Zhang Xutuo is dead? When Li Yuan heard the news, he was also stunned for a long time.

He was far away in Taiyuan, Shanxi, and he did not have Xiao Buyi's convenient communication, and when he heard the news of Zhang Xutuo's death, he was already the latest.

Sitting on the chair, Li Yuan didn't know what to do for a while, but Li Shimin had already walked in happily and said loudly: "Dad, Zhang Xutuo is dead." ”

"Shhhh......h

Li Shimin shook his head and said: "Dad, you must be too careful, this is the Left-behind Mansion, and now they are all your cronies, what do you dare not say?" ”

"What do you kid know, be careful to make the Ten Thousand Year Ship." Li Yuan frowned and said, "If you can have ......"

"If only I could have half of my eldest brother's maturity and stability, would you rest assured?" Li Shimin smiled nonchalantly, "Big brother is big brother, I am me, why should I be like him?" ”

Li Yuan shook his head and said nothing, but Li Shimin said: "Dad, Zhang Xutuo is dead, what should we do?" ”

Li Yuan frowned and said, "What do you want to say?" ”

Li Shimin smiled and said, "Dad, I'm your son, I still don't understand your thoughts?" In fact, you are a revisit to the old place, originally the history of the Sanzhou Thorn, and later the Lou Fu Taishou, although he was transferred back to the capital by the Shengshang, but now as a Taiyuan stay, this Taiyuan is close to the left, you are very familiar. The magistrate in Shanxi has a good impression of you, you say that you are begging for bandits and resisting the Turks, but most of the time you actively woo Liu Zhenghui, Yin Kaishan, Xu Shixu and Zhao Wenke, what do you do? ”

Li Yuan's face changed slightly, he looked around, and asked in a low voice, "Who did you listen to?" ”

Liu Zhenghui, Xu Shixu and Zhao Wenke are all Sima of Yingyang Mansion, holding military power, Yin Kaishan is the county commander of Taigu County, quite prestigious, and generally people with soldiers and horses have the support of the scholar clan behind them, and there are also some forces behind these four people, Li Yuan co-opted them, originally thought it was very secretive, but he didn't expect Li Shimin to know.

Li Shimin said with a wry smile: "Who else does this say, as long as the eyes are not blind, you can basically see it, my father is now quite prestigious in Shanxi, in fact, as long as you raise your arms, most of these people will be attached." Shengshang is far away in Yangzhou, thousands of miles, and when the time comes, we can go straight to Xijing and sit in Guanzhong......"

Li Yuan suddenly got up and said hurriedly: "You unfilial son, how can you make such a big rebellious statement? ”

Li Shimin flattened his mouth, sat down instead, and said lightly: "I said Dad, you can shout in front of me, I am your son, and I won't say anything." But what do others think of what I see? ”

Li Yuan sat down slowly, shook his head and said, "No, I am loyal to the saint and do my best, exterminate the bandits, and appease the people......"

Li Shimin laughed, "Dad, don't deceive yourself, now you are not afraid of not doing things, you are afraid of doing things with all your heart." Those people in the imperial court, in addition to intrigue and slander each other, who else thinks about the Great Sui Jiangshan. Who cares whether you are dedicated or not, it only sees you win the hearts of the people. It's good that you want to rebel early, but if you wait until someone else participates in a book, the Holy Decree removes Dad's military power, and Dad will not have time to cry at that time. During this time, I did everything I could, and I helped my father actively win over reckless people, and I won over a lot. Liu Hongji, Shi Wanbao, Duan Zhixuan, and Qiu Xinggong can all be on their own. Coupled with the support of Chai Shao in the Eastern Capital, the Gao family, the eldest grandson, and the Dou family, we now have Wenchen and military generals. And that Liu Wenjing, who urged me several times and asked me when I would buy a horse, sooner rather than later......"

Li Yuan was silent for a long time before he said: "You kid looks at things too easily, Wang Wei can say it, do you think Li Jing is a vegetarian?" Although I am staying in Taiyuan now, but these two people are in Taiyuan, how can I act rashly? Li Jing is known to be a talented person, and he has always been suppressed......"

"You were also suppressed by your father, so you have always been afraid of his revenge?" Li Shimin asked.

