Then let them offer their loyalty!

Page 646

Many problems were exposed when the two states of Tian and Di were pacified.

Although we've matured a lot now, there's still some pressure in commanding such a large-scale war.

'We can't let Princess Xi command this battle, can we?'

'Princess Xi is a capable politician, but I haven't heard of her having much military ability.'

'Could it be that she was actually a student of Prince Kang? And learned some of his skills?'

Because of the lack of information, Huang Shangzong had no ideas for the time being.

However, he wasn't very optimistic about Qiu Tu's plan. Politically, it was impeccable; militarily, he was a complete novice.

Anyway, that mess is a headache for anyone who takes it on...

.....

Meanwhile, in the courtyard of Shelter No. 8, Rao Shou...

Several stones of various shapes, covered with moss, are arranged in a pleasing and orderly manner to form a small and exquisite pond.

In the pond, several koi carp swam happily in the water.

By the pond, Tang Wanfeng and Rao Shouzheng looked at each other in bewilderment.

The carefree expressions of the daytime were gone from their faces; instead, they were filled with deep emotion and shock.

After a few seconds of silence, Rao Shou shook his head and sighed twice, then commented, "Young people really have drive... They dare to do this."

At this point, he added casually, "Fortunately... we cut ties openly early on. Otherwise, it would have been too easy to be dragged into this mess."

After saying that, he thought for a moment and added, "That way, even if he fails, we can still provide him with a safety net and protect him."

"In this era of great strife, we humans cannot only think about stability; we also need radicalism and a burst of energy."

"However... while we're making a big fuss, we mustn't forget to prepare an escape route."

“Otherwise it will be like the ‘Partridge Terrace Incident’,” Tang Wanfeng added.

Rao Shou nodded slightly upon hearing this.

The Partridge Terrace Incident can be considered the most devastating defeat for humanity in the Northwest region in its fight against evil gods. It continues to profoundly influence the thinking of the leaders of the three major sanctuaries in the Northwest region to this day.

The principle of "considering defeat before victory" has become a guiding principle for the leaders of the three major shelters.

However, compared to Rao Shou's relatively neutral stance, Tang Wanfeng, because of Tang Feifei, was clearly more inclined to side with Qiu Tu.

After a two-second silence, he asked, "Old Rao, do you think Qiu Tu and his team have a good chance?"

Upon hearing this question, Rao Shou did not answer immediately. He closed his eyes and mentally compared the military strength of Qiu Tu's side and the 7th Shelter.

After a moment, he opened his eyes and said frankly, "Compared to the 6th Shelter, interfering in the 7th Shelter is actually more complicated and troublesome."

"Because when Qiu Tu intervened in the 6th Shelter, he obtained the consent of the two major forces in the 6th Shelter, which can be considered as support."

"The scope of the war will be kept very small, and the impact and opposition will be much smaller."

"As for intervening in the 7th Sanctuary... although Qiu Tu relied on the Lin family and Princess Xi to obtain legal support."

"However, after all, the Lin family has been out of the core of power in the 7th Shelter for many years, and the Han, Zhao and Wei families have long since completely taken control of the 7th Shelter."

"This is a challenge from a new order to the old one. It will involve bloodshed and hot war."

“In this situation, we cannot use a decapitation strike like we did with Sanctuary 6. Instead, we must fight a fair and square legion war and push through Sanctuary 7.”

At this point, Rao Shou shook his head slightly, reaching a similar conclusion to Huang Shangzong: "Qiu Tu's development is too fast, and his talent pool can't keep up. At least, I don't remember him having such military talent under his command."

Upon hearing Rao Shou's words, Tang Wanfeng's expression became even more solemn.

He nodded slightly, just about to say a few more words.

Just then, Tang Wanfeng's secretary suddenly rushed over, holding a phone in his hand.

Normally, when the number one and number two shelters hold secret meetings, the secretary is not allowed to enter unless it is something important.

The secretary's entry must mean that something important has happened that necessitates interrupting this secret meeting.

So the two of them stopped talking and looked up at the secretary.

Under their gazes, the secretary quickly approached them.

He first bowed slightly to Rao Shou, and after Rao Shou nodded, he took his phone, walked to Tang Wanfeng's side, bent down, and whispered, "Old Tang, Qiu Tu is looking for you."

Upon hearing that it was Qiu Tu, Tang Wanfeng was taken aback for a moment, and then couldn't help but look at Rao Shou.

The courtyard was only so big, and Rao Shou was a fifth-order Cataclysm user, so what the secretary said couldn't be hidden from him at all.

So he couldn't help but look at Tang Wanfeng.

The two elderly men exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with deep thought.

"Give it to me." Tang Wanfeng withdrew his gaze from Rao Shou and extended his hand to his secretary.

The secretary quickly and respectfully handed the communicator to Tang Wanfeng.

Tang Wanfeng took the phone, got up, walked to the side, and started making a call to Qiu Tu.

With this phone call, the courtyard fell into complete silence, with only Tang Wanfeng's voice echoing in the background.

"So that's what you wanted?"

"I can't make that decision."

"I need to ask Speaker Rao..."

Two minutes later, Old Tang hung up the phone, then walked over to Rao Shou with a strange expression and said to Rao Shou, "Qiu Tu wants to borrow someone."

"Borrow someone?" Rao Shou was taken aback.

Tang Wanfeng waved to his secretary, signaling him to go out first.

Knowing that the upcoming conversation was likely the most confidential in the Northwest region, the secretary quickly took the communicator with both hands and left the backyard.

After he left, Tang Wanfeng said to Rao Shou with a wry smile, "Qiu Tu complained on the phone that he was broke, saying that he had too few people at his disposal and no military talent at all. He could only let Fei take the place of the commander-in-chief in this war."

