The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 395 When Prime Minister Li spoke at Ruxukou, which of you high-ranking officials in Jiangnan dared not go to listen?
Spring of the tenth year of Zhangwu.

Willow catkins flutter in the air around Luoyang, a beautiful sight indeed in the Jiangnan region.

Li Yi slowly walked out of the mansion and looked up at the sky.

As dawn broke in the east, the morning glow resembled brocade.

His purple robe and jade belt accentuated his imposing presence.

Today is the day he is ordered to make his southern tour.

Liu Bei bestowed upon him the special privilege of holding the imperial axe and granted him 5,000 Tiger Guards, 1,000 ceremonial guards, and 800 servants.

He then ordered Tiger General Xu Chu to join the army and serve under him.

The emperor's favor was unparalleled in the court.

Clearly, Liu Bei did this on purpose.

Such a grand gesture during a single southern tour was intended to bolster Li Yi's prestige.

Let the whole world know that Li Yi is representing the emperor on his southern tour.

Therefore, the pomp and circumstance must not be lacking.

Li Yi did not rush to board the carriage, but instead ordered the carriage driver to wait.

He took a sedan chair and went straight to the residence of Jiang Wei, the newly appointed top scholar in the imperial examination, in the south of the city.

This is a favor from the imperial court.

The cabinet stipulated that all three top-ranking candidates in the palace examination would be granted a residence in Luoyang.

Luoyang is, after all, the capital city, and owning a house in the capital is quite difficult.

Jiang Wei had just finished reading when he heard that the Prime Minister was coming in person, so he hurriedly dressed and went out to greet him.

The two took their seats as host and guest, and a waiter served tea.

“Boyue,”

Li Yi held his cup but did not drink, his eyes blazing. "His Majesty has ordered me to make a southern tour. Would you be willing to accompany me?"

Jiang Wei, young and spirited, with a sharp edge in his eyes, was moved upon hearing these words.

He had long heard that Chen Deng, the Grand General Who Conquers the South, held considerable military power and was being criticized by the court.

The Prime Minister's southern tour, ostensibly an inspection tour, was in reality a move to consolidate power.

He immediately stood up, cupped his hands, and said:

"If my lord does not consider me young and lacking in learning, how could I dare disobey your command?"

"I have also heard about the events in Jiangnan."

"I am willing to follow you at your side and serve you like a dog or a horse."

Li Yi nodded and smiled:

"……good."

“Boyue is wise; he must know that this journey is no ordinary one.”

"Chen Yuanlong and I have a past relationship, but national affairs are more important than personal friendships."

After bidding farewell to Jiang Wei, Li Yi returned to the Prime Minister's residence.

Before even entering the main hall, rustling sounds could be heard from the inner chambers.

He pushed open the door and saw four ladies packing his luggage.

Mi Zhen carefully folded clothes, Zhen Mi tidied up documents, Lü Lingqi wiped her sword, and Yuan Ying was packing newly made cakes into a food box.

"When will you return, my lord?"

Mi Zhen asked first, a hint of worry in her eyes.

Li Yi smiled and said:

"Jiangnan is not far away; it takes at most three months, and at least two months to return."

Yuan Ying continued:
"My husband has never liked new clothes; these old shirts have all been starched and ironed."

"Don't wear clothes that get dirty and then forget to change them."

Lü Lingqi handed over her sword:

"This sword has been with me for many years and is extremely sharp. My husband, please take it with you for self-defense."

Zhen Mi remained silent, simply closing the book box and letting out a soft sigh.

Li Yi noticed this and asked gently:
"What's on Mi'er's mind?"

Zhen Mi raised her eyes, a hint of worry flickering within them:
"I am a woman, and I should not be involved in politics."

"However, it is widely rumored that Chen Yuanlong has an army in Jiangnan and intends to establish himself as an independent ruler."

"My lord, please be very careful on your journey."

Li Yi laughed loudly, took Zhen Mi's hand, and said:

“Yuanlong and I once fought together against Yuan Shu in Xuzhou.”

“We’ve been through thick and thin together, how could he possibly harm me? Mi’er is overthinking it.”

"Ordinary people love to believe rumors and exaggerate the facts."

Even so, Li Yi knew that what Zhen Mi said was true.

Often, what is fake can become real.

Even if we take a step back and assume the worst, Chen Deng has already reached the peak of his reputation.

Not to mention that he also had an army of 200,000 men.

If he were to establish himself in Jiangnan, he would undoubtedly become a major concern for the imperial court.

After bidding farewell to his wives and concubines, Li Yi went to his study.

The eldest son, Li Zhizheng, was engrossed in his scriptures and did not notice his father entering.

Seeing that he was engrossed in reading, Li Yi felt pleased and coughed lightly.

Li Zhi was startled and quickly bowed to greet him.

"Zhi'er," Li Yi asked, "would you like to come with your father to Jiangnan?"

Li Zhi was stunned and speechless for a moment.

He was already twenty years old, and although he came from a family of high-ranking officials, he had never truly participated in politics.

Seeing that other people's children, such as Guan Xing and Zhang Bao, had followed Chen Deng to achieve the feat of destroying Wu in Jiangnan, he was very disappointed.

But he didn't even have the opportunity to participate in politics.

His father usually only told him to focus on his studies, so why did he suddenly ask this question today?

"Father...is this true?"

Li Zhi hesitated.

Li Yi said sternly:
"...Of course it's true."

"You are now an adult and should see the world."

"The Jiangnan region is ever-changing, which is a good place to gain experience."

Li Zhi's eyes immediately lit up, his excitement overflowing:
"I wish to go! I wish to go with my father!"

At the exact hour of Si (9-11 AM), Li Yi's carriage set off.

The procession was magnificent, and the guards were imposing.

