Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 306: Meeting of Political Rivals, Part 2
Anyang City, Yan Ze’an personally came out to greet Huang Fu, the prime minister of the Cai State. The moment Huang Fu stepped off the plane, many reporters were already taking photos nearby.
Cameras had become a standard piece of equipment for reporters; furthermore, cameras could only be purchased temporarily at the “Adventurers and Mercenaries Association.” Public sales were still a long way off.
Reporter Dong Guanwu had a front-row position and took the clearest photos, even capturing the look of surprise on Huang Fu’s face; that surprise flashed briefly but was just caught by Dong Guanwu.
Speaking of Prime Minister Huang Fu, as soon as he got off the plane, he saw Yan Ze’an leading the reception. Seeing the inexplicably excited light in Yan Ze’an’s eyes, he immediately felt a strange sense of alertness!
The last time representatives from various countries came to Anyang, Huang Fu met Yan Ze’an; but at that time Yan Ze’an was responsible for Anyang’s diplomatic affairs, entrusted by Li Xian, and nothing happened between Huang Fu and him; their interactions were only about state matters.
Now it was different. Yan Ze’an had already obtained Li Xian’s permission, specifically targeted at the Cai State— mixing public affairs with private revenge, not neglecting either.
After meeting, Yan Ze’an “happily” smiled, “Welcome, welcome, please.”
Seeing Yan Ze’an’s “happy” smile, Huang Fu felt a pang in his heart; even a fool could sense something was wrong at this moment.
The surrounding reporters and some curious citizens of Anyang instantly became excited. Last time, everyone had hoped something would happen after Yan Ze’an and Huang Fu met, but because Yan Ze’an prioritized major matters then, nothing happened as everyone had expected; but now it seemed something interesting was about to happen!
However, the reporters and citizens would have to be temporarily disappointed because the negotiation matters couldn’t be made public, and only a few reporters were allowed into the negotiation hall.
Dong Guanwu was lucky to be among those invited and happily followed the Anyang city lord’s team to the negotiation hall.
Of course, Huang Fu was not alone; he was accompanied by some advisers and attendants. Yan Ze’an was also not alone; Xu Ren, Li Yuanming, and others sat beside him. Today Yan Ze’an was the main figure, so Xu Ren and the others sat in subordinate positions.
But when Huang Fu saw this setup, his eye twitched violently — things were getting worse!
After sitting down, Yan Ze’an spoke first, “Prime Minister Huang Fu, we have received and read your country’s letter. Now, King Xian has authorized me to take full responsibility for this matter.
That means I have the authority to make the final decision in this negotiation. Any decision I make here, even the King Xian will not overrule.
This is to inform you specially.”
Huang Fu seemed to catch a strange sneer flickering at the corner of Yan Ze’an’s eye, and his unease was confirmed. At this moment, Huang Fu most wanted to run away — unfortunately, that was destined to fail.
Huang Fu was not an idiot; otherwise, he would not have become prime minister. From Anyang’s attitude, Huang Fu at least saw two points: first, Anyang was still very strong, showing no signs of post-war weakness; at least Anyang had enough confidence to handle the Cai State; second, Li Xian was letting Yan Ze’an take public and private revenge!
Li Xian actually mixed Anyang’s major affairs with Yan Ze’an’s personal vendetta so frivolously! Huang Fu really wanted to point at Li Xian’s nose and scold him right now — how could he be so reckless!
Huang Fu thought of many possibilities but never imagined Li Xian would be so “frivolous.”
Unfortunately, it was all too late; the negotiations had officially begun. Huang Fu could only grit his teeth and continue. First, of course, was the formal submission of Cai State’s demands — to purchase all of Anyang’s technology, but at a ridiculously low price, which was clearly opportunistic extortion.
Yan Ze’an glanced at it and immediately sneered, “I refuse!”
Although Huang Fu regretted it a bit, he was still the prime minister of a country and bore some responsibility; seeing the situation, he smiled, “I heard Xiao Liming is leading 200,000 elite troops to attack Anyang soon. Does Anyang need our help? We have already prepared 500,000 troops. If Anyang needs, these 500,000 troops can wipe out Xiao Liming’s 200,000 troops in one stroke.”
This statement was clearly a threat and sarcasm, with a double meaning.
Yan Ze’an laughed upon hearing this, “Two hundred thousand troops and five hundred thousand troops make no difference in our eyes in Anyang, it’s just a difference between 200,000 bullets and 500,000 bullets. In fact, Anyang currently has 100 million bullets in stock — that’s one hundred million; and around one million shells in stock.
