Daming: At the start of the showdown, Lao Zhu was stunned

Chapter 803 Indecisive Li Jinglong

"So, you, the White Lotus Sect, are here to surrender to the Ming Dynasty and beg for surrender?" Li Jinglong said with a hint of teasing.

Will these religious bandits, who have been rebellious for generations, beg for surrender from the imperial court?

He, Li Jinglong, would rather believe that the sows in Dawan can climb trees!

Fang Zuozi snorted coldly and agreed generously: "That's true. Otherwise, why would we come to see the young master?"

"The imperial court has always regarded me and the White Lotus Xiang people as bandits. Since we are bandits, we kill people and set fires, just to get some peace."

"We, the White Lotus Sect, are now willing to be recruited by the imperial court. I wonder if your young master agrees?"

This answer was beyond Li Jinglong's expectation. He was stunned for a moment, "Do you really want to be recruited by the imperial court?"

"That's natural." Fang Zuozi said. "Otherwise, how could I dare to come here alone to reveal my identity?"

"There are so many good places in this world. Why do we, the White Lotus Sect, need to fight against our fellow Chinese in the Central Plains?"

"Whether to kill or to release, please give me your instructions, young master." The guard said in a low voice. The so-called long nights and many dreams, the young master is currently talking to the religious bandit. What if the religious bandit suddenly gets angry and hurts the young master? What will happen?

Otherwise, how can you compensate for your losses?

"They left in a boat regardless of the darkness of the night. We don't have a big boat, and we don't dare to chase too deep into the night..."

However, is it possible to send an envoy to respond to the situation reported from heaven before making a decision? This is too time consuming...

"These red-haired Yi people's heads are the meeting gift of my White Lotus Sect." Fang Zuozi kicked the head that rolled to his feet farther away. "These people provoked the imperial court, but we eliminated the trouble for the imperial court... Isn't this enough to show my sincerity, Bai Lian?"

"Young Master?" Seeing that Li Jinglong had been struggling for a long time and was still frowning in deep thought, a guard beside him couldn't help but remind him.

"...It's not that we are unwilling to obey." Fang Zuozi, Shopkeeper Fu and others could naturally guess that Li Jinglong was after gold, and they had already thought of an explanation for this.

Although he was given the power to lead his own army and make arbitrary decisions when the situation arises, he did not have the power to make decisions when it came to the government affairs of the DPRK and China. It just so happens that matters related to the White Lotus Sect are one of the most important government affairs of the Ming Dynasty. If the religious bandits cause trouble, Li Jinglong will naturally be responsible for eradicating them. But whether to allow the White Lotus cult bandits to surrender was beyond Li Jinglong's own authority.

Li Jinglong was silent. What Fang Zuozi said was true, and he really seemed to sincerely accept the recruitment. He couldn't help but think: If it was really the White Lotus cult bandits who requested recruitment, he really wouldn't be able to handle the matter.

His title of leading the army at this time was actually just a lieutenant general under Zhou King Zhu Su, and his official position was only the fictitious title of governor in the governor's palace.

"When we were waiting to kill the barbarians last night, we made too much noise, which disturbed the barbarians on the night watch on the ship."

"...If you want to be recruited by my court, you can. However, the cargo of these red-haired Yi people must be handed over to us." Li Jinglong said. Regardless of whether he accepts the surrender of the White Lotus or not, he still has to get the gold on the British ships first.

"Run away?" Li Jinglong's eyes widened.

"Ang!" Fang Zuozi looked sincere.

"They were in a panic. They must have died somewhere, right? But we have already killed the leaders of the Yi people... If the young master wants their ship, why not send an army to search and salvage it everywhere on the sea?" Maybe something will be gained?" "..." Li Jinglong closed his eyes in despair. Indeed, if these religious bandits were to massacre the barbarians on the shore, it would be difficult not to alarm the night watchers on the sea. It was not impossible that they were frightened and set sail through the night.

And sailing late at night... the most likely possibility is that they hit a rock and died somewhere. Could it be that the gold that was supposed to be used to make up for its own shortfalls has sunk in a bay somewhere?

Li Jinglong twitched with distress.

Seeing Fang Zuozi still standing there, waiting for him to speak, Li Jinglong waved his hand and said, "That's all, you can go back first."

"My Highness, King Zhou of the Ming Dynasty, and my fifth uncle, once said that the people of China are precious, and those who have committed extremely heinous crimes can be sent to the wilderness to open up foreign lands to atone for their crimes... This view, my prince, I also agree.”

"If you really have the heart to surrender, maybe the imperial court can really tolerate you."

"I will write in accordance with the will of Heaven and consult His Majesty... You wait here and do not commit crimes or do anything that harms the laws of Heaven. Otherwise, the heavenly soldiers will be everywhere and I will leave you waiting until your corpse is gone."

Fang Zuozi curled his lips in his heart, but his face could barely be considered submissive. He cupped his fists and said, "Well, thank you very much, young master."

At Li Jinglong's signal, the siege of the guards was withdrawn, and Fang Zuozi left the treasure ship in a swagger.

"Young Master, do you really want to let these gangsters live?" Li Gui, the steward, sounded anxious when he saw that Fang Tuzi was really gone. "Young Master, you are not too troublesome..."

"The appearance of this religious bandit is terrifying, with sinister features and stern eyes. He looks like a cunning person at first glance... They falsely claim to be recruiting people, but do you know if this is a delaying tactic they used?"

"Besides, they said those Western Yi escaped with the gold...Did Anzhi steal the gold themselves?"

"Young Master, you must not fall into the trap!"

"...How can I not know this?" Li Jinglong shook his head and sighed.

"But the matter involves the imperial court, so be careful... What if the emperor really wants to accept the surrender of these bandits?"

"Gold and silver are trivial matters. But don't bring trouble to Duke Cao's government just because you are greedy for merit."

Li Jinglong frowned and spoke plausibly.

"You...this..." Li Gui was speechless and tried to persuade him several times, but in the end he let out a long sigh.

The young master's move cannot be wrong...but how many generals who have led armies and conquests since ancient times have been so indecisive and successful?

This young master can be regarded as wise in normal times...but when the critical moment comes, he always lacks the willingness to take advantage of the fire.

Li Gui is just a steward of the Duke's Mansion, so he can only sigh in vain.

In fact, not being decisive enough is Li Jinglong's biggest shortcoming. I would like to ask, as a famous general, which one should not kill decisively and cut off when necessary? Even his father Li Wenzhong, although he is the nephew of today's emperor, can maintain his wealth and glory for a lifetime without working hard at all.

However, Li Wenzhong fought for the title of Cao Guogong by personally taking risks and taking risks several times. He never had to write to the rear to ask his uncle who was in charge before the battle.

The biggest difference between Li Jinglong and his father Li Wenzhong is that he is too thoughtful and too indecisive. This is also the reason why he ruined the reputation of his father Li Wenzhong I in history.

(End of this chapter)