Chapter 397: The Plan to Swallow a Nation Unfolds Once Again!

Chapter 397: The Plan to Swallow a Nation Unfolds Once Again!

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Your Majesty, this is a great opportunity! The Minister of Personnel, Gao Tianyao, was the first to speak enthusiastically. He said, After experiencing the disaster of the ice, the White Elephant Kingdom has weakened, facing internal strife and chaos. The imperial court is powerless to control the situation. Theyve requested military aid, and this is our chance! We only need to send 300,000 troops, and we can conquer everything! This will not only establish our dominance but also secure annual tributes from the White Elephant Kingdom. Its a profitable deal!

Yes, its a profitable deal! Others chimed in. Please, Your Majesty, send our troops to support the White Elephant court!

Minister Gaos supporters continued to voice their opinions.

Your Majesty, I have a different perspective, the Minister of War, Li Kaiguang, turned to the Empress and said, Your Majesty, I believe that this is the perfect opportunity to incorporate the White Elephant Kingdom into our territory. Currently, the White Elephant Kingdom is in chaos, with uprisings among the people. Their court cant quell the rebellion. Therefore, they seek our help. We can pretend to be allies, gain their trust, and then launch an attack to bring them under our rule, expanding our borders. This is an opportunity we shouldnt miss!Thê source of this content n/o/v/(el)bi((n))

Minister Li is absolutely right. This is the time to use military force! Others supported his view. This opportunity is too rare; its like a gift from heaven. We must seize it!

Your Majesty, please think carefully!

The ministers, military officials, and courtiers offered their opinions.

Minister Li, the use of military force is quite risky! The Minister of Revenue, Qian Sushen, immediately countered, If we invade the White Elephant Kingdom as you suggest, we may indeed have a chance to expand our territory, but the cost will be high. Its an unjust war, and well face resistance not only from the White Elephant court but also from their people, who will see us as enemies. We are already focusing on domestic production; diverting our resources to another country is not advisable. Furthermore, neighboring powers like Great Yan and Dayue are watching closely and wont let us expand so easily. Theyll likely join the conflict, and well be caught in a two-front war, leading to inevitable defeat.

So, either we send troops to aid the White Elephant court, minimizing our losses and securing benefits, or we refrain from military intervention and let them fight amongst themselves while we profit from the situation. Your Majesty, please consider this carefully!

Please, Your Majesty, think it over! The Minister of Revenues officials echoed his sentiments.

Ministers, you all make valid points, the Empress nodded. She was clearly torn.

It was evident that sending troops to help the White Elephant court suppress domestic rebellion was the option with the least sacrifice and the most stability. Success would mean gaining a submissive nation and annual tributes.

But the opportunity to expand our territory is indeed rare. The White Elephant Kingdom is in turmoil, and our neighboring countries are preoccupied. When else should we act?

If we miss this chance, we might not get another like it! However, this plan carries a higher risk and substantial cost. Thats why the Empress has been hesitant.

As a result, she thought of someone.

This person is quite versatile; he can manage the court internally and lead armies externally. When all else fails, she turns to the Prime Minister! When it comes to war, he cant go wrong.

Prime Minister Lin, do you have any thoughts? Please share them with me.

Lin Beifan chuckled confidently, We wont even need to fight; we can attract the White Elephant people to join us willingly. Theyll be thankful and willing to work hard for us. Isnt that ideal?

Everyones eyes lit up, and they agreed, Yes!

What about the wealth of the White Elephant Kingdom? one minister asked.

Lin Beifan inquired, What does their diplomatic message say?

The White Elephant Kingdom asked for our military support to quell the rebellion. If we succeed, they will submit to our rule and pay annual tributes.

Lin Beifan spread his hands and explained, Were just helping them solve their problems, right? As long as we bring the White Elephant people into our country to develop and cultivate the land, they wont be able to cause trouble in their own country, which is now sparsely populated. Once the issue is resolved, as stated in their diplomatic message, wont they have to pay tribute and offer us their wealth?

Everyones eyes brightened once again, and they agreed, Yes!

What about the land?

Thats even simpler, Lin Beifan grinned mischievously. Most of the White Elephant people will have joined us, so who will be left to farm their land? By that time, their national wealth will undoubtedly decrease.

And at this time, well demand their tribute without compromise. Theyll be helpless due to our strength, forced to exploit their remaining population. The people will surely resent this, leading to another rebellion.

At this point, when they see the White Elephant people living prosperously in Great Wu, they will be envious. Thats when we march in, and they will open their doors willingly, cooperating from within and without.

In this way Lin Beifan smiled confidently, a scene like the Darro Kingdom is bound to repeat itself well conquer without a fight! With minimal cost, well take the White Elephant Kingdom!

The Empress and the entire court were left speechless, staring at Lin Beifan in awe. After a while, the court began to applaud, initially slowly and gradually increasing in volume until it became thunderous applause.

The Empress clapped her hands while deeply impressed. Prime Minister Lin, this strategy is truly ingenious! Just like your plan to swallow the Python, its a stroke of genius! Although we havent implemented it yet, I already feel that its highly likely to succeed. Minister Lin, it can only be you who could come up with such a brilliant plan!

Thank you, Your Majesty, for your praise. I humbly accept it, Lin Beifan replied modestly. Knowing when to show off and when to be humble is an essential quality for someone who has traveled to another world.

The Empress asked, What do you think, dear ministers? I find this plan marvelous. Do any of you have objections? The courtiers collectively responded, We have no objections, Your Majesty!

The Empress clapped her thigh and said, Excellent! Lets proceed with this plan! I shall name it the Swallowing the Elephant strategy, and Minister Lin will be in charge! All of you, dear ministers, must support it wholeheartedly and ensure there are no mistakes. Do you understand?

We shall follow Your Majestys orders! The courtiers echoed in unison.