Chapter 949 Those who use clever words and seduction must be dealt with by those who use clever words and seduction (2)
Seeing the smile on the face of Qian Qin, who had always been a scheming man, everyone was happy.
This person's expression may indicate that he has already made some calculations.
But seeing Lu Yi, he couldn't help but asked:
“What’s the matter? Come quickly.”
“Do you remember in Zhongshu that the envoy who went to Shu to ask for horses a few days ago sent a messenger back and only said that the people of Shu had agreed to exchange horses?”
“Of course I remember, but what does this have to do with us?”
Lu Yi frowned a little.
The power of the school affairs office is indeed very great. It supervises hundreds of officials, monitors prefectures and counties, and all officials, big and small, change their expressions when they hear the name of school affairs.
But when it comes to small, it is indeed small.
Refers to the very small scope of power, limited to supervision.
Without His Majesty’s order, the school affairs office would not even have the power to arrest or execute people.
Let alone matters such as diplomacy with the Shu people, that is simply not within the scope of the school affairs office's authority.
“It is indeed none of our business to have friendship with Shu people, but does it have nothing to do with us to trade with Shu people?”
Qian Qin smiled confidently and reminded Lu Yi.
Because of the good relationship between Wu and Shu, the Shu people would sell a lot of in-demand materials to Wu every year.
Most of the remaining departments were previously under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Shaofu.
Over the years, it has been transferred to the hands of the school affairs office.
The reason is also very simple. The young government cannot suppress the powerful, but the school government can.
After all, His Majesty is also short of money!
“The Art of War says: Avoid the truth and attack the fictitious. Li Heng and other thieves used clever words to make His Majesty doubtful. If we respond to them face to face, if one of us is not good, it will only make His Majesty even more disgusted.”
"It's better to avoid its edge and find other ways to prove it."
Speaking of this, Qian Qin smiled slightly again:
"Your Majesty is short of money, so we will find money for him. Your Majesty wants to suppress those noble families, so we will make those noble families dare not be arrogant. In this case, how can your majesty abandon us?"
Lv Yi still didn’t understand:
“The plan is a good plan, but how should we execute it?”
Not to mention him, everyone was confused by Qian Qin's words.
Only one person suddenly slapped his thigh and shouted: "Wonderful!"
This shout attracted everyone to follow the sound.
Who is Qin Bo if not Lu Yi cited as one of his right-hand men?
"I also heard Qian Xiaoshi's clever words, so I made some guesses."
As Qin Bo spoke, he raised his hand to Qian Qin. After receiving Qian Qin’s response, he continued:
“Among the supplies that the people of Shu sent to my country, most of them, including woolen materials, honey, and wine, were under our exclusive jurisdiction, but there is one thing that is an exception.”
“Brown sugar?”
At last someone from everyone reacted.
“That’s right, it’s brown sugar.”
Brown sugar is subject to a quota return system.
In other words, if you want to get a share of brown sugar, you must first sell coarse sugar to Shu people.
If you want to get jaggery, you have to plant sugar cane.
Otherwise, you can only buy brown sugar from Shu people at a high price, and it may not be available.
Of course, because of the good relationship between Shu and Wu, the Shu people would sell His Majesty a batch of brown sugar at the same price every year, half free and half free.
But this batch of brown sugar is really nothing compared to the total amount of brown sugar flowing into Wudi every year.
“I don’t know how many powerful families are involved in this matter, and the implications are huge. More importantly, the brown sugar is in the hands of the Shu people. Your Majesty doesn’t dare to touch it easily. What can we do?”
Lv Yi understood what Qian Qin said, but he was still not optimistic about the matter.
It is not that they have never thought about brown sugar.
Such a huge profit is something that is out of reach. For His Majesty who is extremely short of money, it is really a torturous thing.
Because His Majesty has expressed his intention to monopolize brown sugar more than once.
As a close confidant of His Majesty, Lu Yi even knew that His Majesty even sighed about this when eating rice dumplings dipped in brown sugar in May.
“It is precisely because the benefits of brown sugar are in the hands of the Shu people that we have a chance!”
Qian Qin emphasized his tone and said, "If it is controlled by the world, we will have no chance."
Although the school office has great power, it is limited to the court.
In terms of making a living, the means are simply not at the same level as those of families that have been around for more than a hundred or even hundreds of years.
Not to mention the network of relationships between families, which is layered upon layers, like the roots of a century-old tree hidden underground.
At that time, King Huan of Changsha (i.e. Sun Ce) killed many of these Jiangdong aristocratic families, but in the end he still couldn't do anything to them, let alone the school affairs office?
“However, brown sugar is mostly controlled by the Zhang family.”
Someone reminded me.
