As the saying goes!
Even if you don't have the intention to rebel, but you have the ability to do so, that's still a crime!
Aksu's influence in Frostwest is too strong!
He controlled nearly half of Frostwest's army, and many military generals were also his subordinates. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he held immense power.
If Ashina Tiandu an ordinary emperor, this wouldn't have been a problem. As long as Aksu didn't rebel, this emperor would have been relatively worry-free. But Bill IV was an ambitious man, eager to stir up trouble, and naturally wouldn't tolerate such a fellow blocking his way.
To put it bluntly, Aksu's existence has already hindered its takeoff.
That's why Ashina Tiandu wanted to use Huo Qubing to weaken Aksu; it was definitely a brilliant move.
After all, Aksu's power is concentrated on the northwestern border of Frostwest, and those troops are almost all Aksu's direct subordinates. Once Huo Qubing attacks, he will inevitably have to confront Aksu.
Given the fighting strength of Huo Qubing's Feathered Forest Army, that was by no means an easy task.
However, according to intelligence, Huo Qubing was planning to hunt down the Tiele capital with Xue Rengui, which meant that Aksu could decide whether to intercept them.
Lin Yi couldn't help but feel a little expectant, and said quietly, "If Aksu doesn't want to suffer too much loss and chooses to go easy on Huo Qubing, then Ashina Tiandu."
Forehead!
Tian Feng and Guo Jia's hearts skipped a beat; this was indeed highly likely.
After all, Aksu was a veteran of the battlefield, so he could naturally detect clues from Huo Qubing's marching route and know that the enemy was not targeting him. This guy could very well have a trick up his sleeve against Ashina Tiandu.
If he had just cleared the way, Huo Qubing would have marched almost unimpeded into Tiele City, and Ashina Tiandu probably have been devastated.
This is a classic case of someone trying to weaken another player but failing miserably, ultimately getting themselves killed.
Tian Feng's eyes held a strange look, and he said with a wry smile, "You know what, that possibility is quite high. After all, Aksu wouldn't willingly let Bill IV scheme against them!"
He couldn't help but sigh, realizing that if they had been united, there might have been a glimmer of hope.
But now that everyone is scheming against each other, the entire country is likely to perish because of their calculations. After all, these two elite troops are not just bandits or robbers, but the ace troops in the hands of their own lord.
If you charge in like this and you still don't work together, you're doomed.
"Strength is the only true measure of victory. The strength of the Great Liang far surpasses theirs. Even if they go all out, they will be powerless to turn the tide!" Guo Jia shook his head and said calmly.
He knew in his heart that if the emperor hadn't wanted to avoid making things too ugly, Frostwest would have been completely overthrown.
Although Frostwest is powerful, it is old and frail. Its weapons and equipment are no longer up to par with Great Liang, and its army's combat strength is also lagging behind. How can it possibly fight Great Liang?
Lin Yi smiled noncommittally. He really didn't take Ashina Tiandu seriously; eliminating him was only a matter of time.
Originally, his creation of a community of interests targeting Great Liang might have posed some threat, but now that Xue Rengui has destroyed all those so-called communities, the remaining Frostwest Empire is basically a lamb to the slaughter, completely tethered.
He laughed and said, "How is Ashina Tiandu right now? He must be like an ant on a hot pan!"
Guo Jia smiled, handed over a stack of intelligence reports, and began to explain.
" Ashina Tiandu. According to intelligence, he sent out six waves of envoys in succession, entering the territories of Great Liang, Great Tang, Great Han and Great West Empire, in an attempt to resolve the predicament."
He tried to ease tensions with Huo Qubing and Xue Rengui by using persuasion and inducements, even wanting them to join forces against Great Liang.
At the same time, he sent someone to contact Abaddon, threatening him with the threat of Great Liang to send troops to support him, but Abaddon simply avoided meeting him.
As for Great Liang, he chose to stabilize us first!
He sent his eldest son as a hostage in an attempt to buy time by pledging peace and admitting defeat. To be on the safe side, he subsequently bestowed upon Princess Anne of Grand Princess of the West, acknowledging her right to the throne...
"Dream on!"
Lin Yi curled his lip. He couldn't let this duck fly away, even if it was his brother-in-law.
This is a national war!
Faced with national interests, such kinship is undoubtedly fragile. I believe that if Ashina Tiandu, he would also show no mercy.
Such power struggles between nations don't actually need a reason; in fact, I've given them one, which is a way of giving them face.
He said in a deep voice, "Ignore him. His reputation is almost ruined now. Just attack him directly. The people won't follow him down a dark path."
"Your subject understands."
Guo Jia and the other man nodded, taking note of the Emperor's instructions.
Is there anything else?
"There's another piece of news: the victorious army from the southwest has returned, accompanied not only by Nan Ke and his son, and Zan Rihong, but also by many island kings, all of whom have come to pledge their allegiance!"
Nan Ke and his son, and Zan Rihong?
Upon hearing this, Lin Yi's eyes flashed with a strange light. These three were practically blood enemies, yet they had all come to Great Liang together. How interesting.
In that case, Li Ru and Zhang Liao should have returned by now, so we can't neglect them.
He laughed and said, "Notify the Ministry of Rites to prepare a victory banquet, and at the same time, all civil and military officials should go to welcome the heroes who have brought about the destruction of the country."
However, this time there's no need to notify the people. Let them decide for themselves whether to go and greet us. It's better to do things from the heart.
Forcing mobilization would actually be detrimental!
Those soldiers who did not return shall be rewarded on the spot, and they must carry my decree with them!
This return only included some generals; most of the soldiers had already gone to the western front, so they were not eligible for this treatment.
That's why Lin Yi specifically instructed that the reward be given in another location.
This is a feat that could destroy a nation, so we can't let them leave quietly. That would be letting down the generals who risked their lives for us.
Even if they are far apart, a reward is still necessary.
As for the general public, one or two forced mobilizations are fine, but if it happens too often, it becomes deliberate, and we'll have to see if they'll act on their own initiative.
If one has absolutely no sense of national honor, that would be a grave sin.
Guo Jia nodded slightly and smiled, "Your Majesty is wise. This is a feat of annihilation, and not just any country, but a great one at that. The All Under Heaven should know of such glory!"
Ha ha!
Hearing his words, Lin Yi couldn't help but chuckle.
This time, it wasn't just the army that returned, but also over 100 million strings of cash, an astronomical sum that nearly caused the Great Liang to go bankrupt.
This plundered wealth is a major problem; it needs to be released in a regular manner, otherwise it could very likely cause economic contraction.