Jade City.
Holding the letter in hand, the soldier walked through the long corridor and came to the innermost room.
Wei Xiaokuan was sitting here, with many staff gathered around him.
At this moment, they are constantly opening many letters from the other side, summarizing and making judgments.
Someone picked up the latest letter, read it for a moment, and his expression changed drastically.
"General. Liu Taozi has probably arrived in Yecheng at this moment. Our people met his subordinates in Cheng'an, Yao Xiong, Kou Liu, Tian Zili and others. Look."
Wei Xiaokuan slowly raised his head, his eyes slightly sharp.
He picked up the letter and read it.
Since Doctor Yin returned to the capital, Wei Xiaokuan's situation has become even worse. Originally, his contribution to bringing back the mother of Jin was enough to move forward, but some of Doctor Yin's words seemed to have changed Yu Wenhu's mind.
Some soldiers from Yubi City were transferred and some generals were replaced.
Wei Xiaokuan had no choice but to accept this.
This was the price for letting Liu Taozi go in the first place.
"Something big is going to happen to Gao Zhan."
Wei Xiaokuan said slowly.
The staff looked at each other and said, "General, all the soldiers and horses in Yecheng are under the control of Gao Zhan, Liu Taozi only has more than a hundred men."
"If Liu Taozi didn't want to do something big, he wouldn't have let his subordinates leave early."
"These three people are his fellow villagers and are his absolute confidants. To avoid them is to do great things. Gao Zhan does not lack courage and has some abilities, but he is by no means Liu Taozi's opponent.
"
Wei Xiaokuan looked to the left and right, "There is no need to wait for news from Yecheng. All the forces of Jinyang will be dispatched."
He slowly took out one of the many secret letters in front of him and threw it in front of everyone.
"King of Jinan."
Taolin.
The peach forest covered with white snow is like a fairyland.
There are no traces of trampling and it is extremely clean.
Peach trees stand on the ground.
Liu Taozi stood in front of her courtyard and looked at it for a long time.
In the village, Liu Taozi received a more warm welcome. Although Liu Taozi was not in the village, everyone in the village was alive because of him.
Several confidants stood behind Liu Taozi.
"Brother, what should I do? Do you want to pick him up?"
Tian Zili opened his mouth.
Zhangjiacun is not safe, and the border fortress is the safest. He has long wanted to take away all the people here.
Liu Taozi did not answer, but Lu Qubing smiled bitterly and said, "I'm afraid it won't work."
"Let alone such a cold winter, whether the old man can hurry or walk, what will your majesty think of picking up the family members of his close relatives from the Central Plains? What will the ministers say?"
"If you were an official outside, that would be fine, but this is a general."
Lu Qubing made it very clear.
Tian Zili frowned and said, "Mr. Lu, although nothing happens at the moment, what should we do if a close associate of King Changguang wants to take revenge in the future?"
"I will protect you."
"You can't stay in Cheng'an all the time."
Lu Qubing hesitated for a moment, "Then wait until the weather gets better and leave in batches, one by one, so as not to attract too many people's attention. I will think of a way."
"Then thank you Mr. Lu."
"No need to be polite. I am not an outsider."
Lu Qubing sighed and looked at Taozi, "You just came back, are you in a hurry to go back?"
"The road is extremely long, and it takes a long time to go back and forth."
"I still have some big things to accomplish at the frontier."
Lu Qubing looked in the direction of the border fortress, with a somewhat hesitant expression on his face, "I really want to do what Changsun Gong did, resign from office and follow you there, even if it means becoming an official."
He shook his head again, "But I can't leave. I'm in Cheng'an and there are many big things to do."
"I know."
"You will definitely do well."
"The same to you."
"You are much stronger than me. I can only try to keep the people of this county alive. You can survive many people in the frontier."
"The total number of people living in the frontier is not as large as the population of Cheng'an County."
"Hahaha~~"
Lu Qubing smiled and said, "If you are in need, just ask and I will do my best to help."
"Me too."
The two of them stopped talking.
It’s been a long time since we reunited, but it’s time to say goodbye again.
When Liu Taozi left Cheng'an, he took many people with him.
Among them were many officials who wanted to go to the frontier fortress, including Changsun Gong, and some local young men, all of whom had their own strengths.
Lu Qubing stood by the road, watching the pedestrian walk away and disappear into the distance.
His face was full of reluctance.
He just waved his hand.
Looking forward to our next reunion.
Jinyang.
