Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales
Chapter 1217 – Zhan Lang’s Decision
In the second half of the 6th year of Gaia, along with the American and European Lords staring at South America, the America continent that had been quite peaceful suddenly became bustling with excitement.
The Indian Empire that had a solo grip on South America was instantly surrounded by enemies.
In the 8th month, the Dawson Dynasty took down Columbia region that was connected to Panama. While this solidified its control of the Panama Canal, it also posed a direct threat to the north of the Indian Empire.
9th month, the Argentina region that was located at the south tip of South America announced that it had submitted to Spain Dynasty.
Just like that, one north and one south, Indian Empire was pincered.
Seeing that the Indian Empire could not even defend itself, in the 10th month, the Brazil Region that was originally going to lower its head to them decided to stand alone and form the Brasilia Dynasty. They wanted to try and borrow the hand of Europe and America to go up against the Indian Empire.
Along with the Venezuela region that had not been conquered by the empire, the flames of war rose in South America.
Facing the stares of enemies all around, the Indian Empire was already too tired to deal with all of them. Along with the disasters, Indian Empire ruler Juarez realized that relying on his own ability would not be enough to lead the South America situation.
If things drag on, the situation might get even worse.
At this dangerous moment, Juarez thought about his ally Great Xia.
During this period of time, Great Xia slaughtered in all directions in China, becoming the focus of Lords all around the world. Although Great Xia did not use troops overseas, there had been legends spreading about Great Xia.
Juarez’s plan was to give the Indian Empire’s Ecuador region to Great Xia to let them move troops in to go against Dawson Dynasty.
The Ecuador region was located south of Columbia, and in the early days, the Indian Empire had helped Great Xia take down a port in South America that was located within Ecuador.
Juarez was really generous and directly gave the entire entire region to Great Xia.
Ouyang Shuo naturally saw right through Juarez’s plan – he wanted to use Great Xia’s hand to restrict the Dawson Dynasty’s invasion into Indian Empire.
Only then could they free up troops to take care of the Spain Dynasty and the Brasilia Dynasty. Especially the Brasilia Dynasty, which had gone against their words and needed to be dealt with seriously. If not, how would the empire have any authority or prestige?
Although he saw through that, Ouyang Shuo did not directly reject the request.
The Ecuador bait that the Indian Empire threw out might not be something that Great Xia could not take. If it was reasonably swallowed, who the fisherman was and who the fish was would be unknown.
Just as Zhang Liang said, “This is the best chance for the dynasty to enter the America Continent.”
Before this, due to the presence of the Indian Dynasty, Ouyang Shuo did not intend to set foot in South America in case they had conflicts with Indian Empire, which would cause them to lose their only ally in the world.
As for North America, Great Xia had no way to set foot in it.
The current Indian Empire was forced by pressure to cede Ecuador region. This was a great chance for Great Xia and a good chance to enter the America battlefield.
As for what happens in the future?
“Let’s stick our heads in first.” Ouyang Shuo thought that way.
The worst outcome would be being forced to withdraw troops from South America, which would not be much of a loss to Great Xia. However, if they could gain a footing in South America, they could use it as a support to radiate to the entire America continent.
The Dawson Dynasty would not be so mysterious anymore.
Furthermore, if the Indian Empire wanted to fulfil its goal, it could not watch as Ecuador was lost. When needed, the Indian Empire would aid them with resources and grain to help the Great Xia Army stabilize the situation.
Of course, since they were standing on the side of Great Xia, it was best to let the Indian Empire get right into the battle with the Spain Dynasty and the Brasilia Dynasty. Only then would Great Xia have room to show their skill.
The schemes within were really complicated.
Due to such considerations, Ouyang Shuo agreed to the request of the Indian Empire ambassador and agreed to accept Ecuador and move troops in.
When the ambassador saw that, he left in satisfaction.
Following which, Great Xia’s Cabinet used the quickest speed to pass and approve the administrative planning of the Ecuador Region. They decided to establish the Ecuador Prefecture, which would be under the direct rule of the Imperial Court.
The ruling area of the prefecture was named as Zhidian City. For this, Ouyang Shuo used his last teleportation formation.
On the contrary, the Cabinet had some differences in opinion regarding the ruling system of Ecuador Prefecture. Grand Secretary Jiang Shang’s opinion considered how the Ecuador Prefecture was located overseas and was also facing the threat of the Dawson Dynasty. This prefecture’s policies had a lot to do with war, so he suggested arranging a general there to rule by military law.
However, deputy Kou Zhun insisted that military and administrative matters could not be mixed, and they could not set a precedence.
Both sides could not decide, and the final decision was left to Ouyang Shuo.
Ouyang Shuo gathered up both their opinions. After considering the situation of the prefecture, he decided that while he appointed a Governor, he would also send a Jiedushi.
Normally, the Governor and would have their own duties. During war, the would have total control over all resources in the prefecture to use for war. War would become the top priority.
This both helped to maintain the separation of military and administrative matters while giving the general authority.