"The Zhang family is not comparable to the Lu family and the Zhu family, and it is at a low point at this time. How can it dare to compete with the school affairs office? The only thing to worry about is that the Zhang family has a close relationship with Feng Wenhe."
“How can we persuade Feng Wenhe to give more of the brown sugar quota to us? This is the key.”
Hearing Qian Qin’s words, Lu Yi was thoughtful and murmured to himself:
“This family has a good fortune.”
There are four surnames in Wu County, each with its own family tradition: Zhang Jiawen, Zhu Jiawu, Lu Jiazhong, and Gu Jiahou.
Zhu Huan of the Zhu family has the right to take holidays, and Zhu Ju is Sun Quan's son-in-law.
Not to mention the Lu family, Lu Xun became the general, the first person in the Wu army.
Gu Yong of the Gu family was the prime minister of Wu State and he was a generous man.
So the most important people under Sun Quan are the Zhu family and the Lu family.
On weekdays, Gu Yong was appointed to handle government affairs.
Only the Zhang family, although they are known for their talent and learning, still says the same thing:
In troubled times, what the master needs is either a strategy for governing the world or the ability to command an army.
Talent and learning are at the bottom of the list.
Sun Quan wanted to suppress the Jiangdong family. As a prominent family in Jiangdong but not valued at the same time, the Zhang family was naturally the chicken used to teach the monkeys.
But it was also because of the Zhang family's "literary". Zhang Wen admired Feng Wenhe's writing very much before he became famous.
After returning from Shu, he vigorously promoted his articles and made him famous.
This move established a good relationship with Feng Wenhe and brought unexpected great benefits to the Zhang family.
That's why Lu Yi said that the Zhang family has a good life.
Someone lamented: "Shu people put loyalty first, I'm afraid, we may not be able to convince Feng Wenhe!"
I heard that the story of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei has been written into a novel in Shu, and it is a must-tell story for storytellers.
Even the people of Shu can talk about "the three brothers in Taoyuan" and so on.
There is nothing more weird and fantastic in the world than this.
It just so happens that those gray-headed Guizhou heads like this!
It's better now. The people of Shu are still forming associations, and loyalty must come first.
Look at Zhang Bai of the Zhang family, he keeps saying "Feng Junyi is at the forefront, and the Zhang family has benefited greatly from him"...
Whether Feng Wenhe is as loyal as Zhang Bai says, but if he wants to persuade him to transfer the brown sugar profits to the school affairs office, the Zhang family will definitely not be able to get around it.
“Lü Zhongshu, if we can persuade Feng Wenhe to give up the Zhang family, that would be the best strategy, but this is almost impossible!”
Qian Qin knocked on the table heavily, reminding everyone not to think too beautifully.
"So what I mean is to ask the Zhang family to agree to cooperate with us. If the Zhang family can understand, I believe that your Majesty will not pursue the past."
“For the Zhang family’s current situation, this may not be a bad thing.”
"As long as we can control the brown sugar channel, we will not only have a steady stream of financial resources, but also be able to suppress those noble families. I think your majesty will definitely be happy."
Because Your Majesty is short of money, very short of money.
The source of brown sugar is obviously much more stable than that of raw honey wine.
Because the people of Shu can sell woolen materials and mead as much as they want. Even if they don’t sell, they don’t have the right to say anything.
Brown sugar is different. How much raw sugar is given, then how much brown sugar must be returned in proportion.
Unless Xinghan would dare to smash his own sign for so many years.
"What's more, as long as the school affairs office is involved in this matter, even if the Shu people want to break the agreement, it depends on whether they dare to ignore the alliance between the two countries."
“After all, we represent His Majesty! Isn’t it much more reliable than relying solely on the friendship between the Zhang family and Feng Wenhe?”
When Lu Yi and others heard this, they immediately thought it was wonderful.
For the public, this move not only provides revenue for His Majesty to collect taxes, but also provides an additional means of suppressing the noble families.
For selfish reasons, the huge profits from brown sugar... tsk tsk!
“Our current plan is to test His Majesty’s heart and see if the Zhang family can be used. Secondly, we want to see who can be sent to Liangzhou to convince Feng Wenhe.”
"Don't worry about the Zhang family!" Lu Yi got the solution and immediately became more confident, "Your Majesty is so generous, if you don't want to use the Zhang family, why would you send Zhang Bai to Liangzhou as a deputy envoy?"
Of course it must be used, but His Majesty will have his own discretion as to how to use it.
I can’t say, will the school government really be able to squeeze the Zhang family out of the brown sugar channel in the future and enjoy the benefits exclusively?
"This is the only second choice," Lu Yi glanced at everyone, "but I really need to think about it carefully."
I must not leave His Majesty's side, otherwise, if someone like Wang Heng or Zhao Heng comes again, no one will be able to control the overall situation, and no one will know how they died.
