The revival of the Han Dynasty must start with Dong Zhuo

"In addition to the north and Chaisang, we also have to guard against the south."

Although there is no evidence now that the emperor and the court would send troops from Jiaozhou or even from the sea, there is also no evidence that the emperor would not do so.

After all, when fighting against the emperor, one can never be too careful!

"It makes sense."

Many Jiangdong soldiers also agreed with this point.

If all the troops are concentrated on the front line, even if an enemy force of thousands of people emerges in the rear, it is possible to turn Jiangdong upside down!
"Especially since Gan Ning discovered an island in the sea a while ago, I heard it is as big as a county and can support a million people!"

"If Gan Ning or Shi Xie attacks from that treasure island, I'm afraid something terrible will happen!"

After hearing this, Sun Quan nodded repeatedly and gave an order to a general:

"Wei Wen, you will lead the troops to capture the treasure island. Don't let the court send troops from here and endanger the rear!"

"Here!"

Gu Yong discussed the war with Sun Quan again and did not leave Sun Quan's mansion until the evening.

……

But after leaving Sun Quan's residence, Gu Yong did not go home directly. Instead, he led fifty swordsmen and axemen into a quiet place in Wu County.

"Li Wenyou, it's time to give you a ride!"

Gu Yong never forgot Li Ru from beginning to end.

Moreover, the imperial court is now about to launch an attack on Jiangdong, and Li Ru will become of no value.

Not only is it worthless, but if it is not handled properly, it may even cause Jiangdong to suffer backlash!
No matter from what angle, Li Ru should not be spared!

"Open the door!"

But after rushing to Li Ru's residence, Gu Yong opened the door and did not see any trace of Li Ru!
"Where's Li Ru?"

The servants and waiters in Li Ru's household were all spies of Gu Yong and Sun Quan, responsible for monitoring Li Ru day and night.

But now he was clueless. Everyone shook their heads. They didn't know where Li Ru, such a big man, had gone...

"Damn it! Waste!"

Gu Yong was known as a gentleman and was usually very elegant.

However, when he learned the news of Li Ru's disappearance, he still burst into curse!
Although everyone knew that Li Ru was a poisonous snake, at least this snake was kept in a cage and would not kill people as long as they kept a close eye on it.

But now, the poisonous snake Li Ru has disappeared inexplicably, and no one knows where he is hiding in some dark corner, watching silently!

Gu Yong looked around Li Ru's house nervously, as if Li Ru was hiding in those shadows, looking at him with a smile!

He knew very well that a person like Li Ru would not curl up in a corner silently and die quietly.

Li Ru is missing now, just wanting to wait for an opportunity and take a bite of Jiangdong at the critical moment!
"Search!"

"Even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, we must find Li Ru!"

Anyone who has had any contact with Li Ru, or anyone who has visited Li Ru recently, is considered a suspect by Gu Yong!

But Li Ru seemed to have really evaporated from the face of the earth and completely lost any trace!

When Gu Yong was extremely anxious, he thought of one person——

Han Dang’s son, Han Zong!
but……

Although Han Zong has a close relationship with Li Ru, his father died at the hands of the imperial court after all. Gu Yong doesn't believe that he would do such a thing.

After some hesitation, Gu Yong couldn't help but led his troops to Han Zong's residence!

"Gu Changshi! What are you doing?"

Han Zong was a little angry when he saw Gu Yong leading his troops to his home.

"My father followed Marquis Wucheng from the beginning! Later he became General Zhendong! And now Marquis Wu! You led your troops into my house without asking any questions, what on earth do you want to do!!!"

Handang.

They were among the earliest group of veteran heroes who followed Sun Jian, along with Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Zu Mao!
Even when Sun Ce was conquering Jiangdong, he relied on these four people as the backbone core. They were truly his loyal and trusted ministers!

Finally, Han Dang died in the Battle of Yiling...

It can be said that even if the enemies of Jiangdong knew about Han Dang’s deeds, they would still show him respect.

But now Gu Yong actually led his troops directly to the door!
What is this doing?
Isn't Gu Yong afraid of hurting the feelings of his meritorious officials by doing this?

Although Gu Yong knew that this matter would have a bad impact... he still didn't take it to heart.

