Chapter 285 What to Worry About
Achig deliberately let the city lords speak first, so that he could understand their true thoughts before he could say what he was going to say next.
"I know how difficult it was for the border city to transform from a barren land into a trading city."
I remember that back then, Saha City was just a border town used as a buffer between Dayu and Beihu.
Some small vendors secretly sell goods to support their families.
Now, everything has reached a certain scale, and merchants from all over the country come here to do business.
We can live quite comfortably by collecting some taxes, city entry fees, and management fees.
The Northern Hu wants to expand its territory? No problem, we will definitely support it.
But there are also hundreds of thousands of herders in the border town!
"Once a war breaks out, those people on the border..."
Achig sighed as he spoke.
The other city lords echoed this sentiment.
"Yes! It's not that we're reluctant to part with them, but the people of the border city will suffer the greatest losses!"
"We've finally had a few years of peace, but as soon as war breaks out, the border town will definitely be reduced to ruins."
"Do you really think the Weiyuan Army in Da Yu is a pushover?"
They have been working diligently and never letting their guard down all these years.
Perhaps they've been waiting for this day!
“That’s right. I’ve heard that ever since that Ever-Victorious Marquis took command of the Weiyuan Army, he hasn’t had any opportunities to make meritorious contributions.”
Many veterans of Weiyuan Army were not convinced by him.
They believed he couldn't compare to the previous Duke Dingguo.
They're all eagerly waiting to deliver their war merits!
"Sigh! I've had a lot of contact with people from Chongqing these past two years."
Actually, I really admire the Great Yu. Why have they been able to develop so well? It's because they don't like fighting; they only want their people to live a good life!
......
The city lords started talking all at once again.
Seeing that everyone's emotions had been stirred up, Achig immediately began to express his opinion.
"If it were just my problem, I would empty my entire fortune."
But this concerns hundreds of thousands of people, and I must give it serious consideration.
Okay then! Everyone, please go back now!
"Once Mr. Du returns tomorrow, I will certainly discuss a plan of action with him."
Upon hearing this, the city lords quickly said that they were not afraid of the long journey and would come again tomorrow.
After seeing off the city lords, Achig began to eagerly await his return.
When will his chief strategist, Mr. Du, return...?
Perhaps sensing Achig's call, Shen Huaichen returned the next day at noon.
Just like before, he had a bag of medicinal herbs, some strong liquor from Da Yu, and a bag of pig's head meat in his hand.
"I went to a big market in Da Yu and bought some things." Shen Huaichen smiled and showed the things in his hand to Aqige.
Aqige didn't care what Shen Huaichen was looking at and dragged him into the main tent.
Then he told Shen Huaichen about the city lords' ideas.
"As instructed by the master, I probed their thoughts."
They don't want to fight!
"Sir, what should we do now?"
Yes, Achig had known about the Northern Hu emperor's plans for a long time.
I knew about it before the special envoy arrived.
Then Shen Huaichen found out.
Seeing that Aqige remained silent, Shen Huaichen knew that he must have something on his mind, so he asked him to probe the thoughts of the other city lords.
To avoid suspicion, Shen Huaichen used the excuse of going out to investigate to leave Sahara City.
Then the Northern Hu emperor's plans were communicated to the Weiyuan Army...
......
"Your Highness, you are the War King of the Northern Barbarians. Logically speaking, you must fight this battle."
If the Emperor has appointed you as the commander-in-chief to attack Dayu, I will certainly do my utmost to assist you.
But the current situation is, does the emperor really regard you as a war king?
You now enjoy a very high reputation in the border city.
"Is this what that emperor wanted to see?" Shen Huaichen asked rhetorically.
Achig didn't say anything.
Indeed, his reputation in the border town has been very high in recent years.
When he goes out on patrol, he is always greeted by enthusiastic people.
Young children also brought naan bread, roasted meat, and other treats...
Here, he is the local tyrant...
Seeing that Aqige remained silent, Shen Huaichen continued to stab him in the heart.
"Your Highness's current predicament reminds me of a certain dish from the Central Plains."
"What dish?" Achig immediately asked.
"Chives! A kind of green, slender vegetable. After farmers plant it, once it grows, they can cut off the leaves by making a cut along the root.
Then, wait for leaves to grow back from the roots.
Once it's fully grown, then make a cut.
And so it went, crop after crop being harvested.
"Your Highness, the border cities are like freshly grown, delicious leeks, just waiting for the emperor to come and cut them." Shen Huaichen said, word by word.
A chill ran down Achig's spine.
Indeed, that's very apt. Isn't his current situation just like the "leek" that Mr. Du mentioned?
“Then… sir… what should I do?” Achig asked with difficulty.
Shen Huaichen took a deep breath.
He really wanted to say, "Why don't you just not be the one to get ripped off?"
At worst, they can rebel; after all, the Northern Hu emperor's throne was not obtained legitimately.
This isn't like the Central Plains region of Chongqing, where Confucianism is deeply rooted.
Regardless of who seizes the throne, they still need a legitimate reason...
But Shen Huaichen couldn't say that.
Aqige was, after all, a Northern Hu person; the blood flowing in his veins was, and his very bones were...
This needs to be done step by step, slowly! It would be best if he himself said, "I'm going to rebel against you..."
"Your Highness, there is something else I am worried about."
The emperor was well aware that the Great Yu Weiyuan Army was currently at the height of its power.
Yes, the emperor of Dayu has changed, but has the change of emperor affected the Weiyuan Army?
In case you hand over your troops and provisions, you've already bought and prepared them for them.
If the emperor suddenly says he will stop fighting, then all the troops and provisions will belong to the emperor.
What will you do then...?
There is another point that Mr. Du is most worried about.
Your parents, the Queen, and the young prince are all in the capital!
"If the Emperor were to use them to threaten you..." Shen Huaichen left his words unfinished, letting Aqige think about it himself.
Achig felt all the blood rush to his head.
"Sir, do you have a good plan?"
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