Chapter 369 Lu Family

As the night deepened, Yu Zheng came back wrapped in the biting cold wind after Yu Ziyou fell asleep.

"Husband." Jiang Shu immediately stood up and went to meet him, hugging Yu Zheng's arm.

Yu Zheng asked in a hoarse voice, "Is Ziyou asleep?"

"Yeah." Jiang Shu nodded, pulled him to the table and sat him down, and asked Chu Yu to serve the meal.

"Husband, warm your hands first." Jiang Shu stuffed the soup pot into Yu Zheng's hand.

Shuanghua served a cup of hot tea, and after Yu Zheng drank it, the coldness around him dissipated a little, and his dry throat was also much more comfortable.

Jiang Shu saw that he looked tired, his black eyebrows were wrinkled, and his voice was also different, so he knew that something must have happened. Thinking that Yu Zheng was cold and hungry at this time, Jiang Shu suppressed his doubts and accompanied him for dinner.

After taking a shower and lying on the bed, Jiang Shu asked tentatively, "Did something happen at the border?"

"No, it was in the southwest." Yu Zheng said in a low voice, and told Jiang Shu roughly.

At last, Yu Zheng said, "Father said to transfer a month's worth of food to the southwest first, so I have to trouble you again."

Jiang Shu didn't care about this, but asked worriedly, "Is it dangerous to go to the southwest in person?"

Yu Zheng didn't know how to answer, and after a moment of silence, he said, "I will protect myself."

Although Yu Zheng didn't say it, Jiang Shu knew it in her heart.

The two countries are fighting to the death, fighting with swords and guns, and blood flowing like a river... How can it not be dangerous?

Selfishly, she didn't want Yu Zheng to go. But she understood that Yu Zheng was King Jing, and this was his unshirkable responsibility.

He was not only her husband, but also Yu Ziyu's father, and King Jing of Dazhao, and the hope of the people in the generals.

Seeing Jiang Shu silent, Yu Zheng's heart tightened, and he sighed, "Shu'er, I have to go. The southwest is extremely important and cannot be broken..."

"I know." Jiang Shu interrupted him, choking slightly and said, "You must protect yourself and come back safely."

"Okay." Yu Zheng responded solemnly, holding her tightly with both arms, reluctant to leave.

The expedition will be scheduled for the day after tomorrow.

Jiang Shu snuggled up to Yu Zheng's warm chest, and after calming down, he asked, "What plans for food and grass will be discussed later?"

Yu Zheng said, "Not yet. After I lead the army out of Beijing, my father will discuss these matters with the court officials." Jiang

Shu remembered what his father said, pursed his lips and said, "There is food in Jiangnan."

Yu Zheng responded indifferently.

Jiangnan is rich in food, and the court knows it. The emperor and the court officials know it, and they will discuss it later.

But this year, food is in short supply. I'm afraid that the grain merchants in Jiangnan are hoarding and raising the price, so it's hard to raise grain even if there is grain. Besides, the court has limited money.

Seeing that he didn't understand what she meant, Jiang Shu said again: "I mean, Pingyang must have grain."

Yu Zheng finally heard the deep meaning behind her words and said in a serious tone: "Do you mean, ask the Lu family for help?"

Pingyang is close to the sea and has abundant products. It is one of the richest places in Dazhao.

And the county governor Lu He is a man of great governance and foresight, so he will definitely hoard grain.

But the private grain hoarded by the Lu family is probably not enough to supply the southwest, and there is no reason for anyone to take it out. On the contrary, the grain hoarded by the grain merchants can let the Lu family come forward to negotiate the price.

Pingyang to Yicheng...

Yu Zheng was sleepless and got up to ask someone to bring him a map.

Jiang Shu also got up and put on his clothes to check the map with Yu Zheng.

Yu Zheng spread the map on the table, carefully checked and analyzed: "Shangjing is between Pingyang and Yicheng. If you start from Shangjing, you can reach Pingyang in ten days if you rush to travel. But from Pingyang to Yicheng, the escort of baggage is slow, and it will take about a month."

One month is just enough to supply food and grass to Shangyicheng.

But how can we make the Lu family willing to help with all their strength?

