I was a conman in the Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 389: Receiving the wind and washing away the dust

Chapter 389 Welcome Reception

Wang Wenzhou, holding Wang Ying, said with a smile, "Old Sun, isn't my baby beautiful?"

"Hmm!" Sun Chuanting nodded with a wry smile. He really couldn't understand why the Emperor would bestow Consort Tian upon Wang Wenzhou.

Wang Wenzhou's concubines alighted from their sedan chairs, leaving Sun Chuanting's generals and commanders stunned. Lord Wang was a model of a "real man"! His wives and concubines were all incredibly beautiful, like celestial beings descended from heaven. Although they were envious, they knew they could never achieve what Wang Wenzhou had in their lifetime; after all, most people, no matter how hard they tried, could never become nobles.

“I have already prepared wine and dishes to welcome Lord Wang and wash away the dust of his journey. Please, Lord Wang!” Sun Chuanting said.

Wang Wenzhou affectionately put his arm around Sun Chuanting's shoulder and said with a smile, "Old Sun, let me tell you something. I dote on my wives and concubines, so I always eat at the same table with them. Also, I have a habit of feeding them from their mouths. Don't be shy, the other day at Xuanda University, that bastard Lu Xiangshan saw me doing this and he just flipped the table and left!"

Sun Chuanting smiled awkwardly. Lu Xiang-sheng had achieved early success and had become the Governor-General of Xuan-Da by his thirties. He was young and impetuous, and he felt that you were insulting him. How could he give you face? I have been an official for many years and I still have this much self-restraint.

"Lord Wang is too kind. Lord Lu must be too busy with official duties to entertain us. We are all colleagues, so there's no need for you to take it to heart. We are all colleagues, how could we quarrel over such a trivial matter? Men should all have some hobbies, and I was young once too!" Sun Chuanting said with a smile.

"Old Sun, you're a good man!" Wang Wenzhou laughed loudly.

Sun Chuanting shook his head with a wry smile. "I only want to be loyal to the country. I treat you this way because I don't want you to cause me any trouble."

The group arrived at the restaurant. Although some people looked down on Wang Wenzhou's behavior, Sun Chuanting didn't mind, and no one dared to cause trouble.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Sun Chuanting asked, "I wonder if His Majesty sent Lord Wang here with any instructions?"

Sun Chuanting wanted to know whether Wang Wenzhou was there to claim credit or to cause trouble and give misleading instructions.

Wang Wenzhou put his arm around Wang Ying, took a sip of wine from her mouth, and said, "His Majesty sent me to persuade Gao Yingxiang to surrender. His Majesty is kind-hearted. He feels that although the rebels deserve to die for their crimes, they were once ordinary people."

Sun Chuanting strongly agreed with Zhu Youjian's viewpoint.

Wang Wenzhou continued, "In previous years, the Emperor also offered amnesty to the rebel army, but these people were still full of wicked intentions and would rebel again after a period of time. But the Emperor still wanted to give them a way out. As you know, Old Sun, the national treasury is not short of money now, and the Emperor has also suspended the three taxes."

Sun Chuanting nodded and said, "The reason why the bandit army can keep coming back like weeds after being wiped out is because the collection of the three taxes has left many people with no way to make a living."

“Yes!” Wang Wenzhou said with a smile, “So, His Majesty wants to use both suppression and appeasement. You generals and commanders should fight the rebel army with all your might, beat them into submission and fear. After that, I will negotiate with the rebel leaders. Of course, it would be best if we could persuade them to surrender, but if they are still determined to rebel, then we will have to annihilate them!”

Upon hearing this, Gao Guilan's expression changed, and she quickly said, "Uncle..."

"Damn it!" Wang Wenzhou quickly pulled Gao Guilan into his arms and kissed her. "Little Lanlan, you're so adorable! Although the Emperor knows your identity and promised me he'd let you go, what will they think when you revealed to the bandit commander that Gao Yingxiang is your father?"

After the kiss, Gao Guilan pouted and wanted to plead for her father.

