Su Ran understood perfectly well that while the current turning point was like a glimmer of hope illuminating the path ahead, the situation remained intricate and complex. Every step taken felt like walking on thin ice. Even a minor miscalculation in decision-making could easily plunge the Great Qing back into an abyss of irredeemable ruin. The most critical and urgent issues facing him now were how to reach a stable and lasting peace with the Northern Tribal Alliance, and how to achieve a full economic recovery for the Great Qing in the wake of the international economic crisis, ensuring its long-term, steady development.
Regarding the Northern Tribal Alliance, high-ranking court officials reported that although the alliance's leader had signaled an intention to cooperate, the alliance itself was deeply divided and struggling to reach a consensus. Some radical chieftains, believing that the border conflict was at a stalemate favorable to the alliance, argued that this was the perfect moment to press their advantage, expand their gains, and plunder more wealth; thus, they vehemently opposed cooperation with the Great Qing. Conversely, the moderate chieftains possessed greater foresight and deeply identified with the long-term benefits of cooperation, actively advocating for joint progress with the Great Qing for the sake of the tribes' sustainable development. This created a situation where the two factions were locked in intense, confrontational debate. Su Ran knew all too …
Chapter 125