Meishan Su family, Su Yun is the most virtuous

Chapter 443 No one is more cunning than Lu Huiqing!
It only took a few days for Bian Jing to hear that the Jingsai Army had taken over the Hetao, Dongtao and Dingnan five states.

The shock caused by this news to Bianliang was no less than the fall of Chang'an, and it even made the emperor and his ministers more horrified than the fall of Chang'an.

The fall of Chang'an gave the Jingsai Army a foundation and allowed the Suzhou Society to grow into a force capable of competing with the Song Dynasty. This made the rulers and ministers of the Song Dynasty very anxious, but it was still far from a crisis of national destruction.

Today, the foundation of the Song Dynasty is in the Central Plains and in the south of the Yangtze River. No matter how important the Northwest is, it is just a border area. As long as the Central Plains and the south of the Yangtze River are there, it will be difficult to destroy the Song Dynasty.

But what does it mean that the Jingsai Army conquered the five states of Dingnan and took over Donghetao?
This means that a breathtakingly powerful opponent has emerged!

If the Jingsai Army only occupied Guanzhong, then the threat would not be too great. Although Guanzhong also produces grain, it is no longer the same as it was during the Han and Tang dynasties. The land here is no longer the same as it was during the Han and Tang dynasties, and the economic center has long since moved to the south of the Yangtze River. Even the Central Plains has declined somewhat, let alone Guanzhong.

But after the Jingsai Army captured the five states of Dingnan and Donghetao, the situation became different.

Donghetao is not only a traditional livestock breeding area with abundant water and grass, but also can be irrigated by the Yellow River to form a "granary on the frontier", with an annual grain output of millions of shi. Although the five states of Dingnan are mostly deserts, agricultural farming and handicrafts (such as salt industry) can also provide stable tax revenue.

If the Jingsai Army took over these two places, it could solve some of the problems of food, war horses, and taxes. Together with the Guanzhong Plain, it could basically achieve self-sufficiency.

This means that the Jingsai Army already has a stable foundation.

In other words, with the addition of Yanzhou's industry, the Jingsai Army is not only capable of fighting, but can also live a very comfortable life and is already capable of establishing an independent country!

This is actually true. After the Jingsai Army captured the five states of Dingnan and Donghetao, the discussion about establishing a country in the Su Society suddenly became louder again.

As soon as Su Yun returned to Chang'an from Donghetao, Lu Huiqing brought his disciples to publicly persuade Su Yun to ascend the throne and establish a country.

It is late autumn.

As the sycamore leaves on Zhuque Street were crushed into powder by horse hooves, Su Yun's carriage was rolling over the mottled stone bricks of Chengtian Gate, and on the roadside were the people of Chang'an who came to welcome him.

Suddenly the carriage stopped. Su Yun didn't understand why. Ping Zicheng said with some dissatisfaction, "Sir, there are people blocking the road ahead."

Su Yun lifted the curtain and was stunned because the person who stopped the car was Lu Huiqing who had surrendered earlier.

Lu Huiqing and his disciples stood in the middle of the road.

Su Yun knew that some time after Lu Huiqing surrendered, he actively joined the Su Xue Society. With his ability and knowledge, after studying Su Xue, he deepened its understanding and attracted many students of the Su Xue Society to become his disciples. Now he has some influence in the Su Xue Society.

Before, Wang Baopu and others were quite wary of this and came to ask Su Yun whether it was necessary to restrict Lu Huiqing, but Su Yun was happy to see it happen, thinking that Lu Huiqing would not cause any trouble and just asked Wang Baopu and others to keep a close eye on him. Unexpectedly, he would do something like stopping a car today.

Su Yun saw that it was Lu Huiqing, and asked loudly: "Lu Gong, if there is something important, please wait until I return to discuss it. Why do you have to block my way?"

When Lu Huiqing heard Su Yun speak, he immediately straightened his clothes and hat, then bowed respectfully and said loudly: "Hui Kui doesn't know, Lu has something important to advise Hui Kui."

