Hu Xiaotian shook his head. "Great Yong and the Bohai Kingdom aren't brothers. Their strength and standing have never been on the same level. You know that, I know that, and everyone here knows it. Why deceive yourselves with such wild talk? Great Yong gets the land, and we reclaim the seas? The Bohai Kingdom's fleet can't even take a mere Python Jiao Island. What could it possibly use to conquer Great Kang? Anyone can talk warfare on paper, but your ideas make absolutely no sense in the real world." Hu Xiaotian was already being polite by not calling his ideas utter bullshit.
Li Guoyuan's face turned livid with anger. "You're spouting outrageous lies! You're belittling our Bohai Kingdom..."
Hu Xiaotian smiled. "Not belittling it, merely discussing the facts. Warfare on paper is ultimately divorced from reality. If you truly have your country's interests at heart, Mr. Li, you should devise practical strategies instead of merely trying to win arguments and boasting before an audience." His words spared Li Guoyuan no dignity whatsoever. But Li Guoyuan held no official post, much less any position of consequence, and debates on current affairs were common among the Bohai Kingdom's scholars. Though the words grated on their ears, no one considered Hu Xiaotian guilty of some outrageous transgression. Most of the scholars present did not question his identity or origins; instead, they racked their brains for ways to refute his arguments.
Zou Yong smiled. "Mr. Hu, it seems you must have your own views on the state of the world. Why not share your insights for everyone to consider?"
Hu Xiaotian gave a faint smile. "I'm only a merchant. I know nothing beyond discussing the matter at hand, so I can hardly claim any profound insights. But since Young Master Zou wishes me