Chapter 399

You think the Prince of Lu suddenly took a liking to Fangyang for no reason? He's clearly aiming for the Lu clan.

The Xie clan's decision to come out of retirement to assist the Beijiang King has been spreading like wildfire in Jiangnan, and even the Prince of Lu, Chen Hu, who was enjoying peace and prosperity in Pengcheng, has heard about it.

Chen Hu was riding high on the emperor's favor, his subordinates fawning over him until he believed himself to be the future enlightened founder of a dynasty, just waiting for the autumn harvest to finish so he could go out and seize a chunk of Lu territory to expand his domain.

At this time, the Da Wang had caused a major commotion in the North, and everywhere people were saying that the world would sooner or later fall into the hands of the Beijiang King.

What's most infuriating is that the common folk have actually accepted this as a good thing, believing he is also a son of the late emperor, and that switching to the Beijiang King wouldn't be a problem.

After all, he can defeat the Xiongnu—that alone makes most of the Jin populace pleased with the outcome.

Many people are broken by this situation, but no one expected the first to act would be that bandit-born Prince of Lu.

Before the court could react, he listened to the advice of his dog-headed strategist and turned his gaze toward Fangyang. Never mind that the Beijiang King has the Xie clan's backing—the Fangyang Lu clan is no pushover either.

What if they had the support of the Lu clan, the premier gate of the North?

Chen Hu's heart burned with fervor.

Several mountain bandit-turned leaders slapped their heads in unison and surrounded Fangyang City.

After surrounding Fangyang, they didn't launch a direct attack; someone suggested a siege, saying it would save effort and still avoid breaking completely with the Lu clan.

"A melon forced off the vine isn't sweet," they said, deciding to learn from others and try courtesy before force.

Chen Hu has had smooth sailing since his uprising, and those who enjoy such ease often develop the illusion that if others can do it, so can they.

There's no reason the Beijiang King, a mere child, should receive the Xie clan's support while he cannot.

What's lacking?

Chen Hu still dreamed of the Lu clan pouring out their liver and gall for him, but instead of attacking directly, he only surrounded the city gates, shouting daily for Fangyang to surrender and join Lu.

The Fangyang commandant dared not believe a word he said—the skull of the Pengcheng commandant had hung on the city gate for a long time, and if Fangyang's gate opened, he would surely be next. He had nothing to say to these rustic villagers, only ordering Xiao Gang to hold Fangyang at all costs.

The entire city's military and civilians were united in spirit as never before, all working together to defend the city. There was no choice—Pengcheng is not far from Fangyang, and they had heard roughly of Chen Hu's deeds there. Falling into this Prince of Lu's hands would mean only two paths: all able-bodied men taking up knives to fight desperately for him, or… having their wealth looted and being reduced to his slaves.

The Da Wang had no idea that publishing Xie Che's appointment notice in the newspaper would trigger such a massive chain reaction.

Anyway, when Tang the Inspector and the Duke of the Eastern Capital saw the Da Wang's empty horseback, they thought it was a conspiracy. The hot-tempered Old Tang cursed Chen Hu all along, neither causing trouble early nor late, but waiting until he saw a glimmer of hope in his match before rushing to cause trouble—next time, can the Da Wang still be so easily fooled?!

The Da Wang's mood swings were even faster—coming quickly and fading faster. Seeing his two great generals looking gloomy, the Da Wang was healed, and even Covert Sky Lazing Squatting on his shoulder, the Da Wang didn't move to brush him off.

Racing back to the prince's mansion all the way, the Da Wang directly summoned the Ministry of War and three senior officials to discuss matters.

"Everyone knows the situation by now, right? The Fangyang commandant has come to me for help, and the rebel king from the Pengcheng uprising has surrounded Fangyang City. What do you all think of this?"

In this room, the Chancellor and Xie Yuan led the way, and the Da Wang also first looked toward them.

Chancellor Xue felt this matter was very troublesome, saying, "Your Highness, between our North and Fangyang still lies Gongzhou, and also the two vassal states of Shangdang and Qinghe… Having the North step in to rescue Fangyang would involve considerable entanglement." He expressed disapproval.

The Da Wang looked at Xie Yuan, and Xie Yuan nodded in agreement.

"If we get drawn into the war between Pengcheng and Fangyang, we will break the current temporary balance of power. And going against the Da Wang's wish to rest and recuperate for two years, focusing instead on the Western Regions and the Xiongnu, is diametrically opposed."

The Da Wang suddenly shuddered in place, "Isn't the Lu clan just a few teacher friends of yours?" You're just going to ignore them?

On his little face, it was clearly written: 'So you're this kind of Xie Yuan'!

Xie Yuan: ……He's doing all this for whom?!

"Your Highness, I, as a public and private official, still distinguish clearly between the two."

Before they could reach a conclusion, Zhao Bao came to report, saying the two Lu princes and Xie Tu were kneeling together outside the Nanhua Gate.

