Volume 1 The Wind Rises Chapter 36 Persuasion
When Li Chongjin faced Luo Youdu's question, he didn't know how to answer for a moment.
It’s not that he didn’t know the answer, on the contrary, he knew too well the thoughts of people like Wang Jixun.
Because he was such a person before he settled down to read.
Are you afraid of death?
I was so scared that I was shaking all over, but no matter how scared I was, I would still do anything, no matter how dangerous it was, just to save my breath, to save my face, or to show off my ability.
Being afraid of death but also wanting to commit suicide is extremely contradictory.
Seeing that Li Chongjin did not answer his question, Luo Youdu said, "Wang Jixun only knew that if he killed me, he would lose his life. But he did not know that none of his guards were servants, and if he killed them, he would also lose his life. This is the horror of legal ignorance. Because of ignorance of the law, too many people rely on their courage to walk on the edge of breaking the law without knowing it. May I ask the envoy, how many people can you save? Ten? Twenty? Or thirty?"
"Your Majesty is a benevolent and capable ruler. He wants to create a great cause similar to the Han and Tang dynasties, rather than being like the previous emperors of the Central Plains, who sat on a separatist country, did not make progress, and then died in the second or third generation. To create a great cause, a strong military force is important, but policies, wealth, culture, people's hearts and so on are all indispensable. My words may be like talking to a cow for other military officers. But the Prime Minister is definitely not an ordinary military official, he will definitely understand the deep meaning."
"The Prime Minister wants to seek justice for Wang Jixun. I believe that he does not think he is right, but is acting out of personal feelings. This is not wrong, but on the one hand, this move is condoning those who break the law without knowing it, or even knowing it. On the other hand, it is also embarrassing the government and affecting the future of our Great Zhou."
Li Chongjin listened to these profound truths without saying a word.
Luo Youdu cursed in his heart: "This guy is really hard to fool. Can't he be more simple-minded like the general at the beginning of today?"
After reorganizing his thoughts, Luo Youdu said, "I am telling you this because I really don't want to become a pawn in the hands of others to deal with the military."
Li Chongjin finally showed an interested look and asked, "What do you mean?"
Luo Youdu bowed and said, "I have been studying since I was young, but my dream is not to enter the government and become a high-ranking official. Instead, I admire the Confucian generals like Zhou Yu, Lu Xun, Xie Xuan, and Pei Xingjian, who wore feather fans and robes, fought battles thousands of miles away, recovered lost territory for our Great Zhou, expanded the territory, and even died on the battlefield, without regrets in this life. Therefore, I like Li He's poem the most, 'Why don't men take Wu Gou and take over the fifty states of Guanshan. Please go to the Lingyan Pavilion for a while, how can a scholar become a marquis?'"
Li Chongjin said with some mockery: "So, you want to be one of us?"
Luo Youdu shook his head and said, "If the envoy refers to someone like Wang Jixun? That's not necessary. I, Luo Youdu, would rather be a beggar than work with him. If the envoy thinks that I am trying to show my loyalty to him, he is totally wrong. I will make my own way in the future, and I will win or lose. I say this because I don't want to see brave and skilled generals being manipulated by the ministers in the temple because of their ignorance. To die on the battlefield is the lifelong pursuit of a general, not to be defeated by political struggles."
Li Chongjin's eyes moved slightly.
Luo Youdu said with deep sorrow: "The dispute between civil officials and military officials is inevitable, but I am not afraid of offending the envoys and ministers. This is more sinister than playing political tricks. There are few military officials in the court, including the envoys and ministers, who can compare with the ministers in the temple. If they are not restrained, the final result is unpredictable."
"Take this matter for example. Someone actually set their sights on the Ministry of Revenue. This Ministry of Revenue is the most important department in the hands of the ministers. If it weren't for the emperor's benevolence, all the generals in the court today would have suffered."
Li Chongjin was speechless when he heard this.
Luo Youdu continued, "They are stupid enough to begin with, and they are arrogant and domineering because of their bravery and military achievements. Not to mention the several husbands with amazing skills, even if I really want to arrest people in a targeted manner, I can catch eight out of ten."
"I know that no one is perfect. If a person has some minor flaws, they can be understood or ignored. But there will be no compromise on matters of principle. This public trial of Wang Jixun in Kaifeng Prefecture has two purposes. First, he deserves to die, and second, it is to intimidate the civil and military nobles in the court. Don't be arrogant and do whatever you want because of your merits. I will not tolerate their faults. I don't want to be a pawn used by the gentlemen to eliminate dissidents, but if they really have to lie down under the knife of Kaifeng Prefecture one by one, I will not show mercy."
"I came here today to tell the envoy that you can indeed plead for Wang Jixun. The emperor trusts the envoy the most, and Wang Jixun may be able to escape this disaster. But once this precedent is set, I believe more people will not take the law seriously. There will be more people who despise the laws of the Great Zhou, and the consequences will be that they will die under the sword of the Kaifeng government, or the laws of the Great Zhou will not work, and the emperor's hard work will be destroyed."
Li Chongjin narrowed his eyes and said, "Since you know you are a pawn, why do you still move forward?"
Luo Youdu said calmly, "Kaifeng Prefecture maintains the public security of Kaifeng and is responsible for the stability of the people's livelihood. If someone violates the law, the law will not show mercy. No matter who is behind it."
He chuckled and said, "If the Prime Minister finds someone who has violated the law and is under the jurisdiction of Kaifeng Prefecture, you can have someone report him, even without leaving a name. I will not discriminate."
Li Chongjin looked at Luo Youdu and said after a while, "I will not ask about Wang Jixun's affairs anymore. What you said today is not without reason. Indeed, some people are not very decent and need to be restrained. We will also give them a warning so that they can use their strength on the battlefield and not harm the people in Beijing."
Luo Youdu was overjoyed and said, "Thank you very much for your understanding."
Li Chongjin suddenly changed the subject and said, "I don't care about doing anything sneaky, but if I find out that you, Luo Youdu, go against what I said today and treat the civil officials and military officials differently in Kaifeng Prefecture, I will never forgive you. Maybe I don't have as many tricks as you, but if I want to kill you, a knife is enough."
Luo Youdu said solemnly: "I will remember the Prime Minister's teachings."
There was a glimmer of joy in his eyes.
If Li Chongjin did not show up, Wang Jixun's matter would be a foregone conclusion.
The purpose of coming to Li's house this time was fully achieved.
Maintaining the dignity of Kaifeng Prefecture was only one of his purposes. His real purpose was to let Li Chongjin know that he was not Fan Zhi and Wang Pu's man.
He already had a premonition in his heart that Fan Zhi and Wang Pu would continue to use their Kaifeng Prefecture to suppress the military faction.
Make a report in advance so that Li Chongjin can find the culprit when the time comes, or directly use himself to deal with Fan Zhi and Wang Pu.
Luo Youdu was not afraid of offending both parties, and Kaifeng Prefecture handled all issues impartially.
In this way, the pawn that crosses the river will be won over and feared by both sides, instead of becoming a discarded piece that is used and then abandoned.
Just when Luo Youdu was about to leave , Li Chongjin suddenly said, "It's getting late, stay and have a few drinks with me."
