Fan Mansion, Jiangshan Pavilion.
Ever since Bai Rong became the Queen of Dachu, the number of Fan Li's spies in the palace had doubled.
However, the number of people in the palace has not changed, and even the people have not changed.
However, some of the palace officials who seemed to be loyal to Xiang Chong and Empress Dowager Li were actually just unused spies for Fan's firm.
Now, of course, it’s time to enable them.
As a result, without Bai Rong and Xiang Chong knowing anything, Fan Li knew everything about the content of their private conversations, even what time they went to bed that night, when they fell asleep, and how many times Xiang Chong changed clothes at night.
Fan Li had long expected that the Daci Dynasty would take action.
Three dynasties descended from heaven, one of which fell into the territory of Dachu. As the initiator of the Five Kingdoms Alliance, how could Empress Yaoguang ignore it?
The empress's attitude was finally clear.
Instigating Xiang Chong to use troops against the Later Jin Dynasty, no matter who won or lost, the Daci Dynasty would just sit back and watch.
Theoretically, if Daci wants to unify the world, all other countries will be Empress Yaoguang's future enemies, including all the countries in the alliance, let alone the three dynasties descended from heaven?
Use other people's soldiers to destroy your enemies. Empress Yaoguang's calculations were making loud noises, but it was a pity that Fan Li could hear it.
"Daci sent a Holy Lord to help out and lead the troops on behalf of Dachu."
"The garrison has just experienced a big battle and is resting and cannot move lightly. Your Majesty is determined to mobilize troops from local states and counties to form a large army."
"But what I am worried about is that the local army may not be a match for the Jin army due to its backward equipment, lax training and low combat effectiveness."
"Once the battle is defeated and the Great Merciful Holy Lord can escape, how can ordinary soldiers exit the battlefield alive?"
After Fan Li finished speaking, he looked steadily at the people in front of him.
Xiang Chong never dreamed of this.
At this moment, in the Jiangshan Pavilion of Fan Mansion, the governors and prefects of the various counties in Da Chu were gathered.
They wore civilian clothes and entered Beijing in a low profile.
But the local officials who have been in high positions for a long time have a calm and steady look, and you can tell at a glance that they are not ordinary people.
In the hands of these people, ranging from thousands to tens of thousands, they all control a certain number of local armies.
The thoughts of Empress Yaoguang and Xiang Chongli and their soldiers were tantamount to touching their lifeblood.
Therefore, Fan Li only called and the officials came all night and night.
"My lords."
"The emperor's order cannot be violated. Once the imperial edict is conveyed, you must deliver troops and supplies within the time limit to assemble a large army for His Majesty."
Fan Li spoke slowly, scanning the entire audience, taking in all the micro-expressions on everyone's faces.
surprise!
Angry!
Even hatred!
"Mr. Jin!" A prefect clasped his fists and said, "Hasn't your majesty read the military report? Prince Wanli of the Ming Dynasty was defeated in Hongzhou. The leader of the Southern Tang Dynasty sent a million soldiers. It was clearly a high-level cultivation in the Mahayana realm. I'm afraid That Shi Jingtang from Xiongzhou is not a weak master either."
"Not bad!" Another governor also said: "The combat strength of our Dachu local army is already weak. It is capable of mopping up bandits and protecting the territory and the people. But when it comes to fighting a big battle, the local army's combat strength is simply not enough. qualifications!"
Fan Li listened to what the two said and nodded with a smile: "The two adults' analysis makes sense."
Then, he fell silent.
He summoned parents and officials from all over the country to quietly come to Beijing to discuss, of course to persuade them to cooperate with him.
But persuasion requires skill.
Using power to suppress people and force officials from various places to obey is an inferior method. Dong Zhuo and his like often use it, but Fan Li disdains it.
As for the eloquent Lotus, who uses his sharp tongue to silence the opponent, such as Zhang Yi and others in the pre-Qin Dynasty, although their wisdom is superior and their methods are ingenious, they are not the best plan. Fan Li does not follow suit.
A truly excellent lobbyist is a guide of direction, an inspirer of thinking, and even a spreader of lies!
Just like this moment.
Fan Li did not sow discord between the local officials and Xiang Chong, but only made the palace information known to the public.
Then, wait for the situation to unfold.
Interest is always the best tool to create opposition.
As long as Fan Li, the Duke of Chu and Jin, made a slight statement and did not support Xiang Chong's decree, it seemed to have given the local officials a shot in the arm, giving them the courage to disobey the imperial decree!
Of course, this disobedience is also limited.
The final result was that as long as Xiang Chong issued an order to recruit troops, manpower from all parts of Chu State would have to be sent.
But what Fan Li wanted was to prevent the local army from being injured as much as possible.
Therefore, he needs the support of these governors.
And the best support is not for Fan Li to win over them, but for them to actively win over Fan Li!
"Alas!" An older official sighed, stroking his white beard: "Duke Jin, gentlemen, I have been here for a long time and have never seen your majesty. Could it be that your majesty can't see that he There is no benefit in going to Xiongzhou, but just to marry others?"
As soon as this statement came out, everyone immediately nodded.
"That's right!" A middle-aged official also said: "There is a precedent from Hongzhou in the Ming Dynasty. Xiongzhou should not start war lightly, but should wait and see what happens. It's a pity that your majesty can't even see through this, but he wants to be the compassionate empress. pawn?"
"It's a pity that most of my officers and soldiers are descendants of local wealthy families. If most of them die in Xiongzhou, the family foundation will be shaken, and this state will probably fall into civil strife."
The more people talked, the angrier they became, and the more they talked, the more worried they became.
