Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 867 Flowers in Chengdu

Early October in Sichuan and Chongqing is different from the northern plains. The climate is pleasant, warm and humid, and even the trees along the official road are still green.

As the saying goes, "At dawn, the red petals are wet with dew, and the flowers are heavy in Chengdu." Although it is no longer spring, the blooming chrysanthemums make Chengdu even more lush and vibrant.

This magnificent scene naturally inspired Lu You to compose a poem.

To be fair, there's nothing strange about this. Even if it's passed down as an anecdote to future generations, what's so surprising about a great poet being moved by the scene and wanting to compose a poem?

However, when Lu You had this feeling, he was immediately stunned and, disregarding the officials and gentry around him, stood there quietly lost in thought.

It wasn't until a moment later that Lu You finally understood and sighed softly.

He was originally a person who loved poetry and was good at writing it. He could write poems and essays when he was twelve years old, and by the age of thirty, he had become famous for his writing, and wrote the famous lines "The mountains and rivers seem to block the way, but then a village appears amidst the willows and flowers" that are enough to be passed down through the ages.

However, during the years of the Northern Expedition, Lu You only wrote "To My Sons," a poem he had already drafted, and nothing else came of it. Looking back now, he himself finds it somewhat surprising.

But why did I not write this in previous years, but am I writing it today? I had no feelings for it in the past, but today I suddenly felt like writing it.

A phrase suddenly came to Lu You's mind: "Great talent is often accompanied by misfortune."

Looking back now, even during the Northern Expedition, when we were in a precarious situation with constant battles, we were still able to work together with one heart and one mind, and our work was exceptionally smooth. How could we be so constrained as we are now?
So, is continuing to fight against the Jin Dynasty in the north the only fate I deserve?

Thinking of this, the newly appointed Sichuan Military Commissioner raised his wine cup and, amidst the strange looks from the local officials and gentry in the banquet hall, slowly said, "Gentlemen, let us drink this cup together."

The atmosphere in the room eased slightly at this point, and everyone, from Wang Yan, the Sichuan Transport Commissioner, down to the others, raised their glasses and wished him a long life.

However, after everyone had finished drinking, Lu You, who was in the head seat, sighed slightly, put his cup full of wine back on the table, and didn't drink a drop.

Everyone knew that the main event was about to begin, and they all perked up.

Lu You glanced at everyone present, then focused his gaze on Wang Hui, the prefectural magistrate of Chengdu. He raised his wine cup again and said softly, "Prefect Wang, your Wang family of Chengdu already owns a great deal of land. Can't you return some of the military and civilian settlements that you've swallowed up?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Yan rubbed his forehead, somewhat helpless.

As a young and promising official promoted after Zhao Shen came to power, and also a proponent of war, Wang Yan was naturally Lu You's political ally. However, while their ideas were not exactly aligned, they were also vastly different.

Should the military and political situation in Sichuan be reviewed?

Of course, that's how it should be.

Putting aside everything else, there were simply too many powerful and wealthy clans in Chengdu Prefecture. The amount of land and households they had hidden was astronomical.

Moreover, unlike the gentry of the Central Plains, who also possessed powerful clans and were both civil and military, the gentry of Sichuan relied on their abilities within the Song Dynasty's officialdom to govern the powerful clans of Sichuan.

This was essentially a form of feudal system, and therefore, no matter which official governed Shu, they still had to maintain good relations with the gentry.

One of the reasons why the Song Dynasty court did not employ scholars and officials from Shu was that these centuries-old families wielded far too much local power.

For example, Wang Hui, whom Lu You questioned in person, was the grandson of Wang Gui, a famous prime minister of the Northern Song Dynasty.

Wang Hui had an aunt who married Li Gefei, a professor in Yunzhou, and they had a daughter named Li Qingzhao.

Wang Hui's half-sister married Qin Hui; she is the same Wang who kneels before Yue Fei's tomb in later generations.

He also had an aunt who married Zheng Juzhong, the prime minister during the reign of Emperor Huizong of Song.

With such a family background, which powerful figure would dare to cause trouble in front of them?

Moreover, there are more than one such powerful family in Sichuan, like the Wang family.

In the vicinity of Chengdu Prefecture alone, there were two major families: the Fan family and the Yuwen family.

The Fan family was even more remarkable, as they had been rooted in Sichuan and Chongqing since the Han Dynasty. During the Jin Dynasty, they produced influential religious figures such as Fan Changsheng, the master of the Celestial Masters sect, who assisted Li Xiong in establishing Cheng Han.

As for its influence in the imperial court, let's just talk about one thing.

Both the Fan family of Chengdu and Fan Zhongyan claimed to be descendants of Fan Lübing, a prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, which gives an idea of ​​just how powerful the Fan family was.

As for the Yuwen clan, they were a noble family that had been rooted in Chengdu since the Northern and Southern Dynasties. They became even more prosperous during the Song Dynasty. Yuwen Zongxiang was posthumously awarded the titles of Grand Tutor and Duke of Wei, and Yuwen Bangyan was posthumously awarded the titles of Grand Tutor and Duke of Qi.

During the reign of Emperor Huizong of Song, Yuwen Bangyan's three sons, Yuwen Xuzhong, Yuwen Cuizhong, and Yuwen Shizhong, all became important ministers of the Song Dynasty.

Especially Yuwen Xuzhong, who managed to obtain the position of Minister in the Jin Kingdom without compromising his integrity, is a rare talent indeed.

