Chapter 346

"After careful consideration, our Hu Region has decided to join this war. However, which side we will support has not yet been confirmed."

Representative Ma stated earnestly. He brought this news directly to Yueqian and her husband. As an expert in the medical field and the one who personally invited them here, it was also his duty to ensure their well-being.

Originally, they had invited Yueqian to help treat the princess, to heal her and avoid a confrontation between the Hu Region and the Wang Region. However, they did not anticipate that, even though the treatment of the princess was successful, other issues would arise, causing new problems instead.

Though he wanted to apologize to her, for the sake of the Hu Region, they couldn’t allow her to return to the Bai Region at this time, including her husband too...

"The Hu Region intends to send a delegation to the Wang Region and the Fu Region to discuss this war. Which side we choose will depend on the offers they present."

Upon hearing this, Yueqian nodded in understanding. At least, there were some clever people in the Hu Region after all.

Otherwise, they might have sided with the Fu Region out of resentment for being pressured by the Wang Region previously. However, such actions would have made the Hu Region appear very petty.

No matter which region won or lost, the Hu Region would be seen as a vindictive nation that immediately sided with the Fu Region. Yet, when the incident with the Wang Region occurred, it was their own fault.

Letting the princess suffer in the Wang Region was irresponsible. In truth, if they had any sense of responsibility, they should side with the Wang Region, shouldn’t they? But siding with the Wang Region would mean submitting to them easily. The region’s dignity would be maintained by showing a strong stance like this.

This was a reasonable approach. As long as the region that promised the most benefits, they would join the fight. This wouldn’t make them wrong or weak; on the contrary... it would make them look very smart.

If the Wang Region or the Fu Region were to lose because the Hu Region did not join them, the people would not blame the Hu Region. Instead, they would curse their own emperor for failing to maintain such an alliance. When it came time to control the situation within the region, it would not be difficult at all.

And yes! With such a good opportunity, they expected to gain a small territory from one of the regions! Turning a crisis into an opportunity, in the event that they could win the first, second, and third wars that followed!

"This is excellent news. I understand the emperor’s intentions well. If there is anything the Hu Region needs our help with, please let us know," Yueqian responded politely.

When it comes to fighting, her Bai Region would have to join! It was impossible for her to declare that she did not want to get involved in this war.

"That is a kindness the Hu Region will not forget. For now, the emperor’s order to the Bai Region and other regions is to send half of their soldiers here."

"What? That much?" Mu Heng was taken aback. Calling for more than half of their forces meant their defensive power would be significantly reduced.

There would certainly be chaos in the Bai Region. Calling soldiers to other cities was like depleting their own forces. To maintain balance, the Bai Region would have to start recruiting new soldiers. They had to think as if the forces sent were already lost. If not, they wouldn’t be able to train new recruits in time for the next battle.

In normal circumstances, people might want to enlist to earn a salary. But at this time, they had no choice, even if they didn’t want to.

People would be conscripted, even poor young boys. As long as they were 16 years old and male, they would have to join the army training.

Many wanted to become scholars, but faced with this situation, they would regret it for the rest of their lives!

This made Mu Heng think of his little brother. If it weren’t for Yueqian’s quick thinking in ordering the troupe to leave the city the day before, his brother might have been conscripted into the army, forced to train and become a soldier against his will!

Perhaps she had already predicted that the Hu Region would first use the forces of the smaller regions, keeping their main force in reserve for the next wave of war!

It might seem a bit selfish, but if he were in their position, he would probably do the same. Even so...

"Isn’t half of our soldiers too much?" Mu Heng criticized. Representative Ma felt pressured by this, but he had no authority to make decisions.

"It’s not just half the soldiers. The orders also demand that the generals or deputy generals of each region come here themselves! They want the full military strength of every region."

Representative Ma explained to this point. Mu Heng’s face darkened at this. It was nothing short of sheer selfishness.

The Hu Region didn’t care how the people in other regions lived. All they cared about was their own region!

"The Bai Region just lost a general to the Du Region because of the Hu Region’s orders, and now..."

"I understand how you feel, but we have our reasons."

