Munitions Empire

The Great Tang Group used the strategy of exhaustion to repair bridges and roads in Zheng Country, laying the foundation for their invasion, which in itself is quite cruel.

Therefore, everyone in the Great Tang Group was reluctant to bring up this topic, and when doing these activities, Dandelion conducted operations as discreetly and covertly as possible.

In any case, the Great Tang Group had to appear as a savior in the future, so it was imperative that their reputation remained spotlessly clean.

However, a conspiracy that would tarnish Zheng Country's reputation and greatly promote infrastructure was already unfolding in Zheng Country. All that was left for Tang Mo to do was wait.

During the waiting period, many interesting things happened, such as right before Tang Mo was preparing to return to Dragon's Den, an unexpected visitor arrived at Brunas.

An envoy from Zheng Country, four months after the battle at Dongwan Island broke out, finally arrived at Brunas and sought a meeting with Tang Mo.

Tang Mo also wanted to know what this special envoy from afar wanted to discuss, so he postponed his trip back to Dragon Island and stayed another day in Brunas.

This Minister from Zheng Country indeed had a commendable appearance, tall and handsome with a graceful and extraordinary demeanor, exuding the relaxed air of someone accustomed to high positions, quite pleasing to the eye.

"My lord! We have learned that your Great Tang Group has taken over Dongwan Island from Sheng Country," the Zheng Country Envoy said, going straight to the point after greeting.

The envoy's good looks made the atmosphere more congenial, and even though Tang Mo wasn't particularly swayed by appearances, there's a distinct difference in mood when looking at handsome men compared to monsters, which is true for everyone.

Tang Mo was in a good mood, so he nodded without denying, "Indeed, that did happen."

The matter couldn't be concealed, and Tang Mo had no intention of hiding it, especially since now nearly all of the nations around the Endless Sea were frantically transporting supplies to Dongwan Island.

The Great Tang Group had always been the one exporting supplies, so there was always a big trade surplus, and other nations often found it difficult to cope.

Now, finally, due to insufficient transport capacity of the Great Tang Group, they had to purchase large quantities of materials from other nations for Dongwan Island, providing a perfect opportunity for these nations to recover, of course no one wanted to miss out.

Thus, parts roughly processed by Dwarfs, various rare metals from Osa Port, grain from Southwater Port, machinery from Brunas and Dragon Island, cement from Hotwind Port, and rubber products from Winterless City were all converging towards Dongwan Island in a frenzy.

In addition, the Great Tang Group also bought vegetables from Sheng Country for Dongwan Island and secretly purchased a large amount of grain and vegetables from Zheng Country to smuggle to Dongwan...

By doing this, it rapidly improved the quality of life on Dongwan Island and definitely revealed the fact that Dongwan Island had changed hands.

"Then, on behalf of Zheng Country, this envoy formally requests you to return Dongwan Island, which originally belonged to Zheng Country, back to us..." The Zheng Country Envoy bowed politely, his demeanor courteous.

"Hmm?" Tang Mo was caught off guard and took a moment to grasp what the envoy was getting at.

He had seen direct theft, deception, emotional manipulation... but he had never encountered this kind of approach before.

It seemed the envoy mistook Tang Mo's surprise for not hearing his request clearly, so with proper decorum as if it were a matter of course, he repeated the request, "Please, out of kindness, return Dongwan Island, which originally belonged to Zheng Country, back to us... The civilians of Dongwan Island, along with everyone in Zheng Country, will remember your generosity and magnanimity..."

"Hold on! Wait! What do you mean? Are you saying after I sent military forces over great distances, fought bloody battles, and took Dongwan Island from the clutches of Sheng Country's people... I should just give it to Zheng Country for nothing?" Tang Mo raised his hand to interrupt, frowning as he questioned.

It seemed he understood the envoy's implications: they were too afraid to reclaim their money from the villain who robbed them, but now they heard the mafia had killed the villain and taken the money, so they came to claim it...

What kind of logic is that?

Tang Mo felt like he was the one being foolish.

You think a thug is too tough to handle, so you come to the mafia acting dumb to ask for your money back? Have you not seen how the mafia kills?

Sheng Country is trouble you can't handle, but you think the Great Tang Group is an easy target? Do you not know that right now there are still about 200,000 (with some Goblin slaves yet to be settled) slaves who are in debt?

The Zheng Country Envoy, without blushing, continued, "Sir, it's not about giving it away for nothing, but rather returning it! Dongwan Island has always been the territory of Zheng Country, and everyone in Zheng Country..."

Once again, Tang Mo interrupted, seeking confirmation, "Hold on, didn't you cede Dongwan Island to Sheng Country?"

The other party was so self-righteous that he began to worry whether there was still some unsettled murky account between Shen Country and Zheng Country.

