Lu Yu was still lost in thought.
Sima Yi's words followed one after another…
"Chief Minister Lu has always not reused his disciples, and I have pondered for a long time, but could not find the reason."
"But I have a feeling that Chief Minister Lu does not trust me. To eliminate Chief Minister Lu's distrust, I am willing to join the Tomb Robber Battalion!"
"If, in the future, there is a peaceful and prosperous era, and someone wants to make a fuss about this 'tomb robbing,' then I will be a shield before Chief Minister Lu, letting me face the undeserved slander. This 'tomb robbing' matter has always had nothing to do with Chief Minister Lu. It was my own decision, and I am willing to bear all the blame!"
He spoke fluently.
At first, it was nothing, but the further he spoke, the more Lu Yu's brows furrowed. Sima Yi's words were almost entirely his third point of consideration.
Wasn't he, Sima Yi, not trusted? Wasn't he feared?
Then fine… My Sima family will remain in seclusion, and I, Sima Yi, will do this tomb robbing business. What about future peaceful eras and people slandering Lu Yu, none of that is important.
What's important is that once Sima Yi engages in such activities and they come to light, he will inevitably be branded as infamous. And the one who can bring Sima Yi to light is none other than Lu Yu!
It can be said that Sima Yi was willing to use his own reputation as "collateral" to make Lu Yu take him seriously and employ him.
This was for the future of the Sima family, and also for himself to find a way to survive in this chaotic world.
It is said that circumstances create heroes.
Historically, Sima Yi's patience and reclusion were due to the unclear situation at the time.
But now… because of Lu Yu's appearance, this situation has become clear, at least in Sima Yi's eyes, it has become dazzlingly clear.
Hoo…
In contrast, Lu Yu exhaled lightly.
… Good heavens.
Looking at Sima Yi again, suddenly… Lu Yu felt… he wasn't that annoying or so wicked anymore.
With words spoken to this extent, even… he had handed over a "handle" to Lu Yu.
If he still didn't use him? It would be… unacceptable.
However…
There's no rush for tomb robbing. There is an important matter at hand that requires a meticulous, wise, and agile person. Originally… Lu Yu was still considering who to assign it to!
With this in mind, Lu Yu's gaze shifted to the map again, moving towards Jizhou.
He muttered to himself, "The acting governor of Jizhou, Shen Pei, must have returned, right?"
"Then… the plan can proceed!"
"Zhongda…"
For the first time, Lu Yu called out the name "Zhongda."
It should be known that in the past, Lu Yu's address to Sima Yi was either "Sima Zhongda" or "Young Master Sima"!
With the utterance of "Zhongda," the relationship between the two had undoubtedly been brought much closer.
"Chief Minister Lu…"
Not only Sima Yi, but even Zhang Chunhua, who was by his side, felt the change in Lu Yu's tone.
She had come this time to bolster her husband's courage.
After all… her husband had been rejected too many times, and his confidence was a bit lacking. Moreover, this matter concerned the survival of the Sima family and whether her son, Sima Shi, could grow up!
"There's no rush with the Tomb Robber Battalion. I have an important matter here that I'm not entirely at ease entrusting to others. Since you have volunteered, this matter will be entrusted to you."
Lu Yu spoke as he gestured for Sima Yi to lean closer.
Immediately after, a string of words flowed out.
And as the conversation deepened, Sima Yi's brows gradually furrowed. This matter was not easy.
However, this could also be considered… another test from Chief Minister Lu, right?
…
…
Jiangdong, Kuaiji Commandery, Kong Family Mansion.
Speaking of Jiangdong, one must mention the four great families of Wu Commandery – Gu, Lu, Zhou, and Zhang; and the four great families of Kuaiji – Yu, Wei, Kong, and Xie.
The Kong family ranked last among these eight great families. If we were to be meticulous, according to the latest ranking of the powers of the various great families in Jiangdong, they were only above the Xie family and the long-declined Lu family.
But…
A starved camel is still bigger than a horse, isn't it?
