novelAbuy Chapter 82 The Japanese Slave Trade
Chapter 82 The Japanese Slave Trade
After listening to Yuan Tan's entire plan to plunder Fusang and enslave its people, Lu Su's expression turned solemn, and his brows furrowed.
He was kind-hearted by nature, and although he knew that harsh measures were necessary in chaotic times, such a cruel plan to exterminate the entire race still greatly shocked him.
He took a deep breath, stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and spoke in a somber tone:
"My lord, I have something to say, something that I cannot keep silent about. This plan... while beneficial in the short term, treats the natives like cattle and beasts of burden, yet treats them like worthless weeds. If this continues, the life on Fusang Island may face extinction! Is this not against the will of Heaven, and too cruel?"
Yuan Tan turned around and looked at his trusted advisor, without the slightest displeasure in his eyes.
He said slowly:
"Zijing, your benevolent heart is a virtue of a gentleman, which I deeply understand. However, you must understand one principle: those who are not of our kind will surely have different hearts!"
He walked to the window and said slowly:
"I not only covet their gold and silver, but I also want to exterminate their descendants and destroy their very foundation! These barbarians may seem harmless today, but they are like young wolves. If we allow them to grow and learn the skills of the Central Plains,..."
If one day the Central Plains are in turmoil and our national strength declines, they will surely transform into ravenous wolves, crossing the sea to devour our descendants and destroy our ancestral temples! The ferocity of the Japanese pirates far exceeds your imagination! My decision to sever their foundation is not out of cruelty, but for the safety of China for generations to come! This is to prevent trouble before it happens!
Lu Su's body trembled. He had never seen his lord have such deep fear and resolute killing intent towards a remote and uncivilized place, as if he had witnessed some kind of future tragedy.
He attempted to offer advice from a longer-term perspective:
"Even if... even if the natives are extinct, and our lord intends to relocate criminals from the Central Plains to the border regions, times change, and circumstances shift. Thousands of years later, those remaining people will be far overseas, and I fear... they will no longer know of the Han dynasty, nor recognize their homeland. At that time, wouldn't that create another powerful enemy for our China?"
"What Zijing was concerned about was something that would happen hundreds of years from now."
Yuan Tan smiled calmly.
"However, as long as the written language is of the same origin, the clothing and customs are the same, and the teachings are the same, even if they establish another country, the soul of China will still flow in their blood! Their struggles are nothing more than brothers fighting each other, and they will eventually be resolved."
But if we allow the barbarians to grow stronger, it will be a war for the survival of our race, and there will never be peace! Between two evils, I choose the lesser!
History has already proven these things.
In the past, the Ansar people colonized everywhere, and the Americas and Oceania were their territories.
Even after a century, although there were frictions between them, their relationship was one of love and hate.
A few years later, they shook hands and made peace again.
For example, the support that overseas Chinese provided for the Chinese revolution during the War of Resistance against Japan far exceeded the aid provided by the Soviet Union at the time.
He looked at Lu Su, his gaze deep and unfathomable.
"Preserving the descendants of the Chinese people overseas, even if it causes discord, is better than raising a tiger to cause trouble!"
Just as Yuan Tan was eloquently discussing his theory of the distinction between Chinese and barbarians...
The strategist Xin Pi suddenly walked in and presented a newly released intelligence report:
"My lord, a spy from Xuchang has sent an urgent report. Cao Cao has adopted Xun Yu's strategy and is launching a swift attack on Wancheng with a small cavalry force. Zhang Xiu seems unprepared, and it appears that... Wancheng will likely fall to the enemy soon. If Cao Cao fully controls Nanyang, his military might can then directly target Jingzhou and Xiangyang, and his power will only grow stronger."
Upon hearing this, Lu Su, Zhen Yao, and the others, who had just been immersed in the debate between the Chinese and the barbarians, immediately became serious.
If Cao Cao were to quickly capture Wancheng, his strength and prestige would rise to a new level, and the pressure on Qingzhou would be self-evident.
However, Yuan Tan smiled and remained noncommittal upon hearing this.
The famous scene where Boss Cao kills three sages with one shot is about to begin.
Cao Cao's campaign against Wancheng resulted in a significant loss of strength.
