Chapter 340 Fame
The 800-li express letter was delivered to the capital. The messenger galloped on his horse and shouted as he entered the city: "Lord Lu, annihilate 200,000 enemies and capture Zar alive!"
When the people heard the noise, they all ran out, and some thought they had heard it wrong.
"What? Did I hear wrong? Capture Zar alive? Is it that Tatar general?"
"Lord Lu annihilated 200,000 enemies!"
The people were talking about it, with excitement on their faces.
The entire capital city was suddenly in an uproar.
Emperor Qianyuan and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also received the news.
At this time, at the Crown Prince's Mansion, the Crown Prince was shocked when he received the news: "Why did you just receive the news? Where are the people from Yanhui Pass?"
The person who came to deliver the letter lowered his head and said nothing.
The prince's face suddenly changed. Why else could it be that the spy he sent out had been caught.
The Crown Prince hadn't expected their spies at Yanhui Pass to be discovered. Yanhui Pass was the seat of the Zhenguogong Mansion, where they had deep roots and numerous connections. Yet, even so, Lu Chenyang had discovered them and blocked all information.
He only found out now that Lu Chenyang had defeated the Tatar, which put him in such a passive situation.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince walked out, and his staff just arrived at the door.
The two looked at each other, and their originally close relationship became a little silent.
"Your Highness, are you going to the palace?" asked the aide.
The prince nodded and said casually, "I'll go into the palace first. We can talk about it when I come back if there's anything."
As he spoke, he hurried away.
The staff member suddenly said, "Lord Lu defeated the Tatars, and the Tatars want to negotiate peace. Why doesn't Your Highness look happy?"
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince paused, left without looking back.
In the Duke Zhenguo's mansion, the Duke Zhenguo also received the news.
He was lazily basking in the sun, but when he heard the news, he immediately stood up and laughed out loud. His eyes were red at the end of his laughter.
Even if he tried not to show his emotions, he couldn't contain his inner joy.
The goal that generations of the Zhenguo Mansion have been pursuing has finally been achieved today. How can he not be excited?
The only drawback is that the person who achieved this goal was not a member of the Yan family.
"How were they defeated? How exactly were they defeated?" the Duke of Zhenguo asked hurriedly, "Do you have a detailed description? Who delivered the message? Where is that person?"
Only those who returned from Yanhui Pass knew best what happened at that time. He was eager to know how Lu Chenyang did it.
The entire capital city fell into a frenzy.
This madness began to spread throughout the country.
At that time in Yanquan County, Xu Zhenghui was playing outside with his grandson. He was old and had retired from the government two years ago.
He pointed to the school not far away and said, "When you grow up a little bit, Grandfather will send you to school. When you learn some skills, you can serve me, too."
The grandson blinked his eyes. He was still young, so he didn't know the hardship of learning. He agreed without hesitation: "Okay, learn a skill!" He turned his eyes and saw the snack vendor next to him: "Grandpa, eat some snacks, grow up, and learn a skill!"
Xu Zhenghui: “…”
Xu Zhenghui smiled helplessly and took out some money to buy snacks for his grandson.
There are many children like his grandson, and there are queues at the pastry shops. Now that everyone's life is better and their family income is not bad, they are willing to spoil their children.
Xu Zhenghui watched this scene with a look of relief. In just a few years, Yanquan County had already become something he had never dared to imagine.
Now, just thinking about that person makes his heart surge.
Cao Sanda suddenly ran over from outside. Right on the street, he shouted, "Lord Lu has repelled the Tatars and captured their general alive. Now we are negotiating peace! The battle at Yanhui Pass is about to end!"
Cao Sanda used to be just a small-time gangster. Later, he was injured and came to the county government office for medical treatment. He was saved by Zhao Xi. Later, Lu Chenyang asked him to manage the market. A few years later, he is still in the government office, but he has also opened a few shops and now lives a stable life.
Upon hearing this, Xu Zhenghui quickly took a few steps forward and asked, "Where did you hear this?"
Cao Sanda was very polite to Xu Zhenghui, calling him "Sir" before excitedly saying, "This is news from the Shen family. They are about to send supplies to Yanhui Pass to celebrate for you, Sir."
The news about the Shen family was given by Zu Xingwei. After all, Zu Xingwei was still grateful for the master-servant relationship between Shen Shiqian. He asked someone to tell the Shen family about this great victory and make preparations in advance.
Because of Shen An, the idiot, Lu Chenyang had warned the Shen family. Although the Shen family was the first to join Lu Chenyang, they had been subtly outshined by the Zhao and Chen families in the past two years.
