Chapter 17 The way out

Chapter 17 The way out

Chapter 17 The way out
The fun ended in the afternoon, and everyone went home in high spirits.

Surprisingly, Concubine Pei ordered Shao Xun to wait in the main hall.

Without hesitation, he quickly came to the hall, only to see someone already sitting there.

The man was Pei Dun. He had just returned from the military camp and seemed to be thinking about something. When he saw Shao Xun, he immediately stepped forward to greet him.

Shao Xun returned the gift, even feeling a little flattered.

It seemed a little unbelievable that a member of the Pei family would actually bow to a mere Du Bo.

He didn't sit down, but stood there, intending to wait and see what would happen.

Concubine Pei came down to the main hall surrounded by people.

She glanced at her brother, then looked at Shao Xun.

This soldier was patrolling near the amusement park today. He appeared in her sight several times and was generally diligent.

That’s enough. When hiring people, what we want is someone who is capable and diligent.

"Sister..." Pei Dun stood up and was about to speak, but was stopped by Concubine Pei with a look.

"Shao Dubo had a very pleasant conversation with Yu Wenjun and Liang Lanbi today. What did they talk about?" Concubine Pei sat down and asked.

Pei Dun was stunned and couldn't help but glance at Shao Xun a few times. The corners of his mouth twitched, as if he wanted to laugh, but he didn't know what to laugh at.

"Let's talk about the overall situation." Shao Xun replied.

It turns out that the two girls were called Yu Wenjun and Liang Lanbi.

I only knew her last name before, but this time I learned her full name from the princess.

"What's the overall situation?" asked Concubine Pei.

"I heard that Jiangxia, Yangzhou, Shuzhong, and Longshang are all in constant war, the counties are dividing up their own territories, the governors are attacking each other, and the governor is very ambitious. I wonder if it is true?" Shao Xun raised his head, looked at Concubine Pei, and asked.

Fei Pei looked at his inquiring expression and for some reason she recalled the scene she saw in the afternoon.

A man who was so sure of "dying for her", could he want to switch to the Liang or Yu family? She felt a little unhappy in her heart, and her beautiful eyebrows frowned, saying, "So what?"

Shao Xun lowered his eyelids and said in a deep voice: "If this is the case, Luoyang is not doing well."

Concubine Pei looked at him and motioned for him to continue.

"There is unrest in Bingzhou, there is unrest in Jizhou, there is unrest everywhere, who will send money and food to the capital?" Shao Xun asked, "I'm afraid that we can't support so many soldiers and civilians just by relying on the surrounding areas of Luoyang."

In fact, he didn't say anything else.

Is the area around Luoyang peaceful? On the contrary, it may be more dangerous than other places. Even if Luoyang City has a large amount of money, food, and military supplies, how long can it last if the resources are depleted?

Luoyang is a pit of fire, no doubt about it. It's just that there are still many good things in this pit of fire, and too many people are willing to take advantage of the situation regardless of the danger.

"What do you think?" Concubine Pei didn't bother to worry about what happened in the afternoon. In fact, she knew it was pointless. Her attention had been successfully drawn to the current situation.

Shao Xun's heart moved. He finally got to the edge of Sima Yue's political group. If he was a peripheral henchman before, now he could probably be called "big brother" - strictly speaking, he has not entered the core circle, but he can already participate in some things, all thanks to Concubine Pei's support.

"We need to have a way out." Shao Xun said concisely.

Pei Dun's mind moved, and his eyes gradually became warmer.

"The escape route..." Concubine Pei twisted her hands together subconsciously again.

In fact, isn’t the best way out the East China Sea Kingdom?
Not every place is qualified to be a retreat. Every state and county has its own local bosses and their own power structure. If an outsider suddenly parachutes in, it may not be able to open up the situation and stabilize the situation in a short period of time, let alone fully mobilize resources to do big things.

The Donghai Kingdom has been operating for many years and is definitely the most stable rear base for the Sima Yue Group.

But then again, the East Sea Kingdom only has seven counties, which is too small to support a large force.

What we should do most now is to expand and strengthen our retreat, think of ways to bring several counties around the East Sea Kingdom and even the entire Xuzhou Governorate into our sphere of influence, and then rely on the East Sea Kingdom, spend time and make great efforts to reorganize it, and build it into a solid foundation for our own.

Most of the middle and lower-level staff in the Sikong Mansion came from Qingzhou and Xuzhou, and they had a strong urge to return to their hometowns. Therefore, there were not many options for the so-called retreat. As far as the current situation was concerned, the Xuzhou Governor's District led by Sima Mao was the most suitable - of course, if the situation suddenly changed and the entire north could not survive, that would be another matter.

"Sister, Xuzhou..." Pei Dun was about to speak again, but was glared at.

Concubine Pei stood up and paced slowly in the hall.

The furnishings in the main hall are simple. Apart from a few calligraphy and paintings and household items, there are no luxurious items.

Everything was neatly arranged and spotless, reflecting the hostess's unique preferences and habits.

"Where do you think is the best way to escape?" She walked up to Shao Xun and asked.

A faint fragrance wafted from the tip of my nose.

What catches your eye is the jet-black hair, beneath which are eyes flashing with complex emotions, followed by a high nose bridge and a delicate little mouth.

Her chest is plump and her slender waist is adorable.

The hem of her skirt fluttered slightly as she walked, just like the swaying style.

