Golden Branch

Chapter 74 Thoughts

Zheng Yi didn't know Yang Rui, but he could guess the purpose of Yang Rui's visit - to win over Lou Yu.

Of course, Lou Yu was not the real target, Yang Rui pointed his sword at Lou Jin.

"The wind is about to blow in the capital!"

Less than three years after the founding of Dayu, is it time for internal strife to break out?
As a woman who once stirred up trouble in the capital, Zheng Yi was most familiar with this feeling.

At the pinnacle of power, things can change at any time.

Unfortunately, she failed, and the Zhou Dynasty collapsed.

When escaping from the capital, Zheng Yi thought about the ups and downs of his first half of life, and how he worked hard but ended up living in anonymity.

She never regretted it, but she was tired of the life of intrigue and swordplay.

After many twists and turns, she came to Yizhou and became the mother of a little girl by chance.

Life in the past two or three years has been peaceful, stable and wealthy.

But Zheng Yi always felt empty.

Her life was too dull, and she always felt regretful that she had many talents but nowhere to display them.

Before this, Zheng Yi had not realized that he still had the ambition to rule the world.

However, at this moment, hearing about Yang Rui's arrival, all the blood in Zheng Yi's body seemed to be awakened.

Maybe, she can... Zheng Yi's eyes swept over Wang Heng inconspicuously: What a pity, Jiu Niang is too young. If she grows two or three years older and loses some weight, she can marry Yang Rui.

Jiang's identity was flawed, and Yang Chong had a close relationship with his first wife, Li. Even if Yang Chong became the emperor in the future, Jiang would at most be a noble concubine.

Queen, it's impossible!

Moreover, Jiang had one biggest problem: no offspring.

Even if you try every means to become the queen, without a biological son, your son will become someone else's bride in the future.

Wang Heng is different.

There was nothing wrong with her background. She was a daughter of the Wang family of Langya, and her father held a minor official position.

She was so beautiful, if she married Yang Rui and had another child...

Zheng Yi thought very far ahead. When Wang Heng was not even ten years old, Zheng Yi had already begun to plan what kind of wealth and glory Wang Heng would have in the future if she married the crown prince (the future prince).

Wang Heng: ...The way Aunt Zheng looks at me is so strange!
Silently, Wang Heng memorized the chilling feeling on her back.

……

After sending everyone away, Lou Yu was finally able to talk to Yang Rui alone.

He politely led everyone to the main hall, gave the main seat to Yang Rui, and knelt down obediently at the bottom.

"Sir, you just said you came to Yizhou for something? What's the business?"

Both sides have exchanged many polite words.

Lou Yu stopped hiding it and asked directly.

He didn't call him "Brother" anymore.

Even though the two of them had a friendship as "fellow disciples", their ancestor Lou Hu had been dead for decades, and his doctrines had not formed a real school. The so-called "brothers" between Lou Yu and Yang Rui were a bit too empty.

People are polite just to get closer to each other.

But Lou Yu can't really take advantage of the situation, otherwise, he would be making a fool of himself.

Lou Yu's words were not gentle, but rather sharp, which was more suitable for his age.

Yang Rui saw that Lou Yu was finally no longer a little person, but behaved like a gentleman, and slightly curled the corners of his lips.

This smile was still as gentle as the spring breeze, but it made Lou Yu feel its sincerity.

Lou Yu: ...

After only half a day of contact with Yang Rui, he had many contradictory understandings of "truth".

He couldn't even tell what was "real".

Lou Yu secretly guessed that Yang Rui's voice had already sounded: "Indeed, there is some official business!"

"The Saint (Emperor) wishes to repair the rivers in Cangzhou, Yizhou, and other places. Since I am the Crown Prince of Qi, I will be responsible for dredging and repairing the rivers in Yizhou!"

Lou Yu went straight to the point, and Yang Rui did not beat around the bush.

"Repair the river?"

Lou Yu was stunned for a moment. He thought that Yang Rui's "something happened" was just an excuse.

He came to Yizhou just to win over Lou Jin through Lou Yu.

Unexpectedly, he really had official business.

But soon, Lou Yu stopped worrying about Yang Rui's real purpose and focused his attention on repairing the river channel.

His mind raced.

Suddenly, an idea flashed in his mind, "The Saint wants to move the capital?"

Yang Rui raised an eyebrow. "Why do you think so, Mr. Lou? Perhaps the Saint is just preparing to attack the southern border!"

Dredging the canal and opening up water transportation can not only transport supplies, but also transport troops.

In addition, the southern border is rich in water, with large rivers serving as natural barriers.

If the North wants to move south smoothly, it must overcome the disadvantage of being "not good at water battles."

Dredging the river not only reopens the waterway, but also allows for the transportation and training of troops.

