Chapter 129: Bai Gui Submits

Once Liuxia Tuo finished speaking, Meng Di added one more requirement.

"These soldiers must also be swift runners. If they can seize a tactical opportunity and arrive in an instant, it will be a devastating blow to the enemy's morale. Furthermore, if the situation turns unfavorable, they must be able to withdraw from the battlefield rapidly to regroup and fight another day."

"Beyond the three points you just mentioned, this one is essential. You cannot have your soldiers train empty-handed. At the same time, as their commander, you must show care for your men so that they harbor no resentment; only then will they fight with their full hearts. Can you achieve this?"

Liuxia Tuo did not answer immediately. He pondered for a moment before replying, "My lord, may I return and think carefully to come up with a feasible plan?"

Seeing him take the matter seriously, Meng Di nodded with satisfaction. "Of course. I want you to train a formidable force capable of dominating the battlefield. You only need to strive toward this goal. It does not matter if you cannot achieve it immediately, but you must at least envision it."

Liuxia Tuo was a man of great pride; how could he admit he was incapable? Yet, he did not argue. He cupped his hands in a salute, turned, and left. For the next several days, he shut himself in his room, deep in thought.

Meanwhile, Meng Di went to see off a merchant caravan bound for the State of Ju. To his surprise, Bai Gui suddenly arrived. After they met, Bai Gui said with a smile, "I have been filled with admiration for your recent actions, Meng Zi. I am eager to serve you—I wonder if you would be willing to accept a man of leisure like myself?"

"Master Bai, were you not managing the horse farms in the lands of Yan? Why have you returned? I am currently in need of capable people, and it would be my honor to have your assistance."

"With gold and silver clearing the way, and the support of the Yan officials, the horse farms are no longer facing any major issues. Moreover, I took advantage of this time to purchase a large quantity of dates, apricots, and plums, and sold them on my way to the State of Qi, earning a handsome profit."

Hearing this, Meng Di understood and smiled immediately. "Master Bai is truly a genius of commerce; you found a business opportunity so quickly. I was just fretting over whom to entrust with the administration of this place. With your arrival, I can finally rest easy."

Upon hearing this, Bai Gui straightened his robes and cap, and performed a very solemn salute. "I, Bai Gui, pay my respects to you, my lord. The reason I was unwilling to stay in Mengyi before was that I did not know your true ambitions, and I felt the State of Lu was beset by internal and external troubles, making it an unsuitable place for long-term residence. I never expected you to forge such a unique path."

"I am deeply moved by your vision, which is why I have decided to stay and assist you. I have already arranged for the management of the horse farms in Yan. By purchasing local fruit at low prices during the harvest season and transporting it to other states for sale, we can not only maintain the operations of the farms but also generate profit. This will eliminate the need for Mengyi to continue shipping funds and grain to Yan. However, you should still send someone to supervise, lest anyone embezzle the proceeds."

"Before I left, Master Ji laid out your grand strategy for me. I realized then that you are no ordinary man and are destined to achieve monumental feats, which is why I became determined to serve you."

Meng Di nodded as he listened, and said to Bai Gui with a smile, "As the saying goes, do not trouble two masters with one task. Since you have set these rules, I shall leave these matters in your hands. But tell me, Master Bai, what are your thoughts on how we should manage the Huai region?"

Asked this, Bai Gui pondered for a moment, a look of confidence appearing on his face. "The lands of the Huai Yi are home to many small states. To resist the dukes of the Central Plains, they have been forced to unite, yet the relationships between them are complex and intertwined. If we intervene directly, we will only bring trouble upon ourselves. In this world, everything can be managed through the pursuit of benefit."

"Therefore, we should not interfere in their internal affairs. Instead, we should focus on development and expanding our influence so that the small states of the Huai region become aware of our presence, allowing us to win over those who are inclined toward us. As for those hostile small states, we should temporarily ignore them, waiting for the right moment to isolate them and then send troops to wipe them out. In this way, we can win the hearts of the people while also acquiring their land—it is a method that serves two purposes at once."

He was treating the annexation of the Huai Yi lands as a business venture. Since most people are driven by self-interest, this method was simple, efficient, and highly effective. Meng Di agreed wholeheartedly.

"That is exactly what I have been thinking. If we were to use our army to conquer these small states one by one, it would not only be time-consuming but would also likely cause the locals to unite against us, doing more harm than good. Your strategy is excellent, Master Bai."

"I only wonder, Master Bai, how long do you think it will take to secure the Huai region?"

After a brief moment of thought, Bai Gui held up three fingers and said confidently, "Three years. One year to expand our reputation, one year to build friendships with the various tribes, and one year to subjugate the hostile states."

"To be honest, Master Bai, I fear we do not have that much time. The State of Wu has now broken through the capital of the State of Chu, and currently, King Fuchai is leading another campaign. In my view, Wu is bound to be victorious. Once they grow too powerful, we will lose our chance."

Upon hearing this, Bai Gui frowned slightly before smoothing his expression. "If that is the case, we can do the opposite: focus on the distant before the near. We can start by setting our sights on the Yihu region and use the same strategy to first take control of areas closer to Wu."

"At the same time, we should send envoys to befriend Wu. We can have Prince Chao send an emissary to form an alliance with them. If they refuse, we can unite with the states of Chu and Yue to exert pressure on them. Even if Wu is powerful, they cannot remain unscathed while facing enemies on three sides."

Meng Di nodded slightly. This was a dual threat of military and diplomatic pressure. The State of Yue was manageable, but he had little confidence that the State of Chu would agree. Thinking of King Zhao of Chu, Xiong Zhen, he could only sigh inwardly and said, "The best path is to maintain friendly relations with Wu. As for the alliance, let us not mention it for now and see how the situation develops."

He knew clearly that the State of Wu would eventually be destroyed by the State of Yue. Once Fuchai defeated Yue, his true nature would be revealed: he would become arrogant, ignore advice, favor slanderers, and entrust power to villains like Bo Pi, ultimately forcing Wu Zixu to his death.