From the Prime Minister's residence to the south gate of Luoyang, the line stretched for three miles.

Upon hearing the news, the people of Luoyang flocked to the streets to watch.

Li Yi served as prime minister for many years and was known for his integrity and incorruptibility.

He loved the people like his own children and was deeply loved by them.

Upon seeing him on his southern tour, the people cheered and offered their blessings.

"Take care, Your Excellency!"

"May Your Excellency have a safe journey!"

"May the Prime Minister return soon!"

Li Yi sat in an eight-horse carriage, occasionally lifting the curtain to greet the people.

Jiang Wei, riding alongside, witnessed this scene and couldn't help but sigh:
"Such is the popularity of the people, even the wise ministers of ancient times were no more than this."

Li Zhi was both excited and apprehensive upon witnessing such a scene for the first time.

He gripped the reins tightly, his eyes fixed on his father's composed figure.

As the carriage traveled to the ten-mile-south pavilion south of the city, a rider suddenly appeared galloping towards them.

Just as the tiger guards were about to stop him, the newcomer shouted:
"Wait! I am a messenger from the General Who Conquers the South, and I have a letter to present to the Prime Minister!"

Li Yi ordered the carriage to stop and took the letter.

Upon unfolding it, it turned out to be Chen Deng's own handwriting.

The handwriting remains as bold and unrestrained as ever:

To my esteemed younger brother Yizhi:

"Ten years have passed since we parted in Luoyang."

"I have never forgotten the days when my brother and I sat side by side discussing politics and enjoying fish together."

"I recently heard that the imperial carriage will be making a southern tour to Wu and Kuai. I was overjoyed and clapped my hands in delight."

"I have ordered the cooks to prepare ten jars of pine wine, and I have also dispatched a light boat to Zhenze to catch three-foot silver perch."

"Only when my old friend arrives in his carriage will we be able to rekindle our joy of sharing a meal together."

"However, there have been many rumors circulating in Jianye City recently, some saying, 'The General commands 200,000 elite beasts; how could he be content to remain a subject for long?'"

It is also said that "the people of Jianghuai only know Chen Yuanlong and no longer recognize the emperor of Luoyang".

"I suppose you have also heard such nonsense while you were in the cabinet."

"Whenever I think of this, I can't help but throw down my chopsticks and sigh deeply—"

“In the past, when my brother and I were both in charge of important matters, I would often knock on the gate of the government office at night to offer three strategies for pacifying Wu.”

"Even with the candle burning out, he still pointed to draw maps; who would have thought that he would become the arrogant general in the mouths of the court officials today?"
"Jiangnan has just been pacified, and everything is in need of rebuilding."

"The 200,000 soldiers are not private servants, but the foundation for pacifying the six prefectures and suppressing the mountain tribes."

"If we suddenly reduce our military strength, I fear the remnants of the Wu clan may harbor rebellious intentions again."

"Today, soldiers rely on granaries for rations, and artisans depend on military supplies for their livelihood."

"Seven out of ten of the grain transported by the Yangtze and Huai Rivers was used to supply military supplies. This is truly a situation where a single move affects the whole situation."

“My brother knows my heart well, and I will remember the time we climbed Guangling City together in the Jian’an era.”

“I once said: ‘If the Yangtze and Huai rivers are peaceful, I would like to return to my hometown of Dong’e to farm.’ This ambition remains unchanged to this day.”

"I recently got some four-gill perch from Songjiang, and I recalled discussing history with my brother on a snowy night while grilling fish."

"At that time, the charcoal fire illuminated his face, making it glow like a rosy cloud, as he laughed and rebuked Cao Mengde and Yuan Shao."

"Now I have also prepared fine fish and fish, and I only wish to get drunk with my brother again by the south window, and listen to the sound of the waves outside the railing still singing the old tune of Guangling."

"If my virtuous brother could dispel the doubts of the court and allow me to retire with my full merits, I would be extremely grateful."

"I linger by the paper, unable to express all that I have to say."

"The wind is warm in Zhenze, awaiting only the orchid boat."

"Brother Deng bows again."

"Two days before Grain Rain in the tenth year of Zhangwu."

Chen Deng's letter is entirely based on emotional appeal.

He subtly expressed his loyalty through the story of Guangling, and explained the difficulty in relinquishing military power by mentioning the livelihood of soldiers and civilians.

In layman's terms, it means wanting both.

Chen Deng expressed his willingness to cooperate with Li Yi's work and withdraw unscathed.

He also secretly revealed his "dilemma" of not being able to delegate power.

"I didn't expect Yuanlong to find out about my plan to go to Jiangnan so quickly."

Li Yi sighed, realizing that Chen Deng had been keeping a close eye on the news in the capital.

Moreover, judging from the content of his letter, it seems that the rumors about him "holding up military power and becoming arrogant" originated in Jiangnan.

But it’s normal to think about it.

How many people from Jiangnan were killed in the campaign against Wu?

It's normal for people from Jiangnan to hate Chen Deng.

Moreover, this rumor of someone holding military power and acting independently is simply a case of one party willing to fight and the other willing to be attacked.

It all depends on whether the big shots in Luoyang, the capital, believe it or not.

The authenticity is not important; what matters is whether the higher-ups are willing to believe it.

Li Yi read the book without changing his expression.

He simply smiled faintly and handed the letter to Jiang Wei.

After reading it, Jiang Wei frowned and said:

"General Chen's letter was full of enthusiasm, but he did not mention any important military or political matters."

"The welcoming ceremony was not mentioned either, it seems..."

"Doesn't that seem a bit too casual?"

Li Yi replied, his gaze distant.

“Yuanlong has always been like this; he may seem carefree and unrestrained, but he is actually extremely meticulous.”

