Chapter 552 - Chapter 552: Chapter 263: Please Support the Vassal States_3

Chapter 552: Chapter 263: Please Support the Vassal States_3

When Li Shou heard this condition, his face changed, and he said with a slightly bad tone: “If the king divides it like this, won’t we only get the lands of the four Nongdong countries?”

The land of the four Nongdong countries sounds like the territories of four countries, not small at all. However, in reality, the combined area is only about two and a half prefectures.

It doesn’t even sum up to three prefectures.

Such a small territory, how could it satisfy Li Xiong’s appetite?

If they really agreed to this condition, they would have worked in vain.

However, in response to Li Shou’s change of expression, Lu Yuan said indifferently: “Having the lands of the four countries is already quite good. The four countries under Nong Dong have a slightly small territory, but it barely equals the size of three prefectures, almost half of a county’s land.

For this western expedition, Great Chu is the main force, exerting the most effort, and needs to face the pressure from Da Changhe Country directly.

Under Li Xiong, there are only 80,000 to 90,000 barbarian soldiers, who are all fickle and undependable in battle.

Honestly.

What I value is his Inborn Grandmaster status, not those ragtag barbarian soldiers.

Being able to reward three prefectures’ land for a single Inborn Grandmaster’s participation, this treatment is already considered quite good.

Of course, you can also refuse and choose to face Da Changhe Country by yourself.

I don’t really care about that.

If worse comes to worst, I’ll personally bring my powerful army and take the aforementioned territories from Da Changhe Country after you meet your doom.

However, by that time, don’t even think about getting any part of the Nongdong countries’ lands, let alone any other benefits, Li Xiong.”

When Lu Yuan finished speaking, he glanced at Li Shou and said with a light laugh: “I’ve laid out my conditions. Whether to let me take action or not, or whether you can accept it, you go ask Li Xiong. Give me a reply as soon as possible.

I can wait, but Li Xiong’s side, heh, it might not be able to hold on.”

After saying this, he closed his eyes, showing a gesture of sending off guests.

Seeing this, Li Shou couldn’t help but feel humiliated, even though he knew that the situation was stronger than the person.

Fortunately, after suffering all these years and wandering through life, he had been sharpened a lot by his experiences, so he didn’t let any impassioned words slip out.

Taking a deep breath, Li Shou bowed to Lu Yuan: “I will definitely convey your majesty’s words. If there is an answer, I will deliver it immediately. I deeply apologize for the disturbance today, and I wish Great Chu prosperity and longevity.”

After saying this, he turned and left the palace.

As for today’s mission, it had gains and losses.

Chu State was willing to send troops, and this young king of Chu also coveted Da Changhe Country a lot.

However, precisely because of this coveting, his ambitions were too great, wanting to swallow more than half of Da Changhe Country in one go.

In the end, all that was left for Li Xiong was the small land of the four Nongdong countries.

Could their brother truly be satisfied with accepting this small territory of two and a half prefectures?

Li Shou stepped out of the palace gates, looking at the blazing sun above his head, and gazing at the halo, feeling lost.

They used to dominate a county and called themselves the emperor of Xichuan, how did they end up like this?

His brother was clearly an Inborn Grandmaster, unparalleled in the world, but why did he end up in this situation today?

In such a poor and remote place as the southwestern barbarians, being bullied by the local aborigines. Now coming to Great Chu, being bullied again by the king of Chu, who has the reputation of being the number one general in Jiangnan.

When did a Inborn Grandmaster fall into such a state?

‘Is it because Heaven is not blessing our Qiang Tribe?’

Li Shou sighed in his heart, and then returned to Wu Savage Country with a sense of desolation and loneliness.

Over there, his brother was still waiting for his news, and the Wu Savage Country was also retreating due to Da Changhe Country’s attacks.

Just as Lu Yuan said.

If they do not have the help of Chu State, in a few months, they might really be left with nothing.

By that time,

Li Shou was not sure if Chu State could take the entire Da Changhe Country as Lu Yuan said.

But they would definitely lose everything again and become homeless, fleeing in all directions.

Between losing everything and enduring humiliation while keeping a part of their assets, this choice was truly difficult.

Fortunately, Li Shou didn’t have to make this choice; the final dilemma would be borne by Li Xiong.

Why is it so difficult in life to just live, and to live well?

…

Li Shou left on his horse.

After his departure, Lu Yuan’s actions speeded up.

First, he summoned important ministers, told Cui Changqing about the changes in Da Changhe Country, and then entrusted the court affairs to him, making him responsible for managing domestic affairs after the army’s western expedition.

Yes.

As mentioned previously to Li Shou

Whether Li Xiong would accept the conditions or not, expanding the expedition to Da Changhe Country had already been decided.

However, now that they were forced to push the decision forward due to the pressure from Dan Ding Path and the changes in the situation of Da Changhe Country, the expedition date was changed from next year to the second half of this year, merely half a year ahead.

Court affairs were entrusted to Cui Changqing.

Then, in military affairs, Lu Yuan had a detailed talk with Lan Cai’er, entrusted her with instructions, and ordered her to monitor the country’s defense as queen while he was away.

As for Sun Siwen’s cultivation, Lu Yuan had asked him to pack up and go north to Xiangyang.

He couldn’t possibly take Sun Siwen with him while he was on an expedition.

But this good friend’s cultivation couldn’t be left unattended either.

Fortunately, Zhou Qing shared the same origin for his cultivation technique with Lu Yuan, so there wasn’t much difference between teacher and student, and he could help watch over Sun Siwen.

Given the relationship between Zhou Qing and his good friend, there was no need to worry that he wouldn’t take it seriously.

Moreover, after his disciple Zhou Qing broke through the Innate realm, he could use this opportunity of guiding Sun Siwen to sort out what he had learned, which should help him consolidate his realm as soon as possible.

This arrangement was also in the best interests of both parties.

In this way, after making all the arrangements, Lu Yuan officially issued a decree to form a western expeditionary army.

Appointing the national elder Lan Zhaoyun as the Northern Commanding Officer for the army, leading a force of 20,000 forbidden soldiers and stationed in Wuling Prefecture, spying on the five northern territories under Da Changhe Country’s Hui Chuan kingdom.

Appointing disciple Li Liang as the Southern Commanding Officer, leading 20,000 forbidden soldiers, stationed in Lingling Prefecture, spying on the four southern territories under Da Changhe Country’s Nong Dong kingdom.

As for Lu Yuan, he wouldcommand the Central Army, leading the main force of 60,000 forbidden soldiers and stationed in Shaoyang Prefecture, aiming directly at Lingling, where the Wu Savage Country was located.

In the fifth month of the Shenwu fourth year, with the formation of the western expeditionary camp, the news of Great Chu’s intention to conquer the southwestern barbarians quickly spread across all directions.

Upon hearing the news, the surrounding countries reacted differently and frequently.

At the same time, the messenger previously sent to Su Country for negotiations finally returned with the news from Su Country.

As for the strategy proposed by Chu State, Su King did not refuse, and agreed to the invitation for a joint alliance against the barbarians.