Jiuxi

Chapter 164 Chapter 163 [This is what a man should do]

Jiang Houming's proposal actually makes no sense, but it is very consistent with the behavior of people in the green forest.

If Lu Chen only came to pay homage to the mountain and convey the goodwill of the Southern Qi Huaizhou Governor's Mansion to the Seven Star Gang, then he would definitely be treated politely by everyone, including Jiang Houming.Regardless of whether he and Lin Jie have friendship or not, this will not change. This is the rule that people in the world follow.

But he obviously wanted to interfere in the internal affairs of the Seven Star Gang, and he was inclined to persuade most people to unite against the Yan Dynasty. This would require paying a certain price, at least to win the trust of these green forest heroes in the council chamber.

Of course, Lu Chen could refuse Jiang Houming's proposal, and the result would be that all previous efforts were in vain.

Lintang Hall Master Ran Xuanzhi frowned and said: "Hallmaster Jiang, Captain Lu is a guest. This is not the way to treat guests. Furthermore, he is not a man of the world. Being good at leading troops in war does not mean he is good at killing people. I don't agree with you. proposal."

Jiang Houming looked indifferent and did not confront Ran Xuanzhi as usual, because the silent majority in the conference hall had proved that his proposal was very effective.

The key to this matter is whether Lu Chen can prove that he sincerely wants to help the Seven Star Gang tide over the difficulties, rather than following Xiao Wangzhi's order to kill people with a knife and using the lives of tens of thousands of Seven Star Gang members to disrupt the heart of the Yan Dynasty. .

Thinking of this, Jiang Houming did not refute Ran Xuanzhi's words. He looked at Lu Chen and said: "Captain Lu, it's not that someone is making things difficult for you. You can ignore someone's suggestion. You are an upstart with a great future in the Southern Qi army. Even if you don't get involved in this muddy water, , he will definitely rise to the top in the future. In fact, Hall Master Ran is right, a person with a noble status like you is different from us who are struggling to make ends meet. You and we are from two different worlds."

Lu Chen suddenly smiled and asked, "Palace Master Jiang, who do you want me to kill in Heluo City?"

Jiang Houming stared into the other party's eyes, not seeing any sign of fear and panic. He was only calm and indifferent, and said with a slightly more serious tone: "Chen Jingtang, the former deputy privy envoy of the Yan Dynasty. When the Qi Dynasty army besieged the Seven Star Gang, causing many killings, Chen Jingtang He was one of the leading generals. After the Yuanjia Revolution, this man became a high-ranking official in the Yan Dynasty and also committed countless crimes."

The smile on Lu Chen's face became a little thicker and he said calmly: "Hall Master Jiang has given me a difficult problem."

Jiang Houming said slowly: "Jiang proposed this plan mainly because he wanted Chen Jingtang to die in the hands of the Southern Qi border troops, and at the same time it could also prove the sincerity of Captain Lu."

In fact, it is not that the Seven Star Gang does not have the courage to assassinate Chen Jingtang, at least there is no shortage of warriors who dare to die and have strong martial arts skills. However, on the one hand, Chen Jingtang, as the leader of the Beiyan Army, has countless expert guards around him, including the Procuratorate. The spies accompanying him.On the other hand, the Seven Star Gang has been in a delicate balance with the Beiyan court in recent years. Killing Chen Jingtang will inevitably break this balance.

By then, the Beiyan court would definitely not be able to settle the matter, and would target the Seven Star Gang even if there were difficulties. This was obviously a situation that Lin Jie did not want to see, so he had always maintained restraint and calmness.

Otherwise, with his martial arts ranked No. 1 on the martial arts list, it would not be a fantasy to be determined to kill Chen Jingtang.

Now Jiang Houming pushed this matter to Lu Chen, which could not only test the other party's sincerity, but also avoid the Yan Dynasty's counterattack before the Seven Star Gang raised its flag. It was the best of both worlds.