The imperial court wanted to dredge the river. If anyone who heard the news had some brains and a certain level of knowledge about government affairs, the first thing they would guess would be that the sage was going to march south.

The young master of the Lou family actually thought of moving the capital.

Well, this association does make some sense.

Moving the capital, dredging the river, and marching southward are all interconnected.

Dayu followed the previous dynasty and its capital was still located in Pingcheng.

However, Pingcheng is too close to the north, which is not only not conducive to the southern expedition.

It is also very inconvenient to transport food and other supplies from various places.

The issue of moving the capital was actually discussed as early as when the sage first ascended the throne.

However, at that time, everything was complicated, and moving the capital was a major matter, involving too many aspects.

The sage was determined to unify the world as quickly as possible, and between the choice of marching south first or moving the capital first, he preferred the former.

The new capital has been chosen, which is the famous ancient capital Chang'an.

However, Chang'an had gone through wars and the former palace had long since become ruins.

If you want to move the capital, you must rebuild it.

The outer city, the palace city... the project was massive, requiring the conscription of tens of thousands of civilians, as well as the stone and wood needed for construction, as well as the food they needed...

Land transportation is too monotonous and difficult. Dredging rivers and increasing water transportation can also help transport people and materials.

After the capital is moved, the center of Dayu will be transferred to the heart of the Central Plains, closer to the southern border.

It will be more convenient when marching south.

Victory in the Southern Expedition, unification of the world, and relocation of the capital to Chang'an will contribute to better governance!

After unification, we can continue to connect the rivers and transport the rich products and food in the south to Chang'an and various states and counties in the north!

So, these three things are interconnected and complement each other.

Lou Yu was able to guess two other things from one thing, which showed his great intelligence.

Just as Yang Rui was still thinking, Lou Yu spoke again: "The Saint should also want to march south!"

Two-pronged approach?

Although he was a little impatient, he gave his ministers the opportunity to achieve great things.

In this way, civil and military officials, even princes and grandchildren, would not just focus on the chair under his butt.

Yang Rui's pupils contracted slightly. This Lou Yu—Yang Rui had previously thought that Lou Yu was just a mischievous child with some cleverness.

But he relied on his little cleverness to tease the little girl, which is really not what a real man should do.

Now it seems that I was prejudiced and underestimated Lou Yu.

During their meeting today, Lou Yu had been imitating him unconsciously, and Yang Rui naturally noticed it.

At that time, Yang Rui was still pleased to think that Lou Yu was a "teachable child".

But at this moment, seeing that Lou Yu was so sharp despite his young age, Yang Rui suddenly thought of Lou Yu's life experience——

He was originally the favored eldest son of a concubine, but because he had a legitimate mother, his father cruelly adopted him out in order to protect the interests of her and her legitimate children.

Forty years ago, Lou Hu was indeed a man of extraordinary talent and a well-known celebrity at home and abroad.

But he has passed away.

Even his own teacher, Lou Hu's direct disciple, felt so unfamiliar when he mentioned Lou Hu again after decades.

Adopted by a man who had died many years ago, and without the guidance of close elders, Lou Yu grew wildly like a weed.

He did not grow up to be a lawless and unforgivable villain, but he was still able to read and observe etiquette. Even if his gentleness and elegance were pretended, at least he was positive and kind.

A gentleman does not care about his deeds.

Just seeing how Lou Yu could be so patient in treating a girl next door and how he could be so flattering towards relatives who didn't know their limits, Yang Rui knew that Lou Yu was a good person at heart.

He just had no one to discipline him, and he happened to be very intelligent, so he had some unconventional ways.

As long as someone disciplines him well and gives him correct guidance, he should be able to become an upright, loyal and righteous man.

Yang Rui had already become a father. When he thought of his one-year-old illegitimate son and his pregnant wife, his heart was filled with fatherly love.

Of course, Yang Rui did not forget that he "had something to ask" of Lou Yu.

Well, just consider it as his "reward" to Lou Yu.

Guide him and teach him, so that he can possess the wisdom and breadth of mind of a true gentleman, rather than superficial cleverness.

"I'm new here, and I don't know much about Yizhou. Would Mr. Lou be willing to lend me a hand?"

Yang Rui wanted to teach Lou Yu, but he would not preach in a harsh or rigid way.

He wanted to keep Lou Yu by his side and teach him by example.

Let him know what is cleverness and what is wisdom.

Let him understand what the true way of a gentleman is and what he should and shouldn't do.

Even if you want to plot against someone, it should be an open conspiracy that leaves people speechless or even admired, rather than a sinister trick that cannot be shown in public.

Lou Yu was stunned.

