Build High Walls, Store Ample Grain, and Claim Kingship Slowly.
Wang Shanquan hadn't expected Wang Yue to act so decisively. That very night, he left in haste. Knowing there was no way to settle things peacefully, and afraid that a clash with Wang Yue would jeopardize his plans, he swallowed his anger and hurriedly sent trusted subordinates after him toward Qingzhou, carrying the Liu family's land deeds.
No one knew what methods he had used, but Wang Yue's ship had only just returned to Langya when he busied himself settling the Liu family. Old Father Wang had already arrived, bringing news from Yangzhou.
After seeing Wang Yue, Old Father Wang frowned and asked, "Two days ago, the Yangzhou Governor sent people to apologize and brought over a great many land deeds, saying they were compensation for your in-laws' losses. What exactly happened?"
Wang Yue hadn't expected Wang Shanquan to move so quickly. He recounted what he had seen and heard in Yangzhou, then frowned and said, "Father, from the looks of things, Yangzhou will rebel once the emperor dies."
Old Father Wang had been calmly drinking tea. The events in Yangzhou didn't matter much to him; he'd come over simply because his son seemed to have changed a great deal, and he wanted to ask what was going on.
Of course, he was also worried that his son had met someone who had led him astray.
He was concerned because the realm was in turmoil, and all sorts of people who fancied themselves extraordinary talents had begun to emerge, hoping to find a worthy lord and stake their lives on a chance at wealth and glory. He feared someone might have taken Wang Yue in.
After arriving, he first met with Wang Ping and Wang An. Once he'd asked them