Shen Feng fell into thought after hearing the words from his subordinates, then asked, "Why do you say that?"
Yang Ye earnestly replied to Shen Feng, "City Lord, isn't it obvious? Currently, only our Chuan Yu region enjoys a peaceful life across the country. Everywhere else is in dire straits. Others look at us with jealousy, wishing to drag us down into the mire. If we agree to their terms now, won't we have to send troops? Then our passionate young men will have to risk their lives for other factions?"
Many others shared the same view, basically all disagreeing with the annexation of Dian Province. If it were in the past, it would not have been a big deal. However, these were troubled times. The other party was in trouble, which was why they chose this moment to seek annexation. From a profit perspective, if they truly accepted the other party's request, it would mean draining the Chuan Yu region.
After understanding this, almost everyone opposed the matter.
Seeing everyone's opposition, Shen Feng breathed a sigh of relief. It was evident that everyone was considering Yu Zhou, and refusing Dian Province's request now was the most appropriate course of action.
Subsequently, Shen Feng looked at the others and asked, "Does anyone else have a different opinion? Speak your mind now. Since we are discussing, we should speak freely."
In fact, Shen Feng was relieved because his thoughts were similar to most people's. He did not want to agree to the other party's request at this time and preferred that Chuan Yu could have more time to develop rather than be involved in endless wars.
Originally, Shen Feng thought his reasons were similar enough to everyone else's, but at this moment, someone stood up and said righteously to everyone, "I have a different opinion. I believe we should accept their request!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's gaze focused on the speaker. Clearly, no one expected someone to openly oppose them at this crucial moment. So, everyone wanted to know who was saying such inappropriate words and turned to look at the speaker, only to find that it was Xu Xing. With her standing up, people around her focused their attention on her, and they all frowned.
"What are you thinking now? I know you are a compassionate Immortal Doctor, but we hope you can think clearly and not waste your misplaced kindness. You have always been out there upholding justice, so you don't understand matters of state. Therefore, it's best you don't get involved in this. Yu Zhou absolutely cannot step into the abyss of war now, or we will all be finished!" Yang Ye, seeing that it was Xu Xing who stood up to oppose his proposal, immediately began to persuade her.
Xu Xing, after hearing the advice, earnestly stated, "Of course, I understand what accepting the other party's terms means. If we accept their request, we will have to send troops, and for Yu Zhou, there will be no more peaceful environment. Is that right?"
"Yes, that's exactly what it means. I am pleased that you understand this!" Yang Ye nodded. As long as the other party understood his concerns, that was enough!
However, Xu Xing immediately said, "But even if I understand your considerations now, I will not agree with your idea!"
After she said this, the people around looked at her with strange expressions.
Yang Ye calmly said, "Then what are your thoughts? Please tell me, I am all ears!"
Yang Ye truly did not expect Xu Xing to oppose him even after knowing the consequences. He couldn't understand what was going through her mind. Did she have to drag Yu Zhou into the vortex of war to be satisfied?
Xu Xing then explained, "If we do not help them now, and if mutated insects later cross the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and reach the Chuan Yu region, we will face even more trouble. Moreover, if the south also becomes devastated, more refugees will pour into our territory, won't they?"
"Your point is interesting. We hadn't thought of that before. But it doesn't matter. Even if refugees come here, they will increase our labor force. As for the mutated insects, if they reach Yu Zhou, we will deal with them as they come. We'll talk about it when the insects arrive!" Yang Ye said.
Xu Xing was quite intelligent and knew that Shen Feng's opinion was the most important. She looked at Shen Feng and said, "City Lord, you are also farsighted and understand the suffering of the people. Therefore, you will surely not stand by and watch the people in the south suffer and be harmed. For the stability of the Chuan Yu region in the future, we must accept their suggestion. Moreover, if we gain the southern territories, we will have access to the sea and oil and gas resources. Aren't these conditions worth agreeing to?"
"City Lord, don't listen to Immortal Doctor Xing. Everything should follow the general trend. Following the tide will never be wrong. The current trend is for all regions to shrink their military forces and consolidate their territories. It is not suitable for expansion at this time! The insects worldwide are mutating. At this time, even if we occupy Dian Province and further south, even if we have energy and food production locations, we cannot hold such a vast territory. It is better to consolidate our forces for defense, to defend the territories we have already secured. This is what we should do!" Yang Ye said earnestly.
Shen Feng nodded after hearing this explanation, understanding Yang Ye's viewpoint, and then said, "What you said makes sense."
Xu Xing wanted to say more, "Doing this is like abandoning them to die. The three regions of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan are originally one family. They speak the same dialect, and their living habits are similar. Now, if we abandon them to die, how can we justify it?"
"This is how the world is. We never know when an accident will befall us, so we can't do anything but pray for them!" Yang Ye said indifferently.
