gnovel Chapter 25 This alliance agreement must be signed!
Chapter 25 This alliance agreement must be signed!
After Yang Hong finished speaking, Li Ye also stood up: "My lord, Chief Secretary Yang is right."
Liu Bei came from humble beginnings and had only a little over ten thousand soldiers under his command. Even if he went to Jiangdong, he would not receive the support of the powerful clans and would not be able to cause any significant trouble.
On the contrary, Liu Yao, being both a member of the Han imperial family and holding the official position of Governor of Yangzhou appointed by the court, was the real threat.
Lu Yong listened to what the two men said and thought to himself that those boxes of precious flowers were well worth the price.
But at that moment, General Zhang Jiong strode out.
This man was burly and had a booming voice; his words carried an aggressive and domineering air.
"I have a question, and I request that the Army Division Commander answer it truthfully!"
Lu Yong cupped his hands in greeting: "General, please speak."
"Liu Bei was originally a weaver of mats and a seller of shoes. He rose from humble beginnings in the marketplace and was entrusted with the care of Gongsun."
Later, he was taken in by Tian Kai, and now he wants to come and rely on my lord.
They drifted from place to place, always living as guests, never having a foothold of their own.
May I ask the army division?
A wanderer,
What makes General Zuo believe that he can gain a foothold in Jiangdong?
Why should General Zuo place his bet on him?
These words were spoken without any mercy.
This also angered Lu Yong.
Lu Yong's voice wasn't loud, but everyone in the hall could hear the anger in it.
"Emperor Gaozu rose from the position of village head, Xiao He rose from the position of clerk, and Han Xin endured the humiliation of crawling between someone's legs."
When did being born into poverty become a stain?
My lord, who weaves mats and sells shoes, was able to cause Cao Cao's army of 100,000 to suffer a crushing defeat.
Those born into high society and commanding large armies suffered utter defeat.
Tell me, on what grounds?
Lu Yong's words were a resounding slap in the face to everyone standing and sitting.
Back then, Yuan Shu led an army of 100,000 to attack Dongjun, but was defeated by Cao Cao and chased to the point of having nowhere to go.
Those people Lu Yong mentioned who were "born into high-ranking families and commanded large armies"—aren't they the ones he was referring to?
Zhang Jiong's expression changed, and in a fit of anger and embarrassment, he reached for his waist.
Fortunately, weapons are not allowed in the council chamber.
Zhang Jiong found nothing, and his mind instantly returned to normal.
He ignored Lu Yong, snorted coldly, and retreated dejectedly.
After several rounds of exchanges, Lu Yong actually gained the upper hand.
Yuan Shu had many eloquent men under his command, but Lu Yong was cunning, and only an even more cunning person could subdue him.
Therefore, all the civil and military officials under Yuan Shu couldn't help but turn their attention to Yuan Shu's strategist, Yang Hong.
Although Yang Hong accepted the gift, he secretly intended to help Lu Yong.
But with so many people watching, he naturally couldn't openly let them win.
Finally, Yang Hong, who had been sitting still, stood up.
As soon as he moved, all the subtle sounds in the hall disappeared.
Yang Hong did not step forward, but slowly asked, "Judging from what Army Advisor said, there is reason in everything he said."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "However, the truth of things in the world is often more than one-sided."
Since Liu Bei has come seeking refuge in a desperate situation, we should treat him with humility and generosity.
He later seized control of Jiangdong, seized grain from Wu and Kuai, and recruited soldiers from Danyang.
With ample funds and provisions, and a strong army, how can we know that he will still be as submissive as he is today?
Before Lu Yong could reply, he continued:
"Let's leave aside the distant ones for now."
When Dong Zhuo entered the capital, he was merely the governor of Liangzhou.
But when he had military power, he dared to depose and install emperors.
Yuan Shao, who once fought against Dong Zhuo, now no longer respects the imperial court.
A strong army breeds arrogance, and a vast territory breeds conceit; this is human nature.
How could General Zuo know whether he was helping a friend or raising a tiger?
When Yang Hong raised the issue, the rectification hall fell silent.
His words clearly indicated that he wanted to force Lu Yong and Liu Bei to pledge their allegiance.
Yuan Shu and his men couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "It really comes down to the Chief Clerk!"
Lu Yong and Yang Hong locked eyes.
Lu Yong did not rush to answer.
He knew that although Yang Hong had accepted his money...
They also implicitly agreed to help them head south.
But that doesn't mean he won't leave them behind.
His question was intended to force Liu Bei to swear an oath never to betray Yuan Shu.
Didn't you, Liu Bei, establish yourself on the principles of benevolence and righteousness, and use alliances and allies to play the emotional card?
Then I will use your benevolence, righteousness, and covenants to bind you!
Once Liu Bei made that vow, he would have to live in Yuan Shu's shadow from then on.
Once he betrays his vow, his public image will immediately collapse.
