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Chapter 673: Chapter 673: The Grand Whale Swallowing Plan

"Your Majesty, the world is growing increasingly chaotic, and our situation is becoming more precarious," Yi Yan sighed, shaking his head.

"Oh?"

"To the east, west, and north of Shenzhou, wars are incessant. Every day, millions perish in these colossal conflicts. While the South remains relatively peaceful, it\'s only because of a delicate balance among the twenty-five Southern Dynasties. The other twenty-four dynasties are just biding their time, ready to erupt at the slightest provocation," Yi Yan explained, taking a deep breath.

"Twenty-four dynasties?" Zhongshan tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

"Your Majesty, our Great Zhou Dynasty has become a thorn in the eyes of the surrounding dynasties. The South has avoided large-scale wars mainly because of our stabilizing influence. However, once the flames of war from the East or West spread to the South, they will no longer hold back," Yi Yan said, his concern evident.

"What is the state of our military preparations?" Zhongshan asked.

"We are well-equipped for defense but lack the strength for a significant offensive," Yi Yan replied honestly.

"Hmm." Zhongshan pondered, hands clasped behind his back.

"Your Majesty, now is the time to expand our military forces. The Da Rong Chamber of Commerce has amassed a large number of spirit stones, but why are they all being reinvested? In these chaotic times, such investments might not yield returns," Yi Yan expressed his worry.

"Then we will recall all our investments before the South descends into chaos," Zhongshan said suddenly, taking a deep breath.

"Oh? What are your plans, Your Majesty?" Yi Yan\'s eyebrows arched in curiosity, sensing something unusual in Zhongshan\'s demeanor.

"The era of chaos has begun, and wars are raging in all directions. If the South becomes engulfed in conflict, our Great Zhou Dynasty will eventually suffer. Therefore..." Zhongshan\'s eyes were resolute.

"Therefore, what?" Yi Yan asked immediately.

"Therefore, I plan to swallow the twenty-four Southern Dynasties whole!" Zhongshan declared solemnly.

Yi Yan was momentarily stunned, disbelief flickering in his eyes. Swallow the twenty-four dynasties? How could that be possible? Given the current state of their military, conquering three or five dynasties might be feasible, but swallowing all twenty-four seemed an impossible task. Even a great celestial dynasty couldn\'t boast such ambition.

In the past, even when the Great Luo Celestial Dynasty fought the surrounding five major dynasties, it took a very long time. Although their dynasty was strong, it was still far from the power of the Great Luo Celestial Dynasty.

Swallow the twenty-four Southern Dynasties?

Despite his incredulity, Yi Yan sensed that Zhongshan had a plan.

"Your Majesty, have you devised another strategy?" Yi Yan asked, testing the waters.

"Indeed, the rapid establishment of Da Rong Chamber of Commerce\'s shops in major cities across the South is the first step," Zhongshan said firmly.

"Shops? One shop per city? What impact can that have? It won\'t cause even the slightest ripple," Yi Yan said, frowning.

Suddenly, Yi Yan seemed to realize something.

"Your Majesty, are you planning another commercial warfare strategy like the \'Heaven Collapse Plan\'?" Yi Yan\'s eyes lit up.

Commercial warfare was generally underestimated in times of war, often disregarded by the masses. However, over a century ago, the Emperor had used such a strategy to annihilate a major dynasty without shedding a drop of blood. The \'Heaven Collapse Plan\' had set countless records in a short time. Afterward, every dynasty feared its mention, never again underestimating commercial warfare. Yet, commercial warfare was incredibly complex and difficult to execute.

Other than the Heaven Collapse Plan, all other commercial skirmishes paled in comparison, unable to hold a candle to the Emperor\'s grand strategy.

Regarding the Heaven Collapse Plan, Yi Yan had studied it multiple times, each time filled with admiration. Could it be that the Emperor has conceived another commercial warfare strategy?

"You understand me well!" Zhongshan smiled.

Yi Yan\'s eyes brightened further upon receiving Zhongshan\'s confirmation. A commercial warfare strategy? Yi Yan felt a surge of excitement. Last time, he was on the opposing side; this time, he would experience it firsthand.

"This strategy is called the \'Grand Whale Swallowing Plan.\' It won\'t succeed overnight, but once it does, conquering the twenty-four Southern Dynasties will be as easy as reaching into a bag!" Zhongshan declared with utmost confidence.

Conquering twenty-four dynasties effortlessly? Yi Yan\'s expression turned complex. If anyone else had said this, Yi Yan would have dismissed it as impossible. But since Zhongshan had spoken, Yi Yan couldn\'t help but ponder its feasibility.

"Among the legion commanders, your grasp of the global situation is the strongest. Zhong Zheng has gone to the underworld, and I can\'t trust anyone else to manage the Da Rong Chamber of Commerce. Here are the detailed plans for the \'Grand Whale Swallowing Plan.\' Take a look," Zhongshan said, handing over a stack of papers filled with his handwriting.

Yi Yan respectfully took the papers, the cover bearing the five characters \'Grand Whale Swallowing Plan.\' He immediately began to read, engrossed in its contents. Sometimes he would fall into deep thought, and other times he would furrow his brows.

Watching Yi Yan delve into the \'Grand Whale Swallowing Plan,\' Zhongshan smiled slightly, sitting down to enjoy his tea while waiting.

