Chapter 1293 – Little Fangirl

Ouyang Shuo’s words revealed a clear fact.

After Silver Hand and Azure Badge went head to head, they lost their advantage, and neither side had the ability to negotiate with Great Xia.

Especially Azure Badge, which was in a weaker state.

Old Chen was a determined person. Since he had agreed to convince Ouyang Shuo, he would not give up easily. As such, he said, “If Great Xia is willing to restrict the Romanov Dynasty, giving up Egypt is not out of the question.”

Ouyang Shuo decisively shook his head and said, “The Romanov Dynasty’s eastern region has vast land and little people as well as very bad weather. The Great Xia Army is not confident about restricting the Romanov Dynasty.”

During the military and administrative meeting at the start of the year, they had made it clear that the North Asia warzone would have no battles this year. Ouyang Shuo would not change their set strategy just because of Azure Badge.

Of course, Ouyang Shuo had ambitions toward the Siberia Region.

Not only did he have ambitions, bur he even had to have it.

Not because of any other reasons, but simply because of its great quantity of crude oil, coal, and natural gases.

Along with the second industrial revolution beginning, crude oil became an important power source and became the center of the world, becoming one of the crucial determinants of a country’s fate.

How to ensure the safety of the Empire’s power source was hugely important to Ouyang Shuo.

The Siberia Region was an area that Ouyang Shuo was looking at. If he could take it down, the Empire’s energy source problem could be half-solved.

In the future, if they took a foot into the Persian Gulf, the problem would basically be settled.

Ouyang Shuo had such plans, and other people were not fools either. The game world and history’s greatest difference would be that many dynasties had little difference between their industrial revolution progress.

With the Middle East as an example, be it the Persian Empire, the Arab Empire, or the Egypt Dynasty, their difference from Great Xia was not substantial.

In history, America and the other strong countries had a technological edge, which they used to create a military advantage. As such, they made the Middle East their oil storage.

Ouyang Shuo had reason to believe that be it Persian Empire or the Arab Empire, they would hold tightly onto their oil barrels and use it to rise up in the world.

They would not become rich people at the mercy of others like in history.

What made Ouyang Shuo feel forced was that be it the Romanov Dynasty, the Persian Empire, or the Arab Empire, they all belonged to Silver Hand.

If Silver Hand monopolized the crude oil supply, Great Xia would have a tough time in the future.

The situation was intense, but Ouyang Shuo naturally would not panic himself. The current situation where Silver Hand and Azure Badge went head to head was the best chance for Great Xia.

Letting the Romanov Dynasty enter the European battlefield was a good fit with Great Xia’s interests.

However, this did not mean that Ouyang Shuo would help Azure Badge unconditionally. How to balance all sides was Ouyang Shuo’s greatest test.

At least right now, it was not time for Great Xia to send troops to the Romanov Dynasty.

Not only would infuriating the Romanov Empire now expose Great Xia’s strategic goals, it would also incur problems for themselves and was just not worth it.

Ouyang Shuo respected Old Chen’s determination but business was still business.

Facing Ouyang Shuo’s hardball, Old Chen was helpless and said, “What conditions must be given for Great Xia to enter the European battlefield?”

“North Africa.” Ouyang Shuo bit on.

When Old Chen heard that, he knew that they could not come to a conclusion today, so he sighed and said, “I cannot decide this matter. I’ll have to discuss with the organization before giving you a reply.”

Ouyang Shuo nodded and replied, “I’m in no rush.”

…

Sending Old Chen away, Tsing Yi asked with uncertainty, “Your majesty, are we really not interfering in the European battlefield? Helping the Ottoman Dynasty is in line with what we want.”

Ouyang Shuo smiled, half-explaining and half-teaching, “Of course we will. But not now, and not by directly sending in troops.”

When Tsing Yi heard that, she thought about it and asked, “Your majesty is saying we go in when we are needed the most? When the Ottoman Dynasty is about to fall, we can act and obtain the most benefits.”

Ouyang Shuo nodded with praise. As expected from one of the three female Zhuges, her comprehension was on another level.

“You’re only half right.”

Ouyang Shuo walked back while saying, “You must remember that be it Silver Hand or Azure Badge, strictly speaking, they are not the same people as us.”

Destroying the two organizations was an unchanged target for Ouyang Shuo.

“These two organizations will not lower their guard against us just because they are fighting one another. Once we openly interfere in Europe, they might join hands once more to counterattack.”

Tsing Yi nodded and calmly said, “There are no forever enemies, only forever interests.”

“That’s the theory.” Ouyang Shuo sat on the chair in the hallway and looked at the blooming Asiatic Apple and said, “Hence, at the start of this war, what we must do is wait behind the scenes patiently so that they do not sense our presence. Once the battle gets intense to the point where they cannot join hands, that will be our chance.”

Tsing Yi nodded. Her eyes that looked at Ouyang Shuo were filled with respect and worship.

Who knew that the cold lady in the eyes of outsiders, the Head Advisor of the Secret Document Pavilion, was actually a little fangirl of Ouyang Shuo.

“Your majesty ,will Old Chen agree to your conditions?” Tsing Yi asked.

“He will; they have no choice.”

Ouyang Shuo got up and disappeared at the end of the hallway. Standing tall and straight, he gave one strength.

When Tsing Yi saw that, she chased after him.

The huge hallway returned to its previous silence, and the bloom of the Asiatic Apple remained unchanged.

…

The next morning, Old Chen visited once more.

Just as Ouyang Shuo had predicted, Azure Badge that was forced to the edge of the cliff had no choice and had to accept Ouyang Shuo’s condition – give up the Egypt Dynasty.

After signing the agreement, Ouyang Shuo shook hands with Old Chen and said, “May I boldly ask, is Old Chen willing to come over to work at Great Xia? I’m willing to give you the role of special consultant.”

Empire special consultant was a position that Ouyang Shuo had added on the fly. However, in the Federation system, it was an important helper to the president.

Old Chen had been the president for close to 10 years. Not only did he know everything about how the Federation was ran, his connections were also something Ouyang Shuo wanted.

Along with his political intellect, everything he had was something Ouyang Shuo badly needed.

If Old Chen was willing, it would be a huge addition to Great Xia; the value was even greater than having a Cabinet elder.

The only worry would be that Azure Badge would not release him or that he would be unwilling. After all, going from Federation President to consultant was not something everyone could adapt to.

It was mainly the latter.

With the intel in Ouyang Shuo’s possession, in Azure Badge, even if the opposing faction had little power, it would be difficult for Old Chen to return to the center.

If not, he would not be sent over to convince him.

Old Chen being unable to make the decision yesterday also showed that.

Toward Ouyang Shuo’s invitation, Old Chen appeared really surprised. After a long while, he sighed and said, “I am old and cannot work anymore.”

Ouyang Shuo did not give up and said, “The doors of the Empire will forever remain open for you.”

“Thank you!”

He did not reject it outright.