The land of Yanzhou finally fell into a brief peace after Xu Jie's death and the Shanyang army replaced the Yanzhou army. Of course, this is related to the arrival of the end of the year and the proximity of the Chinese New Year. Moreover, the weather is cold, and it is not suitable for large armies to fight, so all forces are secretly licking their wounds and accumulating strength.

Zhao Xun rushed back to Youzhou before the end of the year, without him, in addition to leaving for a long time, but also because of the problem of the snow disaster in the north. In addition to Qingzhou and Jizhou, which are slightly better, Youzhou, Dingzhou and Liaodong prefectures under the jurisdiction of the Xiaoguo Army have all suffered from heavy snowstorms that have rarely been seen in several years. However, fortunately, the timely response of the Xiaoguo army, coupled with the assistance of the army, allowed these places to get rid of the danger caused by the snow disaster. Although there was a lot of damage to houses and other objects, fortunately, there were no large-scale casualties.

In this disaster relief, the Xiaoguo Army also participated, making the reputation of the Xiaoguo Army spread all over the world. Unlike the other princes, the regular soldiers of the Xiaoguo Army were the first large-scale remnant rescue affairs. Not to mention the county soldiers above the locality, all the opportunities are involved. It is also because of this that the people in the north, especially those new to the Han people, have accepted their identities from the bottom of their hearts.

and the northern lands even more. The eastern kingdom of Liaodong and the Turkic tribes in the Sumo and the steppe all suffered from this snowstorm, and suffered heavy losses, and countless people froze to death. But they don't have the conditions of the Xiaoguo Army, and they don't have the effective response plan of the Xiaoguo Army, so this snow disaster can be said to make them feel painful.

The year-end banquet for civil and military officials, this is naturally needless to say, after accompanying his wife and children, Zhao Xun took his family and began to inspect the prefectures under his jurisdiction, and after a circle, it was already mid-February. Through the inspection, Zhao Xun also found a lot of problems, however, if there are no changes, they will be encouraged, and local governments have also begun to effectively improve their own governance methods. After that, Zhao Xun explained the task of the Xiaoguo Army and quietly went south to the land of Yanzhou. Of course, on top of the excuse, it is still to patrol the river and continue to be responsible for the battle of the Taya tribes.

Time flies, in a blink of an eye, it has entered the second year, that is, in the middle of March of the twenty-ninth year of Xuanwu, in these nearly three months, the Shanyang military jurisdiction finally completed the re-clearing and distribution of the fields, although the number is very large, but it did not delay the spring ploughing of the people, of course, the reason why it is so smooth is related to the Shanyang army's ruthless treatment of some uncooperative gentry.

Whether it is the Shanyang Army or the Xiaoguo Army, within its borders, it will eventually reach the point where everyone has to pay taxes except for the exempt quota for sergeants and officials, and they will pay according to his tiered tax system! Of course, there is a limit to this tax exemption. For example, if an official or a sergeant is exempted from a hundred acres of land, then the hundred acres of land are not included in the tax payable. The rest continue to be counted from zero, just like ordinary people.

In the past few months, the Shanyang Army has also known the bandit rebels in Jiyin Mansion, Songzhou Mansion and Luzhou Mansion, and it can be regarded as a thorough combing of the land of these three prefectures. This also means that the land under the jurisdiction of the Shanyang Army is a total of five prefectures. After discussion, Yanzhou Mansion was still used as the seat of governance in Yanzhou and the base camp of the Shanyang Army.

The development of the Shanyang Army naturally made the surrounding Zhuhu very uneasy. Although the Sanyo Army did not act, this lack of action was more terrible than action. The Shanyang Army did not act, but he laid a deep foundation in power, so this means that when he wants to act in the future, he will not worry about the rear problem. Just like Xu Jie, as soon as the war began, logistical problems came out, and there were also problems with the combat strength of the army. As a result, the amount of taxes continued to increase, and the people were extremely dissatisfied. The wanton conscription of young and strong people in various places dragged down the combat strength of the Yanzhou government army. This is also an important reason why the Yanzhou army still has consecutive defeats despite its geographical advantage and numerical advantage.