Liu Taozi and others returned to Jinyang again after a long journey, but it was no longer Gao Guiyan and Duan Shao who came to greet them.
It was the familiar veteran minister Lu Yao.
The ice and snow in Jinyang have melted a lot, but it has also become colder.
Lu Yao's face was complicated. Looking at Liu Taozi in front of him, his face almost wrinkled into a ball.
"You, come with me!!"
Lu Yao pulled Liu Taozi and forced him into the car, and then set off towards the palace.
Sitting in the car, Lu Yao gritted his teeth and said, "Why are you always like this? Can't you tell me before you do something?"
"Do you know you."
"well."
Lu Yao shivered for a long time, but finally couldn't say anything.
"When I see His Majesty later, remember to confess your guilt in time."
"You have ruined many of His Majesty's affairs by beheading first and reporting later."
"Although His Majesty didn't say it, I still felt a little angry when I saw him. You are just acting recklessly. He is His Majesty's biological brother and a compatriot from the same mother. You can arrest him as soon as you want..."
"Forget it, forget it, it's useless to say anything anyway. When I see His Majesty later, remember to confess your guilt in time. I can't help you much anymore."
"Look at what you have done, ugh."
Lu Yao sighed, not knowing what to say.
If he could go back to two years ago, even if he was killed, he would never recommend this guy!!
This guy is so capable that he has no time to spare. Going to Yecheng is a good thing, but who would have thought that he would get into such big trouble by going there.
At the moment, Jinyang is almost exploding.
Everyone felt that this was Liu Taozi's decision under His Majesty's instructions and an agreement with the Queen Mother to carry out the crime together.
Even Lu Yao thought the same way when he first heard about it.
After seeing His Majesty, he realized that it was this guy who did it all by himself!!
At that moment, Lu Yao's vision went dark and he almost knelt to death in front of Gao Yan.
He looked at Liu Taozi aside, who was the culprit of all this. There was no trace of fear or panic on his face. He opened the curtain and looked at Jinyang outside.
The houses on both sides of the road were silent.
"It's time for dinner."
Liu Taozi suddenly said something meaningless.
Lu Yao was stunned and looked at the houses on both sides. He didn't know what he thought of, and a trace of unbearability flashed across his face.
"The freeze killed many people this year."
Liu Taozi lowered the car curtain and stopped talking.
Lu Yao suddenly fell silent.
They arrived in front of the palace all the way. Lu Yao led Liu Taozi out of the car and took him into the palace.
It's still a familiar process, but it seems that the palace here is a little more strict.
They were taken all the way to the racecourse.
They stood on the outside and watched Gao Yan lead his cronies and gallop here. They couldn't see his expression, but they could feel the emperor's rage at the moment. He ran at full speed, extremely fast, charging over and over again.
No intention of stopping at all.
I don't know how long it took.
Gao Yan rode his horse and slowly stopped in front of them.
Gao Yan lowered his head and looked at Liu Taozi with a rather solemn look, his expression serious and extremely unkind.
Lu Yao pursed his lips and hurriedly stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, Liu Zhizhi is."
"The harm is true!!"
Gao Yan suddenly spoke.
"Do you know your guilt?!"
Liu Taozi slowly bowed to see him.
"I am guilty."
"Do you know what crime you committed?!"
"I don't know."
Gao Yan suddenly laughed and his expression immediately softened, "Your crime is to despise me!!"
"Do you think I don't have the guts to deal with King Changguang? Do you have to kill him first and then punish him?"
"If you had told me your thoughts when you were in Jinyang, King Changguang should be staying in Jinyang now. Look at it now, what should you do?"
"I am aware of my guilt."
Gao Yan got off the horse with the support of several people. He led Liu Taozi and Lu Yao towards the palace. As he walked, he said, "The contract is really harmful. You are leaving me helpless."
"He was imprisoned with his mother for trivial crimes."
"He can't do anything, but what about me?"
"The Queen Mother will not hand him over, and I can't send anyone to ask for him."
"What do you think we should do?"
"I don't know."
"ha!"
Gao Yan glanced at Liu Taozi and walked to the door. He stamped his feet, patted the snow on his body, and walked into the hall. The stove in the hall was burning just right, and the whole hall was very warm. Gao Yan took off his outerwear.
Shang, exhaled into the palm of his hand, and casually motioned for the two of them to follow him.
The three of them sat down together and Gao Yan took a sip of the hot tea that had been prepared.
"You really scared me."
