When an emperor is enraged, millions will die!
Upon seeing Lin Yi's gaze, the envoys from the Western Regions turned deathly pale, feeling as if the sky had fallen.
The group exchanged glances, all with expressions of despair.
Those who were sent here as envoys were certainly not fools; they knew perfectly well why the emperor had changed his expression—it was because their own country had not decisively stated its position.
This is a huge problem.
Now that the Great Liang has no external threats, its attention is focused on the west. If we don't give them an explanation, the Great Liang emperor might take action against us directly.
Bang!
Without the slightest hesitation, the group knelt down and cried out, "Your Majesty, please forgive us! We naturally yearn for the Great Liang, but alas, the Western Regions are not under our control!"
They were also aggrieved, because they couldn't afford to offend either the Frostwest Empire or the Great Liang Empire, which was the most awkward thing.
If we were to completely align ourselves with Great Liang, the cost would be far too high.
The Frostwest Empire will not let them off the hook, nor will the Western Regions Alliance. For five small fry like them, that would be utterly annihilated.
Unless Great Liang's father personally intervenes, it's best to forget about this.
hehe!
Looking at those pitiful eyes, Lin Yi remained unmoved. These weren't his own people, so no matter how miserable they were, it had nothing to do with him.
However, now that they've come knocking on our door, we can't completely refuse them.
He nodded slightly and smiled, "I am very pleased that you have abandoned darkness and embraced the light! However, this land of the Western Regions has been the territory of my Great Liang since ancient times. We did not have time to pay attention to it before, but now times have changed."
All the land belonging to the Great Liang must be reclaimed, and any force that obstructs this will be considered an enemy of the Great Liang.
He knew perfectly well what these countries were thinking.
They want to protect their own country while also wanting the Great Liang to help them—there's no such thing as All Under Heaven. The weak are vulnerable to attack; to think they can survive is simply wishful thinking.
The Net has been operating continuously, and its infiltration of western countries is also proceeding at a rapid pace, so Lin Yi is fully aware of the situation in the Western Regions.
Currently, seven of the twenty-six kingdoms in the Western Regions are under the control of the Great Liang, while the remaining nineteen kingdoms are vassal states of the Frostwest Empire.
The Frostwest Empire faces challenges from the even more western Great West Empire, so it cannot spare many troops to enter the eastern battlefield. Ultimately, the Western Regions must rely on themselves to resist the Great Liang.
Led by the Myriad Forms Kingdom, a coalition of fourteen countries, totaling 500,000 troops, is preparing to block the westward advance of the Great Liang. The five envoys before us represent only five countries that are trying to play both sides.
Such a wonderful opportunity would never fall to them!
Forehead!
The faces of the Western Regions envoys immediately froze. They had thought they could still try to persuade the emperor, but they never expected that the emperor was the most shameless of all.
What do you mean by saying that the Western Regions have belonged to the Great Liang since ancient times? This is clearly just a pretext to forcibly seize the Western Regions.
Although they guessed Lin Yi's thoughts, they didn't have the courage to refute Great Liang, since offending Great Liang could be fatal.
The group exchanged glances, and finally gritted their teeth and made a decision.
I voted!
The leader took a deep breath, knelt down, took out the official letter in his hand, and solemnly said, "Your Majesty, our Western Sand Kingdom is willing to submit to the Great Liang and return to the embrace of the Great Liang."
However, the Western Regions still have lackeys of the Frostwest Empire, and they will not allow us to return to Great Liang. Your Majesty cannot ignore this!
When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head!
If the Great Liang is willing to intervene, it doesn't matter if their country is occupied by the Great Liang. It doesn't matter who they follow; they used to follow the Frostwest Empire, now they've just changed masters.
For our own countries, this is something we're used to; it's not shameful at all.
"Hmph, they're just a few tiny territories, yet they dare to interfere in my Great Liang's efforts to reclaim its territory! I think they're tired of living! Your Majesty, why don't I lead the troops and sweep through the Western Regions?"
Zhang Fei sneered from the side. "Just a few minor characters, they really think they're some great power."
The army of 500,000, cobbled together from various sources, was probably not even as strong as a 100,000-strong elite force. Where did they get their courage?
Looking at the five letters of submission in his hand, a hint of amusement flashed in Lin Yi's eyes. With these five countries as a breakthrough point, he would have no shortage of reasons to stir up trouble in the Western Regions.
He waved his hand and said with a smile, "You may all leave now. Prepare for the handover; I will send someone over to handle it later!"
Forehead!
Upon hearing his words, the faces of the several envoys from the Western Regions immediately turned uneasy. Without a definite answer, they would have no way to explain themselves.
But what could he say in the face of Great Liang?
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Seeing that the emperor didn't intend to say anything more, the group sighed and withdrew.
Watching their retreating figures, Lin Yi couldn't help but sigh, "The Western Regions are divided into twenty-six kingdoms, which is ultimately not conducive to governance. One Western Regions Military Governor's Office is enough! Summoning Ma Chao and the others is a good opportunity to give the Western Regions a surprise."
Less than half the original territory of Great Ning had been split into twenty-six countries. It would be better to wipe them out in one fell swoop to avoid further war.
The Great Liang army now numbers nearly two million. Even if the forces are dispersed to other regions, they are more than enough to wipe out the Western Regions. Therefore, there is no reason to give the Frostwest Empire a chance.
As the newly appointed Grand Commander of the Western Regions, Ma Chao must shoulder this heavy responsibility!
"Haha, my lord is wise!"
Guo Jia, standing to the side, couldn't help but burst into laughter. Strike while the iron is hot; this was definitely the best choice. If the Frostwest Empire recovered, then destroying the Western Regions would become much more complicated.
Now is the best opportunity!
"Indeed, our Great Liang has swept through the Northern Region Barbarians and the Great Ning one after another. I'm afraid the Western Regions are now like frightened birds!" Xun Yu couldn't help but laugh. The Western Regions were basically beyond saving.
Without the help of the Frostwest Empire, his small force in the Western Regions couldn't even stop Ma Chao, let alone the other major legions; they would basically be wiped out.
"Haha, they're not stupid; they're all thinking of using someone else's strength against them!"
A smile flashed in Lin Yi's eyes as he pulled a secret letter from a pile of memorials and tossed it to the two men.
This document clearly reveals the latest decisions and moves of the Frostwest Empire, the Zhennan Dynasty, and all three parties' intentions to coordinate their actions. These three parties are all restless.
Thinking of each other as pawns, yet neither wanting to exert any effort, neither side is exactly easy to deal with.
Unfortunately, they were all overthinking it. To form an alliance, there needs to be an opportunity. The two million-strong army of the Great Liang was not to be underestimated.
Unless the Frostwest Empire transfers all its troops here now, not only will the Western Regions be in trouble, but even the Zhennan Dynasty will be unable to protect itself!