Chapter 131 The Xie Family Falls
Song Mo's first words were, "You two, father and daughter from the Lu family, are truly bold." You even dare to use the will to negotiate terms?!
Lu Songli thought, it’s just a transaction, you have to get used to it.
But he said, "There's no other way, we're all trying to survive." If you don't give us a way to survive, we'll earn it ourselves. Is there a problem with that?
Lu Songli discovered that Song Mo and the Empress Dowager were very similar, as they both could not tolerate any offense, but she was also very stingy.
"Tell me, what do you want to talk to me about?" Song Mo asked calmly.
"Your Highness, why don't you take a look at this first?" Lu Songli placed the information in his hand on the table, then pushed it over and took his hand away.
This information contains the information she has collected over the past few days regarding the property of the Guan, Xie and Zhao families and the criminal facts of the main members of the faction.
Song Mo suppressed his irritation and picked up the document to take a look, but after just one glance, he sat up straight. He looked deeply at Lu Songli opposite him, then lowered his head again, flipped through the document first, then flipped it back again, and picked out some key points to read.
After reading it, Song Mo lowered his eyes. He had not expected the Xie and Zhao families to be so wealthy, especially the Xie family, which had stored so much grain and gold and silver. It was true that these noble families could not be underestimated.
Lu Songli had been observing the Fourth Prince. Although he tried to keep a straight face and not show his emotions, Lu Songli could still see that he was moved.
Yes, after the Fourth Prince ascended the throne, the first problem that gave him a headache was the empty treasury.
In recent years, Dali has not been blessed with good weather. Droughts, floods, earthquakes, snowstorms, and other disasters have been frequent, forcing the government to allocate grain and funds for disaster relief every year. Furthermore, the border wars have never been completely quelled. During Emperor Kangcheng's reign, the treasury struggled to support the various expenditures of the state.
It wasn't until Song Mo became the successor that he realized the treasury, the source of both money and food, was empty. Even before he officially ascended the throne, Song Mo realized that this family was not easy to manage. This was why, even though he was already in prison, he still allowed Wu Chunyu and Meng Xinliang to continue to oppress the Qin family. It was all because of lack of money.
"You want me to deal with the Xie and Zhao families? Does your father agree to this?" If this is a condition of exchange, does your father agree?
Song Mo looked at Lu Songli. How had she gotten her hands on such confidential information? It even revealed secret transactions between Zhao Wenkuan and foreigners during his time as Minister of Rites! And the hidden assets and wealth of the Xie and Zhao families were clearly listed. The Xie and Lu families had been engaged, so it was normal for the Lu family to know about them. But what about the Zhao family? This made him wonder if this information was actually collected by the Qin and Lu families together, and then she came forward to discuss it?
Lu Songli laughed, she naturally knew what he was asking.
But he had oversimplified her. Was Xie Zhan now a burden to him? Using him would tarnish his reputation. If he didn't, how would the other officials view him, if he didn't honor his meritorious service? It could be said that Xie Zhan now put Song Mo in a real dilemma.
And she provided Song Mo with such a perfect solution. Killing two birds with one stone, she didn't believe that Song Mo would not be tempted.
Xue Huaimin had been planning for him for so many years, so why did he just throw it away? She just didn't believe that he had such deep feelings for Xie Zhan.
Now, he clearly wanted to deal with the Xie and Zhao families, but now he was using it to negotiate terms with her. What good things was he thinking? The abacus beads were clacking too loudly.
But it’s better this way. It’s really good that I don’t take her seriously.
So, Lu Songli replied, "No, the decision on whether to deal with the Xie and Zhao families is entirely up to the Fourth Prince. How can a commoner like me interfere?"
Song Mo now knew that his calculations were wrong, "Then what do you mean?"
"We are doing this to help the Fourth Prince. Of course, this is also for the good of our Qin family. This way, Lord Wu won't have to embarrass us because of the money the Qin family spent on the wedding."
The Fourth Prince wanted to seize the property of the Xie family and the two families, so he needed a legitimate reason. All he wanted was a name to punish him.
Lu Songli thought, "I showed you how fat the sheep are, and I handed you the knife. If you don't kill those two fat sheep, there's no need to keep plucking our Qin family's sheep, which has already been slaughtered once, right?"
Moreover, Your Highness the Fourth Prince, how can it be as perfect as eating from one restaurant and eating from all three?
The Xie family fell, and the new emperor was full. She didn't believe that he wouldn't be moved.
Song Mo understood her hint, but didn't want to discuss this issue with her in depth. If he continued, it would make him look ugly.
"Just state your conditions directly."
"I would like to ask His Highness the Fourth Prince to grant the Qin family the right to go into exile."
Song Mo pondered. Indeed, it was difficult to kill the Qin family. The reason they were holding them hostage was because they might have hidden assets. Now that the Xie and Zhao families were ready to be slaughtered, holding them hostage was meaningless. Furthermore, it wasn't impossible to use this offer to exchange for the will in Lu Desheng's hands.
"I'm just a prince, how can I be so sure of my words?" Song Mo's words were full of temptation. Is the will really in your father's hands?
