Du Qi looked at the cheering of the people around and did not stop them, allowing them to celebrate. When Long Zhengyang and Hu Youshan saw this scene, a trace of bitterness flashed across their faces.
As expected from Du Qi.
What a generous move!
The moment they reached Yanqi Country, they were directly exempted from taxes and labor for three years. One must know that although the people of Yanqi Country could barely get by, in truth, it was not that good. For three years of taxes and labor to be exempted, the people really benefited.
For the original Yanqi Country, the annual agricultural tax was extremely important. After all, the Turks took away a lot of money each year. Without the taxes, the finances of Yanqi Country would not be able to make ends meet. Apart from that, labor was also really important. As there were people serving, many construction projects could be solved. Otherwise, things would not be easy.
However, Du Qi was different.
This was the difference.
Long Zheng Yang's Yanqi Country was thrifty, but Du Qi could wantonly exempt them from taxes. At this moment, Long Zheng Yang was totally convinced. He had no choice but to be convinced. Things that he did not dare to do were solved with just one sentence from Du Qi.
The key was that Du Qi had the ability to do so.
Everyone knew that Du Qi was rich.
Du Qi waited for the people to finish cheering before giving the order to enter the city.
The moment they entered the city, the army took over the defense of Yanqi City. Apart from that, Du Qi's troops also entered the camp and took over the Yanqi Country army.
Xue Rengui, Xiao Yuanqi, and Ma Yuan were in charge of reorganizing the army. Apart from that, the Yanqi Country's Imperial Palace Guards were directly reorganized. As for the Imperial Palace Guards, they were now under the command of Du Qi's soldiers.
With everything in Du Qi's hands, Du Qi could be at ease. If it were Long Zheng Yang's men, Du Qi would not be at ease.
Du Qi led the civil and military officials into the main hall of the palace.
The host and guests took their seats.
Du Qi's gaze swept over all of the officials present. After saying a few words, he had everyone do their jobs. Even Long Zhengyang left to do his own things.
Now that Du Qi was here, Long Zheng Yang moved out of the palace and settled down in the city. After all, Long Zheng Yang was the ruler of a country and had many properties in the city, so he had a place to stay.
Du Qi left Hu Youshan in the main hall.
Apart from them, Guo Xiaozheng, Huang Shi, and Jiang Changzong were also present.
Du Qi's gaze fell on Hu Youshan. He didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point, "Grand Tutor Hu, this prince has already learned about your situation through Registrar Guo. This prince doesn't care what you said to Registrar Guo. This prince only has one question. Is Grand Tutor Hu willing to work for this prince? "
Hu Youshan appeared to be very calm, and said in a neither servile nor overbearing manner, "Reporting to Your Highness, this old man is now fifty-six years old, and half of my body is already in the ground. In this life, he had been worrying about Yanqi Country's politics. Because the Turks have always been on top of his head, every day he is like walking on thin ice, worrying about everything. So much so that although he is in his early fifties, he actually looks like he is already in his sixties. "
"My entire body is extremely tired."
"Now that Ping Xi Wang has entered Yanqi Country and solved the problems of the people, this old man can finally put down the heavy burden on my body and can finally not care about anything. So now, this old man hopes to work in the sun and rest when the sun sets. "
Hu Youshan said, "This old man appreciates Your Highness's good intentions, but please forgive this old man for not being able to become an official."
Du Qi frowned.
Hu Youshan was really determined to leave the officialdom.
For Du Qi, with Hu Youshan overseeing Yanqi Country, it would be easier to govern Yanqi Country. On one hand, Hu Youshan had prestige. On the other hand, Hu Youshan was really talented.
It would be a pity for such a person to leave.
Du Qi said, "Grand Tutor Hu, previously, because Yanqi Country was weak and the Turks were strong, you were like a tinker, barely supporting Yanqi Country and working hard."
"Even if you were full of ambition, under the difficult circumstances of the country, it would be difficult for you to use what you have learned."
"But now, it is different."
"Now that Yanqi Country is under my command and has become Yanqi Province, you will no longer have to bear the pressure of the past. This is a chance for you to show your skills and ambitions. Grand Tutor Hu, are you really going to give up on your own ideals and strategies? "
Du Qi said, "Taking off your armor and returning home with regrets, this is one of the biggest regrets in life!"
