Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 79

The chief steward expressed his opinion: "After all, we are just a martial arts sect. If we really want to help the disaster victims, we need the local powerful figures of Zhao..."

"Give grain and supplies to the powerful and wealthy?" Situ Wanli shook his head, and the Zhu family also disagreed: "Brother Lu Wei, this idea of ​​yours is not in line with your usual intelligence."

"My two brothers, the powerful and influential people I'm referring to aren't those hereditary nobles who hold positions without doing any work."

A glint of light flashed in the steward's eyes, subtly revealing his true intentions: "General Li Mu of the Zhao army, you two brothers should trust this general's character, shouldn't you?"

Chapter 101 Lord Hall Master

Rescuing disaster victims is a meritorious act, and if one can also gain additional benefits from this act, then accepting it will naturally be more acceptable.

For example, Li Mu's goodwill, and Li Mu as a whole in the future!

A normal person is more likely to have extra compassion when they are wealthy, but when they are so poor that they cannot survive, evil is very likely to breed.

In the earthquake-stricken areas of Daidi, it was clear that the entire population was unable to survive. After the natural disaster, man-made disasters followed.

Judging from the tone of Zhu Jia and Situ Wanli, they are willing to provide food to save people, but it is highly likely that Lu Wei's Gonggong Hall will be responsible for carrying out the specific work.

This makes sense logically: the states of Yan and Zhao, which are closest to Dai, are nominally his territory.

In reality, as a江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to a kind of江湖, ...

The possibility of bloodshed arising from Gonggongtang disciples blindly taking things to Daidi is not low.

Many of the local nobles in Zhao had such a reputation, but they were unwilling to go to Dai: the lords were kind-hearted and could not bear to see the poor suffer.

At the same time, just like the Zhu family and Situ Wanli, the steward also distrusted these people and was unwilling to offer up the farmers' supplies.

As for Li Mu, he is trustworthy. If the disciples of the Farmer's School contact this Lord Wu'an and explain that the Three Halls are willing to supply grain to Dai, Li Mu will certainly not refuse.

As for the possibility that this might lead to King Zhao's suspicion, that is King Zhao's fault, not Lu Wei's! The Grand Steward was only focused on saving the people; how could he have any ill intentions?

The more the King of Zhao feared Li Mu, the closer Li Mu got to the farmers.

The six states are beyond saving. Before Qin annexes them, Qin might as well take as much of their corpses as possible for itself!

Zhu Jia and Situ Wanli did not object to Chief Steward Lu's idea of ​​contacting Li Mu and getting his help. They did not have the power to help the disaster victims on their own, and in the end, they would have to rely on Gonggong Hall, that is, Lu Wei, to help.

He tore off a piece of white cloth from his body and wrote a letter to Lu Yu, who was located in Handan. The letter explained the discussions among the three leaders and entrusted Gongzi Yi to contact Lord Wu'an, Li Mu, to inform him of the reasons. He also added that the aid would only be sent if it was in the name of Lord Wu'an, Li Mu.

After finishing writing, Lu Wei spread out the fabric and showed it to the two of them:

"Do you two gentlemen have anything to revise?"

Seeing that they had no objections, Lu Wei summoned another disciple of Shennong Hall and asked him to deliver the letter to the Zhao Kingdom. Zhu Jia nodded and indicated that he should do so.

"Given Lord Wu'an's character, he will certainly not refuse if he learns that this move can alleviate the situation in Dai. However, in the court, Li Mu is very likely to be suspected by King Zhao of trying to win over the hearts of the people..."

Zhu Jia was somewhat worried. He had always admired virtuous people, and Lord Wu'an, Li Mu, was one of them.

"General Li Mu is Zhao's only trump card against the Qin army. Zhao would not take action against this Lord Wu'an just because of suspicion. Don't worry, Master Zhu."

Situ Wanli was a gambler. To him, any hand that could give him a chance to win was something he would cherish immensely, let alone one that could keep winning. He didn't believe that the King of Zhao would harm Li Mu before the Qin state fell into decline.

Lu Wei shook his head indifferently: "This Lord Wu'an will make his own decision, Brother Zhu really doesn't need to worry too much."

Now that we've discussed the costs associated with earthquake relief, let's talk about a money-making partnership.

A large project costs money quickly, but to make money, you have to start with every little detail and cut into each one, which is very complicated.

The decision regarding Zuimenglou and Daidi could be made in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, while these miscellaneous money-making matters were discussed until dark before a preliminary consensus was reached.