Although Pingyang is the land of Dazhao, the mountains are high and the roads are long. The Lu family has been rooted for many years and it has long been the territory of the Lu family. Although Lu He was a minister of Dazhao, he was only a minister. He was not close to the emperor and was unlikely to lend his strength.

The treasury had limited money. If the Lu family did not come forward, grain merchants would not easily sell grain to the court at a low price.

Lu family, Lu family...

Jiang Shu asked softly, "What does the Lu family lack or want? Can the court satisfy it?"

Yu Zheng frowned and pondered.

Although the county governor was only a fourth-rank official, Pingyang was rich and far away from the emperor. He was almost unregulated and could do whatever he wanted. Therefore, Lu He gave up promotion in recent years and was willing to be a county governor, guarding Pingyang all his life.

Official rank, Lu He was not rare. Money, Lu family had no shortage of money, and the national treasury had no money. Reputation...

Yu Zheng thought about it seriously, put away the map, and pulled Jiang Shu to bed to rest.

"My husband, have you thought of a solution?" Jiang Shu saw his sudden change and looked slightly happy, and he must have thought of a plan.

Yu Zheng nodded, went to bed, pulled the quilt over him, and whispered to Jiang Shu.

The next morning, Yu Zheng proposed to go to Pingyang to ask the Lu family for help in collecting food.

The emperor and all the officials had the same idea as Yu Zheng, and they were worried that the Lu family would not help with all their strength.

"I am reluctant to help for no reason, but what if it is to thank the emperor for his grace?" Yu Zheng was prepared.

"What do you mean by this?" asked the emperor.

Yu Zheng said, "Lu He is loyal and has made outstanding political achievements. He is deeply loved by the emperor. The emperor specially decreed that Lu He be made Marquis of Pingyang as an encouragement."

In this way, the Lu family will be grateful for the emperor's grace and will definitely help the court with all their strength under the pressure of gossip.

There was silence in the palace for a moment, and Zhou Taifu praised, "Your Highness, this plan is very good."

The emperor looked at all the officials and asked in a deep voice, "What do you think?"

All the officials looked at each other and said in unison, "I have no objection."

The emperor nodded, "Then confer Lu He the title of Marquis of Pingyang."

Prime Minister Xie said, "The title of Marquis is a big deal, and raising food is even more important. Who does your majesty want to send?"

If it is just the decree of conferring a title of Marquis, just send someone to convey the decree. But asking the Lu family to help raise food requires both sincerity and intimidation, and not just anyone can do it.

The emperor frowned when he heard this and asked Prime Minister Xie, "Who do you think is suitable?"

Prime Minister Xie said bluntly, "I think His Royal Highness Prince Jing is the best choice."

In terms of rank, the Marquis is above all other officials. None of the officials in the court could intimidate him, except Yu Zheng, who was Prince Jing and could represent the emperor.

The Minister of War said, "If the prince goes to Pingyang, who will lead the army to the southwest?"

Time is tight, and Yu Zheng will not split up, so he can only take care of one side.

A court official said, "The prince should go to Pingyang first, and then to Yicheng. This way, he can achieve the effect of personally leading the army, which can calm the army's morale and achieve the best of both worlds."

"As for leading the army to the southwest, I think Lord Zhou is capable of this task."

Zhou Boxu is the son-in-law of the emperor, and is also a member of the royal family. If he leads the army first, and Yu Zheng will escort the grain and grass later, the people of Yicheng will not be dissatisfied, but will be greatly encouraged.

"I second the proposal. With the prince and Lord Zhou sitting and commanding together, Yicheng will be stable."

After someone took the lead, the officials echoed one after another.

Grand Tutor Zhou looked at Zhou Boxu and sighed in his heart.

The southwest battlefield is his destiny after all.

Zhou Boxu also understood that this was the best arrangement.

Taking a deep breath, Zhou Boxu said, "I am willing to lead the army to Yicheng first."

"Yes." The emperor agreed.

With Zhou Boxu going with him and taking care of Yu Zheng, Yicheng has a better chance of winning, and Yu Zheng's safety is also more guaranteed.

The emperor felt that this arrangement was the best.