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墨書 Inktalez
To be honest, after realizing the true intentions of Tang Nation, Zhou Tong, Jiang Ao, Han Huang, and Master Pang all praised it.
However, their words were essentially that if their neighboring country did not have its own Cloud Nation, Tang Nation's scheme would surely succeed, and it would rise to power, capable of unifying the region.
The implication was clear: Tang Nation's plans were doomed to fail because they encountered Cloud Nation.
Cloud Nation dispatched personnel to inform Ambassador Silver Prosperity stationed in Tang Nation, requesting him to convey Cloud Nation's will. This was a demand for them to pay three times the amount of Realm Power they had requested from Cloud Nation as 'support.'
There was no reason given; it was a show of strength demanding tribute. It seemed as if they were acting arrogantly without recognizing the reality.
Yet, the ruler of Tang Kingdom did not feel anger; instead, he fell into a brief silence.
Being neighbors, Tang Nation naturally understood the general situation of Cloud Nation. They knew that their schemes posed the greatest threat to Cloud Nation, which is why their demands were minimal.
However, he did not expect that Cloud Nation would turn around and threaten them without even providing a reason.
This led the ruler of Tang Kingdom to believe that Cloud Nation had already anticipated their plans and had secretly made preparations without him noticing.
In fact, Cloud Nation had indeed taken relevant precautions.
This was largely thanks to Han Huang's wisdom.
After truly pledging loyalty to Lian Yun, Han Huang learned about the situation in neighboring Tang Nation. Initially, he stated that Tang Nation would definitely not engage in production activities.
Not producing meant relying on what was already available; Zhou Tong and Jiang Ao were skeptical. However, after having Silver Prosperity investigate secretly, they discovered that Tang Nation indeed had no plans or intentions to produce food at all.
Such a lack of production while continuously supplying food to four nations was tantamount to self-destruction. However, this was clearly impossible, so Zhou Tong and Jiang Ao began to seriously consider what schemes Tang Nation might have.
The conclusion they reached was essentially consistent with the current situation: Tang Nation would adopt a policy of elite troops and utilize refugees as a means of disruption.
Thus, early on, Cloud Nation naturally acted accordingly. The 'refugees' sent to Tang Nation were carefully selected individuals. The Fierce Commoners accepted by Tang Nation were also discreetly sent back after being allowed to roam within the country for a while.
As a result, Cloud Nation was not afraid of any disruptions from Tang Nation; on the contrary, Cloud Nation even hoped for such provocations. This way, Cloud Nation could take advantage of the situation and control the refugees within Tang Nation while also justifying military action against them.
It was a plan so extraordinary that it seemed to rise from the dead, and the Ruler of the Tang Kingdom must have had exceptionally talented individuals at his side.
Before long, the Ruler of the Tang Kingdom began to suspect that the Cloud Nation was playing a clever game. He even anticipated the situation that would arise if the Cloud Nation decided to take action.
This realization sent chills down the spines of the high-ranking officials in the Tang Nation, filling them with terror. The schemes of the Cloud Nation were not only effective at this moment; they seemed to linger like a festering wound within the Tang Nation, posing a lethal threat at any time.
"One misstep can lead to eternal regret!"
Members of the Li Clan lamented this sentiment.
The Li Clan was well aware that their family was not powerful enough to compete with some of the superpowers in Huaxia, yet they still harbored ambitious aspirations to make their mark.
After careful consideration and detailed planning, they chose a location where they could establish a nation adjacent to four other powers. They intended to leverage innocent civilians to gain strength from these four major powers. Once they acquired that strength, they could build an invincible army, allowing them to select a new territory and gradually develop it.
From the outset, they had no intention of staying long-term; thus, while they recognized the potential value of innocent civilians, they instinctively regarded them as expendable. Consequently, when accepting refugees from the four nations, they did not keep detailed records of these individuals.
As a result, identifying spies sent by the Cloud Nation among more than two-thirds of the refugee population became nearly impossible.
This meant that the Tang Nation would almost never be able to counteract the Cloud Nation and was destined to remain subordinate.
Initially, Zhou Tong and his companions understood that there was an exceptionally wise individual in the Tang Nation and guessed that the Lin Clan would deduce the actions of the Cloud Nation. However, Zhou Tong and his allies felt secure in their position, believing that the Tang Nation would ultimately compromise.
What they did not expect was how decisive the Li Clan would be.
The Ruler of the Tang Kingdom and Li Renba, head of the Li Clan, secretly met with Silver Prosperity. In front of him, he tore up any agreements with the Cloud Nation and then brought only one attendant as he covertly traveled to meet Lian Yun in the Cloud Nation.
In truth, when Zhou Tong, Jiang Ao, and Han Huang encountered this Ruler of the Tang Kingdom in a private chamber, they were filled with admiration. When he expressed his willingness to surrender eighty percent of the Realm Power from the Three Kingdoms in exchange for ensuring that the Li Clan would belong to the Cloud Nation—leaving it up to Lian Yun whether or not to allow the Tang Nation to continue existing—it was a bold move.
However, for Li Clan to accept this arrangement, they required certain lands, hereditary titles, rights, and private troops. Essentially, it meant becoming a vassal king under the Cloud Nation.
Li Renba's decisive actions gave off an air of a true heroic leader amidst chaos. Yet his current submission left Zhou Tong and others sensing an undercurrent of hidden ambition.
Once circumstances favored him in the future, Li Renba and his clan would surely rebel. Zhou Tong contemplated assassinating him now to prevent him from becoming a formidable enemy later on.
However, Zhou Tong's opinion was opposed by Han Huang. Han Huang's stance was that he could agree to Li Renba's request and even give him a chance to make a comeback, but even if the Three Kingdoms agreed to Tang Nation's demands, he would still require the public disclosure of the transaction documents with the other Three Kingdoms.
In response, Li Renba suddenly glared at Han Huang in anger, gritting his teeth and saying, "So you have seen through my scheme, haven't you?"
Yet, immediately after, he couldn't help but show a hint of admiration.
Zhou Tong also displayed a look of respect.
It should be noted that Han Huang's plan was quite insidious. If Li Renba complied with the demands, it would mean that the Lin Clan had completely offended the Three Kingdoms and lost their credibility. In the future, even if the Li Clan did not have to rely on Cloud Nation, they would still face various forms of oppression from the Three Kingdoms.
Moreover, without trust, one cannot stand; it would be difficult for him to establish trustworthy diplomatic relations with other nations in the future.
The opportunity presented by Han Huang could almost be described as cruel.
Empathizing with others and being exceptionally wise, Li Renba naturally admired Han Huang's intellect, but he couldn't help but feel resentment towards Han Huang's 'ruthlessness.'
However, possessing the qualities of a Heroic Leader, Li Renba was not willing to remain submissive. As long as there was an opportunity, he would not easily give up. Thus, he ultimately chose to accept Han Huang's proposal.
(End of Chapter)
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