Chapter 790 - 44: Seated Unshakably, Opportunity to Unite the World

Temptation... Factional strife.....

Gu Rui always manages to seize every opportunity to influence various maneuvers between the two countries.

Under his deliberate maintenance, the Great Song has become the hidden hand between the two nations, seemingly non-interfering on the surface, but in reality, it has always been influencing the development of the whole Kyushu.

In fact, if the overall situation is not considered.

Gu Rui would definitely have even more ruthless means to influence all this from behind the scenes.

Just by leveraging the current economic and trade advantages of the Great Song, he has many ways to affect the livelihood of the two nations.

But he can’t do that.

It’s not out of kindness, but because of the unification of Kyushu.

The royal families of the nations may be hostile to each other.

But the people absolutely cannot.

If it really comes to that, it would have a deadly impact on the unification of Kyushu.

This is a red line drawn by Gu Yi for the Gu Clan, and also by the Gu Clan for the entire world.

Of course, Gu Rui cannot do this.

However, even so, all this is already enough.

The truth between nations is just like that.

In order for the Western Xia to continue developing its current situation, it must constantly annex neighboring territories.

The terrain of the Western Regions is too far, and the price paid is by no means bearable for Western Xia.

And the Great Song is too powerful.

Especially after this battle, Gu Rui’s reputation has risen so much that as long as Gu Rui is alive, no one dares to invade the Great Song.

Since this is the case, they essentially have only one choice left.

———— That is Liao.

Liao has certainly been too weakened.

This is a heaven-sent opportunity. Whether to prevent the Great Song from attacking Western Xia in the future or to prevent Liao from rising again, Western Xia will not give up this opportunity.

As for "when the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold".....

If Western Xia could devour the entire Liao, why would it need to fear the Great Song?

—— This is the consensus of all the rulers of Western Xia!

Even without Gu Rui, conflicts between the two countries are destined to arise, let alone now with Gu Rui secretly intervening.

Although the situation has not reached open hostilities, the covert games are no less intense.

And Gu Rui has acted as if he hasn’t seen anything from the beginning to end, as if he tacitly approved everything happening between the two countries, consistently leading the Great Song to remain in a stable position, watching the developments between the two nations with a smile.

He is still waiting for an opportunity.

And this opportunity did not keep him waiting for long.

...

In the eleventh year of Longhe.

The celestial phenomena suddenly changed, and dramatic earthquakes occurred in Xingqing Prefecture and Xiliang Prefecture of Western Xia, with innumerable human and animal casualties from the collapse of houses, followed by the uncontrolled waters of the Yellow River, causing floods in the states of Xia and You, turning fertile lands into swamps, spreading disasters, and shocking the entire nation.

This natural disaster finally broke the last balance between Western Xia and Liao.

In the very month of July of the eleventh year of Longhe.

Envoys from Western Xia hurried secretly to Kaifeng to seek an audience with Gu Rui.

It was late at night, and the Grand Tutor’s study was brightly lit.

Looking at the dust-covered envoy of Western Xia before him, Gu Rui’s expression did not change at all, as if he had already anticipated this.

"By order of my lord, I have traveled swiftly to present a great gift to Lord Gu, and for the eternal peace of Song and Xia."

The envoy was very direct, not even waiting for Gu Rui to speak before stating the purpose of the visit: "My lord wishes to join hands with the Grand Tutor to divide Liao!"

His eyes were burning, staring intently at Gu Rui’s face, trying to capture any flicker of emotion, yet Gu Rui merely raised an eyebrow slightly, indicating him to continue.

"The Liao Monarch is muddle-headed, the nation is declining day by day, last year’s snow disaster and this spring’s epidemic among cattle and horses have already rendered them weak internally."

"Although we in Great Xia recently encountered a natural disaster, our foundation remains undamaged, and our morale is strong." The envoy’s words became increasingly fervent, finally revealing the dagger hidden in their map, "As long as Lord Gu nods, our Great Xia is willing to send troops directly into the central capital of Liao!"

"At that time," he paused, speaking resolutely, "the Central Capital of Liao, belongs to Western Xia!"

"The affluent regions of the Nanjing Road and Tokyo Road will all belong to the Song!"

He emphasized the words "all," assuming a very low posture, apparently placing Western Xia in a subordinate position, while handing over the most fertile territories to the Great Song.

"Our Great Xia has already occupied the Western Capital Road, and if we gain the Central Capital, we can connect it all together, controlling the Southern Desert."

"And the Great Song will take full advantage of Liao’s prosperous southeastern territories, the benefits for both of us are perfectly balanced, achieving mutual satisfaction!"

He candidly and further laid out the post-war agreement: "As long as Lord Gu is willing to sign a pact with our Great Xia under the Gu Clan’s name, promising never to invade each other, our Great Xia is willing to be at the Grand Tutor’s behest and serve as the vanguard for the Great Song!"

The envoy’s expression was solemn, and his words were firm.

This kind of openness is precisely the result of Western Xia’s court deliberation for many days.

They must gain Gu Rui’s approval.

Otherwise, Western Xia has no possibility of swallowing Liao.

This is something they must do.

Throughout the conversation, the envoy’s eyes were fixed firmly on Gu Rui, trying to discern his thoughts from his face.

But from beginning to end, Gu Rui’s expression did not change at all.

Even when he heard about ceding Liao’s fertile lands to the Song, there was not the slightest ripple in his demeanor.

This silent pressure made the envoy’s back grow cold, and cold sweat gradually soaked his inner garment.

Fortunately, not long after, Gu Rui’s calm voice rang out.

"Agreed."

....

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