Li Zhong came to Xuzhou with the baggage team. In addition to food, twenty tiger squat cannons were also brought, as well as more than twenty artillery pieces under two inches brought from Kaifeng.

At night, the two talked with candles.

"Second brother," Li Yan said: "I called you over this time to let you command in the front, and I will go to various places to have a look." Now it seems that Li Zicheng is still willing to abide by the agreement, and you will take the troops to take the time to receive the place where they withdrew. ”

"Well, I understand." Li Zhong nodded and said.

Li Yan reminded: "But you can't completely trust Li Zicheng, you must leave enough troops and firepower in your hands, at least you must be able to hold on until I come to the rescue." ”

Li Zhong nodded, and then asked, "What about the prison army?" Will he keep it, or will he go back with you? ”

"I don't know," Li Yan said nonchalantly, "Let him be." You don't have to pay too much attention to him, except for confidential things that you can't let him know, you don't have to worry about him. ”

After that, he said: "Chen Yongfu is there, and he still has to push him out." He and Li Chuang are mortal enemies, and they can make a barrier for us. If he doesn't want to move, you can go to war with him. ”

"Got it figured? Our forces can be dispersed now. Li Zhong reminded.

Li Yan said with a smile: "It's okay, when the imperial court gathers the troops over, we will be ready for a long time." ”

"Okay, as long as you're ready." Li Zhong also said with a smile: "I plan to get the county seat of these places right first, and place the people around the county seat." As for the sporadic bandits, we will solve them later. ”

"You can arrange it, as long as you can ensure the safety of the people." Li Yan agreed: "Also pay attention to the mines in various places, I will ask the miners to come over to investigate, and if you can use it, you will use it." All kinds of materials are being consumed more and more, and it is not possible to find more minerals. ”

Li Zhong agreed. Suddenly remembered one thing, and said: "There are businessmen from the south who have arrived in Qi County, and they want to continue to open shops in Zhuxian Town, but they are worried about safety. ”

"Okay, go back and talk to them."

Early the next morning, Li Yan notified Niu Wenbing, and returned to Kaifeng with his own soldiers. At this time, Niu Wenbing was not prepared at all, so he could only stay in Xuzhou for the time being.

However, he soon realized that Li Yan might have gone to do something confidential. He received the emperor's order to monitor Li Yan, so naturally he didn't dare to slack off, so he immediately asked Li Zhong to send someone to escort him to Kaifeng in the afternoon.

"I'm sorry," Li Zhong simply refused, "The number of troops is limited, and we can't send a single soldier to the prison army." Besides, the prison army has 300 guards of its own, so just go to Kaifeng by yourself. ”

"There are so many bandits along the way, do you want this prison army to fall into the hands of thieves?!" Niu Wenbing asked with a glare.

Li Zhong said coldly: "General Li is only with fifty guards, three hundred Beijing battalions, the last general does not believe that they can't escort the prison army back to Kaifeng safely." ”

"Okay, okay, a certain family has written it down!" Niu Wenbing said fiercely.

After that, he sent a letter to Chen Yongfu, wanting Chen Yongfu to send one or two thousand troops to escort him. But Chen Yongfu also said that there were tens of thousands of thieves in front of him, and he didn't dare to divide his troops.

The main reason is that Chen Yongfu doesn't want his subordinates to go to Kaifeng. The last time the thieves came to attack Kaifeng, his 3,000 troops also withdrew to Kaifeng with Hou Sui, but in the end less than 1,000 came back, and the others went to serve Li Yan. Many of his soldiers had families around Kaifeng, and they all went for the ten acres of land. The temptation of land is much greater than the bread that cannot support one's family.

After three or four days of correspondence, Niu Wenbing had no choice but to politely find Li Zhong to find a way. No matter how much resentment he had, he endured it for the time being, and when he returned to the capital in the future, he would naturally be able to find a way to make up for it.

Li Zhong suggested that Niu Wenbing go back with the baggage team transporting grain, but the next time the baggage team came would be half a month later.

As soon as Li Yan returned to Kaifeng, Su Jing came to the barracks to look for him.

"Su Fuzun, why did you come to Kaifeng?" Li Yan asked Su Jing with a smile as he let Su Jing in.

Su Jing bowed to the end and said, "General Li, Su has something to ask for." ”

"Su Fuzun, get up and speak." Li Yan stood up and helped Su Jing, who was still bowing down.

Su Jing straightened up and pleaded, "General Li, you must help." ”

Li Yan asked curiously: "Mr. Su, let's talk about what is the matter first, if you can help, Li will naturally not refuse." ”

"The imperial court has issued an order, and the government must pay all the taxes in the summer and autumn this year, otherwise Su will be arrested and questioned." Su Jing cried and said, "For the sake of our work together, General Li must help." ”

Last year, the Guide Mansion only paid the summer tax, and it was only sixty percent, so that Su Jing was rewarded by the imperial court. But after that, it was never handed over again. This time, the imperial court asked the Guide Mansion to pay a year's tax, and it seems that the secret report of the supervising army played a role.

Li Yan said regretfully: "Mr. Su, it's not me who helps you, but I don't have time here." I am still using troops in front of me, and I still have to settle the people in the newly restored land, and provide rations and seeds, which is really powerless. ”

"General Li, you can't die without help." Su Jing begged: "Su is worthy of General Li." If it weren't for Su's original promotion and recommendation, would General Li have the current prestige? Su really had no choice, so he came to ask General Li, General Li can't help but miss the old feelings. ”

Li Yan came up with an idea: "Otherwise, Mr. will find a reason to prevaricate." It may be better next year, and then I will make up for it to the imperial court. ”

"What's the reason? The rest of the place has been ravaged by thieves, but the return to the German Mansion has been peaceful for more than two years. There were neither locust droughts nor military disasters, so the imperial court demanded that two taxes must be paid. Su Jing shook his head in disappointment and said.

Li Yan suddenly smiled and said, "Since this is the case, then Mr. Su will resign from the official." As a staff member here, I gave my husband ten times the prefect's salary. ”

Su Jing looked at Li Yan in astonishment, he didn't expect Li Yan to be so ruthless. What's so good about being a staff member for Li Yan? According to the current trend, if you don't say it well, you will be exterminated.

Li Yan saw Su Jing's surprise and added, "Mr. can bring his family members over, I promise, there will be no problems." ”

Su Jing stood up, bowed his hand to Li Yan, and said, "General Li's kindness, Su Mou understands it." Su is also tired, it's time to return to the hidden spring forest. ”

Li Yan also stood up and persuaded: "Sir, think twice." Shandong place, can it be safer than me? Don't be reluctant to give up the little belongings at home, as long as you come out with the title deed, Li will definitely let them return to Zhao in the future. ”

Su Jing was stunned again, he didn't expect Li Yan to be so confident. He knew that Li Yan's troops were very strong, but he had to deal with both the imperial court and the thieves, and he didn't think that Li Yan would have much chance.

The most important thing is that he feels that Li Yan reuses officials and despises officials from scientific examinations, which contradicts the official gentry in the world. Since ancient times, rebellion has been raised, without the help of scholars, how can it be successful?

"General Xie Li is gracious. If necessary, Su will come to seek refuge in General Li. Su took his leave. After finishing speaking, Su Jing bowed his hand to Li Yan and left briskly.

"Mr. Su, take care."

...