Chapter 408: Suffering deeply from the hardships of the previous dynasty

Si Wushuang said in a deep voice, "This matter requires extreme caution. It cannot be handled directly by our Western Liang officials, nor even by Cui Yan's clansmen, lest it alert the Ming Army's secret agents.

Isn't Dou Wen and his ilk trying to find ways to insert their disciples into the Beijiang government? We should make use of this line."

He said to Cui Yan, "Lord Cui, I must trouble you to inform Dou Wen through the most secretive channels.

Tell him to find a way to present heavy gifts to Luo Feng under the name of 'admiring General Luo's great reputation and feeling grateful for his grace in protecting the people of Chang'an.'

Remember, no gold or silver; that is too vulgar and easily leaves behind evidence.

Offer rare items such as top-grade old mountain ginseng, sacred healing medicines from the Western Regions, or unique copies of military treatises by famous generals of the previous dynasty.

The gifts must touch Luo Feng's heart, especially by subtly highlighting the matter of the younger generation; it must be done in a way that is untraceable yet pregnant with meaning."

"At the same time, have the Dou family members, when in contact with the low-to-mid-level officers under Luo Feng or even the stewards of his residence, 'inadvertently' reveal their confusion and regret regarding certain aspects of the Beijiang new policies, and observe their reactions.

If Luo Feng or those close to him resonate with this, or if they accept the gifts without refusal and maintain an ambiguous attitude, then half the battle is won."

"What if Luo Feng refuses sternly, or even arrests the gift-bearer?" Cui Yan asked.

"Then it means this person is currently unshakable. We will immediately sever ties with the Dou family line and sacrifice the Dou family to preserve the overall situation.

But given Luo Feng's personality and situation, the possibility of him arresting them directly and completely turning hostile is low. It is more likely he will accept them silently, or decline politely but with a softened attitude.

As long as he does not punish them immediately, there is a gap to exploit. We can then proceed slowly, passing on more 'goodwill' and 'understanding' through more channels, and gradually alienate his heart."

Si Wushuang concluded, "This is a long-term plan; it cannot be rushed.

The current priority remains coordinating with Dou Wen and other internal agents in Guanzhong to consolidate our strongholds around Guanzhong, harass the Beijiang grain supply lines, and exhaust their troops.

At the same time, increase infiltration into the Bashu and Jingxiang regions; we must never let Jiang Jinshi digest Guanzhong in peace."

After a period of discussion between the two, the matter was preliminarily decided.

As for the Dou family... since their scale is insufficient, there is no heartache even if they are sacrificed, but if they can truly connect with Luo Feng, it would be extremely helpful to the Western Liang King's great cause.

When the Dou family received the news, they did not hesitate and immediately sought ways to arrange the matter.

For them, to truly implement Jiang Jinshi's policies would be more painful than killing them, so now that the situation is stronger than the person, they have no choice at all.

Meanwhile, Luo Feng in Chang'an did not yet know he was being targeted. He was ordered by Jiang Jinshi to garrison Chang'an and concurrently lead the defense of Guanzhong, so he temporarily resided in a mansion.

This mansion was originally a separate garden for a prince of the previous dynasty, with pavilions and towers covering a vast area. Although it had been slightly damaged by the flames of war, the main structures remained magnificent.

The guards in the residence were strict, all of them old soldiers who had survived a hundred battles, with sharp eyes and strict discipline.

Recently, Luo Feng had been busy reorganizing troops, repairing city defenses, settling the wounded, and clearing out hidden dangers in the city. He had hardly rested well, and while there was exhaustion between his brows, his back remained straight as a rod.

Although the crisis in Chang'an had been temporarily lifted, Western Liang would not let it go, so the pressure was not small.

On this day, the residence steward presented a visiting card, accompanied by a gift list.

The visiting card was signed "Dou Wen of Fufeng," and the wording was extremely humble, claiming to admire General Luo's illustrious military achievements and benevolence in protecting Chang'an and saving the people from fire and water, and feeling grateful for his military discipline in restraining subordinates and not disturbing the people. He had specially prepared "some meager local gifts" and begged the General to do him the honor of allowing him to enter the residence to kowtow in thanks.

The items listed on the gift list were not ordinary gold, silver, or jade, but a pair of century-old mountain ginseng, ten boxes of "Snow Lotus Muscle-Regenerating Ointment" presented as tribute by the Kingdom of Yutian in the Western Regions, a unique set of annotations on military strategy by a great general of the previous dynasty, and...

