He had been the chief adviser to the Prince's Mansion in the former Purple Thorn Kingdom. Skilled in strategic political maneuvering and domestic affairs, he had, over the years, seemed poised to become the Black Stone Kingdom royal family's chief adviser.
"I agree with Ouyang.
The Black Stone Kingdom is no longer what it was when it had just been founded, when it was in desperate need of expansion.
Even with a feast laid out before us, we have plenty of time to pick and choose carefully.
Compared with the huge prize of the hundred-odd small states in the Free State Conglomerate,
I think we can leave those little treats in the Faluleong Kingdom for another day!"
Dicimov declared his position without hesitation.
He was the former marshal of the Golden Snapdragon Federation, the God of War, and now the Black Stone Kingdom's Minister of Defense.
"That makes sense.
The moment they heard the call to war, they came to our aid of their own accord.
Then, after the war, we annexed them outright.
Those who know the situation understand that it was a mutual arrangement, with both sides willing.
Those who don't might think the Black Stone Kingdom is an ungrateful wretch!
I say we take our reinforcements into the Free State Conglomerate's territory during this campaign and make a tidy profit.
That way, we gain both the spoils and a good reputation.
Once we've finished digesting this huge prize, the Free State Conglomerate, and grown even stronger,
wouldn't it be easier to annex the other states, whose goodwill toward us has only increased?"
The veteran general Chen Detong chuckled.
He was a renowned general from the former Grand Duke's Territory of Beidi, with extensive experience both on the battlefield and in politics.
Though he often asked to retire