For now, it really doesn’t need outside help.
We appreciate the goodwill of the Cai Kingdom and will repay it handsomely in the future.”
(“We’ve noted your threat; we will ‘reward’ you accordingly in the future.”)
Hearing these numbers, Huang Fu broke out in cold sweat. Even if these numbers were reduced by ten times, they were still terrifying figures.
But it’s not over yet. Yan Ze’an continued his “muttering to himself”: “In just a few days, this year’s Industrial Expo will take place. At this year’s Industrial Expo, we plan to trade twenty million bullets and two hundred thousand artillery shells. This will be an unprecedentedly huge deal. Hopefully, the Cai State will participate.”
Upon hearing this, Huang Fu immediately understood that what Yan Ze’an said earlier was not an exaggeration—Anyang really has one hundred million bullets and one million artillery shells?! That’s terrifying!
Now, within tens of thousands of miles around, who does not know the power and brutality of firearms? No cultivation power is needed; just a flick of the finger can kill the enemy. And when close combat occurs, soldiers using firearms can easily use magic and other techniques to kill exhausted opponents.
The impact of firearms on warfare is already undeniable; it can even be said that industrial technology and firearms have influenced the political landscape of eastern Yingzhou! In the future, they will surely affect the entire Yingzhou!
Huang Fu’s mind kept spinning and pondering, unsure how to handle the current negotiations. Finally, a nearby attendant spoke up: “Prime Minister Yan, in the previous battles between Anyang and the Cai State, there were some victories that seemed undeserved, which dissatisfied the soldiers. Now, five hundred thousand troops are highly motivated and wish to face Anyang again. What is your opinion, Prime Minister Yan?”
Yan Ze’an’s eyes suddenly flashed coldly, “Good. The warriors of Anyang County have long been eager. Last time, the tens of thousands of soldiers on the northern border gained no battle merits, which caused some idle talk. Since the Cai State extends such a gracious invitation, how can I refuse!
Let today’s negotiation end here; there’s no need to come again in the future. Send the guests out!”
Nearby, Li Yuanming suddenly stood up on his own, “Prime Minister Huang, please. I will see Prime Minister Huang off.”
Huang Fu stood up, knowing that at this point, there was no way to reconcile between the two sides. But Huang Fu couldn’t help but wonder—Anyang just ended a battle, and yet they really want to continue fighting? Even if Anyang is wealthy and has plenty of firearms, won’t the soldiers be exhausted?
As they walked, Huang Fu suddenly asked Li Yuanming, “Lord Li, it’s obvious Yan Ze’an is pursuing a personal vendetta. This man is a troublemaker. When he was in the Cai State, Yan Ze’an already showed ambition. You all must be careful.
I heard that one of Anyang’s two main commanders now is Yan Zhengqing, and one of the three political strategists is Yan Ze’an. This is unacceptable.”
Li Yuanming sneered inwardly at these words, but on the surface he smiled broadly: “Thanks for Prime Minister Huang’s advice. I really hadn’t thought that Anyang had become so dangerous. I wonder, Lord Huang, do you have any clever plans?”
“Ha, it’s simple. Let Yan Ze’an be responsible for this battle. He is a civil official. If he fails, there will naturally be plenty of reasons to hold Yan Ze’an accountable. If he wins, hehe, his achievements will overshadow the lord. If it’s a draw, it means Yan Ze’an is not capable and should step down to let a worthy successor take his place. What do you think?”
“A good plan! Thank you for the advice, Prime Minister Huang. Well, if I ever go on a mission to the Cai State, I will definitely visit Prime Minister Huang.” Li Yuanming had to face the fact that no one who becomes a prime minister is stupid—they are full of scheming. Hmph, you civil officials plotting against each other are even more ruthless than me, a poison master; poison masters are ruthless in their methods, but Huang Fu’s ruthlessness lies in his nature.
“Then I shall return now and prepare for your arrival!” Huang Fu was so pleased, as if he had already seen the internal strife within Anyang.
Of course, Huang Fu was happy not because he believed Li Yuanming would definitely follow his advice, but because he was sure that his words would plant seeds of division, internal conflict, and distrust inside Anyang. And that was enough!
Watching Huang Fu’s plane take off, Li Yuanming’s smile suddenly disappeared, a trace of mockery lingering at the corner of his mouth as he muttered, “Interesting!”