Chapter 207 Cui's Sincerity
Cui Jun stepped forward with a calm demeanor, bowed, and said, "Sir, you have a complete process for gathering refugees for disaster relief, and I greatly admire you. Currently, the majority of the relief grain is being raised by you, and you are under considerable pressure. My family, Cui, is willing to share your burden. Not only the Cui family, but also the various noble families in Ningzhou, are willing to contribute half of the relief grain to help you resettle the victims."
Lu Chenyang sighed in his heart, thinking that many people outside were stupid.
There are always people who want to please him, and they come up with all kinds of ways, such as giving gifts and women. But in fact, it is very simple to please him: give him food! As long as you give him food, he will definitely think you are a good person.
Look, Cui Jun has found the trick.
After hearing Cui Jun's words, Lu Chenyang's expression relaxed and the corners of his mouth curled up.
Lu Chenyang thought for a moment and said, "Your actions are for the benefit of the people, so it's hard for me to refuse." His expression softened slightly, and he continued, "I've said this many times before. After all the years of reading sage books, the saying I most agree with is 'Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.' What you've done for the people will not be in vain."
Lu Chenyang tapped the table with his finger and said, "Do you know why I am so determined to take in refugees?"
Cui Jun quickly said, "This is because you love the people like your own children and have a kind heart."
Lu Chenyang shook his head. "Of course, I don't want the people to suffer, but there's another reason. If these refugees have nowhere to go, they might become bandits to survive and bolster the Yilin Army. I've mentioned this to you in my previous letter, but you didn't read it at the time."
This matter was told to them, but Cui Yong believed at the time that the Yilin Army was short of food and fodder and was simply unable to support so many soldiers.
Where did the Yilin Army get its food and fodder? They looted it.
Several nearby states and counties were plundered by the Yilin Army. They turned from victims at the beginning to perpetrators. They adapted to this change very well and enjoyed it.
Later they attacked Ningzhou, not for any tactical reasons, but because Ningzhou was rich and they wanted to make a big move.
Why did they become bandits and rebel? Because they couldn't survive, and now that they had the chance, they naturally wanted to plunder as much treasure as possible.
However, Cui Yong believed that the Yilin Army had already plundered several nearby prefectures and counties, and without a stable food supply, the attack on Ningzhou had failed. At this time, the Yilin Army was no longer able to recruit soldiers. Were those who conspired with the Yilin Army to rebel just for a meal?
Cui Yong said with a guilty look on his face, "I was inconsiderate and didn't see your kindness."
Lu Chenyang waved his hand. "Let's forget about the past. If you feel regretful, it's not too late. I won't hide it from you. The reason the Emperor sent me to the capital this time was to target the Yilin Army. So we can't let the Yilin Army grow any stronger now. You're in Ningzhou, closer to the Yilin Army. I hope you can help control the trade route from Ningzhou to Huai'an."
Cui Yong's eyes flashed. This was no small matter. To control this entire trade route, he needed the support of the army. Lu Chenyang's initiative meant that he would support it.
What does this mean? It means that in such a situation of constant war, only they can open up this trade route!
Now Lu Chenyang has been taking in refugees and restoring their vitality. In the future, they will monopolize all the business on this route, all! Just thinking about it, Cui Yong felt his heart surge.
Cui Yong licked his lips, regretting his earlier rashness and passivity once again. He had made such a huge mistake, yet Lu Chenyang was willing to give him another chance, which showed just how magnanimous Lu Chenyang was.
Cui Jun was also overjoyed. He bowed deeply and said sincerely, "Your Excellency is so magnanimous that you are willing to give us, the Cui family, a chance. We, the Cui family, will repay your kindness with our lives." He thought for a moment and said, "However, the opening of this trade route will bring huge benefits, and we, the Cui family, dare not enjoy it all alone. We, the Cui family, are willing to serve you and split the profits 70% to 30%. You will take 70%."
Cui Yong glanced at Cui Jun, feeling deeply comforted. Cui Jun had been so decisive, deciding to join Lu Chenyang on the spur of the moment, using the benefits to connect the two sides. For this 70% profit, Lu Chenyang would no longer blame Cui Jun, but would instead use him more.
Lu Chenyang rejected Cui's daughter, so Cui Jun had to settle for the next best thing. If he couldn't maintain the relationship through marriage, he would trade it for benefits. Lu Chenyang was short of money and would definitely not use Cui's daughter as a weapon for him.
Cui Jun's words were full of sincerity. Cui's company only took 30% of the profits, which was basically working for nothing. He only wanted a chance to work for Lu Chenyang.
Lu Chenyang smiled and said gently, "That won't do. A 30-70 split is a huge advantage for me. But I really need this part of the profit, so let's split it 50-50." His tone became more sincere, "I value the Cui family very much and hope that our friendship will last forever, so we can't let them suffer. I'm busy with official duties and I'm afraid I won't be able to take care of this side. Then we'll need the Cui family's help. So, 50-50 is still a good deal for me. But the military is spending a lot, so let me take some of the advantage."
Lu Chenyang's words even made Cui Yong's eyes red.
Is Lu Chenyang taking advantage? Actually, no. This trade route definitely needs the Lu Family Army's protection. And now, if they have a relationship with the Lu Family Army, it's like having the army as their backing. They will no longer pose a threat to the entire Ningzhou!
Is giving up 5% a lot? You know, Lu Chenyang can do this on his own. He has an army, so who does he support? It's just that Lu Chenyang is too busy to do it. The Cui family has the advantage of location, so Lu Chenyang is afraid of trouble, so he brings them along.