As one of the eight great families of Jiangdong, they were not to be bullied casually, not even a retainer.
At this moment…
Wang Liuzi, a "wage earner" from Jiujiang, was captured into the rear courtyard by the Kong family's soldiers for beating one of the Kong family's retainers.
This matter, if it happened to other families, would not be considered significant, nor insignificant.
But it just so happened to be the Kong family they provoked, and that was another story.
In Jiangdong, the eight great families… no, to be precise, the seven great families, were not to be trifled with…
Even to display the family's status, the Kong family absolutely had to punish this Wang Liuzi from Jiujiang severely.
For these great families, even if they killed this Wang Liuzi, no official would dare to come to their door to cause trouble. The Sun family of today would not be foolish enough to offend these families for this!
Compared to the monopolization of officialdom and careers by the noble families and clans in the Central Plains…
Undoubtedly, the hierarchy here was even stricter, and the rights of the scholar-officials were even more paramount.
At this moment…
In front of the Kong family mansion, over a hundred soldiers and dozens of retainers had already gathered, each holding a wooden staff, casting disdainful smiles at the group of "wage earners" from Jiujiang approaching them.
Thump…
Thump…
As Zhou Tai, Jiang Qin, and others approached, amidst the escort of a group of soldiers, a middle-aged man strode out.
Who else could this person be if not the patriarch of the Kong family?
This person was named Kong Zhu. In Jiangdong, he held the position of Prefect of Yuzhang. His father had served as the Tutor of the Crown Prince. Because he fled from trouble, he came to the Wu region. This time, returning to his ancestral home in Danyang for a visit, he happened to encounter the incident of his retainer being beaten!
Seeing the more than a hundred people approaching, he kept it in mind and immediately sent someone to notify the Prefect of Danyang Commandery to dispatch troops…
As fellow prefects, officials would protect each other. The Prefect of Danyang Commandery would give him this much face.
After doing this, he then shouted arrogantly, "What are you doing here? Are you trying to tear down my Kong family's gate?"
His eyes narrowed slightly, and his gaze met directly with Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin.
His face had already turned grim…
He initially thought the incident of his retainer being beaten was over.
But unfortunately…
The other party had backing!
Heh heh… A bunch of country bumpkins from Jiujiang? Hmph… If they weren't shown some power, Jiangdong would think that his Kong family, like the Lu family, had declined!
Seeing the other party's attitude, Zhou Tai immediately became angry, his hand already moving to his waist, preparing to draw his saber!
It was Jiang Qin, however, who held his arm and then cupped his fists, saying, "I am Jiang Qin from Jiujiang. This is my elder brother, Zhou Tai from Jiujiang. Greetings, Prefect Kong!"
To have a conflict with the prefect of a commandery, even if he was not the prefect of this place, after this, the people of Jiujiang would probably not be able to get by in Jiangdong!
Therefore, Jiang Qin intended to offer courtesy before resorting to force.
Seeing the other party's softened attitude, Kong Zhu's eyes revealed a hint of disdain, and he smiled lightly, "Jiang Qin? Zhou Tai? I haven't heard of you. Is your lineup here to pay respects to this prefect? Why does it look like you're here to stir up trouble?"
This voice was as if from hell, exceptionally deep.
Jiang Qin still replied in a calm tone, "I have a brother under my command who had a dispute with Prefect Kong's retainer. I heard that someone gathered a group of people and abducted my brother to the Kong mansion. Does Prefect Kong know about this matter?"
"I don't know!" Kong Zhu waved his hand… "This prefect did not see anyone being abducted into my mansion today! And not just any pig or dog can enter our Kong mansion!"
"You… clearly…" Zhou Tai stepped forward. He was more impulsive and acted without considering the consequences.
It was still Jiang Qin who held him back. "Martial men fight with bravery. This is nothing. Whoever suffers a loss can only blame themselves for not being as skilled. But to abduct people privately is unreasonable!"
