Chapter 2099: From the Beginning Avoiding Pitfalls

He Lingchuan valued the hidden effects of this agreement more than the funds.

Currently, Spirit Mountain had made substantial real-money investments in Panglong City and would receive annual dividends.

Interests determine allegiances, just as the tail wags the dog. With this bond of shared interest, He Lingchuan believed the relationship between Panglong City and Spirit Mountain would become stronger. Perhaps the historical betrayal of Panglong City by Qianhuan could be delayed or even prevented.

Otherwise, Spirit Mountain would be jeopardizing its own interests.

Given the circumstances, he intended to bind Panglong City and Spirit Mountain together through these agreements and shared interests.

He Lingchuan was unsure if the information about the Great Evolution Heavenly Pearl, which he "accidentally" leaked, would reach True Man Qianhuan, or if True Man Qianhuan would even believe it.

In the same year, Panglong City also intervened in two wars to the south, including responding to the request of the Four-Nation Alliance.

To open a second sea trade route, it had to expand its influence and could not always appear benevolent. Although Zhong Shengguang disliked resorting to force for everything, for these smaller nations, the threat of force was often more effective than gentle persuasion.

Seeing him preoccupied lately, Sun Fuling asked, "The relationship between Panglong City and Spirit Mountain seems to have been repaired. What's bothering you now?"

"Have the cultivation methods promised by Spirit Mountain arrived?"

"Yes, they've arrived in three batches. There's a large quantity and a complete range," Sun Fuling said, her eyes curving into a smile. "We haven't finalized the count, but there are at least five hundred cultivation techniques and divine abilities, some of which are very powerful. We'll arrange for specialists to copy them immediately."

"That's good. Panglong City will definitely grow rapidly in strength by catching this wave of spiritual energy resurgence!" He Lingchuan sighed deeply. "I was just thinking, it's easy to invite a god but difficult to send them away. Commander Zhong probably regrets our deep cooperation with Spirit Mountain by now, doesn't he?"

Sun Fuling gently replied, "There's no medicine for regret in this world; we can only keep moving forward."

"Panglong City's various compromises with Spirit Mountain are born of necessity; there's no other choice now that things have reached this point." As they passed the South City Gate, He Lingchuan gazed at the black dragon on the wall. "If I were a regional leader or a monarch, I would certainly learn from Panglong City's mistakes and insist on independence from the very beginning, drawing a clear line with Spirit Mountain!"

The best way to interact with Spirit Mountain was to minimize entanglement and maximize dialogue.

Fortunately, the Glimmering Gold Plains had just begun a new chapter, and he had the opportunity to avoid this pitfall and re-evaluate Cangyan Nation's future relationship with Spirit Mountain.

Even if it meant starting from scratch and a difficult beginning, he intended to set Cangyan's development on the right path!

In the bright spring sunshine, Bailie once again welcomed a bountiful harvest.

Thanks to the frequent outbreaks of Imperial Dew, the winter wheat ripened early, its heavy ears bending the stalks. Golden waves of wheat undulated along both sides of the official road.

The palm harvest was also in full swing.

To the east of Bailie lay vast palm forests. During the spring harvest, temporary workers and hired laborers converged, bustling with activity in the forests.

However, on this day, urgent hoofbeats were suddenly heard from the east, and a large contingent of riders arrived from outside the forest!

The farmers looked up, dropped their work and tools, and fled, shouting, "The Ya Kingdom bandits are here! Run, run!"

During harvest season, while Bailie harvested its crops and timber, the Ya Kingdom came to harvest Bailie itself. For years, this had seemingly become a fixed pattern. Bailie's farmers had no will to resist, having long developed the habit of avoiding direct confrontation.

In previous years, as long as these farms obediently handed over their produce, the Ya people would plunder and leave, without causing much harm to lives.

After all, their goal was wealth and grain; these farms were like their leek fields – as long as the roots weren't dug up, one crop could be cut, and another would grow.

But this time was different!

After plundering wealth and goods, the Ya Kingdom army did not immediately retreat. Instead, they gathered the inhabitants of villages and towns and herded them back to the Ya Kingdom like sheep!

They not only wanted property and goods, but they actually wanted people too!

This overreach immediately sparked extreme panic among Bailie's populace.

What fate awaited the abducted Bailie people? It was obvious even without thinking deeply – it would surely be miserable!

Bailie repeatedly negotiated with the Ya Kingdom, hoping to reclaim its abducted population, but to no avail.

The Ya Kingdom ignored them completely and continued to act as it pleased.

When the news reached Cangyan Nation, Du Shan, after a glance at the intelligence, eagerly sought an audience with He Lingchuan.

"Your Majesty, this is a great opportunity!"

Every time this fellow uttered "great opportunity," it usually meant he had a mischievous scheme brewing. He Lingchuan, who was personally revising a military management regulation submitted from below, did not stop writing. "Tell me about it," he said.

"The Ya Kingdom is plundering Bailie extensively again. This time, they're not just taking wealth and grain, but also abducting people. Bailie's various negotiations have yielded no results, so these two sides are likely to go to war again."

He Lingchuan only half-listened, "Hmm, because last time Mu Nation ignored Beggar's peace overtures, Beggar intensified its attacks. So, the western front of Mu Nation has seen fierce fighting recently. I've received intelligence that..."

"...Beggar ordered the Ya Kingdom to cooperate. But the Ya Kingdom didn't dare directly invade Mu Nation, so they might have chosen a compromise solution: to harass Bailie, which is under Mu Nation's protection."

He exhaled. "Speaking of which, our scouts stationed in Beggar and the Ya Kingdom are doing well, but those in Mu Nation are a bit lacking."

Du Shan nodded. "Yes, the informants stationed in Mu Nation haven't been very timely with their intelligence. I will select new personnel."

"Back to Bailie."

"Yes. Mu Nation recently coerced the Ya Kingdom to withdraw from the Glimmering Gold Plains, so it probably doesn't want to stir up trouble now. Bailie's appeals to Mu Nation for aid will not yield substantial assistance."

The Ya Kingdom had retreated under coercion from Mu Nation and was certainly harboring resentment. How could Mu Nation not know this? If the Ya Kingdom merely let off some steam appropriately, Mu Nation would turn a blind eye.

As for whether Bailie's abducted assets were goods or people, why would Mu Nation care?

Lingguang, who was grinding ink on the table, heard this and curiously asked, "The Ya Kingdom used to just plunder goods. Why are they starting to abduct people now?"

He Lingchuan patted its head, smiling but saying nothing.

It was Du Shan who clarified for it:

"I haven't received more specific details yet, but there are at least two reasons for the Ya Kingdom's motive to abduct people."

He held up a finger. "First, the unification of the Glimmering Gold Plains and the rise of Cangyan Nation have made the Ya Kingdom deeply apprehensive. The Ya Kingdom is not far from Mu Nation and was already threatened by it. Now, with our strong emergence, the Ya Kingdom must feel very uneasy being caught in the middle."

The newly established Cangyan Nation shares a border with the Ya Kingdom, an unmovable neighbor. They recently became enemies and harbored ill will towards each other. Given Cangyan Nation's vast territory, the Ya Kingdom is extremely vigilant.

After the establishment of Cangyan Nation, the Ya Kingdom found itself caught between Mu Nation and Cangyan Nation.

When people are stressed, they want to arm themselves; nations are the same. After feeling threatened, they plan to expand their military, prepare for war, and increase their armed might.