The aristocratic families are not separatist warlords. The most obvious difference is that they do not have military power.
However, their local influence was actually similar to that of the Jiedushi envoys after the Mid-Tang Dynasty, and they were probably the prototype of the Jiedushi envoys of the later Tang vassal towns.
For a dynasty that is becoming stronger, this is something that needs to be vigilant against.
Unfortunately, the root cause of the later formation of the Jiedushi separatist power in the Tang vassal town was also due to land annexation.
Li Qinzai was well aware of the future outcome of the Tang Dynasty. Although he felt regretful, if he could change it, he would naturally be willing to contribute.
If some bad signs are nipped in the cradle, the fate of Datang may be different.
It implies that Lu Songxi entered the camp alone, and Li Qinzai certainly had his own purpose.
The interests of the whole and the interests of individuals can be consistent or contradictory.
When the interests of the whole and the individual are put in front of them, how will the individual choose?
Human nature is often hard to bear to look at.
Today, in front of all the family heads, Li Qinzai gave them a blow.
Now that the stick has been beaten, it’s time to give him a piece of candy.
You can't give all the sweets. If you give them individually, the effect may be better.
After Lu Songxi entered the camp, he actually felt a little uneasy.
He didn't know what Li Qinzai was going to do next, but he was certain that Li Qinzai's visit to Jiangnan under the orders was definitely from bad intentions. He might not kill the prominent families in Jiangnan, but he would definitely make them peel off their skin.
Dealing with this imperial envoy is like seeking the skin of a tiger.
Looking at the smiling young man in front of him, Lu Songxi, who was in his fifties, felt awe from the bottom of his heart, even a little trembling.
"Master Lu, don't be nervous. You are different from other family heads. We are one of our own." Li Qinzai said with a genuine smile.
Lu Songxi forced a smile: "Yes, we are our own people."
Then Lu Songxi didn't know what he thought of, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he said excitedly: "So, Duke Li plans to privately reduce taxes for the Lu family?"
Li Qinzai hesitated and glanced at him sideways: "We are our own people, so I don't have to be too polite when I speak..."
After a pause, Li Qinzai continued: "I didn't expect you to be ugly, but I thought you were quite beautiful."
"Taxes on noble families are treated equally. It would be a great favor from the emperor not to hold you accountable for the part you escaped in previous years. You still want to be exempted? Go back and take a nap as soon as possible. You will have everything in your dreams."
Lu Songxi sat back disappointedly, his face full of distress.
The army is pressing down on the border, demanding money and food. If it weren't for the fact that he was an imperial envoy, he would be a living bandit.
However, the famous families did not dare to resist. After all, the Zhu family was destroyed first, which indeed gave the seven famous families enough shock.
Seeing Lu Songxi so disappointed, Li Qinzai suddenly laughed: "Since we are one of our own, how can I ignore the life and death of the Lu family in Wu County?"
"To make up for the taxes, it is a big expense for you, the Lu family. This matter is not negotiable, but I have a way to make it up to you. I wonder if the head of the Lu family is interested."
Lu Songxi's expression perked up and he said hurriedly: "I would like to hear the details."
Li Qinzai said slowly: "In the Battle of the Eastern Expedition, the imperial court destroyed Goguryeo and the Silla Kingdom, and the Japanese Kingdom will soon be completely included in the territory of the Tang Dynasty."
"In addition, the imperial court also set up shipping departments in Dengzhou and Quanzhou to expand the navy. Do you know why?"
Lu Songxi shook his head blankly.
The map of the world that Li Qinzai originally drew was only known to a limited number of people in the court. Apart from them, tens of millions of people in the Tang Dynasty knew nothing about the outside world.
Li Qinzai continued: "The purpose of the imperial court to build sea ships and expand the navy is to explore the outside world. There will be huge profits within three or two years. Head of the Lu family, take a long-term view and don't just focus on what is right under Jiangnan's nose."
Land population.”
"At the end of the sea, there is a land richer and more fertile than that in the south of the Yangtze River. There are countless indigenous savages who still live on trees in caves. There are also gold, pearls, jade, novel products, grains, etc. that cannot be loaded on cars and ships..."
"Aren't the values of these things more precious than the bit of land you hold in your hands?"
Lu Songxi opened his eyes wide in surprise and said in disbelief: "At the end of the sea...are there really these things?"
Li Qinzai smiled and said: "The head of the Lu family knew after a little inquiry that the Imperial Household Department has allocated a large amount of money, and the ships of Quanzhou Dengzhou Shipbuilding Department are being built day and night."
"If we were not sure that there were these things at the end of the sea, would the imperial court be willing to spend a lot of money on building ships and expanding the army? Since the imperial court is willing to spend even one cent of money on investment, it means that there will be a hundred percent return waiting for us to collect in the next three or two years.
Otherwise, why would the imperial court do this stupid thing?"
Lu Songxi's expression kept changing. Sometimes he was smiling happily, and sometimes he was struggling and hesitant.
After a long time, Lu Songxi said carefully: "I wonder why Duke Li suddenly mentioned this matter to me?"
Li Qinzai smiled and said: "If the noble families in Jiangnan make up for the taxes, it will be a loss of either big or small. I can't bear it if you suffer a loss. After all, I didn't come to Jiangnan to cut off your livelihood, so I plan to give you a compensation..."
"
"After the sea-going ship is built, the navy will set off immediately and sail eastward. What is certain is that this trip will definitely find a new continent..."
"Do you know what 'mainland' means? It is a very, very vast land, which is more than all the land in the Tang Dynasty. The imperial navy is the first batch of pioneers, and you, the Lu family of Wujun, I can let you send people to go with the ship.
OK."
"After finding the New World, the naval officers will be responsible for conquering the local savage natives. The Lu family of Wu County will give you a horse and give you five days to race and enclose the land."
Lu Songxi couldn't help but take a breath after hearing this. After a moment, his chest rose and fell rapidly, obviously he was very excited.
"Five, five days... a horse race?"
Li Qinzai nodded: "Yes, as far as the horse can run in five days, the land owned by the Lu family in Wu County will be as large as it is. The land that has been run down in five days is all yours. The court can promise that you will be exempted from taxes for ten years."
Lu Songxi's face gradually turned red, and he put his hands on his knees, but he couldn't stop trembling.
"How about the imperial court in the New World compensate you for the losses suffered by the Lu family of Wujun in the states and counties south of the Yangtze River? Is the emperor kind enough to you?"
Lu Songxi was silent for a long time, then gritted his teeth and said, "Are you sure the navy can discover a new continent?"
Li Qinzai looked him directly in the eyes, nodded and said: "I'm sure, if we can't find out, I can promise on behalf of the emperor to reduce the taxes of the Lu family in Wujun in Jiangnan. How about that?"
After Lu Songxi became excited, he gradually showed a complicated expression.
He is over fifty years old and has lived for most of his life. How could he not understand Li Qinzai's actions?
Beat a stick and give a candy, Lu Songxi often does this.
But... this candy is really too tempting. If you run a horse race for five days, you can capture at least 300,000 acres of land. If it is a plain area, it will be more. Not to mention the tax exemption for ten years.
So, the stick has been passed, do you want to eat the candy?
Of course you have to eat it, otherwise wouldn’t the stick be in vain?