"When I saw Lou Rui's letter, I was so frightened that I even dropped my bowl on the ground."
"What a great ability."
"How did you convince the Queen Mother?"
"I'm just asking the Queen Mother to make a decision, don't turn a blind eye."
“Is it that simple??”
"The Queen Mother is very good at listening to advice."
Gao Yan laughed and said, "That's true. It's just that no one dares to admonish her on weekdays."
Just as Lou Zhaojun understands her children, Gao Yan also understands his mother. Lou Zhaojun is easily persuaded, but this also makes Gao Yan a little helpless. After all, Gao Zhan can also do the same.
Gao Yan pondered for a moment, and then said: "Although it is for me, this kind of thing cannot happen again in the future. You must ask me first before doing anything."
"only."
Gao Yan looked at Lu Yao, "Mr. Lu was also frightened this time."
Lu Yao smiled bitterly and did not answer.
"Even the Puppet Zhou couldn't sit still. He actually sent people to spread rumors in the city, saying that the nobles were going to support the King of Jinan again, and that the people of the King of Jinan killed Han Jinming. The people under Han Jinming said that he was on the way.
Died of illness."
"I have sent Gao Guiyan to resolve this matter."
Liu Taozi was stunned for a moment, "Your Majesty, Han Jinming has indeed died of illness."
"Well, maybe."
“This winter, many people are dying of illness.”
Gao Yan said quietly.
Liu Taozi frowned.
"Now that things have come to an end, there is no time to hesitate. Just do it. I will take care of the next thing, so you don't have to worry."
"The Honorable Lord of the DPRK has lost his courage, and I have nothing more to worry about."
"Next, I plan to gradually re-issue land equalization orders in the country according to King Pengcheng's memorial, thoroughly inspect public lands, grant them to the people, and select the best among them to join the army. What do you think?"
Reissuing the land equalization order is not a new talk in Daqi. Someone has mentioned it a long time ago. This time Liu Taozi easily tore through the defense line, making Gao Yan and other upper-level officials also feel threatened. Of course, it was not that Liu Taozi was threatened, but that
I feel that the pseudo-week poses a threat.
If the border defenses are so corrupted, then if the Puppet Zhou invades again, they will be able to easily reach Jinyang.
In order to deal with such a situation, King Pengcheng firmly believed that the land should be equalized and given to the people, the military households should be added, and garrison and farming should be carried out in parallel.
Doing so would naturally offend many people, but King Pengcheng was not afraid.
Gao Yan listened to what he said many times and became more and more moved.
Liu Taozi nodded, "I think it's okay."
Lu Yao said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, although it is a good thing, I'm afraid it will be extremely difficult to implement. The land granting and mulberry fields in various places cannot be clearly investigated."
"If you can't find out clearly, then confiscate them all and redistribute them!"
Lu Yao was shocked, "Your Majesty, these land transfers cannot be easily moved. If they are really to be moved, they must be done one by one. If they are done at the same time, I am afraid it will cause chaos."
Gao Yan, who was originally extremely determined, suddenly hesitated again when he heard what Lu Yao said.
He pondered: "I will tell Peng Chengwang that it must be done, but what you said makes sense. You really can't be impatient."
He suddenly looked at Liu Taozi, "The True Light of Destruction depends on the garrison, and many things will be difficult to accomplish."
"You have made a great contribution this time."
"Although it was reckless, it solved a big trouble for me."
"I want to make you the general of Anxi, the commander of Beishuo, and the military and government affairs of the two states of Beiheng."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"I haven't issued an edict yet!"
Lu Yao was stunned and hurriedly said: "Your Majesty! Liu Taozi is still young and his merits are not obvious this time. He should not be promoted like this. You can wait until he makes new achievements in the future."
Gao Yan glanced at Lu Yao and ignored him. He just looked at Liu Taozi faintly and said, "You need to do three things for me."
"The first thing I want you to do is strengthen the defenses in various places and ensure that no puppet Zhou soldiers or Turkic soldiers are allowed to pass through your territory."
Lu Yao frowned, but Liu Taozi nodded in agreement, "If you can't do it, your Majesty can behead me."
"The second thing is that you must obey King Pengcheng and reissue the land equalization order."
"only."
"The third thing is to train a strong army for me within three years. It must be able to respond to Jinyang at any time."
"only."
"Don't agree so quickly. Think carefully. If you can't do it, I won't show mercy."
"I can do it."
