Douluo: A Century-old Legend I Am the Second Uncle Chenxin

Chapter 1455 Willing to Go to War with the Haotian Sect (Part 2)

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As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Shihua shook his head, placed his hands on the table, and said with the caution characteristic of intelligence work: "Xiaoxiao's analysis from a technical point of view is very insightful, but the reality is far from the blueprint on paper. The degree of intervention and the ultimate goal need to be carefully weighed."

"Due to the Sunset Great Forest as a natural 'central buffer zone,' the central region of the Empire is roughly divided into three relatively independent areas: the east (east of the forest and the coast), the south (the Starry Plain and its surroundings), and the west (the vast area centered on Tiandou City)."

"Based on our continuous infiltration and intelligence gathering in the central and western parts of the empire over the years: First, although the local population in that area is generally considered to be within the influence of the Haotian Sect, their headquarters are north of Tiandou City, and the southwestern Lankai County is the furthest point where their influence can stably reach!"

"Secondly, the power structure in that region is extremely complex."

"Several royal branches have been operating in the area for centuries and are deeply rooted; several long-established folk clans wield considerable influence in the area; the increasingly active Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School also has a significant impact; more importantly, the Heavenly Spirit Legion, which is directly responsible for deterring the Kingdom of Silves, is stationed at Heavenly Spirit Pass and its power is of paramount importance."

“If we intervene forcefully in the affairs of the Xuanhuang Tang family in this way, it will not only be tantamount to directly challenging the core of the Haotian Sect’s plan to infiltrate the region, but will also inevitably be regarded as an infringement on its major strategic interests.”

"It's hard to predict how other forces will view the situation, and how the situation will develop in the face of such a behemoth as us."

His analysis was like a bucket of cold water, instantly cooling down the atmosphere that had just become somewhat heated due to the promising prospects of the technology.

Sitting next to him, Ling Yunxiao immediately chimed in, his voice more direct and insightful: "From a military perspective, we should support it, but Brother Shihua is right!"

"In recent years, Haotian Sect has been trying desperately to extend its reach to various parts of the central and western regions, especially to take over the Xuanhuang Tang family."

"It's not just about bringing together a branch of the same clan with mature forging techniques and local influence to revitalize the clan."

"Taking them down will allow us to establish a solid strategic foothold at the Tianling Pass exit, a crucial choke point, which is tantamount to driving a wedge into the empire's 'waistline'."

"This is why they have become increasingly blatant in their suppression of the Xuanhuang Tang family, pressing them step by step."

"If it weren't for the Xuanhuang Tang family's centuries-long and deeply entrenched presence in the area, and the Tiandou City's covert checks and balances (mainly through policy delays and small-scale resource allocations), the Xuanhuang Tang family might have collapsed under the pressure from the Haotian Sect, after all, they had been suppressed for over thirty years." (This shows how difficult it is to deal with a top-tier family.)
“If we openly intervene, it will be like pulling up this stake, which means we will directly stand in opposition to the Haotian Sect’s expansion strategy, and conflict will be almost inevitable.”

Chen Hua spoke seriously, with the concern of a strategist: "Our Chen family has been deeply cultivating the Fasno Province for many years. Currently, in the central region, which is the richest in resources and has the most complex power structure in the empire, our layout is extremely prudent and step-by-step, and it can be said that we adhere to the principle of 'stability'."

"We mainly rely on the Southern Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School (cooperative business, leveraging its strength for development), and open up a window in Tiandou City (trade outpost, intelligence outpost). Recently, we have been working to establish the Glazed Tile City Imperial Guard base and a super medicinal herb market."

"These two moves are about to be made, but they will cost a lot of resources."

"If we were to invest a massive amount of resources into Lancashire in the west at this moment and get involved in a geopolitical struggle with the Haotian Sect, it would not only severely slow down our established development pace in the central region (we would be constrained by money, food resources, and high-end combat power), but it would also put enormous pressure and tests on our alliances with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Royal Support, and others, which still need to be consolidated (the Haotian Sect will inevitably sow discord and put pressure on our allies)."

"This is disrupting our strategy, throwing our resources into a high-stakes gamble with an uncertain outcome!" Chen Zhang, who was in charge of external liaison, stood up and walked to the map of the empire's territory hanging on the giant wall at the back.

He drew a clear line along the western side of the continent with his finger: "Please look at the map."

"Our current strategic strongholds in the three regions of the Empire's central district—east, south, and west—are: the Lu family on the eastern coast (whose influence is limited to the East China Sea), and the Liuli City node, which relies on the Seven Treasures Liuli Sect, located on the western edge of the southern Starry Night Plain (radiating influence around Tiandou City)."

His finger suddenly slashed westward, stopping at the location of Tianling Pass and Lankai County: "If we can successfully bring the Xuanhuang Tang family into our sphere of influence in Lankai County, at the exit of Tianling Pass, we can use them as a new strategic foothold..."

"Then we can try to establish a transportation line from west to south and then east along the northern foothills of the Tianling Mountains."

"And Lancashire extends southwest, connecting the Kingdom of Silves (the Dugu family and the Lu Xiaoxiao family), and then to our Fasno Province, Tianling City, Marineford, and Chang'an, thus forming a new 'strategic axis' that runs through the central part of the empire, connects the north and south, and stretches for thousands of miles."

“It does not overlap with the traditional ‘central corridor.’ If the two can coexist, it would be like constructing a mutually reinforcing double line in the empire.”

He paused, "Although this 'central corridor' has strong support points, it's ultimately a 'long, single-line formation,' too vulnerable. If we could add the northern route..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Chen Zhang's eyes gleamed with strategic brilliance, yet also revealed a clear awareness of the risks: "Of course, this new route is still in its infancy, with very shallow foundations. It stretches for thousands of miles, the journey is arduous and treacherous, and it lacks stable nodes along the way."

"The central corridor has a long history, well-established pathways, and is supported by multiple nodes."

"Although the new line has great potential, it can only be called a 'dotted line' at present."

"The new line is extremely vulnerable until it is firmly established at the Lancashire hub."

“If the new line is setbacked, not only will the new strategic layout be damaged, but it may even endanger our foundation in Sylvester.”

"Risk and opportunity go hand in hand. This aligns with the family's grand strategy of 'Conquering the Stars and the Earth' and is worth a try!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his wife, Ximen Shaoping, who was sitting in the Minister of the Interior's seat, coughed lightly, attracting everyone's attention.

As a core member of the Ximen family, which also originated from one of the "Seven Heavenly Martial Soldiers," she has a deeper understanding of the subtle balance and unspoken rules among families of the same lineage.

She looked at her husband with a hint of reproach in her eyes, then turned to Chen Xun and the others, and said clearly and calmly, "Fifth Brother's vision is indeed grand and far-reaching, but it is not necessary to have the Xuanhuang Tang family. However, there is a realistic concern that we must face squarely."

(End of this chapter)