Seeing that Lu Chen did not give an immediate reply, Jiang Houming said, "If Captain Lu finds this matter difficult to handle, there is no need to be embarrassed."

Lu Chen shook his head and said, "Hall Master Jiang, don't be anxious. I'm just thinking about a problem."

Jiang Houming asked: "What's the problem?"

Lu Chen said seriously: "According to Hall Master Jiang, as long as I kill Chen Jingtang on behalf of the Qi frontier army, seniors will believe in my sincerity and agree with my previous point of view?"

Jiang Houming was suffocated.

His original intention was to force Lu Chen to retract those words. Just now he was still secretly happy about his idea, because it was impossible for someone like Lu Chen to really dare to take risks in Heluo City.

For a general of the Qi Army, Heluo City was a real dragon's pond and a tiger's den, not to mention that assassinating an important court official in the enemy's core area was a life-or-death act.

When he was hesitating, Shi Changsheng, the upright leader of the Lei Hall, said succinctly: "If Lieutenant Lu really has the courage, I absolutely welcome you to join the Seven Star Gang and agree that you will train the gang!"

Lei Mian, the leader of the Shantang Hall, also nodded and said: "If Lieutenant Lu can kill Chen Jingtang, you will naturally become one of the Seven Star Gang's own. It is not a violation of the rules for you to take over the affairs of the gang."

For a time, many people agreed.

When Jiang Houming made this proposal just now, no one except Ran Xuanzhi spoke up. Obviously because they wanted to see if Lu Chen could keep his words and deeds consistent.

Jiang Houming felt some regret in his heart at this moment, but he could not go back on his word, otherwise it would definitely arouse public outrage.

As the largest gang in the North Green Forest, the Seven Star Gang has always been very particular about rules.

Lu Chen nodded in greeting to everyone, then looked at Lin Jie and said, "Gang Leader Lin, I wonder if what Hall Master Jiang just said is true?"

Jiang Houming couldn't help but feel a little dazed when he heard this sentence. He seemed to be just General Lu Chen. When had he made any promises?
However, Lin Jie, who had been silent all the time, said: "The words of Hall Master Jiang can represent the attitude of all the Seven Star Gang. As long as Captain Lu can assassinate Chen Jingtang, the Seven Star Gang will not accept the recruitment of the Yan Dynasty. At the same time, he will cooperate with the Huaizhou Governor's Mansion Let’s work together. At that time, Lieutenant Lu will train our warriors and strive to train them into an elite army.”

"Brothers, do you have any different opinions?"

His tone was still calm, and his eyes were a little more solemn.

Everyone said in unison: "I will obey the gang leader's order!"

"Gang Leader——" Jiang Houming finally noticed something was wrong and said hastily.Lin Jie turned to look at him and said calmly: "Does Master Jiang have anything to add?"

Jiang Houming felt an invisible pressure from his eyes, and immediately understood in his heart that the gang leader was not satisfied with his own decision just now, and now that he had the support of the vast majority of the gang's middle and senior leaders, he would not be able to break his promise. The authority of the gang leader cannot be shaken.

Thinking of this, he smiled slightly reluctantly and said: "My subordinates just think that this matter should be completed independently by the Southern Qi military, and it is not appropriate for my experts to get involved."

Lin Jie said leisurely: "Hall Master Jiang thinks that I will secretly help Captain Lu?"

Jiang Houming's heart trembled, and he lowered his head and said: "I definitely have no such intention!"

"Chen Jingtang's death must not be related to the Seven Star Gang. At least until we clearly reject the other party's recruitment, it cannot lead to the invasion of the Yan Dynasty army. Even if Hall Master Jiang doesn't mention it, I will keep the Seven Star Gang out of the matter."

Lin Jie stood up slowly, and everyone stood up immediately.

He looked around the crowd and said: "Since everyone agrees with Hall Master Jiang's proposal, we will wait and see what happens next to see if Captain Lu is willing to take risks for the Seven Star Gang. However, this matter affects tens of thousands of people in the Seven Star Gang. fate, so next I decided to seal off the inside and outside to prevent any news from leaking. Dong Mian and Shi Changsheng."