Li Yuan's old face was a little red, "That's all old things, who remembers?" ”

"Dad, you haven't forgotten it, of course Li Jing will remember it." Li Shimin sighed, "Dad, it's really not wise to offend Li Jing, the big enemy, because of a few horses, but it's not too late to make amends, Dad, since you don't dare to offend Li Jing, we can consider wooing him." ”

Li Yuan snorted coldly, "If you can really be co-opted so easily, do you still have to wait for you to remind you?" Li Jing is an old stubborn person. ”

Li Shimin laughed, "Dad, I don't approve of it, you have to know that Li Jing and Xiao Buyi have a good relationship, in fact, as long as we have a relationship with Xiao Buyi, he will probably turn a blind eye to everything." ”

Li Yuan shook his head, "Xiao Buyi is now a prisoner, it's too late for us to clear up the relationship, how can we still pull the relationship." ”

"Dad has been busy suppressing bandits and co-opting forces recently, and most of them don't know that Xiao Buyi is no longer what it used to be." Li Shimin said mysteriously.

Li Yuan was stunned, "Do you have any news about him?" Where did you get his news? ”

Li Shimin smiled: "You don't have to ask where you came from, anyway, I always have my way." I can only tell my father, although Xiao Buyi is not the general of the right Xiaowei now, but the people are still thriving, and now instead of fleeing for his life, he quietly entered Xiangyang City, and Dou County Shouju County surrendered......"

Li Yuan's face changed slightly, "Dou Yi? He ......"

He wanted to speak and stopped, Li Shimin sighed lightly: "Actually, even if Dou Yi doesn't surrender, with Xiao Buyi's strength, it is not difficult to take Xiangyang City." Now that Xiao Buyi is in Xiangyang, he can go south or north, and occupy the geographical advantage first. If Dad doesn't get up again, I'm afraid that he won't even be able to drink the soup by then. Xiao Buyi will become a big weapon sooner or later, if you can join hands with us......"

"Hand in hand, hand in hand, ......hand in hand" Li Yuan sat down helplessly, and muttered: "Shimin, it's not that I don't want to, it's not that I don't see the uniqueness of this son, if I say that my Li family child is not bad, it may be compared to Xiao Buyi, only Xuanba ......" Speaking of this, Li Yuan's eyes were a little red, "But Xuanba died early...... Alas...... I found out that our Li family and Xiao Buyi are fated to have nothing to do with each other. We...... What do we have to join hands with him......" Raising his head and thinking of something, Li Yuan asked, "How is the jade picking?" ”

Li Shimin laughed, "As long as Daddy has a heart, of course I will do my best, anyway, I have nothing to do recently, it is better to go to Xiao Buyi to contact the relationship, in fact, as long as Xiao Buyi is wooed, it is really more useful than Dad you to find a bunch of local wealth." has a good relationship with Xiao Buyi, Li Jing is naturally open to us, and my father doesn't have to worry about it all day, and it's not too late to make plans depending on the changes in the world. ”

Li Yuan was silent, seemingly acquiescing, Li Shimin's spirit was slightly shocked, and he was about to get up, Li Jiancheng hurried over: "Dad, there is a holy decree." ”

Li Yuan's face was colorless, Li Shimin also frowned, and the two glanced at each other, and they both saw each other's worries.

The emperor is capricious, and now that the wind and rain are in turmoil, it is not a good thing to come to the Holy Decree.

Li Yuan came out to receive the decree, and the messenger preached: "The holy decree says, Li Mi gathered the crowd in Wagang, and it was a great rebellion, and now all counties and counties are ordered to strictly investigate the remaining sins of Wagang, and severely punish them. ”

After the decree was announced, the Tongshi Sheren handed the holy decree to Li Yuan, Li Yuan finally put his mind at ease, and secretly thought that it was okay, not to find trouble for himself, although he was also surnamed Li, it had nothing to do with Li Mi. After receiving the holy decree and finding that there was also a list attached to the holy decree, Li Yuan's face changed slightly, but he beckoned his subordinates to warmly entertain the general affairs. When only the father and son were left, Li Yuan sighed lightly: "Shimin, you almost hurt me. ”

Li Shimin was surprised, "Is there Xiao Buyi on the holy decree?" But what if he did? Won't you let me look for him again? ”

Li Yuan shook his head, "I didn't say that I wouldn't let you find Xiao Buyi, and the holy decree didn't let us arrest Xiao Buyi, but there is someone you have been in contact with." ”

Li Shimin leaned over and looked at it, his face changed, "Why is there still Liu Wenjing?" ”

Li Yuan had already instructed: "Shimin, what should you do and what to do, build, quickly and secretly summon the guards to arrest Liu Wenjing, don't startle the snake, none of the people on this list can run away!" ”

**

"What is Li Yuan doing now?"