Han Dang was indeed the core and pillar of the Sun regime.

But now, it is the Jiangdong regime!
Although the current leader of the Jiangdong regime is surnamed Sun, he is completely different from Sun Ce when he was in Jiangdong!
Therefore, Gu Yong was not afraid of people like Han Zong, and he had no time to care about their thoughts!
"It's just to catch a fugitive! No offense intended."

Gu Yong looked down on Han Zong and said that he did not mean to offend him, but he did not take Han Zong seriously at all.

"I went to Li Wenyou before because I admired his talent and fame as a famous scholar in the Central Plains!"

"Am I the only one who has made friends with Li Wenyou? Those wealthy families and celebrities in Jiangdong have also made friends with Li Wenyou! For example, the Zhu family! The Lu family! The Zhang family! Does Gu Changshi dare to search their homes?"

What the Korean variety show roars about is the truth.

Li Ru is Li Ru after all.

Especially since Li Ru came to Jiangdong, his identity has been exposed to the public.

Although some people avoided contact with Li Ru, more people were still close to Li Ru and wanted to use Li Ru as a connection to get into the court.

It was simply because later on, seeing that the emperor showed no mercy to the aristocratic families and the trivial Confucian scholars, he gradually severed contact with them.

Gu Yong, do you dare to investigate these people?

Han Zong gnashed his teeth in hatred, tears of blood almost bursting out of his eyes!
shame!

Isn't the reason why Gu Yong acted like this because Han Dang had passed away and the old heroes left by Sun Jian and Sun Ce had lost their power?
But if you lose your power, will you be treated so rudely?

Gu Yong was too lazy to pay attention to Han Zong's questioning.

Although what Han Zong said does make sense.

But the aristocratic families in Jiangdong are not fools.

Once the imperial court attacks across the river, everyone will die!
In this case, what reason do the Jiangdong family have to protect Li Ru?
On the contrary, Han Zong, a "descendant of the old guard", has reasons to protect Li Ru, so as to establish a connection with the emperor through Sun Ce, who is now serving in the court, and protect himself.

Call it prejudice or call it discrimination.

Anyway, Gu Yong really didn't take Han Zong's people seriously! And he would never give in to Han Zong's people!

The executioners behind him quickly rushed into Han Zong's mansion and rummaged through the drawers and cabinets.

Even the back house where the women lived was not spared by these soldiers. They broke in roughly, causing the women to scream in fear.

Han Zong's face has turned from red to white at this moment.

His hands kept shaking, but it was of no use under Gu Yong's power.

"Chief Secretary! Found it! There is a secret room in the back house!"

When Gu Yong heard that he actually got something out of it, he glanced at Han Zong, who had a pale face, and immediately got up and went to the secret room at the back.

But after arriving at the secret room, Gu Yong was greatly disappointed.

There was just a bed, and some interesting toys placed next to it.

It seems to be just a place for pleasure.

Every wealthy family has some such places, so it is not surprising.

Gu Yong looked around the secret room and asked the soldier beside him without giving up: "No more?"

"It's true that there is nothing left! I even checked the abandoned well!"

"..."

Gu Yong was a little disappointed.

He bowed to Han Zong, and then led his men away without looking back...

But from beginning to end, there was not even a single apology.

Han Zong was left alone in the secret room, and finally burst into tears.

"If it was Marquis Wucheng or General Zhengnan who was in charge, Gu Yong would never dare to do this!!"

The women and servants in the family couldn't help sobbing after hearing Han Zong's crying.

For a while, the entire Han Mansion was filled with sounds of grumbling, and the surrounding neighbors all shed tears secretly, thinking that what Gu Yong had done was really too much!

midnight……

Han Zong, who had cried enough, clenched his fists, as if he had made a decision.

He came to the bed in the secret room, squatted on the ground and groped around for a while.

After finding the mechanism, Han Zong twisted it hard, and unexpectedly an entrance that was only wide enough for one person to enter and exit by bending over appeared next to the bed!

There is another secret room inside the secret room!
Han Zong took an oil lamp, entered the entrance, and illuminated the inside.

However, the place is so small and cramped on all sides that it is almost suffocating.

There was only a couch on the ground...but the person sitting on the couch was Li Ru, whom Gu Yong had been thinking about day and night! Li Wenyou!

