Chapter 323: Chapter 186: Preparations for the Founding of the Country_2
Translator: 549690339
Or perhaps simply flee into the mountains, taking advantage of the geographical advantage of the mountains, and occasionally come out to attack the local area, plundering the people, just like a fly, impossible to guard against.
This kind of endless security battle, no doubt is the most time-consuming and energy-consuming.
In order to deal with these fugitive soldiers, Lu Yuan even had to disperse the 50,000 troops and civilian workers on hand to the three prefectures, and then send out the experts from the Nanhai Sect to constantly fight security battles and guerrilla warfare with the Miao soldiers.
In this way, the other party’s rampant momentum was slightly curbed.
But even so, manpower is still somewhat insufficient.
As a result, Lu Yuan had to transfer 20,000 of the 30,000 militias that had been gathered in Luyang Prefecture to assist in handling security.
With this, the manpower was sufficient to cope with the local security situation.
After some deliberation, Lu Yuan finally decided to deploy a battalion of soldiers in Lianshan County, Yangshan Prefecture, who had just suppressed a Miao people’s village, to Jianghua County.
Firstly, the two places are not far apart, and secondly, a battalion of soldiers has 500 people. Co-operating with the local civilian workers should be enough to suppress the hundreds of fugitive soldiers.
He approved the documents, wrote another transfer order, and handed it to the personal guard waiting by his side. After the order was passed, Lu Yuan finally put down the pen in his hand, got up, and came to Sun Siwen’s side. He brewed a cup of tea for his friend and then laughed: “I have been so busy with my official duties recently that I even forgot to sleep and eat. I have neglected Brother Sun.”
Sun Siwen shook his head: “Brother Lu is governing for the people, it is a great public-hearted act. I just waited for a while; it is not a big deal.”
“I knew Brother Sun would say that.” Lu Yuan laughed, then went straight to the point: “Brother Sun, your visit here, I guess you have some speculation on the way. I invited you here because I have an important task to entrust.”
Sun Siwen nodded: “Brother Lu probably wants me to serve as the Prefect of Yangshan, to govern this place, right?”
Lu Yuan nodded and then shook his head: “Indeed, but my intention is not only to make you the Prefect of Yangshan, but also to help me oversee Jiuyi and Lingling’s two prefectures, to be the Governor of these three southern prefectures.”
“Governor of the three southern prefectures!”
Upon hearing this term, Sun Siwen was immediately taken aback, and stood up to look at his good friend, hurriedly advising, “Brother Lu, I know you have great ambitions.
But the position of Governor has always been appointed by the court, and it is a high-ranking official. Its rank is even higher than the General of Pingxi, so how can it be appointed by a local official?
And with my position, how could I have the authority to oversee the two prefectures of Jiuyi and Lingling?
I’ll serve as the Prefect of Yangshan.
Brother Lu, you should arrange for someone capable to be the Prefect of the other two prefectures.”
Facing such a rebellious arrangement, Sun Siwen was genuinely afraid.
The first reason was due to personal integrity; he did not want to betray the court. The second reason was that he did not want to see his good friend heading toward the extreme, becoming a rebel.
Otherwise, if caught between his friend and the court in the future, he really wouldn’t know which side to choose, and he would be in an awkward situation.
“Brother Sun, please be calm for a moment.” Lu Yuan saw the panic on Sun Siwen’s face and couldn’t help but smile, then he said, “When did I say I wanted to rebel?”
Upon hearing this, Sun Siwen felt slightly relieved, steadied his mind, and asked, “Brother Lu, if you don’t want to rebel, then why are you saying all this?”
Lu Yuan couldn’t help but laugh, “Haven’t you heard me say before that I have an agreement with the court…”
He proceeded to tell his good friend about the court’s plan for the Ten Grandmasters and the fiefdom plan.
Of course, Lu Yuan made some modifications in the part about the land for the fiefdom.
The original Jiuzhen Prefecture, which had been confirmed as the land for the fiefdom, was naturally replaced with Dongting Prefecture. Even the original plan for half a prefecture was changed to starting with half a prefecture and capping it at one prefecture.
As for whether the court would accept these conditions against its own plan- would the increasingly weak court not want to make trouble with him now that his strength was rapidly expanding, and would eventually agree with it?
As for what to do if they don’t agree in the end?
Naturally, each will rely on their own means.
Anyway, Lu Yuan was not planning to leave Dongting Prefecture.
As a warrior, we always let our strength do the talking. In the end, there will be a battle to see who can defeat whom.
“So, with the court’s agreement, I have acquired half a prefecture’s land for fiefdom.”
Lu Yuan spoke calmly, “Now, Brother Sun, along with you supervising the three prefectures, we are merely setting up the central framework in advance, in preparation for the fiefdom in the future.”
After hearing such a secret, Sun Siwen was completely stunned.
As a traditional scholar, he never thought that the court would do such a thing in order to extend its national reign, suppress rebellion and defend against foreign enemies.
Fiefdom.
If what his friend said was true, then wouldn’t the court have to cede at least two or three prefectures, or even as much as four?
Without these few prefectures, would Da Yue still be Da Yue?
In the midst of such confusion, Sun Siwen looked at Lu Yuan, his throat slightly dry, and asked, “Brother Lu, is what you said…true?”
Lu Yuan nodded naturally: “Of course it is. Otherwise, why do you think the Holy Monk Jihui of the White Phoenix Temple is willing to serve as the National Master? Elder Master Yan of the Nanhai Sect, who is over 140 years old, is still willing to fight for the court?”
Both of them have tens of thousands of disciples, and they are both powerful figures in the Jianghu who dominate a whole prefecture.
In terms of status, they are not much different from a prefecture governor, right?”
But now they are willing to work for the court and serve as the so-called National Master with no real power. Do you really think they care about the plight of the nation and want to serve the court?”