Imperial warlords: Cannons are the only truth

After figuring out the true intentions of Teresa Fornal, the representative of Dunley.

Xiang Fangxue immediately settled Teresa Fornar in and reported the details of the matter to higher authorities.

The capital city—the highest command headquarters of the Great Qian Dynasty.

"What is everyone's opinion on the request from Teresa Fornar, the envoy from Dunley?"

Shen Moshen sought everyone's opinions on the matter of sending Dunli to the envoy.

"Chief, the Dunli people suddenly pulled this stunt on us like this, it's really like 'hitting a pillow when you're sleepy'..."

Ge Daqiang laughed and said, "We were just getting ready to 'go in and harvest the vegetables,' and before we could even 'break down the door,' someone opened it for us!"

“If the Dunli people take the initiative to invite us to Xiluo to ‘uphold justice,’ then we will have no concerns about public opinion.”

"More importantly—this will make our subsequent takeover of Xiluo legitimate."

"Besides, we were invited there."

"Therefore, this doesn't count as breaking a promise, much less breaching a contract..."

"Chief, I think the Dunley people did at least add icing on the cake."

"The Dunli people did a bit of a 'icing on the cake' thing."

Chen Guyan, head of the secret intelligence agency, shook his head with a smile: "However, the Dunli people have really screwed over Prun this time."

"According to intelligence obtained by our secret intelligence agency, it seems that the Dunli people took the initiative to seek peace talks with the Prun people."

"However, the Prun people probably never expected that the Dunli people would pull such a stunt so quickly..."

"The Dunley are playing a pretty good game—they're trying to use the Prunes to gain more post-war benefits and better treatment for themselves."

"It must be said that the Dunley people are quite 'pragmatic' in this respect."

"They know that it is an irreversible fact that Xiluo has been taken over by our Great Qian."

"So, they thought of using the Pulun people as their 'pledge of allegiance' so that we could feel their sincerity and thus receive some special treatment from them......................"

"The Dunley people played a really cunning trick," Ge Daqiang exclaimed. "They managed to minimize their losses in the current situation while also gaining a good impression of us as someone who has switched sides."

"A win-win situation, it's a win-win either way..."

"However, while this is a godsend for us, it's not all good."

Zhou Guangming, the commander of the Daqian Zhenguo Navy, remarked with a sigh, "The 'pillow' that the Dunli people sent at this time is indeed quite timely."

"Unfortunately, this means that the target for using this opportunity to deplete the remaining strength of Xiluo will likely fall short of expectations..."

"After all, they have come to surrender on their own initiative. It would be inappropriate for us to push them to the brink of extermination."

"That's in line with the Dunley people's usual way of doing things."

"Actually, it's not impossible for the military to achieve its expected targets."

Chen Guyan interjected, "Think about it—if the Dunli people's backstabbing of the Pulun people were to be discovered by the Pulun people 'accidentally,' what would the Pulun people do?"

Before anyone could answer, Chen Guyan continued, "Given Algernon's personality, once he finds out the inside story of how the Dunli people are two-faced and want to step on Prun to gain benefits for themselves, it will be a disaster."

"I'm afraid Algernon will not let the Dunli people get away with this..."

"The Dunley people in Xiro have always been known for their fickleness, inconsistency, and despicable shamelessness."

"These people will sell anything for profit."

"Today these Dunli people can use the Prun people as their 'pledge of allegiance,' but who knows, they might do the same thing again tomorrow!"

"Those people from Dunli and the remnants of the barbarian kingdom are no better; they're all ungrateful wretches."

"Keeping it is definitely not a good thing..."

"Therefore, before we intervene in Xiluo, it would be quite appropriate to use the Prun people to teach these opportunistic Dunli people a lesson."

“We can wait for the Puren people to make their move, and then intervene on the grounds of being ‘invited’.”

"This is a great method, killing two birds with one stone!"

"Yes! This way we have a legitimate reason to intervene in Western Roman affairs, and we can also make the Western Romans weaken each other."