"The more relaxed this letter is, the more complicated the situation in Jiangnan is."

After speaking, Li Yi ordered the carriage to continue its journey.

In the southern sky, the clouds are thickening, and the distant rumble of spring thunder can be heard.

The journey to Jiangnan is long and arduous, and the outcome remains uncertain.

Li Yi closed his eyes to rest, but in his heart he was already planning his meeting with Chen Deng.

When old friends reunite, they should be drinking and having a good time.

However, each has its own concerns and considerations, so a contest is inevitable.

Will this trip to reclaim power be successful?
Did Chen Deng truly harbor ulterior motives?

Everything is still uncertain.

As the carriage drove further and further away, the city of Luoyang disappeared into the spring mist.

Li Yi suddenly opened his eyes, ordered his servants to bring him paper and pen, and began to write as the carriage jolted along.

Jiang Wei, curious, asked Li Zhi in a low voice:

"What's going on, Prime Minister?"

Li Zhi answered in a low voice:
"Whenever my father encountered a major event, he would first calm down and write it down."

He said that writing can calm the mind and clarify thoughts.

Soon,
Li Yi stopped writing, folded the paper and put it into his sleeve, a subtle smile appearing on his face.

He already has a strategy for dealing with the situation in Jiangnan.

……

The carriage left Luoyang and continued southward.

At first, the road was flat, and the fields on both sides of the official road were neat and orderly.

Smoke curled from the village chimneys, a sign of peace and tranquility.

Within a few days, upon entering the territory of Huainan, the situation gradually changed.

This morning,

Jiang Wei rode alongside the carriage and suddenly saw dilapidated villages and barren fields by the roadside.

The people were dressed in rags and looked pale and sickly.

Jiang Wei frowned and sighed, saying:
"I have long heard that Huainan is a prosperous land, a land of fish and rice."

"How did it come to be so desolate?"

Hearing the sound from inside the carriage, Li Yi lifted the curtain to look out.

Several farmers were seen working hard in the fields, their bodies emaciated.

An old woman and a young child were begging for food by the roadside, their eyes vacant.

Further away, there were even several new graves, the paper money still wet.

"parking."

Li Yi suddenly said.

Once the carriage came to a stop, Li Yi stepped out.

He walked up to an old farmer by the field and asked gently:

"How old are you, sir? How many people in your family work the land?"

Seeing the impressive procession of the newcomers, the old farmer knew they were high-ranking officials and hurriedly knelt down in obeisance.
"Replying to your question, sir, I am sixty-three years old this year."

"There were originally five people in my family. Both of my sons were conscripted into the army and died in battle last year."

"Now only my old wife and one young grandson are left, and we are barely making ends meet."

"Can taxes be increased?" Li Yi asked again.

The old farmer wept and said:

"Taxes are one thing, but the worst thing is corvée labor."

“The government frequently conscripts laborers to transport grain and repair roads, which delays the farming season.”

"Last year there was another drought, so it was hard to recover costs."

"Several households have run out of food this spring..."

Li Yi remained silent, turned back to his carriage, and looked grave.

The carriage continued on its way. Seeing his father's displeasure, Li Zhi cautiously asked:
"Why is my father worried?"

Li Yi sighed deeply:
"What you see along the roadside? This is the reason why I have always opposed war."

“When war breaks out, it is always the ordinary people who suffer.”

These words stirred up unpleasant memories for Li Yi.

Twenty years ago, I escaped from a pile of dead bodies.

From that time on, he developed a deep aversion to war.

Only after experiencing it firsthand will you realize that for those in power, launching a war is just a blink of an eye.

And how difficult it was for ordinary people to survive in the midst of war.

Li Zhi asked in confusion:

"Does Father mean that the hardships faced by the people of Huainan are all due to the war against Wu?"

"Of course."

Li Yi nodded, "War consumes money and grain, so taxes will inevitably be increased."

"Conscripting laborers disrupts agricultural work."

"Men were conscripted into the army, and the fields were left to lie fallow."

Even in a victorious nation, the people are not immune to suffering.

Li Zhi sighed:

"How strange! Our army has won a great victory, so why are the people of our great Han Dynasty living in such a miserable state?"

Li Yi explained seriously:
Do you remember the "Art of War" that I asked you to read?

“‘He who wins battles and conquers but does not consolidate his achievements will meet with misfortune; this is called waste and stagnation.’”

As Sun Tzu famously said, there are never any true winners in war; the winners simply lose less.

"Therefore it is said, 'To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.'"

Hearing this from outside the carriage, Jiang Wei couldn't help but interject:
"...Your insight is brilliant, sir."

"However, you, sir, also rose to prominence in a chaotic era, when heroes surrounded you."

"If we simply avoid war, wouldn't that be showing weakness to others?"

Li Yi shook his head:

"...It is not about avoiding war, but about being cautious about war."

"In war, we must strive for complete victory; in victory, we must strive for lasting peace."

"If war is unavoidable, it must be fought quickly and decisively to reduce the suffering of the people."

As they were talking, the carriage arrived at a dilapidated village.

Suddenly, a group of people gathered in one place, making a great commotion.

Li Yi ordered his men to investigate, and they reported that the local people had been without food for several days, and several had already fainted from hunger.

Jiang Wei rode closer, and seeing the scene, could not bear it. He reported back:
"My lord, the people are suffering from such a severe famine; shouldn't we provide them with relief?"

Li Yi pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said:

"This trip is not for disaster relief. The amount of food and supplies is already rationed, and we should not create any unnecessary complications."

Li Zhi, being young and soft-hearted, couldn't help but interject:

"Father! They are, after all, subjects of the Han Dynasty."

"As the Prime Minister, how can you stand by and watch someone die?"

