Chapter 26: Temporarily Pacifying the Powerful and Wealthy

  The old man said, and after a moment of contemplation, he said: "If Hanyang is lost, Liangzhou will be in danger. At present, the rebel army is strong, with the momentum to directly attack the three auxiliary states. I'm afraid that for a short period of time, the court can only maintain a defensive posture. Although this old man is certain that the court will not give up Liangzhou, but when it comes to reassembling troops to quell the rebellion again, who knows when that will be..."

  He paused again, then raised his profound eyes and stared straight at the fatty, saying: "If Liangzhou is completely in the hands of the rebels, we will probably not be spared either... Although this group of people has come in a strange way, they are undoubtedly not rebels. Since that's the case, why not support them?"

  Although the fatty looks rough, he can't be a fool to have reached his current position. The old man with the surname Li slightly mentioned it, and he probably understood, thinking: "In this situation, these people dare to take chestnuts from the fire, they must have some ability... I don't know if you noticed when we entered, there were seven or eight horses with full-body iron armor and horns? I've never heard of horses with horns before... This group of people is indeed mysterious... What Mr. Li said is right, supporting them won't hurt, as long as they can avoid being poisoned by traitors, it's also a relief from the suffering of moving the whole family."

  They are far from being like the Fu family, whose reputation is known far and wide, and who can quickly establish a business wherever they go. They are different, almost tied to Lingzhou.

  If the whole family moves away, it can't be helped that the family's fortunes will decline. This is something nobody wants to see happen.

  Now that someone has stood up at this time, it can also be said that they are shielding them from the wind and rain, so supporting them a bit is not impossible.

  Moreover, these people are well-equipped and well-fed, acting swiftly, one glance is enough to know they're not to be trifled with. If the choice isn't right, I'm afraid... this is also unavoidable.

  In the hall, dozens of people were all discussing this matter. Some clever ones pricked up their ears to listen to the conversation between Fatty and Old Man Li, and they also gradually felt relieved in their hearts.

  There are also those whose minds are in a state of confusion and who remain anxious and uncertain, without knowing why.

  Just then, Li Zhēng came out from the back hall.

  Although he was going to meet the local tyrants and celebrities of Lingzhou, Li Zhong didn't mind, so he didn't make any special preparations. He just took off his helmet, still wearing his fish-scale armor, with a precious sword hanging from his waist, and walked out calmly.

  His eyes scanned the room, taking in the expressions of everyone present, before he walked up to his seat.

  These people were all invited by Zhou Lin at Li Zhong's behest, and though they were said to have been invited, there were also some coercive measures that were not lacking. Today, in the great chaos of Lingzhou, not everyone has a big heart, able to calmly watch the clouds rise and fall. Many people are still on guard against Li Zhong's troops, fearing they will bring disaster upon themselves.

  When Li Zhēng arrived, the crowd in the hall fell silent and gazed at him. But what they saw was a young man with an imposing presence and a vibrant aura.

  At a glance, Li Zhēng was eight feet tall, with a handsome face and wearing armor, with a precious sword hanging from his waist, and a simple hair bun on his head, secured with a jade pin.

  Among the majestic and powerful, there is an air of "I'd rather die than yield" that is truly extraordinary.

  At one point, everyone stood up.

  Li Zheng smiled and said, "I am Li Zheng. I have invited all of you here today to discuss an important matter. You are all well-known figures in Lingzhou City, so please, don't be formal, take a seat!"

  Everyone under the hall returned a courtesy, without saying a word, and all knelt down.

  "I rushed here today, and the county government has also become a ruin. It's not good to entertain you all, I hope you can forgive me."

  Li Zhēng continued: "I'm also considered a Lingzhou person, such a big thing happening in Lingzhou, I naturally don't want to see it. Although the Fu family has moved away, Lingzhou can't be chaotic, I think everyone should think so too."

  "With some confidence in my abilities, I'll take on this task without hesitation. I suppose you all have no objections."

  The people under the hall heard this and looked at each other, then a Li surname old man on the right side stood up.

  The old man cupped his hands and bowed, saying: "General, what you said is right. Lingzhou belongs to everyone, and if Lingzhou falls into chaos, it will be detrimental to all. However, I have a question, should I ask or not?"

  The old man didn't know Li Zhēng's background, only that he had a group of people under him, so he addressed him as General.

  Li Zheng's eyes narrowed and he stared at the old man.

  From Zhou Lin's place, Li Zhong had already known the identity and status of the people present.

  The old man who spoke was named Li Yuan, styled as Bo Ran. However, Li Bo Ran was not an ordinary person. In his early years, he had served as an official in a foreign land, but after experiencing the disaster of the party purge, he became disillusioned and resigned from office to return to his hometown. Afterwards, he opened a private academy in Lingzhou City, where he taught and educated people.

  Although Li Bo Ran did not have much power after his death, he was famous for his integrity and also had the merit of cultivating people, so in Lingzhou, he had a certain status.

  What Li Zhēng admired most was that Lǐ Bó Rán taught and educated people without distinguishing between social classes, whether they were wealthy and powerful or ordinary citizens, as long as they were willing, he treated them all equally.

  "So it was Mr. Boran!"

  Li Zheng returned a courtesy and silently accepted the title of General, smiling: "Mr. Bo Ran just asks questions, I will answer them one by one."

  Li Zhēng's attitude was tough, but he didn't lose his courtesy when interacting with others. Li Bó Rán felt somewhat satisfied in his heart, and a hint of a smile appeared on his expressionless face as he said: "The current situation in Liangzhou is probably something you are deeply aware of, General."

  Seeing Li Zhēng nodding, Lǐ Bó Rán continued: "The rebel army is powerful, the imperial court has retreated in defeat. In such a situation, why did General rise up and take charge? Even the Fu family had to relocate their entire household. Does General have confidence that he can protect Lingzhou from 100,000 rebels?"

