Empire Conquest

Chapter 644 - 640: Candid Discussion

"The current situation is one that neither you nor I, nor indeed anyone, can change. Just as we must prioritize the interests of the Empire, from the Prime Minister down, tens of millions of soldiers and civilians in the Tiaoman Empire will also prioritize the interests of the Tiaoman Empire. The core interest of any empire is actually to achieve global hegemony, that is, to dominate the world. It’s just a pity that on this narrow planet, there can only be one overlord."

When Wang Kaiyuan said these words, both Bai Zhizhan and Li Yunxiang could only smile bitterly.

In fact, Wang Kaiyuan should have returned to the Empire’s homeland with Wallace. After meeting Li Yunxiang, he changed his itinerary on the spot, claiming he had to deal with some affairs of the Sixth Bureau in the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom. Since it was only a matter of a day or two, he stayed behind and accompanied them on the "Qinling" to East Capital Bay.

"Don’t sigh, this outcome was inevitable," Wang Kaiyuan continued after Bai Zhizhan and Li Yunxiang turned their gaze to him. "Although we were not the ones to experience it firsthand, we can imagine that forming an alliance with the Tiaoman Empire was only a temporary measure. Had it not been for our defeat in the last war, this confrontation would have emerged much sooner. If you tell me the leaders above had no mental preparation for this, I’d say that’s a ghost story."

"You mean..." Li Yunxiang began to speak but then closed his mouth.

Bai Zhizhan kept silent, just looking at Wang Kaiyuan, waiting for him to continue.

Wang Kaiyuan hesitated slightly before saying, "It’s only because it’s you two that I speak openly. Do you really think there is a conflict between the Grand Secretary and the Holy Emperor?"

As soon as these words came out, Bai Zhizhan was immediately stunned.

As for Li Yunxiang, perhaps he had already begun to suspect, so he did not show too much surprise.

The inside information revealed by Wang Kaiyuan was indeed explosive.

Xue Yuanzheng and the Holy Emperor were putting on an act!

However, it dawned on Bai Zhizhan immediately.

Xue Yuanzheng had always pursued a tough foreign policy and had personally authorized all pre-war strategic plans, making him the representative of the War faction in the hearts of the military and the public.

In a certain sense, Xue Yuanzheng represented the Imperial Military.

Naturally, there was no reason for him to change his stance without cause.

More importantly, he was the Grand Secretary, the Empire’s highest administrative officer, and one of the most influential figures in the whole world.

In terms of international status, only Rofuss could be compared to him.

According to post-war assessments, he and Rofuss were the two main drivers of the Second Global War and the leading figures in reshaping the world order after the First Global War.

And critically, Xue Yuanzheng had been living at the Prime Minister Mansion for over a decade!

Therefore, the only one who could make him submit was the Emperor.

Clearly, the Emperor’s intervention at this time was intended to allow Xue Yuanzheng to shift direction with dignity. Fundamentally, it was still related to post-war efforts.

"So you’re saying that prior to the outbreak of war, the Grand Secretary already..." Bai Zhizhan not only turned his gaze toward Wang Kaiyuan but also slowed down his pace of speech.

"You two are the Empire’s most outstanding leaders of men at arms, and you are surely capable of understanding that it’s not soldiers who determine the world’s structure. War is but a means in the struggle."

As soon as Wang Kaiyuan finished speaking, Li Yunxiang said, "In the end, it’s still a matter of interests."

Bai Zhizhan did not speak, but his expression had already turned very ugly.

Wang Kaiyuan smiled and said, "We’re all mere mortals, incapable of predicting the future precisely, but we all understand history. More than two thousand years ago, Shi Huang Di was able to unify the land of Huaxia, not just by having an invincible fierce army, but also on the foundations laid by the six generations of kings before him. Among these, the reforms of Filial Duke were the greatest contribution. This is our basic understanding, but how many people know that there was another key factor?"

Bai Zhizhan turned his gaze, used to Wang Kaiyuan’s typical grandstanding.

"The unrest in the Spring and Autumn Warring States period that lasted for hundreds of years!"

"This..." Li Yunxiang was clearly surprised, probably because he could not find a suitable counterargument at that moment, so he did not continue.

Bai Zhizhan let out a long sigh.

"Look at it from another perspective. Without the constant warfare that lasted for hundreds of years, without the devastation brought by war and the impact it had on people with ambition, do you think it would’ve been possible to unify the world in just a few decades, even with a fierce army?"

"Everyone longed for unification." Bai Zhizhan added.

"Yes, exactly, the key was that everyone longed for unification!"

Bai Zhizhan sighed to himself, unsure of what to say at the moment.

"It’s quite clear that the current international situation isn’t dire enough to be in ruins, therefore our efforts are unlikely to yield good outcomes," Wang Kaiyuan paused before continuing, "If it makes you feel any better, we could say we were not born in the right era. What we can do is create a more ideal environment for our descendants. On the other hand, we have encountered the ideal era because, no matter what, there will definitely be decades of peace after this great conflict. Our generation, even if we live to see the next global war, will surely not need to charge into battle. As a saying very much of our era goes, ’Our actions serve our time and benefit future generations.’ When it’s our descendants’ turn to take the field, perhaps they will be able to achieve unification of the world."

At that, even Li Yunxiang could not help but smile bitterly.

Wang Kaiyuan didn’t ramble on. After pulling out a cigarette, he got up and went outside the cabin.

"Don’t overthink it. That’s just how Wang Kaiyuan is," Li Yunxiang said, obviously overelaborating.

What else was there to ponder?

In fact, Wang Kaiyuan had made himself very clear.

The era of the Empire’s global dominance had not yet arrived because, at present, including the Empire’s military and civilians, were not ready to accept a globally unified outcome.

Clearly, the Western Powers felt the same.

This was the fundamental issue!

Tradition, customs, culture, and other things related to national characteristics had existed for thousands of years, while the era of globalization based on industrialization had not even reached a century, let alone fully arrived. What could be used to break down barriers that had stood for thousands of years?

Could the Imperial military and civilians tolerate a Westerner with blue eyes, blonde hair, and white skin taking residence in the Prime Minister’s Mansion?

If not, why should the military and civilians of Western countries be willing to obey the Empire’s commands?

However, like Wang Kaiyuan had said.

The destruction caused by war was not severe enough, so no one appreciated the preciousness of peace, and no one was willing to give up anything else for peace.

In fact, this means that the great war was destined not to have a perfect outcome.

Not just this war.

Perhaps it would be the same in the future.

As for when a perfect outcome might be achieved, that was unknowable.

As Bai Zhizhan considered these things, Wang Kaiyuan returned to the cabin, deliberately flicking the cigarette ash from his clothing upon entering.

Although it was late at night, nobody wanted to rest.

In a few more hours, the "Qinling" would enter East Capital Bay, and then the three men would go their separate ways.

Even if it wasn’t a farewell forever, this was likely the last time the three of them, as friends, could openly and peacefully discuss the state of affairs.

At least as far as Bai Zhizhan knew, Wang Kaiyuan was the prime successor to the head of the Military Intelligence Bureau.

Even if Wang Kaiyuan wished to maintain his relationship with Bai Zhizhan and Li Yunxiang, he would reduce his interactions with the two Commanders-in-chief for reasons of avoiding suspicion.

Actually, what the future held, no one had any idea.