"That's good, it'll save us a lot of trouble later..."

Everyone present agreed with Chen Guyan's suggestion.

"Hmm, that's a good idea."

Shen Moshen also greatly appreciated Chen Guyan's suggestion: "Then let's proceed with this plan."

"The specifics of how to proceed are to be arranged by your secret intelligence agency."

"Oh, right, to put the Dunli people at ease."

"The level of the meeting with the envoy from Dunley needs to be raised."

"With such a big matter, the other party certainly won't feel at ease without sending a high-ranking person to meet with them."

"However, I won't get involved in this matter."

"Old Ge, why don't you take some time to meet with the envoy from Dunli on behalf of the court?"

“No problem, it’s no trouble for the Chief of Staff to take such a small matter personally.” Ge Daqiang said with a smile, “I will personally receive the envoy from Dunli at my residence tonight.”

"I guarantee I'll arrange this scene perfectly..."

-------------------------------------

That night.

Ge Daqiang's residence.

“Mr. Vernal, please have a seat. There’s no need to be so formal.”

"Thank you, Your Excellency!"

"It is my greatest honor to be received by the Chairman in person!"

Theresa Fornal did not sit down immediately, but instead humbly expressed her sincerity and attitude to Ge Daqiang.

"We already know the purpose of Mr. Vernal's trip."

“This is a very important matter. Our Chief originally wanted to meet with Mr. Vernal in person.”

“However, it’s really unfortunate.” Ge Daqiang gestured for Theresa Fornal, who hadn’t taken a seat yet, to sit down, and said, “Our chief’s schedule has been really tight lately.”

"The chief minister has to make decisions on all matters, big and small, for the court, and there is simply no time to spare."

"Therefore, I will have to go and meet with Mr. Vernal on his behalf."

“Your Excellency is too kind!” Teresa Fornal hurriedly said, “It is an honor for Dunley to be received by Your Excellency in person!”

Nowadays, everyone in the entire Great Qian Dynasty knows that Shen Moshen has five most trusted and capable ministers under his command.

That is: Ge Daqiang, the council minister known as the "Grand Secretary of the Empire"; Chen Guyan, the head of the secret intelligence bureau known as the "Eye of the Empire"; and the three military commanders of the Daqian Zhenguo Army, who lead the army, navy and air force.

Among them, Ge Daqiang, the head of the newly reorganized Council Office in charge of all civil affairs and administrative construction of the Great Qian Dynasty, is undoubtedly the one who appears most frequently.

Therefore, Ge Daqiang, the council minister, is also known as the number one person under Shen Moshen of the Great Qian Empire!

Therefore, Teresa Fornal's statement that it was a great honor to be personally received by Ge Daqiang is well-deserved.

Being personally received by a minister of the Daqian Council directly demonstrates that the Daqian side has significantly increased its attention to this matter.

It should be noted that when Teresa Fornal, who came on behalf of Dunli, first arrived, she was only received by a vice minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Great Qian Dynasty.

"Mr. Fernard has come on behalf of Dunley to request the Great Qian to mediate in Xiluo?"

"It's not mediation! It's taking over Xiluo in accordance with the general trend of the world!" Teresa Fornal hurriedly said, "We believe that becoming a part of the Great Qian Dynasty is the only way out for Xiluo in the future!"

"The Western Continent has now been completely ravaged by that madman Algernon..."

"We hope that the Great Qian Dynasty can stand up and save the people of Xiluo from their suffering!"

“I’m afraid that’s not a good idea…” Ge Daqiang said with a hint of difficulty, “After all, Daqian has stated its position on this matter more than once—it will absolutely not interfere in your Xiluo’s ‘family affairs’ in any way.”

"If we take intervention measures at this time, wouldn't we be suspected of 'breaking our promise'?"

"Your Excellency! This is absolutely not a breach of trust!"

"As one of the most core countries on the Western Continent, we, Dunli, have every right to make our own choices."

