On July 20, Li Yan prepared all the grain and grass for Sun Chuanting, seventy percent of potatoes, thirty percent of flour, and forage and beans were all ready to stop. Fortunately, the Guide Mansion and the surrounding areas under his control had the largest number of displaced people, the land was fertile, and there were no major locust plagues and droughts, so the harvest was not bad, which provided Sun Chuanting with grain and grass.

At this time, he got news from Sun Chuanting, saying that he would officially leave the customs on the first day of August, first go to Luoyang, and then go straight to Nanyang. Therefore, Li Yan sent the cavalry team, the fast troops, and the other 6,000 infantry to Luoyang as a force to monitor Sun Chuanting. In order to minimize possible losses and prevent the officers and troops from advancing into the central Henan region, he had to send this surveillance force.

At this time, he was called to the palace by King Zhou.

Since Kaifeng was completely safe, the number of times King Zhou summoned Li Yan had decreased a lot. Even Wu Niang was just called back to the palace and had a family banquet.

In the study of the palace, King Zhou did not let Li Yan sit, but let Li Yan stand all the time. He kept staring at Li Yan, and after a quarter of an hour, he asked in a deep voice, "Those people, where did you go?" ”

"Who?" Li Yan asked puzzled.

"You know what I'm asking!" King Zhou said politely.

Li Yan smiled for a moment before replying: "Those clans want to have a share of their own industry, so I will arrange for them to go to other places, so as not to be seen by relatives and make irresponsible comments." ”

"It's not these!" King Zhou said sharply: "It's the little three hundred families!" Although they are all broken, they are also the blood of Huangming! ”

Li Yan didn't have many surprises, Zhou Wangfu has been in Kaifeng for more than 200 years, and has already integrated the tentacles of the palace into every corner of Kaifeng. Although several sieges have damaged Kaifeng's market life a little, it has taken more than a year to slowly restore Kaifeng. Although some people turned to farming due to high food prices, most of the shops in Kaifeng's market were retained and continued to provide various services to the royal family.

"Went where they were supposed to be." Li Yan said vaguely.

King Zhou slapped the table and asked, "Where is the place to go?!" The Yellow River?! That's nearly 300 clans! Two thousand old and weak women and children! ”

Li Yan said lightly: "There is no way to do this, someone always has to be punished." Since they are not willing to support themselves and have to wait for Lu Mi to live, then I can only eliminate these troubles early. ”

In fact, Li Yan didn't do anything about this, only a small part of them were killed by mistake when they resisted fiercely when they were captured, and the rest were thrown into the prisoner camp to do coolies. Their families were also sent to the camp to take care of the prisoners' food, clothing, and washing.

But after the captives knew that there were Ming Dynasty clans among them, they began to think about Fa'er's private torture and killing of these clans, causing many casualties to these clans. But this is all for later, Li Yan at this time did not expect this kind of thing to happen.

"What's the difference between you and those rogues?!" King Zhou stood up and angrily accused: "I married Wu Niang to you and made you the chief military officer, but you treat your relatives like this?!" What's the difference between you and rebellion?! ”

Li Yan replied with a smile: "Naturally, there is a difference. Whether the thieves are coming, or the Qing soldiers are coming, those poor clans can survive. But the prince, the relatives in the palace, and the county kings and generals who have great careers can't survive. ”

"Lu Mi is the court's preferential treatment to the clan! Why are you holding it back?! Don't forget, you also have a clan! King Zhou's chest heaved as he breathed and sat down again. In the end, he is old and can't stand being so angry.

Li Yan also found a chair and sat down, and said slowly: "The problem now is that most of the taxes of the imperial court are issued to the clan. The people's strength was exhausted, coupled with natural disasters and the use of soldiers, and the people could not survive immediately. Naturally, I will not carry this burden anymore, and if anyone can't support himself, he can only do extraordinary things in order to stabilize the order. As for my money, I have never received it, nor have I thought about it. ”

"You're trying to rebel! You're trying to drive us to our deaths! With that, King Zhou picked up the teacup on the table and threw it at Li Yan.

Naturally, the teacup didn't hit Li Yan, it fell to the ground and shattered, but the tea wet a large part of King Zhou's robe.

Li Yan was very strange, such a big movement, no eunuch came in to check. He knew that he should have been ordered by King Zhou, so he hid far away.

Li Yan said with a smile at this time: "What the prince said is not right. I have left all the granges that have not been abandoned to the families, and the shops have not been touched. As long as you pay taxes according to the rules, how can you not live? As long as the tax is paid, I will be responsible for the safety of the clan, and you, as well as the other clans, will live well. ”

"You, you thief!" King Zhou pointed at Li Yan and scolded: "You have been wearing the skin of the government and doing rebellion!" You wolf ambition! ”

"Actually, the prince already knew, didn't he?" Li Yan asked with a smile: "But Lord Wang, you have not stopped it. It's got to this point, do you think you can still stop it? ”

King Zhou stared at Li Yan angrily and didn't speak, but the anger in his eyes seemed to be much less. He's had enough, maybe the vassal kings of the world have had enough. The imperial court has been raising them like pigs, not allowed to go out of the city, not allowed to discuss politics, and not even allowed to do the four industries of the people (Shinong industry and commerce), they are only left to live a life of fine clothes and food in the palace and have children.

But after a long time, they found that there was still one thing they could do, and that was to accumulate wealth. Encroaching on the land, participating in commerce, and the emperor wanted rewards, so money became the most important thing for them.

Even if the thieves came to the city, they were unwilling to take out a little money to pay the officials and soldiers. Because they know that even if they come up with money, they will not get any good, but will let them keep filling this bottomless pit. How can the wealth they have accumulated over several lifetimes be squandered by others?

"Let's go! I don't want to see you again! King Zhou coldly gave the order to expel the guest.

Li Yan stood up, bowed down and clenched his fists and said, "If your father-in-law is free, persuade the other clans and let them not twist it." The son-in-law took his leave. ”

King Zhou glanced at Li Yan unexpectedly, this was the first time Li Yan called his father-in-law. He didn't say anything, just waved his hand and let Li Yan out.

As soon as Li Yan left, the prince in the secret room came out impatiently. He said eagerly, "Father, are you crazy?!" ”

King Zhou laughed and said, "Yes, I'm crazy. I don't think it will last long. Whoever sits in this world, we all have to die. Only when Li Yan succeeds, can we have a way to live. ”

"It's not that bad, is it? Aren't there still Sun Chuanting, Wu Sangui and Zuo Liangyu? Shizi said in disbelief.

"Them?" King Zhou said disdainfully: "It would have been possible if it had been three or five years earlier, but now, thieves and thieves have become the climate, and Li Yan also has a foundation." Not only is the Central Plains in chaos, but the border areas are also allowing the enemy to come and go, do you still think there is hope? ”

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