Chapter 753 Ultimatum

When Chen Yucheng escorted the prisoners back to Xuanwu Pass, news of the fall of Xuanwu Pass had already spread. Ouyang Shuo, who was still on patrol in Shaozhou County, sent a letter to the General Administration of Military Affairs, offering a special commendation to Chen Yucheng.

The Baotao army was not satisfied with winning Xuanwu Pass. The two armies made aggressive moves at the same time, and might attack the Weiwu Pass on the Guilin County side and the new Guiping Pass at any time.

With the assistance of the P1 artillery, the fall of the two major passes is only a matter of time.

…………

[Northern Sichuan City-state] and [Shunan City-state] were not so calm when they got the news.

Shanhai City has just won the [Lingnan City-State] in a blitzkrieg, and its momentum is in full swing, and its soldiers are sharp. As the neighbors of Shanhai City, the two major city-states are trembling, worried that one day, the flames of war will burn to their territory.

It's just that Shanhai City made it clear that it wanted to solve the [Yunnan City-State] first, so that they got a little respite. But at such a sensitive moment, Shanhai City suddenly captured Xuanwu Pass, which is really shocking.

The lords of the two major city-states got together again to discuss countermeasures.

"What is the purpose of Shanhai City? Is it possible that they are going to play tricks again? Is their real purpose already targeting our two city-states?" The lords were terrified.

"Impossible. With Shanhai City's current strength, it is impossible to declare war on the two major city-states at the same time."

"Then, what if Shanhai City's target is one of us?"

"..."

The scene fell silent instantly, and the lords looked at each other in blank dismay.

The lords of the two major city-states looked at each other with some incomprehensible meaning in their eyes.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly became subtle.

As the saying goes: dead friends are not dead poor, if Shanhai City really had to choose one of the two, they naturally hoped that Shanhai City would choose the other party instead of their own.

The lord of [Northern Sichuan City-state] was even more frightened.

After all, it was the coalition forces under their command that the Second Legion attacked.

At this moment, someone stood up and said firmly: "Impossible, Shanhai City will never start a war against us at this time."

"How did you see that?"

The lords looked at it and saw that the person who spoke was Zhang Liang, the sage-seeker, so they didn't dare to neglect, and asked for advice humbly. They have seen Zhang Liangzhi's ability before, and they are all amazed.

At this time, the two major city-states really need an exciting news.

"Because the time is wrong, the place is wrong, and the tactics are even more wrong." Zhang Liang said three mistakes in a row.

"Let's talk about the timing first. This is the time when Shanhai City is reorganizing its army, and the three new legions have yet to take shape. Isn't it stupid to declare war hastily at this time? It doesn't conform to Shanhai City's behavior style at all."

"Let's talk about the location. After winning [Lingnan City-State], the army of Shanhai City can directly attack the Hunan Province from Shaozhou County, or attack the North Sichuan Province from Kunming County. So, why bother to choose Guilin County? In the middle, how about scaring the snake?!"

"The last is the tactics. Looking at the previous battles in Shanhai City, each battle was fought by all the armies. This time it was only the Second Army of the Leopard Army that attacked. Even the First Army did not cooperate with the Second Army. Attack Guiping Pass. If they really plan to attack us, they will never do so."

"What's even more weird is that the Second Legion did not take advantage of the victory to pursue the victory, and took down the Weiwu Pass in one fell swoop. That is to say, the opponent has a sharp weapon to attack the fortress, but has stopped. Isn't this strange?"

Zhang Liang looked around at the lords and said firmly, "So, Shanhai City will never go to war at this time."

As soon as the words were finished, all the lords applauded unconsciously, and each of them looked uplifted, as if suddenly letting go of a heavy burden in their hearts, they let go of their hearts and swept away the previous haze.

"Well said, it's too correct!"

"That's right, it must be like this, sir, what he said couldn't be more correct!"

The lords did not hesitate to offer their kind words, with sincere expressions.

This feeling is really understandable.

When the news of the fall of Xuanwuguan came, which of the lords here is not panicked, and everyone feels that the future is bleak? !

Only when they really experienced the war can they truly feel how much fear they have for Shanhai City. Before they knew it, Shanhai City had become a huge mountain, which made them unable to breathe.

The lord, who had regained his composure, asked Zhang Liang earnestly again, and asked, "Sir, since Shanhai City has no intention of going to war, what is their purpose for taking down Xuanwu Pass this time?"

Zhang Liang looked complicated, and said, "If my prediction is correct, the other party should want to take back Guilin County."

"..."

The lords found that they could not refute.

A year ago, when they won Guilin County, they were not without pride. Unexpectedly, in just one year, Shanhai City has become so powerful.

The original wonderful Guilin County has suddenly become a hot potato.

"Then, give it back to them?" a lord asked cautiously.

"What are you paying for? Now we are sworn enemies, so it's not shameful to return back eagerly?" Before Zhang Liang said anything, some lords raised objections.

