After Li Mu went to send a message to Li Zhong, he took two officers into Li Yan's military tent.

"Fourth brother," Li Mou pointed to the two people and said, "It's these two, I brought them to you." ”

Li Yan looked at it for a while before asking, "Luo Tang, Hong Dachun, do you know the reason why you were called?" ”

The two lowered their heads and whispered, "I know." ”

These two people were the relatives of the two families who hid their cattle when they requisitioned mules and horses in Qi County. I was waiting for Li Zhong's investigation results before, so I will deal with it now. However, Li Yan was thinking about how to deal with Li Zicheng's attack just now, so the atmosphere seemed a little depressing.

"It's only a hundred totals, so I think I can be superior?" Li Yan asked coldly.

Both of them knelt down and said carefully: "My subordinates have been in the army, and I really don't know about the affairs at home." ”

"Don't know?" Li Yan stared at the two of them and asked, "The order I issued, the big seal is still printed on it." The official came to explain the reason, and dared to hide the mules and horses. You don't usually connive, do they dare to do this?! I have asked the officials to check the taxes in your family, and if there is any omission, the punishment will be several times according to the rules, so you must be prepared! ”

Luo Tang hurriedly explained: "Dashuai, there is absolutely no leakage of taxes. It's just that the last time I went home, my family said that the price of wheat had suddenly risen, and the things I had just changed at home had been changed at a loss. I went to the boss and asked him to make it up for me at the price after the price increase. The boss saw that I was serving in the army, so he agreed. ”

Li Yan frowned and said: "The market has its own rules, if the fluctuations are too large, it will naturally open and close the position." If you intervene without authorization, you are forcing you to buy and sell! If your family does not cooperate with the decree, they will not punish you. But in this case, after the war is over, you have to apologize to the merchant and compensate the merchant twice as much! ”

"The subordinates obey the order, and the subordinates must change their past mistakes, so that the family members can actively respond to the commander's decree and dare not have the slightest violation." Luo Tang kowtowed.

And Hong Dachun said: "It's my second uncle who hides the donkey, and the lowly family members don't know about it at all. ”

Li Yan nodded and said, "This has been investigated clearly, and it really has nothing to do with you." But," he said, in a stern tone, "it is best for you to admonish, and even reprimand, relatives who love to benefit in your name." Otherwise, if something goes wrong, they deserve it, and you will be implicated! ”

"The subordinates follow the teachings of the commander." Both of them said sincerely.

Li Yan continued: "This matter will be notified to the whole army and all places. What are your thoughts? ”

"The subordinates swear to be loyal to the commander!" Both of them spoke loudly at the same time.

Li Yan waved his hand and ordered, "Go ahead, I'll see your performance." ”

After the two of them withdrew, Li Mu asked, "Is it for people to stare at them?" No surprises. ”

Since Shi Jincai's defection, they have all been careful and try to avoid similar incidents from happening again.

"No, staring at it will make them feel uneasy." Li Yan instructed: "Let everyone still do as usual, don't deliberately talk about this matter." Their families and fields are here, what do they get by leaving us? Don't be nervous. ”

In the evening, the whole Kaifeng knew the news of the defeat of the official army in Zhuxian Town, and the mood that had been relaxed became tense again. Someone among the people is rumoring that Li Zicheng has become "Li One-eyed" because of the opening of the seal, and no one in Kaifeng City will be let go.

However, because of the lack of food in the city, many people still can't buy food, so they don't care much about the news that Li Zicheng may come to attack the city, or even slaughter the city. They saw truckloads of grain coming in from the north gate, but they were all in the barracks, and they became disappointed and desperate. Their idea is: whoever wants to come, come, it's all a death anyway.

Li Yan was summoned into the city again to discuss the next matters of defending the city. As for the sortie, then no one mentions it. At this time, weakening the guard strength of Kaifeng City, isn't that self-severing arm.

When he entered the city, he saw that the people of the city were listless. The defenses on the head of the city have long been repaired, and until the thieves besiege the city, the government will not summon the people to help in the war. And in Kaifeng City during the war, there was nothing to do, and even those who worked were paid money. But the money was really worthless, and a tael of silver could not buy a liter of rice, and they did not even have the strength to work.

Some people have already begun to drag their families out of the city, and while the thieves have not yet besieged the city, they may still have a way to live. After the thieves besiege the city, they can only wait for death.

In the main hall of the palace, after everyone saluted the king of Zhou, they began to discuss the guard strategy of Kaifeng. Actually, there is nothing new, just a repetition of previous experiences. Although they knew that Li Zicheng had easily defeated 100,000 officers and soldiers, they all felt that now with Li Yan's help, Kaifeng City could still save the day.

"With General Chen and Deputy General Li guarding it, Kaifeng will definitely be fine." Huang Shu said lightly: "Li Chuang couldn't open the seal three times before, but this time he also returned with a feather." ”

"That's right." The others chimed in: "Kaifeng City is as solid as gold, even if there are millions of thieves, why be afraid!" ”

Li Yan hugged his fists at everyone and said, "My lords, the people in the city have no food to eat, and they have begun to flee. With such a large city, can more than 10,000 people from General Chen's soldiers defend it? Please open a warehouse and release grain to the people. The whole people are united and can be stubborn. ”

Now all the civil servants stopped talking. The granary is still there, but it's empty, and it's ready to run away. As early as the year before last, they began to take advantage of the soaring grain prices to resell grain. Now the money in their homes is piled up in the cellar, but there is not a single grain in the government and county treasury.

Chen Yongfu saw that everyone was embarrassed, so he relieved the siege and said: "The supply of the army comes first, and there are more than 100,000 people in the city, and there is not enough food to eat." Since they are willing to go, let them go. As long as 20,000 or 30,000 young people are left. ”

"Those who can escape are all young and strong," Li Yan reminded: "The last ones to stay must be old and weak!" ”

Chen Yongfu smiled smugly and said, "Vice General Li can rest assured, the general has already notified the city gate, and none of the young people can get out." ”

After that, he hugged his fists to Gao Mingheng and said: "Lord Gao, the last general suggested that the registered social soldiers and returning soldiers be assembled, and the others should not be bothered." Each of these people was given some grain and rice, but it did not cost much food. ”

Li Yan said dissatisfiedly: "When these people go out, they can only go to the thieves. Can you expect those soldiers to shoot arrows at their relatives and friends?! ”

"Isn't there still a Guide Mansion?" Chen Yongfu said unhurriedly.

Li Yan said disdainfully: "There are tens of thousands of thieves' cavalry, how many people can get to Virtue?" Moreover, Guide was also ravaged by thieves, and there was not so much surplus food to accommodate the people. ”

Gao Mingheng and others all know that there is no food in Hebei. So he asked the king of Zhou for instructions: "Chitose, do you want to report to the imperial court and ask the imperial court to mobilize some reinforcements and food?" ”

King Zhou said helplessly: "Then the ministers will jointly submit their names." However, it was difficult for the imperial court to come, so it was better to borrow some food from the gentry for emergencies. ”

"Chitose Sagemei." Blessed are all the people. Especially those civil officials involved in the incident, they all breathed a sigh of relief, and they escaped the catastrophe.

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