The middle-aged gentleman was stunned, and then thought about it again. It was indeed not very useful. Now the self-defense army with only about 10,000 people in the autonomous region serves as a standing force, and can only maintain normal public order. Even if it is expanded a few times, it is far from the military strength of the surrounding major powers. Once a conflict arises, it will be impossible to control the situation. He sighed and lowered his head and stopped talking.

"I know you have good intentions, but since our autonomous region established the country, we have been based on industry and commerce, and have not paid attention to military affairs. Security mainly relies on the balance of the forces of the three countries to maintain. Over the past hundred years, the people have formed a custom of focusing on industry and commerce over other things. If they want to suddenly change their concepts, they may not be able to achieve overnight. In recent years, the strength of the Pasha people has vaguely surpassed the other two countries. In the early stage, they gained a large area of ​​economically developed areas through conquering Luzon.

The strength has increased a lot. If the other two countries do not unite to deal with it, their demise is just around the corner. If the lips and teeth are cold, the Pasha people will not let us go to Liberty City in the end. Our top priority is to promote the rebalancing of the forces of the three countries. It is imperative to let Luzon and Comini form an alliance to restrain the Pasha people, and it is the only way out. That is why I spare no effort to promote their peace talks and alliances." The female grand duke also showed a hint of weakness at this time.

"I understand, but I think that if we can properly strengthen our military strength, we may be able to add a little weight to our side in the future situation." The middle-aged gentleman expressed his opinion.

"The strengthening of the military force will not be effective in a short period of time. Moreover, most of the people in our Free Domination do not want to join the army. Even if it is forced to recruit, it will be difficult to achieve the expected goal. If it arouses unnecessary suspicion from other countries, it will be a loss. As long as the Luzons and the Comineans can form a solid alliance, I think the Pasha people will never dare to have any inappropriate thoughts about us." The female grand duke saw this very clearly. The Pasha people would not invade the world before resolving the other two countries.

"I just hope that Frederick won't let me down. Those who can be enemies of Kutuzov should not be inferior." Turning around, waving his hand to signal that the middle-aged gentleman could retreat, the female grandfather murmured to herself.

The luxurious carriage drove out of the ranch smoothly and penetrated into the dark night, as if very satisfied with the success of the negotiation. The young man ignored the uneasy expression of the State Secretary next to him. While admiring the night in the suburbs through the window, he leaned comfortably on the cushion behind him.

The State Secretary beside him was feeling like he was sitting on pins and pins. From time to time, he glanced at the young man next to him, and swallowed it back. Finally, his actions affected the young man with a relaxed expression. He took his eyes away from the window. The young man shook his head and smiled: "Mr. Tomina, you are still the State Secretary next to the Prime Minister. Why can't you be so impatient? Haven't I told you? I will be responsible for explaining the Prime Minister, and I will bear all the responsibilities. Why? Can't you trust me?"

"Major General, you misunderstood. It's not that I can't believe you. In fact, I think we have made too many concessions in this negotiation. Only a few thousand prisoners have to pay such a large ransom, which has never been in history, and our finances are not abundant. It is against morality to expel His Highness Burley from the country! When the Palace of Burley came to us, we tolerated him as a refugee, but now we want to expel him from the country, which is not reasonable! If the people know it, it will seriously damage the reputation of the principal. I am very worried about the Prime Minister's view on this matter. In addition, the signing of the covenant but cannot be announced to the public. Just a witness by Grand Duke Catherine, how much effect can this play?" The Secretary of State finally expressed his opinions in one breath.

He sighed softly, the young man was a little disappointed with his father's assistant. He didn't know how he got to this position with such insight?

"Sir, the issue of captives, I want to tell you that they are all fighting for the survival of the country, they are brave soldiers, and they must be redeemed. As for the amount of money, I think it's okay to have more money. Now we ask the more people of the Comines, and let's take care of those who give them more. As for the issue of Burley, I didn't agree with it. It was just a private matter in the country. At present, we can't even take care of ourselves, so how can we have the energy to take care of the rest? Now his brother has become the grand duke, and we have not handed him over to his brother is already a complete devotion. The reputation issue you mentioned is, I'm thinking, if even the survival of the country is a problem, I'm afraid the reputation issue will be only aside." The young man's words were accompanied by a hint of ridicule. His survival was not guaranteed, and he was still talking about benevolence, righteousness and morality, and the image of the country was simply funny!