A full table of banquet dishes from the most famous "Tingyu Tower" in Guanzhong, and four "master artisans" skilled in massage and manipulation to relieve military fatigue.

Luo Feng held the visiting card and gift list, his brows slightly furrowed.

The Dou family of Fufeng, he knew them! They were a prominent and powerful clan in Guanzhong with countless fields and some prestige among the scholar-gentry.

Before Huang Yan's "genealogy naming," the Wei, Du, and Su families that were killed had always had dealings with this Dou family.

But the Dou family had not been involved at the time; instead, they had shown unusual "submission" afterward, actively cooperating with the new policies, donating money and grain, and even sending several collateral disciples to participate in the Beijiang official selection.

Now, this Dou Wen suddenly came to visit with such a humble posture, carrying these gifts that were clearly intended to cater to his preferences. What was the intention?

Was it sincere gratitude? Or deliberate flattery? Or... was there another scheme?

Thinking of this, Luo Feng became vigilant. His eldest brother, Jiang Jinshi, had repeatedly emphasized the need to be wary of the "sugar-coated bullets" of the original scholar-gentry and powerful clans in Guanzhong; they might be submissive on the surface but harbor evil intentions in secret.

Huang Yan's blade could kill people until heads rolled, but it could not kill the schemes in people's hearts.

This Dou Wen, I fear, is not here with good intentions!!

He originally wanted to refuse directly, or even arrest the person and hand them over to Wang Hou for interrogation.

But on second thought, the Lord had also said that one must be good at dividing and disintegrating, and cannot be blindly tough.

The Dou family currently had no evidence against them; if he acted rashly, he feared it would chill the hearts of other surface-level surrenderers and also give Western Liang an excuse.

It would be better to meet him and see what medicine Dou Wen was selling in his gourd, so he could have a count in his heart.

"Tell Dou Wen, the gifts are unnecessary. As a soldier, Luo's duty is to guard the land and pacify the people; there is no need for thanks. If he insists on coming, the General is busy with military affairs and can only give him the time of one stick of incense." Luo Feng instructed the steward.

In the evening, led by the steward, Dou Wen stepped into the flower hall of the residence in fear and trepidation.

He was about fifty years old, wearing a half-old Confucian robe, appearing simple and elegant, a far cry from the luxurious style of a powerful clan head as imagined.

Seeing Luo Feng sitting in the main seat, still wearing his armor, he immediately bowed deeply to the ground, his posture extremely low.

"Commoner Dou Wen, pays respects to General Luo! The General's prestige is like thunder to the ears; to see you today is a blessing of three lifetimes!" His voice carried just the right amount of excitement and respect.

Luo Feng raised his hand slightly: "Mr. Dou, no need for such formalities, sit! Military affairs are busy, Mr. Dou, speak briefly."

Dou Wen repeatedly claimed he dared not, and sat on half a buttock on the side, his posture still respectful: "The General is busy with ten thousand tasks; this commoner should not have disturbed you.

But the General has the grace of rebirth for the people of Chang'an, and my Dou clan is also in the city, protected by the General. The whole clan is moved to tears.

These meager goods are just to express a tiny bit of heart, with no other meaning; I hope the General will not refuse."

Luo Feng responded calmly: "Protecting the borders and pacifying the people is my duty. Mr. Dou's heart, Luo accepts. The gifts are too precious; as a soldier, I have rules and cannot accept them.

If Mr. Dou is truly grateful, please urge your clansmen to strictly abide by the laws of Beijiang and settle down to production; that is the greatest support for me."

A look of "as expected" admiration appeared on Dou Wen's face, and he sighed: "The General's high character and integrity are truly the pillar of the country and a model for the people! This commoner admires you greatly!

To tell the General the truth, now in Chang'an... no!! In this Guanzhong, to be governed by figures like the General and the Ming King is truly the blessing of the people.

The previous dynasty was muddled, officials were corrupt, and scholar-gentry and powerful clans annexed land; the people suffered unspeakably.

The Ming King and the General raised a righteous army, cleared the universe, implemented new policies, measured fields, and suppressed the powerful; this is a great cause of rebuilding the universe!

Although my Dou clan has some meager assets, we have also suffered deeply from the accumulated ills of the previous dynasty, and we sincerely support the Ming King's new policies!" ===== CHAPTER 409 =====