Lu Zhu and Lu Ju are the main branch of the Fangyang Lu clan, and Xie Tu, as a teacher in Fangyang, is Lu Ju's father.

At this time, the reason these three are kneeling is clear to everyone.

The Da Wang helplessly said: "Bring them in!"

Immediately, he muttered to himself, "……They're surprisingly well-informed! Now it's settled—changed, it's my friends coming to seek help……" The Da Wang looked longingly at Xie Yuan.

Xie Yuan: ……

This is the first time I've seen the feng shui wheel turn so quickly.

He slowly stroked his beautiful beard, "Now it's Your Highness's turn—may Your Highness also distinguish public from private, then all will be well."

Da Wang: ……

Just wait and see my performance! For the sake of the Beijiang's six relatives, I won't recognize kin—let alone wine and meat bowl friends.

Xie Tu's party was not three people, but four—several Lu clan servants who had escaped fled north to seek aid.

That servant, stammering, said what he saw before escaping: the master had sent them north to seek help, and incidentally repeated the words he had left for the two princes.

No matter how proud the Lu clan, they still fear the great blade—nothing more than urging the brothers to stay hidden in the North, preserve their lives first, then plan other things.

The Da Wang rested his chin on his hand, "I heard that back then, your Lu clan's heir left the North, returned home, and wrote several articles cursing me. Now that Fangyang is in crisis, why don't I see you seeking help in Chang'an?"

Lu Ju, leading Lu Zhu, knelt again, "Uncle, Uncle Father is merely a man of temperament; our Lu clan and Your Highness have no actual grudge—it's all a misunderstanding. Given the current situation, who is Fangyang's savior, the Lu clan can tell. I beg Your Highness not to hold past grudges and save Fangyang; the Lu clan's several-hundred-year heritage must not fall into the hands of the Pengcheng rebel king." The Lu clan simply wasn't at ease about their collection of books and foundations, fearing that once Fangyang fell, Chen Hu would definitely not be able to digest this fine grain, worried that centuries of foundation would be destroyed in an instant.

This was also why his father had him bring his cousin along with Xie Tu north—there had been prior plans. It's just that no one expected Chang'an to be held up by Hanshou, no action taken against Pengcheng for a long time, yet Chen Hu's blade struck Fangyang first.

The Da Wang then looked at Xie Tu, "What exactly does Senior Brother Xie Tu mean?"

"Xie Tu studied for many years at the Fangyang Academy, where there are five hundred commoner classmates and numerous teachers; I beg Your Highness to carefully consider Fangyang's plea for aid."

The Da Wang looked troubled: "Alas! I sympathize greatly, but this matter involves too much. Stationing troops on another's land equals declaring war. You understand this principle, right?"

The three senior officials, seeing him begin his performance, knew—this matter the Da Wang wanted to intervene in.

So the Da Wang continued: "Speaking plainly, for the Lu clan, I would move armies against Chen Hu, but once I mobilize troops, I would simultaneously offend Chang'an, Shangdang, and Qinghe. And the Lu clan—what could they do for our North?"

Xie Yuan curled the corner of his mouth.

Lu Ju doesn't have this kind of experience; I estimate even if his father came, he could still go a round with the Da Wang.

The Da Wang looked at those two foolish geese, anxious, and began to hint, "I've heard the Lu clan has produced three chancellors, once had six people serve as the Nine Ministers, with countless clan members serving as officials abroad?"

Lu Zhu finally came to his senses, he bowed again, "If the Lu clan escapes this calamity, we will certainly not forget Your Highness's favor! We will surely bind grass and carry rings to repay Your Highness; from now on, the Lu clan will stand on the same battle line as Your Highness—Your Highness, just give the orders!"

The Da Wang, full of tricks, sighed again, "It's rare that you're an understanding person, but can your words… represent the Lu clan?"

Lu Zhu dragged over Lu Ju beside him, "I can't, he can! Our Lu clan's heir has not married or fathered children; when the time comes, the next heir will be my third uncle, then likely my cousin—of course we can represent the Lu clan!"

Da Wang:... Sounds like it'll take a long time. Your way of choosing the heir is really backward!!

But, Fan Yang is indeed a rare prosperous city in the north, and there's also the second largest academy in the world, Da Wang really can't bear to let Chen Hu ruin it. If the siege today were led by the second or fourth son, he wouldn't care.

This Chen Hu's style of conduct, Da Wang really finds it hard to control, completely unpredictable.

"This is not a small matter, I still need to discuss it with the ministers, you all go down first."

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【When I came back from Hangzhou, I made a detour to Shanghai, and after returning I had a sore throat, chills in my back, felt drowsy, had no energy all over, I heard there are many new cases in Shanghai, did I catch it?

Has anyone tested positive this round, what medicine should I take, family members (ᇂ_ᇂ|||)】