Chapter 255: People's Hearts Are Initially at Peace
Houcheng County Government Office
Chen Ping and Liu Heshan looked at the newly-baked peace treaty and still couldn't believe it.
Their five-member negotiation team, which was barely put together, actually signed a three-year peace treaty with the Xianbei.
It’s not that they have become stronger, nor that the Xianbei have become weaker, but that the new Lord Lu is too strong.
If they lived in the future, they would know a word called carry the whole game.
Le Guicai, who was drinking tea next to him, was distracted. He also didn't expect that this matter was actually accomplished by Lu Desheng.
At this time, the minor official in charge of receiving horses from Houcheng came in and said, "Sir, the fifteen horses the Xianbei sent us are war horses, but they are all mares, and their quality should be the lowest among the Xianbei horses."
Chen Ping and Liu Wangshan looked at each other and sighed in their hearts. Sure enough, the people on the Xianbei side were not stupid either.
Among them, Le Guicai was the most disappointed.
To maintain their cavalry's advantage on the battlefield, the Xianbei had always strictly guarded their warhorses and prohibited the sale of horses to the Dali. The Xianbei royal court also severely punished horse dealers who sold horses privately.
Generally, the horses that can be sold to Dali have been tampered with and cannot produce good offspring, which makes Dali angry and helpless.
Lu Desheng didn't care about this. In his daughter's words, if he couldn't get it this time, he could try again next time.
As long as you wield the hoe diligently enough, there is no corner that cannot be dug down!
Lu Desheng's optimism infected Le Guicai and others.
On the bright side, these horses were of inferior quality compared to the superior Xianbei warhorses, and at least they hadn't been tampered with. If they could be paired with high-quality stallions, the next generation of horses should be of good quality.
Now that external affairs have been resolved, the next step is to resolve internal conflicts!
Chen Ping, Liu Wangshan and others looked at each other.
They had received news that their governor had organized people to clear the blocked section of the official road and was on his way to Houcheng. It was obvious that he was coming to call for punishment this time.
"Master Lu, do you have any rules?"
"Let's not worry about this for now." Lu Desheng was thinking about how to seek credit from the court.
Seeing that he wasn't paying attention, Chen Ping couldn't help but raise his voice, "Lord Lu, aren't you afraid that the governor will be angry?"
What they actually want to say is, are you really not afraid that the governor will hold you accountable?
"What is there for him to be angry about?" Lu Desheng said indifferently.
"Do you really not know or are you pretending? You deceive your superiors and subordinates, and abuse your authority—"
"What are you talking about? Although I was the one who led this negotiation, as the Governor of Pingzhou, he should have received some of the credit. Why are you still angry?"
Of course, he had to take the biggest credit for himself, that was undeniable. His daughter had put so much effort into planning, so the biggest reward had to be his!
"Also, you have also made contributions. I will submit a memorial to the court later to commend us for our achievements."
This time it was the turn of Chen Ping, Liu Heshan and others to say this: "Sir, don't worry about this for now." If you don't solve the problems of the governor and the county magistrate, they will not dare to take credit.
What a success! Lu Desheng looked at them speechlessly.
The signed peace treaty went around and returned to Lu Desheng's hands.
Lu Desheng looked at it for a long moment, then slammed the table and said, "Come on, put up a notice! Post the results of this negotiation throughout the city and inform the people!"
"yes!"
Do it as soon as you say it! The people below quickly went to write the red list.
Lü Desheng and Le Guicai said, "We've achieved such great results, we must publicize them! To reassure the people! To share the joy with them!"
Le Guicai and the other two looked at each other and shook their heads.
You are the one who has a big heart!
It’s still you who are so flamboyant!
Lu Desheng, you can do it.
The officials of Houcheng posted five red notices in total in Houcheng, one in each of the four locations in the county, plus one outside the county government office. They went to each place where a notice was posted with the sound of gongs and drums, and people were arranged to sing and read the notices next to each red notice.
This lively scene attracted many people to gather.
After the common people finished listening to the officers' singing and reading, they couldn't help but start talking.
"Is it true that the Xianbei people are gone?"
"It's true. I saw them evacuate the border of Houcheng with my own eyes."
For the Xianbei, this was the spring herding season, and they would constantly relocate their settlements, migrating to more lush areas with abundant grass and water for grazing. If Prince Tuoba Lian had not been captured, they wouldn't have camped near Houcheng during this season.
"Does this red list mean that there won't be a war this time?"
"There will be no more fighting. Not just this time, but for the next three years, the Xianbei people will not move south!"
"Is this true?"
"It's true. The Xianbei prince has signed the peace treaty."
"I have signed it, but do the Xianbei people keep their word?"
"They must keep their word. This peace treaty was not only signed by Prince Tuoba, but also signed with the royal seal. This is equivalent to the Xianbei Khan's agreement. If they don't keep their promise, wouldn't they be shameless? Besides, the contract is only for three years, which is not a long time."
"That's great! We don't have to worry about the Xianbei people attacking us in the next three years."
"This time, it's all thanks to Lord Lu."
"Yes, he just came to take office and he did such a great thing for Houcheng. He is really a good official."
"Did you know that Lord Lu also included a supplementary clause in this peace treaty? It states that the Xianbei must not harass or invade the four counties of Pingzhou, especially our Liaodong County, for three years!"
"What does this mean?"
The man cleared his throat and explained, "The unfinished words of this supplementary treaty are equivalent to Lord Lu telling the Xianbei prince that you Xianbei are not allowed to move south for three years. If you really want to break the agreement and move south, don't cause chaos in the four counties of Pingzhou, especially Liaodong County!"
"Ah? Is this still possible?"
"Of course, this is because the negotiations were presided over by our Houcheng County Magistrate, Lord Lu, and this supplementary treaty was also secured by him for our Pingzhou Four Counties and our Liaodong County."
"No, if the Xianbei are about to break the agreement, will they care if it's broken once or twice?"
"That's true, but this contract is at least a double bind for the Xianbei. If they dare to harass or invade Liaodong County during these three years, it would be a double slap in the face! Do you think it's better for them to slap themselves once or twice?"
"That makes sense. It seems that our Pingzhou Liaodong County will be the safest for the next three years!"
"That's what I mean."
"Then I'll write to my uncle and tell him he can come back with his family!"
"Then I have to write a letter to my aunt and ask them to move from Liaoxi County to Liaodong County."
"I wrote to my uncle, asking him to return to his hometown in Liaodong County as soon as possible!"
"Writing a letter is too slow. I will go to Xuantu County to pick you up in two days!" Although they both belong to Pingzhou, it is not as safe as Liaodong County!
Next to the county government office, Lu Desheng, Chen Ping, Liu Heshan and others were listening to the discussion of the people.
"Dan, Lord Lu's trick is great." Chen Ping and Li Dan whispered in each other's ears, sighing quietly, "It's really a good idea to invite the navy, and things are going well." The whispers were a little loud.
What "troll army"? He hired them specifically to explain policies to the people, not a "troll army." Lü Desheng firmly denied it.
Under the red notice, an ordinary citizen bravely stepped forward and asked the guard standing by, "Sir, I have a string of firecrackers at home. Can I bring it to the county government office to burn?"
"I have some at home, you can bring them over."
"Wait a moment, I'll go ask our county magistrate for instructions."
In response to the people's request, Lü Desheng immediately made the decision, "Today is a good day, light the firecrackers! Beat the gongs and drums, and get the lion dance team ready!"
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