Han Zong carefully placed the lamp on the ground and said to Li Ru apologetically, "The chamber is small, so we can't light it. I'm really sorry for troubling you!"

Although Jiangdong is the only remaining base camp of the Toad Confucianists, the "Theory of Yuanqi" in "Lunheng" has also spread here, allowing the scholars in Jiangdong to know some basic common sense.

The secret room is already small. If the lights are turned on, people will feel dizzy in a short while, so it is not easy to hide people here.

"Nothing, I feel safe staying in a place like this."

For Li Ru, the cramped secret room that others avoided was like returning home, and he felt particularly safe there.

The darkness that people instinctively feared had no effect on Li Ru. Seeing Li Ru's unusual performance, Han Zong was once again amazed and could not help but lower his eyebrows.

"Gu Yong has been here?"

"Been here."

Han Zong sighed.

Gu Yong will come.

This is what Li Ru had told him before.

Although Han Zong hid Li Ru, he did not really want to protect Li Ru to the death.

in contrast.

If betraying Li Ru would benefit him, Han Zong even wanted to report it directly to Gu Yong...

But today, Gu Yong's attitude has officially told Han Zong——

"Don't think about it!"

In the Jiangdong regime where the aristocratic families are in power, except for the aristocratic families, the rest of the people are not even considered human beings!
Even if he had made meritorious contributions in the past, even if he had been favored by others in the past... he still could not be looked at in the eyes of these aristocratic families!
"Oh, I told you..."

Li Ru seemed to have anticipated Gu Yong's move.

"Why do you think the emperor suppresses the noble families like that? Is it fun?"

"Or do you think that Sun Ce, Zhou Yu, Lu Su and others are fools who don't know how to cooperate with these aristocratic families in Jiangdong like Sun Quan did?"

Hearing Li Ru's ridicule and ridicule, Han Zong felt a little ashamed.

"Jiangdong will perish!"

Han Zong clenched his fists, and at the same time, he couldn't help but kneel down and salute Li Ru——

"I am willing to join the imperial court! Please teach me, sir!"

When Li Ru saw Han Zong showing such great respect to him, he asked, "The imperial court killed your father back then."

"Can you bear the revenge for your father's murder?"

"Sir, you are wrong!"

Hanzong obviously has its own logic——

"Since ancient times, it has been difficult to be both loyal and righteous!"

"Besides, the Battle of Yiling was Jiangdong's fault. How can you resent the court and the emperor because of such a thing?"

"If I continue to be stubborn and help the tyrant, my father will bear the name of "Han traitor" forever. Is this in line with filial piety?"

Even though Sun Ce and Zhou Yu have now defected to the imperial court, Han Dang and his group will ultimately die as enemies of the Han Dynasty.

If Han Zong wants to clear Han Dang's reputation, he has no choice but to surrender to the imperial court and even make great contributions, so that he can be worthy of his father!

"Since you have thought it through, I will certainly speak well of you in front of the emperor in the future."

When Han Zong heard that Li Ru was willing to save him, he was overjoyed and quickly bowed to Li Ru to express his gratitude.

"But even with my kind words, I'm afraid it won't be enough to clear your father's name."

Li Ru's words sounded like they were misleading, but they also sounded like an elder giving advice and persuasion, making people unable to guard against them.

Han Zong frowned, not knowing what Li Ru meant.

"Moreover, even if the emperor protects you and does not pursue your fault, how do you think you will be treated in the court?"

"As for the imperial examination... can you pass it better than those scholars in the Central Plains?"

"As for fighting... After pacifying Jiangdong, where will there be so many merits for you to establish?"

"Are you going to spend your whole life in this muddle?"

"..."

Han Zong knew about this a long time ago.

In the imperial court, Han Zong may not receive the same discrimination as he did in Jiangdong.

But at the same time, the court would not give Han Zong generous rewards and allow him to hold a high position and receive high salary from then on.

Hearing Li Ru's words at this moment, Han Zong felt mixed emotions.

However, the moment his eyes met Li Ru's, Han Zong felt delighted.

"Sir, can you teach me?"

"Ah."

A simple nasal sound made Han Zong happy!

But this joy was quickly suppressed by Han Zong's self-awareness——

"Where can I get a chance to make merit now?"

