Chapter 283: Pacification and Extermination and the Choice of State Name

"Since the Western Army still has places that make us wary, then send someone to pacify them first."

Zhang Jie thought for a while and made a decision.

Gan, Su, and other prefectures were already in his bag, and if the Western Army was forced into a hurry and let Western Xia enter the pass,

with the character of the Western Xia people, they would inevitably rob and burn these places to white ground.

Since he was prepared to take on the burden of the world, he naturally had to consider the people under his rule.

Although he had no qualifications to be an emperor, he had always believed in one principle,

and that was that in his position, he should seek his government.

As a monarch and leader, he should seek welfare for the people,

only then would he be worthy of the people's hard-earned tax support.

If an official does not act as the master for the people, then it is better to go home and sell sweet potatoes!

"Pacify?"

Hearing Zhang Jie make a final decision on the plan for the Western Army,

everyone's eyes could not help but focus on Lu Zhishen, who was in the second position of military generals.

When it comes to the relationship with the Western Army, no one in the entire Liang Shan can surpass Lu Zhishen, who served in the Western Army for more than ten years.

More importantly, he had a deep friendship with the old Zhong (Zhong Shidao) and the young Zhong (Zhong Shizhong), the two Grand Coordinator ministers who were in charge of the Western Army.

Before he beat Zhen Guanxi to death and became a fugitive, he was a Ti Xia under the young Zhong Grand Coordinator minister.

It can be said that Lu Zhishen was actually a disciple of the two Grand Coordinator ministers.

"My Lord, the subject is willing to go to the Western Army and persuade the two Grand Coordinator ministers to surrender."

For this action that benefits the people of Gan and Su prefectures below and the Western Army above,

Lu Zhishen also stood up without giving in.

As the third-in-command of the Liang Shan military, few people knew the power of the Liang Shan army better than him.

If the two Grand Coordinator ministers made the wrong decision, they would likely be turned into powder under Zhang Jie's thunderous anger.

As a former disciple, he naturally did not want to see his former superiors end up in such a state.

"Good!"

Zhang Jie smiled with satisfaction and made a deployment: "I hereby grant Lu Zhishen the position of Western Army Pacification Commissioner,

fully responsible for the pacification of the Western Army, with the authority to execute first and report later."

Adhering to the principle of not doubting those you use, and not using those you doubt,

Zhang Jie, like he gave Li Gang the authority to investigate illegal matters in Bianliang, gave Lu Zhishen the authority to execute first and report later.

Moreover, he was clear about Lu Zhishen's character; when it comes to who is most trustworthy,

among the 108 generals of Liang Shan, none other than the Flowery Monk Lu Da, Lu Zhishen.

"Thank Your Highness for the trust."

Feeling Zhang Jie's unquestioning trust, the heroic Lu Zhishen was very moved.

A man is born between heaven and earth, to be able to get such a wise monarch,

and make a great career that does not shame his conscience, what more can he ask for?

"The pacification must be carried out, and necessary military preparations must also be made.

Teacher Luan, I order you to lead a partial division to immediately set off for Hangu Pass,

once the Western Army changes, immediately march, and do not give them a chance to rot Gan and Su."

Having arranged for Lu Zhishen, Zhang Jie ordered Luan Tingyu.

Although he did not think that the Western Army, which had a sea of blood feud with Western Xia, would resist to the end and let Western Xia enter the pass,

but feeling is feeling, and it cannot completely become the decisive factor in decision-making.

What if there were a few loyal subjects in the Western Army who were so loyal to the Great Song that they could abandon their family feud and personal life?

"Obey Your Highness's decree!"

Luan Tingyu listened to the order with a solemn expression.

This was the first time he had led an army to march alone since joining Liang Shan; it was both an opportunity given by Zhang Jie,

and a test of his ability, and there must not be any mistakes.

Having solved the Western Army's matter, the meeting began the next topic.

Chen Wenyun pointed out another major problem Liang Shan was facing:

"My Lord, everyone, our Liang Shan has already captured half of the Great Song's country and is about to establish a new dynasty,

it is somewhat inappropriate to continue using Liang Shan as the name, so we should establish a state name."

"Hmm."

Everyone present nodded.

They were about to establish a new dynasty, and the name Liang Shan, which symbolized the former mountain bandits and water pirates, was no longer applicable.

Although Liang Shan was the road they came from and could not be abandoned,

using it as a state name was too petty and too narrow.

"Since we started from Liang Shan, why not use 'Liang' as the state name?"

The straightforward Lu Zhishen suggested.

"This seems not bad."

"Simple and clear."

The generals were very satisfied with the state name "Liang" and looked at Zhang Jie sitting at the head, hoping he would make the decision.

"Not appropriate, not appropriate."

Before Zhang Jie could express his position, Wu Yong had already expressed his opposition.

"What does Professor Wu have to say?"

For Wu Yong, who had repeatedly refuted these military generals, Du Qian was even more dissatisfied.

If Zhang Jie were not here, and Wu Yong were not his subordinate, according to his previous habits,

he would have had to give Wu Yong's annoying old face a few punches!

Wu Yong looked at Du Qian casually, ignored his undisguised hostility, and said:

"Before the city was breached yesterday, the pseudo-Song Emperor sent the treacherous Prime Minister Cai Jing to enfeoff Your Highness as the Prince of Liang, which has already spread widely.

If we use 'Liang' as the state name, wouldn't it make the people think that Your Highness accepted the enfeoffment of the pseudo-Song Emperor?

This is truly greatly inappropriate!"

"Reasonable, reasonable."

Chen Wenyun, Wang Lun, and others all agreed with Wu Yong's reasons.

Even Du Qian, who was dissatisfied with Wu Yong, had nothing to say at this time.

Their Liang Shan was originally established to overthrow the Great Song,

how could they get involved with the pseudo-Song's enfeoffment on such an important matter as the state name?

Even if their "Liang" came from Liang Shan, the people wouldn't care about these things,

they would create and spread some stories and information they liked.

If "Liang" was used as the state name, and if Zhang Jie's fame as the third place in the Great Song imperial examination was added,

then their new dynasty would really be inextricably linked with the Great Song.

Rather than not being able to explain these things clearly in the future, it is better not to give the people a chance to spread rumors from the beginning.

"Your Highness is a native of the ancient Qi land, and the Liang Shan where we started is also located in the Qi land,

in my opinion, it is better to use 'Qi' as the state name."

Wang Lun thought for a while and said his suggestion.

"Still not appropriate."

Before his voice had completely fallen, Chen Wenyun expressed strong opposition.

Zhang Jie had never seen Chen Wenyun so excited as he was now, so he asked:

"Brother Wenyun, why is this?"

Chen Wenyun walked quickly from behind the table and bowed deeply:

"Reporting to the Great King, whether it is the Qi State in the Spring and Autumn period, or the Qi State in the Wei, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties,

or the Qi State in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, the state's longevity and inheritance are all sigh-inducing, I hope the Great King will understand." ===== CHAPTER 284 =====

Or perhaps the Qi State of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period—both its national destiny and its legacy make one sigh with regret. I hope Your Majesty will take note of this."