Chapter 456

Liang Hu, Chen Yi, and the Liangzhou Administrator Cheng Qiu, who had come with them, all entered the main hall of Chen Yi's mansion and took their seats.

After sitting down, Liang Hu turned his head to look around, first glancing at Chen Yi's mansion.

This wasn't the first time Liang Hu had been here.

Three years ago, when Liang Hu took office as Liangzhou Inspector, he had visited Chen Yi's mansion while inspecting the various commanderies.

He had long heard of Chen Yi's reputation for integrity.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Liang Hu got straight to the point.

"Prefect Chen, I have come here today precisely for the people of Liangzhou."

Liang Hu said with a grave expression: "Have you heard that the Hanyang Prefect and General Who Attacks the Xiongnu, Duan Yu, has submitted a memorial to the Imperial Court to send troops to conquer the Western Qiang?"

Chen Yi nodded.

Liang Hu sighed: "Sigh..."

"Prefect Chen should also understand that war is a dangerous and ominous thing."

"Once war begins, the people will suffer."

Liang Hu shook his head while speaking.

Chen Yi looked at Liang Hu with some confusion: "But the Imperial Court has already issued an edict granting permission, what can we do?"

"Is Lord Liang preparing to have me join in a memorial to the Imperial Court to stop the war?"

"If Lord Liang needs me to, I am willing to join you in submitting a memorial."

Liang Hu quickly shook his head: "Things in the court are not that easy. Now that His Majesty trusts Prefect Duan and regards him as a tiger general of the age, how can our humble words easily make the court abandon the war?"

"I have another idea recently."

"Perhaps only this method can avoid this war."

The Liangzhou Administrator Cheng Qiu, who was sitting to the side, also quickly helped out: "Prefect Chen loves the people like his own children, so you naturally don't want Liangzhou to start a war and have the people suffer."

"And this time, conquering the Western Qiang will inevitably involve Jincheng Commandery in the flames of war."

Chen Yi was momentarily confused by Liang Hu and Cheng Qiu.

So he asked: "What is the method Lord Liang is talking about?"

Liang Hu glanced at Cheng Qiu, and Cheng Qiu nodded immediately.

Then Liang Hu said: "It is like this, Prefect Chen."

"Duan Yu's reason for submitting a memorial to the Imperial Court to conquer the Western Qiang is that the various Qiang tribes intend to rebel."

"But for the past two years, Liangzhou has been relatively stable. Although there have been some frictions, they haven't led to a major war."

"I think the Qiang tribes don't want to start a war easily either."

"And now it is the autumn harvest. If the flames of war affect the harvest, causing the Qiang tribes to have no grain to survive the winter, even if they originally had no intention to rebel, they would have to rebel and plunder the commanderies."

"If the Qiang tribes can prove themselves, prove they have no intention to rebel, then we can submit another memorial to the Imperial Court."

"So I think, let the Qiang tribes add some more to this year's taxes. Only in this way, when the Imperial Court sees the sincerity of the Qiang tribes, can a war be avoided."

"And Prefect Chen has long governed Jincheng Commandery and is familiar with the Qiang tribes in Jincheng Commandery."

"If Prefect Chen can persuade the Qiang tribes, a disaster can be avoided."

"In this way, not only will the people of Liangzhou be saved from disaster, but Liangzhou can also have long-term peace and stability. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

"So..."

Liang Hu looked at Chen Yi sternly: "This time, only Prefect Chen can avoid this meaningless war."

"I wonder if Prefect Chen is willing to make this trip for the people of Liangzhou and the people of Jincheng Commandery?" ===== CHAPTER 458 =====