Chapter 259: Fighting for Rewards
On March 24, Prince Gong and his entourage, who had just arrived in Wangping, heard the news that the negotiations had ended.
Prince Gong was bewildered. How could Lü Desheng negotiate so quickly? Then he slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "The late emperor was wrong. Lü Desheng shouldn't have been made the Imperial Censor. Instead, he should have been placed in the Honglu Temple, specifically to deal with foreign tribes!"
The subordinates looked at each other, and then asked him, "Your Majesty, should we still go to Houcheng?"
"Go!" Since you're here!
Not only were Prince Gong and his entourage surprised by Lu Desheng's efficiency, but Chiang Kai-shek and his entourage also felt proud after hearing about the great victory in the negotiations.
For example, the Xu family, who were persuaded by their son to move to Liaodong County for his future, were really relieved when they heard the good news.
Liaodong County and even Pingzhou were unsafe, with the Xianbei migrating south almost every year. Not to mention that Houcheng bordered the Xianbei grasslands, making it even more dangerous. They were secretly worried about this along the way.
It’s great that Lord Lu has just arrived in Houcheng and has solved this big problem.
At least for the next three years, they wouldn't have to worry about being dragged into war. As for three years later? They'd see. Perhaps Lord Lu would be able to negotiate a peace treaty by then? The family members thought optimistically.
As the deeds of Lord Lu Desheng spread, he gradually gained the reputation of a famous scholar.
Many knowledgeable or well-read people began to pack their bags and head to Liaodong County, hoping to witness the elegance of the famous scholar Lü Desheng. After all, it was very safe there now.
They may go alone or in groups of three or five, but without exception, they are all very relaxed.
Looking at this scene, some hermits murmured that there must be a master in Liaodong County.
At the court of Dali, Emperor Song Mo looked at the memorial from Pingzhou Governor Shi Tao and the memorial requesting merit from Lu Desheng. After the initial excitement wore off, he sighed deeply.
How great it would be if the person who achieved great results in the negotiations with the Xianbei was not Lu Desheng.
This Lu Desheng really has some luck on him. In such a dangerous situation, he did not suffer any casualties, but instead made a contribution. He is really lucky.
Zuo Anmin glanced at the emperor and said tentatively, "Your Majesty, this little county magistrate, Lü Desheng, actually dared to take the lead in the negotiations with the Xianbei. Isn't this a bit too high a standard?"
Zhang Xian was furious when he heard this. "Master Zuo, didn't you hear what the Pingzhou Governor just said? Because the messenger had an accident, the Governor and the County Magistrate were unable to attend the agreed negotiation time. Magistrate Ren Lu bravely took the initiative and did a great job. He deserves a reward."
Zuo Anmin didn't argue with him, but said to Song Mo, "Lü Desheng did a good job, but, Your Majesty, I think if Lü Desheng had delayed the negotiations and waited for someone of higher status to arrive and preside over them, wouldn't the results of the negotiations have been better?"
Zhang Xian sneered when he heard this. "Master Zuo, have you ever considered that even if things develop as you say, can we trust the Xianbei's promise of ten years?"
Zuo Anmin clearly wants to downplay Lord Lu's role and contribution in this negotiation. With him around, forget it!
Zuo Anmin choked.
Song Mo didn't feel annoyed when listening to the quarrel between the two ministers. His face was slightly red and excited.
This was the first year of his reign when the peace treaty between Dali and the Xianbei royal court was signed. This event will be recorded in the history of Dali and can be regarded as one of his achievements as emperor.
In addition, this incident can also indirectly confirm that he is the true emperor appointed by heaven.
Song Mo was excited but also a little regretful, he even sighed.
Zhang Xian's heart tightened, and he whispered, "Your Majesty, this is the reward that should be given."
"I know."
Upon hearing this, Zuo Anmin shut up in disappointment.
Zhang Xian quickly said, "Your Majesty is wise."
Song Mo nodded. A while ago, he asked someone to sort out the emperor's relics and found a family heirloom book - "The Emperor's Mindset". He read it for several days and was greatly inspired.
He finally understood what "The Son of Heaven receives his mandate from Heaven and governs the people on behalf of Heaven" meant.
"The Imperial Mind" makes it clear that the royal family is committed to maintaining order and ethics because these two are the cornerstones of its rule.
Merit will be rewarded, and mistakes will be punished.
Otherwise, the order will be disrupted, and the people below will be at a loss, which is not conducive to governing the country.
Therefore, Lü Desheng deserves a reward this time. Lü Desheng was demoted and sent out from the position of Imperial Censor to a small county magistrate, so it would not be a bad idea to give him a promotion now.
Zhang Xian felt relieved only when he saw the emperor take out the jade seal and stamp it on the reward document from Lord Lu.