In addition to the development of agriculture, the Shanyang Army also vigorously encouraged commerce and trade. To this end, Zhao Xun also exempted some backward places from business tax, and other places also met with business taxes accordingly to attract businessmen to do business here. For this reason, many Jizhou businessmen have joined. And those who are dissatisfied with the Shanyang Army's deprivation of the property of the great gentry and the Shanyang Army, now that they see that businessmen from the outside world have entered the country one after another, how can they continue to sit and watch the situation? I had no choice but to come out and go to the government to apply for a business name and start trade. You must know that most of the businessmen in western Zhejiang are actually those big gentry and wealthy families, after all, ordinary people have no money and are not able to start a business. Even an ordinary store pù also requires a lot of capital. Except, of course, for very small stalls.

Li Chi, the lord of the Xuzhou Army, after receiving the information about the Shanyang Army sent back by his son Li Yu, could not help but be appreciated by everyone, and then regarded the Shanyang Army as a strong enemy on the west side.

In Li Chi's words, "Although the other party has not yet unified the land of Yanzhou, it attaches great importance to production, implements etiquette and education, is eager to learn and advise, promotes talents, reduces rent and probation, and gives grace to the people." And experienced in a hundred battles, martial arts and strategies are all skillful, and there are few defeats on the battlefield, which is really a great enemy in the future. No one is unconvinced by this, Wenzhi martial arts have been placed in front of people, so Wenzhi will not talk about it. After the land of Yanzhou was taken over by the Shanyang Army, it was obvious that it was not to mention, as for martial arts, not to mention. first repelled the Tang army in Shanyang Mansion, and then defeated the Wuwei army; Now, they have replaced Xu Jie and the Yanzhou Mansion Army to become the lord of the central part of the land of Yanzhou, and the overlord of the land of Yanzhou, isn't this their merit?

"This king really wants to move his army westward now, and completely destroy this Shanyang army that has just gained a foothold and is likely to be our great enemy in the future. However, now our Xuzhou army has been invaded by the Tang Army in the north, attacked by the Wuwei Army in the south, and harassed by the Yangzhou Navy in the eastern seas, and has been attacked by the enemy on three sides, and we have been unable to start a new war, which is a pity! Li Chi couldn't help but sigh.

Although he Li Chi has occupied the land of Xuzhou for as many as six or seven years, and the land of Xuzhou has been operated like an iron bucket, he still has not been able to develop and is trapped in the land of Xuzhou. Speaking of which, it was also the wrong time and place he chose. When the army was first raised, although there were many internal problems in the world, the country was not in chaos, and he became the target of the imperial court. On the contrary, in the end, the Xiaoguo army in the north began to grow step by step. And because it was connected to Yangzhou, Murong Cheng's money bag, Murong Cheng, who didn't want to have problems with his money bag, began to suppress the Xuzhou army on a large scale, forcing it to die in Xuzhou. As a result, the forces of those who started the incident were not the most powerful.

However, this land of Xuzhou has also become an independent dynasty of his Li family in the past few years. Therefore, after the Tang army captured the land of Xuzhou and the two prefectures, several months have passed, but it still has not been able to stabilize it. Every day, there were many problems, which made the officers stationed in the Yan and Tang Army and the officials sent by Tang Xian miserable.

"Since you can't suppress it directly, let's go and cooperate with him. Although we don't want to see the rise of a male lord in the land of Yanzhou, we have no direct relationship with the Shanyang Army. On the contrary, the Tang Army and the Wuwei Army are full of contradictions with the Shanyang Army, both of which occupy the territory of this Yanzhou land. Whether the Shanyang Army is fighting with the Tang Army in the north or the Wuwei Army in the south, it will be beneficial and harmless to us. Li Chi gave the order.

For Li Chi, there is already an enemy, and there is another, that is, the Shanyang Army, although it is not an enemy now, it may also be an enemy in the future. It would be best if you could join forces with it and let it attack either of the two enemies. Moreover, both enemies have a grudge against the Sanyang army.

