip me of all my official positions, I don't think it matters. Other people's criticisms are even less in my consideration. I really can't command an army to fight, you know this, and I know this. Fighting is up to you. I have gone too far by demanding a victory from you in such a short period of time as a bargaining chip for negotiations. If a great battle really breaks out at Benlang Plain, I'm afraid I'll just be the one watching from behind. If I don't take some risks and responsibilities, what would you and His Majesty want me to do here?" Ye Tao paused and said, "Anyway, the core idea is, I'll take the blame, you go and die."

Xu Jingtian couldn't help but laugh and said, "Yes, yes, that's fair enough. I was still figuring that we would defend for a while and wait for the domestic army to be mobilized to reverse the situation. Since you absolutely refuse to get caught in a difficult situation, with this ambition, I will naturally accompany you."

Feng Zi suddenly interjected, "Mister Dai, Lord Ye, Old General Xu, I have another suggestion. Since Yun Province has decided to merge into my Dongping, there is no need to be拘泥 (juni, to stick to formalities). If the negotiations fail and the tribal army invades Yun Province, and if no results can be achieved on the western and eastern fronts, the people of Yun Province can directly enter my Dongping through the border as long as they are willing. And we should also prepare and notify all the counties and counties on the border to make preparations in advance."

Xu Jingtian nodded and said, "I can make the decision on this matter. I will draft a document later. Please, Mister Dai, take care of the matters within Yun Province. ...Also, no matter what the results of our battle are, the main army of my Dongping should enter Yun Province as soon as possible. Although His Majesty has already made preparations, we have not received any further news, so we should urge them."

Ye Tao frowned and suddenly said, "Zhuo Xianchen, I know you're bored. Guarding the supply line is a bit of an overqualified job for you. There's a mission that's really suitable for your identity as the head of Tianwang Village. Gather your subordinates and go here!" Ye Tao's finger tapped on the map, pointing at a certain spot.

Everyone quickly gathered around, and after seeing the place where Ye Tao's finger was pointing, they were surprised and a little envious of Zhuo Xianchen's assignment. This task was really wonderfully indescribable.

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There have been fewer words these past two days, I'll make it up to everyone tomorrow.