Only he knew how many people this bunch of idiots had scolded.
Long Xiu thought he was scolding the nobles who had put down the rebellion. "Heroes or idiots, with the situation like this, is Nanzhou going to sit back and watch?"
Niu Youdao pretended not to understand and said righteously, "Don't worry, Palace Lord. The rations will be sent to Dingzhou as soon as possible and will not delay the war."
Long Xiu raised his eyebrows when he realized this fellow was playing dumb. At this point, what was the use of rations if they lost the war? Were they going to be used to support the enemy? He said in a low voice, "When the nest is overturned, no eggs remain intact. Even if it is for ourselves, the people of Nanzhou should do their part, unless Nanzhou is disloyal to Yan."
Niu Youdao said solemnly, "Palace Lord is too serious. Prince Yongping is a member of the royal family. Even if he is disloyal to anyone, he will not be disloyal to Yan."
Long Xiu asked, "In other words, you agree to Nanzhou sending troops?"
"Uh …" Niu Youdao became vague again as he said, "I don't have the final say on sending troops. I don't know much about wars either. We still have to listen to Commandery Prince Yongping."
Long Xiu frowned coldly. "Don't play this game with me. Since I am here today, I only need one word from you. Will Nanzhou send troops to suppress the rebellion or not?"
Niu Youdao seemed to have been forced into a corner. He sighed and said, "Palace Lord, you are a wise man. You know best that Shang Jianxiong, that bastard, is not a good person. Previously, he wanted to kill me and destroy Nanzhou. Now, you want us to risk our lives for him? Isn't that a bit unreasonable?"
To the side, Guan Fangyi played with the circular fan in her hand, quietly watching Niu Youdao's performance. She clearly knew that this person had long since made preparations to send troops, and everything he did was to quell the rebellion in the Southern Province as soon as possible. But now, seeing him hypocritically shirking responsibility, she had the urge to roll her eyes.
After spending so much time with this person, she inexplicably felt that there was nothing to be afraid of people at Long Xiu's level.
Long Xiu said, "Right now, it has nothing to do with Shang Jianxiong. Everyone is protecting Yan. We must put aside our personal grudges and unite against the enemy!"
Niu Youdao shrugged. "We might think this way, but some people might not. To be honest, from my point of view, Wu Gong Ling and his people are nothing more than a motley crew. It would be as easy as flipping one's hand to wipe them out. However, this isn't a matter of a single family. Just like what the Palace Master said, we need to put down our personal grudges and unite against the common enemy. Fine, my Southern Province has sent out troops to help Yan destroy the rebellion. We've fought to the death and suffered a great deal of damage to our strength. We're only left with a few defeated generals. How could Shang Jianxiong miss this chance to attack the Southern Province's troops? Taking advantage of your illness to take your life is something he is anxious to do. This is something that is definitely going to happen. Let me ask you, how could the Southern Province dare to send out troops so easily? "
Long Xiu didn't focus on the latter part of his words. What he was interested in was what Niu Youdao said, "It would be as easy as flipping one's hand to wipe out a motley crew." He raised his eyebrows and said, "You don't have to worry about this. As long as we can quell the rebellion, as long as we can contribute to Yan, I guarantee that Shang Jianxiong won't act recklessly!"
Niu Youdao sneered in his heart. Shang Jianxiong has millions of troops under his control. When the time comes, can you guarantee that you will succeed? Can you kill Shang Jianxiong or can you capture Shang Jianxiong?
Although he was thinking in his heart, his mouth said something else. "Although the rebel army is a motley crew, they have already gathered two million people. Palace Master wants the Southern Province to quell the rebellion?"
Long Xiu naturally wouldn't say that. "Of course, there will be other forces that will cooperate."
Niu Youdao said, "Just those who will be defeated at the first touch? Let them cooperate?"
If not let them cooperate, who else can cooperate? Long Xiu couldn't find anyone else. His expression darkened. "After saying so much, you just don't want the Southern Province to send troops, right?"
Niu Youdao hesitated. Slowly, he said, "To be honest, I really don't want to send troops. Even if the Southern Province is finished, it's not like I can't find a way out. Since Palace Master has come in person and said so much, if I still don't send troops, it would be insensible of me to not send troops. But whether to send troops or not, I still have to make it clear. It's not that I don't want to send troops, but if I don't send troops, I must win. If I know that I will lose, is there any meaning in sending troops and letting the Southern Province soldiers die in vain? "
After saying so much, Long Xiu still didn't understand whether he was going to send troops or not. He asked, "What are you trying to say?"
Niu Youdao said, "As Palace Master said, we must put aside our personal grievances and unite against the enemy! If we want to win, the feudal vassals, including the Southern Province, must work together. If the six feudal vassals work together, why worry that the rebel army can't be wiped out? "
If we can work together, why would I look for you? Long Xiu silently criticized, "If we want to work together, you have to send troops. If the Southern Province doesn't send troops and hides in the Southern Province, how can we talk about working together?"
Niu Youdao said, "What I mean by working together is a unified command. If we fight separately, how can we work together?"
Long Xiu's eyes flickered, "How can we work together?"
Niu Youdao said, "For example, give Commandery Prince Yan the military power. With this military power, it's only natural that we have a unified command!"
Long Xiu narrowed his eyes and said word by word, "Don't be too greedy, or you'll burst!"
