"Emperor."
"Emissaries from both the Great West Empire and the Frostwest Empire have entered the capital. The two sides met at the city gate and almost came to blows." Zhao Yun, upon receiving the news, dared not delay and immediately returned to report.
As the leader of the Hundred Riders, he was well aware of the importance of this matter.
Although this matter may seem insignificant, there are no trivial matters in the clash between nations. This is related to the subsequent three-way power struggle, and these are all matters of interest.
"That's normal, it would be strange if they didn't fight!"
Hearing his words, Lin Yi couldn't help but chuckle. It would be a problem if these two countries didn't go to war.
It's perfectly normal for them to start fighting now.
Moreover, the fact that he was able to meet the two sides was largely due to his own help to the Great West Empire, by instructing Ma Chao and the officials along the way to prepare a small surprise.
Otherwise, given the distance between the two countries, and the fact that the Frostwest Empire had gone ahead, even if the Great West Empire's envoys had wings, they wouldn't have been able to catch up.
The fact that the two sides are now facing off is something he had planned long ago.
He glanced at Zhao Yun and instructed, " Zilong, go and inform Zhang Fei to arrange for the people from the Great West Empire and the Frostwest Empire to be in the same courtyard so they can get to know each other better and avoid feeling unfamiliar."
Since they've already clashed, let them add fuel to the fire. That way, Daliang can benefit from the situation. The more Great Liang the conflict, the better.
Forehead!
Upon hearing this, Zhang Juzheng and Xun Yu couldn't help but twitch their lips. The Emperor was about to trick them again.
These two are old rivals; how could they be strangers?
These two sides are sworn enemies, already locked in a life-or-death struggle. Now they've been put in the same courtyard, meaning they'll probably be fighting from morning till night without a break.
There's a saying that goes, "The person who knows you best is always your enemy," and this is certainly true of the Great West Empire and the Frostwest Empire.
Both sides were fully aware of each other's intentions and knew exactly what the other was after, so naturally they were determined to fight to the death.
Jia Xu couldn't help but laugh, and said quietly, "Your Majesty's move is brilliant. Both sides want to please us and then strike at the other. Our main strategy is not on them right now, so we can win on both sides."
What Great West Empire, what Frostwest Empire, even that Black Skull Army can be extorted for a sum of money.
Peace isn't so easy to achieve. We'll buy it with money and resources, or we'll show them what the Great Liang's peace policy is all about.
Taking advantage of one side might bring some benefits, but nothing compares to taking advantage of everything – that's the real good thing.
Both sides will inevitably fight tooth and nail to gain control of Great Liang, which would undoubtedly allow Great Liang to sit back and reap the benefits.
"Yes, well said!"
Lin Yi glanced at Jia Xu with admiration. This guy really knew the emperor's heart; he guessed his innermost thoughts in an instant. It seemed that, in some ways, he also belonged to the category of cunning schemers.
However, when nations clash, they naturally need to be more intelligent; otherwise, it would be irresponsible to their own people.
He nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "This matter is settled then. The friendship of my Great Liang is not something that can be obtained so easily; it must be paid for with sufficient effort. Otherwise, wouldn't that violate our principle of peaceful foreign relations?"
"Your Majesty, the Great West Empire is determined to form an alliance with us to jointly attack the Frostwest Empire. If we maintain peace, it may not be what they want, and it will affect trade in the Western Regions," Mi Zhu, taking a deep breath and frowning.
Now that we have established dealings with the Great West Empire and preliminary commercial channels have been set up, any problems that arise could result in significant losses.
Lin Yi glanced at Mi Zhu meaningfully, a smile playing on his lips, and said softly, " Zizhong, it's just like doing business. Peace has one price. But if we're to join forces with them to attack the Frostwest Empire, that's another price!"
Since the services are different, the prices will naturally be different!
What a difference!
"Another price?"
Mi Zhu was an extremely intelligent man. Upon hearing this, he immediately sensed an overwhelming influx of money rushing towards him, likely several times the amount previously agreed upon by both sides.
He couldn't help but exclaim excitedly, "Haha, Your Majesty is truly my guiding light! This definitely needs a different price. I'll go discuss it with that Zhang Fei right away."
This is all money! If Zhang Fei asks for less than he should, or if he lets something slip, the losses will be enormous.
"As expected of the Great Liang, he's very astute when it comes to money!"
Seeing Mi Zhu rushing out in a panic, everyone couldn't help but laugh and cry. No wonder he was the Minister of Ministry of Revenue appointed by the Emperor himself; there was definitely a reason for that.
At this moment, Guo Jia couldn't help but laugh and said quietly, "His Majesty specially ordered someone to delay the Frostwest Empire's delegation, allowing both countries to enter the capital together. There must be another plan, right?"
He didn't believe the Emperor's arrangement was just this small thing; it wasn't in the Emperor's character. The Emperor was known for his ruthless methods, and such a small gesture wouldn't frighten either country.
"Haha, that's why he's called the Guo Jia, the Ghostly Genius Jia!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Yi burst into laughter. This kid was quite clever; he saw through the trick at a glance.
He asked with great interest, " Fengxiao, what other plans do you think I have?"
" Jite, the leader of the Western Regions Alliance!"
A glint flashed in Guo Jia's eyes as he uttered the name that had once shaken the Western Regions. This fellow had been sent back as a prisoner, and the Emperor was probably still waiting for him.
He laughed and said, "The current strategic focus of the Great Liang lies in the Yamata Nation and the Zhennan Dynasty, but not in the west. Therefore, Your Majesty needs an opportunity to make an example of someone. Destroying the Western Regions is one thing, but it lacks a more direct sense of fear."
What could be more terrifying than killing a king on the spot? That would probably make the emperors of two Western countries deeply wary.
Only death can instill fear!
Only with Jite's death will both countries be forced to offer more benefits to win over Great Liang; this is the Emperor's open scheme.
"That makes sense, and while I don't fully understand it, it's impressive!"
Everyone nodded in agreement; this method of making an example of someone was indeed effective.
Whether others are afraid or not is unknown, but the emperors of the Great West Empire and the Frostwest Empire are absolutely wary of them.
Today, Great Liang can kill the Western Regions overlord Jite; tomorrow, they may kill them all!
"Hmm, not bad!"
Lin Yi did not deny it, but smiled and admitted it, saying in a deep voice, "The army will be back tomorrow morning, bringing with them the spoils of war from Great Liang and prisoners such as Jite."
I have decided to personally welcome the troops and reward the army to enhance the prestige of the nation.
Furthermore, Jite and his ilk, disregarding the will of Heaven, have encroached upon the inherent territory of Great Liang, intending to divide Great Liang. Therefore, I have decided to publicly behead them.
Using the blood of this former overlord of the Western Regions as a warning to others is the most effective way to achieve this.
Now that we have the chicken, and with envoys from the Great West Empire and the Frostwest Empire present, the monkey is also in place. This is a perfect opportunity to make an example of someone.