Looking at Kirk's disappearing figure, Mulige thought that it was worth a try if he could really solve this problem through diplomatic means. The South China Sea Alliance is not a monolithic. Many people are not enthusiastic about confronting their own side, and many even have objections, especially those Linhai City-states. Such a war that has little interest in the commercial aristocrats of the South China Sea Alliance is not what they hope to see, and it consumes only military resources. Even if Moro and East Samoa fall into the hands of the alliance, it will only allow several inland principalities to have more sea access channels. In fact, it is harmful and unfavorable for the Linhai City-state.

"Sir, the elder Huaxi is waiting for you there." The adjutant's approaching footsteps woke Mulige from his contemplation.

"Oh, please wait, I'll go over immediately." He stood up and nodded, Mulige said immediately: "Go and bring the tea sent by several Jiangnan merchants last time."

The adjutant was stunned for a moment, then nodded in agreement, and was a little surprised. These teas were all specially approved by His Highness the King of Qin after the Supervisory Office was registered. Several Jiangnan merchants specially thanked and sent them to thank the Fourth Legion for protecting the interests of the local Tang merchants in Laigong. Although there were not many, they were indeed first-class tea. The commander of the legion was a good tea ceremony. Even if the guests came, they never took out the tea to make a cup. It was a bit unexpected to take it out so generously at this moment.

"Elder Huaxi, you have been waiting for a long time. You also know that the military situation is like fire now, and there are too many things, I hope you forgive me." Seeing a tall and white-haired old man sitting in the reception room waiting, Mulige hurried forward and held the other party's hand tightly and apologized in a series of times.

"The commander of the legion said this. We Gaoyue people have always been loyal subordinates of Lord Li. In the case of Xijiang now, we need us Gaoyue people. We have no choice. I have organized all the militias in Baliya and the Duchy of Sulawesi as you told me. Now we are advancing southward. It is estimated that we will arrive in three days." The tall Gaoyue people also stood up and smiled generously: "But after this war, we also asked the Legion Commander to speak more with Lord Li and Lord Ling. The last time Lord Li did not recruit our Gaoyue militia, which disappointed the men in our clan. I hope that this time I can take this opportunity to let them go out and see the army, and that is the best to join the Western Xinjiang army like the tribes in the northwest and northern Luzon."

"Elder Huaxi probably misunderstood His Highness the goodwill of His Highness. His Highness of the King of Qin thought that there were already tens of thousands of Gaoyue soldiers fighting on the front line of Western Xinjiang. If we were recruiting Gaoyue soldiers blindly, we would be reluctant to do so. However, young and middle-aged men of the Gaoyue tribe have joined the army. Who should bear the production in their hometown? Your Highness is probably worried that this issue will affect the normal production and life of the Gaoyue tribe, so that this arrangement will be made. You also know that I got to this position from the commander of the Gaoyue division. Although I am not a member of the Gaoyue tribe, Gaoyue warriors are like my nephew in my heart. If I have the chance, how could I not fight for the Gaoyue tribe?"

At this time, Mulige was hoping that more Gaoyue soldiers would join him. At present, the troops were in short supply, and the temporary recruitment of local residents was useless. Secondly, it might even bring more negative effects. Therefore, Mulige did not dare to take such measures. Only this Gaoyue militia was the best helper. Summoned and sent weapons and put on armor and clothes to become a new force. Although it is not comparable to regular troops, these Gaoyue militias have experienced the war in the south of Western Xinjiang and have some experience in war. They are also much more combat-effective than those local security forces, and are even more incomparable in reliability and loyalty.

"Oh, the commander of the army and Lord Li may not know that the women in our Gaoyue family are fully qualified for farming and housework. It turns out that these children can only make a living by hunting and logging. Although the Nanhai and Zhongnan County are now under the jurisdiction of Western Xinjiang, these children are old and do not learn much about their living skills. If they go out to work, they are not familiar with the place of life, and they can earn money, let alone support their families, sometimes they can't even fill their own belly, how can they be as comfortable as eating food when they are in the army, eating with open stomachs, and having a monthly salary.

Where can I find the beauty of things? The group of people in the clan hoped that Lord Li could take them all in one go, but Lord Li's last reorganization plan only collected some militia supplementary troops, and most of the men had to go home in shame. They complained and pestered me all day long. I, the elder, felt uncomfortable in my eyes. Gao Yue people on our peninsula is not stingy with our lives for Lord Li's great cause. Why is Lord Li so stingy to give Gao Yue people on our peninsula a chance?"