When Hu Youshan heard these words, he frowned slightly.
There was a hint of a sigh in his eyes.
Du Qi's words hit the bottom of his heart. In this life, he had been an official and obtained the trust of the previous king to take charge of Yanqi Country's affairs. However, Yanqi Country was weak and was suppressed everywhere, even being exploited by the Turks.
Even if Hu Youshan was talented, he could only barely maintain it. Now that all of this was over, under Du Qi's command, there were no more worries, and Hu Youshan could show what he was good at.
Hu Youshan was somewhat tempted, but when he thought about how he had obtained the previous king's trust and became an official to assist Long Zhengyang, he sighed in his heart. In the end, he had persuaded Long Zhengyang to give up resistance and submit to Du Qi.
He had betrayed Yanqi Country.
He had let down the previous king's trust.
Thinking of this, Hu Youshan no longer had any thoughts of becoming an official. He was not willing to be an official.
Hu Youshan raised his head and looked at Du Qi. His gaze became resolute as he continued, "This old man appreciates Your Highness' good intentions. However, this old man has no intention of becoming an official. Please forgive me. "
Du Qi's eyes narrowed.
Hu Youshan was not easy to persuade. Previously, Du Qi had instructed Du Qi to collect information on Hu Youshan. On the way here, Du Qi had received news from Du Qi, so he had some understanding of Hu Youshan.
Unexpectedly, he still failed to persuade him.
Du Qi thought for a while and came up with a plan. He said, "Grand Tutor Hu, this Prince's door is always open for you. Once you've thought it through, you can enter the palace at any time. "
Hu Youshan said, "This old man is extremely grateful for Your Highness' good intentions. However, this old man has already made up his mind. After all, this old man's body is already half buried in the earth. There is no hope for me to rest, grow flowers, and live a peaceful life. "
Du Qi said, "This Prince permits it."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Hu Youshan stood up and expressed his thanks.
He also let out a sigh of relief. He was worried that his repeated rejections of Du Qi had angered Du Qi. The consequences would have been unimaginable. Now that Du Qi had allowed him to leave, he could be at ease.
Hu Youshan immediately took his leave. Du Qi waved his hand, and Hu Youshan turned and left. Only Jiang Changzong, Guo Xiaozheng, and Huang Shi were left in the hall.
Huang Shi's expression was solemn as he said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, this Hu Youshan is shameless. Your Highness took the initiative to give him a chance, but he did not grasp it. Although Hu Youshan facilitated Yanqi Nation's submission, this old man definitely has other thoughts. We might as well get rid of him. "
Guo Xiaozheng quickly said, "Your Highness, don't listen to Huang Shi. Hu Youshan has a huge influence in Yanqi Nation. Yanqi Nation was able to survive all these years because of Hu Youshan. If we deal with Hu Youshan, it will definitely cause a huge uproar. Furthermore, Your Highness said in front of the common people that you will not punish officials. If Hu Youshan dies in the blink of an eye, even if he dies due to other reasons, it will be detrimental to Your Highness' reputation. This lowly one does not agree. "
Jiang Changzong echoed, "This lowly one also does not agree with dealing with Hu Youshan. Just let him be for the time being. As long as he does not affect Your Highness, there is no need to care about him. "
Du Qi smiled and said, "This Prince knows what to do."
After a pause, Du Qi continued, "How can it be so easy to leave with this Prince here? Hu Youshan wants to resign and not be an official, but this Prince will not allow it. "
Guo Xiaozheng said, "Your Highness wants to scheme against Hu Youshan?"
Du Qi nodded and said, "Hu Youshan has a huge influence in Yanqi Nation. With him around, we can rally the common people. Furthermore, by using Hu Youshan, we can make the common people of Yanqi Nation acknowledge this Prince. Since Hu Youshan insists on resigning, this is an opportunity. An opportunity to make the common people acknowledge this Prince and force Hu Youshan to come out of retirement again. "
Guo Xiaozheng said, "What does Your Highness plan to do?"
Du Qi said, "It's actually very simple. We just need to coerce the common people to persuade Hu Youshan. Registrar Guo, arrange for people to post notices in the city and gather the common people of Yanqi City. Come outside the palace tomorrow morning. This Prince has something to announce. "
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