And the Xuzhou army is now fighting hard, which has made it a little difficult for him to deal with, and he naturally doesn't want the other one around him to bury his head in the development there. If it can be dragged into the mud of war, it will be the best. In this way, the Shanyang Army, together with its own Xuzhou Army, will stop developing and fall into a bitter battle. Then, in the future, this Shanyang Army will not bring too much trouble to itself. When the time comes, what are you afraid of?

What is Zhao Xun doing now? When he returned in early March, he naturally inspected various places under the jurisdiction of the Shanyang Army to inspect the situation of spring ploughing. Because of the immediate aftermath of the war, many of the people were allocated land, but lacked seeds and tools. At this point, Zhao Xun ordered the government to prepare for the people. When the people had obtained the seeds and farming tools, they would return the harvested grain at harvest time. Naturally, the people are not dissatisfied with this. After all, Luzhou, Songzhou, and Jiyin all have different tax reductions and exemptions of different amounts. As long as the land can be utilized, the harvest time is not a big problem.

In addition to farming, Zhao Xun also vigorously encouraged people everywhere to raise livestock, needless to say, but chickens and ducks are naturally no problem. Especially in towns and villages, captive chickens and ducks only need very little food, and they can survive outdoors on their own. Chickens and ducks can sell eggs, and meat can also be sold.

In addition, Zhao Xun also asked the people in the towns and villages in the government to collectively fund the captive breeding of livestock, which is similar to the storage of breeding farms. Of course, there are special notices on how to do this, and even businessmen take the initiative to teach how to do it.

Not only that, in order to reassure the people of these towns and villages, the government provided the lowest purchase price. In other words, if it cannot be sold, it will be purchased by its own government. Most of them went into the barracks for the soldiers. In addition, businessmen and civilians are encouraged to sign purchase contracts. After expiration, you can sell it directly to the other party. You know, the eggs and meat needed in the city for a day are naturally not a small amount.

The seeds of these livestock, the cubs, were also purchased from the merchants, given to the people, and repaid at the time of harvest. Because large-scale purchases are mostly made by township and village collectives, the Shanyang Army naturally does not have to worry about its property being swept away and fleeing. In addition, for these collective farms, the government is on the side of the first transaction. Otherwise, both parties are guilty. After the local government repaid the money, the people and merchants handled the transactions themselves, and the government acted as the supervisory body.

"General, the imperial court is coming, let the general welcome the holy decree!" Just when he was dealing with government affairs, Zhao Xun received a report from the guards. Hearing it suddenly, Zhao Xun was a little confused. After a while, I realized that I had killed the Yanzhou Mansion Army and now became the lord of the central part of Yanzhou.

"Divine decree? I'm afraid that Situ Lei is here to win me over! Zhao Xun thought secretly. As for what kind of existence the current imperial court is, he Zhao Xun knows best. However, how could such a court get his support. To say, who Zhao Xun wants to kill the most now is Situ Lei. In the past, the family was ruined and people died, all of which were done by Situ Lei's subordinates in order to eliminate the former prince in the past. Zhao Xun and Situ Lei have a common enmity and will never help Situ Lei. For the Shanyang Army, just in terms of the Shanyang Army, it is naturally best to get the approval or holy decree of the imperial court. However, the Shanyang Army didn't need it, and Zhao Xun didn't need it. Because, now he is not only among the Shanyang Army, but also the master of the Northern Overlord Xiaoguo Army......

"The Imperial Decree? It's fun, we have done away with the Yanzhou County Duke canonized by the imperial court, you say, what holy decree did this imperial court come to convey to us? Punish? Scold? Zhao Xun said with a hint of mockery.

Feng Ziming was very direct and said disapprerovingly: "The imperial court? Divine decree? Does anyone take him to heart? Except for the benefits, the rest, I think, no one will recognize. Of course, it won't work without power. But for our Sanyang Army. Mo said that the general killed a Yanzhou county prince, that is, killed the emperor's relatives, so what? Could it be that the current decree still represents the imperial court and the emperor? ”

When the rest of the people saw Feng Ziming say this, although they felt weird, no one deliberately refuted. After all, now is the time for the heroes to compete with each other, and as for an emperor who is held hostage by others, they really don't take it seriously.

