Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 232: Parting on Bad Terms
The siege of Wuyang City was still ongoing, and the false emperor, the third prince, the Wang family, and Shangguan Guang were gradually unable to withstand the pressure. At this critical moment, Wang Chuan decisively gave the order: Retreat!
They gathered the false emperor, various officials, and others, preparing to withdraw from Wuyang City and return to their own territory, Guangling County.
At the same time, Jin Kingdom’s envoys were negotiating with Li Xian.
Li Xian looked at Sima Xuan and spoke with a slightly mocking tone, “Although Jin Kingdom is one of the most powerful countries in the East, the industrial and commercial development of Anyang is an entirely new concept. These are two completely different matters.”
Sima Xuan chuckled, “Then please, Commander Li, explain the differences.”
“There are at least three differences!” Li Xian raised three fingers. “First, the system is different. Second, the foundation is different. Third, the ideology is different.”
“I understand the first point, but what do the second and third mean?”
“The foundation is different because Anyang is built on an industrial and commercial foundation. The entire society has shifted from focusing solely on cultivation to engaging in commerce across the world.
The ideology is different because from top to bottom, we uphold the principles of industry and commerce, which is why Anyang has reached its current state. In contrast, almost all the countries in Yingzhou are based on centralized authority.
Just looking at these three points, Jin Kingdom will face significant difficulties in achieving full cooperation with Anyang!”
Sima Xuan did not immediately respond or refute. Instead, he carefully considered Li Xian’s words. What Li Xian said made a lot of sense, and even the people beside him, such as Xu Ren, seemed deep in thought.
As Sima Xuan pondered, the main commander of Jin Kingdom’s central army, Li Liusong, spoke up, “Commander Li, what if we only cooperate on establishing an industrial foundation? We can set up internal combustion engine factories, artillery factories, aircraft factories, underground impure gas separation and purification plants, and so on.”
This was an attempt to dig into Anyang’s core assets—demanding access to Anyang’s key publicly known technologies right from the start.
A look of mockery flashed across Li Xian’s eyes. “General Li, cooperation is possible, but since we are talking about cooperation, it must be fair. Anyang can provide these technologies, but what do you have to offer in exchange?”
“Uh…” Li Liusong was momentarily at a loss for words. As a military commander, he had no problem leading troops in battle or conducting raids, but when it came to negotiations and trade, he was out of his depth.
Fortunately, Sima Xuan quickly regained his composure. “Commander Li, your words are profound. How about this—we do not seek full cooperation but only focus on internal combustion engines, artillery, aircraft, and underground impure gas separation and purification.
As compensation, I have the authority to grant Anyang ten permanent bases in Jin Kingdom, each with a diameter of ten kilometers.”
Li Xian shook his head. “Prime Minister Sima, military bases are merely a part of Anyang’s foreign commercial strategy, not a basis for technological cooperation.
If Jin Kingdom wants to collaborate with Anyang on technology, it must show greater sincerity. Goods have a price, land has a price, but technology is priceless! With technology, wealth can be created. So, please propose a cooperation foundation of real significance.”
Sima Xuan was not surprised—this was all within his expectations. Goods have a price because they are meant to be sold; technology is priceless because it is a different kind of money tree. As Jin Kingdom’s prime minister, Sima Xuan naturally understood this point.
After a brief moment of thought, Sima Xuan spoke in a somewhat playful tone, “Recently, I heard a rumor that Anyang is planning to ally with Guangling County and establish good relations with Jin Kingdom in order to wipe out Nanyang Commandery in one fell swoop. Is this true?”
Li Xian’s expression remained unchanged. “Just a rumor—why take it seriously?”
In reality, Li Xian had also heard these rumors. Not only that, but there were many other rumors spreading wildly. Anyang was secretly investigating the origins of these rumors, but no source had been found yet.
Throughout history, rumors have been difficult to suppress. So why should Prime Minister Sima believe them?”
Li Xian’s response was essentially a veiled insult: You are the prime minister, yet you believe rumors? What kind of prime minister does that?
Sima Xuan did not give up. “They say where there is smoke, there is fire. If rumors exist, there must be some basis to them. How about this—Jin Kingdom helps you conquer Nanyang County, and in return, you transfer all your industrial technologies to us. I can represent Jin Kingdom in signing a brotherhood alliance with Anyang, pledging never to betray you.”
A great nation signing a brotherhood alliance with a single county—why? Could Jin Kingdom truly be so enlightened and respectful toward talented individuals? No! Li Xian understood very well: Jin Kingdom was dead set on acquiring industrial technology. I have already humbled myself so much; Anyang, you had better not fail to recognize this opportunity.