"Even though I am young, I know the principle that 'the people are the foundation of the state'!"

Especially after seeing Li Yi leave Luoyang, the people lined the streets to see him off.

Li Zhi knew in his heart that his father was a good prime minister for the people.

Now, the people are starving to death right before their eyes.

How can a prime minister stand by and watch someone die without offering help?

Li Yi gazed at his young son, and seeing the firmness in his eyes and a look of relief on his face, he changed his words and said:

"...It's good that Zhi'er has this intention."

"As you say, we will open the granaries and distribute grain to relieve the disaster victims."

Give the order,
The accompanying grain wagons immediately stopped, and they began distributing grain, rice, and clothing.

At first, the people knelt down and kowtowed in gratitude, praising the prime minister's benevolence.

Unexpectedly, as the news spread, more and more starving people gathered.

Seeing that the grain carts were limited and fearing they wouldn't get a share, they began pushing and shoving to grab what they could.

Some people even fought over a bag of rice.

Upon seeing this, the guards hurriedly tried to maintain order, but were instead met with curses from the starving people.

"You corrupt official! If you're going to distribute grain, why not distribute more!"

"Since we're going to die anyway, we might as well fight!"

The words fell,

A commotion erupted from the crowd, and the starving people swarmed forward to plunder.

Li Zhi, watching from inside the carriage, was startled and said sadly:
"We kindly offered them help, why are they ungrateful and instead harbor resentment?"

Li Yi calmly said:
“Remember, Zhi’er, ‘When people are well-fed and clothed, they know honor and shame; when the granaries are full, they know etiquette.’”

"When people are starving and freezing, and their lives are hanging by a thread, how can they care about propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame?"

"This is not the fault of the people, but the fault of those in power."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wei seemed to be deep in thought:
"What you mean, my lord..."

"If the people had enough to eat and wear, how could there be such chaos?"

Li Yi sighed, “Those in power should think about fundamental solutions, not just temporary relief.”

"The fault for today's chaos does not lie with the people, but with the court."

Having said that, Li Yi ordered someone to relay the message:
"There is no need to forcibly maintain order. Let the people take what they need, and save as many as we can."

Then he said to Jiang Wei:
“Job, write down the details of this place.”

"Upon returning to the capital, I will report to His Majesty to reduce or exempt taxes in Huainan."

"Distributing seeds and oxen to help people resume production."

As the carriage continued its southward journey, Li Yi's mood grew increasingly heavy.

The closer one gets to the south of the Yangtze River, the more impoverished people become, and one can even see corpses of the starving on the roadside.

Li Zhi and Jiang Wei remained silent, clearly shocked by the scene before them.

……

Deep within the Wu Palace, inside Jianye City.

The sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, and the singing and dancing never stopped.

Since the destruction of Wu, the generals of the Han army have been entrenched in the old capital.

They feasted day and night, indulging in extravagance without restraint.

The palace that once belonged to Sun Quan has now become a place for generals to seek pleasure.

Above the main hall,

Zang Ba, the commander of the Qingxu Army, raised his cup and drank heartily, surrounded by beautiful women.

His eyes were blurry with drunkenness as he smiled at Chang Xi, who was sitting next to him:

"I've long heard that women from Jiangnan are gentle and charming, and seeing them today, I can confirm it's true!"

"It has a unique flavor compared to the rouge from the north."

Changxi, with the songstress in his arms, chuckled:
"...General Zang is right!"

"Such beauties from Jiangnan have skin as smooth as water and voices as melodious as nightingales."

Even the toughest man can be softened by a gentle touch.

The singing and dancing were in full swing in the hall, and Chen Deng, the commander-in-chief of the Huainan army, sat in the main seat.

He had a smile on his face, but his eyes were clear.

Although he participated in banquets, he never indulged in sensual pleasures, always taking only a small bite.

After several rounds of drinks, Huang Zhong, a veteran general of the Jingzhou army, suddenly sensed something amiss. He looked around and asked:

"Why is General Gao Shun not present at today's banquet?"

Chen Deng put down his wine glass and explained gently:

"General Gao has always disliked such occasions and has already reorganized military affairs in the camp."

Changxi sneered upon hearing this:

"General Gao is very aloof and disdains to associate with us."

"Do you think that winning a battle makes you superior to others?"

You think you're so great, so aloof?

We're drinking and having fun, and you're putting on a great persona.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed drastically.

Chen Deng waved his hand, trying to smooth things over:
Everyone has their own ambitions, why force them?

"General Gao is strict in his military discipline and is a model for our army. You should all respect him."

While talking,

Chen Jiao hurried inside, walked to Chen Deng's side, and whispered:
"General, more people have come to report this today."

"It is said that soldiers forcibly abducted women, and several of them have already been offered to the palace."

"If it is not restrained, unforeseen circumstances may arise."

Chen Deng frowned slightly, raised his glass, stood up, and said loudly:
"Generals, please hear me out."

The hall gradually quieted down, and all the generals turned their gazes toward it.

Chen Deng, with a solemn expression, said in a loud voice:
"Although the victory over Wu was a great one, the soldiers had worked hard, so it was only reasonable for them to enjoy themselves."

"However, one must know when to stop and not cross the line."

“Recently, I have heard of disturbances to the people. If there is further unrest in Jiangnan, we will all be held responsible.”

Upon hearing this, many of the generals showed dissatisfaction.

I thought to myself, I've waited more than a year for this battle, can't I enjoy it a little?

But everyone, out of consideration for Chen Deng, reluctantly agreed:

"...I will follow the General's instructions."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's faces showed disappointment.

The singing and dancing resumed, and the banquet continued.

Zhang He, the commander-in-chief of the Hebei army, was flirting with a beautiful woman beside him.

