In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 850 Unite all forces that can be united
As noon approached, Lu Yunyi finally finished his morning reception duties.
Dragging himself along, he headed to the canteen in the backyard of the military headquarters, intending to grab a quick bite.

Because the government office had become wealthier, the food in the canteen had greatly improved compared to before.
The original two vegetarian dishes and one meat dish were changed to two meat dishes and one vegetarian dish, and some meat broth was added.

As soon as you enter the cafeteria, a fragrant aroma fills the air.

But Lu Yunyi's face immediately fell.

Even though he had only been back for a few days, he was already getting tired of these large-pot dishes.

With a long sigh, Lu Yunyi joined the queue at the back of the line.
When he came in, the once bustling cafeteria suddenly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop; everyone seemed to be speechless.

The line moved forward slowly.

Soon, Lu Yunyi took a plate, filled a bowl with food, and casually found a table to sit down.

Once the group started eating, the cafeteria gradually filled with noise, and many people began to talk quietly.

Lu Yunyi listened intently as he ate.

When they hear interesting gossip, they can't wait to get closer.

At that moment, a figure sat down with a plate in hand.

Lu Yunyi looked up and asked in surprise, "Lord Zhang?"

Zhang Bin smiled and sat down: "Why doesn't Lord Lu go out to eat?"

"I've been too busy these past few days, I haven't had time," Lu Yunyi explained with a smile, then asked in return:

"What brings Lord Zhang to the yamen today?"

As a commander of the city's defense forces, Zhang Bin would appear with Daning City as the center.

In some places within a ten-mile radius, there are sometimes no people for days, even due to the defensive arrangements of the villages.

Zhang Bin's expression was somewhat complicated. He sighed softly and lowered his voice to say:

"Lord Lu, I have something to report."

Lu Yunyi paused slightly while chewing, and nodded gently:

"it is good."

After finishing his meal, Lu Yunyi picked up his plate and left on his own, intending to return to his office to wait for Zhang Bin.

Before they could even leave the backyard, a clerk rushed over, his face showing some seriousness.

He approached Lu Yunyi and bowed deeply.
"My lord, Li Xian, the wealthy man from the south of the city, has arrived."

Lu Yunyi stopped in his tracks, lost in thought. After a moment's pause, he nodded slightly.

"Please invite him in, to this office."

"Yes, my lord!"

Before long, Lu Yunyi saw Li Xian strolling leisurely towards the entrance of the government office.

He looked to be in his forties, with a very neatly groomed beard.
Wearing a brocade robe and a wealthy man's hat, he looked no different from a Ming dynasty person.

Seeing Lu Yunyi and the others waiting at the door, Li Xian quickened his pace and bowed deeply.
"This humble citizen, Li Xian, pays his respects to Lord Lu!"

Lu Yunyi smiled gently and stepped forward to help him up.
"Lord Li, why are you being so polite? It's been quite a while since we last met."

Li Xian straightened up with a smile and said:

"My lord, it's only been one year and seven months."

At this point, Li Xian showed a hint of emotion, as if reminiscing about the past:
"The last time I saw Lord Lu was on the battlefield."
At that time, you were leading your troops in a charge.

I had some impression of you back then, and I thought you were a very brave and heroic young man. I was also impressed by the fact that the Ming army had a worthy successor.

Unexpectedly, in less than two years, we met again in Daning City.

"I had intended to come and visit earlier, but when I thought of myself as a defeated general, I decided not to humiliate myself."

Lu Yunyi smiled faintly:
"Lord Li's presence at the Military Commandery today is truly an honor. Please come in."

Now there are no defeated troops; we are all wise men, and we are both a victorious army.

"Hahaha." Li Xian laughed loudly as he walked into the house.

"Lord Lu is truly a remarkable person. No wonder he is so highly regarded in the city; everyone says you are a good man."

Inside the room, Lu Yunyi and Li Xian sat on either side of a square table, while a waiter brought them tea.

Lu Yunyi took a small sip and said with a smile:

"Whether they were people from the Ming or Yuan dynasties, all they asked for was some rice and flour every day."
Whoever can feed them is a good person.

It was through the efforts of everyone in the Military Command that the people of Daning City were able to have enough to eat and money to spend.
One should not attribute all the credit to oneself.

The people say this simply because I, the official, often show my face in public."

