Chapter 166 Be a loyal subject, or be independent?
Yan Xing nodded, believing his statement. If everyone knew that Lu Chenyang knew martial arts from the beginning, it wouldn't have had such a good effect.
Lu Chenyang began writing a memorial that afternoon, a long and eloquent one. He had a gift for writing, and after all his years of study, he couldn't let it go to waste. He fully utilized his literary talent, discussing everything from ancestral principles and laws to the current situation of Dagan and its future development. He even went so far as to say that if Dagan didn't appoint a crown prince, it would be doomed.
The article was indeed well-written, and Yan Xing read it with great interest. However, after finishing it, a question arose in his mind: Is his cousin so important? Can he influence the situation in Dagan?
No.
The Second Prince has talent, but most of his gifts are spent on palace fighting, leaving his ability to govern a country undiscovered. However, Lu Chenyang's writing suggests that establishing this crown prince will allow Dagan to end its current chaotic situation, leading it to a glorious future and perhaps even unifying the country.
Yan Xing: “…” Okay, but I don’t know what Emperor Qianyuan would think when he saw this memorial.
Lu Chenyang not only wrote a memorial requesting the establishment of a crown prince, but also a petition requesting the Emperor Qianyuan to send a provincial governor. Lingnan, Shu, and Ningzhou were three regions that needed the emperor to appoint provincial governors, but as for Quzhou, Lu Chenyang volunteered himself.
Lu Chenyang felt that he had done a good job. Although he had forced the emperor to appoint a crown prince, he had already given up the three provincial governors, which was enough to appease the emperor's fragile and sensitive self-esteem. He also felt that if Emperor Qianyuan was a sensible emperor, he should be content.
He has the face of a scumbag.
Lu Chenyang thought he had done a very good job, so he sent someone to deliver the letter.
Regarding Lu Chenyang's petition to establish a crown prince, opinions within the group centered around him were divided. After Lu Chenyang, the two men who understood his intentions best were Tan Feng and Zhao Xi. Both were brought in from Lu Chenyang's family and held high status, earning even Gao Ming and Chen Songyuan special respect. Lu Chenyang trusted them more, and while they wouldn't dare approach Zhao Xi, they could approach Tan Feng.
Gao Ming and Chen Songyuan both wanted to know what Lu Chenyang was really thinking. Was he plotting rebellion, seeking independence, or simply wanting to be a virtuous official?
The two had discussed privately that it was highly unlikely that Lu Chenyang would be a dedicated and virtuous official who worked for the benefit of the people. Regardless of the reigning emperor, an average emperor would be unable to contain Lu Chenyang's brilliance.
After this great battle, Lu Chenyang's value was elevated to a new level. He was not only a capable minister who could govern the country, but also an outstanding general. He had won so beautifully with fewer troops that no one could underestimate him anymore.
Those with exceptional abilities couldn't tolerate Lu Chenyang. Who would want their subordinates to be more popular than themselves? As the saying goes, there can't be two tigers on the same mountain. A powerful emperor couldn't possibly coexist peacefully with Lu Chenyang. Unless this emperor was powerful enough to force the emperor to avoid his brunt.
But how could that be possible? Judging from the talent Lu Chenyang had displayed so far, it was already at its peak. Even among the Qianyuan Emperor's princes, no, to raise the bar a bit, among all the princes and grandsons of the Li family since the founding of the imperial family, there couldn't be another one more capable than Lu Chenyang.
Including the founding emperor Taizu, who came from a humble background and whose literary talent was not as good as Lu Chenyang's.
Therefore, if Lu Chenyang did not rebel and only served as a capable minister, there would be only one outcome, that is, the emperor would not tolerate him at all, and he would be killed sooner or later.
Even if the Second Prince and Yan Xing were cousins, and even if Yan Xing mediated, it wouldn't work. Even if the Second Prince became emperor, the conflict between him and Lu Chenyang would become apparent over time, and no emperor could tolerate a minister like Lu Chenyang.
It seems that Lu Chenyang has only one choice, which is to rebel and choose to be independent.
When the two gentlemen followed Lu Chenyang before, they didn’t think so much. They were just full of passion and felt that they had met a wise leader.
But Lu Chenyang was too capable, and his power had grown to this day, so the two of them couldn't help but have some inappropriate thoughts.
They all hope and expect that Lu Chenyang can replace the Li family and become the new emperor.
