Chapter 1237: Old Friends and New Allies

"It shouldn't be difficult for the Situ family to strike while the iron is hot and secure a few more victories, should it? You just need to maintain your current advantage," he said quickly. "Look, these fence-sitters only joined a few days later, but the team is much easier to manage, which actually resolves your worries."

"Yes, you're right," Situ He said, clapping his hands, his mood brightening considerably. "My father and I were originally quite despondent, feeling that every step was arduous, with powerful enemies like mountains, and unable to make any headway. But after hearing your few words today, it now feels like the advantage is ours, and victory is assured as long as we get through this."

Everyone became much more optimistic.

He gave He Lingchuan a thumbs-up. "Brother He," he said, "you're the one who should be a diplomat!"

He Lingchuan smiled. "I'm merely stating facts and reasoning," he said. "Is there any error?"

"No!" Situ He said, making a move that pushed He Lingchuan's piece off the board. "Off!"

The Soul-Capturing Mirror in his arms also asked, "Oh, right, I also wanted to ask, why do you always say 'the advantage is mine'?"

He Lingchuan smiled but remained silent.

Pessimists see only problems, while optimists see only hope.

With so many things that had to be done and so many enemies that had to be dealt with, there was no room for retreat, regardless of his mindset.

His own future would certainly be more difficult, a hundred times harder than what the Situ family currently faced, but he had only one path: to advance courageously.

Even if his side was at a complete disadvantage, he had to find the sole advantage within it and then tell himself, "The advantage is mine."

This was self-suggestion and self-encouragement.

Because he could not lose!

Situ He then said to him, "Two other allied forces are coming to help. We'll need to cover fifty percent of their food, weapon, and arrow consumption."

He Lingchuan nodded. "That's understandable," he said. "It seems the Situ family has a good relationship with them."

They respected the Situ family as the leader of the allied forces and were helping in the war; shouldn't the leader show some goodwill?

These two allies weren't making exorbitant demands.

Fighting and risking their lives, while also risking offending the Yao Kingdom and Bixia, demanding two or three times the money and provisions as an opportunity wouldn't be excessive, would it?

Just fifty percent was quite generous of them.

At this point, He Lingchuan knew the main topic was coming.

Sure enough, Situ He hesitated for a moment, as if he was embarrassed to speak.

He Lingchuan lowered his head, not looking at him, but said, "Brother Situ, please speak freely. I will certainly help within my capabilities."

Situ He then lightly coughed. "Even with two consecutive years of good harvests last year and the year before," he said, "supporting the allied forces to defeat Bixia might still leave some shortfalls. And there are still many unforeseen variables ahead that are difficult to predict now."

The war machine runs on money and provisions; once it starts, the consumption is immense.

"My father has heard me talk about the Yangshan Archipelago, and he also knows that Brother He has managed it very well," Situ He continued. "Therefore... my family would like to ask Brother He if we could exchange some of our territory's assets for money and provisions from you?"

In simple terms, the Situ family had heard that He Lingchuan had money and provisions and wanted to ask him for help.

Could the so-called power of the Yangshan Archipelago truly support the expenses of a war? Did the Yangshan Archipelago genuinely possess such strength, or was He Lingchuan merely boasting?

After all, boasting was an essential skill for getting by in Lingxu City.

The Situ family couldn't be certain, but they had to try.

To cope with a major war, they had to enlist and utilize every available resource.

After all, He Xiao had already saved Situ He once. Helping once was helping, and helping twice was also helping; it was best to stick with one person for a matter rather than involving a second party.

He Lingchuan had been waiting for them to speak.

"Brother Situ, rest assured," he said, immediately putting Situ He's mind at ease, "I am not like those unreliable small states that only offer help when things are good. I both lament and admire the fate of Gaopu Kingdom and the Situ family's struggle, and I wish to do my humble best."

Situ He immediately stood up and bowed deeply to him. "Brother He, your righteousness is profound," he declared. "You've saved my family from dire straits. How can Situ ever repay you!"

He Lingchuan again took his arm. "Just consider me a shrewd merchant," he said. "This is the time to test my investment foresight."

How would it be tested? By looking at the attitude and capability of the investment target.

Situ He had been rescued only a day ago; he should have been resting in bed, but he was still dragging his injured body to seek him out.

To carve out their own future, the Situ family was also giving their all.

There was no problem with their attitude; next, it would depend on their capabilities.

Both men smiled.

Only after Situ He relaxed did he have the mind to chat idly. "Oh, by the way, Brother He," he asked, "do you still remember Yu Hai?"

He Lingchuan had a good memory, and the mirror in his arms had an even better one. Upon hearing the name, it prompted, "That, that minor official! You went to the East Gate Tavern for drinks together and then went cockfighting!"

"Of course I remember. Brother Yu also seems to be from the Blinggold Plains, four or five years older than both of us, and served as an official under the Grand Minister of Agriculture in Lingxu City. He was a straightforward person who often helped his fellow countrymen. At that time, he also seemed to have organized some kind of... association?" Individuals from the Blinggold Plains had no foundational connections in Lingxu City. Yu Hai's ability to serve as an official there, even in a minor position, already made him an outstanding figure among his compatriots.

How many talented scholars and heroes wished to secure an official position in Lingxu City but couldn't?

After Yu Hai settled in Lingxu City, he never forgot his origins and often helped out his fellow countrymen. When students from the Blinggold Plains first arrived in Lingxu City, whether they lacked travel funds or encountered an emergency, seeking Yu Hai's help was the right thing to do.

"Brother Yu personally established the Homeland Association in Lingxu City, and all its members are from the Blinggold Plains. I am also one of them," Situ He explained with a sigh. "Brother He, you were famous in Lingxu City for a time, so you wouldn't understand us, who come from remote, smaller clans."

He Lingchuan smiled, knowing that they were considered the "lower tier" among Lingxu's students at the time and naturally tended to stick together for warmth. As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together; even students in Lingxu operated within their own circles and rarely broke boundaries.

Origin, background, and employment often determined one's social circle and status. Breaking through to a higher level was difficult.

"Two years ago, during the chaos in Lingxu City, Brother Yu Hai was also forced to leave Beijia and traveled to other places, only returning to Pei Kingdom seven months ago. His mother's clan is royal. This time, when I was lobbying various countries to unite against the enemy, Brother Yu ignored his own troubles and volunteered to accompany me to meet the monarch of Pei Kingdom, greatly assisting in the process."

"He's still so loyal," He Lingchuan said, nodding. "But even he has returned. Beijia's anger must be considerable."

"It's a good thing he could return," Situ He replied. "Two years ago, many people were executed in Lingxu City."

He Lingchuan's eyes flickered slightly. "Tell me," he said, "what trouble has Yu Hai gotten into?"

"It's not him, but his family. I've only heard rumors," Situ He said, then recounted everything he knew and sighed. "Yu Hai's family experienced a misfortune, and he has been implicated to this day, remaining idle at home, unable to serve as an official in court."

The one thing he and Yu Hai didn't lack was trouble, but his own family had now finally seen a glimmer of hope.

Just a little.