Zu Xingwei also wanted to help the Shen family.
The news of Lu Chenyang's victory spread throughout Yanquan County, and the people all ran out to hear the news.
"Lord Lu is so powerful, the little Tartars are no match for him!" This was the opinion of Lu Chenyang's staunch supporter, and it was recognized by all the people.
"That's right, when Lord Lu takes action, no demons or monsters can be his match!" He spoke as if Lu Chenyang was catching a monster.
Zhang Qian from Shu had just sent away the governor of Shu who came to ask her for taxes and grain.
Shu had always been tax-free, with all taxes paid to the Nanyang Palace. But that was in the past, and now that the Nanyang Prince was rebelling, the taxes could no longer be paid to the Nanyang Palace.
In the past two years, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has been very worried about food, so he wrote a letter to the Governor of Shu, asking him to start paying taxes and grain to the court.
But his position as governor was just a figurehead, with all government affairs in the hands of Zhang Qian. He had been ambitious when he first arrived in Shu, but over the past few years, he had finally seen the light of day and resigned himself to being a puppet.
But sometimes the puppet also wants to rebel, so it comes to Zhang Qian to ask for food.
Zhang Qian sneered and said, "It's not impossible for Shu to pay taxes. But during the drought two years ago and the snowstorm last year, the imperial court didn't include Shu in any of the places it needed to provide disaster relief. What's the matter? Isn't Shu Dagan's territory? Aren't the people of Shu subjects of the imperial court? When this happened, the imperial court didn't remember Shu, but now that it needs to pay taxes, it remembers it?" After a pause, she continued, "Of course, we in Shu have always been loyal to the emperor and patriotic, so paying taxes is not impossible. But during the disasters of the past two years, we in Shu borrowed a lot of grain from Lingnan, and we haven't paid it back yet. How can we have any surplus grain to pay the taxes? Otherwise, you can go to Lingnan and ask General Li Dajun if it's possible to not return the grain?"
Li Dajun was promoted by Lu Chenyang. He was a captain of police before. How could he dare to ask him?
Zhang Qian added, "We in Shu have always been the most reasonable people. We wouldn't do something like shirking our responsibilities! We can't just turn our backs on people who have helped us in our time of need, right? I can't explain to the people that we won't be returning the grain and that we have to pay taxes to the court."
The governor of Shu left in shame.
She liked to see these incompetent people in front of her, disliking her but unable to do anything about her.
The soldier came to deliver the message, his face beaming with joy: "Master Zhang, you have won a victory. I heard that you have captured the Tatar general Zar alive. Now the two countries are about to negotiate peace."
Zhang Qian was stunned for a moment, then a bright smile appeared on her face. "That's a great joyous occasion. Go prepare some supplies and send them to Yanhui Pass." After a pause, she continued, "Put more food here. Our Lord Lu loves food."
Perhaps because he had seen too many hungry people, Lu Chenyang almost became obsessed with food, to the point that even the cavalry had to stand behind.
The soldier immediately responded: "Yes!"
At this time in Ningzhou, Cui Jun and Yan Xing were both in Gao Ming's governor's mansion. They also received the news that the Tatars were defeated and the two countries were going to negotiate.
After a period of experience, Cui Jun has become more calm and composed. He said in a gentle voice, "Lord Lu is truly extraordinary. He was able to facilitate peace talks so quickly."
Gao Ming smiled and said, "When you went to Yanquan County, you quickly negotiated peace with the Dongyi people, ending centuries of conflict between the two sides." He looked at Yan Xing and said, "Your Highness knows this best."
Yan Xing nodded and said with a smile, "Yes, he said at the time that if the people were to live a stable life, peace talks were necessary. He used every possible means, including coercion and inducement, to achieve peace. He racked his brains and put all his energy into this matter."
Cui Jun sighed and said, "Outsiders only see the results, but they don't know how much effort you put in."
Yan Xing agreed: "He is a man who will achieve his goals once he sets them. If the Dongyi people had not agreed, he would have wanted to save the people of Yanquan County from the suffering of war, even if it meant annihilating them."
If they could negotiate, that would be the best, and everyone could live in peace. If not, Lu Chenyang knew a thing or two about military strategy. For Lu Chenyang, if he wanted the people of Yanquan County to live and work in peace and contentment, he had to resolve or eliminate any factors that might interfere with that goal.
Eradication is also one of the ways to solve the problem.
