I Don't Agree to the Terms
Chapter 499 - 275: Marquis Liang Also Serves as Liang State Governor - Part 2

Chapter 499: Chapter 275: Marquis Liang Also Serves as Liang State Governor - Part 2

Gu Shanhai opened the document and saw that Jiang Lu had become Marquis Liang and the Governor of Liang State.

"How did such a good fortune fall into your hands?" Gu Shanhai was somewhat puzzled; becoming a Marquis was expected, as the previous batch of warlords returned from Yong’an had also been ennobled.

Under normal circumstances, Jiang Lu wouldn’t qualify, let alone hope to orchestrate it.

During the special period when Liang State Governor was orchestrated, even during that time, Gu Shanhai hadn’t thought of making a Marquis out of it, and now, out of nowhere, it was handed over to him; what sort of matter was this?

"There must be monsters where things are abnormal, I don’t know either, we have to wait for the spy’s report from Yong’an, this matter is somewhat concealed," said Jiang Lu, having regained his calm.

He also had a full mind of doubts.

The likelihood of pies falling from the sky was slim, and it was more probable it was a trap, which was why his first action was to find Gu Shanhai.

But the die was cast; there was indeed no remedy.

The imperial edict had already been issued; they couldn’t decline it.

Gu Shanhai also had no clues; he proceeded to investigate through Prophetic Divination.

He discovered a very interesting matter; it was not only Jiang Lu who had been ennobled, but all the governors had been made Marquis, and those who were already Marquis were now elevated a rank, directly to kings.

Everyone had become local warlords, solidifying the nature of all being warlords.

Importantly, Emperor Long was dead.

Yes, he died from an accidental drowning; as to whether it was true, Gu Shanhai didn’t pursue it, only aware that the newly appointed Emperor Long was less than three years old.

The decree to appoint kings and marquis was issued by the previous Emperor Long, who died the day after the issue.

These Edicts certainly couldn’t have reached Liang State in one day; they would need time to travel.

At least half a month.

From this series of absurd tactics, it seemed likely that it was orchestrated by someone wishing to change from a regional lord to a king of different surname.

The approach was swift, accurate, ruthless, and also silenced everyone; everyone benefited, so no complaints. If you refused to take it and tried to appear noble, you would be an outlier, don’t blame everyone else for taking you down.

"Nowadays, maintaining the status quo is the best strategy, still the same saying, ’stockpile grains and fortify the city.’" Gu Shanhai saw it clearly. As everyone refrained from acting, one shouldn’t be the initiator. With Emperor Long as a cover, whoever acted first would be doomed.

Pretending to be a king was subdued; now was just the prelude to chaotic times, not suitable to shout out such declarations, originally no one even wanted to declare themselves king.

One could only say that the person who thought of this ruse was absolutely foolish, continually eroding the prestige of Emperor Long to keep adding to this fuse, everyone just thinking about setting it off faster, and then break out in fight.

Even Gu Shanhai harbored this thought, almost willing to say first: Boring, I want to see rivers of blood.

Primarily he wanted to witness a large-scale battle to collect Military Evil Qi and the like to construct the White Tiger, yet everyone fell into this strange peace; how could he bear it, yet he remained sensible, not coaxing Jiang Lu to take lead.

If such a favorable situation in Liang State were ruined, who would supply him the resources to research and experiment.

"Is there any way to find out who came up with this idea?" Gu Shanhai asked again.

"Still investigating, it’ll take some time, you know teacher, our overall power isn’t comparable to those large states," said Jiang Lu, also feeling helpless.

Although they had developed rapidly over those three years, their depth of heritage was still too lacking.

Take spies for instance, in these years, many were sent into Yong’an, but the intelligence returned wasn’t particularly invaluable, mostly commonplace, only that they were sent ahead of time with not much timeliness.

His ennoblement decree had arrived, yet the spies had no related intelligence until now; they didn’t even know about the ennoblement.

"Tch, this matter might be troublesome," Gu Shanhai thought, unsure how long he might have to wait.

"Could it be that troublesome?" Jiang Lu rarely heard Gu Shanhai use the word ’troublesome’.

