knife

Chapter 342 This really wasn't me.

"Good morning!" From afar, the person greeted Linghu Zhishu with a cupped-hand salute and a friendly smile.

Linghu Zhishu is a complete idiot.

He stared blankly at Li Dachui for a long time before finally managing to say with some difficulty, "How did you end up here?"

"That's exactly the question I wanted to ask Brother Linghu. Why aren't you helping Commander Linghu conquer cities and fortresses in Chang'an? What are you doing here all this way?" Li Dachui said with a smile.

Linghu Zhishu felt a lump in his throat and his eyes well up with tears. Suddenly, he felt an urge to cry.

"Where is Tang Xiaofeng? Is he dead?"

Li Dachui shook his head: "Of course not. It makes it sound like I'm killing indiscriminately. I just crippled his martial arts and locked him up. Both Prince Ji and Tang Xiaofeng will be taken to Chengdu Prefecture for a public trial, and then their crimes will be determined, and what punishments they will receive!"

"public trial?"

“Yes, the new governor of Shu County will preside over this joint trial. We must thoroughly investigate how Li Shen and the Tang family, these two Shu traitors, have exploited and oppressed the people over the years, and then make it public so that the people can see what kind of people these guys are and whether they deserve to be killed,” Li Dachui said earnestly.

"Upon thorough investigation, it is clear that he has committed numerous crimes. His death is the only way to appease public anger, and his execution is the only way to appease the world!" Linghu Zhishu said with a bitter smile.

“Indeed, Brother Linghu is indeed a wise man!” Li Dachui said, “I can guarantee that I will never frame them, nor will I fabricate charges to frame them. I will only present the facts. But even so, the crimes they have committed are enough to warrant a hundred deaths!”

“I believe that!” Linghu Zhishu said, “Because even if you come to interrogate me, or I come to investigate you, we can find irrefutable crimes against you to put the other party to death.”

"The winner is king, the loser is a bandit!" Li Dachui said with a smile. "Brother Linghu, you're already quite drunk so early in the morning. Is there some happy occasion or are you drowning your sorrows in alcohol?"

"It was supposed to be a celebration drink, but seeing Protector Li, it naturally turned into a way to drown one's sorrows!" Linghu Zhishu's face fell.

"Haven't you heard that drowning your sorrows in wine only makes them worse?" Li Dachui laughed smugly, with the smug look of a petty tyrant. "Brother Linghu's sorrow is my joy, Li Dachui's joy. Why don't I take this opportunity to share this with you, and we'll have a few more drinks?"

“Brother Li, if you are interested, I will certainly keep you company!” Linghu Zhishu took a deep breath and gestured for him to continue.

Sitting opposite each other, with bowls and chopsticks added, Li Dachui took the initiative, serving dishes and pouring wine for Linghu Zhishu, which made Linghu Zhishu even more depressed.

However, on the other hand, Li Dachui can now be considered the host. If Linghu Zhishu were to be honest, he would probably still be an unwelcome guest. The fact that he didn't verbally abuse, bind, or detain him is already a sign of his magnanimity.

"When did you start planning this?" Linghu Zhishu downed the wine in his cup in one gulp, then snatched the wine pot from Li Dachui's hand and took several big gulps from the spout.

“My friendship with Zhang Songlin dates back a long time. Later, I became friends with Wu Dexian and then allies with him!” Li Dachui said patiently. “However, the real plan to seize Shu only began after I heard that your uncle had reached the Innate Realm.”

Linghu Zhishu nodded: "That's quite a long time. Zhang Songlin is from Shu, and the Black Ice Platform has been laying its hands on him for a long time in order to deal with the Tang Clan of Shu."

"Yes. With Linghu's arrival at Xiantian, the morale of the entire army has soared. Chang'an and Luoyang have been thrown into chaos by He Zudao, that troublemaker. Once Uncle Ling leads his army south, who can stop him? So I have to take over Shu first. Firstly, it can support the Wei family, and secondly, it can also establish a stable base in Guanzhong. Otherwise, how can I compete with Commander Linghu?" Li Dachui laughed.

Linghu Zhishu remained silent.

There are many coincidences in Li Dachui's schemes.

For example, Zhang Songlin happens to be from Shu, and Wu De went to the border and Li Dachui discovered his true identity. These two people are the key figures in Li Dachui's plot to seize Shu.

If you were to say that Li Dachui was already plotting against Sichuan when he befriended Zhang Songlin, Linghu Zhishu would absolutely not believe it.

This must be what luck is all about!

For some reason, the word suddenly popped into Linghu Zhishu's mind, which made him involuntarily look up and carefully examine Li Dachui opposite him.

"What's wrong? Could it be that Brother Linghu has seen my domineering aura and is planning to bow down and work for me?" Li Dachui looked at the other party and joked.

Secretary Linghu pouted. This ordinary-looking face wasn't even as imposing as his own. "Domineering aura?" he thought. "More like a tyrannical aura!"

All I can say is that this bastard is incredibly lucky.

"Is Zhang Songlin the next governor of Shu Commandery?" Linghu Zhishu asked. "Is Governor Li really that confident in this man? As far as I know, his character is not trustworthy."

