Emperor Wende secretly left the palace.
He took Lord Lu to the top of the north gate city wall.
Standing on the wall and looking into the distance, the refugee resettlement site looks like a beehive, so densely packed that it makes people feel terrified.
"I've heard that countless refugees are pouring into the capital every day. Are there 100,000 people at the resettlement site?"
Lord Lu said, "According to preliminary statistics, there are already 100,000 people."
Emperor Wende frowned, "The looted property and people from Beirong are being shipped out of the border in batches. I am powerless to stop them. This is a shame!"
"Your Majesty, calm down!" Lord Lu advised. "The Beirong Royal Court left the royal city with the army and is currently somewhere on the grassland. The Northwest Army is holding back because they want to follow the Beirong army transporting people and supplies and find the Beirong Royal Court. Once the Beirong Royal Court is destroyed, the Beirong army will have no choice but to retreat, and for ten or twenty years, they won't be able to advance south."
Emperor Wende's face was solemn. "Do you think the Northwest Army's plan is feasible?"
Lord Lu said, "There's at least a 50% chance of success. It's worth a try."
"If we lose, not only will we fail to capture the Beirong Royal Court, but we will also lose a large number of people and supplies. With these supplies and people, Beirong will be greatly strengthened. The Northwest Army's plan is too risky."
"I believe it's worth the risk. If we can't find the Beirong Royal Court, the Northwest Army will decisively intercept and kill the team transporting supplies and people."
"Finding someone in this vast prairie is like finding a needle in a haystack. How can we kill him? I will issue an order to Li Bingming, telling him to be ready and dispatch the army at any time."
Lord Lu frowned deeply.
A general is not always able to obey the orders of his king when he is away.
The battlefield situation changes rapidly, which tests the generals' on-the-spot command capabilities.
The most taboo in war is the court's blind command.
"Your Majesty, please wait a little longer. Perhaps new news will arrive in a few days."
"How I waited."
"Your Majesty, the battlefield situation changes every day. Perhaps there is a new war situation in the northwest now."
Emperor Wende frowned. "My dear minister, I understand what you are saying. Looking at this resettlement site outside the city, aren't you moved? These are my people, who left their homes and traveled thousands of miles to the capital to escape the war."
As long as Beirong doesn't retreat, they will remain in the capital. With so many people, the court can only support them for half a year or a year, but can it support them for two or three years? You are well aware of the Ministry of Revenue's situation. This war must end as soon as possible."
"Your Majesty, both the Marquis of Lu and Lord Li are experienced ministers with foresight. I believe that both of you will make the best choice."
Emperor Wende stared at Lord Lu, "Lord Lu, do you not trust me?"
"Your Majesty has misunderstood. I simply wish to remind you not to act hastily. This is a national war, and even if it lasts one or two years, or even three or four years, that is perfectly normal."
"snort!"
Emperor Wende turned away.
Obviously angry.
Chang En stamped his feet anxiously, sighing repeatedly at Lord Lu. He quickly caught up with Emperor Wende and got off the city wall.
Emperor Wende issued two edicts to urge Li Bingming.
Li Bingming discussed with the Duke of Lu and decided to launch a decisive battle.
The Beirong Royal Court continued to send people to track and search.
In midsummer, after various attempts and tugs of war, Da Zhou and Bei Rong finally organized a combined force of nearly 100,000 troops and fought a major battle.
It is said that the sound of fighting could be heard ten miles away from the battle.
The war lasted for nearly half a month, with both sides launching several charges.
In the end, the Beirong Army retreated outside the Great Wall and lived in seclusion on the grassland.
The Great Zhou army barely fulfilled Emperor Wende's request and drove the Beirong army out of the Great Zhou territory.
Is the war over?
It’s far from over.
Beirong looted a large amount of supplies and people.
The vast grassland is where they live.
After three to five months, when they have digested the supplies and population, the Beirong Army will go south again to raid the valleys.
As long as the Northern Rong faction is not destroyed, the war between the two countries will continue.
The difference lies in whether the armistice period is three to five months, or one to two years.
However, being able to successfully drive Beirong out of the territory of Da Zhou is also something worth celebrating for the whole world.
The imperial court rewarded the border troops according to their merits.
Emperor Wende was rarely generous and took out one million taels from the Shaofu as post-war compensation and reward.
The reward for the soldiers is simple.
The difficulty lies in how to reward the Marquis of Lu and his son Pei Meng.
Pei Meng personally led the Tianlang Army, fought several hard battles, beheaded thousands of people, and made great contributions. The court had to reward him.
However, Pei Meng had already reached the pinnacle of military rank. The only way to reward his military exploits was to confer a title.
The court officials were unable to make a decision on this difficult issue and could only pass the question to Emperor Wende.
Emperor Wende did not express his opinion.
Neither say reward, nor say not reward.
Instead, Empress Pei summoned the families of Marquis Lu and Pei Meng and gave them rewards.
Even Pei Yun, who was married, was summoned by Empress Pei.
Empress Pei was in a difficult position.
On one side is her husband, Emperor Wende.
On one side is her natal family, the Pei family.
Emperor Wende wanted to use the Pei family, but also had to be on guard against them.
The Northwest Army’s outstanding military achievements meant that the imperial court would no longer be able to control the Duke of Lu.
A few months later, the Northern Rong Army once again blocked the border and headed south. What should we do then?
"Someone must control the Duke of Lu and the Northwest Army."