"General, from the point of view of our subordinates, if we let the so-called angels come here to deliver the decree, we don't have the time to greet them. Now that the land of Yanzhou has just been restored, there are many things that need to be dealt with, how can the general, as the lord of the Shanyang Army, ignore the people? Feng Ziming said with a smile.

Zhao Xun was slightly stunned, and said with a smile: "It's okay, Lord Feng has put all the people in front of him, what else can I say?" ”

Feng Ziming said in a deep voice: "General, this is a bad word, but it is not deliberately done by subordinates. In the past, the dream was that the people were the most important, the society was secondary, and the monarch was light. Aren't we doing what the sages said? ”

Seeing Feng Ziming like this, Zhao Xun couldn't help but laugh secretly, what is this, it is clearly an excuse to come up with something wrong. Although they were not interested in welcoming the Holy Decree, they did not pay attention to the imperial court. But the Divine Decree can be given to him as well as to others. There are still many forces interested in the land of Yanzhou. Especially after getting the righteous name of the imperial court, there are more things that can be done. Therefore, the Sanyang Army could not be too arrogant in front of the Holy Decree.

"Go, go and invite the angels of the court in, and say that we are all busy with the livelihood of the people, and we really don't have time to hold any welcoming ceremony for your lordship." Zhao Xun said lightly. If these angels really leave, Zhao Xun will also spread the situation here all over the land of Yanzhou. When the time comes, it will be clear who is better and who is inferior. And the people of Yanzhou will not turn their backs on the Shanyang Army because of the holy decree, but will support it even more.

In a moment, a group of people appeared in the General's Mansion, which was the residence of Ding Qiang, the former general of the Armed Guards. Nowadays, the Governor's Mansion in Yanzhou is Zhao Xun's private residence, and the General's Mansion is where the office is located.

"Haha, General Li, what's the matter? Now you're so busy that you don't even want to take the decree? Just as Zhao Xun, who was waiting for the arrival of the holy decree outside the door, and several officials were discussing affairs while silently waiting for the holy decree to come, a slightly hoarse voice came from outside the house.

"Huh? Lord Situ? How could it be you? Lord Situ also saw it, it is not that Li Mou is not disrespectful to the holy decree, but there are too many affairs in this Yanzhou land, and if he is not careful, it will cause dissatisfaction among the local people, which is hundreds of thousands of lives, I don't dare to be careless. Zhao Xun said lightly. Although it sounds good, the righteousness of the people is the spirit of the people. But the expression on his face told the others that these words were all nonsense.

"General Li, we are also destined. After General Li captured Jiyin Mansion and Songzhou Mansion, I also left Luzhou Mansion and reported to the imperial court. After all, the governor of a state, the county prince of Yanzhou is gone, and he also needs to report the details to the imperial court. It's just that I'm familiar with the situation in this Yanzhou land, so the person who delivered the decree this time is me. Situ Wen said slowly, looking at Zhao Xun with sharp eyes, as if he wanted to see something.

Zhao Xun said lightly: "It's really fateful, when the Yanzhou Mansion Army was shocked, I was worried about Lord Situ." Later, he specially sent someone to look for Lord Situ, but unfortunately, he couldn't get any trace of Lord Situ in the end. It turned out that Master Situ had already left early. We are all acquaintances in the past, Lord Situ and Xu Dudu. Although Xu Jie, because of the lack of food and grass for the Yanzhou Army, he took action against the baggage team of our Shanyang Army, but after all, they were all friendly troops, and he just wanted him to surrender and leave office. Unexpectedly, Xu Dudu committed suicide. Pity...... However, today I was relieved to see that Master Situ was in good condition. Otherwise, I don't know how to explain to King Yong. ”

Situ Wen looked at Zhao Xun and said with a smile: "General Li, do you really not want Xu Jie to die?" ”

Zhao Xun said casually: "Is it necessary for me to kill him?" The Yanzhou army is gone, and the people under his command do not recognize him. Killing him will only add to his bad reputation. Besides, no matter how poor the Shanyang Army is, it can still support dozens of people. I listened to Lord Situ's words, because I suspected that my Shanyang Army was under the hands of Xu Dudu, and I was the mastermind? This is also the content of Lord Situ's decree this time? As he spoke, Zhao Xun's tone began to turn cold.

