After greeting each other as brothers, Wang Yinwu picked up the tea cup, took a sip, put it down leisurely, and asked softly: "Brother Lu invited me here all night, isn't it just to treat me to a cup of tea?"
Hearing this, the smile on Lu Duoxun's face faded slightly, he pondered for a moment, and said: "Then I'll get straight to the point. Please ask Brother Wang for advice on matters related to Hexi!"
Wang Yinwu secretly thought that sure enough, almost a day had passed, and the news about Hexi should have been almost spread. The upper-class dignitaries in the imperial court probably knew everything they needed to know. If they didn't know, it could only be said that they did not have enough status or their ears and eyes were unclear.
It was obviously impossible for Lu Duosun not to have heard about it.
With a slight shift in his mind, Wang Yinwu knew that what Lu Duoxun was concerned about was probably not what happened to the Black Khanate's mission, nor who was responsible for the crime. What he was worried about was probably the problem in Hexi.
Facing Lu Duoxun's gaze, Wang Yinwu calmly replied: "Brother Lu is the prime minister of the imperial court. The specific situation will be known sooner or later. Since I asked about it, I don't have to hide it!"
"Thank you!" Lu Duoxun was satisfied with Wang Yinwu's attitude and gestured with his hand.
Wang Yinwu nodded slightly, and immediately recounted to him the key points of the Hexi secret report received by Wu Desi. As he spoke, Lu Duoxun's expression quickly became solemn, even a little ugly.
"The thieves have been so brave these years. They should be cut to pieces!" Lu Duoxun scolded in a stern tone.
However, although his expression was a bit fierce, Wang Yinwu always felt that Lu Duoxun was not targeting the fact that the mission was robbed and killed.
Seeing him thinking there, as if weighing the pros and cons, Wang Yinwu took another sip of tea and sighed slightly: "This matter is very serious and the impact is extremely bad. Your Majesty was furious and ordered a thorough investigation. Moreover, your Majesty also has some concerns about the military and political affairs in Hexi.
Let’s see. Next, whether it’s the Wude Division, the Imperial City Division, or the special envoy heading west to Liangzhou, their investigation targets may not only be those bandits who committed crimes!”
Lu Duoxun took a deep breath, looked at Wang Yinwu, and said: "That's exactly what I'm worried about! The northwest is most important, first in Guan Nei, and second in Hexi. In terms of garrison security, Hexi is even worse than Guan Nei. Hexi cannot
It’s chaos!”
Lu Duoxun's performance of caring about the country and the people made Wang Yinwu a little awkward. How could he not understand Lu Duoxun's real concerns, so he reminded calmly: "However, there is chaos in the northwest now! Wu
Desi has also noticed some signs, and His Majesty is aware of them and attaches great importance to them. In my opinion, His Majesty is very determined to rectify and investigate the situation!"
Lu Duoxun's face changed slightly, he frowned for a moment in thought, and sighed helplessly: "That's why we should think carefully and act carefully. If the military and political affairs in Hexi are in chaos, how can it be easier for others to take advantage of it!"
Seeing that Lu Duoxun always had something to say, Wang Yinwu's patience seemed to be running out. He looked at him and said: "It involves the national economy and people's livelihood, military and political affairs. Since Brother Lu has real insights, he should give advice to His Majesty!"
Lu Duoxun was a little embarrassed. Obviously, if he could persuade Emperor Liu directly, he would have to find Wang Yinwu to talk to him.
Noticing the change in his expression, Wang Yinwu also went straight to the point and asked: "Brother Lu, let me be frank, what do you need me to do?"
Seeing Wang Yinwu being so straightforward, Lu Duoxun was no longer embarrassed, and smiled again. After thinking for a while, he said with some seriousness: "In the past ten years, you and I have been in the court, although we have been suppressed by traitorous ministers from time to time, but we have also been praised.
It's a great honor. The reason why we have the current status and honor is not only the trust from His Majesty above, but also the support from the old people below.
Without this joint effort from above and below, our current position would not be stable. You and I are both from the northwest, and most of our old friends are also in the northwest.
I have been working in Northwest China for twenty years, and Brother Wang has been in the position of Duzhi in Hexi Province for more than ten years. Although the hard work was hard at the beginning, he also benefited from the strong help of his colleagues.
Now, the two of us are rich and live in high places, but we can’t forget our old friends!”
Lu Duosun's words were sincere enough and highlighted his sincerity. However, the selfishness revealed in those words was also undisguised. This guy really didn't know how to restrain himself when he started to be a clique, and he also caused a lot of trouble.
Being proud, perhaps as the saying goes, this is the foundation on which he relies on to establish himself in the court.
However, Wang Yinwu was not interested in this. After all, to this day, the positions of the two people are constantly changing. The situation in the capital is always much more complicated. Although they both came from Hexi, they are not as good as they were in the past.
They worked together like that in Hexi.
And Wang Yinwu also understood that Lu Duoxun still cared about his old memories in Hexi, and as he said, the northwest, especially Hexi, was the foundation for Lu Duoxun.
