The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 567 I Want to Leave
The war in the southeast finally ended.

As Huo Yi's army entered Jiaozhou, Wen Qin could also lead his army north to join Wang Ji.

The two sides no longer confronted each other, and the Wei army withdrew first.

The Wu people, who had been struggling for a whole year, were now exhausted and began to withdraw.

This time, the Wei army's offensive completely tore open the Wu people's Jingnan defense line, dividing Jingnan into two. The west side actually became the land of the Wei people. Shu, Jingnan, and Jiaozhou were connected together, forming a crushing posture against the Wu State.

From now on, the days of the Wu State will probably be difficult.

They had almost no room for maneuver and had lost a large amount of land. All their hopes could only be placed on those few checkpoints. They did not even dare to open the ports easily. Most areas chose the strategy of iron chains across the river to protect themselves.

This is like turning yourself into a turtle shell, and even locking the shell so that you dare not stick your head out again.

They never had another chance to attack.

Although Guanqiu Jian's navy did not achieve great results, it did defeat the Wu people on the river and made the enemy afraid to come out.

This is a huge boost to morale.

From then on, the people of Wei were no longer afraid to fight the people of Wu on the river.

At the same time, the people of Wu no longer dared to easily talk about their advantages in naval battles.

The facts tell them that they no longer have any advantages.

When the Wu soldiers learned that the Wei army had retreated, they cheered.

As the key figure who took the initiative and turned the situation around, Lu Kang's reputation soared and he instantly became the most respected figure in the Wu army.

Even veteran generals like Shi Ji and Ding Feng respected him greatly.

But when they were about to look for Lu Kang, they learned that Lu Kang had already returned to Jianye on a bicycle.

Shi Ji and Ding Feng were both very anxious. They certainly knew why Lu Kang was in a hurry to go back. After the discussion, Ding Feng hurriedly left and prepared to go to Jianye together.

Shi Ji naturally stayed to clean up the mess.

Although they repelled the enemy this time, they acted on their own initiative without consulting the government. Given the complicated situation in the government, Lu Kang would definitely be in trouble if he returned this time.

Lu Kang sat in the carriage, staggering towards Jianye.

He was holding a book in his hand and was not wearing any armor. He looked like a weak scholar.

He did not bring any of his generals or even his own personal soldiers with him, only a groom and seven or eight servants.

Fortunately, officials from all over the country knew that he was coming, and they sent people to protect him along the way.

It was because after the Hutian Incident, rebels appeared in various places. If Lu Kang, the general who had just repelled the Wei army, was attacked by the rebels in his own territory, they would not be able to compensate him even if they were buried with him.

Lu Kang listened to the noise outside and looked out from the car curtain from time to time.

He saw officials riding on fine horses, escorting a large group of civilians. The civilians were almost naked and tied up. Under the scolding of the officials, they numbly moved towards Jianye.

After Lu Kang left Jingnan, this was the scene he saw along the way.

Lu Kang was speechless for a long time.

Is this crappy lake field really that important?!
Would rather destroy the country than build it?
The Jiaozhou rebellion wasn’t enough?
He took a deep breath and calmed himself down.

Lu Kang is really not a person who gives up or surrenders easily. He has loyalty in his heart, but what he has experienced over the years has made him more and more pessimistic.

His father was once a pillar of the country and made great contributions to it. If it weren't for his father, the Wu Kingdom would have perished long ago.

But in the end, how was his father treated?

He was often scolded and threatened by the emperor, and finally died of grief and anger.

Now, this emperor knows everything, but he believes that balance is more important than anything else. When he is about to perish, he is still playing with his tricks of balance, letting powerful ministers take charge while he himself is busy hunting and reading.
Lu Kang picked up the book again and put aside those inappropriate thoughts in his mind.

At this moment, he suddenly thought of the one in the north.

Why is the gap so big?
People like Tang Zi can be valued there.
Lu Kang rarely got out of his carriage along the way. Even when officials came to ask for a meeting, he refused to get off the carriage and just kept going at full speed. Finally, after traveling for a long time, he finally arrived in Jianye.

The carriage stopped and Lu Kang slowly got off.

As soon as I walked down, I saw that both sides were already surrounded by soldiers.

There were more than 5,000 people just in front of Lu Kang. These people were lined up and waiting. When they saw Lu Kang coming down, they suddenly put down the spears in their hands with extraordinary momentum.

There was no fear in Lu Kang's eyes.

Is this the elite central army?
Unfortunately, the people of Wei were unable to see such power.

A fully armed man walked out from the soldiers. It was Zhang Bu.

Zhang Bu swaggered up to Lu Kang, looked around him, and then loudly demanded, "Lu Kang! Do you admit your guilt?!"

Lu Kang knew clearly that although he won this time, he had adopted a very risky approach, just like Deng Ai of Wei State, and he had not reported it. No government would encourage such behavior, even if he won.