"This prefect said that he has not seen your damned brother," Kong Zhu straightened his back. As one of the eight great families of Kuaiji, how could he be intimidated by two country bumpkins?
Seeing Zhou Tai's furious expression, Kong Zhu smiled and said, "What? Do you people from Jiujiang want to search this prefect's mansion?"
With these words, Kong Zhu took a step forward, exceptionally fearless.
"Come on, search it. If you have the ability, try searching!"
Assaulting a prefect, searching a prefect's mansion, such a crime could be treated as assassination, and they could be killed on the spot. Kong Zhu was certain of this.
"Damn…"
Zhou Tai exerted force on his wrist, and the short saber named "Youping" was already half unsheathed. It looked like he was about to take Kong Zhu down with him.
Just then…
Thump…
Thump thump…
Hundreds of footsteps echoed, and a squad of soldiers appeared not far away.
"Who are these rebels, daring to cause trouble in front of the Kong mansion?"
As this voice sounded, many fellow villagers from Jiujiang trembled in their hearts, and Zhou Tai's hand, which was gripping his saber, also stopped. He was impulsive, but not stupid. At this moment, if he drew his saber, he would likely be treated as an assassin and all of them would perish here.
This…
"Heh heh, aren't you very arrogant! Haha… draw your saber?"
Kong Zhu was still taunting Zhou Tai, raising his voice, adding a bit more fearlessness. He lowered his voice and mocked, "Want to save someone? Not a chance!"
"You…" Zhou Tai's eyes glared with anger. If eyes could kill at this moment, his eyes could probably incinerate Kong Zhu.
Not only Zhou Tai, but Jiang Qin was also in a difficult situation now…
This matter has become difficult!
If they acted, with so many people, they would also incur blame!
If they didn't act, then… how could they save their fellow villager? Looking at Kong Zhu's tone, it was clear he had no intention of letting Wang Liuzi go.
Difficult…
A dilemma!
"Thump…"
"Thump…"
The soldiers were getting closer and closer, and some of the Jiujiang fellows suggested running away.
Jiang Qin's heart also wavered slightly. Regardless of anything else, they could not contend with the soldiers!
Who would have thought that at this moment…
Jiang Qin's vision blurred, and he saw a heavy bag being pulled from Lu Xun's belongings and then thrown to Kong Zhu.
Kong Zhu, thinking it was a hidden weapon, dodged frantically. Who would have thought that the bag would fall to the ground with a clatter… and spill a pile of gold!
There was as much as… a hundred taels.
To know that one tael of gold was about fifty grams, this hundred taels of gold was a full ten pounds in weight. It hit the ground, covering the ground, constantly flashing golden light.
Kong Zhu hadn't even reacted…
"Clang clang!" Two more bags of gold were thrown over. This time, he caught them solidly, feeling a bit of pain and coldness in his chest, but his heart was warm…
At the same time, a voice accompanied by a smile followed, "Uncle Kong, long time no see, I've missed you dearly…"
"This gold, probably only three hundred taels. Converted to Wuzhu coins, it's only a few tens of thousands of coins. A small token of appreciation, not enough to express my respect!"
As these words left his mouth…
Kong Zhu's eyes went straight.
Who was it? With such a generous hand, he gave tens of thousands of Wuzhu coins.
Crucially… this was not the main point. The main point was that the person said, "a small token of appreciation, not enough to express my respect!"
Good heavens…
Even though Kong Zhu was the patriarch of the Kong family, one of the eight great families of Jiangdong, the principle of "money is hard to earn" applied everywhere. Moreover, the Kong family, along with the Xie family, were the few noble families in Jiangdong that had not entered the commercial world. Relying solely on the family's foundation and the money earned as a prefect, how much could that be?
What's more, to support so many people, it was not an exaggeration to say that these two bags of gold were enough for his family's expenses for half a year. How extravagant!
Instantly, Kong Zhu's expression became somewhat stiff. But as he looked in the direction of the voice, his expression became even stiffer, as if frozen into fossils in amber.
"Lu? Lu Xun?"
