Liu Pei said: "In this locust plague, I have collected a total of 220,000 victims! Of these, 140,000 were placed in Shandong, and the remaining 80,000 were placed in the Ryukyus. I also had a large number of orphans taken in, and all of them were sent to the school where they were studying, and, in order to transport the victims, I had to make five ships out of wet wood, in addition to using all my sea power. These five ships will only last for one year and will be scrapped! As for money and food, it's incalculable! ”

Wang Changde nodded again and again after hearing this, and said, "Okay! Good! Good! This is a great move! The merit is immeasurable! Blessed are these victims! ”

The two talked about what they saw on the road again, and then arrived at Liu Pei's camp. After entering the camp and everyone sat down, Wang Changde said, "Lord Liu, what are you looking for me?" ”

Liu Pei waved his hand away from the guard, and told the story of the incident in detail, as well as Liu Pei's own plans and worries.

Wang Changde twisted his beard and thought for a while before saying, "Then, Lord Liu has already decided to ascend the throne and become king, right?" ”

Liu Pei said: "That's true. Originally, I didn't want to be king so early, but Mr. Fang advised me many times. And I thought twice about it, thinking that the benefits of my accession to the throne outweighed the disadvantages! So I have made up my mind to ascend the throne and become king. ”

Wang Changde nodded and said, "I haven't heard of this Mr. Fang before, but what this person is worried about is reasonable, and he is a talent!" And I can vouch for the success of this according to your plan! There's just one thing I can't figure out. That is, why did the imperial court ignore the affairs of the Ryukyus? This is not in line with the court's consistent way of doing things. ”

Liu Pei raised his eyebrows and said, "Is there something wrong here?" ”

Wang Changde frowned and said: "Since the founding of the country, Ryukyu has been extremely respectful to my Emperor Taizu. It can be described as a model among vassal states! Therefore, the emperors of all dynasties have been very protective of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It's just why was Ryukyu attacked by the Japanese this time, but the imperial court didn't say a word? ”

Liu Pei knew that this was not a trivial matter. If it is as Wang Changde worried, then if there is an accident during the envoy sent to Beijing this time, it will be a waste of previous achievements! So Liu Pei immediately asked, "Then does Lord Wang think there will be any hidden secrets?" ”

Wang Changde frowned and said, "It's hard to say about this matter. Because when there is no rumor at all, it is difficult for the official to judge the truth of the matter? It can only be said that the person involved must be a person of high authority. So the biggest variable in going to Beijing to seek canonization is here! ”

However, Wang Changde saw that Liu Pei was worried, so he thought about it again and said, "But Lord Liu doesn't have to worry too much. Even if it is

Secret things, as long as you send someone to Beijing, you will definitely know! Because this person, or this group of people, will definitely oppose the canonization. So after waiting for someone to show up, we can prescribe the right medicine! Come to think of it, the most that he or they have with the Ryukyus is just an exchange of interests! As long as you are willing to give more silver, it shouldn't be a big problem. ”

When Liu Pei heard this, he also felt that what Wang Changde said was very reasonable. And he was prompted by Wang Changde, and basically guessed the truth of the matter. The Ryukyus are small and sparsely populated, and there are no outstanding specialties. The only possibility is sea trade! If this is really the case, Liu Pei doesn't think it's a problem! Isn't it money? That's it!

Liu Pei let go of his brows and said, "Thank you, Lord Wang, for your guidance!" ”

Wang Changde smiled proudly and said, "It's okay! Anyway! It's all trifles. It's not as good as Lord Liu's blood book! ”

Liu Pei said embarrassedly: "Alas! At that time, I had no other reason to win the Ryukyus, so I had to make up one randomly. It made the adults laugh. ”

After hearing this, Wang Changde said solemnly: "This is not a reason to look for randomly!" This is an ironclad fact! It was the King of the Ryukyus who wrote a blood letter asking you for help! You must remember this and don't talk nonsense! ”