At the same time, others were also making sarcastic remarks, "When did our Yu Zhou get such a saintly mother who doesn't think about her own people but considers people elsewhere? If we send troops, won't the soldiers be in danger? This is completely betraying our own interests!"
"How can you say that about Immortal Doctor Xing? She has gained a great reputation. Now that she has said such a thing at the meeting, she will be on the front page of the newspaper tomorrow. So, no one in this world is a fool."
"So that's how it is. I just realized that she isn't showing compassion out of so-called saintly kindness, but rather for her own reputation."
Xu Xing's face turned ashen after hearing these discussions, and she was unable to say a word because she didn't know how to refute. In her own eyes, her actions were speaking out for justice and upholding righteousness, but in the eyes of others, her actions were like betraying her own people.
Xu Xing knew that if she didn't help them, Dian Province would inevitably face a great crisis. If such a situation truly occurred, she would surely be tormented by her conscience. However, her suggestion was now being misunderstood as betrayal, and it was as if she was using the lives of Yu Zhou's soldiers to save others, which was a form of generosity at others' expense.
Shen Feng intervened to help Xu Xing, saying, "Xu Xing, you don't need to worry about this matter. We will discuss a perfect solution. As for your words, I believe you are a kind woman, which is why you are unwilling to stand by and watch them die. But for now, please remain silent!"
Xu Xing sat down and remained silent. She firmly believed she had done nothing wrong, but her actions were not understood. In the eyes of these indifferent people, she was a saintly mother.
Originally, the term "saintly mother" carried a connotation of kindness, especially towards women. However, gradually, this term acquired a derogatory meaning, with many people using it as a taunt to mock someone for being overly kind. Unfortunately, Xu Xing had fallen victim to this.
While everyone was talking, someone suddenly pushed open the door and walked in. Upon closer inspection, it was Li Keyi, holding a letter in her hand.
Everyone was very curious about the content of the letter, as Li Keyi generally wouldn't enter the conference room at this time. Her appearance here must mean something important, and it was likely that the content of this letter was very important.
Li Keyi walked to Shen Feng's side and whispered, "Quickly read the content of this letter. Chaoyan is recuperating at home, so only I could deliver this letter!"
Shen Feng opened the letter and began to read, while Chang Jianyiyi also leaned over to look. The other attendees also wanted to know the content of the letter, but they couldn't make too much of a move, or they would be noticed immediately. After giving the letter, Li Keyi left the conference room.
Li Keyi still had important tasks, which included managing affairs in the Fengshen Palace. Especially since Chu Chaoyan was pregnant, she was now three months pregnant and could only recuperate at home. Many tasks needed to be handled by Li Keyi.
After reading the letter, Shen Feng frowned and then said to everyone, "This news is very important, but it's fine to tell you now. Qian Bufei is coming. He is prepared to persuade us to accept the annexation of Dian Province. He has brought a large number of gifts, including the most detailed maps of Dian Province."
When the crowd learned of this news, they were stunned. They hadn't expected the other party to go to such lengths for annexation, even bringing the most crucial maps.
Yang Ye then said earnestly, "City Lord, do not be swayed by their actions. The more critical the moment, the more you must maintain your composure. You cannot change your attitude because of a few words from them. This is not acceptable!"
Shen Feng retorted, "The other party is clearly coming with great momentum and is determined to persuade me. How do you plan to handle this?"
Yang Ye was silent for a moment, then said, "City Lord, please rest assured. It is not difficult to persuade them to return. As long as we all ask questions together, even if he has a silver tongue, he cannot refute all our questions simultaneously. With just one speech, we can make him see the error of his ways!"
Shen Feng thought for a moment and said, "In that case, I will entrust this matter to you. You civilian officials are likely to have strong skills in eloquence. Then use your eloquence to make the other party realize their mistakes and return on their own. However, if your rebuttal is unsuccessful, you will make me lose face!"
"City Lord, please rest assured. I heard that Zhou Xiaoxiao has a luxurious manor by the Yangtze River. I plan to invite Qian Bufei to this manor by the Yangtze River next. Then, all of us will refute his words and leave him speechless," Yang Ye said.
Shen Feng's expression suddenly became strange because he suddenly thought of a historical event. This event might be fictional, which was the "Debate of the Three Kingdoms."
Shen Feng thought to himself, "Am I Sun Quan?"
Meanwhile, Zhou Xiaoxiao cursed in her heart. Looking at Yang Ye, she thought, "It's all your fault, you scoundrel, for exposing my assets. This manor by the Yangtze River was built with great effort. I didn't expect it to become a venue for your debate!"
Zhou Xiaoxiao understood the principle of making a fortune in silence. Even if she acquired the manor, she didn't intend to publicize it, but she didn't expect Yang Ye to mention it so readily. Now, she could only endure it and find Yang Ye to settle the score after this matter was over.