He paused his voice and smiled, "This Yemen Pass City might not be sustainable." "In the city’s treasury, there’s not much grain left, but there’s still quite a bit of gold and copper coins. This city is difficult to rebuild in a short time and cannot be held tight, so perhaps it would be better to give this gold and silver to our brothers." Li Guanyi was overjoyed, glancing at Li Zhaowen. He who knows me is indeed Erlang! He saw Li Zhaowen nod and smile. Duke Li pondered, "That is doable. However, in that case, how about I give you an even bigger gift..." Li Shude looked at Li Guanyi: "This Yemen Pass is not truly our Daying frontier but is one of the forty-two cities that were formerly in alliance with us. If you are willing, these forty-two cities, along with all the gold, silver, and resources within them, and the control over these forty-two cities, are yours!" "Do you dare to take on this challenge, my worthy nephew?" Li Guanyi’s eyes paused momentarily. Duke Li is not just some wine sack or food bag after all. These cities allied with Xiyi City cannot be truly controlled by him. Rather than watch them break or surrender, it would be better to simply offer a favor by handing the so-called alliance control to Li Guanyi. As for the gold and silver, if he has the skill, he can take it himself! Duke Li said, "How about it, my worthy nephew? Do you have the courage to accept this grand gift?" Thɪs chapter is updated by novel~fire~net Li Guanyi replied, "Then please have Uncle Li write a hand-written directive." Li Shude laughed heartily, "Good! Such daring!" He then waved his hand, instructing his aides to bring paper and pen, and wrote on the spot about granting the control of those forty-two cities large and small to Li Guanyi, which represents Xiyi City recognizing Li Guanyi’s control over those cities. Xiyi City would even assist Li Guanyi’s forces in gaining control over the forty-two cities. There would be benefits from various commercial associations and trading exchanges. Li Guanyi accepted this document, stamped with [Duke of Ying Country]’s seal, and faintly felt the Qi Fortune flowing over the Nine Cauldrons, humming with a golden glow illuminating the part representing the Western Regions on it. It seemed there was a connection with this [hand-written directive] in hand, yet unfortunately, this directive only had a portion of the Qi Fortune derived from the grand momentum of Ying Country, not strong or solid enough to cause any changes in Li Guanyi’s Nine Provinces Tripod. Previously marked by the Duke Mansion of Ying Country, it was a vast area. These cities were excellent, rich in resources, with oases and salt ponds. But they couldn’t take it on themselves. Now, tacitly given to Li Guanyi, Li Guanyi knew, Duke Li wanted such heavy profits to stabilize him, having him personally lead an attack, with tens of thousands of troops pressing forth, and finally charge when the enemy’s morale wavers. Li Guanyi considered another strategic plan. If the Western Regions army could be subdued. Then, with the mighty force of this victory, the forty-two cities may be seized as if rolling a carpet, reigned over within thirty to forty days, presenting only a large city is still insufficient to compete with the Wolf King and Dangxiang. But forty-two cities present a different scenario. Li Guanyi’s power and strength in the Western Regions would evolve from a local authority holding a single city, once commanding the original Aqini kingdom’s extent, to a formidable force controlling forty-two cities in the Western Regions. Although the so-called forty-two cities surely couldn’t compare in population and area with the grand cities of the Central Plains and Jiangnan, the sheer number alone would form a very considerable force. Moreover... With forty-two cities under his command, two to three million people, it should be possible to attempt forging a tripod. At least crafting a prototype. Li Guanyi suddenly thought of a very critical factor. Murmuring, "These forty-two cities, won’t they be extremely short of funds?" A single city could deplete his gold and silver reserve. Earlier, Duke Li had said that seventy percent of the rewards following Jiang Wanxiang should be given to him, which must involve a large sum of gold and silver. However, placing so much fine gold into the maintenance and management of all forty-two city-states... Li Guanyi’s face turned pale. Feeling somewhat like experiencing Yan Daiqing’s stomach pains. He realized that even in great victory, his financial deficit would likely worsen. The more his name becomes renown, the more he gains. The poorer he becomes! Nangong Wumeng, did you truly mean it when you spoke? Truly short of thirty years of fortune? Upon seeing him in such a state, Duke Li laughed heartily as the banquet concluded and he departed. The various generals and advisors felt an itch in their hearts, thinking about the famed trade of merits mentioned by merchants from the Central Plains, while Duke Li drank alone, with Xiahou Duan beside him. After some hesitation, Xiahou Duan spoke: "Lord, granting him such great benefits, isn’t it perhaps, too much?" Duke Li, drinking alone, replied: "Too much? Not at all." "Originally, we underestimated the fierce situation in the Western Regions, and it’s full of movements and surges. If at this moment we can [repel] the hundred-thousand-strong army of the Western Regions, it would be worthy of Jiang Su, the State Preceptor, and Your Majesty." "We can then comfortably sit on high and observe the game of powers across the land." "And these forty-two cities, though it’s a vast terrain, taking control would be beneficial. Yet, the Western Regions are extremely intense, and establishing a foothold requires either subjugating all parts of the Western Regions or facing constant incursions by the Western Regions’ allied forces." "Not a favorable thing." "As for that Tian Ge’er, he’s a cunning boy." "Time and again, he takes the bait but doesn’t bite the hook. So, it might as well serve us to hand these forty-two cities to him, putting him at the forefront." Xiahou Duan asked: "What if he actually rises to power?"