https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-233-Taking-Action-Against-the-Surrounding-Small-Nations/12825402/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-305-Come-to-My-Room-Tonight-I-ve-Got-Something-Good-to-Show-You/12825405/
Chapter 234: Target, Sea Rock City!
Chapter 234: Target, Sea Rock City!
Hearing Lance's suggestion, the other generals and advisors present voiced their agreement one by one.
"Lance is right."
"Lord Kexing, the army has just been through a major battle and needs to recuperate. It's not suitable for a long-distance campaign right now."
"I also think we should consider Lance's suggestion."
This operation would be time-consuming and labor-intensive, and most importantly, it could easily offend people. From a self-interest standpoint, the generals were inclined to avoid a large-scale conflict.
However, Tina did not support Lance. She smiled and looked at Su Yu, awaiting his decision.
Su Yu raised his hand to signal for silence.
Then, he leaned forward, placing both hands on the conference table, and looked at Lance with a smile.
"Lance, I have a question for you. What if these small countries' royal families and major nobles pass the burden of tribute to their commoners through heavy taxes?"
"So what if they pass it on?" Lance replied, looking puzzled. "What does the fate of their commoners have to do with us? As long as we get our benefits, that's all that matters, right?"
Hearing his response, Su Yu's expression grew increasingly dangerous.
"Your words do not align with Princess Eliza's principles of governance. She places a high value on the well-being of the people and always prioritizes their interests. That's why she has the support and loyalty of the majority of the commoners."
"But we no longer need the support of the commoners!" Lance patiently explained to Su Yu, as if speaking to a child. "At the beginning of the war, we needed their support, so we told these peasants nice things to keep them calm. Now that the war is over, who cares if these peasants live or die? We just need to provide them with the bare minimum to keep them from causing trouble, right?"
The other generals and advisors nodded in agreement.
Although Princess Eliza had always treated the commoners well, implementing various policies that benefited them in education, healthcare, and finance, they all believed she was just putting on a show.
They thought that once the commoners lost their usefulness, Eliza would gradually reverse these policies.
Historically, emperors, kings, and nobles had always done the same. They would initially claim to be working for the people, but in the end, they always prioritized the interests of the ruling class.
Seeing the attitudes of the generals and advisors, Su Yu shook his head with a smile.
It seemed that Eliza would disappoint them.
Su Yu looked at Lance and said with a smile, "It appears your mindset does not align with the nation's policies. How about this—go back to your hometown and reflect on your mistakes for a while."
Su Yu gave Tina a meaningful look.
Tina understood immediately and stood up, saying seriously, "Lance, you have been relieved of your duties as a senior advisor. You may leave the camp now."
"What?!" Lance's eyes widened in shock.
Was he being expelled from the camp just for speaking the truth? What kind of military law was this?
Just as he was about to protest, Tina's deputy, Fiona, drew her ceremonial sword and pointed it at him. The cold gleam of the blade sent a chill down his spine.
Lance instantly cowered and scrambled out of the tent.
Seeing Lance being expelled from the tent, the other generals and advisors were stunned into silence.
Was Su Yu's temper really that short? He dismissed a senior advisor at the slightest disagreement?
Su Yu's gaze swept around the tent. "Does anyone have any objections?"
“No! Absolutely no objections!”
“Lord Counter, you are absolutely right! People like him should have been dismissed long ago!”
“Lanste actually dared to spout such nonsense. He truly doesn’t deserve to be a counselor anymore!”
The generals and counselors present all loudly agreed, not a single one willing to speak up for Lanste. They feared that if they did, they might end up being kicked out of the tent by Su Yu, looking utterly bewildered.
“Good, that’s settled then.” Su Yu nodded in satisfaction. “From now on, everyone must follow my and Tina’s commands. Go back and study Princess Fiona’s governance policies thoroughly. Anyone who dares to question my plans like Lanste will face the same fate!”
“Understood, Lord Counter!”
“We will study diligently and won’t let you down.”
The generals and counselors responded, not daring to breathe a word of dissent. Su Yu was now their sky; whatever he said was law.
After a short while, Fiona directed the soldiers to bring in a massive map, taller than a person. The map detailed the ten duchies and over a hundred city-states in the northwest of the empire. It included precise markings of mountains, rivers, roads, major cities, and military deployments.
Su Yu, Tina, and the generals and counselors discussed in detail how to deploy their forces, the routes for high-level warriors, and their objectives.
An hour and a half later.
Su Yu pointed to a large coastal city on the far west of the map. “I’ve decided. This will be our first target: Sea Rock City!”
“Lord Counter, isn’t that a bit too aggressive?” the empire’s deputy marshal, Lucas, voiced his concerns. “Sea Rock City is the capital of the Hills Commercial Federation, guarded by a Seventh-Rank powerhouse. Moreover, it’s extremely far from the empire. We would need to cross the Kingdom of Quink to get there, and even with a mixed force of Second and Third-Rank elite soldiers, it would take at least seven days to reach.”
Deputy Marshal Lucas had served as the acting grand marshal before Tina’s rise to power. He was known for his cautious and conservative strategies, and he was never a fan of such risky, aggressive tactics.
Su Yu’s strategy was like skipping the first three bosses in a dungeon to directly confront the final boss, relying on speed and strength. It was too risky and too aggressive.
However, when Tina heard Su Yu’s plan, her eyes lit up. “I understand, Counter. You’re worried that the nobles of other kingdoms will transfer their assets to safety, right?”
Su Yu snapped his fingers. “Exactly! You’re so smart, Tina!”
Sea Rock City was located on the far western edge of the continent, almost directly opposite the empire’s Pearl City. If the eastern side of the continent’s maritime trade mostly passed through Pearl City, then the western side’s trade largely went through Sea Rock City.
If Su Yu adopted a conservative approach, advancing gradually from east to west, the neighboring kingdoms and duchies would transfer their wealth through Sea Rock City to other continents for safety. This would significantly reduce the effectiveness of Su Yu’s mission.
By striking at the enemy’s “heart” and taking Sea Rock City first, Su Yu would ensure that the wealth of these kingdoms and duchies couldn’t be moved, making it all fall into his hands.
(End of Chapter)
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