A year has passed since the Yan State explored the surrounding situation last year. Its layout in the surrounding areas has gradually deepened. In this civilization that has just entered the agricultural era, the economy and culture have been infiltrated beyond recognition.
Economically, several trade routes were opened, and Yan State's handicrafts and hard currency successfully occupied the market in Luonan (the southern foot of the Luolong Mountains).
Yan State's salt, iron, paper, wood products, clothing and other products were dumped all over Luonan with the help of official caravans and various local institutions.
At that time, there was no concept of tariffs, nor any idea of trade protection. If the goods were good, they would be exchanged for something else, or even robbed.
However, if it comes to snatching, it still depends on strength. The strength that Yan State has shown to the outside world is no longer about whether neighboring countries are snatching it away, but whether Yan State is willing to snatch it away from neighboring countries.
Coupled with various pressures from the north and the south, these countries do not have too many ideas at this time. Their own production problems are not guaranteed, let alone other aspects.
In terms of culture, these countries have been infiltrated even more deeply, and the folk communication institutions centered on newspapers and storytellers can basically be said to control public opinion.
This does not mean that these countries will sit idly by. Naturally, some countries will feel a sense of crisis, but when these rulers, whose thinking is still in the primitive society or slave society, feel it, Yan State’s economic and cultural layout has been completed.
It can be said that the surrounding countries have been passively transformed into dumping grounds for Yan's goods and collecting places for raw materials. This is not bad for the economies of these countries that are still in the early farming era. On the contrary, due to joining Yan's country to form the Luonan market, the people's living standards have been significantly improved and the country's productivity has also been partially improved.
Duan Tianming's main purpose this time is not to plunder wealth for primitive accumulation, but to first control the wealth in his pocket economically and culturally, and then gradually evolve militarily and politically.
Therefore, the upper and lower classes of these countries did not feel passive, but instead gained a lot of benefits from this system. These benefits were not the original exploitation from top to bottom, but a gradual evolution from bottom to top.
The first people to feel the benefits of this market system are the people at the bottom, and then gradually spread various values to the upper class.
This spontaneous economic connection among the people also cleverly avoided the obstacles to economic development under the slave society system, so that when the upper classes of these countries felt it, the market connection had become inseparable and they were also the beneficiaries.
These rulers will not go against money, they will only ask for more money.
So now they collectively sent envoys to Yan State to "ask for an explanation."
This statement may be to make Yan State compromise for their interests, or it may be a simple desire to give this connection an official status.
"Zhang Yun, what do you think?"
Duan Tianming asked Zhang Yun.
Zhang Yunlai has always been responsible for external contacts.
"Your Majesty, I think it's a waste of energy to talk about it now. These people will only behave themselves when our barbarians actually take up their weapons and march down to their city."
"There's no point in negotiating now. We'll have to flex our muscles and talk properly in the end anyway."
Zhang Yun analyzed.
"Indeed, then let's kick them out first. No matter who they are, they dare to bark in the Great Hall of Yan Nation."
Duan Tianming said calmly.
The noise outside was extremely intense at this time. These so-called messengers seemed to have no idea what manners were. Each of them looked aggressive and gave people the feeling of a shrew who would not give in even if she was right.
"Your Majesty, why don't you give us an explanation? These goods are simply too expensive!"
"Yes, Yan Country must give us countries economic compensation. They earn too much!"
"How dare you be so disrespectful to our envoys? Be careful, our armies will unite and crush your Yan Nation to the ground."
····
"Ouch, why did you hit me!"
"ah!"
····
The farce will soon be over. As for the relationship with these countries, that is not what Duan Tianming needs to consider now, because in a few days, these countries will have to carefully consider their relationship with Yan Country.
"Are you ready?"
That night, Duan Tianming walked into the temple.
"Preparations are almost complete. The army is now preparing to attack the Mo Kingdom in the northern foothills."
Zhao Yuqing's statue flashed, and the spirit descended.
"Okay, let's do as we said. I'll give you half of the population, and we'll keep the land."
Duan Tianming took out the agreement.
"Okay, this time we're targeting three countries, and the population we'll get will be enough for us to gain a foothold in the Luolong Mountains."
Zhao Yuqing was somewhat happy. In her father's eyes, she might be considered an example of someone who was sold out but still counted money for the enemy.
"Okay, this time, it's not the Yan Nation's place to get directly involved. Wait, you should investigate carefully to see if there are any other Wu clans investigating to prevent the plan from being exposed."
Duan Tianming explained.
"Okay, okay, I know all this, no need for you to explain."
Zhao Yuqing was getting a little impatient. This fake believer kept calling the Goddess "Sister" and always acted like an elder.
"Okay, the plan is tomorrow night. These messengers haven't returned yet, so let's hurry up."
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After the two of them communicated, the action was ready to begin. This was a big move, and whether it could be done well involved whether Yan Country could peacefully and smoothly annex the surrounding countries.
Again, if you can avoid direct military annexation, then don't use force. The saying "the best strategy is to attack the enemy's strategy" does not mean that you must resort to armed warfare to achieve your goal.
From a broader perspective, the Luonan region is located in the middle of the surrounding major powers and is a very sensitive area. Various activities will touch the sensitive nerves of the surrounding major powers. If Yan State directly annexes it by force, these major powers will definitely interfere.
Duan Tianming could not guarantee that the thousands of soldiers of Yan State could directly conquer more than a dozen walled city-states by force in one or two months. If not, they would inevitably be subject to interference from neighboring major powers.
At that time, they would be in a very passive position. Duan Tianming was not arrogant enough to believe that his 3,000 troops could resist an army of tens of thousands and other races with relatively high-end combat power.
In addition, there are also many casualties caused by the armed annexation. Now Zhao Yuqing’s talents cannot be directly used on the newly joined population. If the loss of young and strong labor force is too great, it will be very passive for the development of the country.
Little did they know that it was because Big Bear fought too fiercely in the war that his subsequent development was restricted and it was difficult for him to be tough again.
All this determines that if it is possible to integrate quickly under peaceful circumstances, it must be integrated. As for internal problems, they can be solved after the external pressure is resolved and a period of peace and stability is achieved.
To resist foreign aggression, one must first stabilize the country, but sometimes this is not so necessary.
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