The Republic of China: A Letter of Appointment Creates the Most Powerful Warlord

"Of course not! Kikuta, the representative from Sakura Country, has already made it clear that they will cut off cooperation with the Duan faction and will no longer provide them with any weapons support!"

Cao Xin didn't notice his abnormality. He still lowered his head to check the mahjong tiles in front of him and talked to himself.

"Old Duan is really blind this time. He has no choice but to step down."

"If that's the case, then there's nothing much to say. A good blacksmith must be strong himself. If you don't have any money in your pocket, just stay put. Why bother coming out to fight?"

Old Zhang said with a hint of sarcasm. He felt that Duan Tianlin's loss was not unfair. Relying on others' charity to fight a war was just gambling on luck.

As the old saying goes, having something yourself is better than having it from your parents. Only when you become strong can you have the ability to resist risks anytime and anywhere.

People like them who rely solely on external transfusions to fight wars are just toys in the hands of others and pawns that can be discarded at any time.

"That's it, let's not be too extreme. If Lao Duan sends someone to negotiate, I'll take the southern part of Zhijiang Province, unify Zhijiang Province, and get some economic compensation."

Cao Xin was quite content and asked for half of Zhijiang Province.

He knew very well that Duan Tianlin was a living example. If you want to live a good life these days, you must have your own financial security.

Therefore, instead of taking those remote provinces, it is better to take Zhijiang Province. At least it has a good location and good economic development, which can provide a steady supply for Feng's troops.

As for the rest, it depends on Lao Zhang. It's fine if he wants to take it all, as long as Lao Duan agrees.

"Haha, Lao Cao, you're really smart. Come up and grab the most delicious fish eyes first. There's not much good places in the Duan system now, except for the vast northern part of the Saibei."

Old Zhang rubbed the mahjong tiles in his palm with a smile, while thinking about how to maximize the benefits.

They have nothing lacking in Fengbei. They have rich mineral resources, fertile land and a high annual output. To be honest, the only shortcoming is that there are no decent talented elites.

If we start from this point of view, the capital will be the best place to fight for.

But the problem is that even if the Duan faction is willing to give up the territory, Zhili Province is still in the hands of the Feng faction.

These guys have been surrounding the capital city all year round, which makes them look like they are watching us covetously, making it hard for people to sleep at night.

"Brother, I don't mean anything else. I just want to recover some health. After all, the battle I fought a while ago was really painful."

Cao Xin was still pretending to be smiling, but this old guy was actually smarter than a monkey.

He knew in his heart that the capital city was a hot potato. It looked very tempting but it did not give him a chance to sit firmly on it.

It is just a useless thing that can only be looked at but not occupied. Whoever occupies the capital will become the primary target of attack by warlords all over the world.

It can be ownerless, so that everyone is considered a wild card and no one laughs at anyone else.

But if someone occupies it, it will be a completely different story. We agreed to be bandits together, but you secretly want to wear the dragon robe and be the orthodox one.

What are we then? Traitors, bandits wreaking havoc on the world?

Therefore, from this point of view, it is better to avoid going to the capital before you have absolute strength and enough popular support.

Zhang Ye did a good job in this regard. He didn't think about moving to the side from the beginning, but chose Donglu Province, which was suitable for development.

As for Huishan and Wuyue provinces, it was like catching rabbits while robbing grass - he caught up with them, so he had no choice but to fight.

"Okay, since you spoke first, I can't steal your praise."

Old Zhang smiled happily, pretending to be indifferent, and said very generously.

"I can give you Zhijiang Province, but you can't get involved in the affairs of the capital."

"Okay, brother, don't worry. As long as Old Duan agrees to this negotiation result, our people will immediately withdraw and give you the position in the capital!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Xin immediately patted his chest and promised.

Anyway, the capital is only an hour's drive from Zhili Province, so if anything really happens, they can send troops in time.

Since Mr. Zhang is willing to take the risk, he must have made plans.

In the days that followed, he didn't have to do anything, just watch him and have fun with the Northern Army.

……

That night, after returning to his residence, Old Zhang was not idle. He immediately called his adjutant and gave him serious instructions.

"Send a telegram to Liuzi, asking him to leave early tomorrow morning and go to Donglu Province to meet Zhang Ye."

"Ah? Marshal, this isn't appropriate."

The adjutant looked worried when he heard this and tried to persuade him anxiously.

"Zhang Ye is no longer the small county magistrate he once was. If he has any bad intentions towards the young master, it will be the end of us."

"If you have something to explain and need a face-to-face meeting, you can send someone else, even a civil servant in charge of diplomacy. It would be too risky to send the young master."

"Oh, what do you know!"

Old Zhang pointed at the adjutant in front of him and scolded him with an annoyed look on his face.

"The significance of the Sixth Son and the Civil Officials going together is completely different."

"Anyway, they played and joked together when they were in the capital, so they have some friendship. This trip can be used as a pretext for having fun and getting together as buddies."

"If you, the entire civilian population, go there, it'll be like a meeting between two countries. Whatever we discuss won't have the same flavor!"

"Then... then I'll arrange for more people to accompany the young master on the trip. Things have been so chaotic lately, and we can't afford to have any problems along the way."

The adjutant was still a little worried, and muttered softly with his neck hunched.

Seeing that he was so concerned, Old Zhang didn't say anything more. After thinking for a while, he began to draft the content of the telegram.

"Sixth Son, this trip to Donglu has two purposes. One is to warn Zhang Ye not to lose sight of the big picture and stay away from the Sakura people as much as possible!"

"Secondly, I want to express my goodwill and ideals as a father and do my best to befriend Zhang Ye. If there's an opportunity, I can also go to Donglu and meet him in person for a chat!"

The adjutant held the small notebook and remembered that when he was in high spirits, he felt that the last sentence was a bit inappropriate and lost the momentum of the Fengbei Army. He then quietly crossed it out and planned to study it carefully later and replace it with a more encouraging wording.

"Bring it to me and see."

Unexpectedly, just as he crossed out the note, Old Zhang came with a stern face and stretched out his hand to ask for the notebook.

Seeing that his little thoughts were seen through by the Marshal, the adjutant scratched his head in embarrassment and laughed.

"No, nothing has been changed..."

"Don't think I don't know what you think, kid."

Old Zhang took the notebook, glanced at it, pondered for a moment, and muttered to himself.

"The last sentence is a bit inappropriate. If he is of the same generation as Liuzi, it would be disrespectful for an old man like me to visit him in person."

"Yes, yes, Marshal, that's what I mean."

Seeing that his actions were recognized, the adjutant immediately started to flatter the emperor.

"No matter what, General Zhang and our young master have some brotherly love. As long as we maintain a friendly and peaceful relationship, he will follow the rules and call you uncle. There's nothing wrong with that!"

"Hahahaha...you kid, that's quite interesting..."

Old Zhang, who was a little unhappy the previous second, was comforted by his words and immediately became happy and scolded with a smile.

"Get out, get out, get out! Today you're right. Hurry up and send the message. Be sure to tell Liuzi to set off early tomorrow morning. There's absolutely no delay!"