"Then he threatened me, saying that he trusted Tang Feifei anyway and thought Tang Feifei would definitely win."

"Whether we believe it or not, that's none of his business."

Rao Shouyi was both amused and exasperated by Qiu Tu's shamelessness.

He asked impatiently, "Then who does he want to borrow?"

Tang Wanfeng pointed at Rao Shou.

Rao Shou was stunned for a moment, then laughed angrily, "Nonsense! Me, the number one shelter, fighting for him? What would people think if word got out?"

Tang Wanfeng seemed to have anticipated Rao Shou's reaction. He said, "Qiu Tu said that he thinks only you, the number one warlord in the Northwest, can guarantee victory in this battle."

"And if you're unwilling, then... we can send Huang Shangzong and Yan Chen to assist Tang Feifei."

Rao Shou: .....

As a top politician, how could Rao Shou not see through Qiu Tu and Tang Wanfeng's use of the "window opening principle"?

He was both amused and exasperated. He pointed at Tang Wanfeng and said, "Old Tang, you're just a grandson-in-law. It's not even certain that things will work out. You're just siding with outsiders."

Tang Wanfeng said with a serious expression, "Qiu Tu said that this has nothing to do with our personal relationship. He just wanted to say that no matter what, the 8th Shelter will always be his home."

These words, coming from Qiu Tu, a person who values ​​promises, carry considerable weight.

Therefore, Rao Shouyi also became serious for a moment.

He pondered for a moment, then said, "It seems Qiu Tu has been eyeing Huang Shangzong and Yan Chen for a long time."

"Alright, since he wants it, then give it to him."

"However... let's forget about family ties. I just hope that if something happens to him in the future, it won't involve our 8th Shelter."

"It was all just their private behavior, their private behavior."

At this point, the two old foxes exchanged a glance, their eyes gleaming with amusement...

Ten minutes later, Huang Shangzong, who was summoned to the two leaders, listened to Rao Shou's decision with a bit of confusion.

Although his calm expression remained unchanged, only one thought occupied his mind:

'Huh? Me?'

'I'm the one who cleaned up that mess...?'

.....

Meanwhile, at Shelter No. 6, in the Border State, in Northview City.

Qiu Tu, Kou Xuan, and Princess Xi were also talking there.

Qiu Tu took the seat of honor without hesitation and said in a deep voice, "The military commander has now been determined."

"The entire operation is divided into two parts."

"Tomorrow, both of you will send letters to the public inviting me to participate in the coordination of the 6th shelter."

"Tomorrow, the reinforcements I found will also come to help Speaker Tang integrate the army."

"Once the integration is complete, the Dongye Prefecture & Royalist Allied Forces will leave the border prefecture and head to Fengqi Prefecture."

"At that time, we will issue a joint announcement. The Sixth Sanctuary will completely abolish the monarchy and replace it with a parliamentary system."

"The princess, on the other hand, as the head of the Lin family, demanded to return to the 7th Sanctuary and reclaim the Lin family's power."

"If everything goes smoothly and the Han, Zhao, and Wei families keep their promise from back then, then the Princess will enter the core of the 7th Sanctuary as the head of the Lin family, and then use political means and the list of members of the 'Mist Hidden Society' to seize supreme power."

"If things don't go smoothly, and the Han, Zhao, and Wei families break their promises and try to renege on the agreement, we will set out with our army, using the 6th Shelter and the two sides of the four states as our logistical bases, to pacify the 7th Shelter."

After listening to Qiu Tu's plan, Kou Xuan smiled and nodded. He said, "I have no objections. I will follow Speaker Qiu's instructions completely."

Upon hearing Kou Xuan's words, Princess Xi glanced at him expressionlessly.

To be honest, ever since Prince Kang fell seriously ill, her relationship with the Kou family has gradually become extremely hostile.

With the support of Prince Kang, Kou Xuan had schemed against her and the royalists quite a bit. When the conflict was intense, she truly wished she could kill him.

Therefore, she really didn't expect that one day she would work with Kou Xuan again, and that, just like before, they would all serve the same person.

Thinking this, she couldn't help but look at the man in the main seat...

Thinking about the twists and turns of today, and that man's grand plan.

It has to be said... her feelings are a bit complicated.

She was clearly the one who was betrayed.

However, Qiu Tu used his silver tongue to make her feel... that she had gotten the better deal this time?!

Who can I complain to about this?

But just as Qiu Tu pointed out at the time: she has no choice now. If she doesn't accept it, she will die. If she accepts it... she might be able to win the gamble.

'Let's leave it at that... and see if he really wants to sell me.'

And so, the three-person internal meeting went on until late at night.

It wasn't until 23 PM, after the three of them had finished discussing all the details, that Kou Xuan took the initiative to get up and say goodbye.

After Kou Xuan left, Princess Xi hesitated for a moment, but still stayed in the room.

At this moment, Qiu Tu looked at Princess Xi with slight surprise and asked, "Xi Xi, why aren't you going back to rest? Why are you still here?"

Qiu Tu's words completely baffled Princess Xi.

As a prisoner, where else could she be if not with Qiu Tu?

Moreover... given Qiu Tu's personality, now that this piece of fat meat is practically in his mouth, do you think he'll let me go?

To her surprise...

Qiu Tu pondered for a moment, a look of realization appearing on his face. Then, he actually smiled and said, "Xi Xi, when I took advantage of you before... it was just a way to get closer to you."

"Now that we're allies, in the same boat, we don't need all this."

"So... you should go and rest, don't worry about me."

Princess Xi: ? ? ?

Having witnessed too much deceit and treachery, and too much of Qiu Tu's eagerness, she found his sudden seriousness somewhat unsettling...

Her eyes flickered a few times, then she decisively got up and walked outside.