Chapter 314 I'm not discussing with you, I'm informing you!
November, the fourth year of Chuping.

It is the annual harvest season again, and the entire area south of the Yangtze River is immersed in a sea of ​​joy.

In the afterglow of sunset.

Li Ru stood on the carriage, gazing at the groups of residents who were about to return to the city on the main road of Nanyang County.

Everyone's face was filled with smiles, which was a scene that the people of Chang'an could not see.

Before coming, Li Ru knew that Chang'an was seriously short of food, and the troops of Li Jue and Guo Si even began to eat two-legged sheep.

Compared to here, Chang'an is purgatory.

People passing by looked at Li Ru curiously; his scholar's attire was very attractive.

Most of the people who farm here are refugees from the north. After half a year or a year of assimilation, they have become very well-behaved.

Those who don't follow the rules have long been buried somewhere and used as fertilizer.

Jinmao can't even take care of his own people and mountain folks, so how can he have time to care about the refugees from the north? He will bury anyone who dares to stab him.

No matter how many unjust and wrong cases there are, they are not as important as stability.

Li Ru had heard about this before, and felt even more melancholy about this trip.

The general is a young, promising and far-sighted leader.

If Dong Zhuo wanted to conquer the whole country at his peak, then in Li Ru's eyes, Jinmao's goal was unknown.

It’s not that it’s aimless, but the goal is too far away and Li Ru can’t understand it.

Li Ru naturally wanted a good result for this mission.

Just like doing business, if you have 10,000 chips, you always hope to do something worth 100,000.

Sunset Gathering, this is a township within the jurisdiction of Wancheng. Wancheng is just over ten miles south.

Li Ru had been here before. There was no city wall here, it was just a lively town.

Now, the foundation of a circle of city walls is being laid.

They are actually going to build a city here!
While Li Ru marveled at the wealth of the South, he was also looking forward to this trip.

The next day, evening.

Outside Wancheng, Li Ru looked at the busy scene in front of him in astonishment.

Even though he was mentally prepared, Li Ru was still shocked when he saw such a prosperous scene.

He felt that Wancheng had now returned to its most prosperous period.

Do not!
Even beyond that!

The peak at that time was just a peak, but Wancheng today is like a newborn baby. It is hard to imagine what the peak will be like in the future?
The next Luoyang?
Or surpass Luoyang! ?

At this time, a row of mighty cavalry walked out of the north gate of Wancheng.

The war horses are strong and the knights are mighty.

Li Ru was surprised again. This time he did not come to Nanyang County with a big fanfare, but kept a low profile all the way.

Unexpectedly, I was discovered.

"The general should not be underestimated."

Li Ru didn't know where the flaw was revealed, but one thing was certain.

That is the general’s intelligence network, very scary!
"Is it the Minister of the Chancellery, Li Lingjun?"

Li Ru saw the leading knight approach the carriage, sitting awkwardly and clasping his fists towards him, and immediately got off the carriage and bowed, saying, "It is me."

The man who came was Dian Wei. He nodded and said, "Please follow me into the city. My master has prepared a banquet and is waiting for the guests to arrive."

Li Ru was unmoved and said, "Please allow me to bathe and change clothes before going to see the general. I have come a long way and am covered in dust."

Apparently Dian Wei had received instructions long ago, and after hearing them he did not force Li Ru to go directly, but continued to nod and said, "You can go to the posthouse to take a bath."

Li Ru bowed and said, "Thank you very much."

Dian Wei nodded again and did not dismount. He turned his horse around and led the way. Li Ru and his followers quickly followed.

The confrontation between the two sides began from the time they met.

However, the situation was far beyond Li Ru's expectations.

I thought I would face many difficulties this time, but unexpectedly it went smoothly.

As for showing off one's power, that's very normal.

Li Ru understood very well that with the strength of the general's think tank, they had probably figured out his purpose long ago, and even had a pretty good estimate of his bottom line.

After all, the opponent has Jia Xu and Jia Wenhe who know their side very well.

Sure enough, everything went as Li Ru expected.

After changing his clothes, the person who came to pick him up for the banquet was Jia Xu.

On the way, Jia Xu's silence was deafening.

Li Ru looked calm on the surface, but he felt bitter in his heart.

It's not a good feeling at all to have your underwear seen through.

"Half of the wisest people in the world are in the South. I can't stop here!"

At the same time, Li Ru's fighting spirit was burning again.

The General's Mansion.

The door opened wide, and the people who came to greet us were Xun Yu and Xun Wenruo.

The front gate is built in a very grand manner, giving the illusion of being a palace gate.

Entering the front yard, Xun You continued to lead the way. This was a fairly large garden. It was very rare to still have green plants even in the cold winter.

Arriving at the central hall banquet center, the view suddenly opens up. In the middle is a square pool of fresh water with a pavilion in the center of the pool.