Wang Changde's sudden seriousness surprised Liu Pei! Wang Changde looked at Liu Pei's stunned eyes, and added: "Lord Liu, this matter is not trivial!" If Lord Liu wants the canonization to go smoothly, he must bite this matter to death! If there is no blood book, then Lord Liu's seizure of Ryukyu is a conquest of the Ming clan for no reason! Even if Da Ming may not be able to take care of this matter now, it will inevitably be complicated in the future! And it's different when you have the blood book, this is the name of righteousness! Do you understand? ”

Liu Pei immediately bowed down and said, "I've been taught!" ”

Seeing this, Wang Changde said with satisfaction: "I just don't know who Lord Liu is going to send to the imperial court on business?" ”

Liu Pei pointed to Liu Dahai beside him and said, "It's him." What does Lord Wang think? ”

Liu Dahai was startled when he heard this, and then he was ecstatic! This is a great task entrusted by the king! However, Wang Changde frowned when he heard this. Liu Dahai couldn't see his expression because he was standing behind Wang Changde, but Liu Pei could see it clearly. Liu Pei also guessed Wang Changde's thoughts. After all, Liu Dahai is not a Jinshi, but has only studied for a few years. And in the end, I went to be a tooth man, and there was inevitably some slippery breath on my body. Therefore, it is normal for Wang Changde to look down on his eyes.

Liu Pei had no choice but to explain with a wry smile: "Lord Wang, I can't hide it, I really can't draw people here!" When I was in the Ming Dynasty, I was an ordinary military attaché, where would there be scholars

Defect to me? To be honest, there are relatively few people here who can read now, and all of them are arranged. So I had to send him. ”

Wang Changde could only sigh. He also understands that Liu Pei's current situation is indeed very difficult. There are many scholars in the Ryukyus, but Liu Pei must be careful when using them as grassroots bureaucrats. As for the Ming court, they can't be used even more! What if he sent a loyal minister of the Shang family, and he cried in the Jinluan Palace about Liu Pei's capture of Ryukyu? As for the others, they are either bookkeepers or fellows, and most of them are illiterate. A limited number of people are still busy.

So he sighed and said, "That's it, let him follow me these days." I taught him some rules and manners, so that he would not be laughed at when he went out. ”

Liu Pei was overjoyed when he heard this, and hurriedly thanked him. Liu Dahai was also ecstatic! However, at this time, his businessman's slippery attack immediately knelt down to apprentice. Wang Changde turned sideways and said, "At this moment, you are already an official of the Ryukyus, don't worship me anymore." In addition, I am only teaching you the etiquette in the court and the joints of various departments during this time, and I am not your teacher. ”

Liu Dahai didn't care what Wang Changde said. In his heart, it is good to be able to learn something from Wang Changde, but more importantly, the person in front of him may not be the ruler of the country in a short time! Why don't you hurry up and stutter now?

So after he got up, he still bowed down and said to Wang Changde: "The lower official knows that he is shallow in knowledge, and he can't be a disciple of Lord Wang. However, Xia Guan is still willing to treat Mr. Wang with teacher courtesy! ”

Wang Changde naturally understood what Liu Dahai meant. But everyone loves to listen to good words, and Wang Changde is naturally not exempt from vulgarity. So I was still smiling when Liu Dahai said.

Liu Pei said on the side: "In this case, you will follow Lord Wang to serve these days." Remember, you must learn more, and you can't lose face when you go out! ”

Liu Dahai naturally nodded yes again and again. Wang Changde looked at the sky and said, "It's not too early, since things have come to this point, I won't look around anymore." Master Liu should return with me. I also want to talk to Mr. Fang about these things, and I always have to be more thorough to avoid mistakes. ”

Liu Pei said: "Lord Wang, it is getting late at this time, and it is very inconvenient to rush back to walk at night. Why don't we camp here tonight and set off tomorrow morning. Anyway, it's not bad for half a day. ”

Wang Changde hesitated for a moment and agreed. So the guards began to build a camp and prepare for camp. When the family had finished their dinner, they gossiped around the campfire. As for Liu Pei, they went into their own tents to rest. The camp was peaceful.