Liao Jingxu didn’t have time to meet the local gentry now. He waved his hands in annoyance and said, “No!”
The chief of the personal guards did not retreat, but reminded softly: "Sir, it is better to meet him at this time."
Seeing Liao Jingxu looking at him, the chief guard did not dodge, but continued: "I think Your Highness wants to see him. After all, there are people from the Ji family."
Liao Jingxu immediately understood what his subordinate meant. The local gentry were famous and prominent families in the local area. They were generally influential in the local area. Generally, officials had to maintain good relations with them. Xiao Heng came to quell the rebellion, so he could use them.
Originally, Liao Jingxu wanted to gain the initiative in front of Xiao Heng, so he did not want to introduce these gentry to Xiao Heng.
However, it is naturally inappropriate to do so at this time.
On the contrary, it should be the other way around; it's a human thing.
He made a decision quickly, and went to talk to Xiao Heng about it, adding: "The Ji family was originally a Dali family. They, the Yang family, and the Mu family were the three major families in Dali. The three families were very prestigious in Dali. But later, the Ji family had an internal conflict, and the head of the family got into trouble, so they were squeezed out of Dali. Even so, they still have many shops in Dali, and have industries such as tea mountains. They have always been very fast in getting news about things over there."
Xiao Heng originally intended to use the power of the local prominent families to quell the chaos. After hearing this, there was no reason for him not to meet him. He nodded and said, "In that case, let's meet him."
The Ji family and several local noble families all came over to pay their respects to Xiao Heng.
Because the flower shed was used for the injured people, Xiao Heng now met them in a temporary tent.
The head of the Ji family, Old Master Ji, came over to greet him, then stood up tremblingly and said, "Your Highness, we are sorry for not coming to greet you. Please forgive us, Your Highness."
In fact, it was not that they failed to welcome us from afar. When we welcomed them just now, they were also in the crowd, but they just couldn't get a number. Moreover, some of them were injured and had accidents as well.
In fact, everyone knew the purpose of these people coming to ask for a meeting. With the arrival of a new imperial envoy of such a high status, many of the policies set before would naturally be changed. If these changes were not informed to the local families, they would inevitably suffer heavy losses.
Therefore, it is necessary to come and pay your respects to the pier.
Xiao Heng smiled and said, "What are you talking about, old man? You have also retired from the position of General of Dali, right? You are also an old man of the country. I only respect you. How can I blame you?"
Old Master Ji lowered his attitude even more, and hurriedly shook his head: "Your Highness, what you said really makes me ashamed. Now I have no official position, so I dare not address you as Your Highness. Your Highness has come from afar, and I dare to ask to welcome you. I hope Your Highness will do me the honor of condescending to me."
Old Master Ji was indeed the general of Dali back then. This was also the court's intention to maintain balance. The position of chieftain was given to the Mu family, and the position of general was given to Old Master Ji, so that the two families could check and balance each other.
In the end, of course, it was Mr. Ji who lost his official position. This was just as Liao Jingxu had said before, the direct line of his family was almost extinct, and they were driven out of Dali.
Therefore, the Ji family’s current attitude is worth pondering.
Xiao Heng raised his eyebrows and agreed.
Old Master Ji breathed a sigh of relief and thanked Xiao Heng with a feeling of relief.
After they all left, Xiao Heng looked at Mr. Cui and said, "Among these gentry, the Ji family and the Mu family have a grudge. They are so eager to seek revenge through the court. As for the others, their attitudes... I'm afraid they want to see my worth and attitude."
They are a prominent local family with business all over the local area, so it is impossible that they have no dealings with the Mu Mansion.
As for the extent of this, only God knows.
That's why they are so enthusiastic, and many of them come to check out the situation.
If Xiao Heng was weak and incompetent, no different from the imperial envoys sent by the court before, then they would naturally do what they should do, just as before.
And if not, they should be prepared.
Seeing that Xiao Heng understood everything, Cui Daru smiled and said, "Yes, even if His Highness was attacked today, it is possible that someone in the noble family knew about it in advance. This is not because I think the worst of them, but it is human nature. For example, we sent someone to deliver the news to Lord Liao yesterday about the specific date of His Highness's arrival. Lord Liao came to greet us, and even though he incited the people to give us a blow, in fact, the defense was strict, but someone still took advantage of the loophole. There is no need to think too much. There must be a traitor like Wei Desheng who has not been caught. If this is the case among officials, what about the gentry?"
Fourth Master Cui said from the side: "They are really cunning enough to be so fence-sitting. However, since you know that some of them are close to the Mu Mansion, Your Highness still agreed to go to the Ji family for the banquet. Is this appropriate?"
Cui Daru glanced at his son and felt that his son was indeed very talented in business when he was in the Cui family, but he still lacked some understanding in politics, so he shook his head and said, "What's wrong with this? Of course you have to go, and not only go, but also go with great fanfare, so that everyone knows your Highness's attitude, and the Ji family will be reassured. If other families simply want to have a good relationship with your Highness, then they should know that they can no longer have any connection with the Mu Mansion. And if they have bad intentions, how could they miss such a good opportunity for your Highness to go to the Ji family? By then, it will be clear which families are biased towards the Mu Mansion."
Mr. Cui Si suddenly realized.
Things outside were almost settled, and Liao Jingxu came personally to invite Xiao Heng into the city.
Then he said uneasily, "Your Highness will have to be placed in the Governor's Office."
Xiao Heng raised his hand: "No need to say these things, Lord Liao will arrange it himself."
Liao Jingxu went to make arrangements himself.
Su Yao had finished her work. Xiao Heng saw that she was a little tired, so he asked someone to bring her some tea. He then whispered to her about the banquet at the Ji family: "When the time comes, you can come with us, too?"
Liao Jingxu and others don't know Su Yao's identity yet, but this is something that cannot be concealed. After all, Su Yao is a girl, and being a girl, she will definitely attract a lot of attention. If her identity is not revealed, those people will think too much.
But everyone still felt strange that Yongding Bo actually brought his sister with him to fight. It was really strange. I had heard of men bringing their wives with them to fight, but I had never heard of men bringing their sisters with them. This Bo Ye didn't know what was going on.
However, seeing that His Highness and the others had no objections, the officials from Yunnan were surprised but no one raised any issue.