There are four paths leading to the pavilion. The area around the pool is filled with tables and delicacies. The place is full of guests, but it is not noisy.

Li Ru saw the young man sitting in the middle of the pavilion, took a deep breath, and was about to step in from the south passage.

"Li Lingjun, please enter from the north."

Xun Yu spoke in time, his tone was calm but unquestionable.

Li Ru's brain worked rapidly, pondering the deeper meaning.

North into South?
Sure enough, the purpose of his visit this time seemed to be known to everyone.

Taking another deep breath, Li Ru folded his hands and said, "Please lead the way, Mr. Xun."

Xun Yu nodded and took square steps, each step just the right amount, leading the way.

Li Ru followed behind him, feeling a chill in his heart. This was another display of strength, and he couldn't do what Xun Yu did.

Glancing back, Li Ru took a deep breath for the third time.

Jia Xu and Xun You actually walked in the same pace, as if they had made an appointment.

unacceptable!

In agony, Li Ru finally arrived in front of the pavilion.

At this time, Jin Mao was sitting, with Wen Pin and Xu Huang standing behind him, while Dian Wei was sitting on the ground, gnawing on a roasted leg of lamb with oil dripping from his mouth.

"Shangshu Ling Li Ru pays homage to the general!"

Li Ru paid a grand tribute.

"No gift."

Jin Mao stood up, stretched out his right hand, swept around the round table, and said, "Sit down."

Li Ru did not rush to sit down, but waited for Xun Yu and others to take their seats before he dared to sit at the north side of the table.

No matter what delicious food was on the table, Li Ru did not dare to pick up his chopsticks. This banquet was even more unbearable than a meeting hall.

Jin Mao picked up a piece of braised pork with chopsticks and put it in Li Ru's bowl. He said, "Try this newly developed dish and see if it suits your taste."

Li Ru folded his hands in thanks, then covered his face with his sleeves and picked up the meat and put it into his mouth.

It is soft and tender in the mouth, fat but not greasy, without any pork smell, it is truly the best.

After tasting it carefully, Li Ru gave it a thumbs up and said, "The best in the world!"

Jin Mao smiled happily and said, "That's great, but I'm afraid you northerners are not used to sweet food."

"Since we can eat together, it will be easier in the future, and the integration of the north and the south won't be that troublesome."

Jin Mao directly told Li Ru the purpose of his visit. Li Ru was calm and said, "Although it is delicious, you can't eat too much."

Jin Mao's smile disappeared immediately, and he said, "Eat it all, eat it all, don't waste it."

In the following time, only Jinmao had a good appetite. The other four had no appetite, or they were not used to eating at the same table.

In this era, when people entertain guests, each person has a table, just like the circle outside.

A quarter of an hour later, Jin Mao burped from eating too much, but when he saw that Li Ru and the other three hadn't eaten much, he asked, "Are you full?"

Li Ru was not full, but he was trying hard to hold on, and replied: "We only need one mouthful of rice."

Jin Mao could not understand the meaning behind the words, so he ignored them and looked at Xun Yu and the other two, asking, "Are you full too?"

The three of them nodded together.

Jin Mao suddenly felt bored and shouted, "Dian Hongxing!"

"exist!"

Dian Wei jumped up suddenly, holding the lamb leg with only bones left in his hand.

"are you full?"

"No!" Dian Wei shouted loudly, his voice could be heard clearly throughout the banquet center.

Jin Mao turned his head and looked behind him, saying, "You two haven't eaten yet, right? If you don't mind, eat all these leftovers with Dian Hongxing."

"Here!"

I don't know if it's because Wen Pin has grown older and gained more experience, or because he has been with Xu Huang for a long time, but the two of them are becoming more and more alike. If Jin Mao doesn't ask, the two of them won't talk.

Soon, Li Ru, Xun Yu and others stood up, Dian Wei, Wen Pin and Xu Huang joined the battle, and they ate all the food on the table like whirlwind.

Dian Wei even held the plate and licked the soup, making sure not a drop was left.

Jin Mao was happy and said, "This is the right way to do it."

“Once delicious food is prepared, it should be eaten up completely without leaving a drop.”

Then, Jin Mao smiled and looked at the four scholars, saying, "You are not like me. You are not full, but you insist on saying you are full. How hypocritical."

Xun Yu, Jia Xu, and Xun You immediately bowed and said with a smile, "Yes, lord, I will teach you."

Li Ru didn't show any expression, but cold sweat soaked his back.

He didn't think that Jin Mao's words had no deeper meaning.

But if there is a deeper meaning, then it would be serious.

"General..."

Li Ru was so frightened that he lost his composure.

Jin Mao raised his hand to stop him, saying, "Tonight we are just having dinner, not talking about business."

"I like to separate things into different categories. Just like when I govern someone, merits are merits and faults are faults. They cannot be mixed up!"

These words clearly show Jinmao's attitude.

