My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 545 Summoning the Tusi
An astonishing piece of news spread far and wide from Longxiakou Dazhai.

The Long family was actually wiped out. The Longxia Pass stronghold only lasted for less than half an hour before it was breached by the Han people.

The local chieftains and powerful families within a radius of dozens of miles were greatly shaken. The bolder ones secretly sent out their elite troops to gather intelligence and see if there was any opportunity to take advantage of the chaos. The less daring ones, however, had already locked their gates tightly, fearing that they might invite trouble upon themselves.

However, whether one is bold or timid, no one can escape this change.

The next day, Han envoys came to the door one after another, saying that the Han general had set up a banquet in Longxiakou Village and wanted to invite the surrounding chieftains, powerful people and tribal chiefs to come and have a gathering.

To go or not to go.

This may seem like a problem, but in reality, there is no choice.

Some of the bolder ones were eager to try and take advantage of the situation, while the less daring ones dared not refuse the Han army at all.

Longxiakou Village was a famous stronghold for miles around, and its strategic location made it easy to defend and difficult to attack. Thirty years ago, more than a dozen villages joined forces to attack it for a month and a half, but they still couldn't defeat the Long family.

But when they encountered Han'er, they couldn't even last an hour.

Are these men all heavenly soldiers and generals?

Although the notice was given at the last minute, the number of people who came was quite large. Even though the chieftain himself could not come in person, he sent his sons, deputy and other trusted confidants to attend the meeting.

Among the villages within dozens of miles, the Long family was undoubtedly the most prominent, but they were not without rivals.

The Lin family of Longxugou to the west and the Xi family of Xinting Mountain to the south are both powerful clans, no less so than the Long family. The Xi family of Xinting Mountain, in particular, occupies this important passage and is therefore highly valued by Lu Xun.

This mountain range, known as Xiting, is only twenty or thirty li away from Lügao. For the Han army, this place, like Longxia Pass, is undoubtedly a crucial location that must be controlled. Otherwise, if something were to happen here, Lügao's connection with the rear would be severed.

The Lin clan sent their chief, Lin Guang, while the Xi clan sent their chief's younger brother, Xi Ming. Both brought over a hundred personal guards, clad in armor, with short swords at their waists, and each wearing a cloak. These cloaks could shield them from the scorching sun during the day and provide protection from the wind and cold at night. They also offered some extra defense against swords and blades, making them top-tier equipment among the Baiyue people, demonstrating the considerable wealth of the Lin and Xi clans.

Before arriving, the surrounding Baiyue, Han chieftains, powerful clans, and tribal leaders all thought they would encounter a trap. Unexpectedly, after arriving, Lu Xun showed no signs of abusing his power; on the contrary, he treated them with courtesy.

Not only did he bring out the finest tea cakes to brew tea for everyone, but his kind and friendly demeanor and gentle words also captivated the audience.

As the sun approached noon, seats were set up in the open space in front of the main hall in Longxiakou Village, and the banquet was about to begin.

At this time, all twenty-three local chieftains, powerful clans, and tribal leaders from the surrounding area were present. Those who were absent were replaced by their trusted confidants, and not a single person was absent.

Lu Xun was secretly satisfied with the result; at least it was a good start.

When the banquet began, the Han dynasty system was adopted.

At this time, the Han Dynasty banquet system was a separate seating system, with each person having their own table, dishes served individually, and drinks served to themselves. However, the custom of the Baiyue people in the southwest was to sit around a table and eat together.

Lu Xun set the standard for eight dishes and one soup. Each table would have half a chicken, a fish, a bowl of meat, two courses of vegetables and two courses of fruit, a pastry course, and a pot of old duck soup.

Such a seating arrangement would be considered rather low-class in the Central Plains, not even worthy of a grand banquet. However, in these southwestern mountains, it was an exceptionally fine feast for these local powerful families. Coupled with the fine wine Lu Xun brought from Jiangdong, everyone ate with great relish, feeling that the Central Plains cooking style was far superior to the local style, making the food incredibly delicious.

The meatballs in that bowl, I don't know how they were made, were golden brown all over, crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside, savory and delicious, so delicious that you could almost swallow your tongue.

But what pleased everyone the most was not the meat dish, but the pastry served last.

This pastry was actually the size of a thumb, with a crystal-clear color, like frosting sugar made of white ice. It was extremely sweet, making one's mouth water and sweetening one's heart and lungs.

After everyone finished eating, Lu Xun said with a smile, "I found some bargains in the mountains, so I'm just treating you all to a simple feast. I wonder if you are satisfied?"