Through a simple conversation, Anyang was gradually being pushed into a corner. Given the current situation in the Great Xia Kingdom, Anyang’s best option seemed to be to form a brotherhood alliance with Jin Kingdom, transfer its technology, and in return, receive Jin Kingdom’s assistance in conquering Nanyang Commandery.
“If that is not enough, we can add Dongyuan County to the deal!” As Li Xian was deep in thought, Sima Xuan unexpectedly raised the stakes. If we are not discussing prices, then let’s talk politics. You give us technology, and we will help you seize both Dongyuan and Nanyang County. Once these two counties are secured, Lüliang County will be within reach as well. With control over four counties, Anyang will have the foundation to establish a nation.
These words, plainly put, mean: You provide us with technology, and we help you establish your nation.
Sima Xuan had already expressed his meaning so clearly.
The atmosphere grew heavy for a moment. Xu Ren, Yan Ze’an, Li Yuanming, Beichen Yuqing, Ling Zhifeng, and the others all looked at Li Xian. At this moment, the only one who could make a decision was Li Xian.
The people from the Jin Kingdom also looked at Li Xian, fully aware that things had reached a critical moment. If Li Xian nodded, they would be brothers. If he dared to shake his head, then it would be an all-out battle! Rejecting Jin’s goodwill—was he looking to die early?
One breath… ten breaths…
Finally, Li Xian smiled. “Prime Minister Sima, you are insincere. Anyone can see that Anyang has no ambition to dominate; we are primarily focused on commerce.
“If we were to show ambition, our path in commerce would be cut off. Therefore, I’m sorry, but your country’s conditions are not suitable for Anyang, so we cannot accept them.”
Uh…
Everyone was stunned. This was neither a nod nor a shake of the head—it was outright devaluing the other party’s offer to nothing. But Li Xian wasn’t speaking nonsense; what he said was indeed true.
Anyang is able to do business with all the separatist regimes of the Great Xia Kingdom precisely because it has shown no ambition. Even though Wuyang County, a piece of fat meat right at its doorstep, was within reach, Anyang had not made a move and instead allowed others to occupy it.
If Anyang were to reveal its ambition now, it would inevitably arouse suspicion and lose its current commercial environment and advantages.
From this perspective, the Jin Kingdom clearly had ulterior motives.
Once Li Xian set the tone, Xu Ren and the others finally spoke.
Ling Zhifeng immediately cast a divination: “Gaining small but losing big—inauspicious. Changing strategy—inauspicious. Becoming enemies with everyone—inauspicious. Seeking external aid in a family dispute—inauspicious.”
Xu Ren’s gaze carried a hint of ridicule. “Whether it’s Dongyuan County or Nanyang County, they are both territories of the Great Xia Kingdom. Outsiders have no right to interfere.”
Li Yuanming was even more direct: “Dongyuan County and Nanyang County originally belonged to our Great Xia Kingdom. Prime Minister Sima offering our own land as a gift—what a deal with no cost at all.
We in Anyang are not unwilling to cooperate, but we ask that your country propose fair and sincere terms.”
Sima Xuan’s expression turned unpleasant—perhaps even somewhat ferocious. “Governor Li, let’s not beat around the bush. The current state of the Great Xia Kingdom—I don’t need to explain it, do I?
“Besides, even if Dongyuan County and Nanyang County belong to Great Xia, they don’t belong to Anyang. Right now, you not only lack the strength to capture those counties, but you also face the risk of a full-scale counterattack from Nanyang County, Dongyuan County, Luliang County, and even Songzhou County.
Anyang may seem detached from the conflict, but in reality, its situation is as fragile as a pile of eggs. Whether it’s Nanyang County’s Governor Kong Donglai, Dongyuan County’s Governor Yuan Zhong, the Crown Prince Xia Shu, or even the First Prince’s faction—none of them want to see a thriving Anyang. None of them want to see the Li family sitting back and watching the tigers fight.
This is the situation you’re in. You need an external ally, and the Jin Kingdom is your only ally!”
These words truly laid everything bare.
However, Li Xian remained unmoved. “I appreciate Prime Minister Sima’s high regard for Anyang. But I must say, Anyang is not unprepared! If everyone conducts business honestly, then all is well. But if ‘someone’ wishes to challenge Anyang, then I will make them regret it for a lifetime!”
Li Xian’s tone was powerful, yet his words carried a double meaning!
Sima Xuan let out a cold laugh. “Then, we shall take our leave!”