Suddenly, Zhang Liao stepped forward and whispered something in his ear.

"General Junyi,"

Zhang Liao's expression was solemn. "The Prime Minister is on a southern tour and will soon arrive in Jiangnan. Do you still have the mind to drink and make merry here?"

Zhang He was greatly shocked upon hearing this, and his drunkenness subsided considerably:
"Is this true? How come I knew nothing about it?"

Zhang Liao frowned and said in a low voice, "These past few days, the general has been indulging in feasts and drinking. We confirmed this after receiving the letter before reporting back."

"All the generals in Hebei already know this."

Zhang He asked urgently:
"Where is Gongming? What are his views?"

"...General Gongming's intention is that the Prime Minister is making a southern tour. We, his former subordinates from Hebei, should hurry to welcome him and not be negligent."

Zhang He immediately stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to Chen Deng, who was in the main seat, and said:
"Brother Yuanlong, I am not a good drinker."

"I must take my leave now, and I hope you will understand."

Zang Ba laughed loudly upon hearing this:

"...Why did Junyi spoil the mood?"

"Does he also intend to emulate Gao Shun and become a lofty and aloof person?"

"Do you disdain to associate with such vulgar and worthless people as us?"

Zhang He smiled apologetically:
"General Zang is joking; I am actually feeling unwell."

"I will definitely take you all to have a good time another day."

Having finished speaking,
He pushed aside the beautiful woman beside him and bid farewell to Chen Deng.

Chen Deng's eyes flickered slightly, as if he had noticed something, but he did not insist on keeping him, and only said:

“Since Junyi is not feeling well, he should rest well.”

Zhang He exited the palace gate and saw that Xu Huang was already waiting outside.

The generals of the Hebei faction—Zhang Liao, Xu Huang, Sun Li, Wang Jing, and others—have all gathered.

They were all high-ranking officers from Hebei warlord backgrounds.

Many of the younger generation also distinguished themselves in this campaign against Wu.

"Gongming, what's the situation?" Zhang He asked anxiously.

Xu Huang solemnly said:
"The Prime Minister's carriage is nearing the north bank of the Yangtze River and will soon cross it to the south."

“We should hurry to Ruxu Ferry to greet you as a sign of respect.”

Zhang Liao continued:
"I heard that the Prime Minister's trip is ostensibly a southern tour, but in reality, it is to rectify military discipline."

"If they see us indulging in wine and women, I fear something untoward may happen."

Zhang He nodded:

"...That's absolutely right."

"Gather your personal guards immediately and head to the ferry!"

The generals had decided on their plan and returned to their camps to prepare.

Soon,
The Hebei generals led several hundred of their personal guards and quietly left the city.

They sped away towards Ruxukou.

The palace banquets continued as usual.

Although Chen Deng was still present, his mind was no longer on the matter.

Chang Xi, his eyes blurry with drunkenness, leaned close to Zang Ba and whispered:

"...Did you see that?"

"Those guys from Hebei ran away quickly; they must have heard something."

Zang Ba sneered:
"Who cares about the wind and rain, we're in the Jiangnan region."

"Does our Qingxu Army need to be beholden to others?"

Chen Deng, with his sharp ears, overheard their whispered conversation, raised his glass, and laughed:

"Why dwell on mundane matters when the weather is so beautiful today?"

"Come, drink this cup to the brim!"

However, although the banquet continued, the atmosphere was not as good as before.

Each general harbored their own thoughts, and although the songs and dances were beautiful, no one truly appreciated them anymore.

Meanwhile, at the Ruxu ferry crossing, the generals from Hebei had already arrived at the riverbank.

Zhang He ordered his men to clean the post station in preparation for welcoming the emperor.

Xu Huang gazed northward across the river and suddenly said:
"The Prime Minister has always disliked extravagance. Will our large-scale mobilization backfire?"

Zhang Liao shook his head:

"……otherwise."

"Although the Prime Minister does not value extravagance, he values ​​etiquette."

"We are here to welcome you from afar, not for show, but to express our deepest respect."

Zhang He nodded and said:
“…Wen Yuan is absolutely right.”

"Pass down the order: all units must maintain their military discipline and not slacken their efforts."

"With the Prime Minister's arrival in the south, the landscape of Jiangnan will inevitably change."

"It is best for us to make preparations as soon as possible."

In the distance north of the river, a wisp of dust rose, as if an imperial carriage was approaching.

The generals of Hebei dressed solemnly and waited for the arrival of the current prime minister.

The affairs of Jiangnan are ever-changing because of the arrival of one person.

A strong river breeze swept across the river, and the boats gradually approached the south bank.

Li Yi stood alone at the bow of the boat, gazing at the scenery of Jiangnan in the distance.

But all that could be seen was a vast expanse of misty waters, and distant mountains that appeared as dark as ink.

Li Zhi, who was standing beside him, suddenly pointed to the shore and said:

"Father, look, all the generals from Hebei have come to greet us."

Li Yi looked intently and indeed saw Zhang He, Zhang Liao, Xu Huang, and other former subordinates from Hebei lined up neatly on the riverbank.

Banners fluttered, and the military formation was impeccable.

He remained silent, only nodding slightly.

The boat docks, and the landing board is placed.

Zhang He led his generals forward quickly and personally helped Li Yi off the boat.

"...Your Excellency must have had a long journey!"

Zhang He was extremely respectful. "The air in Jiangnan is very humid. Is Your Excellency able to adapt?"

Xu Huang also stepped forward and asked:
"...Has Your Excellency had your meal?"

"This humble general has already ordered his men to prepare a light meal to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey."

Li Yi smiled calmly:
"We've just arrived, how can we say we're tired?"

"It seems that you generals have been waiting for a long time."