This was largely thanks to the invisible pressure from the Tian family's three branches, which made the Zhu family and Situ Wanli think twice, allowing for such a peaceful outcome.

...

The succession ceremony for Master Lu was almost identical to that of Tian Mi of Kuiwei Hall at the end of the year before last, and was very simple.

Although Lu Mu's workshop had all the necessary tools and equipment to make the ceremony more elaborate, Lu Wei believed that with his current status and position, he was destined to attract the attention of many.

The tree that stands out in the forest can no longer be hidden, so Gonggong Hall should keep a low profile and try to focus the outside world's attention only on its leader.

When even Gonggongtang can no longer be hidden, then there will probably be no need to hide it anymore.

There was actually another small matter that Lu Wei was concerned about today, namely, the 'deceased Zhou He', who was known to be going to enter the Tomb of the Six Sages to succeed as an elder. Now that he is officially dead, who is Xia Kui Tian Guang planning to make disappear?

Should he choose one from among the elders in the hall? Or should he choose one from among his trusted confidants under the Tian family?

With speculation about Tian Guang's next plans, the simple succession ceremony reached its climax when he picked up the Seven Star Pearl Grass and recited the last chapter of "Shennong".

Lu Wei's gaze, gleaming with a strange light, extended from the other five hall masters clapping on his left and right sides to the disciples outside the hall, who were clapping loudly: "Congratulations, Hall Master Lu!"

At seventeen, I've achieved my small goal of becoming a hall master and taking charge of the hall... Next, I should covet Tian Guang's position as the leader of the chivalrous sect!

Today, Lu Wei couldn't skimp on his drinks, but he couldn't get drunk either; the Gonggongtang headquarters was filled with laughter and merriment. Far away in the woods behind the trees, Zhou He listened to the commotion, a smile unconsciously spreading across his face...

He served as the head of the Gonggong Hall for decades, but now, his farewell can only be a solitary act.

"When you first heard that you were to succeed as the Elder of the Six Sages' Tomb, you said that you were already tired of this kind of tiring life. Why are you so reluctant to leave today?"

In Lu Wei's mind, Tian Guang, who was still in Jicheng, was leaning against a tree branch behind him.

"You've ruined my old age!" Zhou He turned around, feigning anger: "First, you made me personally injure my own grandson and force him to leave the farm. Then you made him infiltrate a dangerous trap alone. If he weren't so outstanding, would you want me to have no descendants?"

"Originally, I could have had the honor of passing on the Seven Star Pearl Grass, which represents identity, in front of all the disciples in Gonggong Hall today."

"As a result, I've not only become a 'dead man,' but even my nominal elder status has been taken over by someone else!"

He was only pretending to be angry, but as he spoke, Zhou He's tone became genuinely furious. He raised his hand and unleashed a powerful strike, slamming the airflow from the Unyielding Palm technique onto the tree.

Tian Guang nimbly dodged and landed on the ground. Hearing the loud sound of a tree trunk breaking behind him, he sighed: "I have wronged you too much. I should have taken this blow, but there are still too many important matters concerning the farmers to handle from Qi to Yan, so I cannot get injured now."

After Zhou He unleashed his palm strike, his anger subsided considerably. When he saw Tian Guang dodge, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief: "You are the leader of the chivalrous sects, so you have the right to say whatever you want."

"How are those two lads, Chen Sheng and Wu Kuang, doing now? I'll be able to tell Old Ye about it after I go to the tomb."

"His disciple was framed by you, Master Tian. You should know that Old Ye has always had a volatile temper."

"Those two are also capable kids..." Tian Guang thought seriously, "They're about the same as Ah Zhang..."

"Those you sent away were all from other families." Zhou He became irritated again: "Why weren't a few of your Tian family disciples sent away?"

"It was a coincidence, and I had no other choice." Tian Guang paused, then shook his head. "Who do you think is more suitable to be a spy, Tian Meng or Tian Hu?"

"Or are you referring to Tian Mi?"

"That's not the point. The point is, in the eyes of outsiders, the Tian family is now seen as aggressive and domineering. As the leader of the chivalrous clan, do you dare say you bear no responsibility whatsoever?"

"The next leader of the chivalrous sect will definitely not be surnamed Tian; future generations will help to correct this."

"Oh?" Zhou He's gaze swept over Tian Guang from head to toe. "Whom do you intend to appoint as your successor?"