He shook his head repeatedly, and the white-haired Elder Gao Yue was also disappointed that the last Western Xinjiang military reorganization plan did not include the young and middle-aged people in his clan. Seeing the tribesmen in Northern Luzon and Jinzhou Tiannan enthusiastically joining the army, the family life situation of many soldiers there was significantly improved. It can be said that one person served in the army and the whole family benefited. The pensions for the deaths and disability in Western Xinjiang were extremely generous. Even if one person died, the pension would be enough for the family to survive. Now this time, the person in front of him was not only Lord Li’s confidant general, but also had a deep friendship with Gao Yue, so he had already made up his mind to get a clear letter from the person in front of him, so he could explain to the tribe.

Mulige didn't know that there were so many inside information about this. It seemed that His Highness Qin's kindness was not affordable to Gaoyue people. Gaoyue people lived in remote mountainous areas for a long time, and their desire to change their lives was very strong. Now in their eyes, the most realistic and practical way was to join the army and eat food. This is their simplest wish. They have strength and courage, and what they lack was opportunities. Now that the war in Western Xinjiang is frequent, it seems that it is a good time to join the army. It can not only improve family life, but also have the opportunity to stand out. This temptation is simply a torture compared to staying in their hometown to live a boring and monotonous life.

A sigh in his heart, Mulige stood up and said solemnly: "Elder Huaxi, Lao Mu will not put on airs. I promise to the elders here today that no matter how the war changes in the future, on behalf of His Highness the King of Qin, I express my most sincere gratitude and respect to you and your tribe members. On behalf of His Highness the King of Qin, I promise here that we treat Gaoyue people on the peninsula and Gaoyue people in other regions equally and without bias. Originally, Lao Mu did not have the power to form an army, but today Lao Mu dared to overpower the power. This time, the children in your tribe will immediately become a member of the newly formed Independent Infantry Division of the Peninsula War Zone. All responsibilities will be borne by His Highness the King of Qin, Lao Mu alone!"

Elder Gao Yue was also excited. Mu Lige's words were already taking a lot of risks, because he knew that the military power of the Western Xinjiang was actually in the hands of Li Wufeng alone. Not to mention forming a division, it would be difficult to obtain a new team of soldiers without Li Wufeng's approval. Even Ling Tian, ​​as the Director of Military Affairs, did not have any power in this regard. Although the King of Qin was very tolerant in other aspects, he was not delegated to any power in this regard.

"Legislative Commander, please rest assured. If Lord Li really punished me, Huaxi, even if I put this old face on my face, I will protect you. You are fighting for power for the Gaoyue people on our peninsula. The Gaoyue people on our peninsula will never forget to help our friends."

Mulige felt ashamed. Although he had formed an independent division when he spoke, he was also worried. However, the military situation was urgent now. If Kutterdam and Moro really lost, I was afraid that he would only meet with the elder Huaxi in Military Law*. As for the establishment of a new division, although it was beyond the authority, he was in urgent need of power. I think His Highness Qin could understand.

On February 20, Ya Ning, the general of Machikhan, led an army of 150,000 to the city of Kutterdam. The battle was shrouded in the sky above Kutterdam. At the same time, another Machikhan side division also rushed directly along the path to the city of Laigong, which had been temporarily abandoned by Western Xinjiang, and happened to meet the Nanyang Alliance army that seized Laigong. The two sides refused to give in to each other and immediately broke out a small-scale military conflict. If it were not for the timely control of the main generals of both sides, they would probably lead to a bigger one.

The confrontation, but this has already made a knot in the hearts of both sides. Especially in the Nanyang Alliance Army, they believed that they were originally invited by the Maqi Khan to send troops. At this time, the other party was merciless and even more indignant. Many people in the Maqi Khan army were dissatisfied with the ally who was reluctant to send troops, who later made many benefits and barely sent troops. Before the war began, the top leaders of both sides were already in harmony.

However, the conflict in Laigong did not affect the progress of both sides in their own goals. On February 21, the main army of the Nanyang Alliance arrived on the outskirts of Moro and met the two divisions of the Fourth Corps of the Western Xinjiang, which had been waiting for the battle there, and the newly formed Independent First Division of the Peninsula, and the war was about to begin. The navies of the two sides also had a small-scale confrontation outside the Moro Port. Although the Nanyang Alliance Navy had the dominance, since the top leaders of the Alliance Navy had always been opposed to the attack on Xijiang, this sentiment also brought to the confrontation between the two sides. Therefore, the confrontation between the two sides at sea can only be called a contact conflict and did not evolve into a real naval battle.
Chapter completed!