From beggar to emperor: I am not Zhu Yuanzhang

After receiving Gao Pian's authorization, Lu Yongzhi immediately set off for Luzhou.

Luzhou Shuai Mansion.

The sentry at the front sent news that Gao Pian's special envoy Lu Yongzhi had arrived on the outskirts of Luzhou. Yang Xingmi summoned Yuan Xi, Dai Yougui and others for discussion.

Yang Xingmi was not familiar with Gao Pian, the highest official in the Huainan region, and of course he was even less familiar with Lu Yongzhi. So he asked Yuan Xi about Lu Yongzhi's situation.

"Sir, do you know who this Lu Yongzhi is?"

Yuan Xi cupped his hands and said: "This Lu Yongzhi was originally an alchemist. He studied Taoism in Jiuhua Mountain for several years. After coming down from the mountain, he came to Yangzhou and met Gao Pian through Yu Gongchu. This man was good at heresy and practiced the art of ghosts and gods. Gao Pian was very interested in him. I have no doubt about it, and I treat him as a guest, and he is a popular figure in the Huainan Military Mansion."

"Gao Pian's guest? Then why did he come to Luzhou? Could it be that he came to negotiate on behalf of Gao Pian?" Dai Yougui asked.

Yang Xingmi pondered: "Negotiations require bargaining chips. We have just defeated the army. What can Gao Pian do to negotiate with us? I guess Gao Pian sent him here to make peace."

Yuan Xi analyzed: "If someone else comes, it may be to test our bottom line. If Lu Yong is sent here, it may be to recruit people."

"Recruitment?" Yang Xingmi and Dai Yougui said in unison.

"In a head-to-head fight, Gao Pian is no match for us, and he is unwilling to give up Luzhou. At the same time, he is still recruiting troops to expand his strength. So recruiting us under his command is the best choice." Yuan Xi pointed out.

"Then how should we respond?" Dai Yougui asked.

Yuan Xi: "Let's listen to what Lu Yongzhi said first. After all, Gao Pian is the Huainan Jiedushi appointed by the imperial court. He governs the seven states and should not be underestimated. We currently only have a small Luzhou, surrounded by powerful enemies. However, the situation is not optimistic, so we still need to consider it carefully.”

In the living room, Lu Yongzhi saw the legendary Yang Xingmi. He bowed his hands and saluted: "Huainan Jiedushi Master Gao specially ordered Lu to come and pay homage to General Yang."

Yang Xingmi invited Lu Yongzhi to take a seat and asked, "I wonder why Mr. Gao Pian sent you here?"

Lu Yongzhi replied: "Lv came here for the general's future. Now that the world is in chaos and heroes are rising together, my master justly invites heroes from all over the world to work together for a great cause. The general is brave and resourceful, has both wisdom and courage, and is powerful. Zhou, my lord has admired you for a long time."

"What does your master mean?" Yang Xingmi pretended not to know.

"As long as the general surrenders to the imperial court, my lord will immediately recommend the general to be the governor of Luzhou. He will serve the country and have a bright future." Lu Yongzhi revealed his trump card.

Yang Xingmi thanked him and said, "Sir's sincerity is appreciated by Xingmi. However, Xingmi just defeated the two generals Yu Gongchu and Yao Guili outside the city the day before yesterday. I am afraid that my brothers will feel uneasy if I surrender now."

Lu Yongzhi immediately realized that Yang Xingmi was afraid that Yu Gongchu and Yao Guili would secretly retaliate.

He quickly said: "That's all a misunderstanding. A misunderstanding. My lord listened to the slanders of Yu and Yao and slandered the general that he wanted to capture Yangzhou and replace it. This is pure nonsense. These two men lost troops and generals, and the lord was furious. The general will be punished heavily, so you can rest assured.”

"In this case, Xingmi can rest assured. You have been working hard all the way, sir. Please prepare a small amount of wine in the house. Sir, please go to have a meal first and rest for one night. I will give you an answer after we discuss it tomorrow." Yang Xingmi cupped his hands.

