Northern Yan, Heavenly King Stronghold.
It had been a few months since the last envoy came to discuss the recruitment conditions. Recently, an envoy from the Imperial Court had finally arrived to officially ask about the intentions of everyone in the Heavenly King Stronghold on behalf of the government.
Lu Longchuan and the commander of the mountain went out to welcome a few imperial envoys and invited them to the Loyalty Hall.
After three rounds of wine and five dishes…
The Imperial Court’s envoy put down his wine cup and looked at Lu Longchuan. He cupped his hands and said, “Chief Lu, leaders, Minister Qin knows that the Heavenly King Stronghold has the intention to repay the country, so he specially put in a good word for you in front of the Emperor.
Now that the Imperial Court has the intention to officially recruit you, as long as you’re willing to help the Imperial Court calm down the Northern Yan and Eastern Tai bandits, this matter will be mostly settled. What do you think?”
Lu Longchuan cupped his fists solemnly, “Since His Majesty has conferred his grace, we will naturally repay the country wholeheartedly. Our Heavenly King Stronghold will definitely quell these two bandit groups.”
The Imperial Court’s envoy smiled and nodded, “That’s good to hear.”
Lu Longchuan paused for a moment before asking, “I wonder how the Imperial Court will deal with our Heavenly King Stronghold after the recruitment?”
“Haha, don’t worry. When the bandit problem is settled, Chief Lu will most likely be conferred a General’s title, able to command a mounted army. He will be in charge of the soldiers of several states or a local pacifying envoy. The leaders will also be rewarded with official positions.
If the Imperial Court can see your intentions to repay the country with your fists, it’s not impossible for you to be conferred the position of a military governor in the future. After all, this matter has long been precedent. Minister Qin will naturally put in a good word for you.”
The Imperial Court’s envoy lightly smiled.
Great Xia had been established for nearly 180 years and had witnessed many banditry problems. The method of recruitment had been used too many times. In the past, many famous Green Forest personages had also been recruited by the Imperial Court and had made contributions everywhere. In the end, they were conferred officials and even became military governors. A portion of them had a good ending and were passed down as legends.
Therefore, in this aspect, the Imperial Court had set a precedent. Otherwise, the people of the Green Forest would not think that recruitment was a good way for them to succeed.
Lu Longchuan stood up and bent down. He said gratefully, “Sir, please thank you for the love and care you have shown us. When we enter the capital in the future, I’ll personally visit to thank you.”
“No problem, no problem. I’ll go back and report to Minister Qin now. His Majesty is currently patrolling the south and is not in the capital for the time being, so this matter still needs to wait for a few months. It will probably take until the beginning of spring next year for His Majesty to issue a decree to recruit you, bestow with rewards, pardon your past crimes, and return your innocence. At that time, you will also have to enter the capital to pay your respects.”
“Many thanks, Sir.” Lu Longchuan thanked him again.
After negotiating their intentions, everyone ate and drank happily.
After staying for three days, the imperial envoy left the mountain. Lu Longchuan and the others sent him for 10 kilometers before returning to the stronghold.
On the way, a straightforward leader said gloomily,
“What kind of person is Big Brother? Why do you need to curry favor with those imperial envoys? It makes me feel so aggrieved. Why is there a need to be so polite to such people?”
Lu Longchuan shook his head and said, “This recruitment is a big deal to the Imperial Court. Since I’m looking for a way out for my brothers, so what if I have to lower my stance?”
“Brother, that Minister Qin is one of the seven thieves of the current dynasty, but we have to cling to this person. Won’t we be mocked by the world?”
“Brother, you’re wrong. Now that the treacherous officials are in charge, no one can do anything. Even if we have the intention to help our country, if we don’t join the faction of a powerful minister, how can we be recruited by the Imperial Court? Sigh, a man should endure humiliation. This is the only way.”
Lu Longchuan sighed and explained.
Most of the leaders agreed and expressed their understanding.
Now that the Chief’s efforts had pushed the recruitment matter to the brink, everyone was about to obtain the benefits of the recruitment. They would be able to change from bandits to regular troops, so there was naturally no reason to go back on their word.
Someone muttered, “Ever since I dealt with the Imperial Court, I’ve been so unhappy with my actions. I’m not as carefree as before. Think about Chen Feng in the south. Wouldn’t it be comfortable to kill on behalf of the heavens?”
Chen Feng’s actions had long spread throughout the Green Forest, causing many leaders of the Heavenly King Stronghold to respect Chen Feng.
If not for the fact that they had long joined the Heavenly King Stronghold and had been brothers for many years, many people would have grown wings and flown to the south to follow Chen Feng to enforce justice on behalf of the heavens and roam the martial world.
Lu Longchuan stroked his beard and pondered for a moment before saying, “That Chen Feng is indeed a top figure. He makes people admire him and has the demeanor of me when I was young. It’s just that… this person is too unscrupulous and violent. He has repeatedly provoked the Imperial Court and cut off all paths of retreat. It’s most likely impossible for him to be recruited.”
Everyone had no way to respond to his statement.
At this moment, Xiang Tianjie coughed and changed the topic. He asked,
“The court wants us to pacify and settle the bandits in Northern Yan and Eastern Tai. Brother, do you have a plan?”
Hearing this, a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar beside him said, “Although my Heavenly King Stronghold is the leader of the Green Forest in the north, the north is in chaos, and there are many strongholds. It’s not easy to pacify them.
However, once my Heavenly King Stronghold receives the recruitment and has the righteousness of the Imperial Court, we might be able to talk a portion of the strongholds that have good relationships with us into surrendering. As for the remaining stubborn people, we will have to fight a few rounds with them.”
“That’s right. To pacify both Northern Yan and Eastern Tai, we need to utilize both hard and soft methods. As long as the bandit problem of the two areas is eliminated, the north will be more or less stable.”
Lu Longchuan nodded.
He did not want to blindly fight and suppress the bandits. If he used up all his assets, even if he was recruited, it would not be of much use. He might even be killed by the Imperial Court instead since he had outlived his usefulness.
In his opinion, only by maintaining the armed forces and making it difficult for the government to govern would the Imperial Court be willing to take out real rewards to continue roping in their Heavenly King Stronghold. In this way, he would indirectly become a feudal official who occupied a territory. His status would no longer be limited to the Green Forest, but would have a proper and righteous way to exist as a stronghold.
…
Meanwhile, after sailing for a few days, Zhou Jing and the others finally arrived at Huyang.