Gao Yan admired Liu Taozi's confidence, so he said no more, waved his hand, and asked for paper, pen and ink.
Lu Yao's expression was particularly complicated. He looked at Liu Taozi uneasily and fidgeted.
I saw that the emperor had someone write the edict and sealed it himself.
Lu Yao closed his eyes in despair.
When the two of them walked out of the palace, Lu Yao pushed Tao Zi hard.
Of course, he couldn't push it.
Lu Yao glanced at the palace behind him, "You've gotten into big trouble!!"
"What is Bei Shuo and Bei Heng? This means that the places outside Shuo Heng that are bordering the enemy are given to you. There are not many county towns in these places, and there are no people. You are coming here this time. You think you are there for the puppet Zhou Dynasty?"
Don’t you know?”
"Why did Your Majesty promote you? That's because he knows that the defense is incompetent and that the puppet Zhou Dynasty and the Turks may invade at any time. And he can't bring out many trustworthy and usable people."
"And the average land, there are many military households there. Do you think that land is easy to get? If you dare to confiscate it directly, do you think those military households will rise up in rebellion?"
"Well, not to mention military training, there is not enough food."
Lu Yao's face was full of worry.
General Anxi, the commander-in-chief of the military affairs of the two states, sounds really loud, but according to the current situation, this is simply a pit of fire!
Based on Lu Yao's understanding of the Zhou people, these shameless people would not take the matter of harmonious coexistence that had been agreed not long ago at all. When they knew that Daqi's border defense was corrupt, their first reaction was to call in the Turks.
attack.
Maybe they have started preparing now.
Originally, Wuchuan was safe and the puppet Zhou could not attack from there, but now that the military affairs of these two states were under one roof, it was bad. Many areas bordered the Zhou people, and Taozi was still on the Zhou people's priority list.
Liu Taozi did not answer him, he just asked: "Mr. Lu, where did Gao Sikong go?"
"He? Hearing that the King of Jinan was upset due to rumors, he was ordered to appease the King of Jinan."
While the two of them were chatting, Gao Yan in the palace was also discussing important matters. He was sitting in the upper seat, with Wang Xi and Xian'an sitting on either side of him.
Gao Yan's face was solemn, and he was sitting in the upper position with extraordinary momentum.
Wang Xi asked worriedly: "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother will not hand over King Changguang easily. What should we do now?"
Gao Yan said calmly: "Don't worry about it."
"I have finished everything in Jinyang, and it's time to return to the capital."
"return"
Wang Xi suddenly reacted and laughed immediately, "Yes, it's time for Your Majesty to go back!!"
"How can the emperor not return to the capital for a long time??"
Xian'an also understood at this moment and couldn't help but praise: "Your Majesty is wise!!"
"Next, according to King Pengcheng's instructions, we will discuss the matter of re-equalizing the land."
Wang Xi stood aside and breathed a long sigh of relief.
The situation has never been better.
This is simply something that I dare not even think about in my dreams. Now the biggest internal trouble has been eliminated, the emperor's military power has been strengthened like never before, and these second-generation nobles have been unmasked before they have grown up.
.
Everything is going in the best direction.
Next, we only need to surround Duan Shao, Hu Luguang, Liu Taozi and others, suppress the nobles, reuse the wise ministers headed by King Pengcheng, and issue good government orders.
If this continues, Daqi's governance will
"Brother!!!"
Gao Yan suddenly looked forward, his face was ferocious, and he pointed forward with his hand.
"how?"
"What you didn't do, I did! Do you still want to beat me?!"
"You can't hit me!!"
"Wang Aiqing!! Tell Emperor Wenxuan!! Tell Yang Min!! How did I do?!"
Wang Xi looked blankly at the emperor in front of him, and then looked to the side. There was nothing there.
At this moment, Wang Xi's hair stood on end and his whole body was cold.
ps: I suffered from internal heat at the beginning and frequently took Tang San. At that time, the minister ordered Shi, whose surname was Zhao, to meet Wenxuan in Ye and follow Yang Min, Yan Zixian and others to the west, promising revenge. The emperor was in Jinyang Palace, and he also met Mrs. Mao.
Then the situation gradually became more and more dangerous. Prepare for things that you are tired of, either boiling oil and spreading it around, or holding torches to burn. The powerful people came out of the palace beams, rode on the pillars, sang and shouted calmly, and showed no fear. - "Book of Northern Qi·Xiao Zhao"
"This Chronicle"
Chapter completed!