A hint of surprise flashed in Li Xian's eyes.
In his experience, most Ming dynasty officials, whether civil or military, were fond of reputation.

Lu Yunyi, however, seemed completely indifferent to matters of reputation.
Not only did they kill prisoners, but they also engaged in acts such as calling a deer a horse and forcing people to buy and sell.

"Lord Lu is so open and honest, I admire you."

"However, Lord Lu's reputation in the city isn't very good these days."

Lu Yunyi glanced at Li Xian, knowing why he had come today.
He leaned back in his chair and said softly:
"The judgment of right and wrong, merit and demerit will be made by future generations. Let them think and say what they want."

Li Xian could tell that these were his heartfelt words and his true thoughts, which made him even more surprised.

"Lord Lu, I am not here today to plead for those merchants. Please do not misunderstand."

"Oh? And where has Lord Li come today?"

Lu Yunyi looked inquiring.

Although the person in front of him was a nobleman of the Northern Yuan Dynasty,
However, no obstacles or incidents were caused during the construction of the fish-scale yellow register and the road construction.
Instead, he stayed at home obediently, and for that reason alone, he deserved to be treated politely by Lu Yunyi.

Li Xian took out a letter from his pocket and handed it over:

"Lord Lu, please take a look."

A look of surprise flashed in Lu Yunyi's eyes. He took the letter, opened it, and was taken aback by the three large characters that came into view:
"Confession?"

Li Xian's smile faded, and his expression became somewhat serious.
"Lord Lu, to be honest..."
I have some connections with the former Commander-in-Chief, Lord Zhou.

Before he left, he asked me to look after Lord Zhang and not let him get too involved with those merchants.

Unexpectedly, he had already colluded with those merchants.

He came to me yesterday asking for my help, and I agreed.
That's why I, a humble citizen, have come to your door today with the necessary documents.

We hope Lord Lu will show leniency and let him off the hook.

Lu Yunyi's expression was extremely strange. After reading the letter with surprise, he looked at Li Xian again.

How could things develop like this?

Zhang Bin went to find Li Xian, but instead of acting desperately, he confessed his crime and accepted punishment.

He's waiting for these traitors to team up so he can wipe them all out in one fell swoop.

This made Lu Yunyi feel like he had punched cotton.

Lu Yunyi quickly regained his composure, looked at the document in his hand, and said calmly:

"What crimes has Lord Zhang committed? Is it only the collusion with merchants mentioned above?"

Li Xian pursed his lips:

"As an official appointed by the imperial court, it is already disrespectful to mingle with merchants."

If he continues to be so stubborn, I fear he will do something even worse.

Therefore, we reasoned with them and appealed to their emotions.

"Let him come and confess his crimes, hoping that Lord Lu will show leniency."

Lu Yunyi's lips twitched. He flipped through the letter in his hand, chuckled, and placed it on the table.
"Lord Li, you are also an official in the court, so you know the complexities of local affairs."

Zhang Bin was the city's garrison commander and a trusted confidant of Lord Zhou.

It is naturally impossible not to come into contact with merchants in the city, which I can understand.

After all, the rise of such a large city wouldn't have been possible without the help of merchants; this little thing is nothing.

Now it was Li Xian's turn to be stunned; his carefully prepared explanation had become useless.

He was somewhat unsure of what the person in front of him was thinking.
Is it a case of raising the issue high and then letting it fall gently, or is it a feint with a hidden agenda?

"This Lu Yunyi truly lives up to his reputation as a renowned general in battle. He has mastered all kinds of military strategies, and every word and action reflects the wisdom of a master strategist."

Li Xian thought about it for a long time and concluded that this was Lu Yunyi's compromise with the current situation.
And he was trying to win over everyone he could, so that he could focus on dealing with the merchants in the city.

Lu Yunyi became even more relaxed, picked up the tea and drank it all in one gulp, then smiled and said:
"Business is inherently beneficial to the country and its people, and most of the matters I handle in the capital are related to commerce, without any criticism. However, trade is a vital instrument of the nation,"

Some merchants harbored wicked intentions, which naturally could not be ignored, and the Commander-in-Chief would not tolerate such behavior.

Li Xian frowned, understanding Lu Yunyi's meaning, and after a moment of contemplation, said:
"Lord Lu is absolutely right. The merchants in the north of the city who defied the government are guilty of heinous crimes."

