Since the marriage alliance between Zhao and Wu, Cao Wei has enjoyed a long period of comfort. There are no major events to deal with every day. Han also pays tribute and cedes territory every now and then. Moreover, Xie Yanhua has been busy with something lately and she hasn't seen him much.
"Master Jiang!"
Cao Wei nodded and waved to Hou Mengmeng. Every day after get off work, she would wander around, eating, drinking, and just strolling aimlessly. Then, she unexpectedly encountered Hou Mengmeng, who had come to the Kingdom of Wu with a hostage.
After having a few meals together, the two became somewhat acquainted.
"Lord Jiang, shall we go for a meal? It's on me."
Cao Wei, hands tucked into her sleeves, looked somewhat surprised. "You're so rich! You're treating me to meals every other day?"
Hou Mengmeng didn't hide anything, "It's alright, I've got some people helping me out. So, Lord Jiang, do you have any ideas about taking me and the hostage back to Korea later?"
Cao Wei shook her head, which didn't surprise Hou Mengmeng, since she had asked the question many times before.
"It's alright, there's still time. Think it over slowly. Don't underestimate South Korea just because it's small. It's almost been wiped out, but even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. Don't you want to wield immense power? To become a powerful minister?! That would be a meritorious service in supporting the rise of the new dynasty!"
Cao Wei shook her head again. "I'm not really interested. I just wanted to come in and rest for a while."
Hou Mengmeng's heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her voice to ask, "You weren't laid off, were you?!"
Cao Wei thought for a moment, unsure whether being suspended counted as a layoff, "It's neither."
Hou Mengmeng thought she had touched a nerve with Cao Wei, so she pretended to be nonchalant and said, "It's okay. After leaving Feiyang Entertainment's program, it'll be easy to find a job. It's good to take a break for a while."
Cao Wei didn't react much. Hou Mengmeng was somewhat relieved that she had changed the subject quickly enough and hadn't brought up painful memories for Cao Wei.
[Tsk tsk tsk, Cao Wei is living such a good life! She eats and drinks the best food every day, doesn't get tired, and has people wanting to follow her every day. I'm so envious! (Extremely envious emoji.JPG)]
I'm just as envious.
But she has a fatal bomb of an imposter identity that hasn't exploded yet!
Well, well, we're already living the good life, so if we get caught, so be it (*￣rǒ￣).
[You guys are pretty optimistic! (*^▽^*)]
[Holy crap, this map has changed so much since it started!! It feels like there are almost only three countries left after the initial five?! Is a classic three-way power struggle about to begin?! (Surprised emoji.JPG)]
[Wow! I didn't even notice until you told me!!! Zheng has wiped out the neighboring Yue state!!! Now they're fighting Zhao on Wei territory!!!]
Why is South Korea's reparations getting smaller and smaller?!
【(*￣rǒ￣) What else can we do?! Will we just keep paying more and more compensation?!】
Given the daily population increase in Wu, can Wu afford to let go of its neighbor, Han, this "blood transfusion" (a metaphor for a large population increase)?
[It's really complicated. Hou Mengmeng is still thinking about going back to Wu to become the Empress Dowager, while Han is almost gone.]
Wang Wu sat on the dragon throne, looking at the battle report and the list given by Wu. His eyes were bloodshot. He had indeed become the chief eunuch of Han. He could handle the official duties of the king who did not care about state affairs, and he could even secretly sit on the king's chair.
But the more he looked at these official documents, the more he wished that South Korea would be wiped out.
How many times has Wu done this? They keep asking for things, but they just can't beat them. Even if they could, Zhao, which is allied with Wu through marriage, is still watching them like a hawk. How can they possibly win?
According to his inside information, Lady Gao of the Korean harem had already transported part of her dowry back to her family home in Zhao. It seems these people are preparing for both possibilities, but unfortunately, he has no way to escape.
Wang Wu was even more displeased. He crumpled the official documents in his hand. He thought to himself, how could Madam Gao allow him to handle official business? They were all documents about compensation. Whoever handled them would bear the brunt of the criticism.
His reputation among the Korean literati has plummeted. They see him as a traitor, while they themselves have already begun transferring their wealth to other countries. He, who is desperately trying to save Korea and find a way to turn things around, has been labeled a treacherous minister who cedes territory and pays reparations! It's truly laughable.
The national treasury was already completely empty, but the king's extravagant lifestyle continued, leaving behind only a large number of IOUs from the neighboring Yue Kingdom, which had already been destroyed. Wang Wu frowned, wondering what to do.
It's unclear whether these IOUs still need to be repaid now that Yue has been conquered by Zheng. Hou Mengmeng is probably unaware of South Korea's financial problems, which explains her hope for causing trouble upon her return.
Wang Wu felt that South Korea was currently a complete mess.
With wolves on the left and tigers on the right, it's better to just offer yourself up to the tigers and watch them fight!
【Huh?! Didn't the State of Han just beg for mercy and sign a treaty with the State of Wu? How come they've turned around and sided with the State of Zheng?!】
【What?! Ji Rong of Zheng even agreed to send troops to help them fight against Wu?! Isn't this like inviting a wolf into the house?!】
【What do you mean by inviting a wolf into the house?! South Korea is so run-down now, even thieves have to leave some money behind. Inviting a wolf into the house?】
【No way! Even the poorest person has a title! They say even a starved camel is bigger than a horse.】
Which kind of large? Like a series of IOUs?!
Ji Rong arrived in Han by carriage and met Wang Wu. Although the King of Han was present, he only stayed for a short while before going to find a beauty.
"Lord Ji, these are IOUs between the State of Han and the State of Yue. Congratulations to the State of Zheng for conquering the State of Yue. These IOUs are presented to you one by one."
Ji Rong's servant placed the IOU in a wooden box.
Wang Wu got straight to the point: "The State of Han is willing to submit to the State of Zheng."
"But didn't Han just become a vassal state of Wu? And they even sent a hostage to Wu? Maybe it was a whole scheme you and Wu orchestrated to lure Zheng into a trap?"
Wang Wu stared at Ji Rong and said, "But Mr. Ji still showed up here, didn't he?"
"Ha, Zheng's current military strength is indeed enough to rival Wu's, but why should it be for Han's sake?"
"Mr. Ji, now that the three kingdoms are in a state of tripartite balance, with Zhao and Wu forming a marriage alliance, if they join forces against Zheng, what chance does Zheng have of winning?"
"South Korea is struggling to survive itself, yet it still has the mind to think about these things?"
"Of course, now that we have decided to pledge allegiance, we should naturally help the Duke of Zheng relieve his worries."
"Tell me about it?"
"Mr. Ji must also know about alliances and counter-alliances. Who isn't an ally?"
"Although the Zhao state has a strong military, it has only recently annexed the Wei state. The Duke of Zhao is a man who seeks stability and I believe he does not wish to continue fighting at this time. The Wei state borders the Zheng state, and I believe the Duke of Zhao would not refuse a marriage alliance at this time. I am willing to serve the Duke of Zheng."
Ji Rong felt it was somewhat interesting, but that was about it. However, he did consider cooperating with Zhao to get rid of Wu first. Wu didn't even have a capable general. Why not make room for them early and keep them as mascots?
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