Since his mission to the Western Regions, Lu Duoxun has developed a relationship with the Northwest. Later, whether he was comforting the Northwest or observing Xia Sui, his accumulation of political capital came from there.
Especially when Hexi took office, he even created a network of interests. During the war years, he even had a certain influence on the northwest garrison and attracted a group of northwest generals.
It was precisely because of this that Zhao Pu made a suggestion in front of Emperor Liu that year and transferred Lu Duoxun. Although he was very good, Lu Duoxun was very unhappy.
It started from that time.
At the beginning, at least 30% of the civil and military personnel in Hexi, especially the bureaucrats below Taoist officials, were promoted or recommended by Lu Duoxun. The other 30% were also involved in various ways with him, and the rest at least would not go against him.
This was all obtained by devoting his most prosperous years to business.
Of course, time has changed, and it has been more than ten years since he left Hexi. The relationship network back then has inevitably become more complicated. However, Lu Duoxun's influence on Hexi cannot be completely completed in these ten years.
Worn away.
Especially when Lu Duoxun's official career did not sink, but rose step by step and became a leader at the center of the imperial court. The old man from back then naturally chose to continue to follow Lu Duoxun in order to seek protection, and could not easily abandon Lu Duoxun.
Even though Zhao Pu has mixed a lot of sand into Hexi over the years through his power of personnel and organization, Hexi's officialdom is still "surnamed Lu".
However, Lu Duoxun's influence on Hexi was obviously affected by the major official reorganization during the earthquake two years ago. The relationship network he left behind was torn to pieces by Zhao Pu with the help of the east wind. The entire Hexi
The officials were replaced by 30%.
In addition, the newly appointed Wang Ming is also a tough person. The Lu faction's power in Hexi has been shrinking in the past two years and has been severely suppressed. However, even so, Hexi is still what Lu Duoxun values and knows best.
Daozhou, with its supervisory power, has also protected many people.
Nowadays, after nearly two years of disputes, Hexi has rarely formed a new balance. The situation has gradually become more stable. Another incident occurred where the mission was robbed and killed in the territory. This is really not a good thing for Lu Duoxun.
The good news is that among the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty, probably no one hopes for peace and peace in Hexi more than Lu Duoxun.
The so-called care leads to chaos. Lu Duoxun's meaning is indeed a bit explicit. However, if he wants to use this to persuade Wang Yinwu, it is still lacking.
After all, Wang Yinwu is not a fool. He also has self-awareness. He is different from Lu Duoxun. Although his "roots" are also in Hexi, they are not so deep. Moreover, no matter how turbulent Hexi is, it can hardly be said to have any impact on him.
What an impact.
I even thought darkly that the more chaotic the officialdom in Hexi, the more conducive it would be for Wude to act. The more their authority is in muddy waters, the more valuable it will be.
Although he didn't agree with it in his heart, he still had to give Lu Duoxun face. After thinking for a while, Wang Yinwu solemnly replied: "I understand Brother Lu's worries and can feel his heart. I can't guarantee that there are more, but
, As long as I don’t violate my principles and don’t break through the bottom line, I will do my best to maintain whatever I can within the scope of my Wude Department’s powers!”
Lu Duoxun obviously did not expect Wang Yinwu to make any unreserved guarantee. Such an attitude was enough to satisfy him.
He raised his glass with both hands and saluted: "With Brother Wang's words, I can feel at ease! No matter how the situation develops, I will thank you in advance!"
"You're welcome!" Wang Yinwu chuckled.
After taking a sip of tea, I probably felt that the tea lacked some flavor. In this situation, wine was more atmospheric. I immediately ordered outside: "Come here, get the wine!"
After giving the instructions, Lu Duoxun looked at Wang Yinwu again, and his whole body returned to his usual shrewdness and calmness, and thought: "All the causes of disaster are caused by the murder of the mission. If you want to calm down as soon as possible, you have to eliminate those evil things."
The thief must be caught first!"
"Brother Lu is right, the Si Yamen are all elites, but I sent hundreds of people to the northwest!" Wang Yinwu said calmly.
Hearing this, Lu Duoxun complimented: "With Wu Desi taking action, there should be no problem!"
Wang Yinwu sighed: "If we can succeed in one fell swoop, we may be able to find a safe and sound life. If we can't find out, then the person who supervises it will inevitably be blamed. Brother Lu, you are not the only one who is worried..."
....”
Probably feeling that Lu Duoxun's expression of relief was a bit premature, Wang Yinwu subconsciously lowered his voice and reminded: "There is one more thing, Brother Lu should be prepared. This time, in addition to my Wude Division, there is also the Imperial City Division.
I was also assigned by His Majesty. You also know that when Zhang Dejun, an old eunuch, bites people, he will bite them to the bone, and he rarely lets go..."
As soon as he said this, a gloom suddenly appeared in Lu Duoxun's eyebrows. He glanced at Wang Yinwu, who had a "goodwill" look on his face, and said in agreement: "This eunuch must be eliminated sooner or later!"