Even ordinary people were outraged when they heard about this.

Lord Lu, rest assured, after leaving the yamen...
I then went to the north of the city to join Lord Asu in persuading the merchants to give up their resistance against the imperial court.

Although I am now a commoner, I still hold some prestige among the many defeated people of the Northern Yuan.

"As long as it saves the government some trouble, this humble citizen's trip won't have been in vain."

Lu Yunyi chuckled and shook his head:

"Lord Li, have you seen the latest news from the capital?"

Li Xian was taken aback, but didn't hide anything and nodded with a smile:

"The capital has been a stage for many dramatic events lately."

"Does Lord Li know about the Market Exchange Bureau? It's a newly established government office, headed by a second-rank official named Sizheng."

"I know. I've heard that the Market and Trade Bureau will be in charge of behemoths like the Yingtian Trading Company and the Construction Company in the future. They shouldn't be underestimated."

A strange light flashed in Lu Yunyi's eyes.
I was quite shocked by how well-informed this person was, and I was also impressed by the deep-rooted influence of these old powerful figures.

"The Commandery is also preparing to establish an office similar to the Market Exchange Office."
He was in charge of trading companies, workshops, and some business dealings within government offices.

Upon hearing this, Li Xian's pupils suddenly contracted, and his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

"Lord Lu, there are many shops and workshops in the north of the city, including some opened by old friends."
Ordinary people also own shares in some businesses.
If these businesses were to fall under the jurisdiction of the government, I'm afraid... I'm afraid things might become complicated."

Li Xian picked up the teacup to mask the turmoil in his heart.

Lu Yunyi laughed, calmly stood up, walked to the side, poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and said:

"Regarding the affairs of the Market Exchange Bureau, I would like to request Lord Li to take charge. What do you think?"

Li Xian froze, the teacup he had moved in front of him suddenly stopping.
He looked up in disbelief, his eyes filled with shock.

He doubted his ears, wondering if he had misheard.
“My lord, you don’t need to joke with me like this.”

Lu Yunyi's expression was solemn:
"I am not joking. Lord Li is the Minister of Works of the Northern Yuan Dynasty."
Having overseen the mining and weapon manufacturing of the Northern Yuan, he must have also been involved in business affairs.

In the current military command, it is not easy to find someone like Lord Li who can oversee the entire situation.

After all, our Daning is a poor and remote area.
If the people are not outstanding, the place will not be blessed with good fortune.
I am already exhausted from trying to maintain this position, so I need Lord Li's help.

Currently, there are three vacancies in the position of Assistant Commander.

If Lord Li is willing, the document will be sent to the capital tonight.

The Governor's Office can ask the Duke of Wei for help.
If things go quickly, Lord Li's official position can be finalized within ten days.

"This"

Li Xian's eyelids twitched wildly, as did his heart.
Who in this world would want to be an idle, unemployed landlord?

He was the Minister of Works of the Northern Yuan Dynasty, a highly powerful figure in the Northern Yuan court.
Now that he's a wealthy landowner in the countryside, how can he be content with that?
Unfortunately, the official position offered by the Ming Dynasty court was too low-ranking.
He wouldn't even deign to look down on a fifth-rank official like himself.

Currently, the third-rank military officer, the Assistant Commander, also manages the trading companies.
If this person doesn't have real power, then that's really unacceptable.

Thinking of this, Li Xian's pupils suddenly contracted, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.
The hierarchy of importance in the dialogue between the two sides had subtly shifted at some point.
This Lord Lu in front of us not only wants to win over Zhang Bin, but also him!

But Li Xian admitted that he was tempted.

The position of Assistant Commander-in-Chief was enough for him to give it his all.
Given time, it's not impossible for him to return to the second rank.

A resolute glint flashed in Li Xian's eyes. He took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed deeply to Lu Yunyi.
"If I were to refuse Lord Lu's high regard for me, I would be ungrateful."

Lu Yunyi smiled with relief when he saw Li Xian agree.

He stepped forward and reached out to help Li Xian up:
"Lord Li, I believe that with your abilities, you will be able to manage the Market Exchange Bureau in an orderly manner."

Li Xian nodded slightly, his eyes flashing with determination:

"Rest assured, my lord, I will do my utmost."