"Li Bingming is incompetent. I really can't hold too much hope in him."
"The most important matter at the moment is how the court will reward the Marquis of Lu and his son."
"You can never be granted a title!"
This is Emperor Wende’s bottom line.
Everything else is easy to deal with, but Pei Meng must not be given a title, nor can the Duke of Lu be promoted.
Lord Lu advised Emperor Wende, "You can't confer a title, you can only reward him with gold and silver."
"How much gold and silver would be worthy of the merits of the Duke of Lu and his son?"
"I believe it cannot be less than one hundred thousand taels."
Emperor Wende frowned deeply.
Lord Lu advised, "Your Majesty, there has been no news from the Beirong Royal Court. In a few months, the Beirong army will march south again. By then, the court will have to rely on the Northwest Army. If you can't give titles, you can't be stingy with gold and silver rewards. I even think that 100,000 taels is too little."
"One hundred thousand taels is not enough?" Considering Emperor Wende's stinginess, one hundred thousand taels was already an astronomical figure.
Lord Lu suggested, "Your Majesty, since you're going to reward them, it's better to do it generously. What if they were given two or three hundred thousand taels of silver? It's just a small amount of gold and silver. At least it can silence the gossips of the world, and prevent people from saying that the court is mistreating its meritorious officials."
"Ridiculous! I have never treated them harshly."
"I know that Your Majesty has never treated the Marquis of Lu and his son harshly, but the generals and the people of the world are unaware of this. This time, why not make a grand gesture and grant a generous reward to show the court's respect for the Marquis of Lu and his son?"
Emperor Wende frowned and pondered for a long time before nodding his head in agreement. "Give the Marquis of Lu and his son 300,000 taels of gold and silver. This is a reward from me and the court for them. I will leave this matter to you, my dear minister. You must make it a public event so that everyone in the world knows how generously the court treats the Marquis of Lu and his son."
If the Duke of Lu rebels one day, he will be despised by the people of the world.
The court treated him so well, but he still rebelled. It goes without saying what the people wanted him to do.
Lord Lu bowed and accepted the order.
Lord Lu is also an expert at manipulating public opinion.
He made use of all newspapers and published in them the court's rewards to the Duke of Lu and his son.
For a time, people on the streets were talking about how generous and kind the court was to its meritorious officials.
The news spread from south to north and all over the world.
The people had very simple thoughts. When they heard the news, they all said that the court was very considerate.
Privately, people who envied and jealous of the Duke of Lu and his son were as numerous as carp swimming in the river.
Afterwards, Lord Lu made a big move and sent people to send 300,000 taels of gold and silver to the northwest.
Yes, to the northwest.
Instead of sending it to Pei Mansion in the capital.
Three hundred thousand taels, most of which was gold.
The golden gold was piled on the carriage and it set off from the west gate.
As early as three days ago, Lord Lu sent someone to spread the news.
On the day the procession set out, the West City Gate was packed with people, no fewer than 100,000. Outside the city gate, countless more lined the official road, waiting for the carriage to pass by and catch a glimpse of the wonder.
Everyone was very curious about how much money three hundred thousand taels was.
"Look, here comes the carriage."
"Oh my god, is that all gold?"
"That much gold must be worth a million taels."
"Idiot! I said three hundred thousand taels, how can it be one million taels?"
"It's rich! It's rich! The Duke of Lu and his son have made a fortune this time."
“It would be great if this money was given to me.”
The crowd was excited.
Countless people fantasize about how great it would be if they had so much money.
What Lord Lu did not expect was that this manipulation of public opinion actually inspired countless young men to join the army.
The recruitment office, which was deserted in the past, was suddenly crowded with people.
It is a blessing that so many young men have joined the army!
The court officials all congratulated Lord Lu for his brilliant move.
Lord Lu naturally had to be humble.
From the imperial court to Emperor Wende, everyone was basically satisfied with this manipulation of public opinion.
It not only solved the reward problem, but also won people's hearts.
…
northwest.
In the Northwest Army's central camp, Duke Lu was in a bad mood.
On his desk lay the newspapers that had been delivered from the capital at full speed.
After reading the contents of the newspaper, he smiled coldly.
"Lu Pifu, not only did you give me three hundred thousand taels to get rid of me, but you even used me and my son to gain some fame. I have never seen such a shameless person."
Pei Meng pinched his fingers, making a crackling sound.
Three hundred thousand taels, in the past, the father and son would definitely be very lucky.
Ever since they started doing business with Sihai Trading Company, the father and son no longer cared about the 300,000 taels.
A mere three hundred thousand taels is nothing.
With such a great contribution, it is not an exaggeration to say that he turned the tide and saved the people of the world, and even saved the Zhou Dynasty from disaster.
As a result, they were sent away with only 300,000 taels of silver.
Pei Meng asked, "Father, when Bei Rong comes south again, it would be better to be passive and lazy. Teach Emperor Wende a lesson."
The Duke of Lu remained silent.
Mr. Dou immediately changed the subject, "My Lord, I've heard that Lord Lu is a very strict and stern person. How could he have thought of using newspapers to manipulate public opinion and win over people? And he spent 300,000 taels in one go. This is the first time in over a hundred years of our dynasty that this has happened."
Marquis Lu raised his eyebrows, "Sir, you mean that Lord Lu has a master behind him."
Mr. Dou nodded, "I'm afraid it's still an old acquaintance of ours."
"You mean Madam Zhao?"
"Exactly!"
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