Three Kingdoms: Jiangdong is no longer a rat

Chapter 161 The dispute

Yan Yi was afraid that Zhou Xin would go back on his word, so he stayed at Zhou's house that night.

After all, this man was once the governor of Danyang, a figure on the same level as Xu Gong and Wang Lang. If it weren't for the series of misfortunes that had occurred and the fact that he had seized on their weaknesses and launched targeted lobbying, would they have been willing to submit to him?
The next morning, Yan Yi, having tasted success, hurriedly finished some urgent official business and summoned Quan Rou. He took Zhou Xin and Quan Rou to visit Yu Fan.

If his recruitment of Zhou Xin and Quan Rou was based on targeted lobbying, then his recruitment of Yu Fan was based on the support of the people.

Yu Fan was well-read and had a straightforward personality. In history, he had spoken out to Sun Quan many times, which aroused Sun Quan's strong dissatisfaction and eventually led to his exile.

This is a straightforward person who is loyal to his duties and sees things through to the end. He has no obvious weaknesses and is not easy to recruit. You can only influence him slowly through the environment.

The house where Yu Fan was imprisoned was slightly smaller than Zhou's house, but it was even more quiet and elegant than Zhou's house, and had the charm of living in a busy city.

Before Yan Yi's carriage stopped, servants hurried into the mansion to report.

However, Yu Fan did not come out to greet him.

He was reading in the backyard when he heard Yan Yi coming. He casually put the book on the stone table, strode back to the bedroom, lay on the bed on his side, and pretended to close the door and refuse visitors.

Yan Yi was turned away, but he didn't get angry and asked Zhou Xin to knock on the door.

Zhou Xin walked into Yu Fan's bedroom with a somewhat unnatural look on his face, and soon brought out Yu Fan, who looked reluctant.

There was still a trace of shock on Yu Fan's face.

You are so good, Zhou Daming. In just two days, you have defected to Yan Yi. Even a hawk swooping down on its prey is not as fast as you!
When Yu Fan saw Quan Rou, his expression became even uglier.

What a bunch of people who curry favor with the powerful. Do they still know the propriety, righteousness, integrity and shame? Do they still have the loyalty to the emperor and the willingness to die for him?

Yu Fan cursed inwardly, standing in the yard with his head held high, without even looking at Yan Yi.

Yan Yi admired him even more. Who doesn't want his subordinates to be so loyal?

He walked up to Yu Fanshen and bowed politely: "I have long heard of Mr. Yu's great name. I have long admired him. I have come to pay my respects to you today!"

Yu Fan reluctantly returned the greeting, then raised his head again and said sarcastically, "Young Master, there's no need to waste your time on me. I'm not like Zhou Daming or Quan Ziyuan!"

Zhou Xin looked embarrassed, and Quan Rou's face darkened.

Yan Yi glanced at Zhou and Quan.

Zhou Xin said, "Zhongxiang, we are here today simply to visit you, not for anything else. Zhongxiang, are you unwilling to offer even a glass of wine?"

Yu Fan was loyal, not foolish. If he had been in Kuaiji, he would have drawn his sword and driven Yan Yi and the other two away. But now, he was at the mercy of others, knowing that if he went too far, he would only bring shame upon himself. With a cold snort, he led the three men into the living room. The four of them sat down on the couch and began to chat idly. Zhou Xin spoke the most, followed by Quan Rou. Yu Fan and Yan Yi were more reserved, each observing the other.

Yan Yi couldn't find Yu Fan's weakness, feeling somewhat at a loss as to where to attack him. Yu Fan, on the other hand, was wary of any underhanded tactics. After several battles, his impression of Yan Yi remained largely defined by cunning and ruthlessness.

There is no one in this room who is not smart.

As lobbyists, Zhou Xin and Quan Rou began to persuade Yu Fan from different angles and indirectly after the atmosphere eased.

Zhou Xin mainly introduced Yan Yi and tried to change Yu Fan's opinion of Yan Yi, while Quan Rou persuaded him from the perspectives of personal interests, family interests, and the current situation.

One of them spoke with sincerity, like a gentle spring breeze, while the other spoke with sharp words, like an autumn wind sweeping away leaves. They took turns persuading Yu Fan, but each analyzed the pros and cons based on objective facts and Yu Fan's perspective, speaking in a fair and just manner without any exaggeration.

After hearing this, Yu Fan's expression gradually relaxed, his brows seemed touched, and his attitude softened. He was able to sit down and talk calmly with Yan Yi.

Yan Yi was quite excited, thinking that things were developing in a positive direction. Unexpectedly, Yu Fan suddenly said something that left the three of them stunned.

Yu Fan said sincerely, "Young Master, I am deeply grateful for your kindness. However, Wang Lang has treated me well, and I cannot bear to abandon him. What price would you pay me to let me go?"

Yan Yi was secretly annoyed when he heard this. Wang Lang's envoy hasn't arrived yet, and you are so impatient to start negotiating terms with me?
He replied earnestly, "As long as the Qiantang River flows backwards, I will escort Lord Yu out of the country with courtesy."

The expressions on Yu Fan, Zhou Xin, and Quan Rou's faces were more exciting than each other.

Yu Fan felt a surge of anger. "Are you going to lock me up forever? What on earth do you like about me? Can't I change?"

He suppressed his anger and dared not to explode. From the way Yan Yi treated Zhu Zhi, it was clear that if he angered this man, even if he died, his body would never leave Qiantang.

Seeing him trying to suppress his anger, Zhou Xin couldn't help but sigh and advised him earnestly, "Zhongxiang, Wang Lang has only been in Kuaiji for a year, and you don't have a close relationship with him. I know your loyalty isn't to Wang Lang, but to the moral principles in your heart. But the world is in chaos now, and personal gains and losses are nothing compared to the lives of the common people. Why waste your years of talent and knowledge? Why not do some practical work for the people? That would far outweigh your blind loyalty. Wang Lang is not a ruler who can bring peace to the people, as you surely know. The young master is the wise ruler you've been searching for. How can you let a small matter derail you?"

Yu Fan was shocked. Zhou Xin's words were like a sharp sword, piercing his heart and causing a crack in the ice in his heart.

He was silent for a long time. Suddenly, he looked up at Yan Yi and asked, "Kings fight for the whole world, princes fight for territory, ministers fight for power, and scholars fight for status. I wonder what the young prince is fighting for?"

Yan Yi's heart moved slightly. He often asked himself this question, but this was the first time he was asked this question in person.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Shusun Bao once said, 'The highest virtue is to establish virtue, the next is to establish merit, and the next is to establish words. These words, even if they endure for a long time, are what we call immortality.' I dare not harbor such extravagant hopes, but I only hope to contribute to the stability of the world. If I rule a city, I will strive to ensure that its people have enough food and clothing. If I rule a county, I will ensure that its people live and work in peace. If I rule a state, I will ensure that its people enjoy peace. If, after my death, there are still people who remember my name and what I have done, that will be enough for me."

Yu Fan, Zhou Xin, and Quan Rou were all deeply moved by these words, their faces filled with deep thought. Aren't these the very things they were pursuing?

Yu Fan sighed deeply, "If I had known Young Master a year earlier, I would have fought to the death for you. But now...sigh! If Young Master could convince Wang Lang to give me up, I would be willing to follow you!"

(After the new chapter is updated tomorrow, two hundred recommendation ticket red envelopes will be sent out. Brothers who have recommendation tickets can claim them. Leaving one recommendation ticket is enough.)
(End of this chapter)