Su Yun frowned slightly, thinking that maybe something happened in the Su Society, forcing Lu Huiqing to stop him and persuade him.

Before Su Yun could say anything, Ping Zicheng said dissatisfiedly, "This is not the place to talk. If Lu Gong has anything to say, just go to the state government office and tell him."

Lu Huiqing shook his head and said, "This matter can be made clear here."

Su Yun glanced at the people on the roadside and frowned even deeper, but since things had already come to this point, if he continued to be evasive, it would probably cause a lot of speculation, so he might as well just listen to him.

Anyway, he had absolute control over the Su Society and the Jingsai Army, so even if there were any problems, he could solve them. So he nodded and said, "Then please go ahead, Lu Gong."

"My Lord, do you know what is hidden in the morning mist of Hetao?"

Lu Huiqing lifted up his wide sleeves and spread out a huge map with both hands. The disciples behind him hurried over to spread it out together. Under the autumn sun, the winding Yellow River in Donghetao was like a golden snake, and the cities of Dingnan and the five states were dotted all over the place.

Su Yun was confused and looked at Lu Huiqing.

Lu Huiqing looked at the people around him, took a deep breath, and said loudly: "It's not the pasture, it's not the salt pond, it's destiny!

Since the conquest of King Zhou by Emperor Wu of Zhou, Hetao has been the place where the royal spirit gathers. Qin built Jiuyuan to dominate the Western Rong, and Han opened up Shuofang to control the Xiongnu. Now our army is reaping the benefits of both, which is exactly in line with the prophecy that 'a map comes out of the river, a book comes out of the Luo River, and the sage follows it'.

Su Yun was a little stunned.

Ping Zicheng's eyes widened with anger: This old thief! He really has ulterior motives! He actually rushed to persuade everyone to come in, and he wanted to take all the credit for following the dragon! Damn it! Damn it!

Lu Huiqing naturally saw Ping Zicheng's expression, but he was not afraid in his heart. Instead, he mocked in his heart: I am a surrendered person and have not made any merit on the battlefield. If I want to gain a foothold here, I have to use an unconventional approach!

Haha, you have made outstanding contributions, but now is the time to play power games. In this regard, all of you together cannot compare to me. I will definitely take this great credit!
But Su Yun shook his head and said, "Lü Gong, Bianjing has not yet collapsed."

"Bianjing?" Lu Huiqing suddenly laughed up to the sky, and a yellowed bamboo slip slipped from his sleeve, "When Chen Sheng rose up in rebellion, the palace in Xianyang was more majestic than today's Bianliang!

My Lord, please look——"

He pressed his fingertip heavily on a certain spot on the bamboo slips, and said righteously: "The Book of Lord Shang says: 'If it can strengthen the country, do not follow the old ways; if it can benefit the people, do not follow the old ways.'

The emperor today is incompetent, and nine out of ten people have no houses left. How many refugees have frozen to death and are buried under the carved beams and painted buildings of Bianjing? "

He clapped his hands randomly, and the disciples behind him hurriedly carried the vermilion lacquered wooden box to the front of the carriage and randomly opened the lid. The moment the lid was opened, the whole street was suddenly bright under the autumn sun.

Inside the box there were golden daggers, crystal clear jades, and even a turquoise bronze tripod.

Someone who knew the value of the items exclaimed when he saw them, "The golden knife, the jade chain, and the bronze nine tripods are all important national treasures passed down by emperors of past dynasties! Where did Lu Gong find these things?"

Lu Huiqing smiled proudly upon hearing this and said, "Yes, this is the Golden Blade, the Jade Chain, and the Bronze Nine Cauldrons!
This was found by my servants deep in the treasury of Chang'an. When it was sealed, it was covered with dust, but it suddenly shone with the moonlight last night."

Lu Huiqing suddenly knelt on the ground, his white hair brushing against the cold floor tiles, "This is a warning from heaven, the artifact must have a new owner!"

As soon as Lu Huiqing knelt down, people on the street also knelt down.

