Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

“It's still Brother Ganglie who speaks the most pleasingly, unlike the rest of the aristocratic families, who are full of meaningless stubbornness, which is really annoying.”

Li Ji said with a smile, causing Zhu Zheng to feel a little apprehensive.

Immediately, Li Ji ignored the other aristocratic families who were also gathered in front of the Marquis of Guoshi's residence, and led Zhu Zheng into the mansion.

Even if the other aristocratic families wanted to step forward at this moment, they did not dare to block Li Ji's path rashly.

Especially after Li Ji had Liu Qin openly compile a list of those who had not sent gifts, the other Yangzhou aristocratic families who were preparing to send gifts felt even more alarmed.

After Li Ji walked into the gate of the Marquis of Guoshi's residence, and as the gate closed again, the remaining Yangzhou aristocratic families rushed to Liu Qin like madmen to present their gifts, fearing that they would be too late.

As for Zhu Zheng, who followed Li Ji into the Marquis of Guoshi's residence, he was even more cautious, not daring to look around, for fear of doing something he shouldn't and displeasing Li Ji.

However, after Li Ji brought Zhu Zheng to the council hall, he didn't seem to want to talk to Zhu Zheng, and after instructing the maid to serve Zhu Zheng some pastries and tea,

Li Ji began to handle some accumulated official duties on his own, leaving Zhu Zheng, who felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, to wait anxiously.

It wasn't until nightfall covered the earth again, when Liu Qin, as a member of the Jinyi Si, delivered the completed list to Li Ji, that Li Ji, who had been busy at his desk, finally stretched his neck and began to look through the list.

After reading it once, Li Ji handed the list to Zhu Zheng.

Zhu Zheng nervously picked up the list and looked at it, which only recorded the names of seven families.

Jiujiang Huang Clan, Lujiang Lei Clan, Danyang He Clan…

What frightened Zhu Zheng was that these were all Yangzhou aristocratic families who had sided with him during the discussion in Wu County yesterday.

Moreover, at that time, Zhu Zheng felt that their reactions probably meant they genuinely believed that the Yangzhou aristocratic families were prepared to work together, so it was not strange that they had not reacted in time to send gifts.

Furthermore, some of these aristocratic families had marriage ties with the Yuzhang Zhu Clan.

After Zhu Zheng finished reading, Li Ji asked with a smile. “Ganglie, what are your thoughts? In your opinion, how should we deal with these people?”

This question made Zhu Zheng swallow, realizing that this was a dilemma.

However, Zhu Zheng only hesitated for a moment before quickly saying.

“They should be killed!”

Not standing firmly on one side is equivalent to resolutely not standing on any side.

For the sake of the Yuzhang Zhu Clan, even if Zhu Zheng felt a little unbearable in his heart, he would not hesitate.

Hearing this, Li Ji's face showed a hint of hesitation, and he said.

“Ganglie, you are very bloodthirsty, but I can't just use their failure to send gifts as a reason to wield the butcher's knife. Wouldn't that make me seem cruel, inhumane, and vindictive?”

Zhu Zheng waved his sleeve and said with righteous indignation.

“Marquis of Guoshi, that's not true!”

“These aristocratic families have often engaged in exploiting the villagers, and have repeatedly committed crimes. Moreover, they participated in the ‘Rebellion against Wu,’ so they should be killed as a warning to others.”

“It's just that Imperial Uncle Liu is mindful of benevolence, and the Marquis of Guoshi also has a compassionate heart, so he gave the Yangzhou aristocratic families a chance to reform themselves.”

“However, the aristocratic families on this list do not have even a trace of respect or gratitude towards the Marquis of Guoshi, which shows that they are truly wolves in sheep's clothing, ungrateful people who will surely bring disaster to the country if they are allowed to live.”

Speaking of this, Zhu Zheng's face turned red, and he bowed to Li Ji, seemingly filled with indignation.

“Therefore, Zhu Zheng of Yuzhang hereby implores the Marquis of Guoshi to consider the people, Yangzhou, and the Han Dynasty, and not be soft-hearted. He should take back the granted opportunity of compassion and use thunderous means to eliminate the treacherous and evil.”

Wouldn't anyone who didn't know the ways of the world be confused after hearing such words?

Li Ji's original bloody act of slaughtering in retaliation for not sending gifts was actually described by Zhu Zheng as being entirely for the public good.

Perhaps it's just that Zhu Zheng might be reluctant to part with the two taels of meat under his crotch, otherwise, if this kid had entered the palace earlier, the Ten Attendants might have become Eleven Attendants.

Originally, Li Ji wanted to use Zhu Zheng as a pawn to be discarded after use, but now he felt a bit of appreciation for his talent.

When the bird grows up, it will naturally see all kinds of forests.

Sycophants or subordinates with ulterior motives are unavoidable.

No matter how clear the water is, there are invisible impurities hidden within.

Even if Liu Bei eventually obtains the world and rebuilds the Han Dynasty, can he avoid having any traitors in the court?

Liu Bei might not easily listen to the words of traitors, but what about A Dou? What about Li Xiang? And what about the other second-generation officials who will inevitably occupy various important positions in the future?

Therefore, a person like Zhu Zheng is really suitable to act as a teacher, so that the education of the second generation can include anti-sensitivity reactions to sycophantic words.

They can like to hear flattering words, but at least they must not be influenced by them.

After pondering for a moment, Li Ji nodded and said.

“Ganglie is right. The reason why there was a rebellion against Wu was simply because treacherous people deceived my lord, who is benevolent and upright…”

After a pause, Li Ji turned to Zhu Zheng and said.

