lcionline Chapter 482: Matsui Iwane Takes Advantage of the Situation
Chapter 482: Matsui Iwane Takes Advantage of the Situation
As the two important cities of the Wanxi region, Haoyue City and Shuguang City, fell into the hands of the Chinese army, Wanxi City seemed to have become an isolated island suspended in the west of Liuwan, precarious and vulnerable to a fatal blow from the Chinese army at any time. However, Chen Tong, the commander of the Chinese army, was not in a hurry to launch a new military operation, as he knew the importance of taking steady steps.
In the garrisons of Haoyue City and Shuguang City, Chen Tong set up a series of defensive fortifications while waiting for the arrival of a new batch of supplies and support troops.
At the same time, Chen Tong also kept an eye on the latest developments of the Southern Government and Fusang. He knew that the movements of these two forces would directly affect the future war situation.
In Wanbei City, Huang Guangtai secretly contacted the Fuso Bay Island Corps and requested that they send troops for support.
Soon after, the commander-in-chief of the Fuso Bay Island Corps, Matsui Iwane, went to Bay North City and held a crucial meeting with Huang Guangtai. Matsui Iwane wore a green military uniform, was short and fat, and had a lot of fat on his face, which made him look extremely tough.
He lit a cigar, sat opposite Huang Guangtai with his legs crossed and a relaxed posture, with a look of dissatisfaction and arrogance on his face.
"President Huang, I've said long ago that you should give our Fuso army the right to station troops in the west and north of the bay." Matsui Iwane began to rebuke, "In this way, we can form a closer alliance, advance and retreat together, and resist the Chinese troops. You just didn't listen, and now that you're in trouble, you only remember to ask for our help."
Although Huang Guangtai was dissatisfied with Matsui Iwane's rebuke, he did not dare to lose his temper.
In fact, as early as two years ago, when Huang Guangtai first set foot on Liuwan Island, the situation here was extremely complicated. Although Fuso controlled the eastern and southern parts of Liuwan with its powerful military force, the situation in the western and northern parts of the bay was quite different.
The local residents in these two regions were tough and unwilling to submit to Fuso's rule. They spontaneously formed the so-called "Anti-Fuso League" and took advantage of the complex local terrain to engage in a fierce confrontation with the Fuso army. Although the Fuso army launched many attacks, it was always difficult to completely eradicate these hidden dangers, let alone establish a stable rule in these two regions.
It was in this context that the southern government saw an opportunity. They sent out troops, and after a series of hard battles, the southern army gradually gained the upper hand and conquered the two regions bit by bit.
During the battle, the Southern Army did not use simple force to suppress the rebellion, but instead conducted in-depth communication with the local people, trying to understand their demands and difficulties. At the same time, they also actively reached cooperation with local gentry to jointly maintain regional stability and development.
After some efforts, the Southern Government finally gained a foothold in these two regions. However, just when they thought they could breathe a sigh of relief, Fuso asked for the right to station troops. They hoped to station troops in these two regions to reap the fruits of the Southern Government's victory.
Huang Guangtai was of course firmly opposed to such a request. He knew very well that these two areas were the territory that he and the Southern Army had fought hard for, so how could he easily give them to Fuso? Such a request was not only a denial of their efforts, but also a trampling on their dignity.
Therefore, Huang Guangtai ruthlessly rejected Fuso's request. This also led to a sharp deterioration in the relationship between the two sides and the escalation of conflicts. If it were not for the fact that the Southern Government still had some value, the two sides might have already gone to war.
Now, facing the approach of the Chinese army and the arrogant attitude of Fusang, Huang Guangtai was filled with helplessness and anger. He knew that he had to make a decision as soon as possible, otherwise the entire Southern Government might face a catastrophe.
"Commander Matsui is absolutely right. My previous thinking was indeed a bit narrow-minded, which led to the current predicament." Huang Guangtai tried his best to remain calm, suppressing the grievance and anger in his heart, and spoke to Matsui Iwane in a more humble manner.
He knew very well that the compromise at this moment was for the sake of longer-term interests and to protect the entire southern country.
