The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 795 Who do you think is more suitable between us?
"Your Majesty, I have brought a number of officials with me this time. How dare I trouble the angel? I will ask my accompanying officials to take the seal back."

Fan De spoke up.

Faced with the emperor's attack, he chose the simplest way, which was to pretend to be stupid.

Cao Mao said sternly, "The officials who came with you are of low status. How could they be qualified to escort the royal seal and ceremonial staff? I will send someone myself. You can just let your people be your guides."

Fan De hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, the climate and soil of Funan are different from those of the Central Plains. I am afraid that the envoys you send will not be able to tolerate the local environment."

"Funan is remote, filled with miasma and full of ferocious beasts."

"There are many nobles in the temple, and I know that those accompanying me are all despicable. I am just worried that the angel will not be able to bear it and may be harmed!"

Cao Mao shook his sleeves and said loudly: "The territory of our Great Wei is unprecedented. Even if there is an environment like Funan, I also have Guang, Jiao, Nanzhong and other places under my command. There are many talented people and brave warriors in these places who can adapt to your side. I can organize more than 100,000 people. You don't have to worry!!"

"If you submit to me in the future, I will not allow the local wild beasts to roam freely and harm the people. Jiaozhou has brave generals like Tao, Zhongli and others who can help you eliminate the harmful beasts."

Fan De shuddered.

He said helplessly, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The two then began a series of discussions, and Fan De no longer dared to say anything more.

He also realized that the emperor would not be influenced by others. No matter what he said, it would be useless for him to make decisions. It would be better to leave it to his father.

After that, no matter what Cao Mao said, Fan De nodded in agreement.

Soon, Cao Mao ordered someone to send him out.

After he left, Lu Kang said with a smile, "The father and son in their family are quite good and have quite some talent."

Cao Mao smiled and said, "Then, Youjie, how do you think we should deal with this father and son?"

Lu Kang asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, do you want to capture Funan?"

"Why not?"

Lu Kang explained, "Your Majesty sent troops to the Wa Island. I know that the island is rich in minerals and people. However, Funan has fertile farmland, but as he said, it is full of miasma and wild beasts. It is not a treasure land. Moreover, these people have been paying tribute for many years and have never had any intention of harming the Central Plains."

"I really don't understand why Your Majesty wants to capture this place."

In Lu Kang's opinion, there are no resources or people here, and it poses no strategic threat to the Wei Dynasty. It is almost useless.

Even if we send people to take over, there is no way to relocate the people, so there is no benefit at all.

He also knew that his emperor was definitely not the kind of person who would go to war for fame, so he didn't quite understand why His Majesty had such an idea.

Cao Mao said softly, "Funan's location is excellent. If we could build a road from Jiaozhou to Funan's West City and establish a port there, we could directly travel to Tianzhu. The journey would be very short, even closer than traveling from Wu to Wadao."

"I really don't want to give up such a good port."

Lu Kang was silent for a moment.

Cao Mao had someone spread out the map and then pointed in several directions.

"If we want to reach India now, we have to start from Jiaozhou, bypassing the many islands along the way, and not straying too far from the coast. It will take nearly a year to reach the sea west of Funan. But if we can build a road, build a port in Funan's west city, and build ships here, then it will only take a month to reach India."

Looking at the map in front of him, Lu Kang nodded repeatedly.

Cao Mao said, "Funan is too far away from us. The previous methods may not be applicable. What do you want to teach me, Youjie?"

Lu Kang pondered for a moment. "Your Majesty," he said, "since you currently lack the ability to govern the locals directly, then you shouldn't send officials to interfere in their affairs. I believe such an arrangement would only arouse their vigilance. If a war breaks out, while Great Wei certainly doesn't fear them, once it does, everything will become even more complicated."

"I think we can appoint a General Xuanhua from Tianzhu to be stationed west of Funan. He doesn't need to lead too many people. I can ask the King of Funan to assist him in building a city and a port and roads to the west of the city."

"They are barbarians from Funan."

"Although the king is in power, the nobles still rule the country. Major matters are not something that the king can decide on his own."

"Your Majesty can send officials to formally confer titles on them, acknowledge their local status, bestow upon them some finery and other gifts, and then order them to assist the Minister of Internal Affairs in building roads, repairing cities, and establishing ports."

"These people will absolutely not object anymore and will even take the initiative to mobilize their own slaves to carry out the construction."

"All they care about is their own power and selfish desires."

Cao Mao glanced at Lu Kang. Colluding with local princes to persecute the local natives, why does this sound so familiar?
Lu Kang said confidently, "If Your Majesty doesn't mind, I'm willing to do this!"

Cao Mao took his hand and said, "Youjie, this matter is extremely important. As long as we can establish a stronghold in the western city of Funan, the Wei fleet will be able to reach many more places. Right now, you are the only one in the country who can accomplish this!"