The local chieftains and powerful clans, including Lin Guang and Xi Ming, rose and bowed in gratitude, saying, "We are unworthy of the general's kindness."

The Han Dynasty was indeed an indelible and prosperous dynasty in Chinese history. Its influence was not limited to military strength; its cultural strength was equally formidable.

The surrounding barbarians all took pride in following Han etiquette, and even the Xiongnu, the most powerful enemy of the Han, eventually began to wear Han clothes and read Han classics.

Liu Yuan, Liu Shan's eldest son, was well-versed in this matter.

Lu Xun gave a gentle smile, then raised his hands and clapped them.

Lu Xun's clapping startled the chieftains. Even powerful chieftains like Lin Guang and Xi Ming turned pale, let alone the others. One timid junior chieftain even jumped up, nearly overturning the table. Even though the bowls and plates on the table were all empty, it still caused a clattering sound.

It's not really fair to blame the chieftain for being cowardly; the Han dynasty's Feast at Hongmen was simply too infamous.

Among the Han people, the Feast at Hongmen almost always refers to the one between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang.

While the barbarians were unaware of Xiang Yu's Feast at Hongmen, they were all too familiar with the Feast at Hongmen hosted by the descendants of the Liu family.

Countless barbarian chieftains and tribal leaders have proven with their lives that Han Chinese banquets are not to be trifled with; they are banquets where one's head is often the only thing left to pay for.

Throughout the four hundred years of Han Dynasty history, countless capable ministers and generals were summoned to banquets only to be captured and rounded up. Even more tragically, very few barbarian tribes dared to refuse an invitation to a Han Dynasty banquet.

Knowing full well that it might be a death trap, they still had no choice but to go, which shows how terrifying the Han Dynasty was.

Fortunately, Lu Xun's clapping this time was not malicious. Although the warriors who rushed out were also elite warriors, they were only wearing uniforms and not armor. They were carrying large boxes, not steel swords or sharp blades.

Lin Guang, Xi Ming, and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief; they had truly been frightened.

The Han soldiers carried the boxes to the open space in the middle of the seating area, arranged them in two rows, and then opened them one by one.

At this moment, Lin Guang, Xi Ming, and the others calmed down again. With their fear gone, their curiosity was piqued, and they couldn't help but peek at the boxes.

Seeing this, Lu Xun sneered inwardly. They were indeed barbarians. They had pretended to be virtuous before, but now that they saw the benefits, they had completely forgotten their manners.

Such greed and rudeness are truly the act of a monkey wearing a crown.

Although Lu Xun felt ashamed, he didn't reveal anything on the surface and didn't stop the chieftains from doing their thing. Instead, he leisurely introduced them to the chieftains.

"Gentlemen, look, these boxes contain treasures that I brought from the Central Plains."

As Lu Xun explained, the curiosity of the chieftains was heightened, their eyes widening and necks craning like geese. Thankfully, they remembered they were in front of Lu Xun; otherwise, given their temperaments, they would have rushed forward in a swarm.

Lu Xun slowly rose, walked to the center of the arena, and gestured to the chieftains, "Gentlemen, please come closer and watch."

Having received Lu Xun's invitation, the many chieftains, who were already eager to join him, immediately stood up and surrounded Lu Xun.

Interestingly, although these chieftains seemed to be in a chaotic mess, in the end Lin Guang and Xi Ming occupied Lu Xun's left and right sides respectively. Although the other chieftains were not orderly, the strong were still in front and the weak were in the back.

Lu Xun pointed to each box and began to introduce them one by one.

The opened boxes contained pure white frosting sugar, crystal-clear snow salt, fragrant sesame oil, exquisite silk, delicate brocade, paper as thin as a cicada's wing, iron farm tools, plush mink fur, and all sorts of rare and precious treasures, a dazzling array that left the chieftains dizzy with envy.

"These...these treasures are all produced in the Central Plains?"

Lin Guangqing murmured involuntarily, "I have heard that the Central Plains is a vast and abundant land with rich resources and prosperous people. I never imagined that it would be so rich in products and produce such treasures. It is truly enviable."

"Brother Lin is right."

Xi Ming stared intently at Shuang Tang, muttering to himself, "I only regret that I was born in this mountainous region and could not witness the grandeur of the Central Plains."

If even the leaders, Lin Guang and Xi Ming, were like this, one can only imagine what the other chieftains were like.

Lu Xun felt somewhat guilty. Although these things were produced in the Central Plains, they were all made by his lord, Liu Feng. Without Liu Feng, the Central Plains would not have such treasures, and with war raging, there would be no abundance of resources.

Suppressing his whimsical thoughts, Lu Xun slowly asked, "Do you all like it?"