Although Ping Zicheng was angry that Lu Huiqing had taken the credit, he also agreed with this matter. In fact, many people in the Su Society and the Jingsai Army had already discussed this issue, and they all wanted to persuade Su Yun to ascend the throne.

Today, the territory under the leadership of the Su Xuehui extends from Donghetao in the north to the south of Chang'an in the south. The area controlled in the east is close to Hezhong Prefecture. In the west, only the Western Army of Qinfeng Road is still struggling in a stalemate. This time, after taking Donghetao, they will be able to move westward in one fell swoop!

At this point, the Su Society is already qualified to establish a country, and Su Yun, the leader of the Su Society, naturally has to go a step further. If he doesn't make progress, how can everyone make progress?
After the founding of the country, the six rooms can be upgraded to six ministries, and the heads of the six rooms will naturally be upgraded to the heads of the six ministries. Those who should be ministers will become ministers, and those who should be vice ministers will become vice ministers. Some people will naturally enter the government hall and become the prime ministers of the new country!

Then Ping Zicheng also knelt down.

Upon seeing this, Lu Huiqing immediately shouted, "This old minister greets your majesty!"

Ping Zicheng also shouted loudly: "Please ascend the throne, sir!"

The people around him understood what was said, so they followed Ping Zicheng and shouted loudly: "Please ascend the throne, sir!"

Among the sounds coming one after another, there was the sound of horse hooves.

Su Yun looked up and saw Wang Baopu, Han Youan, Bi Taihua and others riding their horses towards him.

Before the dust raised by Wang Baopu's horse's hooves had settled, he saw a huge crowd of people kneeling on Suzaku Street. At first glance, he didn't understand what it meant, and immediately shouted angrily, "Lü Huiqing! You are so bold!"

Han Youan followed closely behind, his usually gentle face now frosted with frost. He raised his hand to press Wang Baopu's shoulder and whispered, "The important thing is more important!"

Wang Baopu took a deep breath, then dismounted, strode to the front of the carriage, knelt down and said loudly: "Student Wang Baopu, please take care of the people of the world and ascend to the throne!"

Han Youan and Bi Taihua also quickly dismounted, walked to Wang Baopu, and loudly urged him to advance.

Su Yun sat in the carriage and glanced at everyone.

"Everyone, please stand up." Su Yun's voice was as calm as water, but it made everyone look up involuntarily.

He lifted the curtain and stepped out of the carriage. The autumn sun fell on his shoulders, stretching his shadow very long.

Lu Huiqing took the opportunity to kneel forward half a step, his forehead hitting the blue brick and leaving a bloody mark: "If Your Majesty does not agree, I will kneel forever!"

"Shouzhen, what do you think?" Su Yun suddenly turned and looked at Wang Baopu.

Wang Baopu was startled, and the sword in his hand fell to the ground with a clang.

He recalled the time in the Yanzhou workshop when Su Yun stood beside the water mill and said to them, "We must ensure that everyone in the world has clothes to wear and food to eat." He also recalled last month at the Hetao front line, when Su Yun was setting up a defense line in the wind and sand and was nearly hit by a stray arrow.

His eyes suddenly became hot, and he knelt down: "If you don't declare yourself emperor, how will the thousands of students of the Su Academy and the 200,000 soldiers of the Jingsai Army cope with it?"

Han Youan knelt down as well, and said, "Since Chang'an was restored, the people have all said, 'The arrival of Su Gong brings happiness to the people.'

Now that our territory is expanding and our institutions are being updated, if we don’t establish a country, how can we establish our status and reassure the people?”

Bi Taihua held the account book above his head and said, "The granary in Dongtao can support the army for ten years. The profits from the salt and iron in the five states can enrich the country and strengthen the army. The workshop in Yanzhou can build strong ships and powerful guns... If you refuse again, you will chill the hearts of the people in the world!"