"The matter of the covenant was originally a form. Now it is announced to the public that it is useless except to stimulate the Pasha people. Moreover, the Pasha people will know sooner or later. The implementation of the covenant lies in the needs of both sides. There is no dependence on interests. Even if the national jade seal is stamped, no one will follow it. If there is a combination of interests and no piece of paper, you can still fight with all your strength! Secretary, you won't understand this principle, right?" The young man said a little harshly in his last few words, and he heard the Secretary of State nodding and saying yes.

For a moment, the carriage fell silent, and only the sound of the carriage wheels rolling across the road.

"Why did Grand Duke Catherine so actively promote reconciliation and alliance with the Comineans? She was very smart because he noticed the crisis brought about by the increased strength of the Pasha people. Once our countries of Luzon and Cominean were destroyed, it would be the day when Free City became the new capital of the Pasha people!" After a few words, the young man said no more, he leaned his body, leaned his head on the chair cushion, closed his eyes, and fell into silent contemplation.

"Everything is ready, the division commander can send our strength out." Yue Shan carefully checked his subordinates who were disguised as the Holy Sect Army of the Taiping Sect. He knew that there was no flaw in sight, so he reported to the house.

"Well, let them set out, remember to detour Lulong, farther away but not easy to expose." She Nei also seriously instructed Yueshan, who led the team, to lead a unit of "Saints Army" from the mountainous area at the southern end of Lulong's Mansion to enter Longdong, and attack Queqiao Pass from the back, forcing the garrison stationed at Queqiao Pass to ask Bonan for help, so that the She Nei could lead the army to enter openly. Before this, Bonan had sent people into Queqiao Pass.

Just as Yueshan led the disguised troops to the north across the steep Liupanshan Mountain to head towards Longdong, the other two troops also advanced westward and joined in a small town one hundred miles away from Queqiao Pass according to the established route. At this time, the "Holy Cult Army" led by Yueshan marched for two days and one night before drilling out of the Liupanshan area and entering the plain area, which was more than 60 miles away from the road leading to the northwest.

Without discovering each other, the two troops stumbled towards a destination in a daze.

Although the sensitive commander of the Queqiao Pass garrison had no confidence in defending the fortress, he did not neglect in reconnaissance. When the Taiping Cult army appeared in the small town mountain a hundred miles away from the base, he immediately noticed the other party's aggressive momentum.

After brief consideration and discussion, several officers quickly reached an agreement, that is, to immediately seek help from the northwest garrison in the west, and quickly sent a fast horse to the Yangmakou sixty miles away. In their minds, there were not many garrisons in the Sheep and Horse mouth, but as long as the other party came, the responsibility for losing the fortress could be borne by the other party. After all, the entire Longdong Prefecture has been lost for many days, and it is commendable that he can "hold" the Queqiao Pass Fortress for so long without falling. But the Northwest Army fell as soon as it took over, which is naturally the incompetence of the Northwest Army, and the superiors will certainly not blame him.

After receiving the letter of help from the Independent Second Division, which had been ready to go, the house immediately ordered a cavalry corps to go first, and the light infantry of the other three regiments followed quickly, and the logistics troops and baggage trucks followed closely. Faced with such "efficiency" Northwest Army, the soldiers who came to ask for help had to sigh.

When the garrison officers who were waiting for the northwest reinforcements to take over in the pass learned that the number of Holy Cult troops that were advancing towards Queqiao Pass was as high as 30,000, they were all shocked. They had never expected such a large number of Taiping Rebellion Army. They waited for a moment and felt that the rebellion army was about to be chopped down. Without any discussion, almost all the officers immediately gathered their troops and flocked out from the fortress Ximen, completely leaving their responsibilities behind.

The people in the fortress also dragged their children and daughters, helped the elderly and the young, and joined the ranks of escape. With a bag of cigarettes, the Partridge Pass, which is known as the throat of the northwest, became an empty city.

The house that came towards him was completely confused by the fleeing guys. While laughing at Yueshan's performance in a realistic manner, he pretended to speed up the troops' marching and would never let the riot troops control the Queqiao Pass. He never thought that what he was about to face would be the real Taiping Cult Army. In his mind, he was disdainful of the information obtained by the garrison scouts. Such a timid scout actually expanded the number of disguised troops he sent several times. How could he not feel ridiculous?

While ordering the cavalry corps to advance quickly and enter Queqiao Pass, the infantry corps asked the infantry corps to keep up with the progress. The cavalry personally led the horses to gallop, hoping to occupy Queqiao Pass as soon as possible.

Almost at the same time, the Taiping Sect's horses also discovered that their target was an empty city without guard. The overjoyed commander immediately ordered the cavalry team to divide five thousand-man teams into the fortress quickly, while the remaining troops maintained the original marching speed and rushed towards the Queqiao Pass according to the established plan.
Chapter completed!