TWP's overbearing nature made Ouyang Shuo feel really annoyed.
After calming down and thinking about it, Ouyang Shuo felt really helpless. The Silver Hand that was slowly teaming up was so strong that it made one feel terrified. At least in the overseas region, Great Xia had no strength to face them head on.
Especially the most sensitive Mediterranean region.
"Men!"
"Present!"
"Call elder Jiang Shang over!"
After a short while, Jiang Shang, who was in his office right next door, hurried over.
"Elder, please take a look!"
Ouyang Shuo passed Jiang Shang the letter that Mulan Yue sent over.
When Jiang Shang saw the contents, his brows were locked tightly.
Ouyang Shuo asked, "Elder, how do you think we should reply to them?"
Jiang Shang was in charge of the Cabinet. Not only was he good at administrative matters, but he was also a master strategist. Every time he faced a problem, Ouyang Shuo was used to listening to Jiang Shang's opinion.
"I feel that we can only take it." Jiang Shang sighed.
When Ouyang Shuo heard that, he was really unwilling, "Elder wants me to agree to them?" If they really did that, Great Xia's prestige in the Mediterranean and even in the entire Atlantic would be lost.
Jiang Shang avoided the question and did not reply to it directly, "Recently, the global situation is really unstable. Silver Hand is not as low profile as before and is starting to climb over our heads. However, there is one point that I do not understand."
"Elder, please continue!"
"The main opponent of Silver Hand should be the academic faction. Why did it become us? What is the current academic faction doing?"
Jiang Shang's words reminded Ouyang Shuo.
'Si~~' Ouyang Shuo could not help but suck in a deep, cold breath. He said uncertainly, "Elder, are you saying that we are being used by the academic faction?"
"I fear it's not only that."
Jiang Shang shook his head, "Although it's just my conjecture, I'm worried that the two organizations have come to an agreement. At the very least, the Academic faction will allow them to suppress Great Xia."
"Is that so?"
Ouyang Shuo's voice suddenly became low, and he closed his eyes to think. The things that happened recently was like a movie, swiftly playing in his mind as he slowly linked everything together.
After a short while, Ouyang Shuo opened his eyes as he said, "Just as you said, the academic faction has been too Low profile such that it's really unordinary."
The establishment of TWP did not just threaten Great Xia. In fact, it was also a huge problem for the academic faction.
Weirdly, a week had passed since TWP was formed, and the Academic faction still had not done anything. They should have started a similar organization to go against TWP.
"But they did nothing!"
"Scoff!" Ouyang Shuo gave out a cold laugh, "Sometimes, one cannot be too smart or too scheming. Do they think that we are fools?"
In truth, Ouyang Shuo had misunderstood the academic faction.
Their low profile had to do with the way they ran. Some of their members were amongst the Silver Hand like Zhan Lang. As for how many members of TWP were academic faction members? Only they themselves knew.
Furthermore, Ouyang Shuo kept distancing himself from them, making them worry. Although Silver Hand was suppressing Great Xia, before the situation turned bad, they would not help.
These two factors resulted in the current awkward situation.
Of course, within the academic faction, there were many people unhappy with Great Xia and Ouyang Shuo. They were naturally willing to watch on from the side. Why would they brave the storm to help him out?
"Does the king want to draw the line with the academic faction?" Jiang Shang asked.
Ouyang Shuo shook his head, calming himself down, "It's far from that serious. The only thing is that we must have a level of wariness toward them and not hold too much hope."
"The king is wise!"
Jiang Shang was really happy, "Between powers, using one another is common. We and Silver Hand are like fire and water, so we cannot have a conflict with the academic faction."
Ouyang Shuo nodded, "Is that why elder wants me to take it?"
"That's right!"
Jiang Shang was really clear-headed, "Silver Hand is provoking us, so we cannot panic. The dynasty is fighting on four fronts, and we cannot start a war in the Mediterranean."
"If we take a tough stance, with TWP as their shield, the Mediterranean Lords will take a tougher stance. In the end, there might be a huge war. No matter who wins, Dawson Dynasty would be happy."
"That's right."
Ouyang Shuo thought back to Jack, who was watching from across the ocean, and his heart turned cold, "He is stirring the waters of the Mediterranean and trying to find a chance to enter. Isn't that a method they are used to using?"
Taking a step back, if they really fought, with just the Atlantic Squadron, Great Xia was not that confident.
"I can only take it!" Ouyang Shuo took in a deep breath. To be hounded by such arrogant people but do nothing in return felt really uncomfortable.
The prestige that Great Xia had spent so long to build up was going to be hurt in the process.
"It seems like the Battle of Algeria needs to be brought forward."
Ouyang Shuo made up his mind. Only by quickly extending into the Mediterranean and threatening the Lords in it could Great Xia ensure that they would not be as fearless as they were now.
"When it's a matter of life and death, let's see whether they can still huddle together or not." Ouyang Shuo's eyes gleamed coldly.
Jiang Shang, seeing that the king was a little dejected, consoled, "Agreeing with them might not be a totally bad thing. If we take a step back, Silver Hand would lose its target. Naturally, they will turn back to the Academic Faction."
When Ouyang Shuo heard that, he smiled, "That's right. And at that time, we will watch on from the side."
"I'm afraid that we cannot do that."
Jiang Shang smiled as he said, "If I'm right, the moment they fight, the academic faction would contact you to find an ally."
"That's right. That sounds like their style."
Ouyang Shuo's eyes were hard to read, "At that time, it would be time for them to pay their debts."
Their conversation opened up the gloomy clouds that covered Great Xia. After seeing through the battle between the two organizations, they instantly felt more confident.
Jiang Shang was truly Jiang Shang.
If not, why would people say that a ginger is spicier the older it is? (Ginger is written in the same way that Jiang is)
After Jiang Shang left, Ouyang Shuo immediately picked up his pen and wrote back to Mulan Yue to allow her to delay this matter till the last day before agreeing to open up the Gibraltar Straits.
"A huge show was about to be played!"