The remaining candidates…
Lu Yi's eyes glanced back and forth between Qin Bo and Qian Qin.
Qin Bo knew what he meant and immediately raised his hands and said:
“A certain person is willing to go to Liangzhou, but...”
He hesitated for a moment, "Feng Wenhe has always been known as a clever talker, but I am clumsy with my tongue. I'm afraid I can't speak to him..."
As soon as these words came out, everyone fell silent again.
Yeah, I heard that Zhang He and Cao Zhen were given the reputation of climbing mountains and wading in rivers by him, and then they were **** to death.
Although I don’t know whether it’s true or not, there are rumors that this person’s tongue is sharper than his sword. It’s better to take it seriously than to take it lightly.
Lu Yi suddenly gritted his teeth:
“No matter how sharp your words are, can you make more money than money? Isn’t it just for the sake of profit that people in Shu sell all kinds of things?”
“If we can give Feng Wenhe enough benefits, how can we be afraid that he won’t agree?”
As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked.
Qin Bo swallowed a sip of saliva. He felt a little regretful: I shouldn't have agreed to go to Liangzhou...
But Lu Yi glanced at everyone with his cold eyes:
"Your Majesty already has doubts about the school affairs office. Will the people behind Li Heng just stop here?"
"How many people have we offended by what we have done over the years? Is there any way out? If we don't try our best now, we will be left with no body intact by then!"
Qian Qin was also a little trembling:
“Lü Zhongshu, if we give too many benefits to the people of Shu, and your Majesty finds out about it in the future, I’m afraid we will also be left without a whole body!”
Lu Yi sneered and said sadly:
“Have you all forgotten what you started from? As long as this can be accomplished, Your Majesty will definitely value the school affairs office more than before.”
“Even if it is re-explained in the future, are we still afraid that no one will bear the consequences of this?”
Seeing that everyone still looked frightened, Lu Yi was a little impatient:
"What are you afraid of? Going to Liangzhou to negotiate with the Shu people, isn't it up to His Majesty to make the final decision? As long as His Majesty approves, what are you afraid of?"
Lu Yi finally convinced everyone through threats and intimidation.
Although everyone in the school affairs office is short-sighted and villainous, they also know that if the school affairs office cannot survive this time, then they will not be able to get a favor.
On the other hand, if Feng Wenhe can really agree to this matter, not to mention the school affairs office will be further in His Majesty's mind.
Just the added benefits of brown sugar are enough for them to take the plunge.
After the discussion was over, Lu Yi quickly looked for an opportunity and went to see Sun Quan. He only said that over the years, Wu and Shu had more and more material exchanges, and there were countless merchant affairs.
I heard that the Shu people set up Yishi in Yong'an two years ago to specifically manage transactions with Dawu, but Dawu did not have a corresponding office.
How about taking advantage of this opportunity to trade horses with the Shu people and discuss with the Shu people to jointly establish easy market channels to facilitate management.
As soon as Sun Quan heard this, he immediately understood what Lu Yi meant.
He couldn't help but be overjoyed: Others only thought that Lu Yi was a villain, but they didn't know how much profit the school office had collected for me over the years.
Thinking of this, most of his worries about Lu Yi these days were eliminated at once.
Lu Yi has been by Sun Quan's side for a long time, how could he not understand what Sun Quan was thinking?
So he struck while the iron was hot and quickly revealed the plan discussed in the secret room.
Of course, how to persuade Feng Wenhe was not mentioned at all.
I just want to say that if this matter can be accomplished, it will not only create a long-term financial source, but also take the opportunity to suppress the aristocratic family.
This sentence simply went to the deepest part of Sun Quan's heart!
Back then I asked you to open up wasteland and cultivate fields, but you didn't know that you kept doing it, but in the end you traded it with the Shu people for brown sugar.
Having received so many bonuses every year for so many years, are you enjoying it?
Have you forgotten that there is an emperor like yourself above you?
Laozi led his troops to fight in the front every year.
Which of the food and clothing used by the soldiers does not require money or grain?
open!
Must be opened!
Open this easy market and collect taxes uniformly!
But this matter requires the cooperation of the Shu people, so we still have to send someone to talk to the Shu people.
Sun Quan himself knew that none of the families who had the ability to trade these supplies with the Shu people were small families.
If implemented publicly, I am afraid it will encounter a lot of resistance.
In addition, Lu Yi raised this matter, so he still habitually left the matter to the school affairs office.
Lu Yi almost laughed out loud after getting Sun Quan's permission.
So the envoy who went to Liangzhou for the second time suddenly found that there were more people from the school affairs office in the envoy without receiving any notice.
In July of the thirteenth year of Jianxing, the second batch of envoys from the State of Wu entered Shu.
(End of this chapter)