Li Po tried hard to persuade him to drink, but he was also afraid that if he drank too much, the old man would have a heart attack or something like that.￥f
So, after toasting twice, we stopped.
He didn't say anything serious, he just couldn't stop praising Jinyang's dishes. His shortcomings of a gluttonous appetite were completely suppressed by his military career.
Today, when food is expensive, he wants to eat and drink lavishly every day, which is a manifestation of extravagance and lust. The generals under his command have to do the opposite first.
Even the right to cook something good for oneself has been deprived of. A gentleman is far away from the kitchen, and in his position, it is impossible to make some soup with his own hands.
In fact, this is what makes him most dissatisfied. In his opinion, being rich and wealthy is just that. What is being rich if you can't even eat and drink independently?
I guess if others knew that he had such thoughts, many things would be easier to handle.
Wang Cong's thoughts were naturally not on eating and drinking.
Li Po also knew that he was not good at eating and drinking here. He moved his chopsticks a little, then stopped and said with a smile: "I wanted to visit yesterday, but I felt it was too presumptuous, and I was thinking of looking for something better."
When the time comes, I'll come to visit you again. If you don't want to, you'll come over..."
"Is this your first time entering the Bingzhou Governor's Mansion? This is the Taiyuan left-behind residence. Haha, the emperor's former residence... I think it's not as good as Wang's Garden."
Wang Cong slowly put down his chopsticks, his turbid eyes suddenly brightened up, he stroked his beard tremblingly, and said: "Alas, these useless things are all accumulated over thousands of years due to the vain reputation. The manager praised me so highly... I
It seems that the Wang family will have no choice but to move elsewhere..."
Li Po suppressed his smile. He had never encountered such a nail with a needle hidden in the cotton. The so-called old man and ghost are really not lies.
"You are always joking. Although Li Po is uneducated and has no skills, he will not do the evil deeds of forcing others to do things and destroying their families. I started in Yunnei and prospered in Mayi. I have not seen much of the world, but I have repeatedly failed.
I heard the name of Jinyang Wang family."
"Now Wang Lu, the prefect of Mayi, Wang Que, the former prefect of Yanmen, Wang Pan, the prime minister of Qianloufan County, and Wang Qing, the current Sima Wangqing, the military commander of Daizhou, are all members of the Wang clan. These are only the three counties of Daizhou. I don't know.
There are those people in Jinyang and even Hedong."
"The Wang family has many talented people, is famous, and occupies the most beautiful place in Jinyang. What's the big deal?"
Wang Cong sat up slightly and found it difficult to answer this question.
Compared with other powerful families in the world, the Wang family of Jinyang has its roots in the Jin region, and its reputation in the Jin region is not second-guessing. Even the Pei family of Hedong has repeatedly shown talents, making the Wang family the largest family in the Jin region.
Its status still does not pose much of a threat.
In fact, what they fear most is war. In times of peace, with the deep foundation of the Wang family, they will never have to worry about their foundation being shaken.
Nowadays, big trees attract wind and make people fearful. Li Yuan and his son are like this, and this man is obviously the same. Moreover, he is more direct than Li Yuan and his son, saying what he said to his face.
This is obviously more reassuring and more dangerous.
Because unlike Li Yuan and his son, the man in front of him had a real reputation for killing, and the smell of blood on his body was much stronger than that of Li Yuan and his son.
Wang Cong pondered for a moment, and then slowly said in his usual rhythm: "My Wang family rarely competes with others, so why does the general manager have to do this?"
"Today there is great chaos and the Sui Dynasty is in decline. I, the Wang family, are just drifting with the tide in this troubled world. How are we different from other clans?"
"In troubled times and strife, all the children of my family are weak, but we have a little knowledge of governing the world and have been practicing it for a long time. As long as I am allowed a foothold, we can do our best to serve..."
"Wang's garden is a quiet place. Whenever the manager has free time, he can come in and I will sweep the couch to welcome the distinguished guests."
Li Po understood the meaning of these words.
The people in my family have no ambition for dominance, and have never held a sword, but they can help others govern the world and bring peace to the people. In such a family, even if there are more people, what should people worry about?
And now, we have the intention of repaying you. If you reject our good intentions because of some fear, then your ability is probably not as good as mine. How can we use our talents under your account?
Li Po rubbed his forehead. Maybe it was just because of his lingering hangover that he had a headache.
After thinking about it, he said to himself, it seems that it can only be done in the future. It is similar to his previous prediction. It is impossible to get the Wang family to work for him wholeheartedly with just a few words.
These big families are just outsiders. If you are safe, they will follow you and collect your dividends. If things go bad, you don't have to expect them to bury you with the lives of the whole family.
Or even if things go slightly wrong, they will be the ones running the fastest and furthest, and they might even stab you in the back.
In fact, Li Po didn't know that the best way to deal with them was to divide them and win them over. Li Po didn't believe there were no cracks in such a large ethnic group.
For example, Wang Qing and Wang Zhibian couldn't deal with the Wang family.