Suddenly, a child's cry rang out in the crowd. A woman holding her child squeezed to the front and knelt down: "Please let Mr. Su become emperor! My husband froze to death on the streets of Bianliang last year. I had no choice but to follow the refugees to the northwest. If it weren't for the Su Society opening the granaries to release grain, my mother and I would have starved to death long ago..."

Her words were interrupted by crying, but it made more people kowtow one after another, and the voices of "Your Majesty, please ascend the throne" echoed throughout Suzaku Street.

Su Yun closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, there was a hint of determination in his eyes.

He reached out his hand to help Lü Huiqing up, and then helped Wang Baopu, Han Youan, and Bi Taihua up in turn. Finally, he turned to the people on the street and said in a deep voice, "How could I not know what you all meant?
However, the empire is not yet settled, and the land of Western Xia and Youyan has not yet been returned. If I declare myself emperor at this time, I am afraid that I will be criticized by others. "

Lu Huiqing hurriedly said: "In the past, Emperor Gaozu of Han proclaimed himself king before he defeated Xiang Yu, and Emperor Guangwu also proclaimed himself emperor before he restored the Han Dynasty. This was a temporary measure, not out of greed for a high position!"

"That's right." Han Youan said, "If you don't establish a country, those corrupt scholars will call us 'traitors'!
Now is the time to use the name of destiny to spread the message to the world, so that all states and counties will come and join us."

Su Yun was silent for a moment, then shook his head and said, "The time is not right yet."

Upon hearing this, Lu Huiqing quickly knelt half a step, shook out a yellowed scroll of "Hetu Luoshu" from his sleeve, ran his fingertips over the tortoise shell pattern, and said loudly:

"Hui Kui, do you know that this painting has been hidden in the Chang'an treasury for three hundred years? Last night, the tortoise shell suddenly cracked and the word 'Yun' appeared? God's will is clear and cannot be changed by human power!
In the past, when King Wu was attacking King Zhou, he modestly called himself "I am a young man" before the Battle of Muye. However, he was destined to succeed and eventually achieved his great cause.

Now the granary in Hetao has been opened, the salt and iron in Dingnan have been forged, and the 200,000 Jingsai troops are ready to fight at any moment. This is a gift from heaven, but if you don't take it, you will suffer the consequences!"

Before he finished speaking, Wang Baopu suddenly took off the copper abacus made by the Yanzhou workshop from his waist, and arranged 360 abacus sticks on the bluestone slab to form a map of the nine provinces: "Please look, sir, from Guanzhong to Dongtao, we have already controlled the dangers of the three rivers;

The Yanzhou workshop produces 3,000 muskets and 5,000 crossbows per month.

If we do not establish a country now, the remaining forces of Xixia and the Western Army of Bianjing will surely join forces to attack us. Our army will be without a reason and will only waste the people's strength!"

He pointed at the city of Bianliang, which was made of abacus sticks, and said, "Look at the people's hearts. The people of Chang'an spontaneously built a shrine for you, and 100,000 refugees from Hexi brought their old and children with them to seek refuge. This foundation is more than just self-reliance. It is clearly destiny!"

Han Youan took out a stack of newspapers as thin as a cicada's wing from his sleeve. It was the Qinzhong Morning News newly published by the Su Society.

On the front page, there are two lines of words circled in cinnabar: "'The price of corn has dropped by two-thirds, and cloth is more abundant than usual', and 'The Jingsai Military Medical Office provides vaccination against smallpox, and no child dies'."

He held up the newspaper and shouted: "Everyone knows that only by following the Su Society can we survive! If you don't declare yourself emperor, how can you let the people of Jiangnan know about my new policies?

How can we make the people of Youyan return home in anticipation of the flag?"

At this time, there was the sound of horse hooves again, it was Zheng Chaozong.

Zheng Chaozong must have known what was happening. When his horse galloped closer, he dismounted and knelt in front of Su Yun. Then he suddenly took off his armor and opened his lapel, revealing the hideous arrow scar on his heart.