Lu Yunyi nodded in satisfaction, turned and walked to the door, calling out to the outside:

"Someone, go and invite Lord Zhang Bin here."

The servant outside the door responded and hurriedly left.

Lu Yunyi and Li Xian sat down again.

The two then discussed some preliminary ideas and plans for the Market and Commerce Bureau, and the atmosphere inside the room was harmonious.

A moment later, footsteps came from outside the door.

Immediately afterwards, Zhang Bin stepped into the house.

He immediately spotted Li Xian sitting next to Lu Yunyi, his heart skipped a beat, and a look of surprise flashed across his face.

But he quickly regained his composure and stepped forward to bow to Lu Yunyi:
"Lord Lu."

Lu Yunyi smiled and pointed to the seat next to him:

"Lord Zhang, there's no need for such formalities. Please sit down and let's talk."

Zhang Bin sat down as instructed, his gaze shifting back and forth between Lu Yunyi and Li Xian, his mind filled with doubt.

Lu Yunyi looked at Zhang Bin and said with a smile:

"Lord Zhang, I have some good news to tell you today."

I have just reached an agreement with Lord Li, and it has been decided that Lord Li will serve as the Vice Commander of the Military Command.
He would later be responsible for various affairs within the military command, including businesses, workshops, and trade.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Bin's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Lord Li, how could you..."

He never expected that Li Xian, whom he had brought in as a lobbyist, would...
In the blink of an eye, he stood on the same side as Lu Yunyi and even accepted the position of Commander!

Li Xian looked at Zhang Bin, smiled slightly, and cupped his hands in greeting:
"Lord Zhang, Lord Lu has lofty ambitions. There were some misunderstandings in the past."

Zhang Bin felt a mix of emotions.

He originally thought that, based on his relationship with Li Xian,
In addition, Li Xian's prestige among the former Northern Yuan troops will surely persuade Lu Yunyi to make an exception for him.

Now, things have developed in a way that completely exceeded his expectations.

Lu Yunyi looked at Zhang Bin, secretly amused, but his face remained expressionless:

"Lord Zhang, I summoned you here today."

Besides informing you of this matter, I also intend to promote you to the position of Assistant Commander of the Military Command, in charge of the military farmland affairs of the Military Command.

Zhang Bin was still upset about Li Xian's "betrayal" when he heard this and was stunned.

He wondered if he had misheard:
"Lord Lu, are you telling the truth?"

Lu Yunyi smiled and nodded:
"It is indeed true. Although Lord Zhang has some dealings with merchants..."
But I know that you have not done anything seriously wrong.

Moreover, the military farm management in the capital region urgently needs a capable person to oversee it.
After much deliberation, I believe that Lord Zhang is the most suitable candidate.

Zhang Bin was overwhelmed by this sudden joy.
He originally thought that he would be extremely fortunate to be able to keep his current official position.

Unexpectedly, not only was his mistake not investigated, but he was even promoted?
Although he lost his command of the city garrison, it was better than being imprisoned, and his rank had been raised.
Moreover, the assistant commissioners of the military agricultural settlements were not without real power.

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Bin quickly stood up, bowed deeply to Lu Yunyi, and said in a trembling voice:
"Lord Lu has shown me such great kindness; I do not know how to repay you."

From now on, I will serve the Commander wholeheartedly, even unto death, and will never dare to slacken in the slightest.

Lu Yunyi stepped forward, helped Zhang Bin up, and said with a smile:

"Lord Zhang, there's no need for that. When I appoint people, I only consider their abilities."

"As long as you handle the land reclamation matter well, I will not treat you unfairly."

Zhang Bin nodded emphatically, his eyes filled with gratitude:

"Rest assured, Lord Lu, I will certainly live up to your expectations."

Lu Yunyi nodded in satisfaction, turned around and sat back down in his seat, looking at Zhang Bin and Li Xian and saying:

"At present, the Commandery is in a period of development and there are many matters that need to be dealt with."

Lord Li is in charge of the Market and Trade Bureau, overseeing commerce and trade, while Lord Zhang is in charge of land reclamation and ensuring the supply of grain.

You two must cooperate with each other and work together for the development of the Commandery.

Li Xian and Zhang Bin stood up simultaneously and bowed to Lu Yunyi, saying:

"Rest assured, sir, we will work together to live up to your expectations."

(End of this chapter)