Hainan County, Panyu
Xie Zhan was in his study at home checking the news about Liaodong County.
At this time, the two elders, Xie Qian and Xie Yuan, as well as the younger generations, Xie Nan and Xie Bai, were also there. They were now the core members of the Xie family, mainly responsible for handling the Xiedi clan's affairs. Xie Zhan's current focus was on the Chen family, so it was inevitable that there would be some things that the Xie family would be unable to take care of.
A few days ago, Xie Zhan and Chen Baozhu held a simple and solemn wedding.
These days, thanks to Xie Zhan's efforts, Chen Jiaye handed over the intelligence gathering to him.
After Xie Zhan took over, he immediately increased the human resources investment in Liaodong County.
In the past few days, a steady stream of news has been coming back from Liaodong County by water.
The news that the Houcheng negotiations had successfully concluded and a three-year peace treaty had been signed reached Xie Zhan at the fastest speed.
Looking at the information in his hands, Xie Zhan knew that the Qin and Lu families not only survived the disaster safely, but also turned the disaster into a blessing.
After reading the letter, Xie Zhan handed it to Xie Qian, Xie Yuan, and the others, and said, "The negotiations in Houcheng have concluded. Lü Desheng, the new county magistrate of Houcheng, signed a three-year peace treaty with the Xianbei royal court in just two days."
There was news of negotiations in Houcheng before.
Xie Yuan, Xie Qian, and the others were shocked when they heard this. "How could it be so fast?"
Yes, how could it be so fast? At this time, Xie Zhan, with this question in mind, spread out all the information he had collected about Liaodong County, studying and researching it one by one. He always felt that the negotiation was full of strangeness.
"Such a negotiation speed is rare." Xie Yuan found it unbelievable.
Xie Qian echoed from the side, "Isn't it? It's like they've already discussed it long ago, and all that's left is the formalities."
Xie Nan asked, "Master, do you think it's possible that Lü Desheng and his men are colluding with the Xianbei royal court?"
Xie Zhan has also been thinking about this problem. In a real negotiation, it is impossible for both parties to reach a consensus on their opinions and demands so quickly.
Unless someone can accurately grasp the psychology of the top decision-makers on both sides, or collude with the Xianbei...
Xie Zhan immediately denied the latter speculation, "It's impossible. First of all, the Qin family has been stationed in the northern border for generations, and many of the Qin family's sons died in the northern border. They hate foreign races and it is impossible for them to collude with the Xianbei. Secondly, Lu Songli would not leave such a fatal handle." On the point of national justice, there is absolutely no room for error.
Excluding the second point, only the first point remains.
Xie Zhan looked at the peace contract again and tried to consider the issue from the perspectives of the Qin and Lu families.
In Xie Zhan's opinion, the signed peace treaty is very empty. If you think about it more deeply, it is actually a kind of exchange.
The Xianbei royal court rescued Tuoba Lian without any effort: the emperor gained false reputation and merit; but Lü Desheng gained huge benefits based on this peace treaty.
This is a trap!
Xie Zhan suddenly realized, no wonder the negotiations ended so quickly!
This opportunity is fleeting. If we don’t act quickly, the Qin and Lu families will be in trouble.
Xie Zhan sighed softly. Lv Songli's insight into and grasp of human nature had improved even further. After all, the thoughts of Tuoba Khan and Emperor Song Mo were beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.
Xie Zhan explained to Xie Yuan and the others that Lü Desheng and his men had not colluded with the Xianbei royal court, but had instead reached a tacit agreement to cooperate. This had benefited each party, while preventing anyone from finding fault.
The information was passed among the four people. After reading it, everyone looked at each other in silence.
After a long pause, "Now, the Qin and Lu families have established a firm foothold in Liaodong County."
Moreover, the Qin family has the protection of their relative Lu Desheng, which is much better than the Xie and Zhao families.
Xie Qian, Xie Yuan and others felt very unhappy. In the past, they thought that Lu Desheng was a troublemaker, but now Lu Desheng was the only one who supported the Qin and Lu families.
Xie Zhan didn't care about what Xie Yuan and others thought.
He picked up the pen, thought for a moment, crossed out Zheng Xun, and wrote the four words "Liaodong County Governor" over Lu Desheng's head.
He knew that the emperor would definitely reward Lu Desheng from the court, and it would be difficult for the emperor to refuse such an achievement that could be recorded in history books.
Xie Zhan knew he was a step behind the Qin and Lu families in Liaodong County, but he wasn't in a rush. His plan was progressing slowly. Once successful, it would be no worse than the current Qin and Lu families. Furthermore, he had already secretly sent several outstanding young men from his clan, providing a backup plan.
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