Matsui Iwane glanced at Huang Guangtai with obvious disdain in his eyes. To him, the army of the Southern Government was simply a mob. In just half a month, they lost two important cities in the Bay West region. In his eyes, this performance was just like that of a fool.
However, despite his dissatisfaction, Matsui Iwane still put forward his own conditions: "Of course we can send troops, but the mobilization of our army is no small matter and requires a large amount of funds. As long as you, President Huang, agree to my two conditions, our Wandao Corps will be dispatched immediately to help your Southern Government overcome the difficulties."
Huang Guangtai's heart tightened, knowing that Matsui Iwane was trying to take advantage of the situation. But he had no choice but to bite the bullet and ask, "Commander Matsui, please tell me what you want."
Matsui Iwane smiled slightly and said slowly: "First, the Southern Government must pay 500 million dollars as military expenses for our troops. Second, after we drive away the Chinese army, I want Haoyue City in the west of the bay and Ali City in the north of the bay."
Huang Guangtai felt a pang of pain in his heart after hearing this. He knew that both conditions were extremely harsh. The military expenditure of 500 million oceans almost emptied half of the South Country's wealth. Haoyue City and Ali City were both extremely important cities for the South Country government. In order to build them, the South Country government had put in a lot of effort in the past two years.
As if seeing through Huang Guangtai's inner hesitation and struggle, Matsui Iwane spoke again, with a tone of unquestionable majesty: "President Huang, you must understand that the current Southern Government is already in danger, like a castle in the air, and may collapse at any time. You don't have time to hesitate. If Wanxi City is lost, your Southern Government will completely lose control of the Wanxi region. Moreover, you need to know that the entire Liuwan Island was originally our Fuso territory. Now we just ask you to give up two main cities and pay a little military expenditure. Why are you so entangled, as if you are cutting your flesh and being reluctant to give it up?"
Huang Guangtai felt as if a needle was stabbed in the heart when he heard what Matsui Iwane said. He knew that Matsui Iwane was asking for too much and was blatantly taking advantage of the situation. However, at this moment, he had no choice. He knew very well that if he did not agree to Matsui Iwane's conditions, the Southern Government would probably completely lose the Wanxi area, and even the entire Liuwan Island would no longer belong to them.
Huang Guangtai couldn't help but feel bitter when he recalled the scene when Fuso came to Liuwan to help the remnants of the Southern Government. At that time, Fuso's purpose was very clear, they wanted to make the Southern Government their vassal and puppet. However, the Southern Government was unanimously opposed to this humiliating situation. Although Huang Guangtai fled to Liuwan with the remnants of the Southern Government, he also tried his best to retain the last bit of dignity of the Southern Government.
However, at this moment, Huang Guangtai had to put aside his dignity and negotiate with Matsui Iwane. He knew that this was for the survival of the Southern Government and to gain breathing space, but he also knew that once he agreed, it would mean that they would lose the two important cities of Haoyue City and Ali City forever, and they would also have to pay a huge military expenditure, which was too costly.
Huang Guangtai took a deep breath and tried to keep himself calm. He knew that he couldn't panic at this time and had to keep a clear mind to make the right decision. He raised his head and looked at the cold and cruel face of Matsui Iwane. He swore silently in his heart that one day, he would make the South stand up again and make the Fuso people pay the price for their taking advantage of the fire. Sooner or later, he would fight back inland and restore the glory of the South government.
Huang Guangtai clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turned white from the force, and his eyes were full of helplessness and unwillingness.
After weighing the pros and cons, he took a deep breath and finally made a decision. He raised his head, looked directly at Matsui Iwane, and said in a firm tone: "Okay, Commander Matsui, I agree to your request. But you must send troops as soon as possible to solve our current predicament. I can pay you half of the military expenses first, and when you drive the northern bandit army out of Liuwan, I will fulfill my promise."
When Matsui Iwane heard Huang Guangtai's answer, a smug smile appeared on his face. He stood up, slowly walked to Huang Guangtai, leaned down very arrogantly, and patted Huang Guangtai on the shoulder.
"President Huang, congratulations on your wise decision." Matsui Iwane's voice was calm. "Although you paid a certain price, you also saved the last piece of soil for the survival of the Southern Government."