"Thank you."

Their conversation surprised everyone around them. The man next to them asked, "Xiao Jing, do you know this friend?"

Li Hao nodded and said, "I met him at the airport when I returned from Huaxia, but it was just a brief encounter, and we don't even know each other's real names."

Ling Zhenfei said, "At the time, I left in a hurry and forgot to thank you. My name is Ling Zhenfei, nice to meet you again."

Li Hao said, "Call me Mao Xuejing, it's really nice to see you, and you even saved us."

Ling Zhenfei said, "It's nothing, I just happened to be there. Where are you heading, and why are they trying to capture you?"

Mao Xuejing said, "We're trying to return to the main island now, but they definitely won't let us go back."

Ling Zhenfei said, "Yeah, Moergawa is in complete chaos now. I estimate that very few people who set out to sea tonight will survive."

Mao Xuejing introduced the man next to her to Ling Zhenfei, "Right, let me introduce you to my brother, Mao Sharlu."

Ling Zhenfei was stunned upon hearing this, finding it hard to believe his ears. Mao Sharlu was supposed to be the Emperor of Moergawa, but he couldn't have imagined it was the person before him.

Ling Zhenfei glanced at the person next to him. Mao Sharlu wasn't very tall, wore glasses, and appeared scholarly, but his eyes held a resilient spirit.

"Are you the Emperor of Moergawa, Mao Sharlu?" Ling Zhenfei asked the man.

Mao Sharlu sighed and said, "Emperor or not, I don't think I can hold on to this title for much longer."

Ling Zhenfei said, "Don't say that. You're the Emperor, and the situation isn't beyond repair yet."

Mao Sharlu said, "Brother Ling, you don't know how things are. You're my savior, so I'll be honest with you.

This battle has all but depleted my resources. I was nearly captured, and now my main island barely has any defenses left. It's impossible to think of counterattacking."

Ling Zhenfei hadn't anticipated the situation being so dangerous and Mao Sharlu's defeat being so complete.

Mao Xuejing said, "Yes, we were originally guarding against Zhou Kui making a move against us, but we didn't expect Zhou Kui to have already colluded with Song Mingyi.

Zhou Kui called my brother to show goodwill, saying he wanted to help us fight Song Mingyi. Zhou Kui's army soon approached us, and we thought Zhou Kui came to help us. But once Zhou Kui's army arrived, they suddenly attacked us.

We were unprepared and suffered heavy casualties. We ended up like this under the pincer attack of Zhou Kui and Song Mingyi. If we hadn't escaped quickly, we would have been captured by now."

Ling Zhenfei was shocked, not expecting Zhou Kui and Song Mingyi to be so shameless, using such methods beyond belief.

But regardless, Mao Sharlu was defeated and quite embarrassingly so.

"What will you do next?" Ling Zhenfei asked.

Mao Sharlu said, "Defeat is inevitable. Our primary goal now is to return to the main island, where we can at least hold out for a while. If we really can't hold it, we'll have to go into exile."

"But are you really going to leave your country to be ruled by someone like Song Mingyi?" Ling Zhenfei asked.

Mao Sharlu said, "Of course not, but what else can I do? You're Huaxia People; our ancestors are also Huaxia People. We grew up learning Huaxia's culture.

The 'Tao Te Ching' is a classic we study, which emphasizes the idea of harmony between humans and nature. It may seem like we're lagging, but the quality of life and happiness level are what countries compete on in the future.

I want the populace to live happily, which is why I always refuse foreign investment institutions wanting to enter Moergawa.

They covet Moergawa's mineral resources, which I cannot tolerate."

Ling Zhenfei said, "Yes, you've been holding out for so long. If Song Mingyi were in power, those mineral resources wouldn't be preserved, and their exploitation would destroy the environment."

Mao Xuejing said, "There are countless examples like this. Once they've exhausted this place's minerals, they'd move elsewhere, but the environment here would be irreparable."

Ling Zhenfei said, "Yes, since you understand this principle, you shouldn't resist passively. Instead, you should take the initiative to find ways to counterattack and thwart their plots."

Mao Xuejing looked at Ling Zhenfei and asked, "Big Brother Ling, what do you think we should do? Is there still room for maneuver?"

Ling Zhenfei thought for a moment and said, "Of course, there's still room for maneuver. You haven't completely lost; losing this battle doesn't mean losing the entire war.

Song Mingyi and Zhou Kui have joined forces, but their alliance is based on interests, not solidarity. Even a little discord could cause internal strife.

If you can't rely on Song Mingyi and Zhou Kui, you could ally with Gu Feng. Gu Feng is the Prince of the Outer Islands and should protect you. Moergawa is an island nation, and Gu Feng's navy would be crucial.

If you can ally with Gu Feng, your strength won't be inferior to Song Mingyi and Zhou Kui. Furthermore, you're the rightful Emperor and, from what I've heard, you have significant popular support.

There's an old Huaxia saying, 'He who wins people's hearts, wins the world.' If you didn't have people's support, I might regret saving you today. But saving you today feels worthwhile."

Mao Sharlu and the others were deeply moved by Ling Zhenfei's words. People who had initially thought there was no hope suddenly became full of confidence with Ling Zhenfei's Huaxia inspiration.

Mao Sharlu was even moved to tears and said to Ling Zhenfei, "Brother Ling, your words are like waking up from a dream, but if I approach Gu Feng now after my defeat, wouldn't that be like begging him?"

Mao Xuejing also said, "Yes, Big Brother Ling, we considered contacting Gu Feng even before our defeat, but Gu Feng didn't show much interest. Now in our condition, can he help us?"

Ling Zhenfei thought for a moment and said, "Look, I'll help you negotiate with Gu Feng."

Mao Xuejing and the others were taken aback. Mao Sharlu looked incredulously at Ling Zhenfei and said, "Brother Ling, do you know Gu Feng?"

Ling Zhenfei said, "I met him once upon arriving in Moergawa, but we didn't have any deep interactions."

Mao Sharlu and the others showed a hint of disappointment. Mao Sharlu said, "Brother Ling, if you don't have any deep connections with Gu Feng, will he listen to you?"

Ling Zhenfei said, "If Gu Feng is a smart person, he should be convinced by me; it depends on his choice. Your immediate priority is to return to the main island quickly.

Strengthen the defenses. As long as the main island is secure, you still have some leverage. If you can't hold the main island, then I won't have much to offer in discussions with Gu Feng."

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