After saying some relevant and irrelevant things, the banquet broke up.
Kong Rong had people place Lu Bu and other distinguished guests, and secretly summoned his confidants such as Wang Xiu, Sun Shao, Liu Kongci, Liu Yixun, and Bing Yuan.
When everyone had arrived, Kong Rong coughed and said, "Everyone, I think you all understand what Marquis Lu Wen said just now. I don't know what you think? Please speak freely."
Wang Xiu said: "Although Marquis Wen was born as a military general, he has Qianmo in his heart and has a thorough understanding of the general trend of the world. I think everything Marquis Wen said is reasonable."
Others chimed in in agreement.
Kong Rong nodded and said: "I think so too. It's just that we are all scholars and are not good at military matters.
Nowadays, the world is in chaos, and it would be a foolish dream for us to think of being alone in a corner of Beihai.
To be honest, Marquis Lu Wen saved Beihai from danger twice. I think Marquis Wen was a wise man who valued love and justice and loved his people like a son.
Now I want to use the power of Marquis Wen to protect the people of Beihai. What do you think? "
Bing Yuan said: "My lord is right. This time I went to Xuzhou to ask for help. I thought that I would be in trouble anyway.
Unexpectedly, Marquis Wen only discussed with his men for one night, and decided to send troops the next day. On the third day, he asked General Tai Shici to lead troops to support him. It was really heartwarming!
Moreover, Marquis Wen is extremely brave and uses troops like a god. If he protects us in the future, Beihai will be really lucky! "
Everyone nodded in agreement with this statement.
Kong Rong added: "But if we are not relatives or friends, how can Marquis Wen be willing to carry such a burden as Beihai?
Where in the world is there free rice? I thought, if we want to use Marquis Wen's power to protect Beihai, there are only two ways!
One is to levy more money and grain to Marquis Wen every year to raise troops. However, the salary to the imperial court cannot be stopped. As a result, the people of Beihai have a heavier burden.
This second method..."
As he spoke, Kong Rong first glanced at the confidants in the room, and then said: "In such troubled times, I am indeed incompetent. I cannot protect the people, nor can I protect the territory for the emperor.
It’s hard to blame me for my dead body, so I am willing to resign as the Prime Minister of Beihai, and let Marquis Wen appoint a person with all-round talents in civil and military affairs to take over Beihai..."
Everyone was shocked when these words came out!
Sun Zhao said: "The Prime Minister's words are wrong! The Prime Minister is a great scholar in the world. It's just that the country's fortunes are not good for a while. How can we blame the Prime Minister?"
Liu Kongci also said: "This is not the crime of the Prime Minister, but the crime of our inability to assist! If the Prime Minister resigns, how can we still be here to fill the position?"
Others also agreed, and for a while there was a discussion quoting scriptures.
Wang Xiu said: "Prime Minister, please listen to me. Marquis Wen also said it at the banquet just now. He has many powerful generals, but he lacks advisers and scholars, but we are all scholars...
If the two sides complement each other, wouldn't everyone be happy? "
Everyone nodded in agreement again.
If this is the case, it is naturally the best result.
There is no need to worry about who will target Beihai in the future, and he will not lose his job.
In fact, this is what Kong Rong himself thought. He nominally took refuge in Lu Bu. If Lu Bu did not pay tribute to the court like other princes, it would have nothing to do with him.
Although he did not do well in the military field, Kong Rong felt that he was a competent prime minister in other aspects.
Talking about taking the blame and resigning are nothing more than polite remarks.
But as a scholar, you still have to be reserved, and there are some things that are not convenient for you to say.
It's perfect if you take the initiative to take a step back before pretending to be someone else's mouth to say it!
However, the details still need to be carefully considered.
When literati get together, there will inevitably be more nonsense. This discussion lasted two days.
Lu Bu, however, was getting impatient: He had already made his choice so obvious. Could it be that Kong Rong was still reluctant to give up Beihai?
Lu Bu mobilized nearly 20,000 troops this time, not just to relieve Kong Rong and occupy the Donglai County!
His plan was to bring Kong Rong's Beihai Kingdom under his control.
This set of tricks was also the result of his discussions with Chen Gong, Guo Jia and others, but Kong Rong was pretending to be stupid with him?
He doesn't really think that now that he has occupied Donglai and his power surrounds Beihai on the southeast and southeast, Beihai can sit back and relax, right?
If this were the case, he would have to make a request to directly station troops in Beihai.
It’s troublesome to think about first obtaining the military power in Beihai, and then infiltrating it bit by bit...
There are still many things to deal with in Donglai, and there is no lovely wife or concubine to accompany him on this expedition. He has been out for so many days, and Mi Ling is about to give birth, so Lu Bu is already a little impatient.
Finally Kong Rong sent someone to invite Lu Bu, and Lu Bu also thought about it. If Kong Rong didn't do what he wanted, he would walk away and let Kong Rong handle this mess by himself!
Before leaving, he had to blackmail him severely and make him bleed heavily to reward the three armies!
When he came to the hall and saw Kong Rong and all his advisers there, Lu Bu knew that this was going to be a showdown.
Thinking of this, he knew what was going on, and decided to retreat as an advance, and unite them first.
Yin cupped his hands and smiled and said: "Kong Beihai, you gentlemen are all here. That's just right. I've been out for a while this time. I'm about to say goodbye to you and go back to Xuzhou with my troops!"
Kong Rong and others were shocked when they heard this, and hurriedly said: "Marquis Wen personally led the army on an expedition of thousands of miles by boat and by land. We have only rested for two days, why are we in a hurry to go back?"
Lu Bu deliberately put on the image of a good man who was concerned about the world and concerned about his family and said with a smile:
"I'm not afraid of your jokes. There are many things waiting for me to decide in Xuzhou. Also, one of my favorite concubines in the family is pregnant with Liujia. She is about to give birth, so I am very worried about her."
What joke did everyone hear? On the contrary, everyone praised Lu Bu for being a real man who cares about his family and country, and a real man who is in a good mood.
After some compliments, Kong Rong winked and everyone calmed down.
Kong Rong said: "Since Marquis Wen is anxious to return to Xuzhou, there are some things he shouldn't have said.
But for the sake of the people of Beihai, I have to say some things, and please forgive me, Marquis Wen..."
Lu Bu didn't like the literati like them talking in a roundabout way, so he still said patiently:
"Since it concerns the people of Beihai, there is no need to say anything about the civil examination! As long as I, Lu Fengxian, can do it, I am obligated!"
Kong Rong first apologized and went to the back. After a while, he dragged a wooden plate out with his hands. In the plate was the seal of the Prime Minister of Beihai.
Kong Rong prostrated himself to the ground again and said: "Your Excellency, Marquis Wen, although Kong Rong is the Prime Minister of Beihai, he is unable to secure and govern the country at the top, and cannot secure the people and protect the territory at the bottom. I am really ashamed.
Marquis Wen was an unparalleled hero, and he governed well. He saved Beihai from fire and water many times.
Now I am willing to resign as the Prime Minister of Beihai and present my seal to Marquis Wen. I hope Marquis Wen will accept it! "
As he spoke, he raised his hands above his head and presented the seal to Lu Bu.
The others also looked at Lu Bu solemnly, wondering if Lu Bu would accept it.