The two of them cupped their hands and said, "My subordinate is here."

Lin Jie's eyes were deep and his face was resolute, and he said in a deep voice: "From now on, all entrances and exits will be blocked. No one is allowed to deliver news to outsiders without my warrant. During this period, the brothers from Shantang and Leitang were on guard duty. There must be no negligence in presiding over this matter.”

Dong Mian and Shi Changsheng looked at each other and said in unison: "I will obey the gang leader's order!"

Lin Jie looked at Ran Xuanzhi again and said: "Lin Tang will step up the purchase of grain and ordnance. If necessary, we can use the deposits we have placed in various places."

Ran Xuanzhi cupped his hands and said, "Don't worry, leader, my subordinates will not slack off."

Jiang Houming felt bitter in his heart, how could he not see that Lin Jie had been silent before, just waiting for a suitable opportunity.

When Lu Chen had already convinced most of the people, he threw out the dangerous condition in a desperate attempt to make the other party retreat. Lin Jie immediately seized the opportunity and gained the support of the vast majority of people in just a few words.

At this moment, he could even think that even if Lu Chen didn't succeed, Lin Jie could achieve his goal and coerce tens of thousands of gang members to fight against the Yan Dynasty.

This is the wonderful use of the word "shi".

Lin Jie glanced at the nephew of the old gang leader, and immediately said to Lu Chen: "Captain Lu, just try your best to assassinate Chen Jingtang. Even if you don't succeed, as long as you sincerely help the Seven Star Gang, everyone including me will Everyone will appreciate it."

Lu Chen said understandingly: "I will definitely do my best."

When Ran Xuanzhi saw this, he smiled and said: "If the Southern Qi border troops are all men like Captain Lu, I think the Northern Expedition that the Southern Qi court has been calling for more than ten years may not be hopeless."

"Thank you to Hall Master Ran for your respect. In fact, Governor Xiao said before that if the Seven Star Gang can unite all the resistance forces in the North and cooperate with the Qi border troops on the battlefield, he will tell the emperor to let the North form its own army. . Leader Lin and the seniors are the leaders of this army. Not to mention their official positions and titles, their salary, weapons, food and other benefits will also be the same as those of my frontier army."

Seeing that the time had come, Lu Chen told Xiao Wangzhi the strategy he had planned.

If he had laid out these conditions from the beginning, he would probably have been scoffed at by the reckless heroes in the chamber. After all, these conditions seemed more like empty talk.But now he is winning the trust of these people, and most of the people in the world are cheerful and cheerful, unlike those old foxes in the capital court who are all blind.

Dong Mian immediately smiled and said: "So, in the future, I, old Dong, can also become a general?"

Lu Chen smiled and said: "If Hall Master Dong has military exploits, not only can he become a general, but he can also entrust his children and grandchildren."

Dong Mian was startled, and then asked eagerly: "Really?"

Lu Chen nodded and said, "I dare not speak nonsense."

Dong Mian rubbed his hands, and the smile on his face became brighter. Others couldn't help but make fun of him, and the atmosphere in the meeting hall became more and more lively.

People's hearts have been like this for thousands of years. If given the choice, who would be willing to commit suicide and become a thief for generations?
Even though the Seven Star Gang dominates the green forests of the North, they are still essentially bandits in the eyes of the world, but the Beiyan court has been unable to deal with them.

Lin Jie looked at Lu Shen with increasingly pleased eyes. This young man's performance was better than he expected.

He nodded slightly to Lu Chen, and then said to everyone: "That's it for today, brothers, please go back."

Everyone dispersed one after another, and the meeting hall gradually became quiet.

Lu Chen was left by Lin Jie to discuss the follow-up details. After about a moment of burning incense, the two were chatting happily when a slightly thin figure strode in.

(End of this chapter)