  Li Zhēng heard this and couldn't help but laugh. He nodded his head and said, "The old gentleman's words are straightforward and to the point. However, I have a different view."

  "Oh?" Li Bo Ran was slightly taken aback, and smiled: "I'm all ears."

  Li Zhong pondered for a moment, then said: "Although Lingzhou seems to be in a precarious situation like a pile of eggs, even the Fu family had to relocate their entire household. But in my opinion, Lingzhou also has its own advantages."

  "The territory of Lingzhou is located at the northernmost part of Beidi County, and further north is the land of Hexi, which is the domain of the Xiongnu people." Li Zhong said, "Although Han Sui's rebel son has a large army of tens of thousands, I think he would not dare to provoke the Xiongnu people in the face of the imperial court. If the rebels enter Lingzhou with their troops, they will undoubtedly put pressure on the Xiongnu people and may cause them to misunderstand, leading to war."

  "So," Li Zhēng said with a smile, "I dare to assert that even if the rebels notice Lingzhou, they won't dare send a large army here. At most, it will just be a small detachment with not too many people, and I'm not afraid of that!"

  After hearing Li Zhong's words, many people felt a sense of sudden enlightenment, while also secretly harboring resentment.

  "General's ambition is not small!"

  Li Bohan listened, but suddenly came up with this sentence.

  When everyone's attention was focused on Lingzhou, Li Zhong's gaze encompassed both the imperial court and the Xiongnu people. This kind of broad and far-sighted vision is not something ordinary people possess.

  "A great man in the world, when holding a three-foot sword, can establish achievements that will last for ages. Why can't Li Mou follow the example of his predecessors and strive to become a marquis or a general?" Li Zhēng raised his head, full of confidence.

  "General is indeed extraordinary!"

  Li Bohan smiled, the more he looked at Li Zheng, the more satisfied he was. Moreover, this young general in front of him also had the surname Li!

  "But I still have one more question." Li Bo Ran stroked his beard and smiled, saying: "General should know that even if Han Sui's rebel army does not dare to send a large army to attack, but if they continuously dispatch small detachments, with the general's strength, it is feared that it will be difficult to hold on... Moreover, who dares to guarantee that Han Sui won't have other plans? Or perhaps Han Sui won't collude with the Xiongnu people?"

  At this point, many people in the scene changed their faces again.

  "What's more important," Li Bohan's expression turned serious, "is under what name will the General be protecting Lingzhou?"

  Hearing this, Li Zhong himself couldn't help but respond with a serious expression.

  Li Bo Ran's first hypothesis, Li Zhong knew would not hold. In Li Zhong's memory, in the history of that world, Han Xi did not collude with the Xiongnu people, or to put it another way, Han Xi regarded Longzhou as his own backyard and was unwilling to share it with others, so naturally he could not tolerate the Xiongnu people getting involved. Secondly, even if the Xiongnu people had such an idea, they would not be able to move, the Protector of the Xiongnu Zhonglang General was not someone to be trifled with.

  Furthermore, Li Zhong vaguely remembered that something big would happen among the Xiongnu tribes recently, leaving them no time to care about things outside their tribe.

  What truly made Li Zhong Zheng's colors was fame.

  Yes, nominally.

  The Han dynasty has not yet collapsed, and Li Zhong's behavior of privately gathering troops to occupy the county city is, to a certain extent, no different from Han Sui's rebellion.

  So Li Bo Ran would ask this question.

  However, Li Zhong had already planned ahead and said: "What the old gentleman says is reasonable, but I am not acting without cause. Firstly, I am also a person from Lingzhou, and the life and death of Lingzhou are closely related to me. Secondly, this time I led my troops, mainly for the purpose of rescuing Han Yang Taishou Fu Nangong Fuguo."

  Upon hearing this, neither Li Bo Ran nor anyone else present was taken aback.

  Someone immediately exclaimed in dismay: "General, it's already difficult to ensure the safety of Lingzhou City, let alone rescue Fu Jie - that's absolutely impossible!"

  "Yes, General! The rebels are tens of thousands in number. If they besiege the Han Yang city, it will be like pouring water into a sieve - how can we possibly rescue them?!"

  Li Bohan hesitated for a moment, furrowed his brow and said: "Although the general's idea is good, I think it's not feasible."

  "Hehe..."

  Li Zhong smiled and said, "You are all mistaken. I am not here to save the Han Yang Prefecture, but only to rescue Governor Fu Xie alone. It's just one person, it only takes a few dozen people to do it!"

  Most people listened without understanding, only a few people thought for a moment and suddenly realized.

  Li Beran thought more. Firstly, as long as Li Zhong's purpose is achieved and Fu Xie is rescued, then Fu Xie will not mind giving him a nominal title, so it would be legitimate. Secondly, if Fu Xie can escape from Hanyang, then no matter how chaotic Liangzhou is, there will still be a steady hand to rely on. As long as Fu Xie is in the front line, isn't it beneficial for both Li Zhong and everyone present?

  Li Bohan smiled and said, "General, you are indeed quick-witted, I admire you! Since the general has this plan, we are willing to support the general. The financial resources and supplies needed by the general, I will personally guarantee them. As for how to do it, we won't ask, we just hope that after the general receives the imperial reward, don't forget about the people of Lingzhou."

  The fat man beside Li Beran's words, his face was anxious, but was stopped by Li Beran's eyes.

  "Haha..."

  Li Zhen secretly remembered this in his heart, let out a long laugh, stood up and bowed to everyone present, finally fixing his gaze on Li Bo Ran, saying: "Sir, rest assured, I promise you a thousand pieces of gold, I will not go back on my word!"