Munitions Empire-Chapter 1128 - 1049 Three Kingdoms Secret Pact

Under the pretext of attending the princess’s wedding, the envoy of the Poplar Empire met with Nangong Hong in the office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Great Tang Empire.

Along with Nangong Hong was the envoy of the Qin State, who also secretly traveled to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Great Tang Empire under the same pretext.

After a series of communications, diplomats from the three countries gathered together today with the purpose of finalizing the secret treaty they had previously discussed.

From the moment the Poplar Empire began promoting slogans about an unbreakable Triple Emperor Alliance, discussions on the division of power and influence among the three countries had already commenced.

The Great Tang Empire planned to expand its influence in the Northern Endless Sea, while Qin Country hoped the Great Tang Empire would tacitly allow them to continue their warfare against Shu Country. The Poplar Empire sought the support of the Great Tang Empire in their war against the Ice Cold Empire.

After a series of discussions, each country got what they wanted. The Great Tang Empire hoped to get some countries’ support when invading Mirage Country to avoid another situation where the whole world’s countries would unite against Tang.

The Poplar Empire believed that the Great Tang Empire’s actions against Mirage Country would distract the Ice Cold Empire’s attention. Meanwhile, Qin Country prepared to completely occupy Shu Country when the Great Tang Empire advanced eastward.

"We can tolerate Qin Country’s actions against Shu Country for a fixed period, but it must have a deadline," Nangong Hong said as he passed the draft of the secret treaty to the representatives of the two countries. "The Great Tang Empire is willing to provide a window of opportunity for Qin’s expansion, on the condition that Qin must complete its actions against Shu Country before the Great Tang Empire concludes its operations against Mirage Country."

"Qin Country understands the concerns of the Great Tang Empire," said the envoy of Qin Country, who had taken over a copy of the secret treaty and emphasized his point of view. "Trade on the Western Continent must be built on stability, and war should not be the main theme. We should establish a new international order before peace arrives."

The envoy of Qin Country was very straightforward, as the Great Tang Empire had given Qin an excellent offer: The Great Tang Empire would not attack the Dahua Empire in the short term, and there would be a very respectable buffer zone between the two countries.

Moreover, the Great Tang Empire also guaranteed that as long as Qin Country does not invade the Dahua Empire...or the future Dahua Kingdom, then there will be no problems with trade between the two countries.

With the Great Tang Empire’s consent and support, it was just a matter of time before Qin Country took down Shu Country: The Great Tang Empire had given Qin a considerable period for adjustment and development, which was exactly what Qin could only dream of obtaining.

Therefore, Qin Country also gave the Great Tang Empire a guarantee: The war between Qin and Shu would not last too long, and the wars on the Western Continent would soon come to an end.

The end of the war also meant the resumption of trade communications in most regions, which was essential for the money-making goals of the Great Tang Empire.

On the surface, the Great Tang Empire only wished to restore peace on the Western Continent as soon as possible so that the Great Tang Group could continue to trade and make money.

But in reality, everyone in Qin Country understood that once the Great Tang Empire dealt with Mirage Country on the Endless Sea, it would be able to free its fist to strike at Qin.

In other words, whether Qin promises or not, if Shu Country is not annihilated by the time the Great Tang Empire has dealt with Mirage Country, then the Great Tang Empire will have to act against Qin...

"The Poplar Empire is fighting alone on the Eastern Continent, and we need more assistance in dealing with the threat of the Ice Cold Empire. However, we will also do our best to support the efforts of the Great Tang Empire and Qin Country to establish a new international order," said the envoy of the Elf, taking the secret treaty document from Nangong Hong’s hands and going through the terms.

The situation for the Poplar Empire, sandwiched between the Ice Cold Empire and the Suthers Empire, was relatively more stressful due to its awkward strategic position.

On one hand, the Poplar Empire genuinely hoped to eliminate a threat in one direction, allowing the nation to expand and develop towards a single focus.

On the other hand, the Poplar Empire lacked the capacity to declare war on two empires simultaneously: therefore, it desperately hoped the Great Tang Empire would help shoulder some of the burden.

This so-called "Triple Emperor Alliance" meeting was initially proposed by the Poplar Empire. Yangmu Yi personally instigated the Great Tang Empire to attack Mirage Country and threatened the Northern Region of the Ice Cold Empire, thereby reducing pressure and achieving a fragile balance.

The envoy of Qin Country also scrutinized the document very carefully, only taking up the pen to sign his name after confirming there were no issues.

The envoy of the Poplar Empire likewise signed, and then both parties applied their respective national seals, thereby making the secret treaty effective.

After handing over another copy of the treaty to Nangong Hong, the envoy of the Poplar Empire shook hands with him and promised, "If the Great Tang Empire engages in combat in the northern Endless Sea, the Poplar Empire will launch a coordinated offensive to support the action of the Great Tang Empire."

These were all courtesy phrases; in reality, the Poplar Empire’s attack on the Ice Cold Empire and the Great Tang Empire’s assault on Mirage Country were each going their separate ways without any actual coordination...