Zhang He said repeatedly:
"The Prime Minister's southern tour is a major event in Jiangnan."

"Upon hearing of your arrival, we have been waiting here every day to welcome you, and have not dared to be negligent."

At this moment, Wang Jing stepped forward and bowed, saying:
"Your Excellency, the Wu Palace in Jianye, though ravaged by war, has now been fully repaired."

"Although it is not as magnificent as the palaces in Luoyang, Jiangnan has just been pacified, so we can only ask the Prime Minister to condescend to us for the time being."

Li Yi surveyed his surroundings, his gaze distant and unwavering.
"In the newly pacified Jiangnan region, corpses of the starving are everywhere."

"The people look pale and sickly; this is all due to the ravages of war."

"Is this a time for indulging in pleasure?"

Zhang He and others quickly echoed:

"Your Excellency is wise! Once war breaks out, the people of both countries will suffer."

"However, for the sake of the greater good, we have no choice but to make painful sacrifices and weather the storm together."

These words were tactful and considerate, befitting a seasoned official.

Li Yi's gaze was piercing as he slowly said:

“I am in Jiangbei, and I have already seen corpses of the starving people on the roads.”

"The war in Jiangnan is even worse, so why don't we see any people with pale and sickly appearances?"

Zhang He remained calm and composed, responding as usual:
"This is all thanks to His Majesty's great fortune and the Prime Minister's wisdom in allocating a large amount of disaster relief funds."

“We have done our utmost to implement these measures, and only now are the people barely able to make ends meet.”

Li Yi knew this was the result of prior arrangements, but he didn't point it out, only saying:
"With limited relief funds, uneven distribution is inevitable."

“We can see the places of abundance, and we should also investigate the places of famine.”

"Would you gentlemen be willing to accompany me on my inspection tour of the county?"

Zhang He and the others, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, responded repeatedly:
"I will obey Your Majesty's orders!"

"The various counties south of the Yangtze River are open to inspection by the Prime Minister."

Therefore, Li Yi was not in a hurry to move into the Wu Palace, but instead ordered the carriage to turn around.

He first inspected Wanling, Jingxian, Wuhu and other counties.

Zhang He and the others secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but were still on tenterhooks, wondering what the prime minister was up to.

When the carriage arrived at the Wanling area, it saw that the fields were barren and the villages were desolate.

Li Yi ordered the car to stop and walked to a village.

Several emaciated children panicked and hid when they saw the car arrive.

Li Yi gently summoned an old farmer and asked:
"How was your harvest this year, sir? Is it enough to feed yourself?"

The old farmer was trembling with fear and dared not speak frankly.

Zhang He winked at him, and the old farmer could only stammer:
"Thank... thankfully, thanks to the imperial court..."

Li Yi sighed:

"Old man, there's no need to be afraid. Please feel free to speak your mind."

"I have come here precisely to hear the truth."

The old farmer looked up and saw Li Yi's gentle expression, and finally wept:

"To be honest, due to the war last year, many able-bodied men were conscripted, and the fields were left uncultivated."

"This spring, another locust plague struck, resulting in a complete crop failure."

"Although the government distributed relief grain, it was..."

At this point, he noticed the gazes of the government troops and dared not speak further.

Li Yi sensed something was amiss, but did not press the matter. He simply ordered his men to fetch grain and distribute it to the villagers.

After leaving Wanling, the carriage continued its journey.

Li Zhi asked in a low voice in the carriage:

"Father, the old farmer's words just now were ambiguous. Why didn't you press him for details?"

Li Yi said calmly:
"Water that is too clear has no fish, and a person who is too discerning has no followers."

"Some things don't need to be said in public, so as not to make everyone lose face."

When the car arrived in Jing County, the situation became even more dire.

New graves can be seen everywhere along the roadside, and some people even eat tree bark and grass roots to stave off hunger.

Li Yi's expression was solemn, and he ordered Jiang Wei to record in detail what he saw and heard.

Wuhu County fared slightly better, clearly having made preparations in advance.

However, Li Yi, with his keen insight, still discerned clues from the people's evasive words.

That evening, while staying at the post station, Li Yi sat alone under the lamp, recording everything he had seen during the day.

Li Zhi stood to one side and couldn't help but say:

"Father, the people of Jiangnan are suffering so much, why not immediately investigate and severely punish corruption?"

Li Yi put down his pen and slowly said:

"Governing children is like governing water; it is better to dredge than to block."

"If we conduct a thorough investigation immediately today, it will only cause panic and lead to mistakes."

"First, ensure the people's well-being, then govern the officials."

The next day,

Li Yi continued his inspection tour of the counties, but no longer inquired about the hardships faced by the people.

Instead, they focused on inspecting the spring plowing situation and inquiring about the distribution of grain and the allocation of draft cattle.

After completing their inspection of the county, the imperial carriage returned to Ruxukou.

Zhang He and the others asked respectfully:
"Your Excellency has been working hard these past few days. Would you like to return to the Wu Palace to rest first?"

Li Yi stood on the riverbank, gazing at the misty waves, and said calmly:
"What we see and hear during our county tours should be summarized in a timely manner."

"Order officials from all counties in Jiangnan to come to Ruxukou for instructions."

"I want to speak!"

The group exchanged bewildered glances, and Wang Jing stepped forward cautiously to ask:
"Where would the Prime Minister wish to speak? Would a high platform be necessary?"

"There's no need to make a big fuss," Li Yi waved his hand.

"Right here on the flat land by the river, I live under the open sky."

"This will serve as a wake-up call for all the officials."

Zhang Liao hesitated and said:
"Should we notify the generals in Jianye City?"

Li Yi's gaze swept over the generals:

"I am only responsible for speaking. Those who are willing to come will come, and those who are unwilling to come will not be forced."

