Chapter 564: Chapter 267: Strategy for Subduing the Barbarians_3

Upon considering this promise, Li Xiong’s breath grew ragged.

If he could truly acquire such a land, even though in name he would submit to Lu Yuan, his standing, position, and power in the world would elevate exponentially compared to their present state.

‘At least, I wouldn’t be any worse off than that bald Jihui, or the two old fellows, Qiao Kangquan.’

In his heart, he thought as such, his blood boiling with enthusiasm. He hastily responded with excitement, “Your noble kindness knows no bounds, my lord. I duly pledge my life in your service. I shall strive forward courageously to remove these barbarians for you and develop the lands of the Southwest.”

Seeing this response stirred in him, Lu Yuan nodded with a smile. “With Li Qing on our side, I have no worry.”

He said it earnestly, and with anticipation.

This promise given by Lu Yuan was not intended to deceive Li Xiong.

If they could truly conquer Da Changhe country in its entirety this time, especially when their people are barbarians fundamentally incompatible with Dongyang’s civilization.

Then faced with this vast expanse of land two provinces wide, dwarving all of Chu State’s current territories in size.

Chu State, with its current strength, would undoubtedly struggle to digest such a victory.

Not to mention, the need to deploy troop and official structures in doubled territory. How many soldiers would we need to guard these new territories? How many officials would we need to govern them?

And would the Chilih barbarians, whose countries were destroyed by us, really submit peacefully to the rule of the Dongyi people who annihilated their homelands and shattered their faith?

When it came to that, incessant rebellions, never ensuing slaughter—it would absoletely never end.

Under such circumstances, the larger the territory you occupy, the more troops your attention will be drawn to; consequently, maintaining control over the occupied territories would become increasingly expensive.

In the end, wouldn’t you have to station a 100,000 strong army in the lands of the Da Changhe, with a stationed Inborn Grandmaster, just like Pre-Yue did after conquering Jinghai Country?

No, the situation could be worse still.

After all, Jinghai Country used to be a tributary of Da Yue. Even though it is a country predominantly comprised of Nanyue people, and different from the men of Dongyang. But being under the influence of Da Yue for so long, its cultural habits have already started to converge with Dongyang.

Long-term tributation even brought about recognition and identity towards the Heavenly Son system in the Jinling of Dongyang, regarding themselves as civilized people under the king’s rule.

So, after the destruction of Jinghai Country by Da Yue, except for the bloodshed needed in the first two years, by the third year, the local yield was already enough to meet the daily needs of the 50,000-strong army under Xie Ning.

Therefore, the process of assimilation over there was simpler.

But in this southwestern barbarian’s land, it’s completely untouched wilderness.

There is no influence of Dongyang’s culture here, the county system hasn’t been introduced, tribal customs are still predominant, even an extremely high belief in divine authority is present.

To assimilate and govern this land, which is completely disparate from Great Chu, the difficulty would be many times more than that of assimilating Jinghai people.

Unable to assimilate, unable to govern effectively. Until this land has been completely pacified, it will not be able to provide abundant output and taxes for Great Chu.

It wouldn’t even be able to provide military food for the army stationed here.

Chu State would need to keep supplying blood and immigrants here, taking up this burden for over ten years to obtain positive returns.

In today’s changing world, with the escalating warfare among various nations, carrying such a burden is definitely not a good thing for Chu State.

Eventually, the occupied Da Changhe Country may turn into a burden and flaw of Great Chu. Other countries could seize this opportunity as a means to defeat Great Chu.

Therefore, all these considerations and disadvantages ultimately resulted in Lu Yuan’s decision. Even if they won a big victory this time, the territory they could annex in the end could only be a single province.

The land of a single province, with the size of only three to five thousand miles, wouldn’t house more than around a million people after the war.

Given the current strength of Chu State, this territory would be a burden to some extent, but one they could endure.

After reserving enough force to secure the occupation, they could still face the challenges of other countries. It’s a bite Chu State can swallow.

But any more would be impossible.

Hence, in this war of conquest, if they could really conquer more than one province, Lu Yuan certainly didn’t mind rewarding the surplus territories to deserving ministers, or trading it with other coalition allies.

Since they can’t keep it to themselves anyway, rewarding it to Li Xiong could put a buffer in the frontline of war to help Lu Yuan bear the counterattack of the southwestern barbarians after conquering Da Changhe Country.

It could also allow Li Xiong to clear up the troops that they couldn’t control in these territories and to eliminate the subversive barbarians within the country, in preparation for receiving these territories in the future.

Lu Yuan wouldn’t reject such an opportune proposition.

However, Lu Yuan certainly had more than this one method to manage the southwestern barbarians, after preparing for several years.

Therefore, after promising the reward, Lu Yuan looked at Li Xiong, and continued, “To annihilate Da Changhe Country, these few troops are not enough, I need a larger army for assistance. Li Qing has been in this country for many years, and has worked hard to build a solid foundation.”

I have in mind to appoint Li Qing as the superintendent of recruitment for Great Chu’s Western Expedition Army, specifically in charge of recruiting brave warriors ready to be civilized and are willing to serve Great Chu in the land of southwest Yi.

“Would Li Qing accept the position?”

Hearing this appointment, Li Xiong was slightly startled, uncertain of its implication.

He pondered hurriedly, faintly guessing something but still uncertain.

However, the appointment has been announced and he had just eaten the large pie painted in front of him, so he wouldn’t reject this opportunity to build merit. He promptly accepted the command, “I am honoured to accept the appointment and serve the king.”

Lu Yuan nodded slightly, then instantly issued a decree, “Since Li Qing accepts the position, the officials will have the official seal and uniform delivered later. Now, Li Qing, please return and start preparing for the work. Dispatch people to recruit 50,000 Yi soldiers from the old lands of Wu Savage Country and the Hui Chuan and Nong Dong regions that were taken down these few days.”

Lu Yuan spoke with an unquestionable tone.