419: Chapter 419 Li You Offers Advice

"Then how many of our Qin people are there?"

Zhao Fusu asked curiously again.

Li You replied, "Only fewer than the Qiang people."

"Oh!"

Zhao Fusu nodded.

After listening to Li You's narration, Zhao Fusu understood that the total population of the Hexi Corridor was around 150,000.

This population size could be said to be very small.

Although the Hexi Corridor is narrow, it is very long, including cities like Wuwei, Zhangye, and Jiuquan.

Just Wuwei City alone has a population of 1.42 million.

As a result, the vast Hexi Corridor now has fewer than 150,000 people!

However, for Zhao Fusu, this was also a good thing.

The smaller the population, the lower the difficulty of occupying this place.

The subsequent management costs for this area would also become lower.

Overall, it was all good news for him!

Zhao Fusu looked at Li You and slowly asked, "Li You, do you have any good strategies for how to take the Hexi Corridor?"

Li You cupped his fists slightly, looked at Zhao Fusu with a steady gaze, and replied respectfully, "That depends on whether Your Majesty the Paramount Leader is in a hurry. There are ways to do it in a hurry, and ways to do it without haste."

"How so?"

A hint of curiosity flashed in Zhao Fusu's eyes, and he asked, "Tell me in detail."

"Understood!"

Li You replied with cupped fists.

He said in a resonant voice, "If Your Majesty is in a hurry, then we shall use force to occupy it directly."

"With Great Qin's current military strength, this is not a difficult task."

"Wherever our iron cavalry goes, they will surely sweep through the Hexi Corridor like the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves. In this way, the speed would certainly be the fastest."

"However, while this approach can quickly achieve the goal, it will accumulate a great deal of hatred."

"There are many tribes in the Hexi Corridor, and they will not easily submit to force. Even if we occupy it by force, rebellions will break out from time to time in the future. At that time, the manpower and resources required to maintain local stability will be immense, and the cost of governance will be extremely high."

"Moreover, as far as I know, the land there is mostly barren, and crops are difficult to grow. Even if we occupy it, in the long run, it will be hard to gain significant benefits, making the expenses exceed the income; it's truly not worth it."

At this point, Li You paused, looked up to observe Zhao Fusu's expression, and seeing that he showed no displeasure, continued, "Therefore, Your Majesty the Paramount Leader, I suggest proceeding gradually."

"We can first entice some tribes with benefits."

"For example, conduct trade with them and provide them with the supplies they need, so they can feel the benefits of cooperating with us."

"These supplies might be nothing to us, but they are urgently needed by them."

"Once these tribes have established a good cooperative relationship with us, we can use them to win over other tribes."

"In this way, by dividing and conquering, we can gradually bring the entire Hexi Corridor under our control. This will both reduce resistance and lower governance costs, making it more secure in the long run."

"Mhm."

Zhao Fusu nodded with satisfaction, a hint of appreciation showing in his eyes.

Li You's approach of winning over and dividing was the favorite method of Eagle Sauce.

Facts have also proven that this method is simple, convenient, and very practical.

"Very good."

Zhao Fusu said, "Then we shall proceed as you've suggested. We must not act with undue haste and must ensure steady and solid progress."

"Understood!"

Li You cupped his hands and replied in a deep voice.