In other words,
If you'd like to come and listen to me, then come.

I won't force you to come if you don't want to.

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.

Who would dare not come to listen to the prime minister's address?
They immediately issued orders to summon officials from various counties.

Within half a day, hundreds of officials had gathered on the banks of the Ruxukou River.

Li Yi ordered a simple platform to be set up, and he stood on it.

He began a three-day speech.

"The Jiangnan region has just been pacified, but the people are suffering."

"You are the officials who care for the people, so you should keep the people in mind."

Li Yi's voice was as loud as a bell, piercing through the river breeze.

"During my recent inspection tour of the county, I saw corpses of the starving people on the roads and fields lying barren."

"Yet in Jianye City, revelry continues every night. Is this how one should act as an official?"

The officials below the stage held their breath, none daring to utter a word.

at the same time,

Inside the Wu Palace in Jianye, Chen Jiao hurriedly entered.

Seeing that Zang Ba, Chang Xi, and others were still feasting, he couldn't help but stamp his feet in dismay:

"Are you generals still drinking and making merry here? The Prime Minister has been speaking at Ruxukou for two days now!"

Everyone present was shocked, and the sound of wine glasses falling to the ground was incessant.

Changxi exclaimed in horror:
"When did the Prime Minister arrive? Why was no one informed of his arrival?"

Chen Jiao sighed:

"I suspect that the Prime Minister deliberately withheld the announcement as a test."

"Now, all the officials from Jiangnan have gathered at Ruxukou, but our army's generals are missing."

"This is utterly disrespectful!"

Upon hearing this, Huo Jun slammed his hand on the table and stood up:

"This is outrageous! We have been kept in the dark!"

"Please make yourselves at home, I'll be going now!"

After speaking, he immediately ordered the horses to be prepared.

Chen Deng's expression was grave, and he immediately stood up:
"Prepare the carriage immediately! We are heading to Ruxukou at once."

Upon seeing this, Zang Ba and the others hurriedly canceled the banquet and ordered their men to prepare their luggage.

For a time, the Wu Palace was in complete chaos.

The singers and musicians scattered in panic, and the delicacies and fine wines were scattered all over the ground.

The generals spurred their horses and arrived at Ruxukou.

The riverbank was packed with officials, and Li Yi was speaking on the platform.

Upon seeing the arrival of the generals, Li Yi merely glanced at them and nodded slightly.

He gestured for them to sit down and continued talking.

The generals tiptoed to find a place to sit, behaving as respectfully as elementary school students.

Veteran generals like Zang Ba and Chang Xi held their breath and dared not be negligent in the slightest.

Li Zhi stood by the platform and witnessed this scene, and was filled with emotion.

He recalled that when he was on a campaign in Shangyong, he had used mutton dumplings to conduct a compliance test.

He tried to establish his authority in the army, but his father severely reprimanded him for "childish tricks."

Today I saw my father, who was authoritative without speaking and fearful without being angry.

Only then did I understand what true authority is.

No need to force it, it will naturally subdue you.

No words are needed; its weight is immeasurable.

Only now did Li Zhi understand—

Your father will always be your father, and your uncle will always be your uncle.

Li Yi's speech lasted for two hours, ranging from the hardships of the people to the principles of being an official.

From the trauma of war to reconstruction strategies.

Everyone in the audience was completely focused, and even Jiang Feng seemed to have quieted down.

After finishing his speech, Li Yifang turned to the generals and said gently:
"...Generals, you have come at just the right time."

"With the Jiangnan region newly pacified, we still need your strong support in military and political affairs."

Chen Deng quickly stood up:

"...Your teachings are correct."

"We have indeed been negligent in our duties recently, and we beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

Li Yi waved his hand and laughed:

"...Yuan Long, you flatter me."

"The campaign has been arduous, and a short rest is necessary."

"Just don't forget your original intention, and you will achieve your goal."

That night, Li Yi hosted a simple banquet at Ruxukou and dined with his generals.

During the meal, they no longer discussed military and political affairs, but only reminisced about old times and talked about romance.

However, after what happened during the day, all the generals became much more cautious and dared not act recklessly again.

After the banquet,

Li Zhi followed his father back to the camp and couldn't help but sigh:

"Father's majesty today is beyond my reach."

Li Yi smiled:

"Remember, Zhi'er, authority does not come from coercion, but from respect."

"Today, the generals are not afraid of me, Li Yi, but rather respect the laws of the court and fear the hearts of the people."

Outside the tent, the river flowed swiftly, and the moon and stars were few.

Li Zhi watched his father's retreating figure and suddenly understood:
The key to good governance lies not in political maneuvering, but in winning the hearts and minds of the people.

The next morning, officials gathered again on the banks of the Ruxu River.

This is the last day of Li Yi's three-day speech.

Bathed in the glow of the morning sun, Li Yi stood on the podium, radiant with energy.

After the speeches of the previous two days, the officials no longer dared to be negligent.

Everyone sat upright, and some even prepared paper and pens to take notes.

"What I am saying today concerns the very foundation of Jiangnan."

Li Yi's opening statement clearly stated his purpose, and his reputation resounded throughout the land.

"Jiangnan has just been pacified, and everything needs to be rebuilt, with agriculture being the top priority."

"But how can we help farmers? Have you all thought deeply about this?"

The audience was completely silent, with only the sound of the river waves lapping against the shore.

Li Yi looked around at everyone and slowly said:

"It's not that we don't want to help farmers, but rather that we want to develop gradually and step by step."

"The essence can be summarized as: slow assistance, gentle assistance, excellent assistance, and step-by-step assistance."

Jiang Wei, who was standing nearby, noticed that an official looked puzzled, so he promptly offered him tea.