Tian Guang didn't hide anything and frankly told his old friend his opinion: "Among the current hall masters, Tian Hu, Tian Mi, and Situ Wanli are absolutely out of the question. As for the others, the chances are about the same."

"So cautious?" Zhou He turned around with his hands behind his back, looking again in the direction of the Gonggong Hall headquarters: "I thought you would say Lu Wei's name without hesitation."

“He is indeed the most outstanding disciple among the younger generation of farmers, and his ambition is quite appropriate.” Tian Guang raised his hand and stroked his chin. “But no one can say for sure what will happen in the future. Tian Meng’s death is an example.”

"the same as you?"

"I am in more danger than anyone else in the farm!"

...

The day after Lu Wei received the title of 'Hall Master', good news came from Bai Luyan: the mechanical oxen were operating stably.

Standing on the edge of the field, I watched as two disciples operated the plow, one controlling the ox and the other the plow, quickly turning over an acre of land.

Throughout the entire process, the mechanical ox, which was similar in size and shape to a regular ox, did not malfunction at all. The hall master immediately inquired:

"What is the cost of such a mechanical beast?"

"It's quite expensive, costing the equivalent of three oxen themselves plus the value of five years of their labor."

Amu was unusually excited, and the dark circles under his eyes were even deeper than before: "But a mechanical ox doesn't need to rest all day, and as long as the main parts don't break, it can last for at least a hundred years! As for the small parts that wear out or get damaged in normal times, the cost of replacing them is extremely low."

"What about production efficiency?"

"Without investing any additional money, it takes seven days to make one."

"Does this mechanical ox still have any value in combat?"

Yan Shen also came along today. He squatted by the edge of the field, watching the mechanical oxen move, and suddenly made a suggestion.

"Great!" Lu Mu excitedly turned to look at him. "How did you figure that out?"

"Because it has metal horns..." Subconsciously touching his chest, Yan Shen had a deep memory of oxen.

"Fire Ox Formation?" Lü Chen joined the conversation, his eyes lighting up as he recalled a battle example from a military book he had recently read.

"In times of crisis, having disciples in the fields ride oxen to fight the enemy is an emergency plan I devised to protect the headquarters at Dazeshan."

As Lu Mu spoke, he jumped down into the farmland and went to the mechanical ox. He pressed a switch on the side of the ox, and two sharp, curved blades, gleaming coldly, instantly popped out from the ox's head and were placed around its horns.

"Farmers in the fields naturally need the force to protect their land!"

Seeing once again the illogical yet powerful wonders of mechanical arts, Lu Wei was even more delighted and laughed heartily as he clapped his hands.

As soon as he made that move, the other disciples and managers around him seemed to be infected and immediately followed suit, laughing and clapping.

Laughter suddenly filled the air across the field.

The mechanical workshop holds limitless possibilities! The mechanical beasts of the Gongshu and Mo families were once highly coveted, and still are today. But the Farmer's family now also possesses its own mechanical beasts, smaller in size but with extraordinary potential!

Lu Mu is still young, and there is huge room for improvement in his mechanical skills. In the future, the farm can have many more different kinds of mechanical beasts!

After ordering more funds to be allocated to Bai Luyan, Lu Wei returned to headquarters and received one piece of good news after another: his disciple delivered a reply from Lu Yu of Zhao State by express courier, informing him that Li Mu had agreed to allow the peasants to transport supplies into Dai under the name of Lord Wu'an, and that he would send cavalry to escort them!

Such a quick reply indicates that Li Mu agreed immediately without any hesitation after receiving the message.

"This is the opportunity for me to meet my future great general!"

The head of the hall instructed Lü Qing, who had taken over the position of general manager, to deliver the message to the Zhu family hall master and the Situ hall master. He himself went to the accounting office and personally allocated a batch of Gonggong Hall warehouse supplies.

Lu Wei plans to take these items directly to the State of Zhao after the Autumn Harvest Festival!

Chapter 102 Mei San Niang

During the previous Autumn Harvest Conference, I observed from the perspective of a disciple and did some minor tasks. Shortly afterward, I was promoted to the position of chief steward.

For this conference, everything was already set up at the pre-conference meeting of the hall masters, and the conference itself was just a fixed procedure.

Tian Guang sat in the main seat, looking at the six hall masters on both sides in front of him: among these people, compared with a few years ago, two people have been replaced on the surface, but three have actually been replaced.