Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 198 - 157: Countermeasures (Two-in-One) _2

Chapter 198: Chapter 157: Countermeasures (Two-in-One) _2

Xu Yuan sighed softly at this moment, looking at Xu Xinyao with a somewhat disappointed look in his eyes.

Xu Xinyao saw that her third brother’s gaze paused, swallowing down half of the words she was about to say.

Xu Yuan took a deep breath and said in a low voice:

"Father, I agree with Xinyao’s opinion, I do not advise to immediately move against the Myriad Manifestation Sect, but my reason differs from hers."

Xu Yin He’s voice came through the Communication Crystal:

"Let’s hear it."

Xu Yuan glanced at his younger sister who was looking down, clenching her fists, and continued in a low voice:

"Right now, our foremost concern should not be how to seek revenge but rather how to engage in disaster relief and minimize losses. Considering the current state of Shengshan County, not one in ten of the Border Army survives, and the officialdom has completely collapsed. Beyond that, considering the number of people and Demonic Beasts that have died, we are likely to face an epidemic. All these sequences of events will require silver taels."

"...."

After a short silence, Xu Yinhè’s voice transmitted:

"You mean to not act against the Myriad Manifestation Sect and instead use this as a pretext to demand silver taels and resources as compensation?"

Xu Yuan’s gaze was unfathomable as he answered calmly:

"It’s just not taking action for now.

"Father, you should be aware that the financial deficit of both Pingning Prefecture, where Shengshan County is located, and Xize State is substantial. They simply can’t afford the disaster relief funds. If we want to provide aid, it can only be through your involvement. Not to mention the time factor, after layers of exploitation, if even half of the money and grain reaches Shengshan County, it would already be quite good.

"Moreover, the current situation isn’t suitable for moving against the Myriad Manifestation Sect."

Xu Yinhè remained quiet for a short while, his voice then taking on a hint of interest:

"Continue."

Xu Yuan pondered for a moment, then continued in a measured tone:

"Firstly, with the annual Spring Tides not yet subsided, it’s difficult for Xize State’s official army to dispatch enough elite forces to deal with the Myriad Manifestation Sect. If we were to transfer troops from elsewhere, the Sects would likely discover it, leading to a premature exposure. The Myriad Manifestation Sect, after having operated in Xize State for hundreds of years, won’t sit and wait for execution should it come to light and will make desperate preparations. A rebellion initiated by them could lead to significant damage."

"Never start a war when the opponent is fully prepared."

"....."

At the end of his speech, Xu Yinhè laughed lightly, yet Xu Yuan heard it clearly.

After a brief moment of silence in the spacious secret chamber, the Communication Crystal flashed:

"Go on."

After a moment of thought, Xu Yuan continued:

"Secondly, a substantial amount of compensation is likely to cause internal strife within the Myriad Manifestation Sect. While they are united in the face of common interests, they won’t stand together when it comes to paying compensation and will instead try to shift the blame onto others to minimize their own losses."

Having listened intently, Xu Yinhè’s voice was indifferent as he asked:

"What if they refuse to pay?"

Xu Yuan shook his head:

"They won’t refuse to compensate. At most, they’ll ask us to hand over all witnesses and relevant information, and the moment we reached an agreement, we became their accomplices. If the issue is reopened, and they expose the affair, we too will be implicated."

Xu Yinhè’s voice remained steady:

"Given this, how would we move against the Myriad Manifestation Sect in the future?"

Xu Yuan laughed softly:

"In the future, no reason will be needed."

"...."

After his words, a deep silence filled the air.

Then,

Xu Yinhè laughed; this time, his laughter was clearly audible in the quiet stone chambers:

"Heh... Indeed, no reason will be needed in the future, Changtian. Is there more?"

"Of course."

Xu Yuan responded, glancing at Xu Xinyao whose expression was complex:

"Third, and most importantly, just like what you have done before, Father, this action would send a message to the Sects that we, the Prime Minister’s Mansion, have capitulated, that you have given up on disciplining the Sects, and that we have begun to prepare for our retreat."

"Well said."

Xu Yinhè praised softly but then negated, "However, Changtian, you have missed the most important point."

Xu Yuan’s eyes showed a hint of surprise: "What is it?"

Xu Yinhè’s voice was calm:

"Only when the blade is held to their necks will the Sects yield. Even if they agree to a bleeding compensation, they will dribble it out slowly. Perhaps it would take ten years, or even twenty years to pay in full. Never overestimate their bottom line; their bottom line has no limit."

