Jingzhou, Jiangling, Governor's Office.
Huan Xuan's face was gloomy. He sat alone on the main couch. His eyes swept over the faces of the civil and military classes who were sitting or standing on both sides. Yin Zhongwen's red smiling face came into his eyes. His eyes were already narrowed.
A crack, looking at Huan Xuan's eyes, he smiled and said: "Congratulations, Duke Huan, congratulations to Duke Huan, a great cause can be achieved, today!"
Huan Xuan's brows were still tightly knitted: "Why are you so happy?"
Yin Zhongwen smiled and said: "Our grain embargo has already taken effect. I heard that the price of rice in Jiankang City has risen from ten cents a dou to fifteen cents. All the major aristocratic families are already stocking up on grain, and less than half of it is available.
The month will definitely rise sharply. By that time, Jiangdong will be short of food, the people will panic, and there will inevitably be trouble, and even the morale of the army will be unstable. If the lord then directly raises troops to Jiankang, no one will be able to stop him."
Huan Xuan did not reply directly, but looked at Bian Fanzhi, who was sitting second from the left and was silent: "Jingzu (Bian Fanzhi's word), what do you think?"
Bian Fanzhi said calmly: "Although we have cut off the delivery of rice to Yangzhou, the noble families still have a lot of grain. Within a year, even if there is no harvest in Wudi, there will not be a famine. The Mafia
Those guys are all as smart as ghosts. At this time, they will not allow aristocratic families to drive up food prices and cause chaos. I think that this trick can be used to force Jiankang to submit. There is little hope. I will support this plan.
Opposing it from the beginning will not only lose the hearts of the people, but it will also have no effect."
Yin Zhongwen's expression changed, and he said sternly: "Bian Changshi, what do you mean by going back on old accounts? If it weren't for the food embargo, would Liu Laozhi have returned to the army? I'm afraid that Tianshi Dao would have been wiped out by now.
"
Bian Fanzhi said coldly: "Liu Laozhi was driven away because of the conflict with Xie Yan. Xie Yan was stubborn and did not allow outsiders to interfere with the Xie family manor in Kuaiji. This had nothing to do with the food embargo. However,
I do think that my lord’s opportunity is coming.”
Huan Xuan softly said "Oh": "Do you really think so?"
Bian Fanzhi looked around: "My lord, please step aside first. I have a person with a great talent. I want to introduce him to you today. I don't know if your lord is willing to give it a try."
A hint of joy flashed across Huan Xuan's face, he sat upright and waved his hands: "Everyone, step aside for now. I want to talk to Bian Changshi."
Yin Zhongwen glanced at Bian Fanzhi hatefully and retreated with Huan Zhen and others. When everyone disappeared outside the governor's house, Bian Fanzhi clapped his hands gently, and a sergeant standing guard under the corridor put down his hands.
With the halberd in his hand, he walked slowly up to the hall, took off his leather helmet, and bowed his waist to Huan Xuan: "I have met Duke Huan. I am Tao Qian, named Yuan Ming, and I would like to serve Duke Huan."
Huan Xuan was stunned for a moment, then he laughed, pointing at the man in front of him, who was about thirty, of medium height, dark complexion, but with three beautiful long beards, and said: "Are you the famous Jingzhou scholar, Tao Qian, Tao Yuanming? Oops,
You, the queen of Tao Jingzhou, are famous in Jingxiang. I sent people to hire you several times before, but you refused, so why are you willing to come here today?"
Tao Yuanming smiled slightly: "A wise minister chooses his master and serves him. Is Duke Huan worthy of my imitation? I have to observe him for a while."
Huan Xuan's face changed and he said coldly: "Mr. Tao, are you mocking me? I used to be a famous noble man in Jingzhou, humble and benevolent, but now, since I became the Nanjun
After the Prime Minister, my tactics were ruthless. Even Xi Hui of the great family died in my hands. Now the civil and military officials in Jingzhou fear me more than respect me. And you, Mr. Tao, have always regarded yourself as a celebrity and cannot live in seclusion. How can you like me like this?
people?"
Tao Yuanming smiled and said: "Back then, when Xie An was staying in Dongshan, wasn't he the same as me? It wasn't that he was really living in seclusion, but it was about waiting for the price. If it was just a wine offering, a post like a treasurer, etc.
If you can satisfy me, wouldn’t it be unworthy of your talent and learning?”
Huan Xuan smiled and shook his head: "Indeed, sir, you are talented and your articles and poems are known to everyone in the world. I have wronged you by offering a wine sacrifice. How about you become the chief staff member of my shogunate and draft military orders?"
Bian Fanzhi laughed: "My lord, you don't know something. What Tao Gong is good at is definitely not the poetry known to outsiders. If it is these, Yin Zhongwen's pen will be enough. Why does Tao Gong need it? Tao Gong is really powerful.
Yes, it’s the art of strategizing the emperor!”
Huan Xuan's expression changed: "The art of scheming the emperor!"
Tao Yuanming said calmly: "Yes, our great-grandfather Tao Gong kept his mouth shut, but it was no accident that the governor of Jingzhou, the founder of the Jin Dynasty, went from a county official to a guard. His secret method of governing the country and bringing peace to the world has also been passed down secretly to our Tao family for generations.
It’s a pity that there are many argots and even distortions and misunderstandings in it. People who are not extremely enlightened cannot understand it. Tao is not talented. He thinks that he has mastered this imperial art, so he dares to go out to assist the Ming Lord and make achievements!"
Huan Xuan nodded: "Then I would like to listen to Sir's advice on what I should do in the current situation."
Tao Yuanming put his hands behind his back and began to walk. This made his military uniform look a bit funny. As he walked, he said: "What Minggong needs to do now is not to rush into Jiankang, but to gain a foothold."
Jingzhou, your current situation is no better than that of the mafia and wealthy families in Jiankang City, and may even be worse."
Huan Xuan said unconvinced: "I can't understand what you said, sir. No matter what, Wu Di was beaten to pieces by Tianshi Dao, and it can't be recovered now. I heard that even the Suzaku guarded by the mafia died in Kuaiji.
When I heard that Wang Ningzhi was Suzaku, I was really surprised. Now that I have enough troops and food, and the military and political power in Jingzhou, how can I be inferior to the mafia?"
Tao Yuanming smiled slightly: "Since my ancestor Tao Gong, I have always dealt with the mafia, and I know how powerful it is. Just like back then, our ancestors used the remaining power of quelling the Su Jun Rebellion and were so proud that they became the number one vassal town in the world.
But with such strength, they dare not follow Wang Dun's story because they clearly know the strength of the mafia. On the surface, they have no soldiers and horses and are vulnerable, but the local families in Wu, such as Shen Chong, Qian Feng, etc.
, but in the process of countering the rebellion, they were unknowingly wiped out by the mafia, and their land, Dingkou, also belonged to the mafia. This kind of strength hidden in the dark is the most terrifying thing. Presumably Huan Gong first
My lord, you must have a deep understanding of this."
Huan Xuan gritted his teeth: "How do you know these things? Why has my father been in charge of Jingzhou for so many years and no one from your Tao family came to tell him these things?"
This chapter has been completed!