Wang Wenzhou quickly whispered in her ear, "Little Lanlan, don't worry, I won't kill your father! Gao Yingxiang is your father, and he's also my father! Right? You must remember, you can't say Gao Yingxiang is your father in front of outsiders, understand?"

"Mmm!" Gao Guilan smiled and nodded happily.

Sun Chuanting was both amused and exasperated. No wonder the civil and military officials called Wang Wenzhou a mad dog; this boy was indeed eccentric. He was talking about serious matters when he suddenly grabbed a girl and kissed her! Lord Wang, this is not a brothel!

“Lord Wang, I only received the official document the day before yesterday. You are going to the Northwest to supervise the army. It was all in a hurry, and I was unable to help you prepare an official residence. I have asked the Prefect of Xi’an to vacate half of the prefectural office. Please make do with it for now. Is that alright?” Sun Chuanting asked.

Wang Wenzhou smiled and waved his hand, saying, "No need! Old Sun, I am here on the Emperor's important mission and dare not be negligent. I would like to first inspect military affairs in various places!"

"Huh?" Sun Chuanting was somewhat surprised. You really brought a group of girls to inspect military affairs? I feel like you just want to go on vacation.

In reality, Wang Wenzhou just wanted a business trip. The key reason was that he didn't want to stay by Sun Chuanting's side. Although he admired Sun Chuanting, he also knew that the more capable a person was, the bigger their temper. Given his personality, he was very likely to clash with Sun Chuanting over trivial matters.

Sun Chuanting flattered, "Lord Wang is injured, yet he still works so hard; it is truly a blessing for our Great Ming!"

Wang Wenzhou curled his lip, "Old Sun, your flattery is making me blush!"

Wang Wenzhou spoke up, "Old Sun, I heard you've trained a powerful army. Could you lend me some troops? As you know, Shaanxi is the stronghold of the bandits. I've led troops to suppress them before. If I encounter bandits during my patrols, I'll wipe them out as I go!"

Sun Chuanting smiled wryly to himself. "Lord Wang, your words are quite pleasing. You don't actually want to suppress the bandits; you're clearly worried about encountering their army and want me to send men to protect you. Fine, as long as you don't cause me any trouble, I don't mind sending some soldiers to protect you."

“Lord Wang is young and promising, skilled in both literature and martial arts, which I greatly admire. Since Lord Wang is determined to suppress the bandits, how can I not provide assistance? I will immediately send three thousand elite soldiers to accompany Lord Wang on his inspection tour,” Sun Chuanting said with a smile.

"Old Sun is a true friend! Thank you, brother! Here, let me toast you!" Wang Wenzhou raised his glass.

Sun Chuanting picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

……

Forbidden City.

Zhu Youjian looked at Lu Xiangshan's memorial, shook his head with a wry smile. Wang Wenzhou truly brought trouble wherever he went.

Zhu Youjian said helplessly, "Wang Chengen, how did Wang Wenzhou get involved with Lu Xiangshan?"

Wang Chengen said with a smile, "Your Majesty, you know Lord Wang's personality. He's always surrounded by beauties wherever he goes. It's quite normal that Lord Lu doesn't fancy him."

Zhu Youjian looked at the map, shook his head with a wry smile, and said softly, "We can't let the rebel army run rampant in Huguang. Huguang is the granary of the Ming Dynasty. If this continues, the grain harvest in Huguang this year may not be possible."

“Yes!” Wang Chengen nodded.

"Lu Xiang-sheng is upright and resolute; we still need him to suppress the bandits. Draft an imperial edict appointing Lu Xiang-sheng, the Governor-General of Xuan-Da, to oversee military affairs in Jiangbei, Henan, Shandong, Huguang, and Sichuan, and to supervise the Governor of Huguang. Order him to drive the bandit army back to Shaanxi as soon as possible," Zhu Youjian said.

Wang Wenzhou would definitely curse Zhu Youjian if he knew this. "Are you out of your mind? Lu Xiangshan impeached me, and you promoted him? And to be the Prime Minister of Military Affairs of Five Provinces!"