Jiuxi

Chapter 452 Chapter 450 [The world is bustling]

This ancestral house located in the core area of ​​Heishui Village has an extremely high status in the hearts of the Yalong tribe and even all Shazhou people.

The ancestral house adopts the traditional construction pattern of the Shazhou area, with the surroundings closed and the middle open, which means reaching directly to heaven and earth. Most of the materials used are stone, the foundation is built of solid stone, the steps are cut from slate, and even the roof tiles are made of stone flakes. , very customary.

The lobby is quite spacious. Portraits of Shazhou's ancestors are enshrined in the north. Seven chairs stained with the mottled traces of time are arranged in a row. The two rows below are the seats for the heads of various departments.

Luo Yaozong naturally sat first on the left.

As for the younger generations, they can only stand behind their elders.

Lu Chen walked into the hall with only three soldiers, and Luo Yaozong nodded slightly to him.

According to the protocol arranged in advance, Lu Chen came to the incense table, took the incense from the hand of the tiger-headed Luo Hengshan, bowed to the portrait and the ranking above, burned the incense three times, and then inserted the incense into the furnace cauldron. .

The ceremony is completed.

Seeing the young marquis from Qi worshiping incense devoutly, everyone's expressions were slightly complicated.

When he said "we are as close as brothers", there were several sneers in the lobby, and the faces of some of the leaders were also very ugly.

However, when he very frankly pointed out the truth about the murder in Yanziling, the situation that was about to boil over eased slightly.

Luo Yaozong coughed twice, looked around at the crowd and said, "Brothers, this is Lu Chen, the Imperial Envoy of Qi State and Marquis of Shanyang. After he learned what we Shazhou people were thinking, he came across the Yunling Mountains to meet with us. Let’s talk face to face.”

"Marquis Lu, please sit down."

On the other side, Na Yan, the leader of the Dashi tribe, said coldly: "Marquis Lu is indeed as upright as the rumors say, and he simply brushed aside the grudges of the past in just one sentence. In fact, this is normal. After all, for Marquis Lu and the emperor of your country, nineteen What happened years ago has long been unclear, but to us Shazhou people, it was eight thousand bloody lives. Among those people are our fathers and brothers. Everyone here except Lu Hou and your subordinates. Besides, who doesn’t have a few relatives who died outside Heluo City nineteen years ago?”

Next, he introduced the leaders of the other six departments to Lu Chen.

Hardy immediately sobered up and suppressed the urge to speak.

However, Shen Tianyi, who was standing behind him, looked cold and his attitude towards Lu Chen was self-evident.

Lu Chen looked calm and stepped forward to sit down.

Ever since Lu Chen spoke, Luo Yaozong had been sitting upright with his eyes and nose in mind, showing no reaction to the commotion around him. It seemed that he would not come forward to help Lu Chen.

Shen Min, the leader of the Tieyang tribe, who was sitting first on the right, looked at Lu Shen, his eyes were calm and deep, and there was no hostility on the surface.

Lu Chen had a clear view of everyone's reactions, and then said straight to the point: "Lu has three things to do here. The first is to apologize to His Majesty and the subjects of Daqi on behalf of me for what happened nineteen years ago. The other is to apologize to His Majesty and the people of Daqi for what happened nineteen years ago." Second, Lu prepared a small gift of 300,000 taels of silver, 200 carts of grain supplies, and free farming improvement methods to slightly compensate for the losses caused by Daqi to various ministries in Shazhou. As entrusted by our Majesty, I am willing to discuss with you all matters of cooperation between Shazhou and Daqi, including mutual trade, exchange of needs, and mutual assistance. "

But just when he was about to answer, Shen Min next to him coughed lightly and gave him a meaningful look.

After Luo Yaozong finished speaking, Lu Chen spoke unhurriedly: "Dear leaders, for more than a hundred years, Shazhou and Daqi have been helping each other as close as brothers. This is an indisputable fact. But nineteen years ago, because of me, It was the fault of the imperial court that led to the unfortunate death of eight thousand of your troops. This is also a fact that no one can deny. "

He was very interested in the third thing Lu Chen said, because the merchants from the north have a big appetite, but the price difference between the two sides is large. If the wealthy businessmen of Qi also participate in the competition at this time, wouldn't he be able to raise the price? ?
It is obviously better for two companies to compete than for one to dominate. Hardy knows this truth very well.

Luo Yaozong pointed to the empty space under his head.

Hardy, the leader of the Jinchuan tribe who was sitting next to Shen Min, suddenly adjusted his sitting posture.

"Thank you."

There were still hostile looks, but some people decided to wait and see.

He paused for a moment, then looked at Lu Chen with a stern light in his eyes: "Could it be that in Marquis Lu's opinion, 300,000 taels of silver and 200 carts of grain can buy 8,000 lives in Shazhou?"

The situation became tense instantly.

Lu Chen replied calmly: "These silver and grains are nothing compared to the eight thousand warriors of Shazhou." Nayan smiled and said: "Since Marquis Lu understands this truth, why bother talking about such nonsense?"

"The leader thinks this is nonsense, but Lu has a different view."

Lu Chenping calmly took over the conversation and said smoothly: "About the first thing, of course Lu will not just pay lip service. As long as the seven leaders agree, Lu will represent me to His Majesty in the land north of Shazhou." A solemn ceremony was held to honor the eight thousand warriors in the name of the Qi court."

Na Yan was startled for a moment, then asked seriously: "Seriously?"

Lu Chen nodded and said, "I'm not lying."

Among the seven heads, Nayan has a cold temperament and is not easy to deal with, but those who are familiar with him know that he is not that kind of unreasonable character.