What does this Prince of Qi mean?
Let a teenager like me lend him a helping hand?
But for some reason, seeing Yang Rui's gentle and tolerant expression made him feel inexplicably moved.

Lou Yu couldn't describe the feeling. Although it was weird, it wasn't annoying.

"You want me to help you? What for? I don't have any special talents except some land, gold and silver."

He was not even an adult yet, so he couldn't even serve as a dog or a horse.

Lou Yu is not a good-tempered person.

The slightest disguise in front of outsiders had exhausted his patience.

Now, there were only him and Yang Rui in the study. The other party seemed to have seen through his true face long ago, and Lou Yu was too lazy to pretend anymore.

He simply continued to speak directly, "Or, do you want me to write a letter to my cousin?"

Yang Rui: ...He is smart, but he is too wild and has no patience.

Yang Rui thought for a moment and said, "I have plenty of land, gold, and silver! I certainly don't need you to write a letter to your uncle!"

How could a child, who was adopted out at that, possibly influence a powerful general like Lou Jin who commanded a large army?
Even if Yang Rui really wanted to win over Lou Jin, he would not go through Lou Yu.

Compared to Lou Yu, an "abandoned child", the legendary Lady Dugu is more valuable.

Furthermore, Yang Rui disdains these tactics the most.

If you want to conquer someone, you must rely on your own abilities and skills, rather than using women and children.

Lou Yu: ...

When Yang Rui said "write a letter to your cousin", something seemed wrong.

He, look down on him?

Don’t you think Lou Yu can influence Lou Jin? !
Although it was true, it was easily seen through by an outsider... Lou Yu was a little depressed.

But, he didn't say it out loud, and there was nothing unusual in his tone.

Lou Yu is the one who is sensitive. If he makes a fuss about this, it would be rude of him!
Lou Yu: ...even more frustrating!
He once again realized that in front of Yang Rui, he would always fall into a state of "inferiority" and powerlessness.

Is this also Yang Rui’s “strength”?
"So what do you want me to help you with?"

Lou Yu was a little angry and his tone became hard.

"Soldiers! I want to borrow one thousand of your Lou family soldiers!"

Yang Rui directly stated his request.

Borrow troops?

Lou Yu frowned, "Prince, you shouldn't be short of soldiers and horses."

Yang Rui is the eldest son of Yang Chong, who has two to three hundred thousand men under his command.

Even if the emperor now pushes forward the King of Chu to compete with Yang Chong, the King of Qi, Yang Rui will not be reduced to running to Lou Yu to borrow troops.

"The more soldiers, the better."

"My visit to Qizhou to repair the river will inevitably affect the interests of various forces along the river..."

Yang Rui came to Yizhou this time with 600 troops, all of whom were veterans who had followed him and his son in battles across the country.

I wouldn't dare say I can defeat a hundred people alone, but I can definitely defeat three at once.

But Yang Rui did not dare to be arrogant.

Although he is the crown prince of Qi and the Qi Palace is in Yizhou, most of Qi's lineage are in the capital.

It’s Yang Rui, and this is his first time to Yizhou.

He is a dragon that has crossed the river, while the various forces on both sides of the Yi River are local snakes.

Yang Rui is not afraid of those evil spirits that hide in the dark, but he cannot help but be on guard.

If you capsize in a ditch, not only your reputation will be damaged, but your life may also be in danger.

Asking Lou Yu to borrow troops was not only about borrowing the thousand veterans who were also experienced in the battlefield, but also about pulling Lou Yu onto his own chariot.

Lou Yu, and Lou Jin behind him, are extremely intimidating in Yizhou and Hedong.

Yang Rui had done some research before coming here.

Tsk tsk, in the past two or three years, Lou Jin stationed troops in Hedong, but he often asked those powerful families and wealthy businessmen to "donate" military pay.

Just like cutting leeks, one crop after another.

If it weren't for the county magistrate Wang Lin who was mediating, Lou Jin would have been able to wipe out all the forces in Hedong.

Even so, Lou Jin killed many people in Hedong and even Yizhou.

For a period of time, fishermen in the Yi River were afraid to eat the fish they caught.

Lou Jin used his iron-blooded methods to establish the Lou family's great reputation.

Therefore, Lou Jin left, but still dared to leave his own son Lou Yu in Hedong, because he knew that those people would not dare to provoke him.

"...The prince is so calculating!"

After listening to Yang Rui's words, Lou Yu said calmly, "I can lend you soldiers and let you borrow the Lou family's reputation, but what can you give me?"

Yang Rui curled his lips and said, "Let me recommend a gentleman to you..."

P.S.: Ahem, this humble author's IQ is limited, and I can't write anything sophisticated or insightful. That's roughly the gist of it, please forgive me! (#^.^#)
(End of this chapter)