High-end business wars often use the most simple methods to solve problems, such as burning down buildings, kidnapping, and forcefully taking things. In fact, high-end national wars are no exception.
All-in on the battlefield, wanting to win the battle in one go is an inferior strategy.
First, cause chaos within the enemy's ranks, which is a political tactic. Then, incite panic among the populace and drive prices sky-high, employing economic measures. Finally, shake the ruling class of the enemy and establish a puppet regime, returning to political tactics once more. With this sequence of moves, you're mostly there. If not, just go for another round of skirmishes. What a high risk those are!
The Han country accepting Fe Zhong and You Hun can be attributed to their talents. When it comes to bribery, these two are professionals.
Fei Zhong was very humble and whispered, "That person has already arrived in Nandu, Your Majesty. Would you like to see him?"
Deng ChanYu directly refused: "No, just take the required amount of gold and silver from the Princess' mansion. Keep the losses under control at 10%. Got that?"
Fei Zhong and You Hun hurriedly swore:" We dare not, it is an honor for the Great Han to accept us. As a small person, we will not take advantage of this opportunity to obtain any wealth. Today, we willingly swear, if we ever violate this oath, we will definitely die by the sword!"
Deng ChanYu was unmoved by these words. She regarded them as idle talk, for the vows of ordinary people carried little weight. She harbored doubts, "The sound is too small. Tian Dao can't hear it. What good is your oath?"
She no longer dwelled on the matter of the vow, instead raising a finger: "Only 10%, remember my words."
Fei Zhong and You Hun were startled. She vanished into thin air right in front of them.
The two villains' faces lit up with joy. They had seen the treasure house of the princess's mansion before, and the mountains of gold and silver, precious stones and jade inside were truly plentiful. It was far richer than that of the Rebellious King Zhou's side. Even a mere tenth of it would be enough for them to live a carefree life for the rest of their days.
Before, the two had hidden quite a bit of treasure throughout Luoyi. However, with Luoyi reduced to ruins by the aftereffects of the battles, their savings over the years were essentially washed away. Fortunately, they could still find a job in Nandu that would allow them to live "in modest comfort."
A tenth of a thing is a tenth of that thing!
The two of them were filled with vigor and secretly went to a wine house to secretly meet the northern guests.
"I have met the two physicians!" Ji Xu Kun had been going up and down these years, from the second in command at Jiemeng Pass to Ji Changle's son-in-law. He had experienced quite a bit of turbulence, originally thinking that being Ji Changle's son-in-law was his starting point in Zhou, but he never imagined that this was the highest point, and after that, it only went downhill.
Now, the King of Zhou is Ji Song, the son of Ji Fa. This information has even reached the grandchildren of Ji Chang. With so many brothers in the Ji family, there wasn't enough to go around internally, so Ji Xu Kun, as a step uncle, was naturally pushed to the periphery.
Fei Zhong smiled and bowed: "Your Highness is of noble birth, please don't humble oneself by meeting with me."
Ji Xu Kun was very angry: "I bear the surname Xu. What relation does it have to the Ji family? Doctor Fei, please do not mention the prince. It is indeed humiliating!"
The adoptive son of the one who wishes to defect to the Han Empire has been forced into this by the Zhou kingdom with no other choice.
In the past, Ji Chang's fifth son, also known as Cai Shun Du, was killed by Zhou King. Many of Ji Chang's younger brothers took advantage of the slogan "succession of brothers" to lay claim to Cai Shun Du's fiefdom. The land known as "Cai" is not mediocre; it is located in the heart of the Central Plains, with fertile soil and easy irrigation. It is a prime piece of land.
Ji Xu Kun also had his eyes on the Cai fiefdom. Unlike Ji's other younger brothers who had empty titles, he had originally been the lord of Cai in name, following the governance of Cai Shun Du. Now that the "king" was gone, he had two thousand troops originally from Jiameng Pass under his command. Over the years, they had fought and died for Zhou with great contributions. It was only right that he should be allowed to fully occupy Cai.