“Fortunately, Ganglie's kind words awakened me, otherwise, if I indulged them, it would be unknown if a great disaster would occur again in the future.”

“Marquis of Guoshi, you are too kind. I am just expressing my humble opinion.” Zhu Zheng quickly replied.

“No, no, no!”

Li Ji waved his hand and said.

“Ganglie is too modest. Because my lord is benevolent, the civil and military officials under my lord are also mostly kind and upright. Even if I want to deal with the aristocratic families, I am often troubled by the lack of someone who is good at this.”

“Now that Ganglie is willing to help me, isn't that like a fish in water?”

After a pause, Li Ji pointed to the list in front of Zhu Zheng and said. “These seven families will be left to Ganglie to handle.”

As soon as these words came out, Zhu Zheng felt as if he had been struck by lightning and stood there dumbfounded.

If Zhu Zheng entering Li Ji's mansion alone represented the severance of the Yuzhang Zhu Clan from the Yangzhou aristocratic families,

Then, if Zhu Zheng personally slaughtered these seven families, it would undoubtedly put the Yuzhang Zhu Clan completely on the opposite side of the Yangzhou aristocratic families and would be hated by all the Yangzhou aristocratic families.

However, in just a moment, Zhu Zheng realized that he had no way out, and neither did the Yuzhang Zhu Clan.

Zhu Zheng knew very well what important role the Yuzhang Zhu Clan had played in the “Rebellion against Wu,” and even the so-called defense map had passed through the hands of the Yuzhang Zhu Clan.

It was precisely because he understood the severity of the situation that Zhu Zheng flattered Li Ji so shamelessly.

And if Zhu Zheng refused at this moment, then the first to be exterminated would be the Yuzhang Zhu Clan.

Immediately, Zhu Zheng took a few steps away from his seat, then revealed a look of excitement, knelt down in front of Li Ji, and said loudly.

“Thank you, Marquis of Guoshi, for your appreciation. I will certainly not fail the Marquis of Guoshi's trust and will definitely not let a single one of these seven rebellious families escape.”

Zhu Zheng's decisiveness and ruthlessness made Li Ji look at him with a little more respect.

However, this was also a pawn that Li Ji needed to use.

A united Yangzhou aristocratic family would not be in the interest of the Liu Bei group, especially under the circumstances where Li Ji was preparing to transform the Yangzhou aristocratic families.

If the Yangzhou aristocratic families really showed unity and refused to submit, it would be a rather troublesome matter.

Now, it is true that the Yangzhou aristocratic families harbor their own ulterior motives, but this is also because they know that they are competitors and want the other party to be a scapegoat.

Under such circumstances, once heavy pressure is applied to all the Yangzhou aristocratic families, there is still the possibility of a collective backlash from the Yangzhou aristocratic families.

Therefore, further dividing the Yangzhou aristocratic families and making them hate each other is just a small trick before the one-month deadline.

“I understand the heart of the Yuzhang Zhu Clan. Ganglie only needs to work hard. I will report this matter to the lord tomorrow. At present, the Rebellion against Wu has coerced a portion of the Yuzhang Zhu Clan's people. They should be released home to recuperate as soon as possible.”

Li Ji said with a smile.

This made Zhu Zheng's face light up, and he quickly said to Li Ji. “Marquis of Guoshi, you are wise. I thank the Marquis of Guoshi on behalf of my father and nineteen clansmen.”

Immediately, Li Ji handed Zhu Zheng a pre-written letter.

This letter would allow Zhu Zheng to lead back two hundred slaves and retainers of the Yuzhang Zhu Clan from among the prisoners.

With these slaves and retainers, it would be enough for Zhu Zheng to do what he needed to do.

Naturally, Zhu Zheng was extremely grateful for this and understood that the Yuzhang Zhu Clan had no way out.

After walking out of the Marquis of Guoshi's residence, Zhu Zheng couldn't help but turn his head to look at the plaque with the words “Marquis of Guoshi's Residence” hanging on it. He didn't dare to have the slightest thought of playing tricks with Li Ji.

Zhu Zheng suddenly realized that this might not be an opportunity for the Yuzhang Zhu Clan, an opportunity to firmly tie the Yuzhang Zhu Clan to Liu Bei.

Zhu Zheng had already learned that Gu Yong of the Wu Clan in Wu County had been promoted to the position of County Magistrate.

It was foreseeable that within ten years, the Wu County aristocratic families would definitely respect the Gu Clan.

This wave that swept through the entire Yangzhou aristocratic families would inevitably take away a large number of aristocratic families and leave behind large areas of blank space that could be occupied.

‘Yangzhou is still too crowded. Why do we need so many aristocratic families?’

Thinking of this, Zhu Zheng clenched the letter in his hand, and a strong look of excitement appeared on his face.

The next day.

While Li Ji was paying attention to Zhu Zheng's movements, he personally went to the prison where Ze Rong was being held.

Unlike his former solemn appearance, after being imprisoned for so long, Ze Rong, who could only soothe his inner anxiety by chanting Buddhist scriptures every day, had clearly lost a third of his weight.

Afterwards, Li Ji had someone bring Ze Rong out of the prison and gave him a simple cleaning before he was brought to Li Ji.

At this moment, Ze Rong had already learned from others that the person he was about to meet was the Marquis of Guoshi, Li Ji.

Therefore, before the guards could even force Zuo Rong to the ground in front of Li Ji, Zuo Rong prostrated himself in a full-body bow.

Zuo Rong's initiative caught the guards who were escorting him off guard.

"This humble monk greets the virtuous, benevolent, and widely known enlightened layperson..."

??

Li Ji was dumbfounded.

Where did this nickname that's even longer than my place of origin come from? (End of this chapter)