Gradually, Yi Yan\'s face flushed slightly, his eyes filled with excitement.

"Your Majesty, this plan is akin to robbery!" Yi Yan exclaimed, taking a deep breath.

"Robbery? Does robbery bring money this quickly?" Zhongshan laughed.

"No, robbery is not even a fraction as effective. Your Majesty, if this plan succeeds, the twenty-four dynasties will not need us to conquer them—they will surrender willingly!" Yi Yan said, unable to contain his excitement.

"You believe it\'s feasible?" Zhongshan asked with a smile.

"Absolutely. This strategy is far more ruthless than the Heaven Collapse Plan. The Heaven Collapse Plan merely disrupted the economy of a single dynasty. This plan will destabilize the entire Southern economy without anyone noticing. By the time they realize, they will be deeply entrenched in a quagmire, unable to extricate themselves. This is a bottomless abyss—once someone steps in, there\'s no turning back!" Yi Yan marveled.

"These are extraordinary times, requiring extraordinary measures. Once the South is unified, we will abolish the plan and punish imitators as traitors. The harm this strategy can cause is immense," Zhongshan nodded deeply.

"Should we implement this plan in our Great Zhou Dynasty as well?" Yi Yan asked with a slight frown.

"This strategy can disrupt markets, so it\'s harmful to us too. However, to conquer the twenty-four dynasties, we will implement it selectively, ensuring it doesn\'t expand uncontrollably," Zhongshan stated solemnly.

"Yes!" Yi Yan nodded.

"The Grand Whale Swallowing Plan is entrusted to you. The arrangements for the Da Rong Chamber of Commerce are also in your hands. Remain vigilant at all times," Zhongshan instructed.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will handle this commercial warfare meticulously. The groundwork will take considerable time. Once I have laid the foundation, we can harvest the fruits of our efforts together!" Yi Yan promised earnestly.

"Good."—

The day after Zhongshan and Yi Yan\'s secret discussion, a guest arrived at the Lingxiao Heavenly Court.

It was Princess Qingqing of the Great Li Celestial Dynasty, Nie Qingqing! She arrived riding a phoenix, an Emperor-level phoenix, traveling at the highest speed from the Great Li Celestial Dynasty.

After the morning assembly, Zhongshan went to a grand hall where Nie Qingqing stood alone, waiting anxiously, her brows furrowed with worry.

"Princess Qingqing, what brings you here?" Zhongshan asked as soon as he entered the hall.

Nie Qingqing was lost in thought when Zhongshan\'s voice interrupted her. She looked up, and upon seeing Zhongshan, her face lit up with a joy she couldn\'t quite understand. Just seeing him brought an inexplicable happiness to her heart.

Noticing Zhongshan\'s direct gaze, Nie Qingqing realized her improper behavior. She blushed and quickly changed the topic, "Where is Ling\'er?"

"Ling\'er is currently in seclusion," Zhongshan replied.

"Oh."

"Since you\'ve come all this way, Princess Qingqing, why not stay in the Lingxiao Heavenly Court for a while? When Ling\'er finishes her seclusion, she can accompany you on a tour around," Zhongshan suggested with a smile.

Nie Qingqing frowned at the invitation. "No, I\'m here on urgent business," she said, her expression serious.

"Oh?"

"The Emperor sent me," she continued, her brows furrowing deeper.

"Nie Fancheng?" Zhongshan\'s brows knitted together.

"Yes, the Emperor asked me to invite you to the Lihuo Holy City," Nie Qingqing explained.

"Invite me? What is this about?" Zhongshan grew serious.

"The Emperor mentioned he has a bad premonition lately and requested your presence," Nie Qingqing said, her eyes full of hope.

"A bad premonition?" Zhongshan\'s eyes narrowed. For Nie Fancheng to be so concerned, something significant must be happening. What could be going on in the Great Li Celestial Dynasty?

"Did Nie Fancheng say anything else?" Zhongshan inquired.

"No, the Emperor didn\'t tell me anything more, just asked me to invite you," Nie Qingqing shook her head.

"Has there been any unusual activity in the Great Li Celestial Dynasty? Anything out of the ordinary?" Zhongshan asked, his tone grave.

"Nothing unusual, just the ongoing wars with the surrounding dynasties, especially in the north where battles are rampant," Nie Qingqing responded, shaking her head.

Zhongshan lowered his head, deep in thought, pacing back and forth in the grand hall. A bad premonition from Nie Fancheng? Why invite me?

As Zhongshan pondered, Nie Qingqing watched anxiously.

After an hour, Nie Qingqing couldn\'t hold back any longer.

"Will you go?" she asked, her face full of expectation.

Looking up, Zhongshan saw her delicate and hopeful expression, and his heart softened. He understood why Nie Fancheng had sent Nie Qingqing. She had shown him kindness before; without her, Ling\'er would have died outside the Kaiyang Sect, and Zhongshan wouldn\'t have been able to bring Ling\'er back so easily. If someone else had come to invite him, he would have deliberated more, but with Nie Qingqing, how could he refuse?

"Alright, let me make the necessary arrangements tomorrow, and I will go with you to the Great Li Celestial Dynasty," Zhongshan said, taking a deep breath.

"Thank you," Nie Qingqing responded, her face breaking into a radiant smile.