However, Nangong Hong didn’t mind. He smiled and shook hands with the other party, praising the cooperative spirit of the Poplar Empire: "Thank you for the support of the Poplar Empire. In order to ensure the safety of the northern seaways of the Endless Sea and to acquire a favorable northern port of the Endless Sea, thereby strengthening trade with your honorable country, our Kingdom will certainly take action against Mirage Country as soon as possible."

In fact, what Nangong Hong said was just pleasantries: Taking Mirage Country had nothing to do with strengthening trade with the Poplar Empire. If one really had to find a relation, shipping materials from Mirage Country to the Poplar Empire was just as close as shipping to the Ice Cold Empire...

But since the three countries had already secretly allied, Nangong Hong naturally had to offer some so-called sweeteners to the Poplar Empire. Therefore, after finishing the handshake, he continued: "In principle, we can join together with the Poplar Empire to force the Ice Cold Empire to recognize the influence of the Poplar Empire in the Northern Region of the Eastern Continent."

"Then, our Poplar Empire will also recognize the sovereignty of the Great Tang Empire over the territory of Mirage Country." The envoy from the Poplar Empire was grinning like an idiot, hastily making promises.

The envoy of Qin Country was not to be outdone. Their verbal support was not of much value anyway, so they spoke freely: "Qin Country is also willing to support the actions of the Great Tang Empire towards the direction of the Endless Sea, and we will also support the series of achievements gained from the action."

In fact, Qin Country had some issues that required the support of the Great Tang Empire and the Poplar Empire. Therefore, Qin Country was willing to make certain concessions on the issue of Shu Country.

Nangong Hong certainly knew what the other party wanted. He also offered the promise of the Great Tang Empire to Qin Country: "As agreed, if Qin Country can occupy Shu Country before the end of the war with our country and the Poplar Empire, both our country and the Poplar Empire will support His Majesty the King of Qin to take another step forward in status."

The envoy from the Poplar Empire also followed up: "The Poplar Empire extends its best wishes for His Majesty the King of Qin’s success, and we hope that the Qin Kingdom can soon become the genuine Great Qin Empire."

After all, they were offering a favor that cost them nothing, so the envoy from the Poplar Empire spoke with ease.

Indeed, King Ying Duo of Qin wished to progress a little bit further, aiming to upgrade the title of Qin Country to the more pleasant-sounding "Great Qin Empire."

To be recognized as an Empire by the world, one must gain acknowledgment from other empires, and possess sufficiently large territory and population... If Qin Country could successfully take over Shu Country, it would almost qualify to be elevated to an empire.

"Thank you for both countries’ support of Qin Country... I believe that in this war, our tri-nation alliance will achieve a complete victory." Upon hearing the promises he desired and confirming that they were recorded in the secret treaty, the envoy from Qin Country beamed with joy.

"Victory belongs to us! Long live the tri-nation alliance!" The envoy from the Poplar Empire also laughed and said.

Nangong Hong simply uttered: "For victory!"

...

On the other side of the Forbidden City, inside the Wuying Hall’s meeting room, a tall beastman General knelt on one knee, listening to a human General read a document he had been dreaming about.

The kneeling General was the Beastmen General Shan Lu, and the human General reading the document was General Strauss. Strauss said to Shan Lu: "More than fifty thousand beastmen have fallen in the civil unrest within Dahua, their heroic spirits will bless the Beastmen to be under the protection of the Great Tang Empire."

At hearing this number, a sad expression appeared on Shan Lu’s face: The majority of the soldiers he had led had fallen in battles in places like Fengjiang.

However, the fact that he could kneel here meant that these sacrifices were worth it; the Beastmen would finally see the dawn of a new beginning.

Strauss did not pause, and continued to read word by word: "In recognition of the contributions made by the Beastmen to the construction and development of the Great Tang Empire, the Great Tang Empire will award an island as a reward to the Beastmen as compensation."

Upon hearing this news, Shan Lu suddenly raised his head. He was stunned for a few seconds before he couldn’t help but let out a low roar. How many beastmen had longed for this? The Beastmen would finally not have to struggle to survive in harsh and barren lands.

They would have a piece of land like paradise, where their descendants could cultivate and live, touching the happiness they had never enjoyed before!

Strauss paused for a few seconds, allowing Shan Lu time to absorb the information, then continued to add: "Great Tang Empire retains diplomatic, military, and economic powers over this island, but the Beastmen’s right to live on the island will be guaranteed. As long as they do not violate the laws of the Great Tang Empire, the Beastmen are free to live on the island."

"Upon gaining the survival rights on the island, all debts between the Beastmen and the Tang People are considered settled, and the Beastmen automatically forfeit any other forms of compensation including psychological reparations related to labor slavery." Closing the document, Strauss looked down at Shan Lu kneeling on the ground and asked in a drawn-out tone: "Did you understand clearly?"

"Understood... understood clearly!" Shan Lu responded excitedly.