"It’s so troublesome that someone might coerce the Emperor to command the lords." Gu Shanhai couldn’t help but think of this matter.

Jiang Lu was somewhat puzzled. What kind of trouble was this? Emperor Long was nothing but a puppet, his commands were essentially unheeded; even he, a relative of the Royal Family, disregarded Emperor Long, let alone other lords and kings of different surnames.

If anyone really listened, it wouldn’t have gotten to this state.

At this moment, Jiang Lu still didn’t know that Emperor Long had been replaced, so naturally, he was somewhat puzzled.

"Just wait, perhaps in a few days there will be another purge of the court. This time, maybe we could join in the excitement."

Coercing the Emperor to command the lords was not something just anyone could do; one had to have enough power, otherwise, it was almost akin to seeking death.

Cao Cao controlled Emperor Xian for a lifetime because he had sufficient power. Didn’t Dong Zhuo do the same thing earlier, albeit not as swiftly?

"Really? But going to purge the court doesn’t seem better than..." Jiang Lu didn’t finish his sentence because it was inappropriate to say more.

What he meant was it would be better to take advantage of the situation to swallow up the neighbors for tangible gains. If another purge happened, most people’s attention would be diverted, and some might even take their main forces to seek easy gains. Wouldn’t that be a good opportunity?

Going to purge the court earns reputation, not going earns profit.

"A good idea, but are you sure you can stay out of it if you choose?" Gu Shanhai teased.

Many things are beyond one’s control.

"I can go, but it doesn’t mean I can’t do two things at once. I’ll take a hundred thousand Sun and Moon Daoist Soldiers, that should be sufficient," Jiang Lu knew he definitely had to go, but him alone was sufficient; the 400,000 Daoist Soldiers of Liang State could completely allow the original power to expand further.

"Wait... you’re not thinking of making me go, are you?" Gu Shanhai suddenly realized. With the double-handed strategy, Jiang Lu would definitely not be able to manage the overall situation after he left.

Having Zhan Yan or his three sworn brothers, or even Li Yu, to take over would certainly not stabilize the situation nor fit the bill.

Only Gu Shanhai could make these people listen.

If anyone dared to be insincere or questioned authority, it wouldn’t even require Gu Shanhai to act personally; people like Li Yu would intervene promptly to clarify Gu Shanhai’s position in Liang State.

"Teacher, your intuition about these matters is frightfully accurate." Jiang Lu only felt relieved entrusting this rear guard role to Gu Shanhai, he wouldn’t be comfortable giving it to anyone else.

"It has nothing to do with intuition; just from your words, I can tell what you’re planning." Gu Shanhai was somewhat speechless. How could he, as a master, not understand his own disciple?

"If it really turns out as you have guessed, Teacher, the subsequent plans for Liang State will also need your presence," Jiang Lu also dropped his joking demeanor and spoke earnestly.

"Leave it to me, a life of toil," Gu Shanhai shook his head helplessly, fortunately, his role wasn’t too demanding—mostly acting as the Ocean Stabilizer to control the situation. The rest, whether it was Zhan Yan or Li Yu, all had relevant experience.

"The situation changes day by day. I never imagined that in just a few short years, the whole of Dalong would decay to this extent," Jiang Lu also couldn’t help but sigh.

Before the barbarians, Dalong was unmatched in splendor, but because of corvée labor, it had disastrously declined.

Gu Shanhai did not linger on this topic but immediately shooed him away: "Are you so free today that you even have time to sigh?"

"Ah, this..." Jiang Lu gave a rueful smile and then said, "I just thought the timing was right."

"Alright, now that you’re done sighing, you should go back and handle official affairs," Gu Shanhai said bluntly, his earlier words having been more tactful.

Hearing this, Jiang Lu could only leave helplessly—he had wanted to slack off a little longer, but Gu Shanhai ruthlessly sent him back to work.

After leaving Gu Shanhai’s residence, he immediately underwent a significant transformation, becoming an imposing figure who did not show his emotions easily.

The aura he exuded was that of a high-ranking leader, not the Disciple who just bickered and admitted weakness with Gu Shanhai.

To manage the military and administrative affairs of an entire state, to lead troops in sieges and territorial conquests, how could he possibly be a frivolous person.

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