"I love it, of course I love it. This banquet is a great treat for us all, thanks to General's kindness."

Lin Guang, Xi Ming, and the others nodded in agreement, but couldn't help but think to themselves, "Who wouldn't like such a treasure?"

Unexpectedly, Lu Xun then said generously, "I am on important business as ordered by the court, the emperor, and the Left General. I am passing through your territory and have not brought any treasures with me, only these daily necessities. If you do not mind, I would like to give you a few gifts as a token of our friendship before we part."

"Is the general truly telling the truth?"

Lin Guang, Xi Ming, and the others were all shocked and looked incredulous.

That's understandable. If these things were theirs, they would definitely keep them hidden deep in the treasury and guard them carefully. They would never show them to others easily, let alone take them out as gifts.

What do you mean by this?

Lu Xun's expression changed drastically: "I, the General, was personally appointed as a Lieutenant General by the court after the Left General submitted a memorial. Would I deceive you ignorant country bumpkins?"

Strangely enough, although Lu Xun's words were extremely insulting, Lin Guang, Xi Ming, and the others listened with faces full of flattery.

"General, please calm down. We are just country bumpkins, ignorant of etiquette. Please forgive us."

Don't be fooled by how obedient Lin Guang, Xi Ming, and the others seem, to the point of being willing to endure insults. This is partly because the Han army still retains some of its intimidating power, and partly because the Han army managed to breach the Longxia Pass stronghold in half an hour.

Without these, the seemingly submissive chieftains like Lin Guang and Xi Ming wouldn't have obediently waited for Lu Xun's gifts.

As the leader, Lin Guang still had some sense and tentatively asked, "We are just country bumpkins with no virtue, so we don't know why the general is so kind to us?"

Lu Xun burst into laughter, which left Lin Guang, Xi Ming, and the others looking at each other in bewilderment.

After a moment, Lu Xun slowly stopped laughing and pointed to the rare treasures in the box in front of him, saying, "Besides these things, I have another great fortune to share with you all. Compared with that great fortune, what are these mundane things worth mentioning? However, you all have limited knowledge and only know that mundane things are valuable, but you do not know that wealth is even more precious."

Upon hearing Lu Xun's words, Lin Guang, Xi Ming, and the others were both surprised and delighted, but also harbored considerable doubts. They didn't believe the Han army would be so kind as to not only give them rare treasures for free but also promise them great wealth.

The saying goes, "When you offer a gift, you must have something in mind."

Lin Guang and Xi Ming may not have heard this saying before, but they understand the principle behind it.

In particular, the more elaborate the gift, the greater the request will inevitably be.

As if sensing the wariness in Lin Guang, Xi Ming and the others' hearts, Lu Xun remained calm and waved his hand, saying, "Gentlemen, please return to your seats and savor the tea cakes I brought."

Lin Guang, Xi Ming, and the others sat down again, half surprised and half doubtful. The tea that had previously amazed them now tasted like cardboard, and their eyes kept glancing at Lu Xun.

Seeing that he had whetted everyone's appetite and the time was almost right, Lu Xun finally spoke: "As you all know, I have come here on official business by order of the Left General and the court. My concerns are twofold: provisions and our retreat."

"If you are all willing to help me solve these two problems..."

Lu Xun waved his hand at the two rows of boxes in front of everyone and said, "A little bit of wealth is nothing to mention. Even if there were more rare treasures, I could offer them to you all."

Lin Guang, Xi Ming, and the others were not stupid. Truly stupid people would not survive long in these mountains.

The two exchanged a glance, both understanding the implied meaning in Lu Xun's words.

After a moment, Lin Guang tentatively asked, "According to the general, do you intend to use these valuables to purchase the grain in our homes?"

"good."

Lu Xun nodded solemnly: "What do you all think?"

Lin Guang and Xi Ming felt a huge weight lifted off their shoulders. If the other party only wanted to exchange grain, it wasn't an unreasonable thing, and it was even exactly what they wanted.

Xi Ming's eyes gleamed with greed, and he wanted to make an exorbitant demand: "General, you may not know this, but the food in the mountains is much more precious than that outside."

Lu Xun glanced at Xi Ming, sneered inwardly, but said aloud, "It doesn't matter, even if it's a bit expensive, as long as the price is fair."

Lin Guang glanced at Xi Ming and felt that Xi Ming was blinded by greed. Although he also wanted these treasures, he had not forgotten the strength of the Han army. But looking at Xi Ming's posture, he actually wanted to raise the price on the spot. Did he really think that the Han people were easy to talk to? Wasn't he afraid that his Xi family would follow in the footsteps of the Long family?

(End of this chapter)