Free Web NovelChapter 1215: Chapter 1197: Persuasion
King Langya pondered for a moment before stating that he could give the order, but Luoyang must agree to help him capture Wang Dun and limit his military power within Lujiang, and the Zhao Family Army must not cross into Lujiang.
Liu Kun’s spirits lifted, he was not afraid of negotiations, he was only afraid that King Langya wouldn’t negotiate. As long as he dared to start negotiating, there was a possibility of convincing him.
Moreover, once the army enters Lujiang, it would be difficult to get Zhao Family Army to withdraw.
In warfare, it is inevitable to pursue the enemy, change positions, and moving locations is a common occurrence.
Even though Wang Dao and Liu Kui had started contemplating, they couldn’t help but speak out to refuse at this time.
Under no circumstances should Zhao Family Army be allowed to come down; being forced to surrender with the enemy at your gates and returning to Luoyang to reinforce and quell Wang Dun’s rebellion proactively are not the same outcomes and treatments.
Even if the other opponent is his cousin Wang Dun, Wang Dao hopes that King Langya and the Jiangnan Aristocratic Family can return to Jiangbei with dignity, having a good start.
The matter remains contested, and after King Langya spoke, he secretly regretted it, remaining silent now.
Liu Kun immediately noticed this, he couldn’t help but shake his head internally, and straightforwardly gave time and space for King Langya to think. He invited Wang Dao to leave together, saying, "It’s my first time in Jiankang, I don’t know where the post station is, would Mao Hong be willing to show me the way?"
Wang Dao looked at King Langya.
King Langya was reluctant to agree, but Liu Kun stared at him intensely. Representing Zhao Hanzhang, he was a renowned scholar in the country. King Langya found it difficult to refuse him and could only nod.
Thus, Wang Dao and Liu Kun left together.
Those who had been waiting outside saw Wang Dao come out safely, breathed a sigh of relief, and immediately returned to pass the message.
Thus, all the aristocratic families now knew that Liu Kun entered the palace and rescued Wang Dao.
Liu Kun already had an excellent reputation, widely admired, not only by the families migrating from the Northern Land but also by the local Jiangnan Aristocratic families who respected him greatly.
Once he left the palace, a family head personally drove a horse-drawn carriage to pick him up, warmly inviting him to reside at their home.
The other families, seeing the situation, were not willing to fall behind, rushing over to compete for him. Horse-drawn carriages and ox carts crowded the streets, making it difficult to move, all there to invite Liu Kun or to see Liu Kun.
Liu Kun loved the excitement, especially being praised by people, and at once intended to accept their invitation, but Imperial Censor Lu squeezed through the crowd before he could speak, pulled his sleeve, and said, "Lord Liu, we have reserved a room for you at the post station. The drinking can be postponed to the evening; for now, how about going to the post station for a freshen up?"
First, he rode a horse to the riverbank, covered in dust and the scent of horse manure; then, crossing the river, his body couldn’t help but pick up the smell of water; after disembarking, he rode a horse over, and after two days of travel, wasn’t he tired, wasn’t he dirty?
"Lord Liu has come to Jiangnan, how could you reside in such a poor and rundown place as the post station? Please come to my home, I’ll have the upper room prepared for you; you can stay in my home’s upper room."
"Your garden doesn’t compare to mine, Lord Liu should visit my home."
"Come to my place, my home has fifteen musicians with exceptional skills, and I’ve been wanting to invite Lord Liu to appreciate them."
It was known throughout the world that Liu Kun loved music, indeed, he couldn’t help but be moved upon hearing this.
Imperial Censor Lu could only hold onto him tightly, leaning to remind him softly in the ear, "Great General, Great General..."
Thus, Liu Kun painfully declined them, agreeing to drink and enjoy music with them at night, and decided to go to the family that just mentioned having musicians, which was the local Jiangnan Aristocratic Lu Family.
Among the many aristocratic families in Jiangnan, the Gu Family, Lu Family, Zhu Family, and Zhang Family were the leaders; these four families formed the core of Jiangdong Aristocracy. Besides, there was another prominent family, the Yixing Zhou Family.
The Zhou Family controlled military power and had considerable influence in Jiangnan.
But in Jiangnan, those capable of rivaling the Northern Land’s aristocratic families were only Gu, Lu, Zhu, and Zhang families, Liu Kun was already mentally prepared before coming, Zhao Hanzhang especially mentioned in the letter that he should reassure the Jiangnan aristocrats and encourage them to send their descendants north to participate in governance.
Thus, he chose to attend a banquet at the Lu Family.
Of course, the Lu Family would not just invite Liu Kun; the Lu Family Master was very generous, directly greeting all present, inviting everyone to go.
Wang Dao stood quietly aside, watching Liu Kun being surrounded and leaving. After the crowd dispersed, Wang’s descendant stepped forward, "Uncle, nephew is here to pick you up."
Nowadays, the Wang Family was in decline, walking amidst the crowd, people would instinctively avoid them, Wang’s nephew felt a pang seeing his uncle, who was always adored by everyone, being ignored.
Wang Dao remained unchanged in expression, asking gently after getting in the carriage, "Has Wang Dun sent a letter?"
"Yes, he wrote urging us to defect from Jiankang together and wanted uncle to write personally to Dai Yuan and others, but the family’s younger generation refused."
Those Wang Family descendants who remained did not approve of Wang Dun’s actions, naturally wouldn’t listen to him.
"Uncle, is there still room for maneuver?" Wang’s nephew asked, "If Wang Dun indeed rebels, will the Great King slaughter our Wang Family?"
Every rebellion in Luoyang resulted in many deaths, countless family members were killed, leaving the aristocratic relatives dispersed, those claiming lineage were often distant branches.
For example, the most famous Xiahou Family.
He worried that the Wang Family would face the same fate.
Yet, even with the threat of extinction hanging overhead, they still chose not to side with Wang Dun, deciding to take the risk staying in Jiankang City, following King Langya.
Because they knew, choosing not to rebel meant a chance of survival, whereas rebelling would only lead to certain death.
Wang Dao said, "You also think Wang Dun cannot win, don’t you?"
Wang’s nephew remained silent.
Wang Dao sighed, "Even a child like you understands this principle, but he does not."
Wang Dun considered it but was still unwilling to give up.
He told his close aides, "I’d rather die than endure such disgrace again."
He would no longer tolerate being oppressed and suspected.
He sneered, "If it weren’t for me and Mao Hong, would King Langya achieve today’s status? During the chaos in Yan State, the Imperial Family was killed, leaving only two young princes, their lineage entirely reliant on Mao Hong and me to cross rivers for safety."
"Mao Hong exhaustively supported him, helping him establish in Jiangnan, yet he dismantled the bridge after crossing it, no, he started suspecting my family before crossing the river, such a man isn’t worthy for us to serve," Wang Dun said, "Even if I lose, I’ll go to Jiankang City to demand justice, moreover, we may not even lose."
Wang Dun hadn’t acted these days, as he was assembling manpower, having successfully recruited three forces through letters. Now feeling confident, he decided to issue a public declaration.
He intended to enter Jiankang City to eliminate the treacherous, "Listing the crimes of Liu Kui, Diao Xie, and others, declaring them to the world!"
He aimed to clean up the royal court, the aftermath to be decided only after achieved.
"Has Yuan Li spoken?"