"Reasons?" Mu Heng clenched his fists in anger. He wanted to punch Representative Ma, but he knew the other party had no authority to do such things. The final decision was still in the hands of the cunning and selfish emperor.

Perhaps it was for the best, as Yueqian had told them earlier...

Since the people of the Hu Region were selfish towards them, why couldn’t they be selfish towards the Hu Region?!

"You might not understand. The current situation is that the Hu Region must send forces to war to support the allies. But after the allies fall out, don’t you think it’s a great opportunity for enemies to target us?!"

"Not just the first battle, but there will certainly be continuous fighting after this. If the Hu Region is taken, the other regions will be greatly affected as well. This is also for the benefit of smaller regions like the Bai Region."

Representative Ma said this. Mu Heng laughed dryly, just like Yueqian.

She knew Representative Ma was trying to persuade her and her husband to understand their position. Yet, these beautiful lies didn’t shake them or make them understand the Hu Region’s words at all!

"Representative Ma," Yueqian placed her teacup down and looked at the old man, who wore an apologetic expression.

Deep down, he probably also felt that it was unfair for the smaller regions. However, being from the Hu Region, they naturally prioritized their own region.

"You don’t need to find reasons for us. After all, small regions like ours only have to follow orders, don’t we?"

Yueqian cut off the conversation before it became more absurd.

In truth, she wanted to ask them one question but knew it was very impolite and might be seen as rebellious.

Still, she wanted to know how he would respond if she asked...

"Do you think the Bai Region cares who holds the position the Hu Region does? Whether it’s the Hu Region, the Wang Region, the Fu Region, or the Chou Region... in any case, small regions like us must follow orders, right? We still have to pay tributes, don’t we? Or if we follow the Hu Region and they become victorious, will we be exempt from paying protection fees?"

In Yueqian’s mind, it didn’t matter who replaced the Hu Region. As long as the benefits were greater, they would accept it!

How did the Hu Region view the Bai Region in the past? Weren’t they just a useless subordinate? When faced with a plague, did they extend a helping hand? Even though the Bai Region consistently paid their protection fees? Only when a cure was found did they show up, thinking only of extracting benefits from the small regions.

Even when they became the rulers of Din Dang, the Bai Region, having seized the city from the tribes, took good care of it. They were responsible and made efforts to provide supplies, didn’t they? They even quickly sent governors and soldiers to help. So, what was the Hu Region doing when the Bai Region faced trouble?!

Initially, Yueqian felt a bit guilty about betraying them, but now she no longer felt that way...

"Sigh, you could say that. My apologies, but it’s truly a critical situation now," Representative Ma said. Yueqian gave a faint smile.

Mu Heng was still harboring anger, so he remained silent, allowing his wife to inquire about other orders concerning the Bai Region.

"For this war, besides the Bai Region sending soldiers to fight, the Hu Region also wants the Bai Region to assist with medical units. Since many of the region’s royal physicians are already here, we would like them to stay a bit longer."

"To avoid causing too much difficulty for the Bai Region, we ask that the medical units stay with the Bai Region’s troops to support the war effort," Representative Ma added. Mu Heng could no longer tolerate it.

Bang!!

The young man slammed the tea table, shattering it into pieces. His strength made Representative Ma step back in shock, his face turning pale. He had never seen this man so furious before. Usually, Mu Heng followed Yueqian meekly, but now he was unleashing all his aggression!

"W-what are you doing?"

"What am I doing? What are you trying to do?"

"W-what?"

"Still pretending you don’t know? Your Hu Region wants to send us, husband and wife, to our deaths!" Mu Heng roared loudly. If the man weren’t old, he might have kicked him away already!

How is it to avoid causing too much difficulty for them when they send the Bai Region’s medical units to the battlefield, while having the Bai Region’s soldiers protect their own doctors?

The medical units will face severe danger. Often, the enemy aims to destroy the medical units first to prevent soldiers from receiving treatment. Who didn’t know what the mobile medical units go through?! Yet these people don’t even send their own region’s doctors. Instead, they make the Bai Region take responsibility for a mobile medical unit. So... How is this different from sending Yueqian to her death?!