Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

Chapter 463: What Rudeness Is There?

(PS: In the previous chapter, I momentarily overlooked the significant differences between the Han Dynasty calendar and the present one. A month averaged 29 or 30 days, so I have made detailed revisions to the relevant content, emphasizing the ability to admit and correct mistakes.

Now, the corresponding content has been changed to the "Pointing at a Deer and Calling it a Horse" adaptation. Interested foster fathers can go back and take a look.)

“Actually, it’s not like there isn’t a chance to meet again…”

Zhu Zheng shamelessly flattered, echoing the sentiment.

“Lord Marquis, some of the people present have ulterior motives even attending this meeting. Sending them down to meet… is also a form of mercy.”

“You!”

At that moment, there were quite a few die-hard aristocratic family representatives glaring at Zhu Zheng, even wanting to kill him.

However, the blood from Li Ji’s light words had not yet dried. Mixed with anger and fear, no one dared to be disrespectful in front of Li Ji.

As for the animosity of those stubborn aristocratic families, Zhu Zheng didn't care at all. Who knows how many of these stubborn old fogeys would be left after this meeting.

Zhu Zheng knew very well that if he retreated even slightly, he would please neither side. The first to be crushed to pieces would be the Yuzhang Zhu family.

Only by standing firmly on the same side as Marquis Guoshi could the Yuzhang Zhu family fight for a chance of survival, and even take it a step further!

“Alright, alright!”

Li Ji waved his hand and said.

“Let’s not say things that are not conducive to unity. I am deeply honored that you can grace us with your presence, at least proving that you are also willing to submit to my lord, instead of wholeheartedly following the bandit Dong and becoming Han traitors.”

His words were still calm and composed, but they felt like a thousand pounds to everyone's ears.

In the past, too many Yangzhou aristocratic families had directly or indirectly participated in the Anti-Wu Allied Army. Very few were truly uninvolved.

Of course, it wasn't that every Yangzhou aristocratic family was confident that the Anti-Wu Allied Army could capture Wu Commandery.

A considerable number of aristocratic families held a herd mentality and an investment mentality. In addition, due to intertwined marriages within the Yangzhou aristocratic families, even those who did not directly send troops chose to secretly support with money and food.

Hedging bets is standard practice for aristocratic families.

But the bad thing was that the Anti-Wu Allied Army was annihilated in an instant, countless people were captured, and the connection between the Anti-Wu Allied Army and the Yangzhou aristocratic families was thoroughly investigated.

And Li Ji’s words undoubtedly further defined the Anti-Wu Allied Army as Dong Zhuo’s accomplices, and the Yangzhou aristocratic families who were dealt with earlier were all Han traitors.

The implication was undoubtedly that there might be Han traitors among those present.

Immediately, under the gaze of the aristocratic families, Li Ji waved his sleeves and sat down. Some guards also brought in seats and placed them behind the representatives of the very small portion of aristocratic families with official positions, led by Gu Yong.

(PS: A little trivia: Only the Japanese kneeling posture is really sitting on the legs. In fact, the Han Dynasty kneeling posture had a seat called "Zhi Zhong" placed under the buttocks, and this was completely confirmed by ancient objects excavated from Han tombs.)

Immediately, Li Ji raised his hand and gestured.

“These are all the seats in the State Prefecture. Please forgive those of you who do not have seats. Please bear with it for a moment. How about we sit down and discuss?”

What else could the aristocratic family representatives present say? With Li Ji already sitting down, who would dare to continue standing?

Apart from some aristocratic family representatives who were unconstrained and simply sat on the ground, most of the aristocratic family representatives were almost enduring the pain of sitting on their calves.

However, there was no shortage of clever people among the aristocratic families present. In just a moment, they understood the meaning.

Those who had seats were those who were already serving under Liu Bei.

The meaning was self-evident, roughly implying that the remaining Yangzhou aristocratic families were not qualified to sit on an equal footing with the officials under Liu Bei.

Some aristocratic family representatives who were accustomed to being high above were angry in their hearts, but they did not dare to speak out.

As everyone sat down one after another, Li Ji was not in a hurry to speak.

Aristocratic families are not like fierce tigers, but in a sense, they are similar to hungry wolves, pursuing land, fame, and power as their main food.

Taming hungry wolves and turning them into loyal dogs is a patient job.

So, after everyone sat down, Li Ji waved his hand and had tea and pastries prepared in advance brought up.

This time, apart from Li Ji having a table in front of him, everyone else was treated equally.

“Please forgive me, everyone. In order to conquer the national traitor Dong Zhuo, and because my lord has always been based on benevolence and virtue, diligence and self-discipline, there are not a large number of tables in the State Prefecture that can be provided. The conditions are so simple, I am very ashamed.”

Li Ji really wasn't making excuses. Naturally, it was impossible for the State Prefecture to have dozens or hundreds of tables in stock.

Even if they were prepared in advance, this courtyard, which barely accommodated everyone, could not accommodate so many tables.

Regardless of whether Li Ji's words were sincere or not, Zhu Zheng would naturally not allow anyone to echo and support Li Ji faster than himself.

Almost as soon as Li Ji's voice fell, Zhu Zheng replied loudly.

“A true man is born between heaven and earth, sitting on the ground and eating under the sky. What rudeness is there?”

After a pause, Zhu Zheng's eyes actually showed crystal tears, and he said with a lot of emotion.

“Thinking back to those years when Uncle Liu Huang was in the refugee camp, in order to settle more homeless refugees as soon as possible, he drank a mouthful of sand porridge in front of the people. Compared to that, what rudeness is there?”

After saying that, Zhu Zheng tasted the pastries in small bites like he was going on a pilgrimage, and from time to time he drank tea.

With Zhu Zheng setting an example, there were naturally many people who followed suit.

This made Li Ji's eyebrows twitch. Looking at Zhu Zheng's grateful expression, he was not eating pastries, but clearly dealing with people, and he was not drinking tea, but clearly enjoying wealth and glory.

However, the kneeling and licking faction like Zhu Zheng was undoubtedly still a minority. Most of the stubborn faction tasted it shallowly and stopped.

Not to mention that those stubborn representatives who were preoccupied, frightened, and worried had no intention of eating. More importantly, kneeling on the hard ground was undoubtedly a huge physical test for most pampered aristocratic families.

A quarter of an hour, half an hour is still good.

But as Li Ji seemed to be really holding a tea party, he occasionally exchanged ideas with those who echoed him about the origin, taste, and improvement direction of these teas and pastries, etc.

Many aristocratic families only felt that they were living like years, and they did not dare to show the slightest dissatisfaction or impatience to Li Ji, for fear of being dealt with as well.

And Zhu Zheng also made Li Ji quite change his view. Obviously, he also did not have a seat, but he always maintained a flattering look, as if his knees and calves were made of iron, completely different from the other aristocratic family representatives who could not help but start to secretly move their legs.