"If the emperor wants to take action in the northwest, he needs someone to help him keep an eye on it."
Liu Zhao said to keep half and half and wait for Lord Li's reaction.
Lord Li poured himself a drink and picked up the teapot to refill his cup. He sneered, "Your Highness is asking me to keep an eye on the northwest for Your Majesty? Ha!"
Liu Zhao laughed. "The Northwest issue is of great importance. If handled improperly, it could even endanger the foundation of the nation. We must be cautious in Northwest affairs. Why don't you and I join forces and follow the example of the Jiangnan Grand Military Governor's Office and urge our father to establish a Grand Military Governor's Office in the Northwest to oversee the military and political affairs of the region. Lord Li, are you willing to serve as the governor of the Northwest Grand Military Governor's Office?"
Lord Li's breathing became heavy and his expression changed repeatedly.
"Governor of the Northwest Grand Military Governor's Office?"
Liu Zhao nodded solemnly, "Yes!"
Grand Commander, a high-ranking official in charge of frontier affairs.
Although there is no actual division of land and enfeoffment of a title, there is the name of division of land and enfeoffment of a title.
Under the jurisdiction of the Grand Marshal's Office, all military and political affairs are decided by the Grand Marshal.
Although he was a local official, he had considerable power.
For example, the Grand Commander of the Jiangnan Grand Commandery was unwilling to change his post even if he was given the title of Minister of the Central Secretariat. He was content to stay in the position of Grand Commander and refused to leave.
However, once Emperor Wende has completely resolved the internal troubles of the court, he will definitely replace a group of officials in Jiangnan.
Jiangnan will take action before Northwest China.
When the imperial court moves south of the Yangtze River, it does not have as many concerns as in the northwest.
The heavy garrison in the northwest could lead to a mutiny if not handled with caution, with disastrous consequences.
There were no heavy troops in Jiangnan, and the navy was also established by Liu Zhao on his orders.
If the imperial court wanted to move south of the Yangtze River, there would be almost no military resistance.
The greatest resistance comes from local tyrants and major clan forces in the south of the Yangtze River.
These obstacles will be resolved sooner or later under the suppression of the court.
Lord Li thought of Jiangnan from the perspective of the northwest, and said, "I can strive to be promoted to the Jiangnan Grand Commandery, why should I go to the northwest and eat sand?"
Liu Zhao sarcastically said, "Are you dreaming, sir? Jiangnan is a prosperous region, and many of your students are employed there. Sending you there would be like letting a tiger go back to the mountains. You haven't managed the northwest in recent years, and you don't have any connections there. Sending you there would reassure my father."
Lord Li laughed heartily, then said coldly, "You and His Majesty, you and your father, there really isn't a single good person in your Liu family."
Liu Zhao chuckled softly, "If you want to be an official of the Liu family and eat the Liu family's food, you must obey the Liu family's rule. Could it be that you want to rebel?"
"It will take three years for a scholar to rebel. I don't have the ability to rebel, so don't even think of letting me take the blame." Lord Li snorted coldly.
Liu Zhao folded his arms and asked indifferently, "What do you think of my proposal, sir?"
Lord Li smiled faintly, "Is it His Majesty who wants to keep an eye on the northwest, or is it His Highness who wants to keep an eye on the northwest?"
Liu Zhao raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Whoever you think it is, that's it."
"Your Highness is quite ambitious!"
"A prince without ambition is not worthy of being a prince." Liu Zhao said as a matter of course.
Lord Li asked again, "Does Madam Zhao know about this?"
Liu Zhao smiled maliciously, "Guess!"
Lord Li was angry.
"Your Highness, you are trying to drag me onto your pirate ship, but you are unwilling to show enough sincerity. Do you think I am stupid?"
Liu Zhao said indifferently, "Your Excellency can refuse to board my pirate ship. Then you can expect my father to tear you into pieces and make you a disgrace forever. On the other hand, if you board my pirate ship, you might even have a chance to be remembered for eternity, return to the imperial court, and become a renowned official."
Lord Li chuckled twice, "If I board your pirate ship, I might be beheaded, have my property confiscated and exiled, and die with regrets."
Liu Zhao smiled and said, "Your Excellency, you can take a gamble and see whether it will end with your head and body being torn apart or your name being passed down through the ages."
What scholars seek is fame both before and after their death.
Especially the reputation after death, it is impossible not to care.
Do you all want to know how history books will evaluate you?
What is your position in history?
Can you surpass your predecessors and suppress your juniors?
If he had left the court in disgrace, it is conceivable that he would hardly have been well-regarded in history books, and people in later generations would not even mention him at all.
One of life's great regrets.
However, would he risk his life to work with Liu Zhao?
Lord Li narrowed his eyes, staring at Liu Zhao in front of him, and suddenly said, "I want to see Madam Zhao."
Liu Zhao: “…”
MMP, my credit is not as good as my dear wife, I am in such a miserable situation.
As a prince, and the eldest son at that, he has ended up in such a miserable state. He really needs to reflect on himself.
What went wrong, or who did I offend? For example, did I offend the author?
Liu Zhao said to Lord Li, "My wife is unwell and cannot see you. Also, your Highness and my wife are husband and wife."
Lord Li laughed heartily, "I'm sorry, but I won't make any decision until I meet Madam Zhao."
Liu Zhao bared his teeth.
Lord Li was so happy. It was so satisfying to see Liu Zhao being humiliated.
