Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 625: 1 Sharp Points and Sharp Edge

Su Zhengyang sat in the spacious presidential office, with a huge world map behind him, on which the changes in the territories of various countries were marked. The loss of territory of the Billy Empire was particularly glaring. He faced the serious-looking Connet with a firm and sharp look in his eyes.

"Mr. Cornett, it's time to face reality." Su Zhengyang's voice was calm and powerful, and every word sounded like a well-thought-out move. He pointed to the Billy Empire on the map, where the once prosperous territory was now covered by the flag of the Bird Empire. "The Billy Empire has lost most of its territory under the iron hoof of the Bird Empire. More than 60% of your army has been dispersed. The entire country has been repeatedly ravaged and humiliated by the Bird Empire."

When Connet heard this, his face froze, and a trace of disbelief flashed in his eyes. He pointed at the map with a trembling hand, and his voice trembled slightly: "This... This is impossible! Our army..."

Su Zhengyang interrupted him: "Mr. Cornett, the facts are in front of us. The Billy Empire is now in danger. You only have less than 200,000 troops left, struggling to protect the so-called dignity of the royal family. How long can this dignity last in the face of a cruel war?"

Cornett's face flushed, anger and shame intertwined. He gritted his teeth and said, "President Su, you are going too far! Our Billy Empire is also a country with a long history and culture. How can we be trampled on by others so easily!"

Su Zhengyang shook his head slightly, his tone still calm: "Mr. Cornett, I am not belittling your history and culture. But the reality is cruel. Now you are facing the issue of survival or extinction. You are no longer qualified to bargain with China."

He paused and continued, "Judging from your current situation, in a few months, perhaps the entire Billy Empire will become history under the fierce attack of the Bird Empire. You actually still want to use China as a sucker and want to make a fortune? This is simply wishful thinking!"

Cornett was deeply shocked by Su Zhengyang's words. He widened his eyes, as if he couldn't accept such a reality. But he also understood that what Su Zhengyang said was true. He took a deep breath and tried to calm the waves in his heart.

"President Su..." Cornett's voice was a little hoarse, "So...what do you mean?"

Su Zhengyang did not answer directly, but slowly stood up and walked to the window. He looked into the distance, as if thinking about something. After a moment, he turned around and said to Connet, "Mr. Connet, I hope you can face the reality. If you can return the concession unconditionally, perhaps I will retain the last bit of dignity for your Billy Empire."

Cornett retorted almost subconsciously, like a greedy hyena, biting the fat meat in his mouth tightly and refusing to let go.

His eyes widened, and his voice became sharp and excited: "President Su, are you kidding me? We, the Billy Empire, will never return the concession unconditionally! This is our bottom line and our dignity!" A trace of contempt and disdain appeared on his face, "You are simply wishful thinking!"

Su Zhengyang looked at Cornett coldly, with a hint of sarcasm in his eyes. He sighed softly, as if he was helpless about Cornett's stubbornness: "Mr. Cornett, I understand your feelings. But in this era, dignity is maintained by strength. Do you think that the current Billy Empire still has enough strength to maintain its dignity?"

Cornett was choked by Su Zhengyang's words, but he did not give up. He took a deep breath, calmed down, and then continued: "President Su, we are willing to return the concession. This is a huge concession made for your sake. But China can't return empty-handed, right? You must show your sincerity by offering corresponding benefits."

Su Zhengyang raised his eyebrows slightly. He did not respond directly to Cornett's request, but asked calmly: "So, Mr. Cornett, what do you think Billy Empire wants?"

Cornett didn't notice the mockery on Su Zhengyang's face at this time. He thought he had taken the lead in the negotiation. He looked excited, clenched his fists, and could not wait to put forward his conditions: "First, we want China to provide military equipment worth no less than 20 million pounds free of charge to make up for our losses in the war. Secondly, China must declare to the Bird Empire that the Billy Empire is your ally. If the Bird Empire does not stop their atrocities, then China must stand on the opposite side of them!"

As soon as Connet finished speaking, Su Zhengyang couldn't help but sneer. He stood up, walked in front of Connet, and looked at him with a sharp gaze: "Mr. Connet, your condition is too much. Are you threatening our China? Don't you know that the Billy Empire is now in danger under the attack of the Bird Empire? Do you think China will offend the powerful Bird Empire for a country on the verge of extinction?"

Cornett took a step back in shock at Su Zhengyang's words. He looked at Su Zhengyang in disbelief: "You...what do you mean? Are you unwilling to cooperate with us?"

The anger in Connit's heart was ignited again. He widened his eyes, clenched his fists, and emphasized angrily with a trembling voice: "President Su, I must declare again that if China does not agree to our conditions, then the Billy Empire will refuse to return the concession!"

Su Zhengyang couldn't help but sneer when he heard this. He stared at Connet with disdain and ridicule in his eyes. He spoke slowly, his voice firm and cold: "Mr. Connet, do you really think that the Billy Empire is still qualified to bargain with us now? The Billy Empire is now like a poor worm being trampled in the mud. Even now, it still can't face the reality and adjust its attitude!"

He turned around and faced Li Yunlong behind him, his voice raised several decibels: "Li Yunlong, I order you, the Billy Concession will no longer exist from today. Whether the Billy Empire agrees or not, we will take it back by force!"

When Li Yunlong heard the order, he showed excitement on his face. He strode forward and answered loudly: "Yes, President! I guarantee to complete the task!" Then he turned around and left quickly, ready to carry out this important task.

Cornett was stunned by this scene, his face was pale and his body was shaking. He never thought that Su Zhengyang would be so resolute and directly issue such an order. He understood that this meant that the Chinese army would ruthlessly break into the Belgian Concession, forcibly take it back, and might wantonly massacre their expatriates.

Thinking of the previous experience of Fuso and Austria-Hungary, fear surged in Konnit's heart. He couldn't help but shout loudly: "President Su, you can't do this! This will cause international disputes!"

Su Zhengyang turned around, looked at the panicked Cornett, and said calmly: "Mr. Cornett, don't you recognize the reality? The current Billy Empire is no longer qualified to speak out in the international arena. If you still want to retain a bit of dignity, please accept the reality as soon as possible."