Then there's Yuwen Shizhong, whose daughter married Zhang Jun, the same Zhang Jun who once championed the Red Banner faction of the Warlords and had just died in Xia Cai City.

With such a complex and intertwined network of relationships, even the slightest movement would have far-reaching consequences. Wang Yan's idea was simple: to proceed gradually and methodically.

Lu You, however, clearly held a different view. He believed that this was an era of great contention, like rowing against the current; if one did not advance, one would fall behind.

Next, a new power that is many times stronger than the Jin Dynasty will surely rise in the north. If the Song Dynasty cannot gain enough advantage before then, it will be difficult to maintain its rule.

However, Liu Huai did not break ties with the Song state after all, so even though Lu You felt an extreme sense of urgency, he ultimately did not offer any explanation to anyone.

To others, Lu You's actions were seen as the newly appointed Sichuan Military Commissioner being too eager for quick results.

Wang Hui frowned slightly upon hearing this, put down his wine cup, stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Lord Lu, please forgive me for not understanding the meaning of these words."

My family does indeed own a lot of land, but whether it was bought and sold regularly or bestowed by the government, it all has a legitimate source.

"Just because my family has been officials for generations and has accumulated more land doesn't mean I'm guilty. Otherwise, wouldn't all the rich people in the world deserve to die?"

After speaking in a humble yet assertive manner, Wang Hui looked around at the officials and gentry at the banquet. Seeing them nod in agreement, he stroked his long beard and said, "As for the military settlements where General Wu has settled his soldiers, aren't they still in good condition?"

I truly have no knowledge of any land annexation. I urge Lord Lu to investigate thoroughly.

Lu You listened quietly, then said sincerely, "Prefect Wang, I really want to resolve this matter privately. After all, General Wu is still fighting in Guanzhong. If this trivial matter causes trouble at the front and allows the Jin invaders to enter Sichuan, then we would be guilty of a crime deserving of death."

Wang Hui's expression changed, and he finally said with a stern face, "Lord Lu, I am ignorant of military affairs and do not know the situation in Guanzhong."

But judging from what Minister Lu is saying, does he intend to shift the blame onto my Wang family should the army be defeated?"

The atmosphere at the banquet froze instantly.

Lu You finally laughed, raised his wine cup and said, "Prefect Wang, drink this wine first to calm your anger."

After saying this, Lu You drank the wine he hadn't finished in one gulp. Seeing that Wang Hui remained motionless, staring intently at him, he smiled and said, "Prefect Wang has misunderstood me. As the saying goes, war is a matter of great importance to the state, a matter of life and death, a place of survival and destruction, and it is imperative to pay attention to it."

Sichuan has long been untouched by war, unaware of the brutality of battle or the true nature of military devastation. Consequently, it is unaware of the true value of soldiers.

Judge Wang, don't try to refute me now. That's not a good idea. Go back and think about it, and then ask others about my experience.

If you think what I said makes sense, then quietly return the land. You can continue being a peaceful official, and I can continue with my Northern Expedition. From now on, we'll keep to ourselves, okay?

Wang Hui thought Lu You had gone completely mad.

You are a newly arrived military commissioner. Even if you are the head of the civil officials in Sichuan, how dare you threaten a gentry like us?
Do you believe that if I make a move here, countless impeachment documents will immediately be sent to the emperor's desk?

Who do you expect to protect you?

Is this Prime Minister Yu in Nanyang at this time?
Wang Hui bent down, slowly picked up the wine cup on the table, then threw it on the ground without drinking, to show his dissatisfaction, and turned away.

"Prefect Wang".

Lu You's clear voice rang out: "The soldiers have knives. Even with Qin Hui's status, he is not immune to assassination attempts by righteous men. I hope Magistrate Wang will be careful. I don't think Chengdu Prefecture is a peaceful place."

Wang Hui turned to look at Lu You in disbelief, speechless for a moment.

Just now... did this Song State military commissioner threaten me with assassination?

After realizing from the faces of the people at the banquet that he had not misheard, Wang Hui did not get angry, but simply said, "Lord Lu, you are really drunk."

Having said that, Wang Hui did not linger and turned to leave.

When Wang Hui left, many officials and gentry followed suit, and after a short while, only a few people remained in the huge banquet hall.

Lu You simply watched this scene with a smile, then said to Zhao Buyou, the transport commissioner of Chengdu Road, "Why isn't Zhao, the transport commissioner, leaving?"

Zhao Buyou drank a cup of wine, picked up a piece of mutton with his chopsticks and stuffed it into his mouth, and said indistinctly without raising his head: "I am a member of the imperial family, what can these people do to me?"

Moreover, I have devoted myself to my duties and worked diligently, which has always caught the eye of Prime Minister Lu.

Besides, I find my position as the canal commissioner incredibly frustrating. The powerful clans of Chengdu are deeply entrenched, and I always have to beg and plead to collect taxes. I desperately wish for some extraordinary figure to come and curb the arrogance of these powerful clans.

Lu You nodded with a smile: "In that case, I am not alone. I will not tell you about any of my plans from now on. Just pretend you know nothing."

But you'll have to clean up the mess after I've resolved my own problems.

Zhao Buyou wiped his greasy mouth, then stood up with his big belly in his arms and bowed respectfully to Lu You: "It is my wish, but I dare not ask."

Wang Yan held his forehead, his face showing even more worry.

(Note: There are two versions of the story regarding Qin Hui's wife, Lady Wang: one is that she was Wang Gui's great-granddaughter, and the other is that she was Wang Gui's granddaughter. The latter version is used here.)
(End of this chapter)