knife

Chapter 626 A Toast to You
The Chu army that besieged Ruyin County began to retreat.

This march was more like an armed parade.

After a long and arduous journey, they finally reached Ruyin County, took in the sights of the county seat, packed their belongings, and left.

The soldiers and civilians in the city breathed a sigh of relief.
The withdrawn Southwest Wolf Soldiers were now much more relaxed.

After this period of fighting, both sides have actually figured out each other's strengths and weaknesses quite well.

This battle is difficult; the casualties are too high!
This is a consensus reached by both parties.

The southwestern wolf soldiers, in particular, felt fear when they saw the tall city walls of Ruyin County.

Field battles are already so difficult; now the enemy has the cover of high city walls. If a real battle breaks out, the casualties will be unimaginable.

Now it's all good, the troops have withdrawn!

do not fight!
His life was saved.

Although it was a retreat, morale inexplicably soared.

Moreover, this time the army's destination is Danyang City.

That was the capital of the Great Chu.

The later Southwest Wolf Soldiers had never been there. Based on the descriptions of those who had arrived earlier, Danyang was nothing short of a paradise on earth, a world of bliss, completely incomparable to their homeland in the southwest. Everyone's hearts were filled with excitement!
As the various units successively broke camp and set off, Na Wei's central army remained stationary.

He declared to all units that, for everyone's safe retreat, his central army would cover the rear.

This courageous act won him the love and respect of countless wolf soldiers.

As expected of our beloved leader!

Fearless of death, undaunted by enemies, with our great leader covering our retreat, what is there for us to worry about?

As everyone excitedly embarked on their journey home, they had no idea that their beloved leader was hosting a banquet for the supreme leader of the enemy they had attacked.

They fought to the death below.

Meanwhile, those above were drinking and having a good time.

Instead of heated arguments and confrontations, there was a sincere and fruitful exchange of ideas.

"Governor Li, what do you think of the policy of replacing native chieftains with centrally appointed officials that Chu has been trying to promote for years? Is it really necessary?" After filling Li Dachui's cup with wine, Na Wei sighed and said, "For hundreds of years, our southwestern region has been quite respectful to the imperial court. We paid tribute when asked and sent troops when asked. Why do we have to insist on going to such extremes?"

"Whether it's the Great Qin or the Great Chu, they both dream of unifying the world. And the first thing to do to unify the world is to unite internally and concentrate all forces into one fist. Only in this way can the punch be powerful and can we ensure that our backyard doesn't catch fire when fighting against powerful enemies!" Li Dachui said with a smile.

Na Wei took a sip of wine and sighed. "The weakness of the Great Qin lies beyond the Great Wall. If the area beyond the Great Wall is not peaceful, and the Northern Yuan is not at peace, it will be difficult for the Great Qin to devote all its strength to the Central Plains. As for the State of Chu, it is naturally the southwest. If the southwest is not peaceful, they cannot utilize the manpower and resources of the southwest, and they also have to guard against trouble in the southwest. How can they possibly launch a northern expedition to the Central Plains?" Li Dachui continued. "Then, General, you were in the southwest before, so naturally you thought of the southwest. But this time, if you defeat Xiang Ying and Xiong Yi and stand on the higher platform of the Chief Minister of Chu, you will think the same way. Moreover, your methods may be even more ruthless than those of the previous rulers of Chu."

“I’m from the Southwest, how could I be an enemy of people from the Southwest?” Na Wei retorted.

Li Dachui shook his head: "Back then, your first thought was the interests of the entire Chu Kingdom. You thought that once the Northern Expedition succeeded and the world was unified, your great reputation would be forever etched in history. Anyone who wanted to hinder you from achieving this goal was naturally your enemy, so you would eliminate them without hesitation. Moreover, because you were from the Southwest, you would have been even more ruthless in your killing, without the concerns that previous Chu monarchs had. This is why people's perspectives are determined by their own interests!"

“In the eyes of the people of Chu, I am a barbarian, and I’m afraid it will be difficult for me to win their respect!” Na Wei said.

"A sharp knife can make anyone lower their proud head!" Li Dachui said calmly.

"You're the kind of person who's not afraid of a big show, but is afraid I can't mess up the Chu Kingdom, right?" Na Wei sneered. "Such a clumsy trick shouldn't be coming from you."

“In the beginning, you will definitely do this!” Li Dachui raised his wine cup and said, “Only after great chaos can there be great order. Only after everyone is terrified can you govern this country as you wish. Only then can you talk about recruiting talented people and accepting advice, and only then can you speak of being open-minded. This requires your personal ability. If you can do it, then congratulations, you will become the most powerful person in Chu after the emperor. If you cannot do it, and Chu falls into chaos, my chances will be even greater. This is precisely why I will do everything in my power to help you this time.”

“You don’t think highly of me!” Na Wei said.

“It is indeed difficult!” Li Dachui smiled. “But the opportunity I’m offering you, the chance to govern a great nation and eventually unify the world and go down in history, is a once-in-a-century opportunity. In your lifetime, you will only have this one chance. Whether history records you as the Western Barbarian Na Wei or the Famous Minister Na Wei will depend on how well you do this time! Can you refuse?”

Na Wei grabbed the wine jar, gulped down more than half of it in one go, slammed the jar on the table with a thud, and said sternly, "You're right, I can't refuse!"

“No one can refuse!” Li Dachui said.

“Li Dachui, just you wait and see. I will stand against you, provided that you can defeat Linghu Ye and become the number one in Qin!” Na Wei said.

“Like you, I also have a chance, but I need to work harder to turn that chance into reality. Come on, strategist, let’s drink to this opportunity!” Li Dachui raised his glass with a smile.

The two cups clattered together.

"How did you manage to get the Qin people, barbarians, and Yi people to coexist peacefully and even work together in the area outside the pass?" Na Wei cupped his hands and said, "I have heard that the various ethnic groups under your command get along well. After I take control of Danyang, I will also face a similar situation. How to balance the interests of the southwest and other parts of the Great Chu is a problem I must face!"

"What's so difficult about that?" Li Dachui laughed loudly. "Four words are enough!"

"Those four words?"

"Reform the native chieftain system and replace it with centrally appointed officials!" Li Dachui said with a smile, "If it is successful, what will become of the Western barbarians? They will all be subjects of the Great Chu and treated equally. Those minor chieftains and tribal chiefs can be invited to live in good places like Danyang. Ordinary people originally had nothing, but after the reform of native chieftain system and replacement with centrally appointed officials, they will gain more. They will naturally integrate into the society. In a few years, the term 'Southwest barbarians' will disappear."

"It seems you've put a lot of effort into these matters!"

"Of course, if you do these things well, and I defeat you in the future, I won't have to worry about anything in the southwest. Come, let me toast you!"

"Likewise, I defeated you. You also managed those difficult-to-govern places like Beiyuan and Guanwai very well. I also want to thank you. Come, let's drink this cup to the brim!"

The two looked at each other and laughed.

(End of this chapter)