Chapter 370: Luo Huo's Greed

The entire Longyan Dynasty.

In fact, at this time, public opinion was still ongoing.

When the burning of Mang Mountain first occurred, some marveled at the ruthlessness of the Prefect Liu; a mountain was burned to ashes just like that, and 150,000 people lost their lives there. Some others, however, were cursing his ruthlessness, claiming he lacked the spirit of the Human Way.

However...

When it was learned that the army led by Liu Zheng was not heading to Jiangzhou, but returning to Shuzhou.

These people could not hold back again.

"Childish!"

"Hypocritical!"

"Does this Prefect Liu not have even a shred of the big picture in mind!"

It was this group of nitpickers again, jumping up to curse.

Since he had already successfully acquired the title of "Human Butcher," did he still care about the commoners of Jiangzhou? Compared to the dignity of the great Longyan Dynasty, what were 300,000 commoners worth?

If they die, let them die!

A group of lowly people, a group of trash, willing to be captives, they deserve to die!

At a time like this, with a pincer attack alongside the Yong'an Army, Jiangzhou would surely be taken with ease. What are you pretending for! Are you pretending to be the "Contemporary Sage"?

Bah!

Hypocritical!

These scholars began their verbal attacks again, and they never tired of it.

One article after another, denouncing him, appeared across the Longyan Dynasty like snowflakes.

"This, this, this, this is outrageous!"

Yintan City.

Hu Xi'er looked annoyed; seeing those articles, she tore them to shreds in a fit of rage, then set them on fire, shouting angrily: "From now on, whoever dares to read these, don't blame this young lady for beating you!"

A group of servants stood trembling like cicadas in winter.

Qingyang Shuo laughed softly as he slowly walked in from outside: "A bunch of sour, stinking scholars, why get so worked up?"

Hu Xi'er stomped her feet in anger: "Father, tell me, what is he thinking? He killed 150,000, what would it matter if he killed another 150,000?"

Qingyang Shuo looked at his daughter and said softly: "If he truly did not care about those 300,000 commoners, how could he be the one who has captured your heart?"

"Ah!"

Hearing this, Hu Xi'er's face turned red, and she coquettishly snapped: "Father, what nonsense are you spouting? Who has captured my heart, who has..."

Qingyang Shuo laughed heartily, his face full of doting: "Xi'er, have you ever thought, if the Young Master did not care about the commoners of Jiangzhou, how could he plot for the future of Chuan Shu?"

"Ah?"

Hu Xi'er's eyes lit up: "Father, are you saying he is harboring some devious scheme?"

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Qingyang Shuo was choked by his own daughter's words, and said quite speechlessly: "This is the way of kings and hegemons, what devious scheme? I hear that the eloquent Jia Shu is upright and unyielding, fearing neither life nor death. The Young Master burning Mang Mountain with such force is precisely to make that Luo Huo sit on pins and needles."

He praised leisurely: "Who said that a sage and a human butcher cannot be one and the same?"

Hu Xi'er was stunned on the spot.

Jiangzhou City.

At this moment, the hearts of the people were already in a panic.

Agutuo... the number one Warrior of the Southern Barbarians, and his 150,000-strong army, were completely wiped out? Although this news was deliberately suppressed by Luo Huo, it spread throughout Jiangzhou at the very first moment.

No matter how fierce the Barbarian warriors are, they are still human.

Having fought so far from home, they had long been homesick. Upon hearing such terrifying news, many of them had their mental state collapse immediately.

Great King! We want to go home!

This Longyan Dynasty is too terrifying!

These Han people are not human! They are devils, they are devils!

For a time, the fear of war began to spread throughout the city.

"What should we do? Speak quickly, what should this King do!"

Indeed.

Just as Qingyang Shuo had expected, at this moment, the one with the least idea of what to do was Luo Huo.

He was now in a position where he could neither advance nor retreat.

When Agutuo's 150,000-strong army was annihilated, he had actually intended to harden his heart. If you dare to attack, I will dare to slaughter the city first, and then fight you to the death! However, upon hearing the news that Liu Zheng had led his army back to Shuzhou, he had to admit that he was truly panicked.