"Now it is our Dunli's turn to formally submit a request to the Great Qian Dynasty as a 'victim nation'."

"We request that the Great Qian Dynasty take military action against the wicked Pulun people and restore peace to the people of Xiluo."

"At the same time, we also hope that the Great Qian Dynasty can approve our application to become a Great Qian Overseas Protectorate..."

Theresa Fornar earnestly said, "If the Great Qian court could approve our application to become the Great Qian Overseas Protectorate."

"Then, the Great Qian Zhenguo Army can intervene in the Western Luo war under the pretext of protecting the overseas protectorates!"

"Your Excellency, becoming a part of the Great Qian Dynasty is the common wish of all Dunli people!"

"Right now, perhaps only the Prun people, bewitched by that madman Algernon, remain stubbornly obstinate throughout the entire Western Continent..."

Teresa Fornar vehemently denounced the crimes of Algernon and Prun: "Besides the Prun people, I believe all the Xiro people want to be a part of the Great Qian!"

"Only in that way can we achieve lasting peace and tranquility!"

"According to Mr. Fernal's statement, can I understand that all the troubles facing the Western Continent are caused by the Puren people?"

"Once we get rid of this big problem, Prun, everything will return to normal?"

“That’s right!” Teresa Fornar said with absolute certainty, “Your Excellency, that is exactly it—the root of all the chaos lies with the Prun people!”

"Even now, that madman Algernon still fantasizes about competing with the Great Qian!"

"His initial motivation for launching this unprecedented Western Luo War was precisely to challenge the Great Qian Dynasty..."

"Your Excellency, what is the court's attitude towards our application to become the Great Qian Overseas Protectorate?"

"Please, Your Excellency, convey to Chief of Staff Shen that we, Dunli, have come here with the utmost sincerity..."

"To be honest, our chief of staff has already discussed this matter today despite his busy schedule."

"The Chief of Staff has already made a decision on the application submitted by Dunley."

“The Chief of Staff means…” Teresa Fornal

Upon hearing this, he immediately tensed up and unconsciously stood up from his seat.

“Mr. Fornal, don’t be so nervous, sit down and talk.” Ge Daqiang smiled and waved to Teresa Fornal: “Our Chief of Staff has already said so.”

"Considering the current dire situation on the Western Continent, since Dunli has taken the initiative to propose it, it would be too inhumane of us to refuse."

As he spoke, Ge Daqiang paused, picked up the teacup beside him, and took a sip: "Based on humanitarian considerations, the imperial court has made a decision—to approve Dunli's application for citizenship."

"As Mr. Fornar just said, if Dunli becomes the overseas protectorate of the Great Qian, then it would not be considered a breach of trust for us to take some necessary measures to intervene."

"Algernon really went a bit too far."

Ge Daqiang shook his head, his tone full of sighs: "Actually, we didn't expect that the war in Xiluo would escalate to this point."

"A perfectly good, vibrant world has been ruined and turned into this mess..."

"It really makes one feel a lot of emotions..."

"Approved?" Teresa Fornar couldn't care less about anything else at this moment and hurriedly confirmed the result: "Your Excellency, do you mean—the Great Qian Dynasty has approved our application to become the Great Qian Overseas Protectorate?"

“That’s right!” Ge Daqiang looked at Theresa Fornal, who was trying to suppress her excitement, and smiled: “The Chief of Staff has officially approved your application.”

"That is also the main reason why I personally received you tonight."

"The imperial court has already chosen the date for the official announcement."

"Mr. Fernard speaks the Mandarin so fluently, you must have some understanding of our Great Qian culture, right?"

"For any important event, we like to choose an auspicious day to show its solemnity and good wishes."

"It is a major event for Dunli to become the overseas protectorate of the Great Qian Dynasty, and the court attaches great importance to it."

"Therefore, we specially chose an auspicious day—sixteen days from now, it will be a very lucky day chosen by heaven!"