That's right… Who else could it be standing before Kong Zhu if not Lu Xun of the Lu family?
But… but hadn't the Lu family declined? With no one in the family holding office, they had even sold off their last remaining fields and houses, just to buy three bare mountains. Wasn't this being wasteful and nonsensical?
How come now?
Of course… Kong Zhu didn't have time to dwell on this at the moment. He subconsciously opened his mouth and asked, "This gold? Is… is it for me?"
Lu Xun replied with a smile, "Yes, of course it's for Uncle Kong."
"It's been a long time since I've seen Uncle Kong. Your nephew misses you dearly. Wealth is just an external possession, and besides… what is this little bit of wealth? Moreover…"
Lu Xun deliberately paused.
The dumbfounded Kong Zhu was somewhat stunned and subconsciously asked, "Moreover? What?"
This time, before Lu Xun could speak, Lu Ji preempted him, "Uncle Kong, hello. Boyan means that in the past… the Lu family and the Kong family were old friends. My father and Uncle Kong also had a very close relationship!"
With words spoken to this extent…
Kong Zhu's eyes narrowed slightly. He was not so foolish as to ask how the Lu family had so much wealth! Nor did he go into the details of the origin of this wealth!
It wouldn't be too late to investigate these matters in private.
For now, since it has happened, let it be…
Wait…
Suddenly, Kong Zhu saw that Lu Xun and Lu Ji were among Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin's group. Instantly, he understood something.
So, this was the meaning!
He lifted the weight of the money bag in his hand…
It had to be said that gold was cold, but holding it in his arms was warm.
"Heh heh…"
He gave a light smile…
Just then, a group of soldiers arrived.
"Prefect Kong, are these ruffians causing trouble in front of the Kong mansion? They are incredibly audacious. Your subordinate will arrest them all at once!"
The soldier's leader cupped his fists and asked…
As these words left his mouth, the hearts of the Jiujiang fellows were already in their throats.
But to their surprise…
Kong Zhu waved his hand. "A misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding."
He took out a few gold ingots from the bag and handed them to the soldier's leader. "It was my mistake to call for the captain without understanding the situation. Take these and treat your brothers to some wine!"
Huo…
These soldiers also didn't expect that they would be rewarded with gold on this trip.
Instantly, they were filled with gratitude and bowed again. After confirming that there was no trouble here, they shouted a few words at the group of Jiujiang people and quickly left.
After the soldiers had gone far…
A crisp voice sounded again. "Uncle Kong… my brothers were a bit reckless. Please don't take it to heart."
Lu Xun said with a smile…
"How could I? Didn't I say just now? This is all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!"
"Our Kong family and your Lu family are both among the eight great families. How could we abduct an ordinary citizen!" Kong Zhu said, stroking his beard with a smile.
It was obvious that his words had a hidden meaning!
Especially when he mentioned the Kong family and the Lu family, and the eight great families, it seemed that these three bags of gold made him look at the Lu family with new eyes.
"Since it's a misunderstanding, your nephew will take these brothers and bid farewell."
"I will visit Uncle Kong again another day!" Lu Xun and Lu Ji cupped their fists to Kong Zhu, and in their words… they deliberately emphasized the word "brothers."
Zhou Tai, with his simple nature, exclaimed, "But he… still hasn't…"
Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Qin covered Zhou Tai's mouth!
Then, he also cupped his fists to Kong Zhu… "I bid farewell!"
The group quickly departed.
They traveled in silence…
Upon returning to the Songhe Tower, Zhou Tai frowned. He looked at Lu Xun and Lu Ji, then deeply at Jiang Qin.
"Gongyi, what exactly do you mean? That fellow Kong accepted the money but didn't release the person, and you… you… just left like that?"
Just then.
"Brother Zhou, Brother Jiang…"
A weathered voice came from outside the Songhe Tower. Zhou Tai turned to look, and it was none other than the fellow townsman Wang Liuzi who had been abducted.