Li Yi took it, took a small sip, and continued:
"The so-called 'slow assistance' does not mean delaying, but rather not being in a hurry to achieve results."

"Slow help is not laziness, but rather being down-to-earth."

“The key to effective assistance is to implement precise measures without wasting a single bit of time.”

"To help in a step-by-step manner means to proceed gradually and not to lose one's composure."

Immediately, the sound of writing filled the air as officials picked up their pens to take notes.

Li Yi then said:

"Adhering to the fundamental principle of putting people first is not just empty talk."

"The assistance should be provided in an orderly manner, with those who are capable providing assistance first and the wealthy taking the lead in providing assistance."

"However, this cannot be generalized; each case needs to be analyzed individually!"

At this moment, a county magistrate boldly asked:
"Your Excellency, I am foolish and dull."

"What should be done if the wealthy are unwilling to help farmers?"

Li Yi nodded in approval:

"...Good question."

"This is where strategy comes in—"

He paused, and seeing everyone writing furiously, he slowed his speech:
"Let those with technical skills participate in helping farmers, and let good managers take the lead in helping farmers."

"We will use our expertise to assist agricultural work, while also taking into account special circumstances and providing flexible assistance."

Xu Sheng, who was listening intently from below the stage, couldn't help but interject:

"Your Excellency's insight is brilliant!"

"When I was in Huainan, I saw some officials blindly distributing grain seeds."

"Regardless of whether the soil is suitable or not, the result is a complete crop failure."

“What Wenxiang said is absolutely right.”

Li Yi praised, "This is precisely the principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability in implementation."

"Use wisdom to help agricultural development, rather than relying on momentary enthusiasm."

At this point in the story,

Li Yi ordered his men to bring over a large wooden board, on which a map of the Jiangnan region had already been drawn.

"Please look, everyone,"

He pointed to the map and said, "The terrain and soil vary from place to place in Jiangnan."

"Jiangbei is mostly plains, suitable for growing wheat and millet."

"The Jiangnan region has many paddy fields, which are suitable for growing rice."

"Mountainous areas are suitable for tea cultivation, while riverside areas are suitable for fishing."

"Wouldn't it be a mistake to generalize without considering the circumstances?"

Officials gathered around, and saw that the map was marked in detail.

It is immediately clear where to plant what and where to build water conservancy projects.

The initial surprise turned into fear!
A fear that comes from the bottom of one's heart!

Prime Minister Li has only been in Jiangnan for a few days, yet he has managed to conduct such a thorough investigation and research on local agricultural affairs!
What exactly is his work efficiency, and what is his workload?

How efficient must his subordinates be to complete this level of work in just a few days?
The legendary Prime Minister Li is absolutely terrifying!
Li Yi's words still echoed from the high platform:

Before coming to Jiangnan, I had already ordered people to compile the "Jiangnan Agricultural Policy".

"During my inspection tour of the county these past few days, I have also been working hard to revise and improve it."

"It contains detailed records of suitable crops, planting seasons, and water conservancy maintenance in various regions."

"After you return to your posts, you shall implement this accordingly."

at this time,

Suddenly, an old farmer-looking man pushed his way through the crowd and knelt down with a thud.
"Your Excellency! This humble subject has something to say!"

The guards tried to stop him, but Li Yi waved his hand to stop them.

"Please rise, sir. Speak freely."

The old farmer wept and said:

"I am a farmer from Wuhu County."

"Last year, the county government distributed new rice seeds, claiming they were high-yielding, but did not teach how to plant them."

"As a result, there was no harvest at all, and the entire village was almost starving!"

Li Yi, with a solemn expression, turned to the assembled officials:
"Can't you see? This is the harm of blindly helping farmers!"

"Providing superior and precise assistance to farmers not only means distributing high-quality seeds, but also teaching them effective methods!"

After saying this, he immediately gave the order:

"Immediately select agricultural experts and send them to various counties."

"We should not only distribute seeds, but also teach planting techniques."

"An agricultural consultation office has been set up so that people can ask questions if they have any doubts."

The officials all took notes, and some couldn't help but exclaim in admiration:
"Your Excellency's thoughtful consideration is truly a blessing for the people of Jiangnan!"

The speech continued into the afternoon, and Li Yi showed no signs of fatigue, but rather became increasingly energetic.

From seed selection and seedling cultivation to water conservancy construction.

Then, they went on to explain grain storage in detail.

Finally, Li Yi summarized the speech:

"Agriculture is the foundation of the nation, and the Jiangnan region is a vital granary."

"What you have learned today, you should always keep in mind."

"Three months from now, I will send people to inspect agricultural affairs in various places."

"Those who achieve remarkable results will be rewarded, and those who are perfunctory will be punished!"

At this meeting, Li Yi emphasized the issue of restoring agricultural activities in the Jiangnan region.

Using the power of wisdom to boost agricultural development.

Only in this way can people's lives be better.

Only then will people no longer starve to death.

The officials responded in unison, their voices echoing across the land.

After the meeting, the officials remained gathered around the map, discussing it incessantly.

Some copied each other's notes, while others consulted with the accompanying agricultural experts.

Although it's unknown whether they are sincere, in front of Prime Minister Li, they are "sincere".

That night, the inn at Ruxukou was brightly lit.

Officials in various regions drafted plans to help farmers and sent them back to their respective counties for implementation.

Li Yi's "Strategies for Agricultural Affairs in Jiangnan" was also widely copied.

Overnight, the strategy for revitalizing agriculture in Jiangnan has quietly begun.

The moon shines silently over the river, illuminating the slowly awakening Jiangnan region.

Li Yi stood alone on the riverbank, gazing at the myriad lights of homes in the distance, a new plan already forming in his mind.

……

(End of this chapter)