Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 558: Alliance of Lu Against Chen

Time flies, and it’s already late May.

The takeover of Fengzhou is reaching its conclusion.

In fact, the later stages of the Fengzhou takeover weren’t particularly smooth, as word of the public trial has spread completely, prompting the gentry and landowners of each county to unite in resistance.

Of course, their resistance isn’t about organizing men to confront the Chen Army head-on, as they don’t have that kind of strength.

Instead, they’re applying pressure.

As the local overlords, they control the local grain prices, goods prices, and the livelihood of the local people.

They use these as bargaining chips, coercing Chen Mo to stop the public trial.

For this, they also made significant concessions.

They are aware of their numerous evil deeds locally, and if they were to go up on the public trial stage, it would surely mean no way out.

So they sent people to find Chen Mo, offering to return the lands they occupied from the people over the years and the women they forcibly took, as long as Chen Mo doesn’t put them on the public trial stage.

Not only that, but they’re also planning to donate half of their family assets to Chen Mo.

And to this, Chen Mo’s response was a refusal.

You’ve got to be kidding; it’s already at the end stage. This little bit of resistance is still manageable. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Furthermore, once your homes are confiscated, all your assets will be mine, and I can still gain a good reputation.

If I accepted your donation, not only would it ruin my reputation, but I wouldn’t get any gratitude from you, so why bother?

Seeing Chen Mo adamantly pursue the public trial, they could only make one last resistance.

They organized servants, incited the populace, and confronted Chen Mo’s Xianzhen Guard head-on.

Such behavior is entirely like an ant trying to stop a chariot.

After capturing them, Chen Mo didn’t kill them immediately but routinely pushed them onto the public trial stage, handing them over to the people for judgment.

...

Luonan.

In the study, Lu Sheng finished reading the letter from Hui Cheng, showing joy on his face, "The clan leader of the Qiang Race has been captured by my junior disciple, and is now on the way back. From now on, Xiliang is back in the hands of the Court. Heaven bless our Great Song."

Luo Qingyang stroked his beard, a hint of joy also showing in his eyes as he clasped his hands, "Congratulations Prime Minister, during Xu Zhongguo’s reign, the Court never managed to take Xiliang. Now, Prime Minister, not long after you took office, you single-handedly suppressed the Xiliang rebels, bringing Xiliang back into the Court’s control, which clearly shows you far surpass Xu Guozhong.

It also lets the ministers of the Court see who truly are the pillars of Great Song."

"Congratulations Prime Minister." Other staff officers and generals in the study chimed in to celebrate Lu Sheng.

Capturing Xiliang holds significant meaning for Lu Sheng.

Firstly, he gains his own horse rearing grounds.

Secondly, he gains a large population and resources.

Thirdly, he opens trade routes with foreign nations. From now on, the Court can resume commerce with foreign lands.

"Report..."

Just as Lu Sheng was reveling in the joy of claiming Xiliang, a voice from the outer study broke in.

"Come in," Lu Sheng ordered.

Quickly, an armored warrior walked in, bowed and clasped his hands, "Prime Minister, there’s a person claiming to be sent by King Chong outside, wishing to see you."

"Someone from King Chong?" Lu Sheng was taken aback, then turned his gaze toward Luo Qingyang.

Luo Qingyang looked equally bewildered; they had no ties with King Chong, and their relations were not good.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Prime Minister, as they say, ’a visitor is a guest,’ why not let him in and see what he has to say?"

Lu Sheng nodded and then sharply commanded, "Take him to wait in the hall."

"Understood." The armored warrior backed out.

"Everyone, come with me to meet Prince Huai’s envoy." Lu Sheng temporarily set aside his current affairs and addressed Luo Qingyang and others.

Luo Qingyang and others nodded, accompanying Lu Sheng to the hall.

...

"Greetings, Prime Minister, and esteemed lords." As Lu Sheng and others entered the hall, the envoy from King Chong who had just sat down rose to greet them.

Lu Sheng was surprised, and after sitting at the head, he said, "Do you know this Prime Minister?"

Because he hadn’t announced his identity upon entering.

The envoy from King Chong nodded, offering a minor flattery, "I saw the Prime Minister’s majestic presence in court during the Fourth Year of Xuanhe."

"And you are?"

"I am Zhao Dejiang, formerly Minister of the Ministry of Industry, now working under King Chong," Zhao Dejiang replied.

"Ah, it’s Lord Zhao." Lu Sheng nodded, signaling for tea to be served before saying, "For what important matter has King Chong sent you to find this Prime Minister?"

"It is indeed an important matter."

"Then do tell."

"To answer the Prime Minister, my Prince wishes to resist Chen Mo alongside you," Zhao Dejiang responded.

Hearing this, Lu Sheng raised his eyebrows, then laughed heartily, "Resist Chen Mo? King Chong must be dreaming. Duke An is the pillar of the nation, a loyal minister to the Court, and a hero of Great Song. Although I haven’t met Duke An, he and I are close friends through correspondence.

On the contrary, King Chong once supported Prince Huai and raised troops in rebellion, acting as a traitor. Now you, traitors, want this Prime Minister to join you against Duke An; what is your intention?"

Lu Sheng’s voice was cold and stern.

King Chong sending Zhao Dejiang shows that the latter is quite capable.

Faced with Lu Sheng’s cold rebuke, Zhao Dejiang remained calm, directly pointing out a flaw in Lu Sheng’s words: "Close friend, loyal minister? From my perspective, that’s not certain. Prime Minister considers him a close friend, but he may not regard the Prime Minister as such. Otherwise, the Qing, Yu, Lin, and Huai Four States’ academic examinations wouldn’t have opposed you."

These words sank Lu Sheng’s expression at once, leading a general below to shout, "Presumptuous."

Luo Qingyang tried to save Lu Sheng’s face: "The Qing, Yu, Lin, and Huai Four States’ academic examinations were granted imperial assent, and the Prime Minister also indicated acceptance, Lord Zhao, please don’t overthink."

Zhao Dejiang didn’t argue but moved on to the next issue, saying, "But Xiao Chongrong ultimately died by the Prime Minister’s hand. The Xiao Family will not let this go easily. Now the Xiao Family has allied with Chen Mo. Do you think Chen Mo will spare you?

Moreover, the Western Liang Qiang Race is still Chen Mo’s ally. Now that the Qiang Race has faced extermination, wouldn’t he seek explanation from you?

Currently, Chen Mo controls the entire North, with the people’s support, and he has the Wu Family, Xiao Family, and the entire Jiangnan backing him. Fengzhou has also fallen into his hands, and even the Shu Residence is his ally. Once the academic exams conclude, governance sorted, and the North stabilized, who in the world can rival him? Oh...

Speaking, Zhao Dejiang suddenly realized something, adding, "The patriarch of the Longyou Yue Family has now become his consort, and she herself is a Divine Power Realm martial artist."

After he finished, the entire hall fell silent.

Because Zhao Dejiang’s words truly struck a chord in Lu Sheng.

After a while, Lu Sheng asked in a deep voice, "What you said makes sense. But why should this Prime Minister collaborate with King Chong? From my understanding, King Chong’s situation is currently not very favorable."