He had some injuries on his body, but these injuries had clearly been treated with medicine and bandaged. Even more surprising was that he was alighting from a carriage.
This? This?
Zhou Tai was a bit confused about the whole situation.
It was Jiang Qin, however, who cupped his fists to Lu Xun and Lu Ji.
"Your Excellencies' great kindness, initially, I, Jiang, had truly misjudged you."
"I keep my word. I will fine myself twenty large bowls of wine as atonement!"
As these words left his mouth, Jiang Qin was about to call for the waiter.
Who would have thought that…
It was Lu Xun who stopped him.
"Brother Jiang, please don't call for the waiter. I've given all my money to the Kong family, so I can't afford the wine money."
This…
As these words left his mouth, Jiang Qin looked up at Lu Xun, and then…
"Hahaha… Hahaha…"
The two burst into laughter…
Of course, compared to Jiang Qin, Lu Xun laughed even more heartily.
He never expected to meet the heroes Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai in such a straightforward manner by "smashing gold"!
Of course…
For the Lu family, compared to a mountain of gold, these three hundred taels of gold were merely a drop in the ocean.
It had to be said that his elder brother Lu Yu's so-called "giving a man a fish is not as good as teaching him to fish," his so-called "Jiangdong Mineral Distribution Map," and his so-called "appearing out of thin air" thousands of gold, tens of thousands of gold… were truly effective!
For a moment.
Lu Xun's eyes were misty…
He pondered that if all matters in Jiangdong could be settled with money.
Then…
Let's just throw money at it. Their Lu family had plenty of money!
By the way, his elder brother had mentioned before that this method of using money to solve problems was called – "spending money to progress"!
…
…
Jizhou, Ye City, the important area of the administrative office.
"Bang!" Yuan Shao slammed his palm heavily on the table.
The violent sound made the entire administrative office tremble!
"What is Qu Yi doing?"
A roar…
The reason for Yuan Shao's extreme anger was precisely because of Qu Yi, the commander of his Vanguard Battalion!
Just a moment ago, someone reported.
Of the so-called five routes attacking Yuan, except for the Southern Xiongnu, the remaining four routes had joined forces and were on the verge of breaking through Bingzhou, but precisely… Yuan Shao's dispatched Qu Yi and the Vanguard Battalion were stationed at the border between Bingzhou and Jizhou, neither advancing nor retreating!
This…
Just then, Xu You presented a war report and respectfully said, "These five routes of troops deployed by Lu Yu, while claiming to attack Ye City, are actually maneuvering back and forth in Bingzhou!"
"Gongsun Zan, Han Sui, Ma Teng, Zhang Yan, Southern Xiongnu… and that strange Yanmen cavalry, all of them are cavalry. Under the pincer attack of so many cavalry, General Gao Gan is exhausted and can barely resist. This is an urgent dispatch from General Gao Gan, which has not yet been opened!"
As these words left his mouth, Yuan Shao's brows shot up. "These five bandit routes have not been quelled for months now, humph, my nephew Gao Gan can barely resist! And Qu Yi and the Vanguard Battalion are still observing and not advancing? What exactly is he doing? What does he want to do? In this way, to the world, people will think that my Yuan Shao's great momentum has been lost, and that Cao Cao is about to reach my Jizhou!"
Bang!
As these words left his mouth, Yuan Shao once again smashed his fist on the table.
Xu You remained silent.
It was Tian Feng who stood up and said, "My Lord, I believe we should change generals. Replace Qu Yi's Vanguard Battalion with the cavalry of Generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou, to help General Gao Gan defend Bingzhou!"
"Change generals at the critical moment?" Yuan Shao's expression was unpredictable. He did not make a decision immediately, but his eyes moved down, and he opened the urgent dispatch sent by Gao Gan to see what he had to say.
But this urgent dispatch… it was better not to read it, but upon reading it, Yuan Shao's mentality completely collapsed.
He stood up abruptly.
"Bold Qu Yi, it is Qu Yi! He is utterly audacious!"
…
…