Without giving Li Ru a chance to explain, Jin Mao ordered him to leave.

Li Ru left the General's Mansion in a daze, not knowing how to get back to the inn.

Jin Mao's words were very serious, clearly stating that crimes committed in the past cannot be forgiven by surrendering.

This implies that the Golden Sheep incident has not yet passed, and the main culprits will not be able to escape accountability.

But all the people involved at that time were Dong Zhuo's family members and confidants.

If everyone is held accountable, what's the difference between that and forcing these people to defect?
"Perhaps the general never thought of incorporating the Xiliang Army."

Once this thought appeared, Li Ru could no longer get it out of his mind.

But maybe I'm just thinking too much?

Li Ru found it difficult to calm down, and he suffered from insomnia that night!

The next day, early in the morning.

Li Ru straightened his clothes, had a pair of panda eyes, and came to the general's mansion again to discuss matters.

Without any process in between, Li Ru stated the purpose of this trip in full and expressed his own demands.

"My Lord, Grand Tutor Dong, requires that military autonomy be preserved, and requires..."

Li Ru made eighteen demands in a row.

Jin Mao yawned when he heard this. After waiting for a few seconds, Li Ru stopped talking and asked, "Are you done?"

Li Ru bowed to show his affirmation.

"Then tell me what I want."

Jin Mao waved his hand, and Xun Yu stepped out and bowed to Jin Mao first, then turned to Li Ru and said, "Before the Xiliang army is incorporated, it must be screened and classified into slaves, captives, and refugees according to their crimes, and they will start to atone their sins in the military settlements."

"This is impossible!" Li Ru flatly refused.

Jin Mao sat up straight and said seriously: "I don't mean to discuss this with you, I'm just informing you!"

"It doesn't matter if Dong Zhuo doesn't agree. At worst we can just fight a war."

"Did you see these soldiers?"

Jin Mao grinned and said, "These reckless men only care about military merits, and they wish the Xiliang Army would have more backbone."

As soon as these words were spoken, the soldiers burst into laughter.

Sun Ce even asked loudly: "My Lord, if we destroy the Xiliang army, how much merit will we be given?"

Jin Mao looked at Li Ru and said, "The one with the greatest achievements will be made a general!"

Suddenly, the eyes of the generals on the left looked at Li Ru and changed, becoming extremely passionate and eager.

I really can't wait to have a fight.

Seeing this, Li Ru's back was once again soaked with cold sweat.

Today, Jinmao has never been defeated, the only time being when it suffered a heavy loss at the hands of Xu Rong.

The grass on Xu Rong's grave is now three feet high.

Li Ru knew the situation of the Western Liang Army very well. Not to mention the Southern Army attacking, even the troops of Li Jue and Guo Si were enough to give them a headache.

But Li Ru could not admit defeat. He gritted his teeth and said with difficulty: "General Xiliang, you cannot surrender to the law!"

In other words, exonerating the top leaders from their crimes should be the simplest request in Li Ru's opinion.

However, Jinmao only gave in a little.

"Okay, all of them will be demoted to commoners, and I will become a rich man."

Li Ru didn't expect that this would be rejected. For a moment, he didn't know what to say next.

Jin Mao winked at Xun Yu, who understood and stepped out again, saying, "Brother Wenyou, you are a few years older than me, so I will call you this."

"As long as you are willing to help my Lord and restore order, your position as Shangshu Ling will remain unchanged."

Actually trying to persuade people in the opposite way!
Li Ru suddenly woke up and flatly refused, "Xun Wenruo, you are wrong! Although I, Li Ru, am not a saint, I also know loyalty, filial piety, integrity and righteousness."

"What I seek is not for my own personal honor or disgrace, but for the people of the world. Exonerating the top leaders is not condoning them, but I hope to use this opportunity to let all parties put aside their prejudices and work together for peace, so as to avoid continuous wars and suffering for the people."

"I admire you very much." Jin Mao said, "I allow you to collect Dong Zhuo's body!"

Li Ru didn't expect Jinmao to play by his own rules. Shouldn't he have tried to persuade him again? But did he just decide like that?

"General, I heard that you love your people like your own children. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at by the world for doing this?"

Jin Mao said solemnly: "The people I love are my people, and the people of my enemies are not my people!"

"I'll give you one last chance."

Jin Mao said, "We won't discuss this later."

Li Ru was silent for a long time. He said in a firm tone, let’s start a war, but what’s the use?
Jin Mao waited patiently.

Half an hour later, Li Ru bowed and said, "Before that, may I ask how the general will deal with my master, Grand Tutor Dong?"

Jin Mao looked at Li Ru's sincere eyes and knew that this answer would determine Li Ru's choice.

"Punish the chief culprit and leave his family alone!"

Li Ru was relieved, straightened his clothes, and said, "In that case, please kill me first, General!"

Li Ru faced death calmly, which made dozens of people in the hall silent!
(End of this chapter)