Chapter 586: Chapter 275: Accumulating Barriers

Lu Yuan’s words were undoubtedly sincere.

For him, even though the Kunhai region across the river is desirable.

With its lakes for irrigation, and fertile land, slight management would suffice to support a million people. It could become an important base for the conquest of the southwestern Yi people.

But for Great Chu, who has already annexed a county of the southwestern Yi, the effort needed to digest the current county and its eight prefectures is already extreme, encountering enormous difficulties, and nearly choking on it.

To strive for the Kunhai region at this point, adding such a vast expanse of territory, would be like seeking death and detonation at the same spot.

So, for Lu Yuan, while Kunhai may be attractive, it is poisonous to him.

Ingesting it might bring momentary sweetness, but once the poison circulates through the entirety of his body, it is time for the fatal consequences to occur.

For him, there is no rush for expansion. He has an eternal lifespan to wait.

Conquering the south-western region of the Yi, it is entirely possible to emulate previous generations of Jinling courts. Spend a hundred or two hundred years, slowly expanding one county at a time.

Use five or six hundred years, the south-western Yi would then also be annexed and absorbed.

Otherwise, the consequence of rapid expansion is similar to Qin’s destruction of the six countries in his previous life. Although the territories were conquered, without enough officials to rule, the remnants of the six nations had to be enlisted.

The local people were still loyal to their previous nations, repulsed by Qin’s laws. Thus, during the time the First Emperor was still alive, his hold on the regions was a complete mess.

Emperor Qin encountered bandits in the Jingji area. Can you believe it?

Important ministers in the court openly harbored Xiang Yu and other rebels wanted by the court. Can you believe it?

Zhang Liang attempted to assassinate the First Emperor, but the emperor could not find the assassin. Can you believe it?

There’s no need to even mention the First Emperor, Fu Jian of Former Qin is a clear example.

Before the Southern Expedition, the North seemed to be in great shape, with everyone submitting willingly. But after a major defeat, the entire empire collapsed.

Even if he was still alive, he could not stop this trend.

All of these examples illustrate the serious, fatal consequences of expanding too rapidly and greedily.

Whether it’s the Qin or the Former Qin, at least the lands they unified acknowledged Chinese culture and were considered part of Zhuxia (China).

Now, the lands that Lu Yuan has conquered belong to the Yi people, who have a completely different culture, civilization, lineage, and belief system from the descendants of the Three Emperors.

If he tries to rapidly expand and swallow these lands in one gulp, Lu Yuan doesn’t know how the Great Chu will die.

He is a cautious person who also has the capital to be cautious.

Being immortal, he doesn’t need to rush to achieve all his deeds in his lifetime like historical world hegemons, who had to desperately try to achieve all their deeds as their lives approached their end.

Therefore, in view of the above situation, Lu Yuan naturally will not foolishly repeat the historical risks.

Taking it step by step, and slowly chewing on each bite, this is the most beneficial strategy for himself, and for Chu.

In order to do so, the promise he just made to Li Xiong is crucial.

Although he can’t take Kunai, it doesn’t mean he wants to relinquish this fertile land to Da Changhe Country.

If this Yi nation continues to hold this territory, and is supported by it, Da Changhe Country could recover and rebuild its strength in ten years, constantly harassing and attacking Qianzhong County.

With the premise of tribal recognition, faith recognition, and moral high ground, it’s uncertain whether the currently obedient Yi people in Qianzhong County would rise up and rebel against Chu.

This is very likely.

Therefore, for the stability of Qianzhong County, and for Great Chu to quietly and quickly digest Qianzhong County,

It is necessary to set up a buffer between Qianzhong County and Da Changhe Country, and create a target for the Yi people.

So, the question becomes:

Who should bear this burden of creating a buffer, where would it be, and who can withstand such firepower?

The final answer and candidate for the above three questions can only point to one person, Li Xiong.

This man is ambitious. As long as he gets the Kunhai region, Li Xiong, who has already occupied a territory that could support a hegemony, will never give up this territory he grabbed.

So, establishing his nation here, he will absolutely take up the flag, becoming Great Chu’s sturdy barrier against the southwestern Yi’s counterattack.

Similarly,

Da Changhe Country and the Chilih Yi people, who lost the Kunhai region to Li Xiong, will not admit defeat.

The two other dominators of the southwest, the kingdoms of Dali and Nanzhao, will not sit idly by and let the Dongyang People set up a base in their traditional territories.

So, in the end, the three parties will surely join forces to counterattack Li Xiong and Lu Yuan, who have already made their moves.

And by then, if they want to attack Lu Yuan and his Q