Indeed, when he brought this up, the other party still appeared as if it were to be expected and candidly introduced, "Yes, but now, Dongwan Island has been occupied by you, and our treaty with Shen Country naturally becomes invalid."

"I seized the island from Shen Country through war, and you expect to claim it just with a few words? Interesting! Very interesting!" Tang Mo raised his eyebrows, convinced that if the other party wasn't intellectually challenged, then they must be quite ruthless.

"Sir, you can't say that! Our Zheng Country is a land of etiquette. We've never had a conflict with your Great Tang Group, so there is absolutely no reason for you to seize Dongwan Island from us." The other party contended with reason, as if it made perfect sense.

Tang Mo also found such simpletons intriguing. If possible, he really wanted to recruit such an iron-willed diplomat for himself.

Thus, he said with a smile, "I admire your courage! Standing here to fight for your country's interests, you can indeed be called a qualified diplomat!"

Seeing Tang Mo smile, the Zheng Country Envoy thought there was hope for reclaiming Dongwan Island and immediately continued, "Thank you for the compliment, my lord. So, if you just return Dongwan Island, you will be a hero of Zheng Country, a distinguished guest of our Zheng Country's ruler..."

It seemed that Zheng Country was indeed reasonable. Clearly preparing to rob, yet they offered me a friend's seat and a hero's tall hat. What expression should I use to respond now? Should I cry and express gratitude? Tang Mo thought sarcastically in his heart.

He then nodded and spoke coldly and mockingly, "I appreciate you, so I won't kill you. However, Dongwan Island is now the territory of the Great Tang Group, and that is not up for negotiation! If your Zheng Country... wants Dongwan Island... let Zheng Tong lead his troops to take it!"

"...You! How dare you openly call the name of our royal family?" The Zheng Country Envoy was stunned before realizing that Zheng Tong was the current king of Zheng Country.

"Don't be impotently furious like a villain...It affects my previous opinion of you! Go back and tell Zheng Tong that Dongwan Island is now the territory of the Great Tang Group, and that won't change! Ever." Tang Mo interrupted the other party with a wave of his hand.

The Zheng Country Envoy frowned and reminded Tang Mo, "Then, Mr. Tang! You will lose the friendship of Zheng Country!"

In his eyes, Tang Mo was merely a businessman. Losing such a huge market as Zheng Country meant missing out on a lot of money, something Tang Mo didn't seem to realize.

"Suit yourself! As long as you're happy." Tang Mo had no interest in continuing the pointless conversation and ended the talk.

...

A month hurriedly passed, and Tang Mo had already returned to Dragon Island. After stabilizing the impact of the war on the Great Tang Group within Dragon's Den, new information regarding Zheng Country reached his ears.

Yulin spoke up, reporting the latest intelligence on Zheng Country: "Zheng Country has officially purchased 30,000 Type 1 rifles and 200 130mm caliber breech-loading field cannons from Shireck... In addition, they've also bought 1,000 Gobur vehicles and imported 500 warhorses from Dahua."

"Furthermore, they have ordered 10 Ming Wheel Ships from Shireck. Even by our standards, it's a considerable procurement contract." While speaking, she handed the related documents to Tang Mo: "These pieces of information have been confirmed with Shireck; they are accurate."

"That's indeed not trivial. It seems there are still some people in Zheng Country who are actually getting things done. Otherwise, without such a fierce reaction, they would all be slackers." Tang Mo put down the report on the formation of the Armored 1st Division and looked up at Yulin.

Yulin immediately continued with the details, "Actually, it's not like that. Zheng Country's purchase of so many weapons is mainly to court Shireck to guard against Shen Country's invasion."

"Oh? How do you figure?" Tang Mo asked curiously.

Yulin provided a reasonable analysis: "We've found out that a significant part of these orders were made by Zheng Country with Shireck before approaching us. Perhaps less than one-third were added yesterday."

"Even if it's only one-third, that's still a significant amount." Tang Mo reflected for a moment and felt that Zheng Country's purchase of so many modern weapons could indeed impact Great Tang Group's plans to conquer Zheng Country.

Standing aside, Nangong Hong spoke up as a reminder, "Master, we should start thinking of countermeasures. This is a big batch of arms. In the past, it could have changed the outcome of a war. If we underestimate the enemy, we might pay a heavy price."

Tang Mo stopped him with a gesture, "No rush. It will take them some time to learn how to use these weapons. Whenever the real battle starts, whether their tactics are suitable is yet to be seen."

"I can assure you, Mr. Nangong, no matter how big the waves they cause, it won't stop our progress in conquering Zheng Country!" He pulled out a cigarette and looked at the strategist who had been completely won over by the new weapons on Dragon Island: "Do you think we could lose?"

"Impossible... Absolutely impossible! We... How could we possibly lose!" Nangong Hong waved his hands in denial.

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Still owe everyone 5 updates. Dragon Spirit has struggled to come back a little =.=!