"I will try to explain it, Princess, please listen." Shao Xun looked away and said.

Concubine Pei hummed.

"Although Luoyang is full of dangers, it is still the only way to gain benefits." Shao Xun said. As he said, everyone knows that Luoyang is dangerous, but only a few people leave Luoyang. Most people still gather here, and some are even rushing to Luoyang to look for opportunities.

The reason was simple: the imperial edict for appointments was still valid. If one wanted to become a governor, governor, or governor-general, one had to look for opportunities in Luoyang.

"The first priority for Sikong is to seek additional fiefdoms." Shao Xun continued, "If we can include Lanling, Xiapi, Pengcheng and other counties into the fiefdom and connect them with the East China Sea, there will be great potential."

"If you really can't do it, then you can settle for the next best thing and seek the position of governor of Xuzhou."

Lanling used to belong to Donghai. More than ten years ago, Lanling County was established by dividing five counties of Donghai.

Xia Pi and Pengcheng are located in the south of the East China Sea, and these three counties are all under the jurisdiction of Xuzhou.

The inclusion of the three counties into the fiefdom will give us much more room for maneuver. It is also a considerable territory. Once it is successfully digested, it will be enough to become the foundation for our survival.

The governor of Xuzhou is a little more troublesome, because he is a temporary official. In theory, you are managing the local area on behalf of the imperial court, which is completely different from being a fiefdom.

However, looking at the development of the current situation, the difference between officials and princes is gradually narrowing, which can be regarded as an alternative solution out of helplessness.

"Sister..." Pei Dun looked excited.

"Shut up!" Concubine Pei scolded him without even turning her head. She looked at Shao Xun and asked, "How did you get the title increased?"

"This requires some merit." Shao Xun said.

Concubine Pei didn't say anything.

She understood what Shao Xun meant. Her husband was like this now, doing nothing and helping whoever won, although there wouldn't be much danger, but there wouldn't be much benefit either.

Shao Dubo actually said it very vaguely. You need "merit". Otherwise, no matter who is in control of the government, why would they give you a higher title?
But this matter - alas, it was contrary to what she had always thought.

She really felt that the current situation was too dangerous, and her husband did not have much capital, so it was too dangerous for him to get involved in the crisis in Luoyang.

But she didn't seem to have any good solution.

Her husband was determined to survive in the quagmire of Luoyang. If he failed, she would not be able to escape. All she could do now was to support him silently.

She understood that venting one's anger would only lead to bad things, completely ruining the already slim chances and bringing trouble to oneself.

"Shao Dubo's words make sense." Pei Dun praised. After saying this, he was afraid of being interrupted by his sister, and said without taking a breath: "After choosing and choosing, only Xuzhou is right. The people are ready, and it is easy to manage. By then, my brother-in-law will be in charge of the government in Luoyang, and my sister will be in charge of Xiapi to supervise the state. I can also help in Pengcheng, and the retreat will be very safe."

After saying this, he nodded to Shao Xun again.

Although this warrior's appearance and demeanor did not quite conform to the aesthetic taste of scholars and were not very good in his opinion, the suggestions he made were all practical.

It's not appropriate for you to go anywhere at this time.

Bingzhou? Not to mention the refugee problem caused by the drought, the Xiongnu and other Hu tribes that continue to encroach southwards are a big problem. Moreover, the current governor of Bingzhou is Sima Teng, so it is not convenient to move.

Yuzhou? It's already been filled, and it's really hard to replace it. After all, it's a military governor's area, and the military governor and provincial governor is Sima Hu.

Jizhou? Refugees from Bingzhou have invaded in large numbers, so it's a bit chaotic. Besides, that's Sima Ying's territory, how can I give it to you?
What about Guanzhong? That's the territory of the King of Hejian, so I won't give it to you either.

Jingzhou had just been ravaged by rebels and was still engaged in a fierce battle.

As for Jiangnan, its population and potential are relatively limited, so it is not considered for the time being.

Youzhou is too far away and has no roots.

After counting and counting, Yanzhou, Qingzhou and Xuzhou are more suitable. Considering the foundation, it can only be Xuzhou.

The only difficulty now is how to operate this matter and implement it, which is a bit difficult.

Concubine Pei did not express any opinion and turned back to sit down.

She thought of the women from the noble families she had met today.

The news we heard was shocking.

The world has changed, the good days are gradually disappearing, the concepts of the aristocratic families have suffered wave after wave of shocks, and their already extremely depressed hearts have become even more devastated.

She was also a little disappointed.

I just want a place where I can live in peace, but that's not enough?

I don't have any excessive demands, nor do I have many ambitions. I just want to live in peace in one place, continue my previous life, and finish my life.

It may be selfish, after all, the lives of ordinary people are more miserable, but people are different, aren't they?
"Shao Dubo, you are very good. Go back first and lead the troops with all your heart." Concubine Pei quickly adjusted her mood, showing a gentle smile and said.

"Yes." Shao Xun saluted and bowed to leave.

Concubine Pei lowered her head and her smile gradually faded.

She felt herself changed.

In the past, perhaps no one would have said a word to such low-ranking officers, but now they are overly concerned about them.

She couldn't sort out her own emotions, as if she was caught up in the turbulent times. She was confused, and her pride, calmness, and self-discipline were drifting away from her. She became a little unlike herself.

A faint sigh was heard in the hall.

(End of this chapter)