Chapter 409: Western Liang

He changed the subject, his tone carrying a trace of "worrying about the country and the people": "It's just that...

Although the new policy is good, its implementation inevitably touches the interests of some people.

Some short-sighted people only know immediate private interests, do not understand the great righteousness of the world, criticize in secret, and even collude with outsiders; it is truly lamentable.

This commoner feels heartbroken every time I think of it.

Like the General, who followed the Ming King from the very beginning, breaking through thorns and thistles, and establishing unparalleled achievements, you still perform your duties, do not claim credit, do not practice favoritism, and are wholeheartedly for the public.

Those so-called 'aristocratic sons' who rely on ancestral shade, do not engage in production, and only know how to talk big, what qualifications do they have to complain about heaven and others?"

These words seemed to be praising Luo Feng and scolding the scholar-gentry who opposed the new policy.

But subtly, it distinguished "meritorious officials" like Luo Feng from "aristocratic sons" relying on "ancestral shade," and linked "not claiming credit, not practicing favoritism" with "meritorious officials," seemingly implying that meritorious officials like Luo Feng should have enjoyed more, but were content with hardship because they were "wholeheartedly for the public."

Luo Feng's eyebrows twitched slightly. He glanced at Dou Wen, clearly having already made a calculation in his heart, and responded indifferently: "Eating the monarch's salary, being loyal to the monarch's affairs, how can one talk about merit?

The Lord is clear in rewards and punishments, and merit must be rewarded. Luo and his subordinates have already received enough, and dare not have any more extravagant demands.

As for the new policy, it is for the long-term peace and stability of the world; a little noise is not worth worrying about.

Since Mr. Dou is a sensible person, you should properly persuade your clansmen not to make mistakes and follow in the footsteps of those families in Mei County."

He pointed out the Mei County matter directly, which was both a warning and an observation of Dou Wen's reaction.

Dou Wen's face turned slightly pale, and he hurriedly stood up and bowed again: "The General's teachings, this commoner will keep in mind! I dare not forget!

My Dou clan will definitely take the Mei County matter as a warning, be cautious in words and deeds, and fully support the Ming Lord and the General!"

He paused, as if hesitating, and then whispered: "It's just that... this commoner has recently heard some street rumors, and I feel uneasy in my heart. I don't know if I should say it or not."

"Speak." Luo Feng narrowed his eyes.

"It is... this commoner heard that Western Liang seems to have...

Especially regarding the... treatment of the various generals under the Ming King, they have many criticisms, and even spread rumors, saying things like 'the bird is gone, the bow is hidden,' 'merit is not rewarded'... it is truly absurd and sinister!

This commoner is only afraid that these groundless talks will disturb the military morale and hurt the relationship between the generals and the Ming King, which would be exactly what Western Liang wants!"

Dou Wen spoke with sincerity, as if he were truly thinking for Beijiang.

A cold light flashed in Luo Feng's eyes, staring at Dou Wen: "Oh? What else did Western Liang say?"

Dou Wen lowered his head, his voice even softer: "They... they also said that the Ming King's new policy, even... even the nephews and descendants of the generals, will have to take the same exams as the children of the poor in the future to have a path to advancement, which is...

Which is somewhat heartless, and I fear it will chill the hearts of the meritorious officials...

Of course, this must be Western Liang's alienation scheme!

The General must not take it to heart! The Ming King has great talent and strategy, and his rewards and punishments have their own measure; how can outsiders speculate?"

Dou Wen finally revealed his true colors, gently speaking out the probing words.

The topic quietly shifted from the new policy's blow to the scholar-gentry to the "impact" of the new policy on meritorious officials, especially the future of their families, and cleverly used the mouth of "Western Liang rumors" to say it, distancing himself.

Luo Feng was silent, his gaze staring at Dou Wen very deeply.

Dou Wen held his breath, his heartbeat uncontrollably accelerating, waiting for Luo Feng's reaction.

Was it a burst of anger, scolding him for talking nonsense? Was it thoughtful, with a sense of empathy? Or...

After a long time, Luo Feng slowly opened his mouth: "Western Liang's clowns are used to stirring up trouble. Why should we let others chew their tongues about our Beijiang affairs?

How the Lord treats us, we have a clear mirror in our hearts.

Mr. Dou, I will treat your words today as if I never heard them.

It's getting late, there are still important matters in the army, I won't see you out!"

He did not get angry, nor did he agree, but used the phrase "treat it as if I never heard it" to gently brush off the topic and issued an order to evict the guest.

This reaction was neither the resonance and complaints Dou Wen most hoped for, nor the immediate turning hostile and arresting people as in the worst-case scenario, but an attitude of non-committal and cautious avoidance.

Dou Wen calculated quickly. Since he didn't turn hostile immediately, it meant Luo Feng at least didn't see this as an untouchable reverse scale, or rather...

He didn't have no thoughts about this in his heart, just didn't want to or didn't dare to express it. This was already a huge success! As long as the seed is buried, there will be a day when it sprouts.

He immediately made a terrified appearance, repeatedly apologizing: "Yes, yes, yes, this commoner misspoke, this commoner is muddled! I shouldn't have listened to these groundless talks, and even more shouldn't have brought them to disturb the General's ears! This commoner will take my leave, I will take my leave!"

After speaking, he bowed deeply again, backed out of the flower hall, and left in a hurry under the guidance of the steward. The generous gifts he brought were indeed not accepted by Luo Feng at all, and he was made to take them back intact.

Luo Feng sat alone in the hall, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest of the chair, looking at the direction Dou Wen disappeared, his eyes extremely unkind.

A general's considerations usually need to combine many aspects. He was stationed in Chang'an... even from the moment he stepped out of Beijiang, he had guessed that there would be such a situation today.

They could persuade the generals of Da Qian to surrender, so naturally, Western Liang would also come to persuade them to surrender.

Luo Feng considered himself able to resist temptation. He did not seek high official positions or wealth, did not seek to be a marquis or prime minister, only sought to have a clear conscience, to be worthy of the Lord, and to be worthy of his brothers.

The Lord's new policy is to build a fairer world; he understands and supports it.

Those waste who rely on ancestral shade to mix and wait for death really should be swept into the trash heap.

But... will everyone think this way?

He is alone, with no worries, so it doesn't matter.

But what about Han Xiao, Bai Ting, Zhang Honghong, and the others?

What about those subordinates who followed him through life and death?

Don't they hope their descendants can have a good future?

So Western Liang's strategy cannot be underestimated. Maybe when they contacted him, they also contacted others. Then what choice will these brothers make next...?

Luo Feng took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the chaotic thoughts in his heart. No matter what the new policy is, no matter what others think, he, Luo Feng, only knows one thing!

Follow the eldest brother and conquer a clear and peaceful world! Thinking too much about other things is useless!

If a brother really takes the wrong path... then don't blame him, Luo Feng, for turning his face and not recognizing anyone!!

"Come here!" he called out in a deep voice.

"What are the General's orders?" The personal guard responded and entered.

"Write down the matter of Dou Wen's visit today, exactly as it happened, and copy the gift list as well. Immediately use the fastest channel to present it to the Lord and Wang Hou. Remember, not a single word missing!"

Luo Feng reported this matter without reservation. It was both a manifestation of loyalty and a disguised reminder. He was worried that brothers would defect, so he had to let the eldest brother prepare in advance!

"Yes!" ===== CHAPTER 410 =====