As the saying goes, there is no construction without destruction. If Emperor Qianyuan cannot govern the country well, then naturally someone else will have to take his place.
But the question now is, does Lu Chenyang have such intentions? When he asks for the establishment of a crown prince, he will take advantage of the second prince's side. Is his support for the second prince just a temporary measure, or does he really think so?
The two went to find Tan Feng and asked him about Lu Chenyang's thoughts.
Tan Feng had no idea about this. He thought for a moment and said sincerely, "Why don't you two ask the master? My master has been very smart since he was young. I really don't know what he's thinking."
He is so outstanding? How can he know Lu Xueyin's thoughts?
The two gentlemen were quite concerned. Gao Ming said, "Isn't it a bad idea to ask the adults? You grew up with the adults, don't you know anything about him?"
Tan Feng said, "From what I know about him, he treats you two as his own family. If you have any guesses, please ask directly. He will tell you the truth. There's no need to speculate."
After Tan Feng finished speaking, he bowed and turned away.
Gao Ming and Chen Songyuan looked at each other. They were both willing to listen to advice. Since Tan Feng said so, they really went to find Lu Chenyang.
Seeing the two of them coming together, Lu Chenyang felt a bit of a headache: "Gentlemen, why are you both here to look for me? Is there something important?"
Chen Songyuan glanced at him and thought to himself, it is indeed an important matter. I just want to know whether you have the intention of rebellion?
Gao Ming bowed his hands and saluted, then said, "There is indeed something that I am confused about, so I came to ask you for clarification."
Lu Chenyang smiled and said, "Sir, please feel free to speak."
Gao Ming looked into Lu Chenyang's eyes and said, "Sir, do you have any plans for the future? Do you have the will to be independent?"
Lu Chenyang was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect Gao Ming to ask this.
He smiled. "What's your advice, sir? Do you suggest that I become independent or be a loyal and patriotic minister?"
Gao Ming didn't look at Chen Songyuan. He looked at Lu Chenyang and said seriously, "When we entered Shu, nine out of ten houses were empty, and the people were suffering miserably. I have personally traveled throughout Shu, and most of the people there starved to death."
Chen Songyuan and Lu Chenyang both looked a little heavy-hearted, as they still remembered the tragic situation in Shu.
Gao Ming continued, "We were in Shu for one year and seven months. By the time we left, every household in Shu had enough to eat. It wasn't easy for them to eat their fill, but no one was starving to death. More than half of the children there could go to school, and the remaining half couldn't because the schools weren't finished yet. By this time next year, all school-age children in Shu will be able to go to school."
This comparison makes people feel excited just by listening to it.
Gao Ming looked at Lu Chenyang, his eyes more serious than ever before: "And all this is because of you, sir."
Lu Chenyang was stunned for a moment, then curled his lips. "Mr. Gao, this isn't just my achievement. It's also thanks to the assistance of the two gentlemen. The Shu region was able to recover so quickly. It was the two gentlemen who spared no effort in purchasing food and other supplies. If it weren't for the two gentlemen, I'm afraid many people would have starved to death."
Lu Chenyang wasn't being modest; he truly believed this. He was only one person, and the fact that Shu was able to settle down so quickly was truly due to the two of them. They used their family's resources to purchase food, cloth, and craftsmen for Shu.
No matter how capable Lu Chenyang is, he can't cook without rice.
Gao Ming shook his head. "No, this is all thanks to you, sir." He was very insistent on this point. "Because you care about the people and want them to survive, as your staff, we naturally have to help you solve your problems. We are just doing our duty as subordinates. It is you who truly accomplished all this."
They are the knives in Lu Chenyang's hands. They do things according to the kind of person Lu Chenyang is. All this is because of Lu Chenyang.
Chen Songyuan nodded and said, "Sir, Mr. Gao and I have thought more than once how wonderful it would be if the people of Dagan could all live like this. We both agree that the only person in the world who can do this is you, Sir."
Lu Chenyang chuckled. Now that things had come to this, he understood the attitudes of the two gentlemen.
Lu Chenyang said: "I understand what you mean, but now is not the time."
Chen Songyuan and Gao Ming looked at each other and felt something in their hearts. It seemed that Lu Chenyang also had this idea.
Lu Chenyang tapped the table with his hand and said, "It's just not the right time yet."
He understood that the two gentlemen were anxious because they saw him asking for the establishment of a crown prince, and they thought that he would return the country to the Li royal family.