Li Dachui laughed heartily: "At this moment, Brother Linghu still doesn't forget to sow discord. But this is the Linghu Zhishu I know! Brother Linghu, Zhang Songlin, when it comes to character, is naturally not exactly noble, but he has one advantage: he has a very sharp eye and his judgment of current affairs is quite accurate. He also has absolute confidence in himself, so when he sets his mind on something, he dares to devote himself to it wholeheartedly."

Linghu Zhishu said sourly, "What Protector Li means is that Zhang Songlin believes you can achieve great things!" "Indeed!" Li Dachui nodded and said, "Brother Linghu, when we employ people, we can't say we don't consider character, but ability is even more important. People can't be too greedy, they can't want this and that, don't you think? Just take their strengths. We're cooperating, not becoming close friends."

Standing up, Linghu Zhishu poured wine for Li Dachui and said, "I'm sure that after this public trial, Protector Li will definitely ruin the reputation of Prince Ji and the Tang Clan, these originally powerful forces in Shu, making them despised by everyone. This will show that your entry into Shu is to rid the people of harm and to uphold justice. Then, by implementing a series of policies such as opening granaries, reducing taxes, etc., you will be able to win the hearts of the people of Shu."

"That's pretty much it!" Li Dachui said. "Brother Linghu is quite familiar with this now!"

"With so many major sects falling in Shu this time, Protector Li has gained countless resources that he can use to win over and appease the people at the very bottom, making them his most loyal supporters, thus laying the foundation for his most solid rule here!"

“Just like when you were in Boling County, I heard that when you left, the people of Boling County presented you with a ‘Ten Thousand People’s Umbrella’ and dressed you in a ‘Hundred Families’ Garment!” Li Dachui laughed.

"It's just copying your ideas!" Linghu Zhishu said sullenly. "Now that the rule in Shu has been stabilized, Protector Li will have to strongly support the Wei clan of Chang'an in their fight against my Linghu clan. With the support of Shu, the Wei clan will naturally be much more confident!"

"I wouldn't call it much support!" Li Dachui said. "Brother Linghu, as you know, I'm quite good at doing business. Right now, everything in Shu is in ruins and the people are dirt poor. If they want to get rich, just relying on farming isn't enough. Commerce needs to be developed too. So it's inevitable that Shu will sell some things to other places. Of course, we can sell not only to the Wei family, but also to your Linghu clan! We're trustworthy. As long as you pay, we'll deliver the goods! It's all for the sake of making life better for the people of Shu, so they can have some spare money, eat meat during festivals, and buy some cloth for their wives and children to make new clothes."

Linghu Zhishu sneered: "If I didn't know you so well, your words would have moved me to tears."

"That's really what I think. As for the side effects on the outside world while making the people of Sichuan rich, that's beyond my control!" Li Dachui said sincerely.

Linghu Zhishu felt an unbearable sense of frustration in his chest.

Li Dachui was indeed not lying.

Prince Ji and the Tang clan's Shu region will send troops to attack the Wei clan when they are down, vying for control of Chang'an. Meanwhile, Li Dachui's Shu region will help the Wei clan stabilize their rule in Chang'an, and then, on this basis, they will do business everywhere to make money and profit from the war.

I fear that during this process, he will also quietly absorb the vital forces of Chang'an.

For example, the wealthy families in Chang'an, the artisans with exquisite craftsmanship, and other people who make a living by their skills.

If the war drags on, I'm afraid anyone with even a little bit of influence will run away.

Where should we run to?

It is a place without war, a peaceful and tranquil place.

At that time, Sichuan would naturally be the best choice.

People, wealth, and technology will all flow here.

Even if the Linghu family manages to conquer Chang'an with great effort, it will likely become an empty shell, with nothing left except for those magnificent palaces.

In this process, in order to maintain their rule, the Wei clan could only be continuously drained of their lifeblood by Li Dachui until they were dried up.

Perhaps when that time comes, Li Dachui will spare their lives because of their great contributions to Sichuan.

No, no, no, given this guy's integrity, he'll definitely pull some kind of trick to kill someone else, sending the Wei clan to the Linghu clan's clutches.

"Brother Linghu, why is there blood coming from your mouth?"

Across from him, Li Dachui tilted his head and looked at Linghu Zhishu. There was a trace of blood seeping from the corner of Linghu Zhishu's mouth, but it didn't look like the result of biting his lip.

Linghu Zhishu opened his mouth and coughed up a mouthful of blood, which startled Li Dachui. He turned to look at Linghu Zhishu's guard beside him and said innocently, "It has nothing to do with me, I didn't do it!"

Linghu Zhishu wiped the blood from his mouth, picked up the wine pot on the table, took several big gulps, rinsed his mouth with gulps, and then actually swallowed it.

"Governor Li, if you don't want me to stay, then I'm leaving!"

"Brother Linghu, please do as you please. But you don't seem to be feeling well. Shouldn't you take some time to rest?"

"It's better to leave sooner so we can live longer. If we stay any longer, Brother Li will drive us crazy!" Linghu Zhishu said with a wry smile.

"A real man should have a broad mind!" Li Dachui advised. "Only then can he live longer!"

Just one sentence was enough to set Linghu Zhishu on the brink of despair.

(End of this chapter)