He did not know what to do anymore.

The Yong'an Army was already stirring.

However, after all, the Yong'an side only had 100,000 men. Wanting to force a siege was certainly not very realistic. Therefore, Luo Huo knew that the Longyan Dynasty was merely putting pressure on him at this time.

The Messenger was in the city, and the army was outside the city.

This was merely a bargaining chip to increase the stakes for negotiations.

"Great King! I believe that since Agutuo is dead, we might as well negotiate with them, so we don't die in a foreign land!"

"That's right, Great King."

"Great King... although the Longyan Dynasty is corrupt, it is a large and wealthy house after all, we should still..."

At this time, many people had actually lost their nerve.

These Barbarians actually had an innate fear of the Longyan Dynasty. They had originally come with the intention of looting and making a fortune. Who would have thought that Xie Yang would be defeated in just a few days.

At this point, it was better to just take the opportunity to step down and leave.

Luo Huo was unwilling to accept this.

Especially unwilling!

But...

Now, what other Method did he have? The group of men under his command no longer wanted to fight, and indeed, returning to Jiaozhi at this time could be considered a huge Dividend.

He waved his hand in annoyance: "Go, who will go and negotiate with that stubborn fool? Get it done early, and we can go home early!"

"But..."

He gritted his teeth fiercely: "Fifty thousand slaves, this King must have fifty thousand slaves! Not a single one less! This is this King's bottom line!"

"Ah?"

The group of people looked at each other in dismay.

Fifty thousand slaves...

They certainly knew Luo Huo's thinking; in a place like Jiaozhi, the population was very small. That was for real, population was a Dividend. Jiaozhi was what would be known as Vietnam in later generations. That place could not be compared to the Grassland of the Xiongnu. The reason the Xiongnu harassed Zhongyuan year after year was mainly for one reason: they could not get enough to eat.

Because there was no grain and no farmland. Therefore, when the Xiongnu harassed Zhongyuan, they never asked for slaves, only women!

What would they want slaves for? They could not even feed themselves, so where would they find the grain to feed slaves?

But the Southern Barbarians were not like that.

The countries in these Southeast Asia regions like Vietnam had fertile climates, environments, and land. If they could not get enough to eat, it was entirely due to their social structure and institutional reasons. However, if they could take fifty thousand slaves back, just having them farm the land and plant trees would be a fortune.

Moreover, these fifty thousand slaves would also become Luo Huo's private property, and no matter what, it would give him an advantage in seizing power within the Jiaozhi Kingdom.

Therefore.

The conflict in the negotiations during this period actually stemmed from these fifty thousand slaves. Luo Huo insisted on taking fifty thousand slaves with his troops, while Jia Shu would not allow a single one. The two sides were deadlocked over this.

"This..."

"Great King..."

"This Jia Shu is truly..."

The group of people was in a very difficult position.

That stubborn fool Jia Shu, who could reason with him?

Just at this moment.

Suddenly, Murong Che, who was by Luo Huo's side, stood out leisurely and bowed, saying: "Great King, Murong Che is willing to go!"

"Oh?"

At this, everyone looked over in disbelief.

Luo Huo was overjoyed: "Mr. Murong, do you really have a good strategy?"

Murong Che smiled confidently: "Great King, this matter is not difficult. I deeply understand Longyan Culture, and I also know that this man Jia Shu eats soft but not hard. I can prescribe the right medicine for the illness. This time, Murong Che will definitely let the Great King get what he wishes! At the very least, we can take one hundred thousand slaves back to the country!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole room was in an uproar.

Every single person had an expression of disbelief on their face.

Luo Huo also jumped up in surprise and joy: "Is this true? Hahaha, good!"

"If you, sir, can settle this matter, this King will not be stingy with the benefits for Jia Shu!"

Murong Che feigned a look of delight: "In that case, it will surely be within my grasp!"

After saying this, he turned and left.

Leaving behind that group of stunned people.

When he walked out of the Great Hall, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

Great Evil...

Great Good...

Prefect Liu.

Although you and I have not met.

You have allowed me to attain enlightenment in a single day.

Then I shall return a great gift to you!