Gao Ming's eyes flickered as he spoke, "The peace talks between our two countries right now aren't like negotiations with the Dongyi people. There are too many issues involved. I imagine that within the court, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Majesty also have some ideas that might differ from yours. However, priorities must be determined for these peace talks, and I'm afraid there will be debate within the court."
This was said euphemistically, but the reality was that everyone wanted to be the one in charge of these peace talks. This was a peace treaty with the Tatars, and once a peace treaty was signed, the person in charge would surely go down in history.
Gao Ming felt that, given the personalities of Emperor Qianyuan and the Crown Prince, they would definitely not miss this opportunity and would want to lead the peace talks. However, Lu Chenyang was no pushover, so how could he let them take advantage? A conflict was bound to ensue.
Gao Ming raised this matter in the hope that Yan Xing could persuade the Crown Prince and Emperor Qianyuan. Now Yan Xing is the only bond between the two sides.
Yan Xing knew what he meant, so he asked, "What does Mr. Gao mean?"
Gao Ming stroked his short beard and said with a smile, "Your Excellency is wholeheartedly concerned about the people, and as a descendant of the Zhenguo Duke, you understand the situation at Yanhui Pass best. Why don't you take the initiative and personally take charge of the peace talks? I think His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Your Excellency will have no objection."
Gao Ming spoke in a righteous and selfless manner, but in fact he knew in his heart that Yan Xing was biased towards Lu Chenyang.
He had already understood that Yan Xing claimed to be neutral, but in fact, many things were biased towards Lu Chenyang, and he might not even realize it. But for his status, not expressing a position was also a statement.
As the saying goes, there is always someone who can conquer you. His master has Yan Xing in his hands. When Yan Xing sees his master, he has no choice but to obey. Doesn't this mean that he has to obey Lu Chenyang completely?
Moreover, Lu Chenyang was removed from the picture on the surface. After all, given Yan Xing's identity, letting him lead the peace talks would be beneficial to the prince.
Gao Ming is a bit shameless. He wants both benefits and reputation.
Yan Xing hesitated for a moment. He didn't feel that he was biased towards anyone. He felt that he had always been fair.
He thought about it and felt that he could do this job impartially and fairly.
Seeing this, Gao Ming said nonchalantly, "Prince and you haven't seen each other since we parted ways in Ningzhou a year ago, right? You two... ahem, you have a deep brotherly bond. This is the first time you've been apart for so long. It's time for you to reunite after such a long separation."
Yan Xing's eyes lit up slightly. Yes, they hadn't seen each other for a long time. Since they met, they had never been separated for so long.
Yan Xing had no way to refuse the opportunity to meet with Lu Chenyang. No, he could not refuse the opportunity to fight for peace for Yanhui Pass and negotiate with the Tatars. Of course, it was his duty.
Yan Xing nodded solemnly: "Mr. Gao is right. I will write to the Crown Prince and try to negotiate peace."
Gao Ming nodded with satisfaction. Cui Jun glanced at him and thought to himself, this staff member is different. He has a really dark heart.
Gao Ming noticed his gaze, but he didn't care.
Looking at his mentality, which was as steady as a rock, Cui Jun was filled with admiration and decided to learn from him.
Yan Xing quickly wrote letters to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Duke of Zhenguo. He wrote to the Crown Prince to try to gain the opportunity for peace talks, and to the Duke of Zhenguo in the hope that he could help speak well of him.
The Duke of Zhenguo could not refuse the temptation of letting Yanxing participate in the peace talks.
The Yan family has guarded Yanhui Pass for generations. How many members of the Yan family died here in order to defend Yanhui Pass. Now the war is finally about to end. Even if the war is not ended by the Yan family, the Duke of Zhenguo hopes that members of the Yan family can participate in it.
The Duke of Zhenguo went to the Prince's Mansion to meet the Prince in person.
Since returning to the capital, the Duke of Zhenguo has lived in seclusion, rarely leaving the house. Even after the Second Prince was finally crowned Crown Prince, the Duke of Zhenguo still maintained a low profile.
The Crown Prince went out to greet the Duke of Zhenguo in person: "Uncle, why are you here in person?"
The Duke of Zhenguo said, "I'm here for peace talks. Are Your Highness and Your Majesty planning to send someone to negotiate?"
The crown prince was troubled. He went to see Emperor Qianyuan as soon as he received the news. However, Emperor Qianyuan was now acting like a hands-off boss. He was forced to give up his last trump card, and now his position as emperor was insignificant.
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