Thinking of this, Li Po actually wanted to ask Wang Zhibian to be the order of Jinyang, and take care of these people, so that they should be careful when they are half-hearted.
But this is not a good time. Jinyang Fangding needs stability instead of creating chaos.
The restraint effect of the gate valve on the superiors is very clear at this time.
It was even hard for Li Po to imagine how Li Yuan, who had entered Chang'an, dealt with the powerful families in Chang'an City.
After thinking in confusion, Li Po nodded slightly and said with a smile: "Okay, I will definitely pay you a visit someday. If there is something extraordinary about this thousand-year-old family, I will ask for your advice in the future."
Wang Cong rolled up the sleeves of his robe as a salute, and laughed loudly, "The manager is so complimentary. You are truly a hero. If you want to step in the door of the house, you will surely make the Wang family shine."
Li Po burst out laughing, looking very happy, and had a drink with Wang Cong.
Then he said again: "There are many talented people among the Wang family. I have something to ask of you. I wonder if you can agree to it."
"Please also make it clear to the manager that we have done our best and we will not disappoint the manager."
In fact, Wang Cong was already ready for Li Po to propose marriage at this time. The Wang family's legitimate daughter was a concubine, and she brought her to the house by herself. She would definitely have a bad reputation and would trouble the family for a long time.
But the situation forced us to do it. It is true that Li Po felt a little uncomfortable, and Wang did not feel so comfortable either.
But he really thought wrong.
Li Po pondered for a moment, then said seriously: "To tell you the truth, I have studied the military laws of the Sui army a lot since I joined the army, and I felt that the punishments were too harsh. When I was in Yunnei, I had people practice it, and it also had some effect."
"The laws of the Sui Dynasty are also roughly similar. They all say that heavy laws should be used in troubled times. But in my opinion, the war is raging and the people want peace. I now occupy the two states of Daizhou and move the people of Youzhou into the three counties of Daizhou. There are nearly a hundred people.
Everyone..."
"I want to seek the welfare of the people under my rule and amend the Sui laws so that the people under my rule can live and work in peace and contentment in this northern land without worrying about harsh punishment..."
"The so-called laws must be followed, law enforcement must be strict, and violations must be punished. Only in this way can officials everywhere have a basis. Sui's laws are too harsh and it is difficult to be lenient."
"Can you always gather everyone to help me revise the laws of Sui Dynasty?"
Wang Cong's heart trembled as he listened.
He won't think too much about the ambition in this. After all, there are rumors of people proclaiming themselves emperors all over the world. It's nothing new. No matter how ambitious you are, it's just proclaiming emperor.
What he thought was that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Wang family.
Although what Li Po said was full of Legalist ideas and was contrary to what the Wang family respected, it could be followed by the Sui code. This was an irresistible temptation for the Wang family.
The old man's face showed some dark red. As soon as Li Po finished speaking, he stood up, bowed his head respectfully and said: "The law is the supreme principle of heaven and earth and the great road of human relations. It governs the body, heaven and heart, and obeys the will of the people below. It is actually the master of the British Empire."
ah……"
"Although I am old and decrepit, my knowledge is shallow and I cannot keep up with the work, but the steward has a mission, and it is such a major matter that benefits the people and the country, I dare not refuse. Please rest assured, steward, I will do my best to revise the law to ensure the safety of the country."
In the name of benevolence and righteousness."
Li Po smiled and waved his hand, asking him to sit down.
In fact, he had wanted to do this since he came back from Youzhou. In a chaotic place, new order was needed, and the quickest way was to make laws.
Let’s not talk about whether the laws of the Great Sui Dynasty were good or not. The Great Sui Dynasty was already dead. Applying its laws, Li Po felt that this was not the case.
After occupying Jinyang, this vague thought finally became clear.
He needed new laws to restrain the people and establish order. After the laws, it was obvious that it was the official system.
In his opinion, this matter does not require too much effort. It is better to follow the Sui law and make some modifications. It just so happened that the Wang family came together and let them practice it first to consume their energy.
He is not afraid that Mr. Wang will not agree. The first big thing I entrust you to do is to leave me alone. What do you want to do?
Wang Cong was excited at this time. People have different desires and look at things from different angles. For him, this is a precious opportunity to become famous in the world.
He blinked his eyes, his mind was spinning, and he thought with some emotion, it would have been great if this opportunity had appeared ten or twenty years earlier.
In the blink of an eye, he asked: "This matter... was done in the name of Daizhou Marching Army General Manager's Office?"
This was a very crucial question, and he shouldn't have asked it, but he didn't care so much. He just wanted to settle the matter first and not let anyone else take this position away.
You know, Mrs. Wang obviously hasn't gained the trust of the general manager yet. This is more like a piece of pie from the sky falling in front of Mrs. Wang.
Li Po was stunned for a moment, and then he realized that this was the so-called misunderstanding of the name.
"Since you are determined to do this, then do it first. I will ask Sima Wen Yanbo to discuss with you. I will tell you what to do next..."