Ji Dan has not yet sorted out his own brothers. How could he give land to outsiders? He used Ji Xu Kun's original surname of Xu as an excuse and bestowed him the fiefdom of Xu. Where is this Xu located? On the coast of the East Sea, currently occupied by Qi, Ji Xu Kun dare not go there.
Full of contradictions, Fei Zhong spent some effort and a considerable amount of gold and silver to win him over.
"Assisting the Han, Your Highness will have no trouble being awarded titles and generals in the future. It is not just the Cai fiefdom that can be yours. From Fei's perspective, the Zhou fiefdom is also a possibility."
After all, it's just drawing a pie in the sky; the bigger the better, why not?
Ji Xu Kun was overjoyed. The Zhou fiefdom is the foundation for a kingdom, and even a slight hint of pride couldn't be allowed. He held back his ambitions and replied, "Diplomat, please don't make idle promises. Having the Cai fiefdom is enough to satisfy me!"
He lowered his voice and asked, "I don't know when the Han will launch a northern expedition. I would also like to make preparations in advance."
How could Fei Zhong know such things? Even if he knew, without money, he wouldn't say anything.
To some extent, this person's lips are indeed tight.
Fei Zhong smiled: "Please be patient, Your Highness. When it's time to act, Fei will certainly notify you."
As Ji Xu Kun was about to leave, Fei Zhong raised three fingers, representing three thousand taels of gold. Whether he would use the money for pleasure or to buy more soldiers and officers was up to Ji Xu Kun himself.
The Han Empire does not need you to do any work right now, just be a friend.
The Han Empire will help him transport the gold over, and he can also directly withdraw from the Iron Bank in Zhou. It's very convenient.
After sending off Ji Xu Kun, the two cunning officials went to another location to meet with a secret envoy of the Ji royal clan, and once again, there were promises and bribes exchanged.
Thanks to one Cai fiefdom, they successfully bribed three Ji descendants and two Zhou generals.
It's not that their methods are particularly highbrow, but because Ji Chang has too many sons. In times of crisis, a family sticks together, naturally being brotherly and respectful. Now that they have taken the heavens, can't they enjoy some of the fruits? Ji Dan is preparing to mobilize troops to face the Han Empire. Naturally, he can't divide the strength of the country. This way and that, tensions between brothers arise.
Fei Zhong and You Hun went to the Princess' mansion to report their work to Deng Chan Yu.
Deng Chan Yu is currently a bit busy.
The first silver essence of Quan Ti's original power was taken previously. This thing is even more powerful than expected.
A single hair plucked from a sage's body is thicker than a true sage's leg. She dared not absorb this strand of vital essence directly, so she started thinking about refining a magical treasure.
Quan gold is Yang, and Yixue is Yin. The former is a mountain, and the latter is water. It perfectly matches the cultivation of 【The True Sutra of the Journey to Supreme Reality through Nine Returns and Seven Reversions in the Pots and Hearth 】.
She plans to draw another "Deng Garden Elegant Gathering" painting to contain and absorb this strand of original Quan gold vital essence and the original Yixue vitality of the hollow willow.
She heard that Fei Zhong and You Hun had come, and she slowly stopped her brush. The artistic mood in the painting wasn't enough, and the original Quan gold vital essence was too fierce. She needed to think about it again for a while.
She tidied up slightly, changed into another outfit, and went to the main hall, asking, "What is it?"
Fei Zhong and You Hun reported their work over the past period.
Deng Chan Yu smiled: "The Cai land? It's really mediocre. Such a simple lure would appeal to anyone."
Fei Zhong forced a smile: "Your Highness, there is one more matter."
Deng Chan Yu gave him a glance, and he hurriedly said, "The several princes and generals of Zhou are wondering when the Han Empire will launch a northern expedition, so they can make some preparations in advance."
"Eight hundred."
"What does Your Highness mean?"
"The palace says that the Great Zhou has eight hundred days of its reign. Tell them that two and a half years later, the Han Empire will launch a northern expedition and unify the world."