Niu Youdao said, "Without military power, how can we command? How can the feudal vassals listen?"
Long Xiu said, "Don't talk nonsense. Don't you know the grudge between Shang Jianxiong and Shang Chaozong? Shang Jianxiong finally took back military power from King Ning, how can he hand it over to King Ning's son? Don't even think about it! "
Niu Youdao said, "If you don't try, how do you know that the imperial court won't agree? I guess the imperial court will agree, and it won't take too long to send troops. If you really want to suppress the rebellion, why don't you mention it to the imperial court? "
"Oh?" Long Xiu didn't know where his confidence came from, but he knew that he was extraordinary and must have his reasons. He wanted to know what was going on.
The negotiation ended here, and Long Xiu immediately sent a message back to the capital, waiting for the imperial court's reply.
As for Long Xiu himself, he didn't intend to leave for the time being. He stayed in Thatched Cottage Villa to wait for the imperial court's reply. At this juncture, if Shang Jianxiong and his gang agreed to hand over the military power, he had no objection.
At this critical moment, it didn't matter who was the leader of the three major factions. The most important thing was to protect the interests of the three major factions, and not let them suffer a setback.
After Long Xiu settled down, the others left Long Xiu's yard.
Following Niu Youdao out, Guan Fangyi asked in a low voice, "Will the imperial court really hand over the military power of the commander-in-chief?"
Niu Youdao, who was walking with his sword, sneered, "It'll be a miracle if they do!"
Guan Fangyi was surprised, "Then why are you still insisting on it?"
"This is actually the same as doing business, except that it's a bigger business. You can ask for anything you want, and if you ask for too low a price, the other party will still ask for a lower price. Moreover, they are the ones who are anxious now, so it doesn't matter how anxious they are. "
…
"This old official objects. This matter can't be agreed to!"
In the Imperial Study in Yan Capital, the news was conveyed by Gong Lince and Meng Xuan. Shang Jianxiong immediately summoned the three important officials for a discussion.
Hearing that his position as commander-in-chief was to be handed over, Shang Yongzhong's expression twitched.
Tong Mo frowned. Before he could say anything, Gao Jiancheng was the first to jump out and object strongly. His loud voice attracted everyone's attention.
Shang Jianxiong gestured for him to stop. "Discuss. We are still discussing."
Gao Jiancheng was indignant, "Your Majesty, there is nothing to discuss. Forgive me for being bold, but the position of commander-in-chief can be given to anyone except Shang Chaozong. Has Your Majesty forgotten about the threat of King Ning? Do you want another King Ning to appear? In this old official's opinion, Shang Chaozong's ambition is greater than King Ning's. We must not give him the position of commander-in-chief. Once it is given to him, it will be the start of the Yan Empire's calamity. If Your Majesty agrees, this old official will bang my head against the wall and commit suicide in front of Your Majesty! "
Tong Mo glanced at Gao Jiancheng out of the corner of his eyes. He noticed that Gao Jiancheng's emotions were a little off and had lost his usual maturity.
Shang Yongzhong naturally gave him a praising look. Gao Jiancheng was trying his best to protect his position. How could he not be happy? Even if his position as the Minister of Public Works was just a decoration, he would still receive treatment, status, and some speaking rights. How could he lose it so easily?
Shang Jianxiong gestured again and persuaded, "Don't be agitated, Minister of Public Works. This Guaren did not say that we will agree. We are just discussing how to deal with it."
He was not annoyed by Gao Jiancheng's loss of composure. Instead, Gao Jiancheng's strong opposition made him feel comfortable. He could tell that this old official was definitely on his side.
Tong Mo said, "The current problem is that Nanzhou urgently needs to send troops. Nanzhou will use this as a condition. If the Imperial Court is stuck, Nanzhou will have a reason not to send troops."
Gao Jiancheng immediately stared at him. "According to Minister of Public Works, are we going to agree to it just like that?"
Tong Mo swept a cold glance at him. "Lord Gao, don't go overboard with your words. When did you hear that I agreed to it? We are discussing how to deal with it, not letting you vent your emotions here. Who doesn't know how to roar here? Can it solve the problem? "Tong Mo's tone hid a hint of reprimand.
Gao Jiancheng immediately became more obedient after being warned by Tong Mo. Obviously, he was a little afraid of Tong Mo. However, he still cupped his hands to Shang Jianxiong and said, "Your Majesty, the position of Minister of Public Works can't be given easily because it has great influence. Once it is given, it can't be easily dismissed. Yan's military power is not a child's play. We can't let him play with it and then take it back. If so, what is the position of Minister of Public Works? First of all, the general plan has been set. The troops at the border can't be easily withdrawn. What we need now is to pacify the Cangzhou rebel army. We only need him to pacify the rebellion. These are two different things. Why do we need to give him the entire Yan military power? "
His words reminded Tong Mo. He also cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, if Nanzhou is really sincere in pacifying the rebellion, we can just give him the temporary position of Pacifying Rebellion General. Let's see if he agrees or not. If he doesn't agree, it means that he is not sincere and has other plans. It will be good to shut the mouths of the three factions."
"I object!" Gao Jiancheng cupped his hands again and said, "If we give him this power, if he really succeeds in pacifying the rebellion, it will have great influence and will cause endless trouble!"
Shang Chaozong frowned. What Tong Mo said was exactly what he was worried about.
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