Upon hearing Lu Chen's solemn promise, Na Yan did not continue to refute, but fell into deep thought.

Seeing that the atmosphere began to relax, Yang Jin, the leader of Shuixi who was sitting in Lu Chen's row, said in a deep voice: "Marquis Lu's words are indeed sincere, but after all, it is too late, nineteen years too late. The old man just said it very well. It is clear that in the past nineteen years, the hatred in the hearts of the people of Shazhou has become a deadlock. Even if we can understand Lu Hou's difficulties, the people will not accept it. We also know that Lu Hou has helped the Luo family girls a lot in the capital of Qi. , Hou Yu’s conviction is inseparable from your efforts, so we have no objection to you coming to Heishui Village as a guest, but this is completely different from the request you made today. "

"Chief Yang is right. Nineteen years is indeed too long, making this matter increasingly difficult to resolve."

Lu Chen turned around and said sincerely: "But I want to correct Leader Yang. In the past nineteen years, I have not thought of making amends with Your Majesty. As early as fourteen years ago, when His Majesty just ascended the throne, he had already sent envoys When I came to Shazhou, I sent several envoys, but they did not ask for Shazhou's understanding. It is true that the ministries in Shazhou have the right to refuse, which does not mean that our Majesty has not done anything. This is also two different things. "

Luo Yaozong, who was sitting next to him, felt a bit of admiration in his heart. This young man's neither humble nor arrogant attitude was indeed different from ordinary people.

Yang Jin did not get angry because of this, but just frowned and said: "No matter how eloquent Lu Hou is, you must recognize the fact that Shazhou does not want to repeat the sad events of nineteen years ago. Eight thousand sons were buried outside Heluo City. From then on From now on, Shazhou will no longer be a dependent territory of Qi."

Lu Chen said calmly: "Chief Yang is wrong again. Lu's purpose here is very clear. He is not to bring Shazhou and Daqi back to the relationship they had twenty years ago, but he hopes to establish a new relationship."

"New relationship?"

Yang Jin was slightly puzzled, and the other leaders also cast curious glances.

Lu Chen looked around the crowd and spoke eloquently: "The money and food I just mentioned are just a trivial thought. What can really improve the relationship between Shazhou and Daqi is the third item. Shazhou is located on the southwest border, and the scenery is certainly beautiful. , transportation is very inconvenient, and there are not many fertile fields. Daqi is willing to open up trade. Improved seeds, grain, fine salt, and ironware will be sold in Shazhou at relatively low prices. At the same time, Shazhou is rich in medicinal materials and. Logs and stones can be flown down the river and sold to various places in the south of the Yangtze River."

Hearing this, Hardy couldn't help but twist his body, and the eagerness in his eyes could not be concealed.

Lu Chen continued: "Shazhou is no longer a vassal of Daqi, but is on a completely equal footing to trade with Daqi. Leaders can certainly understand the difference. More importantly, Shazhou can rely on The trade with Daqi has made the lives of the people of Shazhou richer and more comfortable, and as the key figures in promoting this event, the leaders will definitely leave their mark on Shazhou's rich history. His name will be remembered by countless descendants for generations to come.”

"That's very well said."

Hardy finally couldn't help but sigh, and Yang Jin, who had always been upright and stubborn, also became silent, because the picture drawn by Lu Chen hit his weakest point, which was to let the people of the Shuixi tribe have enough food and clothing, so that they don't have to worry about it from now on. A matter of survival.

Luo Yaozong was still calm, but a secret sigh naturally floated in his heart: No wonder Qi people say that women are not allowed to stay in college, this child Jiujiu exposed everything about the situation inside Shazhou.

Fortunately, this was something he acquiesced to, so he didn't feel angry.

Luo Yaozong was not the only one who could see this clearly. Shen Min, who had always been silent, suddenly smiled lightly and said leisurely: "I didn't expect that Marquis Lu was not only good at leading troops to fight, but he was also good at predicting the unknown. Within a few days of your arrival in Shazhou, Being able to understand the thoughts and weaknesses of each of us, and being prepared to prescribe the right medicine in advance, is worthy of being a noble man of the Qi State who rose to great heights in just three years and commanded thousands of troops and horses to be invincible. "

Lu Chen has been focusing part of his energy on this person. Hearing this, he said calmly: "Boss Shen is so complimentary. In fact, this is not a big deal. Lu only has the word "sincerity" for this trip, so he naturally has to think carefully in advance. Lu has always Adhering to the idea of ​​admitting mistakes, now that things have happened, we must find ways to make up for it, so whether it is setting up ceremonies and worship, or money and food, or even the equal exchanges between Shazhou and Daqi in the future, it all comes from me I feel indebted to His Majesty."

"I believe in Marquis Lu's sincerity, but..."

Shen Min paused for a moment, then chuckled and said: "Your Majesty sent an important minister like Lu Hou to Shazhou to try to facilitate this matter. I'm afraid it's not just because of his mistakes back then, right?"

Lu Chen noticed that everyone else's eyes were focused on him, and said calmly: "Please let Leader Shen make it clear."

Shen Min said: "I heard that the Jing State in the north has annexed the Zhao State, and the Yan State is already in their possession. The next Jing State Emperor's goal will definitely be directed to the south. Maybe by this time, the Jing Army has already started. Activities. At such a tense moment, as an indispensable figure in the frontier army of Qi State, Marquis Lu did not go to the frontier to command the army, but instead went to an unrelated Shazhou. This is really inexplicable. "

He sat up straight, stared at Lu Chen steadily, and said in a colder tone: "Lord Lu, what is your hidden purpose?"

(End of this chapter)