Chapter 1477: Chapter 1394: Secretly Supporting Dorne

The current state of the Poplar Empire is quite satisfactory. Externally, they enjoy a calm political environment through their marriage alliance with the Great Tang Empire, and also benefit from the political leverage of the former Three Emperors Alliance, presenting themselves as the world’s second-largest power.

Yet, this “world’s second” isn’t exactly auspicious. Previously, the Great Qin Empire, another member of the Three Emperors Alliance, also held the position of the second largest power with a marriage alliance with the Great Tang Empire. Now, their situation isn’t going well.

Once Yangmu XI, now crowned and renamed as Yangmu Yi, the Elf Emperor is discussing with his ministers how to support the Dorne Empire.

An Elf Minister, holding a report, nodded in agreement and said, “Indeed, with Dorne declaring war on the Tang Empire, our nations have remained relatively stable. From some perspectives, this strategy does work.”

This report was sent by the Dorne Empire, summarizing in detail the pressure Dorne had attracted for other empires, vividly reflected in data.

“Exactly. If Dorne declares war on the Tang Empire, then the primary landing zone for the Great Tang Empire must be within Dorne… We can also concentrate our forces in Dorne, which is far cheaper than strengthening the entire Endless Sea coastline,” another minister nodded excitedly.

This is indeed a favorable situation for the countries of the Eastern Continent: one country bears the brunt of the assault, while they provide support from the rear, allowing them to confine the Tang Empire’s counterattack to a predictable range.

Instead of fighting separately and exposing the entire West Coast of the Eastern Continent to the Great Tang Empire’s threat, it’s better to let one area become a high-risk region, ensuring the safety of other areas.

At this point, another minister voiced his concern: “But, Dorne cannot hold on for too long; the war will eventually end.”

However, a minister quickly countered his view: “Why end it? All we need is to keep Dorne and the Great Tang Empire in a state of war, which would sustain the status quo – what a profitable deal!”

“We can continue trading with the Great Tang Empire while secretly supporting Dorne. This is much better than having the entire Eastern Continent fall out with the Great Tang Empire,” the Prime Minister of the Poplar Empire summarized. What he did not realize was that he had already dismissed the Qin Country from his mind, as if the Qin Empire had been screened out in his subconscious.

There’s no way around it; from any perspective, it was only a matter of time before the Great Tang Empire annexed the Qin Country. Not only had Qin Country become geographically isolated, but its remaining forces were insufficient to maintain its territory.

Yangmu Yi nodded in agreement with the Prime Minister’s view: “Good idea. On the surface, we maintain good relations with the Great Tang Empire, while secretly we can let Dorne continue to hold on… As long as they persist, other empires will remain safe.”

“This month, we exported 2,000 tons of copper and 100,000 tons of steel to Dorne. I think the total quantity can still be increased,” the Finance Minister excitedly reported. Increased exports and a more abundant treasury were his achievements.

“The people from Dorne have contacted us, saying that what they need is food… I think we can also support them in this area,” the Agriculture Minister chimed in.

Yangmu Yi gestured inscrutably: “Don’t rush, take it slowly. We can’t satiate Dorne at once; keeping them in a state of hunger is more beneficial to us. We must export some grain, but the total quantity must be confirmed with other empires to prevent Dorne from taking advantage.”

“Understood. In addition, the blueprints and related manufacturing technology we purchased from the Great Tang Empire have arrived…” The Prime Minister noted the Emperor’s orders and continued.

Yangmu Yi continued to nod slightly, satisfied: “Hmm, I understand. Also, pass on the final bits of technology for the 262 fighter jet to Dorne’s spies… Let them produce some advanced fighter jets as soon as possible to withstand the pressure from the Great Tang Empire.”

Arming Dorne as much as possible to enable them to resist the Great Tang Empire was something the Poplar Empire was secretly planning. This had already become a national policy, a strategy that many countries on the Eastern Continent were considering.

“Also, import some precision machine tools from the Great Tang Empire. In any case… maintain the total number of imported materials to ensure that the Great Tang Empire doesn’t detect any loopholes,” Yangmu Yi advised his subordinates.

He feared a fallout with the Great Tang Empire and thus hoped to maintain friendly relations with them. However, for self-preservation, supporting Dorne remained necessary.

Therefore, when it came to practical actions, he considered the sentiments of the Great Tang Empire: “Their senses are quite sharp, and they can easily sniff out anything… But as long as we don’t let them catch us on anything substantial, they won’t really turn against us.”

Another strategy was to drag more countries into this, so the Great Tang Empire couldn’t attack everyone: “Try to hint to Suthers, the Laines Empire, and the Empire of Nanla… let them also find ways to support Dorne…”

Finally, for secrecy, Yangmu Yi gave further instructions: “Don’t let Duke Leibert know about this! Understand?”

“Understood, Your Majesty.” Everyone comprehended the instructions and nodded slightly in agreement.

Duke Leibert, due to John’s relationship, was increasingly unwelcome within the Poplar Empire. He was no longer allowed to participate in some confidential decision-making.

And Duke Leibert enjoyed his leisure: his previous investments seemed to bring more profit, and John was doing remarkably well in the Great Tang Empire. It’s said his wealth was immeasurable.

As a true mogul in the entertainment industry, though John couldn’t touch real power in the Great Tang Empire, his income made many envious.

Moreover, as a former associate of Brunas and one of the founders of the Tang Group’s rise, John’s position remained very secure. Coupled with John’s cleverness; he never caused trouble or inconvenience for Tang Mo, for which Tang Mo perhaps granted him the due prosperity and wealth.

The better John did in the Great Tang Empire, the more isolated Duke Leibert became in the Poplar Empire. The only reason he hadn’t been completely ostracized from the upper echelons of the Poplar Empire was that he still managed to obtain abundant resources from the Great Tang Empire.

In negotiations between the Poplar Empire and the Great Tang Empire, whenever Duke Leibert was involved, there were always some gains. But for things like secretly supporting Dorne, such matters had to be kept confidential from “Tang Traitors” like Leibert.

As for whether this secrecy could actually be kept from Leibert, Yangmu Yi was well aware — it was impossible. But as long as Leibert pretended not to know and maintained the current state, that was sufficient.