Liu Zhao narrowed his eyes, "Why does my lord insist on seeing my wife?"
Lord Li stroked his beard and said, "I have my reasons. Could it be that Your Highness is afraid?"
Provocation?
Liu Zhao sneered, "You want to see my wife, but only to confirm my thoughts and judge whether I want to use you as cannon fodder."
"Your Highness, will you allow me to be cannon fodder?"
Liu Zhao sneered, "Your Highness can let you see my wife. But after that, you have no say in what happens."
Lord Li was not afraid. He stroked his beard and said, "I am waiting for the imperial edict."
Liu Zhao turned away and left.
…
Seeing Liu Zhao coming back, Gu Jiu waved at him and asked, "Are you done talking?"
Liu Zhao sat down next to her and said, "He wants to see you."
"To see me?"
Gu Jiu was surprised, "Why does he want to see me?"
Liu Zhao said with a stern face, "He's an old fox. He probably guessed that the situation in the northwest is not what the Shaofu said. He might want to test you and find out what's going on in the northwest."
Gu Jiu laughed, "He wants to see my wife, and my wife also wants to see him."
Liu Zhao frowned, "Do you really want to see him?"
Gu Jiu nodded, "Cai Zhongshan and Xu Chengye are hesitant, and this lady needs to give them a push. Lord Li is a suitable candidate. In addition, we are all worried about Marquis Lu. Sending others to the northwest to keep an eye on Marquis Lu is useless. They are no match for him.
Even if it was hopeless, and even the King of Xiliang could be fooled, he was no match for the Marquis of Lu and almost lost his head. Now it seems that only Lord Li can fight the Marquis of Lu on equal terms. And given Lord Li's status and position, the Marquis of Lu must respect him. It just so happens that Your Majesty wants to make a move on Lord Li, and we should seize this opportunity to revitalize the chess game in the northwest.
Liu Zhao asked, "Aren't you worried that Lord Li will use us and collude with the Marquis of Lu?"
Gu Jiu shook his head. "There can't be two tigers in one mountain. Lord Li is an orthodox scholar. He pursues legitimacy, the relationship between the ruler and the minister, and orthodoxy. Ninety-nine percent of the time, he won't follow Marquis Lu. If he was really willing to give up everything to follow Marquis Lu, he wouldn't come to you for help. He could just cut off his tail and survive by becoming a treacherous minister.
Your biggest advantage over the Marquis of Lu is legitimacy. You are the prince, the legitimate heir. To Lord Li, you are the sovereign. The Marquis of Lu has no moral standing, so Lord Li will only be wary of him, not collude with him.
"The implication is that although Lord Li is good at scheming, he has integrity."
"Exactly! I believe he can uphold his integrity. A man in his sixties or seventies shouldn't gamble his posthumous reputation. Even if he wins, he'll still be known as a traitor."
Gu Jiu had already witnessed how much scholars valued reputation.
She was willing to take a gamble and bet that Lord Li would be upright.
Gu Jiu prepared to get up and meet Lord Li.
She reminded Liu Zhao, "Should we send Yu Ge'er back to the palace to receive a proper royal education? By the way, what exactly is royal education? When I come back, you can tell me about it."
Liu Zhao said casually: "Royal education is just like that."
Gu Jiu rolled his eyes at him and led his men to the back mountain.
Lord Li was very patient. He drank tea and enjoyed the scenery while waiting for Gu Jiu to arrive.
He was sure that Gu Jiu would come to see him.
The layout of the northwest seems to be Liu Zhao's personal decision.
However, Lord Li firmly believed that Gu Jiu must have been behind this.
Liu Zhao alone cannot reach the northwest.
Even if he could extend his hand to the northwest, he would be chopped off by the Marquis of Lu.
Over the years, countless people have tried to send spies to the northwest.
The results were without exception: the spies sent to the northwest were either beheaded or disappeared, and those who came back alive were terrified of the Marquis of Lu.
However, Gu Jiu should be an exception.
The Duke of Lu would be on guard against Liu Zhao's spies, but he would not be on guard against the managers of the trading companies under Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu and Lu Hou have been doing business.
The manager of the trading company can obtain some information about the Northwest Army without having to inquire specifically.
With the establishment of express delivery stations, information flows faster.
However, this news did not reach the court.
Ninety-nine percent of the news from the Northwest went into Gu Jiu's pocket.
Lord Li was amazed.
The offensive of money is truly powerful.
Even though he was a young master, he had been infiltrated by Gu Jiu for many years, and he was led by Gu Jiu without realizing it.
Perhaps the Minister of the Imperial Household knew about it but did not report it to Emperor Wende.
Lord Li had no idea whether there was any money transaction involved.
However, Gu Jiu's approach allowed him to see new ideas and methods.
Before Gu Jiu, no one had ever used this method.
"I heard that Lord Li wants to see my wife?"
Lord Li, who was lost in thought, was interrupted.
He raised his head and looked in the direction of the voice, "Madam Zhao!"
Gu Jiu nodded with a smile, "It's been a long time since I last saw you, sir. You are still as elegant as ever."
Lord Li stroked his beard and laughed, "I'm old, old! Not as good as I used to be."
"Lord Li wants to see my wife. Is it to confirm my Highness's determination to manage the northwest?"
Lord Li was obviously stunned.
Then he laughed again, "Hahahaha... Madam Zhao speaks so directly. Good, that's straightforward! I was just about to talk to you about the Northwest."
"Please, sir!"
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