The two gentlemen exchanged a glance, and Chen Songyuan quickly said, "It's good that you have a plan in mind, sir."
Lu Chenyang nodded and simply made his words clearer.
"With my current power, if I were to start a rebellion, what do you think my chances of success are?" Lu Chenyang's question startled the two men. He continued, "I'm the one who collects the army's food and fodder, so I've never worried about Yan Xing's reputation being too high. The reason Yan Xing and I can still be on the same side is because I've always been focused on suppressing rebellions. If I were to rebel, do you think the loyal and courageous Prince Zhenguo would join us?"
They both fell silent. Of course not. If the Zhenguo Mansion was planning a rebellion, would it be their turn to help them? The Yan Family Army had 500,000 soldiers. When the Zhenguo Mansion was framed by Emperor Qianyuan, they didn't rebel. Why would they help Lu Chenyang rebel now?
Lu Chenyang said, "Although I am confident in my ability to control the Lu Family Army, this will still cause some unrest within the army, and it might even cost us some manpower. We have trained these soldiers with great difficulty. If we lose them to internal friction, wouldn't that be a shame?"
The main force of the Lu Family Army was mostly refugees who had been taken in. Lu Chenyang provided them with food to survive, a way out, and even a stable environment for their families to live in. Lu Chenyang was confident that most of the Lu Family Army were loyal to him.
However, personal charm is a very mysterious thing. The current Lu family army has more or less fought side by side with Yan Xing, and Yan Xing also has his own guards. If the two of them were to have a conflict or opposition, they might clash.
Lu Chenyang was not afraid of Yan Xing, but he was unwilling to lose his troops in internal conflicts.
Gao Ming and Chen Songyuan nodded in agreement.
Lu Chenyang continued, "Now my reputation in the entire Dagan is the best. Mr. Gao once said that my advantage is the people's hearts, which is my foundation. The Li Dynasty is now in danger, why should I be a traitor?" He said meaningfully.
The two exchanged glances and immediately bowed, "Your Excellency is wise!"
Given the current situation, Dagan probably won't be able to hold out for much longer. They just need to accumulate food, slowly establish themselves as kings, and take their time.
Lu Chenyang sighed softly. "No matter how those in power fight for power, it's the people who suffer in the end. I'm willing to take things slowly. I want to provide the people with a relatively peaceful environment, quelling the unrest first, and then achieving stability." He looked at the two gentlemen. "The people are the most important. Everything else can be compromised."
Even if Lu Chenyang has become independent, he will always be the top scholar who puts the people first. He will never forget his original intention, and Gao Ming and Chen Songyuan are deeply moved.
Gao Ming smiled and said, "Your Excellency has a plan. We were worrying too much. I thought Your Excellency was truly helping the Second Prince become the Crown Prince."
Lu Chenyang shook his head. "I haven't even met the Second Prince. How could I possibly support someone I've never met? I'm doing this for the sake of the coach. He's helped me a lot, and I'm doing this to repay him. After the crown prince is appointed, the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion and the Second Prince will be relatively safer."
So what if he became the crown prince? Even if he became the emperor, he could still be overthrown. Lu Chenyang didn't care about this empty title.
Gao Ming agreed wholeheartedly. "Your Excellency is right. With the current civil unrest, Yanhui Pass has been delayed in its recovery, and the Yan army has fallen into the hands of the Fourth Prince. The Fourth Prince is only concerned with fighting for military power and preserving his strength, and is unwilling to send troops to reclaim the pass. He is truly short-sighted. If the position of Crown Prince is confirmed, the internal strife will be reduced, and only then can we unite against the outside world."
Lu Chenyang was very happy: "The one who understands me is you, sir."
Chen Songyuan coughed lightly.
Lu Chenyang quickly said, "Mr. Chen is also my confidant."
It can be said that he has the face of a complete scumbag.
Chen Songyuan's mouth curled up slightly.
The two gentlemen received the answers they sought, and were both very satisfied, and then it was time to go about their business.
There are so many things to do.
Lu Chenyang is also very busy. He has to start taking care of the situation in Qingquzhou.
Quzhou has well-developed water transportation and abundant aquatic products. Almost everyone in Quzhou relies on the water for their livelihood. However, the current price of fish is controlled by the Qinglong Gang.
The fish caught by the fishermen were purchased at a price set by the Qinglong Gang, which was often very low, leaving the fishermen barely able to make a living while the wealthy families in the city were extremely wealthy.
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