Otherwise, if other people follow suit, no longer obey the imperial edicts, and do their own thing, how can the imperial court still issue orders at will?

Lu Kang saluted Zhang Bu and said, "I acknowledge my guilt."

Zhang Bu felt extremely relieved when he saw Lu Kang bowing his head. He had been treating Lu Kang as his biggest enemy for a long time, even dreaming about opposing him. Look, back in Jianye, you have to bow your head too!
But Lu Kang didn't feel anything, as he was not familiar with Zhang Bu.

I don't know why he was so excited.

Zhang Bu ordered the soldiers to stand beside Lu Kang, but did not escort him, probably considering his reputation. Zhang Bu then led Lu Kang into the city.

As the group walked towards the palace, Zhang Bu continued to chatter, "Lord Lu, war is war, and state affairs are state affairs. You only won by luck this time. If you had failed and let the Wei army capture the city, do you know what the consequences would have been?"

"Your Majesty is so generous and never held a grudge against you."

Zhang Bu was still showing off his victorious attitude, but Lu Kang just thought he was noisy.

The group arrived at the palace. There were soldiers densely packed inside and outside the palace, as if they were ready to give Lu Kang a hard time.

But such an action only made Lu Kang feel more disappointed.

It was not until Lu Kang was brought in front of Sun Xiu that Sun Xiu stood up in surprise and walked quickly to Lu Kang.

"When will Lu Qing return? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong."

Faced with Sun Xiu's meaningful words, Lu Kang had no intention of arguing with him or making excuses, and directly confessed his guilt.

Sun Xiu was shocked and quickly helped him up.

"How can you say that Lu Qing was wrong to repel the invading enemy? Get up, get up, and sit down quickly."

Sun Xiu smiled and pulled Lu Kang to sit down, then sat in the upper seat and asked about the war.

Lu Kang acted very passively. He was extremely tired at the moment, exhausted from the inside out. He had been fighting battles for a long time, and then he had been traveling for a long time. He didn't even have the strength to speak.

He was in a hurry to come back because he was afraid that the government would take action against his clan.

There are too many villains in the temple.

My previous report would certainly make these villains jump up and down, but I have repelled the enemy and gained great respect over there. The soldiers are willing to follow me. If I can't come back in time, something bad will happen.

Lu Kang knew this very well.

Sun Xiu asked about the course of the war, and after getting Lu Kang's answer, he couldn't help but sigh.

"With a capable general like Lu Qing, why should I be afraid of Cao Mao?"

Sun Xiu once again grasped Lu Kang's hand and said, "I intend to appoint you General of the Guarding Army, Commander-in-Chief of the military forces of Lexiang, Yidao, Xinling, and Gong'an, and Governor of Yizhou!"

Previously, they were warning outside the city to show everyone the consequences of defying the imperial edict and sending troops privately, but now, it was to appease Lu Kang.

He was appointed General Zhenjun and Governor of Yizhou, and almost all the remaining areas in Jingnan were handed over to him as governor.

This can be regarded as Sun Xiu's great trust.

Upon hearing these words, Zhang Bu's face changed immediately, his eyes filled with fear.

He looked at Sun Xiu in astonishment.

That's not what you said originally.

Didn’t you say that he would be severely punished?
How did he become the General of Zhenjun Army and the governor of so many regions? This means that the entire Jingnan defense line was handed over to him alone!

Zhang Bu subconsciously stood up and wanted to refute, but Sun Xiu looked at him quietly, and the threat in his eyes was very obvious.

Zhang Bu swallowed, didn't dare to say anything more, and just sat down.

Lu Kang stood up and thanked Sun Xiu, "Your Majesty, I am a mediocre person and I dare not take on such an important task. Can you let the general come?"

"Mr. Lu, please don't shirk your responsibility. I have already made my decision. As for the general, I want him to return to Jianye and take charge of the military affairs here!"

Hearing this, Zhang Bu's face turned even paler.

Sun Xiu played the balance well, hitting and lifting at the same time.

He even kept Lu Kang to attend the family dinner, and finally sent someone to send him back to the mansion in a very grand manner.

But when Lu Kang returned to his mansion, he did not feel excited at all.

Sun Xiu's method of pressure and promotion seemed a bit inappropriate in the eyes of the general who had just risked his life to repel the enemy. No one in the temple was doing practical work, and everyone was fighting openly and secretly. This was centered on the emperor and was initiated by the emperor himself.

When Lu Kang returned to the mansion, his cousin Lu Kai was already waiting there.

When the two brothers met, a smile finally appeared on Lu Kang's face.

"Youjie, I'm sorry for the hardship you've endured. Are you exhausted?"

Lu Kai asked with some reluctance.

Lu Kang smiled bitterly, "Brother, I'm fine, but from now on, I'll be in Jingnan, commanding the army, and I'm afraid your life won't be easy."

Lu Kai pursed his lips, and his eyes gradually became cold.

"Youjie. I am ready to leave the Wu Kingdom."

(End of this chapter)