Situ Wen hurriedly shook his head and said, "Of course not, I'm just asking." After all, Xu Jie and General Li were enemies that day, enemies who were fighting. It's normal to defeat your enemies and kill them. ”

Zhao Xun said in a deep voice: "If it is someone else, of course I will deal with it directly, but Xu Dudu is the county prince of Yanzhou canonized by the imperial court, how can I do it lightly?" By the way, what is the holy decree that Lord Situ wants to convey this time? But it doesn't hurt to talk about it. ”

Seeing that Zhao Xun didn't have the slightest intention of getting up to accept the order, Situ Wen naturally knew what the other party meant. After smiling bitterly in his heart, he handed the holy decree directly to Zhao Xun and said: "Without him, the people in Yanzhou will be displaced because the governor of Yanzhou, the prince of Yanzhou County, did not obey the order and privately caused a war, and the people in Yanzhou were displaced, and he would bear all the responsibilities." But thinking of his death, he did not pursue it. As for General Li, you are now the new governor of Yanzhou, and at the same time, you also have to shoulder the heavy responsibility of going south to conquer the Wuwei army. As long as the Wuwei Army is defeated, General Li will still be crowned the king and the party will be powerful. ”

Zhao Xun opened the holy decree and looked at it, and it was really the same as what Situ Wen said. Then he casually closed it, put it aside, and said in a deep voice: "I took this holy decree." ”

When Situ Wen heard this, his heart suddenly felt slightly relieved. As long as the other party receives the holy decree, then the matter of attacking the Wuwei Army will naturally be able to proceed again. Although this Lord of the Shanyang Army is different from Xu Jie, it is difficult to control. However, defeating the Wuwei army is their most important task now. As for the land of Yanzhou, as long as the Yongwang army advances eastward, it will naturally attack the Shanyang army. By that time, the Shanyang Army, which had been fighting hard with the Wuwei Army for a long time, would naturally be difficult to deal with. When the time comes, the land of Yanzhou is not your own? Now, Situ Wen's task is to let the Shanyang Army continue the mission of the original Yanzhou Mansion Army, and let Li Feng, the master of the Shanyang Army, take over the task of Xu Jie.

The joy flashed in Situ Wen's eyes, and Zhao Xun secretly showed mockery in his heart, and now, he naturally knew what the reason for the other party to send a holy decree to himself and let him take over as the governor of Yanzhou. However, how could Zhao Xun go according to the other party's wishes?

After finishing speaking, Zhao Xun frowned, and then said, "But...... Although my Shanyang army continues to attack the Wuwei army, it can. However, it is no longer capable of conducting large-scale operations. Lord Situ should know very well that the land of Yanzhou, that is, the land under the jurisdiction of the former Governor of Xu, has been tossed by the high taxes of the Governor of Xu, and it is miserable. After all this struggle, I don't get any tax collection now. In order to eliminate the hidden dangers of the civil war, I also had to reduce taxes and even pay a lot of extra money for disaster relief. Therefore, the conquest of the Wuwei Army by our Shanyang Army is only afraid that it will be difficult to carry out before the autumn. This year, the important task of my Yanzhou land is to restore production, organize trade, and prepare for the future war. ”

As soon as he heard what Zhao Xun said, Situ Wen knew that the situation was not good. Sure enough, things were as he expected, and Li Feng, the lord of the Shanyang Army, was not easy to deal with. The other party promised to take over Xu Jie's position, and also promised to recruit the Wu Wei Army, but the action is not now, but later.