The attendant led Lu Yongzhi down the hall. Looking at Lu Yongzhi's back, Yang Xingmi fell into deep thought.

Yuan Xi, who was behind him, said, "What is the general's plan?"

Yang Xingmi turned to look at Yuan Xi: "What will the brothers think of me if I am recruited?"

Yuan Xi thought for a while: "It depends on what the general wants. If the general wants to live like a mountain king in Crouching Tiger Village, free and unrestrained, then he doesn't have to worry about what Gao Pian says or does. But if the general wants to achieve success, If you want to have a career, ride to Huainan, compete in the Central Plains, or even go north to compete for the world, then you must consider Gao Pian."

"how do I say this?"

Yuan Xi: "If the general wants to achieve hegemony, he must go out of Luzhou, out of Huainan, and go to the world. But now Gao Pian is very popular in Huainan, and this is still his territory. If the general wants to achieve hegemony, Gao Pian cannot be avoided. In the past, he will become a noble person in the general's favor."

"General, do you understand what Yuan means?"

Yang Xingmi already knew what he was doing. He thanked him and said, "Sir's words made Xingmi suddenly enlightened. I know what to do."

Early the next morning, in the lobby of the Commander's Mansion, Yang Xingmi summoned the generals to formally announce his decision: accept the recruitment.

Tian Kai and others had a gloomy look on their faces, muttering to themselves that the eldest brother was paying more attention to food than to fighting, and was trying to recruit people. Wasn't it enough that Xue Huai had cheated him last time?

Lu Yongzhi was overjoyed and read out Gao Pian's letter of appointment on the spot, appointing Yang Xingmi as Huainan's Adiya and also the governor of Luzhou (Luzhou governor). The Crouching Tiger Camp was also integrated into the battle order of the Huainan Military Mansion.

Soon after, the official uniforms and seals of the Luzhou governor were sent from Yangzhou, and Yang Xingmi officially took office. He transformed from a fallen thief into a governor and completed his first leap.

Yang Xingmi was very grateful to Gao Pian for his kindness. If Zheng Xu was Yang Xingmi's first noble person, then Gao Pian was his second noble person, and the most important one. Without Gao Pian's insight and talent, there would be no Yang Xingmi's subsequent hegemony.

Zhu Wen, who later opened Pandora's box of troubled times in the Five Dynasties, also relied on this model to make a fortune. After his defeat in Tongzhou (today's Dali, Shaanxi Province), he surrendered to Wang Chongrong, the governor of Hezhong at the time. Under Wang Chongrong's recommendation, Zhu Wen gradually He stepped onto the political stage of the late Tang Dynasty and became one of the most influential figures.

Zhu Wen was always grateful to Wang Chongrong, the governor of Hezhong who supported him. After Wang Chongrong was killed, Zhu Wen went to pay homage when he passed his grave. This was a common phenomenon in the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties.

Such a ridiculous and magical farce is enough to show that the authority of the imperial court at that time was gone. The local governors ruled separately, recruited troops, appointed officials by themselves, and withheld taxes collected for their own use. It did not matter whether the imperial court approved or not. Whoever has soldiers and guns is the local emperor, and he will not tolerate your court at all. This is why Gao Pian dared to recommend a thief as the governor of Luzhou. Yesterday he was a rebel rebel, but today he is an official of the imperial court. This is the characteristic of magic in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms.

The news that Yang Xingmi accepted the recruitment reached Yangzhou. Gao Pian was very happy. Master Lu knew how to do things and solved this seemingly difficult problem in a few clicks. Now the trouble in Luzhou was finally solved, but he didn't know what Yang Xingmi was thinking. Gao Pian decided to meet Yang Xingmi, firstly to express his condolences; secondly, to get to know his details and see his attitude.

The messenger sent by Gao Pian soon arrived in Luzhou.

Gao Pian invited Yang Xingmi to Yangzhou in his letter. They could meet and have a few drinks, so they didn't know each other for a long time.