"Your Highness the Fourth Prince, don't belittle yourself. Who else in this world can do this but you?" Lu Songli gave him a definite answer.
Song Mo was indeed very happy after hearing this.
Then he pondered and said, "The information you submitted can be regarded as a meritorious service. The Qin family has always been the pillars of the border defense. It would be a pity to exile them. If I am lucky... I may show leniency later." Song Mo found that this family seemed to be quite useful. They solved a big problem for him with one move.
Lu Songli thought to herself, "Forget it." But once he brought up this topic, she just happened to give Xie Zhan an eye drop!
"Your Highness, the Qin family has failed in their duties. Their property has been confiscated and they have been exiled. This is the will of the late emperor. I dare not disobey. Even if your Highness has good intentions, it would be inappropriate to disobey the late emperor's order at this time, right?"
In fact, after hearing these two sentences, Song Mo did give up the idea of promoting the Qin family right now.
"And to be honest, my husband and his brothers have been through so much, and they just want to live a peaceful and simple life in a remote place like Pingzhou. Unlike Lord Xie Zhan, who is extremely capable and ambitious, and can vigorously assist the king."
Hearing Lu Songli's praise, Song Mo's eyes narrowed. Outstanding ability? Yes, Xie Zhan was indeed outstanding. Even a powerful minister like Xue Huaimin was brought down by him with a little trick.
Then, I have always had great ambitions. What kind of ambitions can be called great ambitions? To have power over the government and the country?
He was originally regretting that after dealing with the Xie family, he would lose a talent like Xie Zhan.
But Lu Songli's words made Song Mo realize that Xie Zhan would never be easier to get along with than Xue Huaimin. If this man is not removed, he will become a disaster. By then, will he become the one who has the final say in the court?
"Finally, after the Fourth Prince ascends the throne, he will be rich and talented people who are willing to serve the new emperor will surely come one after another. Why bother about the tiny Qin family?" She was actually saying, why bother about a tiny Xie Zhan?
Talent is consumable. If Xie Zhan leaves, there will be thousands of Xie Zhans ready to serve you if you need them. So, don't be careless with the Xie family. This is what Lu Songli instilled in him.
"Your Highness remembers that Xie Zhan was once your fiancé. After all, we had a relationship for so many years. Isn't it inappropriate for you to praise him like this in front of Your Highness?"
"In the end, isn't it still the case that the envoy has a wife and Luofu has a husband?"
Song Mo had already realized that she was trying to trick Xie Zhan, but he had to admit that Lu Songli's words touched his heart. Only by getting rid of him could he rule the dynasty. He hadn't gone through so much trouble to find himself a mother-in-law.
Moreover, the rumors about Xie Zhan these past two days also made him very angry. Who made him act so carelessly?
When he thought about the fact that he had so many crimes committed by the core members of the Xie family in his hands, and on the premise that Xie Zhanli had made great contributions to the cause, Song Mo had no psychological burden in dealing with the Xie family.
"Is this the only condition?" Song Mo asked.
"Yes." His question made people feel that he could put forward more conditions, but Lu Songli did not believe it. She took out the death-free gold medal from her bosom and placed it on the table. "Fourth Prince, if our Qin family arrives safely in Pingzhou, the death-free gold medal can be returned to you."
Although she and Qin Heng had made corresponding preparations, it would be good if he could let down his guard. Moreover, Emperor Kang Cheng was dead, and the golden medal of immunity from death was actually of little use. Instead, it became a hot potato, so it would be better to return it.
"You, the Lu family, are really good at talking." Song Mo stood up with the information in his hand and walked out while talking.
"Your Highness, the Fourth Prince is too kind."
Song Mo's mouth twitched slightly. Was that a compliment?
Lu Songli said to his back, "Your Highness, if I have offended you just now, please forgive me."
"You are quite aware of the current situation." Song Mo's voice came.
Lu Songli was thinking, there's nothing you can do. You have to bow your head when you're under someone else's roof. But she said, "After all, we are all citizens of Dali. My father and the Lu family have always been deeply blessed by Emperor Shizong. We just want to survive."
"The Qin family will arrive in Pingzhou smoothly."
Song Mo agreed to their conditions.
Lu Songli also said, "Your Highness the Fourth Prince will surely achieve his wish."
These words made Song Mo, who was already at the door, look back at her.
Lu Songli looked at him calmly. Song Mo understood that what she had just said was exactly what he thought. Did she know who had the third will, or did she mean that the third will and the second will were both in the Lu family?
What Lu Songli said was exactly what he had guessed. If her guess was correct, the third edict should be in the hands of Lin Ran, the Prefect of the Imperial Guards. It would appear soon.
Jinwu (yu), Jinwu is a copper rod with gold coating at both ends. Holding Jinwu shows authority, which means holding gold to prevent emergencies.
Just wait and see. Once the second will appears, the third will surely follow. Even if the second will doesn't appear, the third will soon appear.
Emperor Kang Cheng was a man of many plans. He allowed her father to use the imperial edict in exchange for some benefits, but he would never let him shake the country.
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