Chapter 284 I Don't Want to Fight
Shen Huaichen deliberately left Sahara City for a few days, saying he wanted to go out for a stroll and clear his mind.
Why leave? Because the emperor of the Northern Barbarians suddenly lost his mind.
When the emperor of the Northern Hu learned that the new emperor of the Dayu had ascended the throne, the old emperor had died, the old empress dowager had passed away, the Duke of Anguo was gone, the crown prince had been deposed, and the Prince of Qin had been imprisoned, the emperor of the Northern Hu was shocked.
The last person to ascend the throne was a mere fifteen-year-old boy.
It's said that he was so happy that he woke up laughing in his sleep for two days straight.
In his eyes, Da Yu was about to descend into chaos.
The new emperor ascended the throne as a young prince with no power base what does this signify?
This indicates that imperial power is about to fall into the wrong hands, and those ministers must all harbor rebellious intentions.
Let alone the Central Plains region like Dayu, even among these nomadic royal families, as long as they have some troops, who wouldn't want to become emperor?
Therefore, the Northern Hu emperor believed that now was an opportunity, a chance to defeat the Great Yu.
If he launches an attack on Dayu at this time, the new emperor will lose control of the situation and will have no choice but to delegate military power to other regions.
Then, with insufficient supplies and inadequate logistics, the Weiyuan Army's combat strength will certainly be far inferior to what it used to be.
So... this is a great opportunity!
The Emperor of Beihua immediately mobilized his troops to prepare for an attack on Dayu.
There has been no conflict between the two sides for more than ten years.
The agreement signed earlier was with the previous emperor, Emperor Xiao Jing.
Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, the agreement is null and void...
Having already fattened himself up twice over, the Northern Hu emperor immediately issued an imperial edict declaring his intention to personally lead the expedition...
In addition to the 200,000 troops he led himself, he also set his sights on the thirteen border cities.
In recent years, the thirteen border cities have not only developed vigorously, but the city lords have also earned a lot of money.
The Northern Hu emperor wanted to take this opportunity to weaken the power of the city lords of the thirteen border cities.
A city lord who's too powerful isn't good...
However, it was at this time that the Northern Hu emperor learned that Leigu City, one of the thirteen border cities, was no longer within the Northern Hu's territory.
The Weiyuan Army has been stationed in Leigu City for half a year now...
The Northern Hu emperor was so angry he was practically fuming.
The news from the thirteen border cities was kept very well hidden! Lei Gucheng lost his emperor and only found out at the very end.
Under the influence of various factors, the Northern Hu emperor sent a special envoy.
Not only should the remaining twelve border cities conscript 100,000 troops, but these twelve cities should also prepare provisions for the army's southern expedition.
Those who disobey orders... shall be executed!
After delivering the message, the envoy returned with an arrogant air.
Achig and the remaining eleven city lords looked at each other in bewilderment.
"100,000 troops? Does that mean we have to send at least 8,000 troops from each city?"
Isn't this going to wipe out all our savings?
"Who says otherwise! Why fight a war when everything is fine!"
The Weiyuan Army is right there! We don't want them to wipe us out before we've even finished recruiting our troops.
"Alas! Our Emperor hasn't come out for a long time."
Do you still think this is a hundred years ago?!
The Central Plains are no longer a place one can go to casually.
"Actually, we can manage to gather enough troops if we grit our teeth, but the provisions..."
Asking us to prepare provisions for the entire army—isn't that deliberately making things difficult for us?
Those who disobey orders will be executed.
"Then why don't you just kill us now!"
"Your Highness, it's not easy for the border region to develop to this extent."
Please think of a solution!
If what His Majesty says is true, not only will all our efforts over the past few years have been in vain, but we won't even be able to protect the thirteen cities!
Perhaps after the great war, the thirteen cities will truly become ruins!
......
The city lords took turns criticizing the Left Chancellor who had instigated the Northern Hu Emperor to launch the expedition, giving him a thorough dressing-down.
Achig is angry too!
Finally, the city lords of the border cities were focused on making money, and they all became incredibly obedient, no longer causing trouble or robbing people.
But then that person in the capital pulled this stunt...
Achig also understood that the development of the border town had become a thorn in the side of his sworn brother.
He didn't say anything on the surface, but watched the border town develop with a smile.
Once the border town has developed well, then we'll take a severe cut.
Just like the sheep raised by herders.
Once they're fattened up, they're ready to be slaughtered.
After slaughtering, a new batch of lambs is raised...
A chill ran through Achig; his sworn brother was forcing him to his death...
"Where is Mr. Du? Where did Mr. Du go? Ask Mr. Du if he has any ideas." A city lord was searching for Shen Huaichen in Aqige's tent.
Achig shook his head.
"Mr. Du has gone out to investigate the situation these past few days."
I estimate I won't be back until tomorrow.
Alright, what are your plans now? Let's all say something!
"This is a matter of life and death, it's not something you can just grumble about. Let's all share our opinions!" Archie said calmly.
"Your Highness? Do you really intend to hand over your entire fortune?"
"It's not easy for our border town to have developed to this point," one of the town lords continued to complain.
Achig remained silent, observing the other city lords.
"And you? What do you mean? How much are you planning to offer?"
"Why should I give him my entire fortune just because he says something? I've only given him a damn thing!"
When Lao Tzu first arrived at the border town, he only had one hundred horses. All the horses he had later were earned by himself.
Did he give him even a tael of silver?
"I won't give it to you! I have neither money nor horses, but you can take my life!" another city lord roared.
Achig remained unperturbed and continued to look at the other city lords.
"Do you mean the same thing?" Archie asked.
"Your Highness, we are not people who disregard the overall situation."
But the border town must have at least several hundred thousand people now!
What will happen to those people if war breaks out?
Have we all become slaves? Everyone's become penniless again.
"Does this... really have to be a war?" the oldest city lord sighed.
"Yes! Why must we fight a war?"
He has a large army protecting him so he won't get hurt, letting others fight for their lives!
"Isn't life good now?"
"Exactly! Can't we just do business properly? Everyone has food and drink! Isn't that better?"
......
Almost all the city lords started complaining all at once.
Achig also understood what everyone meant.
Nobody wants war; everyone just wants to do some business and make a little money...
Achig breathed a sigh of relief.
Excellent! That's exactly what he wanted these city lords to think!
Because... that's what he thought too!
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