Xu Yuan frowned:

"Father, about this matter..."

Xu Yinhè spoke lightly:

"I have already had Yuan Hao lead forty thousand Black Scale Army troops to set out secretly in batches under the pretext of reinforcing the border from Anfeng State."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan’s eyes flickered.

After all these years, the Myriad Manifestation Sect had lost the conviction of their founding ancestor to "guard the nation’s gates" and had relocated their Sect’s site to the easternmost edge of Xize State, near the border with Anfeng State.

Moreover, he knew Yuan Hao quite well, back in Cang Yuan.

He was one of the high-ranking officers under his father’s command. Due to his distinct personality, Xu Yuan had remembered this mid-to-late stage BOSS.

An undoubted war fanatic.

At this thought, Xu Yuan gathered his thoughts and asked somewhat hesitantly,

"But won’t such actions drive the Myriad Manifestation Sect into a desperate frenzy?"

Xu Yinhè responded,

"No one can get close to the military camp. These forty thousand Black Scale Troops are being sent in batches, counted by squads of fifty. They will only converge as they approach Wanxiang City."

Xu Yuan felt slightly startled upon hearing this.

Could the armies of this world actually dare to travel this way, splitting up into pieces under such communication conditions?

And what about the logistics, the war equipment? What if troops get lost en route?

However, after pondering for a moment, Xu Yuan also roughly understood.

Units of fifty could maintain basic formation and discipline while ensuring secrecy. Supplies and equipment could be transported via Sumeru Rings and flying Demonic Beasts. After all, this was troop movement within the country’s borders, without the risk of ambush, and Dayan’s imperial roads were exceedingly well-developed. There were many post stations along the way; one would hardly get lost unless deliberately venturing into deep forests and remote mountains.

Moreover, most of these soldiers should have been trained at the Tian’an Martial Hall.

One cannot measure this extraordinary world by the war paradigms of my previous ancient times.

After musing for a while, Xu Yuan said softly,

"Father, how long will it take for the troops to arrive this way?"

Xu Yinhè naturally had a clear grasp of this,

"Calculating the time, in about two ten-day cycles, the vast majority of the troops will have converged and be ready to face Wanxiang City."

Speaking, Xu Yinhè paused,

"By that time, Changtian, you will go and speak with the people from the Myriad Manifestation Sect."

"....." Xu Yuan’s eyebrow twitched.

After a long moment,

Xu Yuan blurted out one word: "Me?"

"Naturally." Xu Yinhè said unrushed: "Yuan Hao is hot-tempered and unsuitable for negotiation, so you will go."

Xu Yuan coughed lightly, "Father, are you sure you want me to go?"

Xu Yinhè’s voice was gentle,

"I was not sure whether to send you, but now I am.

"Of course,

"If you, Changtian, do not wish to go, you can also refuse."

Xu Yuan thought for a moment and then responded,

"I will go."

Xu Yinhè gently tapped on the document in front of him, "Don’t feel burdened; even if the negotiations fail, it’s all right."

After pausing, Xu Yuan asked,

"Father, may I bring Xinyao with me?"

"....." Xinyao.

Xu Yinhè did not immediately agree but asked instead,

"Xinyao, do you wish to accompany your brother?"

Xu Yuan looked back at her, and Xu Xinyao gently nodded,

"Since this matter started because of Xinyao, I am naturally willing to go."

Xu Yuan chuckled softly,

"Father, since that’s the case, I will go and make some preparations."

But Xu Yinhè did not intend to end the conversation just yet, only saying,

"No need to rush, I just happen to have another matter to discuss with you."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan faltered and after a moment’s thought, he asked,

"Father, please speak."

Xu Yinhè deliberated for the first time for a short while and spoke softly,

"I have just come from Marquis of Wucheng’s Mansion."

"Marquis Wucheng?"

Xu Yuan raised his eyebrows, instinctively thinking of the Commandery Princess named Mu Zhiyun, "Does it concern me?"

Xu Yinhè did not deny,

"Yes, it concerns you."

"Father, please speak frankly."

"You have reached the age of majority."

"...."

At this familiar phrase, Xu Yuan’s heart skipped a beat, and he did not speak.

Seeing Xu Yuan silent for a while, Xu Yinhè coughed softly,

"Marquis Wucheng has agreed for you to return to the Imperial Capital, and I have also arranged a marriage for you."