Ouyang Shuo personally selected the current Tengyue Prefecture Governor Zhou Haichen to be the Ecuador Governor. Without a doubt, this was Ouyang Shuo’s closely trusted civil servant and a person he focused on developing.
Zhou Haichen was the administrative director’s assistant, Friendship City Magistrate, Leishan Prefect, and Tengyue Governor. He had a lot of experience, and Ouyang Shuo was prepared to let him train up in Ecuador before giving him a Provincial Governor role in the future.
With Zhou Haichen there, there would be an invincible shackle on the Jiedushi.
Regarding the choice of Ecuador Jiedushi, be it the Cabinet or the Privy Court, they both recommended one or two people but were rejected by Ouyang Shuo because he already had a suitable choice in his heart.
As the first of Great Xia, he needed to be an all rounded person.
More importantly, due to the complicated situation in America, this person represented Great Xia there and needed to be stable under pressure. They needed to be crafty to balance all the powers and courageous and sharp to win on the battlefield.
These three traits being gathered on one person was difficult to find.
Ouyang Shuo’s ideal choice was great Zhou Qi Marquis and Donghai Provincial Governor Zhan Lang. This person had been the Blood Red City Lord for a long time and was all rounded. To be able to hide his identity as an Azure Badge member till now showed his stability and ability to hold things in.
During the Yanhuang Alliance period, Zhan Lang was the stabilizing pill for all sides and could save the day at the crucial moment to balance out the powers.
The current Zhan Lang was really low profile and even looked like he had given up on himself. He had seemingly lost his courage and sharpness, but Ouyang Shuo knew that this was just on the surface.
Zhan Lang was a born military soldier, and the fighting spirit in his body was no less than anyone else.
Such a Zhan Lang merely lacked a stage for him to spread his wings and fly.
Ouyang Shuo wanted to give Zhan Lang such a stage to let him step out of the restraints of Silver Hand and Azure Badge and take a gamble.
“Who knew that the chance to recruit him would actually be given by the Indian Empire?” Ouyang Shuo smiled, not hesitating anymore and contacting Zhan Lang.
“Xia king.”
Zhan Lang was really calm; it was like he had long predicted the arrival of this day.
Ouyang Shuo knew about his identity as a spy. Hence, when the Azure Badge stepped out from the shadows, his heart had died because the enemy held his weakness.
When Xiong Ba betrayed Great Zhou and the 400 thousand Ming troops was destroyed, Zhan Lang finally set his heart to it. He was not going to wait to die and ordered the Blood Red to take down Great Ming.
Donghai Province was the only chip in his hand.
However, a calamity had caused this chip to change. Originally, after taking down Great Ming, he had obtained a bunch of officials and had the 10 million civilians of Jianye under his charge.
The future Donghai Province had a chance to become a second Great Jin.
Unfortunately, the heavens did not grant his wish.
In the calamity of the 10th month, the Donghai Province that was located downstream was one of the regions that were most heavily affected.
One locust calamity greatly reduced the grain in the province, resulting in little to no yield. Moreover, during the Great Jin battle, Di Chen had ordered them to amass grain to support the frontlines.
The civilians were all depending on the second rice season to tide over the hardship.
Who would have guessed that just before the grain ripened, the heavens would do that, pushing Donghai into the abyss.
Zhan Lang was so anxious that his hair turned white, but he still had no way to solve the problem.
The 10 million Jianye people were originally the foundations to establish a country. Now, they had become a huge burden, making it hard for him to breathe.
Zhan Lang had sought help from Di Chen. For the people, he was even prepared to lower his head to Di Chen. However, Great Zhou was also hit, and Di Chen could not even save himself, much less Donghai Province.
At this stage, only Great Xia could save Donghai.
Perhaps he had long awaited this video call in his heart.
“Come to Great Xia. I’ll give you a stage.”
Ouyang Shuo said before giving a simple description of the Ecuador Prefecture situation. “The small lake of China cannot fit you. Go to America and help Great Xia and yourself build a legacy.”
Zhan Lang looked deeply at Ouyang Shuo. After a long while, he only said one word, “Okay!”
One word worth a thousand gold.
Ouyang Shuo knew that with Zhan Lang’s character, he would not go back on his word once he agreed.
“The Imperial Court is planning to establish the South America formation, and due to their provision standards, I can only temporarily give you two legions. In the future, the South America formation would be the South America .”
Zhan Lang nodded, expressing that he understood.
He was previously a Lord. Obviously, he knew that to use one prefecture to feed two legions was already pushing it. It was impossible to support one because that would crush the local civilians.
“The South America formation will use the elites of the Blood Red . Go prepare.” Ouyang Shuo gave him a huge gift.
After establishing the Jiedushi, Ouyang Shuo made another exception.
Before this, no surrendered Lord or general could still lead his own troops after submitting to Great Xia.
This kindness was something that Zhan Lang felt grateful about.
Ouyang Shuo was Ouyang Shuo. He was different from Di Chen, who only knew how to plot. When he needed to be generous, he would be, so it was no wonder that he could persuade a bunch of heroes to join him.
“Yes, my king!”
Zhan Lang bowed. At this point, his heart had changed.