"This life of a student is given by the teacher!
Two hundred thousand brothers followed the teacher and fought from Suide Army to Yanzhou, from Yanzhou to Chang'an, and from Chang'an to Hetao. They did not seek to be granted titles or become prime ministers, but wanted to see the world change!

If you don't take this position, what will those people whose manors we smashed and those farmers who were given military farms use to shut up the old nobles?"

He pulled out a wrinkled account book from his bosom. "The three hundred thousand dan of corn newly collected in Dongtao must have earned tens of thousands of gold coins a day from the salt fields. If there is no seal of the country, how can these money and grain be used for the people?"

Suddenly, the sound of a gong was heard from the corner of the street, and several old men carrying empty grain baskets supported each other and squeezed to the front row.

The oldest man still had a rough bandage on his head issued by the Jingsai Army. He coughed as he knelt down, "Mr. Su... I'm seventy years old, and this is the first time I've seen a soldier not stealing food!

Last month, my grandson had smallpox, and it was the military doctor who saved his life using that 'cowpox'..."

His cloudy eyes suddenly sparkled, and he took out an oil-paper bag from his bosom, which contained half a hard cake. "This is a cake we made with new wheat flour, please try it... If we don't declare ourselves emperor, who will rule over us in the future?"

Su Yun looked at the cake in the old man's hand, and suddenly remembered the time three years ago at the Yanzhou porridge factory when he personally distributed porridge to the refugees and the children's hands were holding empty bowls.

The sound of the Jingsai Army's training horns could be heard in the distance, and the sound of their orderly footsteps made the leaves of the sycamore trees rustle down.

Lu Huiqing took the opportunity to present the blank mold of the "Shou Ming Bao" made of Yellow River mud. Wang Baopu spread out the sketch of a dragon robe embroidered with the twenty-eight constellations. Han Youan's newspaper was covered with bloody fingerprints by the people at some point.

"Please look, sir!" Zheng Chaozong suddenly pointed in the direction of Chengtian Gate. At some point, nine red dragon flags had been erected on the top of the city wall, and each flag was embroidered with wheat ears and gears in gold thread.

That is the symbol of the Su Society and also the belief of the Jingsai Army.

"This dragon flag is not the flag of the emperor, it is the flag of the people!"

His voice was hoarse but excited. "You don't want to be a loner. You want to be a pioneer in this new world!"

Su Yun's fingers stroked the cake handed to him by the old man, feeling the warmth between the coarse wheat bran.

Blue smoke was coming out of the chimney of the workshop in the distance; that was the roar of Yanzhou's newly made steam hammer.

"it is good."

Su Yun's voice was low but clear, and his fingertips gently pressed on the jade chain that Lu Huiqing brought. In an instant, the hustle and bustle of Suzaku Street seemed to be as quiet as the ebb tide, with only the autumn wind blowing the dragon flag fluttering.

Han Youan was overjoyed, and suddenly stood up and said, "Sir, wait for me a moment, I'll go get a yellow robe."

As he said this, he mounted his horse and galloped away.

A moment later, he came running over with a bright yellow brocade robe in his arms, and as everyone held their breath, he gently draped it over Su Yun's shoulders.

Wang Baopu and others immediately helped Su Yun onto the carriage, and now everyone knelt down.

Su Yun looked at the crowds of people on the street, smiled helplessly, and said: "I am proclaiming myself emperor today not for my own selfishness, but to provide livelihoods for the people of the world and to continue the flame of Chinese civilization.

Once we have wiped out the Xixia and Khitan, we will restore order to the world!"

Amid the thunderous cheers of "Long live", Wang Baopu quietly wiped away the tears from his eyes. Han Youan looked at the geese flying south in the sky and suddenly remembered what Su Yun once said, "May there be no more hunger and cold in the world." Bi Taihua was silently thinking about the tax reform after the founding of the country.

And Lu Huiqing, looking at the flying gold thread on the corner of Su Yun's robe, a smug smile appeared on the corner of his mouth - he made the right bet.

Hehe, I got it from the dragon!

(End of this chapter)