After returning to the camp, Ling Cao also found Zhang Liang, who was preaching.

"General Ling Cao, now that you mention it, this place isn't so bad after all, it's a blessed land for us!"

"Oh? Could it be that Master Zhang has some kind of plan?"

Upon hearing Zhang Liang's words, Ling Cao couldn't help but ask with a curious expression.

Zhang Liang smiled slightly: "General, in my opinion, we can send someone to Mopi to collect that rent."

At the same time, we informed both countries that they had resolved the ownership of the land, and that we would pay the rent to whoever owned the land.

We can also promise that this port will be open to the country of origin first, and that their merchants will be allowed to trade with our Han merchants.

King Namavi, having finally found an opportunity to break free from Brahmanical control, would certainly not give up easily. And Canaan, faced with a considerable amount of rent and a potentially huge and sustainable future income, would undoubtedly fight tooth and nail for it.

At that time, a war will surely break out between the two countries. Now, this area belongs to our army, and they dare not come over. They can only set up the battlefield in the eastern and central part of the country of Lorraine..."

Upon hearing this, Ling Cao's eyes lit up: "Good, good idea! As long as these two great powers start fighting, the surrounding smaller countries will definitely be drawn in!"

Zhang Liang smiled and nodded: "That's right. At that time, the entire Indian subcontinent will be plunged into chaos, and we can take advantage of the chaos...!"

After some discussion, the two drafted two letters and then sent men to Magadha and Canaan respectively.

At the same time, the two men, in the name of the Han Dynasty, sent people to various parts of South India to spread the word that the Han army was building ports there.

...

Canaan.

After more than ten days of travel, the second prince finally led his troops back to the capital.

Upon learning that the second prince had returned empty-handed, the other princes were overjoyed and petitioned the king, demanding that this man who had disgraced Canaan be severely punished so that they could take advantage of the situation and bring him down.

Inside the royal palace.

The old Canaanite king looked at the memorials presented by his sons, his old face grim and terrifying.

Subsequently, the Canaanite king summoned his second prince, who had just entered the city, to the palace.

"My son, tell me, why did you lead the army and return empty-handed? Could it be that you are truly afraid of the Kingdom of Mopi, as they say?"

The second prince had just entered the main hall and had not yet had a chance to pay his respects when he heard his father's displeased question.

The Canaanite and Maha kingdoms were sworn enemies; any encounter between them was essentially a fight to the death.

To retreat without a fight is an act more despicable than defeat!

The second prince respectfully replied, "Father, the people I encountered on my journey were not from the Kingdom of Mopi, but from the Han army!"

"Han army...?"

Upon hearing this, the old Canaanite king's pupils constricted, and he couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Yes, Father, the Kingdom of Namo is utterly despicable; they actually rented that land to the Han army."

When the child arrived, the Han army had already begun to garrison there and build a port.

To avoid conflict with the Han army, I led my troops back!

"Phew, you did the right thing. The Han army has even wiped out the Kushans, they are definitely not someone we can afford to mess with!"

Upon hearing the second prince's explanation, the old king finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, the old Canaanite king asked hopefully, "What did the Han army say? Knowing their nature, they certainly won't let the Kingdom of Mopi go after learning that they've been deceived, will they?"

The second prince shook his head: "Father, from our perspective, the Kingdom of Mobi did indeed deceive the Han army."

However, from the perspective of the Kingdom of Mabi, that land also belonged to them, so there was no question of deception.

The old Canaanite king nodded dejectedly: "Hmm, that's true. The mighty Han army won't so easily believe our one-sided story!"

The second prince stepped forward and said, "However, they also said that we and the Kingdom of Mopi should resolve this matter ourselves, and the Han army will not interfere."

Their only condition was that they had to rent that land to them for a hundred years!

"Hmm, the Han army's actions are indeed fair!"

Upon hearing the second prince relay the Han army's demands, the old Canaanite king nodded in agreement.

Of course, he couldn't help but say yes.

Given the current strength of the Han army, the fact that they are willing to rent this place is already a great favor. If they are unhappy, they can wipe you out without having to pay rent.

Since the territory was definitely not going to be taken back, the old Canaanite king needed to consider how to profit from it.

In his view, as long as he regained ownership of that land, he would be the one to establish a lease relationship with the Han army.

With this relationship established, Canaan could use it to establish further contact with the Han Dynasty, and might even gain its support.

With the Han Dynasty as its backer, who would dare to provoke the Canaan Kingdom? It wouldn't be impossible for it to dominate a region or even unify the entire area.

Just as the old Canaanite king was pondering this, a guard suddenly rushed in.

"Your Majesty, a letter has arrived from the Han army!"

"Oh?" The old Canaanite king's expression shifted. "Quickly, bring it here!"

"yes!"

The guard agreed and then brought the letter to the old king.

After opening the letter and reading its contents, the old king looked thoughtful and remained silent for a long time.

In the letter, Ling Cao bluntly told the Canaanite king that if he could reclaim the ownership of Hannan Port from the Kingdom of Mapi, then the Han Dynasty would pay the rent to the Kingdom of Canaan and sign a military and trade cooperation agreement with the Kingdom of Canaan.

Of course, if the Canaanite Kingdom cannot reclaim Hannam Port, then no Canaanite shall be allowed to set foot or pass through there without permission.

According to the map, Hannan Port is located in the southwestern sea area of ​​Canaan. Once this waterway is cut off, Canaan will lose all its maritime trade, and the coastal areas will become places only suitable for fishing.

This outcome was something the Canaanite kingdom could not afford.

This letter contains countless benefits as well as unimaginable harms; the outcome depends on what the Canaanite kingdom does.

For a moment, even the Canaanite king couldn't help but start to carefully consider the matter.

Both Canaan and Mapi were roughly equal in terms of land area and population resources, so over the years, the two countries had their share of victories and defeats, and neither could gain the upper hand.

Once a full-scale war breaks out, it will be a protracted war of attrition.

"Father? Do you think we could purchase a batch of military equipment from the Han army?"

Just as the Canaanite king was deep in thought, the second prince's words pulled him back from his reverie.