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Chapter 468: Persuasion
Chapter 468: Persuasion
September 25, 2017
"Are you surprised, sir? You should have a good idea of my identity."
Lu HaiKong smiled lightly as he observed the scholar's solemn expression.
The conversation between the two hinted that the scholar had likely guessed Lu HaiKong's identity, otherwise, he wouldn't have revealed his intention to leave tomorrow, refusing any potential offers from Lu HaiKong.
"I didn't expect you to be who you are! I never imagined it would be you."
The scholar shook his head, then carefully examined Lu HaiKong.
After this scrutiny, the scholar shook his head again and sighed, "I, Tian Feng, thought that the Governor would be a middle-aged man in his thirties, filled with a domineering aura. I never expected it to be a youth not yet in his teens."
Lu HaiKong chuckled and replied, "Then I've disappointed you."
"I'm not disappointed, just surprised. I never imagined that the Governor would be so leisurely, and that you would appear in this scholar's gathering."
After Lu HaiKong revealed his identity, the scholar didn't immediately turn hostile, but there was still a subtle sense of distance.
Lu HaiKong had anticipated this situation and didn't pay heed to the subtle jabs in the scholar's words.
"Don't play dumb, sir. You know why I've come here at this time. Don't tell me you're unaware of my intentions?" Lu HaiKong's eyes sharpened as he looked at the scholar. With his identity revealed, Lu HaiKong took action.
"I've come here specifically for you, sir. I'd like to invite you..."
The scholar, Tian Feng, frowned and interrupted before Lu HaiKong could finish, "I, Tian Feng, am of shallow talent and cannot live up to the Governor's expectations."
Lu HaiKong was taken aback but soon laughed, his laughter filled with mockery.
After a moment, Lu HaiKong's laughter subsided, "Do you look down on me for my origins as a bandit and my association with the Eunuch Party?"
"Yes!" The scholar replied firmly, not trying to hide his thoughts.
Such a response was rare; many people, even if they had similar thoughts, would never dare to voice them at this moment, especially not in front of Lu HaiKong.
This kind of response and personality, if directed at an ordinary person, would likely have resulted in a cold corpse.
However, Lu HaiKong was prepared for this answer.
"I've had the pleasure of conversing with you for several hours, and I thought you were a talented individual who cared for the common people. I believed you could help me save the hundreds of thousands of refugees outside Qiangyin City. I never imagined that, in your eyes, the lives of these refugees are less important than your reputation."
The scholar's expression changed upon hearing this, but before he could respond, Lu HaiKong waved his hand to stop him and continued, "For some time now, the people outside Qiangyin City have been a concern of mine. As you said, I lack both experience and manpower to handle this situation properly. The resettlement of hundreds of thousands of people is no small task, and I dare not act hastily due to my inexperience. Any small mistake in such a grand undertaking could have dire consequences for the people."
Lu HaiKong quickly assumed the role of a leader concerned for the nation and its people. While these were indeed issues he had considered, they weren't unsolvable. However, for now, he wanted to pass these problems on to the scholar before him.
"Your insights into the issue of the hundreds of thousands of people outside the city are truly unique, and I admire them greatly. With your talents, I believe you can properly address the concerns of these people. Therefore, I sincerely request that you take action and help secure the livelihood of these hundreds of thousands of refugees!"
Lu HaiKong played this hand beautifully, adding the weight of hundreds of thousands of refugees to his recruitment offer.
In the few hours of conversation, Lu HaiKong wasn't just idly chatting.
Regarding the personality of the man before him, Lu HaiKong had a good grasp.
He was well aware that this person was upright and would never turn a blind eye to hundreds of thousands of refugees.
In this era, scholars like this, filled with knowledge and a sense of responsibility for the world, often had a mission, a mission to restore the Han Dynasty.
In their eyes, their vast knowledge was meant to be applied in this chaotic world. So, when Lu HaiKong placed the hundreds of thousands of commoners on one side of the scale, it was evident that the scholar hesitated.
In reality, he didn't particularly dislike Lu HaiKong, and instead, after learning Lu HaiKong's identity, he admired him.
Despite Lu HaiKong's bandit origins, he didn't see a trace of malice in him. On the contrary, he seemed like a benevolent ruler who respected scholars.
For him, if it weren't for the label attached to Lu HaiKong, he wouldn't mind assisting Lu HaiKong.
But because of the label Lu HaiKong carried, he initially refused without a second thought. The reason for this decisive refusal wasn't solely due to the potential harm the label could bring to his reputation.
In the 1691st chapter, a flawless version!
Rather, through Lu HaiKong's label, he could foresee the difficulties Lu HaiKong would face ahead.
A governor with a bandit background, reaching this point was already considered the end of the road. Lu HaiKong's identity was destined to be incompatible with the noble clans. Carrying the labels of a bandit and eunuch party, Lu HaiKong would face pressure from the traditional ruling class.
For such a person, the future seemed bleak, and there was no noble cause to speak of. How could he possibly assist him?
In his eyes, Lu HaiKong was like a slowly sinking ship. Although the ship appeared grand, no one would want to board it.
But Lu HaiKong was cunning, placing the hundreds of thousands of refugees on the scale, causing the scholar to hesitate. That sense of mission, a feeling of being the only one capable, made him unable to ignore these refugees while Lu HaiKong added them to the scale.
Lu HaiKong noticed the scholar's hesitation, and he didn't intend to let him continue wavering.
This scholar was a top-tier civil official. Although Lu HaiKong had caught him off guard, if he didn't press his advantage, his previous efforts might easily be in vain.
Lu HaiKong stepped forward and bowed, "Sir, please lend me your strength to help these hundreds of thousands of commoners. If you find my eunuch party identity distasteful, you may stay behind the scenes and command as you wish."
As Lu HaiKong spoke, the scholar's expression changed, he hesitated for a moment, then stood up.
"Governor, Tian Feng is willing to assist you in settling these hundreds of thousands of commoners. But let me be clear, Tian Feng will only help you settle them properly. Once the commoners are settled, please allow Tian Feng to continue his scholarly journey!"
Upon hearing this, Lu HaiKong's lips curved into a smile, and he nodded in agreement.
Simultaneously, he felt delighted.
Everyone has stayed, and you want to leave? That's thinking too much, isn't it?
(Chapter End)
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