Chapter 513: Lobbying King Cheng
After dealing with Zhang Yongzhuo, Jin and others, Lu Songli took his entourage to Shanggu County, where he repeated the same thing.
The human heart is subtle.
The original people of Youzhou felt they were citizens of the Great Li, yet the imperial court abandoned them. Pingzhou was a rebel, yet it saved them from disaster. Throwing themselves into the arms of Pingzhou was like jumping back into the fire. This feeling disappeared after the rebellion of King Jin, King Cheng, Xie Zhan, and others.
At this time, the people of Youzhou were at a loss as to what to do.
If Lu Songli and others do nothing, the people of Youzhou will slowly try to accept the new policy, which will take time.
Everyone needs a reason to accept, a reason to switch sides. This step can be said to be a bridge, and the new policy needs to be given first.
So Lu Songli threw out the remaining officials in Youzhou and let the local people decide whether to stay or go.
This method was used to get all the people in the two counties of Youzhou to participate, and eventually Yuyang County and Shanggu County among the three counties of Youzhou were roughly plowed.
Youbeiping Commandery doesn't need to worry too much, as it's close to Pingzhou. Having been previously attacked by the Xianbei army, most of the people have fled to Pingzhou for refuge. The trust of the people in this commandery in Pingzhou is also the highest among the three commanderies in Youzhou.
At this time, the people of Youzhou began to identify with the new policy.
While Lu Songli was in Shanggu County, he received news that the court was preparing to use military force against the south. It was said that the army had already assembled and set off.
She thought that the Southland was about to begin their first round of tests.
Whether it's a mule or a horse, it has to be taken out for a walk.
At the same time, the imperial court issued an order prohibiting Dali merchants from trading with Pingzhou and the South, and violators would be killed without mercy.
Isn't this a blockade?
Song Mo is really something. Even when a war is about to break out, he still wants to make life difficult for Pingzhou.
But Lv Songli is not afraid. You have a plan, and I have a ladder. We'll see what the final result will be.
Lu Songli was busy during her stay in Yuyang County and Shanggu County. She visited some villages and towns and conducted field investigations to see how to restore people's livelihood and economy in the coming year.
A blacksmith must be strong himself.
Southwest, Prince Cheng's Mansion
Prince Cheng also received news that the imperial court was going to use military force against Lingnan. He immediately raised his head and said, "Song Mo finally understands the difference between inside and outside."
King Cheng was very satisfied that Song Mo chose to attack outsiders at the first opportunity.
Although Prince Cheng followed Pingzhou in rebelling, he was actually unhappy, especially when he learned that Xie Zhan of Lingnan had also joined in the rebellion.
In his opinion, who were the Xie Zhan and Qin Lu families? How dare they covet their Dali kingdom? They should be destroyed, and finally the three brothers of the Song family would fight for the world.
At this time Dong Jichuan came in from outside.
Cheng Wang waved to him, "Mr. Dong, come here!"
"As we expected, the imperial court took the lead in sending troops to attack the unlucky Xie Zhan." King Cheng felt that he was the first one to be chosen among the four people, Song Mo. Isn't this unlucky?
After hearing the news that a female ruler had emerged in Pingzhou, Dong Jichuan predicted that the court's first target would be Lingnan. Prince Cheng was simply flattering himself by claiming the other party's achievements as everyone's.
Prince Cheng's staff suggested, "Prince Cheng is blessed with great fortune. As the saying goes, when the snipe and the clam quarrel, the fisherman benefits. We can definitely take this opportunity to expand our territory."
Seeing that Prince Cheng was actually thinking seriously about it, Dong Jichuan knew something was wrong and quickly said, "Your Highness, Governor Xie has sent an envoy, who is waiting outside the door. Would you like to see him?"
"Xie Zhan sent an envoy here? What for?"
Dong Jichuan said, "The other party should be here to persuade Your Highness to form an alliance. Your Highness, there are still many smart people in this world."
Prince Cheng understood. Dong Jichuan meant that Xie Zhan also guessed that the court would be the first to attack him, so he sent envoys to the southwest early.
"Then please come in." Prince Cheng wanted to see if this was the case.
When Jiang Boya came in, he immediately bowed to King Cheng.
After King Cheng asked him to excuse himself from the formalities, he asked about his purpose of visit.
Jiang Boya said bluntly, "I am here on behalf of my master to invite His Majesty to form an alliance."
Prince Cheng lazily said, "The imperial court wants to attack Lingnan, and this has nothing to do with me. Why should I form an alliance with Lingnan?"
Jiang Boya nodded, "It's only natural for Prince Cheng to think this way."
"But Prince Cheng, you should understand that Lingnan and the southwest are by no means unrelated. My Lord believes that we are in a relationship where the lips and teeth are in danger."
"While the imperial court is attacking Lingnan this time, Prince Cheng can certainly stand by and watch, but after the imperial court destroys my master, they will undoubtedly attack Prince Cheng and Prince Jin."
"The imperial court is now powerful. Prince Cheng, do you really think you can compete with the imperial court with the power of one state?"
"If we each act independently, we will be easily defeated by the imperial court. Only by uniting together can we have a chance of survival. Prince Cheng, saving the South is also saving ourselves."
Thinking that the southwest was indeed a bit weak compared to the imperial court, Prince Cheng's face had turned a little ugly, but he still said defiantly, "If I can't compete with the imperial court with the strength of one state, can I really compete with you by forming an alliance with Lingnan?"
Jiang Boya analyzed the current situation with him, "The Dali court is powerful, like a strong man; the southwest and southern regions are weak, like children. The court's attack on Lingnan is like a strong man bullying a child; there's still strength left. But the court can't fight two at once, as it must reserve a large army to defend against Xianbei areas like Pingzhou. This is why the court only sent troops to Lingnan, rather than launching wars on two or three fronts simultaneously."
The general idea is that if the imperial court attacks one of the three, they will definitely be destroyed. If they fight one against two, it will not work.
"Your Majesty, if we don't join forces, it's very likely that neither of us will have the chance to grow up."
"After you have destroyed Lingnan, I can form an alliance with the King of Jin." King Cheng's words were still full of provocation. It's all about forming an alliance, so it doesn't matter who we form an alliance with.
Jiang Boya said calmly, "Our two places are neighbors." Although there are mountains and rivers between the two places, it doesn't matter, right?
"There is a natural basis for cooperation. If the imperial court destroys the South, even if you and the King of Jin can join forces, you are too far apart to effectively cooperate."
In the end, there is no escape from destruction.
Prince Cheng choked.
"I wonder if King Cheng has ever thought about this: if our Lingnan and Pingzhou are destroyed, Song Mo can suppress you with just a sentence from our ancestral family rules." Their existence is necessary.
Seeing that Prince Cheng disagreed, Jiang Boya changed his words, "Even if we take a step back, Prince Cheng should still strive for the best chance of winning. Prince Cheng needs time to strengthen himself, conquer more territory, and hold more bargaining chips, so that he can negotiate with the court in the future."
"Therefore, I personally believe that if Prince Cheng and my Lord form an alliance, both sides will support each other and fight against the court together. Only then will the prince have a chance of victory."
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