"Heh, if you don't pay it back, won't people take it by themselves? By then, Shanhai City's army will invade Guilin County, what will we use to resist it? Are we really going to start a full-scale war with Shanhai City?" a [Northern Sichuan City State] ] The lord retorted with a look of disdain.

"Let's start the war, can it still win our two city-states?"

"Hmph, to put it bluntly, have you forgotten how [Lingnan City-State] was destroyed?"

...

The lords argued endlessly about this and made a fuss.

However, Caiyun Zhinan, Ximen Daguanren and other big bosses did not make a clear statement. As a counselor, Zhang Liang had no right to speak at this time, and the whole scene was deadlocked.

In the end, they broke up unhappy.

*************

Just when the two city-states were in doubt and disagreed, on the 24th, Honglu Temple, the Protectorate of Southern Xinjiang, sent envoys to the two city-states to bring the ultimatum to the emperor Ouyang Shuo.

Ouyang Shuo declared two city-states:

A year ago, the two major city-states took advantage of the danger and took Guilin County by disgraceful means. One year later, Shanhai City was preparing to take back Guilin County, and hoped that the two major city-states would not make fearless resistance.

If the two major city-states are willing to return to Guilin County peacefully, Shanhai City will not only let the past go, but also be willing to reconcile with the two major city-states; they are even willing to open trade channels between the two major city-states, allowing the caravans of the two major city-states to pass through the maritime trade opened up by Shanhai City. Channels to carry out ocean trade.

If they refuse to hand over Guilin County, the army of Shanhai City will resolutely defend the glory of the territory and forcibly take back Guilin County by force. No matter how much you pay, you will not hesitate.

I also ask the two major city-states not to doubt Shanhai City's determination to defend the glory of its territory.

As for how to choose, I hope that the two major city-states will give Shanhai City an answer within three days.

...

This ultimatum is both soft and hard, with both carrots and sticks.

In Caiyun Zhinan's words: "It's really shameless! It is reasonable and legal for them to attack [Lingnan City-State], but it would be dishonorable for us to take Guilin County? It is simply unreasonable."

Zhang Liang frowned after hearing this. Doesn't his lord still understand that as a lord, especially the lord of the wilderness, "shamelessness" is also a virtue?

Shanhai City is able to realize that it is a clever method to place itself on the moral high ground at all times.

It would be understandable for ordinary people to say this, but Caiyun Zhinan is a great lord of the wilderness. Wouldn't it be childish to say such a thing and make people laugh?

Shanhai City's move is really brilliant.

Just as Zhang Liang predicted, Shanhai City had no intention of going to war with the two major city-states. The previous military operation to occupy Xuanwuguan was just laying the groundwork for this mission.

Its real purpose is to take back Guilin County smoothly without bloodshed.

In this way, not only will the shame of losing Guilin County be wiped away, but it will also be used to stabilize the northern border in one fell swoop, removing a ticking time bomb for the next Yunnan war.

More importantly, it can plant the irresistible seeds of Shanhai City in the hearts of the two major city-states, and establish a psychological advantage for attacking the two major city-states in the future.

In this way, it can be said to kill three birds with one stone.

The current Shanhai City can be regarded as truly possessing the magnanimity and embryonic form of the overlord of the wilderness. It no longer relies too much on force to solve problems, but uses various means together, extremely proficient.

In contrast, the two major city-states are still fighting among themselves, which is simply not enough to watch.

Zhang Liang is becoming more and more pessimistic about the prospects of Caiyun City and [Shunan City-State]. It's just that since he got on this boat, he won't get off easily.

If you want to sink, you have to sink with the big ship.

As for the reconciliation and the opening of commercial channels mentioned in the ultimatum, although Zhang Liang didn't understand it clearly, he knew that Shanhai City must have laid a foreshadowing in it, and it would never be as simple as it seemed on the surface.

It happened to be such a "bait", and it was difficult for the lords of the two major city-states to refuse.

Everyone has an ostrich mentality, and the lord is no exception. Not only can they reconcile with Shanhai City, they can live without fear, and they can also carry out ocean trade. This temptation, I am afraid it will be difficult for them to refuse.

The same is true.

The first one who couldn't bear it was [Chuanbei City-State].

In the Battle of Xuanwu Pass, the coalition forces of [North Sichuan City-State] lost more than 26,000 people.

Distressed!

Even more timid.

Facing the soldiers from Shanhai City, they had absolutely no confidence in defending Guilin County.

[Northern Sichuan city-state] has long been captured by Honglu Temple, secretly many lords are already "good friends" of Shanhai City, and their hostility towards Shanhai City is limited.

Now that Shanhai City is actively extending an olive branch on the bright side, how could they not accept it. Not to mention them, even a great lord like Ximen Daguanren was hesitant.

Few lords could refuse the huge profits of ocean trade.

With the help of "people with a heart" and the continuous lobbying of the envoys, [Northern Sichuan City-state]'s internal opinions are gradually reaching an agreement, and they are willing to withdraw from Guilin County.

The situation is developing in the direction Ouyang Shuo expected.