"Your Majesty, I still need someone to help me."

"Oh?"

"I wonder if we can ask Zhang Maoxian to help with this matter?"

"Hahaha, good!"

Cao Mao immediately gave the order, and Lu Kang left to meet Fan De.

Lu Kang quickly caught up with Fan De who had just returned to the gate of his mansion. When he saw Lu Kang, Fan De became even more frightened. He almost believed that this was the minister sent by the emperor to Funan to undermine his father.

Your Majesty is talking about opening a government office, but in reality, these ministers who opened a government office for their father will issue orders to various places in the name of their father, which will definitely lead to civil unrest.
Fan De was worried, but as soon as Lu Kang saw him, he smiled and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Fan. His Majesty will not send anyone to undermine the King of Funan!" Hearing this, Fan De was so scared that he almost fainted.

He quickly replied, "Why do you say that, Mr. Lu?"

"I have always been a loyal minister. Your Majesty wants to increase my father's power. I am very pleased. How dare I think of disobeying you? You are really..."

Lu Kang was stunned for a moment, then said, "You're right, I made a mistake!"

He took another look at the mansion in front of him, and Fan De had no choice but to invite him into the mansion to discuss in detail.

The two of them sat in the study, and Lu Kang continued, "Your Majesty has never actually intended to capture Funan. It's just that someone in our court has instigated Your Majesty, saying that the King of Funan has other intentions and will cause chaos in the future."

Just as Fan De was about to explain again, Lu Kang said, "But you don't have to worry about it. This man has always been like this. He only wants to gain credit and pursue fame, so he ignores everything else. I have just tried hard to persuade him, and Your Majesty has no longer any suspicion."

Fan De didn't dare to believe it easily, but he still pretended to be very touched, "Funan Kingdom has absolutely no intention of disloyalty!"

Lu Kang then said, "Your Majesty has just ordered me to be in charge of all your local affairs."

"You can return the royal seal and other things by yourself, but there is one thing I still need your help with."

"Please give me your orders!"

Lu Kang then talked about wanting to establish the post of General of the Central Army of Tianzhu Xuanhua, and Fan De was confused.

"To accomplish these things, we need your help. You can write a letter first and inform your father of our conversation."

"His Majesty is ready to reward you with many tribesmen. I also have a letter here that I would like you to deliver to your father."

The two were chatting when suddenly there was a noise outside the door.

The two of them fell silent at the same time and looked outside in surprise.

Then someone's voice came in, "Tell him to come out and see me quickly!!"

When Lu Kang heard this familiar voice, he immediately shook his head.

He looked at Fan De and said, "Go out and meet him."

After the two walked out together, they met Zhong Hui.

When Zhong Jian saw Lu Kang coming out with him, his eyes were full of surprise.

"Why are you here?!"

Lu Kang bowed and did not rush to answer Zhong Hui. Instead, he introduced the two of them, "This is Minister Zhong."

At this moment, although Lu Kang didn't say it explicitly, Fan De seemed to understand a little. Is this the minister who instigated the emperor that Lu Gong just mentioned?
After Lu Kang finished his introduction, he replied, "Minister Zhong, I have been ordered to come here to take charge of all matters concerning Funan."

“You’re responsible??”

Zhong Hui looked him up and down, his eyes full of disdain, and then looked at Fan De.

"Why doesn't Fan Xun come in person?!"

His face was very stern and his words were unkind.

Fan De didn't dare to get angry because there were at least thirty soldiers standing around him. It was the first time he saw so many ministers surrounding him since he came to Wei.

He was sure that the person in front of him must be a minister of very high status.

"My father is ill and cannot travel."

"Ha! Luoyang has the most famous doctors. If he can't come, I can send someone to bring him here and treat him here!!"

Fan De just lowered his head and didn't dare to refute at all.

Zhong Hui looked at Lu Kang again, "Can you handle such a big thing?!"

Lu Kang smiled and replied, "With Mr. Zhang's help, there's no need to worry about failure."

At this moment, Zhong Hui's face became even uglier. He looked as if he had heard something disgusting. He suppressed his nausea, turned around and left.

Only after all the soldiers left did Fan De wipe the sweat from his forehead.

"This man is so captivating that I dare not look directly at him."

Lu Kang shook his head. "That's what I just told you. But don't worry, the wise men in the court are not willing to start a war easily."

"easily."

The corners of Fan De's mouth twitched, and he quickly said, "Thank you, Mr. Lu!"

"Let's talk about this city and the road issue. If you feel it's not suitable, that's fine. I can go back and tell His Majesty to have someone else take charge of your affairs."

"Mr. Lu! I think what you just said is very appropriate! We should do it according to your idea!"

ps: I originally wanted to write the fourth chapter, but it felt a bit painful, so I wrote three chapters first. I will see how it goes in the next few days. If there is no problem, I will resume the fourth chapter.

(End of this chapter)