"Zuo Zhi is overthinking it. Cao Mengde's trip to Wancheng is definitely not going to be smooth sailing! In my opinion, he's bound to suffer a major setback and learn a hard lesson in Wancheng!"
"Oh?"
Xinpi raised an eyebrow, revealing an inquisitive expression.
"Why do you say this, my lord? Zhang Xiu of Wancheng is inferior to Cao Cao in both troop strength and morale. Although Jia Xu is wise, even a clever woman cannot cook without rice. I truly cannot see any signs of Cao Cao's defeat."
Lu Su also asked in confusion:
"Yes, my lord, Cao Cao's military strategy is divine, and he has countless fierce generals under his command. How could Zhang Xiu be a match for him? Could it be that you have some secret information?"
Yuan Tan waved his hand confidently, but unable to openly admit that this was a prediction based on "historical knowledge," he could only offer a vague and cryptic reply:
"This is intuition, and also an inevitable outcome. Cao Mengde has recently won a series of victories and has become arrogant. Wancheng has just been annexed, and the people's hearts are not yet settled; there are many uncertainties. You should observe the situation quietly; there will surely be a reward!"
Less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn after Yuan Tan finished speaking, hurried footsteps came from outside the hall!
A court official in charge of intelligence delivery, carrying a secret letter sealed with special sealing wax, rushed in and knelt on one knee:
"Report! Urgent secret report from Wancheng, 600 li away!"
The room fell silent instantly, and everyone's eyes were focused on the secret letter.
Haha! Time to show off again!
Yuan Tan chuckled inwardly, "Read it!"
The official unfolded the silk scroll and quickly read aloud: "...Cao Cao's army has entered Wancheng. Zhang Xiu led his troops to surrender without encountering resistance. Cao Cao has taken up residence in the government office. Everything inside and outside Wancheng is peaceful...Cao Cao's army is taking over the city's defenses and pacifying the people..."
"What?!"
"this……"
Lu Su, Zhen Yao, and the others exchanged bewildered glances, then looked at Yuan Tan with puzzled expressions.
This result is completely contrary to the lord's confident prediction!
Yuan Tan felt a burning sensation on his cheek, as if he had been slapped in the face in public!
His mind was buzzing:
"How is that possible? What about the Wancheng Incident? What about Lady Zou? What about the deaths of Dian Wei and Cao Ang? History... could it really have changed because of my butterfly wings?!"
If the plot of "one shot kills three sages" doesn't trigger soon, then things will get complicated.
Not to mention that Dian Wei, a super-strong fighter, didn't die.
Even if Cao Cao's strength was not damaged this time, I'm afraid that this guy will interfere when I fight Lü Bu next time.
That would be very disadvantageous for oneself.
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and stared sharply at the official, asking a crucial question:
"After Cao Cao entered the city, besides taking over the defenses, did he do anything unusual? Where...did he go?"
After a brief recollection, the official replied:
"Reporting to my lord, according to our informant, after Cao Cao entered the city and settled in, he did not stay in the government office for long. Instead, he went incognito to the 'Listening to the Waves Pavilion' in the west of the city and has not come out since."
"Tingtao Pavilion?"
Guo Jia, Lu Su, and the others all looked puzzled; they did not pay much attention to such places of entertainment.
Yuan Tan's heart stirred!
Listening to the Waves Pavilion! This was one of his secret intelligence outposts!
Why did Cao Cao choose to go there of all places?
Could it be that he has found a substitute in brothels, so he feels that Zhang Xiu's aunt is dispensable?
Cao Mengde, oh Cao Mengde!
You're such a wife-obsessed person!
How can you be so careless with your reputation!
Yuan Tan was heartbroken, but he still pretended to be calm and said:
"It's nothing more than a... brothel. Cao Mengde certainly has a good interest."
Under his command, Qian's words were similar to those of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and naturally, they could not be known by his trusted ministers.
Just as Yuan Tan's mind raced, Guo Jia, who had been observing the situation quietly, suddenly had a glint in his eyes.
He gently tapped his palm with his feather fan and spoke slowly:
"My lord, I have a plan that may... make Cao Mengde's trip to Wancheng ultimately unsatisfactory, and even turn his joy into sorrow."