Finally, someone could no longer hold back and knelt in front of Fan Li!
"Jin Gong!"
"We are able to guard the pastoral area only because of your promotion, Duke Jin."
"As for your Majesty today, I have heard long ago that he has an improper background, an improper position, and no kindness to his subjects!"
"Your Majesty is going to go against the grain again and risk the disapproval of the world. Can't you, Duke of Jin, stand up and shout..."
"shut up!"
Fan Li shouted loudly, interrupting the man's words.
It won't work without interrupting.
If he were to continue talking, he would probably say something like "the stone man with one eye" and inciting the world to rebel.
The man's face turned pale when Fan Li scolded him.
He really wanted to take advantage of the dragon, but he didn't expect that Fan Li's reputation as a traitor seemed to be fake?
"Jin Gong, I... will lower my official rank..."
Just when the man was embarrassed, he saw Fan Li pouring a cup of warm tea and handing it to him personally.
"Master Chen is a loyal servant of the country and has come to discuss important matters at night and under the stars. I am very grateful to you."
"No one needs to take it to heart if you make a few mistakes."
"I also know that your majesty has made mistakes today, but fortunately our other majesty is benevolent and kind. If she is in court, she will not despise the lives of the people of Chu."
The other majesty Fan Li mentioned was of course Xiang Ning.
In fact, Xiang Ning's reign was short and he had little prestige.
But I am not afraid of not knowing the goods, I am afraid of comparing goods.
Comparing Xiang Ning and Xiang Chong in front of Dachu officials, Xiang Ning does not cause trouble, and his image instantly becomes taller. He is simply the representative of a benevolent king who rules from the top down!
"Mr. Jin is right, but His Majesty is in Daci..."
All the officials looked embarrassed.
They really thought that Fan Li summoned everyone to change the dynasty.
But the topic was brought to Xiang Ning, and I didn't understand the use for a while. I just felt in my heart that if the Chu Emperor was still Xiang Ning, it was indeed a good choice, and there was no need to change dynasties.
Fan Li smiled.
Mentioning Xiang Ning was just a temporary idea.
Xiang Ning was absent from the court for a long time, and gradually separated from the officials of Dachu.
In order for her to have a stable position in the future, Fan Li still had to help her establish her presence occasionally.
Fan Li's true motivation will be revealed next.
"I already know the thoughts of your lords."
"I will definitely report to His Majesty and ask him to think twice and not to use his sword lightly."
What Fan Li said could not satisfy everyone at all.
One person said anxiously: "Mr. Jin, you have made your objections clear at the court meeting, but it is a pity that His Majesty refuses to stop using it. Once the Merciful Holy Lord arrives, won't it be even more useless for you to say it?"
After saying that, he quickly bowed and apologized.
"Mr. Jin, I have no intention of looking down upon you. I just feel that His Majesty has made up his mind and will definitely not listen to your advice."
After Fan Li heard what he said, he sighed in cooperation and frowned helplessly.
"So... do you really want my disciples from Da Chu to lose their lives in vain...?"
Seeing the sad look on Fan Li's face, all the officials felt the same.
They exchanged glances and quickly came to an understanding.
The oldest official took the lead and led everyone to kneel down in front of Fan Li.
"you?"
"My lords, what do you mean by this?"
Fan Li stood up in a hurry and kept trying to help them up.
It's a pity that these local officials are all highly cultivated people, and the weakest ones are only at the ninth level of Nascent Soul Realm. How can Fan Li help them up?
The old man said solemnly: "Mr. Jin, you are the leaders of our great Chu officials. Only you can lead us to solve the predicament we are facing. Please tell me, Gong Jin, no matter what you do, all the subordinates will follow you to the death!"
Done!
With this statement, Fan Li's preparation was completed.
Facing the kneeling officials, Fan Li gritted his teeth.
For a long time, he seemed to make up his mind.
"Since it's hard to violate the holy will, I have a way to get the best of both worlds."
Hearing what Fan Li said, all the officials cheered up.
Rebellion has the greatest risk!
Resisting an imperial edict is also a serious crime of confiscating one's family and annihilating one's clan.
If we can really get the best of both worlds, it will certainly be in the best interest of everyone.
"Please make it clear, Lord Jin!"
"Um."
Fan Li's expression was solemn, as if he was under tremendous pressure.
"What I mean."
"Before your Majesty issues an order to recruit troops, you can first dismiss your officers and soldiers, and then recruit new troops. Just follow the court regulations to ensure that the number is full."
As Fan Li spoke, he saw confusion on everyone's faces.
What is the use of disbanding local soldiers and recruiting new ones?
"The key lies in the recruitment of soldiers."
"Where can we find sources of troops that won't damage the foundations of states and counties?"
Hearing what Fan Li said, everyone couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
"Mr. Jin, is it the king's land in the whole world, and the king's ministers on the shore of the land, as long as they are within the territory of our Chu State, no matter where they recruit troops and send them to the battlefield, they will all be lost, right?" someone asked cautiously.
"No." Fan Li shook his head: "There is a kind of person who can recruit troops without damaging Chu's vitality."
"Who!?" everyone asked hurriedly.
Fan Li smiled slightly.
"Prisoner."
In ancient times, laws were strict, and prisoners from various countries who broke the law and were imprisoned ranged from tens of thousands to more than 100,000.
"But..." Someone else said worriedly: "Some of those criminals have committed capital crimes, and some have committed crimes that are not worthy of death..."
Fan Li nodded: "So, my request for them is to join the army and go on an expedition, but I don't care about them escaping from the battlefield. As long as they become deserters, they can return to the prisons of various states and counties."