"Needless to say, the military and financial power in Jiangdong is controlled by the aristocratic families. How can I interfere?"

"From outside... the imperial court will attack with unstoppable force!"

"With my status and position, how much effect can I have in such a war?"

"..."

A strange outline flashed across Li Ru's mouth.

"Who says that if you are a small person and your words are not influential, you can't accomplish great things?"

"Do those who do great things have to occupy high positions?"

……

Others may not be qualified to say this.

But Li Ru definitely has it!
After all, what could be more serious than killing an emperor?

Han Zong's throat trembled up and down: "Excuse me, sir, what should I do?"

"gunpowder."

Li Ru said slowly: "You should have heard what Gu Yong said to me last time."

"Jiangdong now has no means to stop the imperial court."

"Only gunpowder sent from the imperial court could cause an accident."

Han Zong suddenly realized!

Yes!

In the last battle of Jingzhou, the reason why Jiangdong was able to be so unstoppable was because they unexpectedly used gunpowder to blow up the wall of Xiling, so they almost took over the entire Jingzhou!
"Gunpowder really has the power of gods and ghosts... Tsk! The emperor is so careless! He actually let such a magical thing leak out!"

But Han Zong soon realized that

"That being said, gunpowder is not something I can touch!"

Ever since Jiangdong mastered gunpowder, it has been regarded as a core secret!

There are only a handful of people who are qualified to have access to gunpowder. How could Han Zon be qualified to find out information about gunpowder?
“I didn’t have the qualifications before, but now I do.”

Li Ru still spoke slowly, which made Han Zong tilt his head in confusion.

"Although Sun Quan relied on the Jiangdong family to become the ruler of Jiangdong, he did not intend to be a puppet for the rest of his life."

"People like Zhu Ran, Xu Sheng, and Pan Zhang all prove that Sun Quan is cultivating his own direct lineage. Fortunately, Jiangdong has more say."

"It's a pity that we lost so badly in the battles of Jingzhou and Hefei that Sun Quan lost a lot of strength... This is naturally a bad thing for Sun Quan and Jiangdong, but for you, it's really a blessing from heaven!"

Although Li Ru never leaves his house, his view of the situation is more thorough than anyone else!

He could see at a glance that Sun Quan relied on his aristocratic family, but also wanted to get rid of the current situation of his aristocratic family.

At the same time, due to the brutal battles of Jingzhou and Hefei, Sun Quan lost all the direct forces that he had cultivated with great difficulty.

Now Sun Quan is in urgent need of cultivating new direct forces!
Even though Jiangdong is now in danger, Li Ru is still sure of one thing:

“No one can be selfless at any time.”

"Especially someone like Sun Quan who is obsessed with the game of power, it is impossible for him to be completely unprepared for what happened in Jiangdong."

"As long as you go and join Sun Quan now, Sun Quan will definitely use you as a chess piece to check and balance the aristocratic family and entrust you with important tasks."

"When the time comes, it will be easy for you to come into contact with gunpowder."

Han Zong was stunned.

Just when the imperial court was about to attack, Li Ru actually wanted to surrender to Sun Quan?
After listening to Li Ru's analysis, Han Zong was even more stunned that... this approach actually works!

After the battles of Jingzhou and Hefei, Sun Quan must have been eager to cultivate his own direct lineage!

And what kind of direct descendant could be closer than Han Dang’s son?
Because Han Dang was killed by the imperial court, no one would think that Han Zong would defect to the imperial court.

And Gu Yong had just "humiliated" Han Zong, so it was absolutely impossible for Han Zong to flirt with the Jiangdong family again.

For Sun Quan, someone like Han Zong is simply the chosen one to become his confidant!
It can be imagined that if Han Zong really surrenders to Sun Quan, he will surely rise to prominence in a short period of time and become a new upstart!
"Thank you sir! Thank you sir!"

At this moment, Han Zong seemed to regard Li Ru as his adoptive parent!

"But recently I have to ask you to stay here for a while. You just need to wait for good news from the court and me!"

Li Ru smiled faintly and said, "It's not a grievance."

"It's spacious enough for a guy like me."

After all, there shouldn't be a place for Li Ru in this world... (End of this chapter)