The World Online

”Let’s talk about Yunnan City-State, what’s its flaw?” Ouyang Shuo asked.

More than half of the prefecture’s territory boundary was a border. The north side was Tibet, which was harder to access than the Shu Lands. Moreover, it was easy to defend and hard to attack. The only threat to it would be Consonance City and Shanhai City.

One could say that the Yunnan City-State did not have much to worry about.

Of course, with pros, there would definitely be cons.

Such an excellent geographic location would also definitely restrict their ability to expand.

Hence, since the establishment of the Yunnan City-State, they had the goal of protecting their own land. Similar to the other few city-states, they were formed with defensive goals in mind.

As they said, one could become austere if they lacked selfish desires.

It seemed that the only viable option to take on the Yunnan City-State was to forcefully attack it.

At this point, Ouyang Shuo had already placed the bulk of his attack focus next year on the Yunnan City-State.

”They have two weakness.” Zhang Yi was still unfazed, ”Firstly, they lack someone like Yuanping or West Gate Big Official to lead them. Secondly, in terms of geography, there are not connected like the other three city-states, so they are utterly alone.

Ouyang Shuo noticed that Zhang Yi chose the word weakness instead of flaw.

It was obvious that to Zhang Yi, Yunnan City-State was also a tough nut to crack.

”I actually do not feel that these two points are their weaknesses.” Ouyang Shuo shook his head, as he presented a different idea, “If we looked at this individually, it might seem like a problem. But combining the two, it becomes their strength instead. An individual alliance needs to be ruled by many. Only then can they maintain stability and not change any set strategies.”

”The Lord is wise!” Zhang Yi was impressed once more.

”Toward the Yunnan City-State, the Honglu Temple can increase its attention. However, we should leave the specific strategies to Consonance City. We do not need to care too much.” Ouyang Shuo instructed.

Ouyang Shuo still needed to give his ally Bai Hua sufficient respect.

No matter what, Kunming Prefecture was the one that was truly connected to the Yunnan City-State. As for how to deal with them, Bai Hua had probably thought of some answers.

Hence, Shanhai City could not jump past Consonance City and directly start acting in the Yunnan Province. If that were the case, their interests would clash, and it would make it difficult for Bai Hua.

At most, both parties would work together.

As for the Dragon Legion housed on the west side, they were first there to collect intel. Secondly, during the real war, they would help Consonance City attack the Yunnan City-State.

In the future, the problem of how to deal with the Yunnan City-State would be one that both sides would definitely have issues and disagreements on.

News had spread of Shanhai City occupying Zhen An Prefecture and eating up the ninety thousand west army prisoners. Within Consonance City, there were already people that were unhappy.

After all, from their point of view, they had paid a huge price to block the west army. In the very end, they made the sacrifice but did not gain any benefits.

On the contrary, Shanhai City just made one sneak attack and plucked all the fruits from this tree.

If Luo Shixin’s division did not help Consonance City swiftly take down Kunming Prefecture, giving them a peaceful home, these unhappy emotions would be much more intense.

Although Ouyang Shuo did not feel guilty about this point, it was enough to raise his wariness.

In history, many allies had ended up splitting due to interest problems.

Although Ouyang Shuo believed that Bai Hua and he could control the disputes, they were unable to stop the thoughts and wishes of their subordinates.

Thinking deeper about this, it involved the future standing of Consonance City.

Bai Hua was not Mulan Yue, and Consonance City was not the Mulan County from before. Hence, it was impossible for them to directly go under Shanhai City’s rule.

After all, Consonance City did not represent Bai Hua’s interest only. Instead, it served the interests of a collective group of people. Even Qingfeng Pavillion was wrapped up into this.

Dealing with this matter was going to be a massive bother.

”During the gathering next year, I should have a good discussion with Bai Hua.”

Ouyang Shuo gave out a slight sigh.

……

Zhang Yi nodded; he continued, “Apart from the four city-states, there’s actually a fifth group that has been staring intently at Shanhai City from the outside, just like Qi Country during the Warring States.”

”Are you referring to the Yanhuang Alliance?” Ouyang Shuo asked.

”To Shanhai City, the Yanhuang Alliance is a long term presence that we cannot neglect. Especially as we expand, the conflicts between the two groups will spread from battle maps to the wilderness. As long as Shanhai City breaks through the lock of the four city-states, we will have to fight them on the Shu Lands and the Jingchu Province. Hence, I feel that they definitely will not simply watch on and do nothing as we break this situation.”

Zhang Yi’s words were not said just to frighten Ouyang Shuo.

Before this, when Shanhai City wanted to take over the Lianzhou Basin, the Yanhuang Alliance had already interfere.

Cooperating with the four city-states to restrict and control the expansion of Shanhai City was a necessary move for the Yanhuang Alliance.

Following this train of thought, it was time for Shanhai City and Yanhuang Alliance to have another good battle around these four city-states. Who knows who would be laughing in the end.

To counterattack reactively was not Ouyang Shuo’s style.

”Since we have noticed the threat of Yanhuang Alliance, it’s time for Honglu Temple to strike. Compared to us, the Yanhuang Alliance members have many more problems in their own areas.” Ouyang Shuo smiled, “There’s no reason to allow them to peacefully develop and still let them butt into our matters.”

”Understood!” Zhang Yi nodded.

”The main point would be Asura City and Fallen Leaf City. Try your best to spoil their relationship,” Ouyang Shuo said.

Sha Pojun’s Asura City and Wandering Magic’s Fallen Leaf City belonged to the same province. In the middle, there was also Xianyang City and Chang An City impeding them. If they did not create problems for these enemies, it would be a dumb decision.

On the topic of this matter, the massive battle in Zhongyuan had not ended. Moreover, compared to the currently low-profile Sha Pojun, Wandering Magic was making headlines. Who knows how Sha Pojun, who loved to win, was feeling at this moment.

As the new year approached, along with Zhan Lang and Xiong Ba working together to destroy the Huangchao Army, out of the four uprising armies, only the Zhangchu Regime still stood in the wilderness.

This was a truly awkward matter for Chun Shenjun and Wandering Magic.

Unfortunately, they did not have a strong enough army, so no matter how awkward they felt, they did not dare to move lightly.

Seeing that the third year was about to arrive, even Di Chen temporarily gave up his plans to attack the Zhangchu Regime. Everything would wait till after the new year.