It can be said that they are completely in a passive situation. Does Lu Chenyang have to rely on the Cui family? Not at all. Lu Chenyang also has merchants he supports, such as the Shen family, the Zhao family, and even Mr. Chen, who is close to him. The Chen family can also do this.
Lu Chenyang chose the Cui family because he really wanted to give the Cui family a chance.
To put it bluntly, Cui is not Lu Chenyang's only choice, but Lu Chenyang is Cui's only choice.
Apart from Lu Chenyang, no one would give Cui such a good opportunity.
Even if Lu Chenyang took all the profits, with his current power, could the Cui family refuse? If Lu Chenyang was shameless enough and asked the Cui family to work for free, they would have no choice but to accept it.
But Lu Chenyang gave them five percent of the profits. He also made it clear that the five percent he took was for military expenses.
Lu Chenyang only takes up 50% of the army to support such a large army. What a conscientious official!
Cui Yong was deeply moved. He had never seen such an official in all his life.
How could he not be convinced?
Cui Yong was deeply moved. "Your Excellency, I am deeply ashamed to hear you say this. Your Excellency, I will not let you down. I will do my utmost to resettle the refugees and ensure that you have no worries."
Lu Chenyang stood up and said, "Of course I believe in Cui's ability, and I also believe in my own vision." He said, "I will explain to Ji Ping, and you can go to him when the time comes to discuss the specific implementation."
Lu Chenyang is about to leave. He has a lot of things to do and of course he can't stay here forever.
Cui Yong agreed, thought for a moment, and then said, "I'll let my son take charge of this matter. If there's any progress, can I have Jun'er write a letter to you?"
Lu Chenyang glanced at Cui Jun and nodded.
After Lu Chenyang left, Cui Yong and Cui Jun returned to the study.
Cui Yong sat in the chair looking very tired.
Cui Jun said, "Father, this matter is of great importance. Lord Lu also attaches great importance to it. It is better for you to take charge."
Now Cui Yongcai is the head of the Cui family. After all, he is a son. How can he surpass his father?
Cui Yong looked at him and smiled. "You and I, father and son, don't need to be so cautious. Jun'er, you are the future head of the Cui family. Seeing how outstanding you are, your father is very proud." He said with relief, "It's great that you now have the trust of Lord Lu. Your father is now confident in leaving the Cui family to you."
Cui Jun quickly said, "Dad, I'm still young and have some shortcomings."
Cui Yong waved his hand and said, "Age is not a problem. Lord Lu is two years younger than you. Who would underestimate him now?"
Cui Jun smiled and said, "Lord Lu is a man of extraordinary talent. How dare my son compare himself to him?"
"Lord Lu is indeed outstanding, but my son, there's no need to underestimate yourself. In your opinion, you're also very outstanding. This time, thanks to your mediation, if you hadn't seen it clearly, I'm afraid I would have missed the Cui family's important plans." Cui Yong said, "I'm old, but I still think the same way. When Lord Lu refused the marriage proposal, I should have understood that Lord Lu was not someone who could be won over by marriage. He has great ambitions, so why would he use such a method to tie up his interests? It's ridiculous that I didn't understand."
He looked annoyed. After being rejected by Lu Chenyang, he felt dissatisfied, so he became negligent about the resettlement of refugees later.
If Cui Jun hadn't intervened this time, he would have made the same mistake all the way.
Cui Jun consoled Cui Yong with a few more words, and Cui Yong said, "Now that you are able to stand on your own, I will be relieved to have you in the Cui family from now on."
Cui Jun had been trained as the next head of the family since he was young, and he had been preparing for it for a long time. Now that he heard his father say this, he no longer refused and nodded seriously.
"Yes, father, I will lead our family to restore the glory of our ancestors." Cui Jun nodded seriously.
Seeing his son's success and relieved of the family's burden, Cui Yong felt a little lighter and smiled.
At this time, Lu Chenyang was sitting in the carriage, and Zhao Xi was also asking about the Cui family.
Zhao Xi disliked Cui. In her opinion, Cui was ignorant of the current situation and was passive and lazy about her master's affairs, which made her master so upset. That was not a good thing.
Zhao Xi’s standard for distinguishing good from bad has always been very simple and crude. Those who are good to her parents are good people, and those who go against her parents are bad people.
The Cui family is very, very bad.
Zhao Xi said somewhat dissatisfiedly, "Why is your Excellency still giving the Cui family another chance? This isn't something they can do alone. There are other noble families in Ningzhou as well. The Cui family was so negligent in dealing with your Excellency's affairs before. Your Excellency should teach them a lesson, or else others will follow suit."
Zhao Xi felt that everything about her parents was good, except that they were too kind, too merciful, and too magnanimous.
People like Cui who are ignorant of the current situation should be destroyed directly, but they actually want to cause trouble for her family. They are simply overestimating their own abilities.
Lu Chenyang explained to her in detail: "The Cui family has been able to pass on its legacy for so long, so they must have something extraordinary. First of all, it is the Cui family's foundation. In Ningzhou, at least they can have the final say. Of course, I can support other families, such as the Shen family, the Zhao family, and the Chen family. They will of course be very obedient. But if I let them come, they will have to start a business here again. Can the Cui family just let other families come and become powerful? At that time, there will be a fight. They can fight back and forth, but in the wasted time, who knows how many people will be delayed. If they are left alone for another day, who knows how many people will die. The Cui family did nothing wrong. Why should I be so fussy about such a small matter?"
Zhao Xi was stunned for a moment. It turned out that the purpose was to gather the refugees as quickly as possible.
Lu Chenyang smiled and pinched the little maid's chubby face. The soft cheek flesh felt very good. She couldn't help but poked it twice gently.
Zhao Xi couldn't help but blush, looking very happy.
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