Everyone in the world will see Liu Bei's hypocrisy and he will be despised by everyone!
Lu Yong lowered his eyes, seemingly weighing his words.
But in reality, he was overjoyed.
No one understands Yuan Shu better than Lu Yong!
After all, he was a time traveler!
Yuan Shu has already received the imperial seal from Sun Ce, and he will definitely want to become emperor in the future.
Therefore, for Lu Yong, making a vow with preconditions was extremely simple!
After a moment, Lu Yongqiang suppressed his excitement, regained his composure, and raised his head again.
He bowed to Yang Hong and said:
"Chief Secretary Yang, you said that it is human nature for a strong army to become arrogant and for a vast territory to become complacent."
But I have a question,
Lu Gong rose to the rank of Minister and commanded the Northern Army. During the campaign against the Yellow Turbans, he controlled several armies, and his strength far surpassed that of Dong Zhuo.
But did he become arrogant?
No!
Even when Lu Gong was falsely accused and imprisoned, he never harbored any disloyal thoughts.
After his release from prison, he continued to dedicate himself to serving the imperial court until his death.
Why wasn't Lord Lu arrogant, even though he also commanded a large army?
Because, in his heart, he cared for the imperial court and the people!
My lord, Xuande, studied under Lord Lu.
Suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion, defeating Dong Zhuo, ceding Xuzhou...
Every single thing, every single one of them, is a practice of Lord Lu's will!
"Comparing my lord to Dong Zhuo is unfair!"
Seemingly eager to express his "true feelings," Lu Yong didn't even wait for Yang Hong's reply before saying in a "grief-stricken" and "impulsive" tone:
"Chief Secretary Yang, if you believe that our lord will betray the alliance after he becomes powerful,..."
Then let me ask you: Why did our lord willingly relinquish Xuzhou, abandoning a more convenient and secure route than heading south to Jiangdong?
"Why not join forces with Yuan Shao and Cao Cao directly, cooperate with them to attack from the north and south, first defeat Gongsun Zan, and then join forces with Cao Cao and Yuan Shao to march south and take Jingzhou and Huainan!"
Isn't this much faster than starting from scratch in Jiangdong?
"Would someone with opportunistic ambitions forgo shortcuts and choose the difficult path of starting from scratch?"
Yuan Shu seemed thoughtful, as if he was moved by Lu Yong's words.
He asked himself honestly, if he were in Liu Bei's shoes, he would never have given up Xuzhou.
But Liu Bei actually gave it up!
Yang Hong narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking to himself that he had underestimated Lu Yong before.
But before he could speak,
Lu Yong took another step forward and said to him, "What Chief Clerk Yang is worried about is that our lord will betray the Left General."
But I, Lu Yong, can make a vow on behalf of my lord today!
All the civil and military officials in the hall were witnesses.
As long as General Zuo does not betray the Han, our lord will be General Zuo's ally!
May I be forsaken by both heaven and man if I break this oath!
Lu Yong has unleashed his ultimate move!
The hall fell into an eerie silence.
Sun Qian, who was standing to the side unable to speak, was sweating profusely from his palms and back.
Yuan Shu suddenly felt a little guilty, because he had already started having thoughts he shouldn't have.
But his subordinates didn't know!
When Yang Hong saw Lu Yong make a solemn oath, he thought to himself, "You're still too young. You've already taken the bait."
In order to prevent Lu Yong from going back on his word, he immediately said to Yuan Shu:
"My lord, since the Army Division has already made a public oath, it is clear that Liu Xuande is sincere."
In my opinion, this alliance should be formed.
Yuan Shu had no way to express his bitterness, so he could only force a smile and say, "Very well, go back and tell Xuande that I, Yuan Gonglu, have recognized him as an ally."
Yang Hong suddenly added insult to injury, saying, "To show that we attach great importance to this, our lord should sign an alliance treaty with Liu Bei!"
"Sign! We must sign!" Lu Yong shouted back, displaying the impetuousness of a young man.
Sun Qian secretly tugged at Lu Yong's sleeve several times, but Lu Yong seemed completely unaware.
Faced with his subordinates clamoring for a signing, Yuan Shu's lips twitched, and he said helplessly, "When Xuande passes through Huainan, this general will sign the alliance with him in person!"
After a pause, Yuan Shu continued:
"Go back and tell Xuande."
I will personally send men to retrieve Guangling County.
I will also clear the way for you to travel south.
Furthermore, allocate another five thousand shi of grain as a gift from this general to Xuande upon their meeting.
Lu Yong and Sun Qian bowed in unison and said, "Thank you, General Zuo."
"Let's leave it at that. You two should hurry back and report to Xuande."
Yuan Shu waved his hand, glancing at Yang Hong with slight displeasure.
Yang Hong, however, believed that he had helped Yuan Shu suppress Liu Bei.
He was still smiling at Yuan Shu, as if to say, "Praise me, my lord!"