Chapter 1506: Chapter 1423: I’m Not Leaving

“Many members of the Qin nobility have already contacted us in secret, requesting us to show leniency and ensure their safety.” The staff officer handed a report to Strauss, who was writing a post-war summary. As a young general of the Empire, Strauss had a lot of work to do at the moment.

Although the Tang Army did not encounter large-scale resistance in the Qin Territory, sporadic ambushes still caused significant casualties.

Especially since the Great Tang Empire maintained restraint, trying to keep friendly relations with the local populace, the anger caused by these losses often found no outlet, which was indeed very depressing.

In just a few days, the Great Tang Empire had lost 52 men, a number that seemed small but was enough to infuriate a general like Strauss.

The topic brought up by the staff officer piqued Strauss’ interest. He looked up, took the report, and carefully read its contents.

The defeat of Qin Country had already driven the major nobility and landlords to despair. They were inherently targets of the Tang Country’s policy of liquidation, so they had to seriously consider their future.

On one hand, they sent envoys to secretly contact the Great Tang Empire, hoping the Empire would give them an opportunity to continue living wealthy lives in the Qin Territory. On the other hand, they were desperately raising funds and troops for Qin Country, preparing for a prolonged struggle.

In short, they were hedging their bets, trying to maintain their status and preserve their wealth after the war.

The staff officer briefly introduced the report and highlighted the conditions proposed by the other side: “They promise that if we allow them to maintain their privileges and ensure their safety and property, they will cooperate with us… and even provide certain conveniences when necessary.”

The Qin nobility promised that as long as the Great Tang Empire spared them and preserved their property and land, they would willingly open the city gates to let the Empire’s troops in. In many places, resistance would immediately cease, and within a few months, Qin Country would collapse from within.

Strauss touched his nose and remarked with a sigh, “They really are willing to sell out their own country for personal gain.”

He despised these damned old nobles and even harbored grievances against them, so his tone was full of disdain and sarcasm when he spoke.

The staff officer, knowing full well that the Great Tang Empire would not easily agree to such terms, laughed gloatingly and asked, “Do we need to accept their conditions? I’ve heard that if we agree, they are even willing to open the gates and surrender, allowing us to conquer most of Qin Country without much effort.”

Strauss tossed the document onto the table as if discarding a pile of waste paper: “Of course, we cannot agree. If we accept their offer, we will spend ten or even twenty years paying the price for today’s compromise. It is a foolish act that only a fool would choose.”

“You’re right. We shouldn’t just focus on immediate benefits. If we were willing to compromise, the Western Continent might already be completely unified by now.” The staff officer nodded in agreement, though he still felt the document could be utilized in some way.

“Precisely because we are unwilling to compromise, it has dragged on to today. Now, we have the leverage not to compromise, so we should not heed those foolish conditions.” Strauss was well aware of Tang Mo’s thoughts: there was no chance of compromising with the old nobility and landlord class at the Emperor’s court.

The founding principle of the Great Tang Empire, or rather its source of strength, lay in this. If Tang Mo were willing to compromise, he would already be the Master of the World.

The staff officer, unwilling to give up, offered his suggestion: “But I personally think that the surrender faction in Qin Country should be used to our advantage. At the very least, we should give them a way out within tolerable limits.”

Strauss nodded, also feeling that the rebellious mindset of these people could be utilized to reduce the difficulty of attacking Qin Country.

So he said, “Hmm, you have a point. Let’s do this: tell them we can give them two options. The first option is to stay and face the judgment of the local populace. If the locals give them a chance to survive, we can also show leniency.”

The staff officer also nodded, sarcastically praising, “You really are merciful. And what’s the second option?”

“The second option is simple: let them immediately give away half of their property, and then they can safely and without threat take the other half and leave… go to the Eastern Continent, to a place that is not part of the Great Tang Empire. That way, they can remain as nobles, just with a little less money.” Strauss offered the second option.

He felt he was much kinder than a bandit; at least he left them with half of their property, which was indeed the most benevolent condition in the world.

The staff officer also felt that the condition was very generous and continued nodding in agreement: “Half the road money isn’t expensive; at least their lives are preserved. I think it’s quite reasonable.”

“Hmm, I think so too.” Strauss picked up the document and handed it back to the staff officer, “Go ahead and deal with it. Make it clear to them that if they don’t want to surrender, then when we attack, there will be no terms to discuss!”

…

“This is an outrage! Is this giving us a way out? Huh? This is preparing to hang us!” A Qin noble slammed the Tang Country’s conditions on the table, shouting in rage.

On the other side, an old noble sat silently, seemingly asleep, waiting for the younger nobles to finish venting before slowly opening his eyes.

“The situation is beyond our control; they have already triumphed and naturally will not compromise. Our good days are over,” the old noble spoke slowly, but the people in the room did not interrupt him; instead, they listened to him finish his words.

“So, what do you suggest we do?” Several nobles, knowing the old noble revered for his wisdom, naturally complied.

“For those unwilling to leave, clean up your act and honestly live as wealthy men here in the future. For those who want to leave… leave your wealth behind and go to the Eastern Continent to continue enjoying life. In short, follow the Tang People’s conditions!” The old noble, after pondering for a while, offered a compromise.

After speaking, he stood up, unwilling to linger: “I don’t care what you choose; anyway, I plan to die here… even if it’s the Great Tang’s Guangmian, I’m not leaving.”

As he spoke, he walked to the door, leaving without looking back.