After the enthronement, within three days, the entire bustling Jiaozhou became quiet again. Even the kings from other states rushed back to their jurisdiction after coming to ask for their resignations one after another.
Zhao Dong was humble and polite, and did not bear grudges against several foreign kings because of his previous offenses.
"Zhao Dong, I have always said that you are like a father." Xu Mu's voice was pleased. If at this juncture, Zhao Dong starts to settle old scores as soon as he takes the throne, then the leader of the South China Sea Alliance is basically doomed.
"King Shu, after all, I have little qualifications. It is normal for them to have such doubts. But I will stay in Jiaozhou to observe filial piety for three years. If I do well, they will naturally understand. On the contrary, if I am a mediocre person, then I will Down the line, people like Zhao Liang will appear."
"It's great if you can see through it." Xu Mu breathed a sigh of relief. Time has allowed Zhao Dong to grow up, and it is obvious that he has survived.
"By the way, King Shu, according to ancient etiquette, after I succeed to the throne, I need to present a succession gift to the suzerain country... There is no owner in the Central Plains, so I will send this gift directly to Chengdu."
"Yes." Xu Mu was not pretentious. The Xishu regime has been strong in the northwest and south of the Yangtze River for four or five years, and it will last even longer in the future.
He did not expect that in the future, historians would only write a few words about the Xi Shu regime in history books.
"King of Shu." Zhao Dongping stepped back and sat down.
Ruan Qiu, who was next to him, also approached.
Xu Mu understood that the next thing to discuss was the sudden discovery of a third force in the South China Sea.
"Si Hu, guard the door first, and go eat mutton soup later."
Hearing this, Si Hu ran out anxiously.
"King Shu, Ruan Qiu has already investigated and told you about it. Those individuals are not islanders, but weirdos from the outer sea."
"What a weirdo." Xu Mu frowned.
"The King of Shu is not in the South China Sea, so he may not know it. But according to the legend of the people of the South China Sea, there will be a big island in the southeast direction, very far away. The island is full of weird people, drinking blood like hair. In comparison, I am far away from the sea. The tribe is considered to be gentle people." Ruan Qiu also spoke next to him.
"Many fishermen live in the South China Sea. There are always times when we encounter strong winds and get lost at sea, and we occasionally see strange people's boats. I have looked through many county annals in Jiaozhou and noted at least five places."
Xu Mu thought for a while, "Zhao Dong, are you sure?"
"I wasn't sure at first, but when Ruan Qiu found the hidden boats, he found that the construction of these hidden boats was very different from that in the Central Plains. They were usually made of large logs and used as the main cabin. They traveled in a humble place and could not lift up when encountering a big ship. To attack, there is no captain's cabin, so it can only travel by wind."
Zhao Dong is from Nanhai, although in the five states of Nanhai, except for a few rounds with Haiyue people, there has been no war. But no matter what, as an offshore prince, Zhao Dong finally knows something.
"What makes me wonder is that Zhao Liang's incident has just begun and these people have left."
"I'm a little surprised too." Zhao Dong sighed, "I didn't kill Zhao Liang, he's under house arrest for the time being."
Listen, Xu Mu didn't say anything. Again, this kind of thing can only be determined by Zhao Dong himself. If he opens his mouth, Zhao Dong may kill him, but this will sow the seeds of estrangement.
Not a good deal.
Xu Mu thought for a while and said, "Ruan Qiu, I'm worried about something being lost in Nanhai. You stay in Nanhai first and work with Zhao Dong to find out the matter. Don't worry, if we really have to fight Beiyu, I will let you go to the front line." , take military honors."
Ruan Qiu cupped his hands and clasped his fists.
"Remember, if you find something is wrong, write immediately."
"Don't worry, King Shu." Zhao Dong, who was next to him, also handed over his hand.
Xu Mu was silent for a while, but decided to get straight to the point. In fact, there is no need to hide this matter. Since Zhao Dong is regarded as one of his own, it is not good to hide too many things.
"Si Hu, is Li Liuke here?"
In the land of the South China Sea, the candidates who will be in charge in the future have basically been determined. On the surface, Zhao Dong will be the first, Ruan Qiu will be the military leader, and Li Liu will be the literary leader.
Although it is not a top team, for now, it is already the best candidate he can think of.
Not long after, Li Liu walked in.
Needless to say, Ruan Qiu has been familiar with Li Liu for a long time. As for Zhao Dong, although he was a little surprised, he didn't say much and offered Li Liu a seat.
"My dear nephew, don't be suspicious, it's not surveillance." Xu Mu consoled him, "As you know, I need someone to look after me over there in Cangwu Prefecture, and Li Liu is my candidate."
"The king of Shu is worried, I understand." Zhao Dong expressed his position hurriedly.
"Very good." Xu Mu nodded.
"In the near future, I will leave the South China Sea. I told Ruan Qiu before that when I left last time, I originally thought that the group would reveal their methods. But unexpectedly, they hid it too deep after all. But on the northwest front, The war between Western Shu and Beiyu is at a stalemate, I need to rush back soon, I cannot stay here forever."
"King Shu, we will understand later."
Xu Mu's voice was solemn, "Be careful. If the three of you encounter something, we can discuss it more or send you a letter. Zhao Dong, you need to remember that when you are new to the throne, those kings from other states are the easiest to be provoked. What a mess. If they get up, if one person makes a fuss, kill the other; if two people make a fuss, kill one and caress the other. What I mean is, in a critical moment, you can only kill one king of the state. Kill the chicken to scare the monkeys. Remember not to kill more. Otherwise, you, the leader of the South China Sea Alliance, , there will be a backlash.”
Zhao Dong exhaled, "King Shu, I remember."
"Ruan Qiu, you are a martial artist. If the situation is really critical, you will cooperate with Zhao Dong and use thunderous means to suppress it. But the most important thing is not to disturb the people or lose the hearts of the people of Nanhai."
"King Shu, Ruan Qiu takes orders."
Xu Mu paused, then finally raised his head and looked at the young scribe in front of him. With handsome appearance and graceful demeanor, Li Liu was famously handsome not only in the whole of Jiangnan but even in the whole of Xishu.
However, this young and handsome scholar had an aura of killing and daring in him.
"Li Liu, what should you do if you can't succeed in finding someone?"
"We will not act arbitrarily and put the priority of preserving the situation in the South China Sea."
"What if you accidentally enter the enemy's territory?"
"Leave the South China Sea aside, and use my identity as a Shu man to counterattack. Lord, don't worry, I will guard the South China Sea. Even if I die, I will never let the enemy Xiaoxiao and sow the relationship between Western Shu and the South China Sea."
Xu Mu felt comfortable.
He finally understood why Li Tao, who was sitting in the general hall, looked down on many good prospects. Instead, he risked being gossiped and criticized and recommended his grandson to him unswervingly.
Now it seems that Li Liu is indeed a thoughtful person.
"Li Liu, after two more years of hard work, you will be transferred to the front line as a staff officer with the army."
Hearing this, Li Liu's expression paused, and then his expression moved slightly, and he raised his hands and clasped his fists, "Li Liu is willing to follow his lord's aspirations in this life and help Western Shu to pacify the world!"
"Okay!" Xu Mu smiled happily.
…
