Wang Wu organized his words and summarized the situation of Cambodian military strength.
"In other words, Cambodia will not be able to launch a campaign to recapture Mengyang in the short term?"
"Yes."
“How short is this short time?”
"If Cambodia expands its army again at all costs, and only cares about numbers rather than quality, and intends to defeat us with its numerical advantage, it will take half a year. If these troops need to be trained before going to the battlefield, it will take at least a year." This is the most precise time Wang Wu can give.
"However, if they give up some of the pressure on the Chen Dynasty and withdraw 20,000 to 30,000 field troops from the Chen Dynasty, they can launch an attack on us within two months." Wang Wu thought for a while and added this sentence.
"Little Lin, I know you want revenge, but you need to stay calm. We can't waste all our wealth here right now. It looks like we can only occupy Mengyang for a month or two at most. After that, we'll have to retreat to recuperate and strengthen ourselves before seeking revenge." Lin Hai hadn't expected that the first person to persuade him to withdraw would be his eldest brother, Wang Liang. Lu You nodded repeatedly beside him. It seemed his brothers were on his side.
"No need." Lin Hai looked at his two brothers: "I haven't let hatred cloud my rationality. Don't worry, it's really not necessary."
Lin Hai said seriously, "Send a messenger to the Cambodian Central Command and tell them that Cambodia is deliberately provoking and sending troops into Daliang. Daliang Empire Xiangyun Border Defense Commander Lu You is responsible for defending the territory. He joined forces with Qinghe Bo and a force of 100,000 to capture Mengyang. Now we want an explanation from Cambodia."
"It's hard to expose the intelligence personnel. So, Cheng Guorong, choose an unreasonable and ferocious-looking man from the army to be the messenger. Tell him to be aggressive and show the unyielding spirit of our Great Liang Empire."
"What are our specific conditions?" Cheng Guorong, who was called upon, asked. He certainly had no shortage of manpower in this area.
"There are five in total. Write them down and tell the Khmer people that there is no price to be negotiated."
First: Cambodia ceded Mengyang to Daliang;
Second, Cambodia paid a compensation of one million taels of silver and one million dan of grain as military expenses for Daliang's expedition.
Third: From now on, the Qinghe caravans can purchase land and open trading companies anywhere in Cambodia and sell any goods. The Cambodian government shall not hinder them and shall provide convenience.
Fourth: The Qinghe caravan tariff shall not exceed half of other equivalent taxes;
Fifth: The area fifty miles south of Mengyang is designated as a demilitarized zone, and the Cambodian army is not allowed to enter, otherwise it will be regarded as an act of war against the empire.
Everyone gasped after hearing this. The suction was so strong that Lin Hai even felt the wind was a bit strong.
This was not an armistice; it was a noose around the Khmer neck that was constantly tightening.
"Will they agree?" Ling Yang understood very well what these conditions meant, but he didn't think that there was no one with intelligence in Cambodia who couldn't see the evil intentions behind these conditions.
"They have no choice but to agree. Although we can't keep our main force stationed in Mengyang forever, starting tomorrow, each regiment will take turns attacking in battalion units, heading south to wipe out all Khmer forces within Mengyang. We're allowed to advance to the line from Kengtung to Tachileik." Lin Hai drew a line on the map. "We must attack resolutely. Those who dare to resist must be eliminated, but those who flee can be spared. Let them bring back the news."
"So, Xiao Linzi, are you bluffing?" Lu You understood.
"Yes, I bet the Khmer wouldn't dare fight on two fronts. After all, we know we only have a little over 10,000 people, but the Khmer don't know that they're not afraid of us, but of Daliang. Since you, Brother Nineteen, are already a Lieutenant General garrisoning the border, then we should go into battle under your banner and trick the Khmer into thinking this is an imperial operation. That way, they'll cherish the opportunity for peace talks."
"If the Khmers would rather die than surrender and try to withdraw their main forces from the Chen Dynasty front, what should we do? The empire will not support us." The person asking the question was Zhang Jin. He had wanted to express his opinion for a long time tonight. After all, this was his first time participating in such a high-level military meeting. It would be a shame if he didn't say something.
"The Khmer people knew that going to war with both the Empire and the Chen Dynasty at the same time would mean their own death." Lin Hai took a deep sip from his teacup.
"Furthermore, not long ago, the Tran Dynasty mobilized its reserve forces and launched a major counterattack against the invading Khmer army. According to the Khmer people themselves, after annihilating the Tran Dynasty troops that attempted a counterattack, the Royal Army retreated to the south of Chongzuo and held its ground."
"The Khmers were defeated?"
“Were all the lands we seized lost?”
"Were there heavy casualties?"
"Where does this information come from? Is it reliable?"
This news was enough to change the existing situation, and everyone asked at once.
Lin Hai thought everyone was being too honest. With this intelligence, he felt a little more reassured. In his past life, the world was full of bluffs and pressure tactics. Whoever gave in first would lose. The former Great Leader of the United States was a master of pressure tactics.
Lin Hai, regaining his composure, smiled and said, "Having a brother who holds a high position in the Khmer army is very beneficial. Have you forgotten? Besides, why did I say that we can only occupy half of Cambodia? The remaining part is his hard work fee."
After all, hard work pays off.
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