"Suppress the bandits, pacify the people, and fight the Turkic rangers heading south."

"What about Li Jing?"

"He seems to be concentrating on fighting the Turks."

"These two dead ghosts, just let them fight. Zhang Xutuo is dead, and it's time for us to take action. ”

Liu Wuzhou sat in the hall with a frown, his brows furrowed. There were a few subordinates sitting next to him, but there was no Wei Chigong.

The man on the left hand has a pale golden face and a burly figure, like King Kong, and the man on the right hand is a long Sven, a talent. The guards standing were very strong and respectful.

Sitting opposite was the man, dressed as a literati, and Liu Wuzhou was respectful to him.

Liu Wuzhou looked around at the people around him, but he felt a little emotion in his heart, secretly thinking that he had worked hard for many years, how could there be too few capable people, and now these people are also cronies. Liu Wuzhou has never been a person who lives in peace, he wants to rebel earlier than too many people, but although he has the courage, it is quite difficult to achieve it.

The person with a pale golden face is called Song Jingang, and the Sven man on his right hand is called Yuan Junzhang, who is also his brother-in-law, and is known for his resourcefulness. The person on the other side is called Song Xiaoxian, and when he rescued Wei Chi Gong, he put Yang Yichen together.

The guards who came to report were called Yang Funian, these people were all people worthy of his trust, although Wei Chigong was strong in martial arts, relatively speaking, in Liu Wuzhou's mind, he was not as good as these people under him.

Although Liu Wuzhou felt that Wei Chigong was a little impulsive in Xiapi at the beginning, and in front of Wei Chigong, he also appreciated his righteousness, but in his heart he always felt that Wei Chigong was closer to Xiao Buyi. But the most critical point is that he has a secret that he can't tell Yu Chigong, and after saying it, he is afraid that Yu Chigong will leave with his sleeves up.

But fortunately, it is still only the stage of preparation, Liu Wuzhou is employing people again, and he knows that it is only a pity that a talent like Wei Chigong misses, so he has been acting in secret, just looking for an opportunity to talk to Wei Chigong, but there are many troubles at the moment, and Wei Chigong is not the biggest trouble.

"Lord Liu, now that Zhang Xutuo is dead, it seems that Da Sui is no longer powerless to return to heaven." Song Xiaoxian arched his hand opposite and said: "Ma Yi is too far away from Yangzhou, the dog emperor has no time to take care of it, I observe that Ma Yi is too shou Wang Rengong is old and mediocre, why don't we replace him, what do you think about the incident directly in Ma Yi?" ”

Liu Wuzhou looked at Yuan Junzhang and Song Jingang, "What do you think?" ”

Song Jingang said calmly: "If Lord Liu wants to fight, I will fight." ”

Yuan Junzhang shook his head, "The time is not yet ripe, Wang Rengong is not enough, now most of the captains of Ma Yi are serving Lord Liu, it is really easy to get rid of him." But there are two things to consider at the moment, first of all, our forces are too thin, of course, Lord Liu has already calculated, and the second point is that Mayi was originally under the jurisdiction of Li Yuan, and Taiyuan still has Li Jing in charge, these two people are on the border, I am only afraid that we will make trouble, these two people are court officials, they must not sit idly by, if they raise troops to fight, I am afraid that it will be difficult to deal with. ”

Song Jingang lowered his head and clenched his fists, Liu Wuzhou looked at him, "King Kong, you have fought with Li Jing here, is this person really as divine as the legend?" ”

Song Jingang's pale gold face flushed, and he sighed for a long time: "This person's martial arts leader is far superior to me, if he really comes to lead troops to attack us, I can't resist." ”

Liu Wuzhou sighed, waved his hand and said: "King Kong doesn't have to be arrogant, after all, there is only one Li Jing, since we can't attack by force, we can only outwit it, and we are not in a hurry at this time." However, Li Yuan and Li Jing have always been at odds, and now it is an eventful season, we should think of a strategy and let them kill each other, and then you and I will benefit from the fisherman, and go south with the trend as a great cause. ”

A guard arrived in a hurry and said in a low voice: "Lord Liu, Wang Taishou is looking for it." ”

Liu Wuzhou had a weird smile on his face, stood up and let everyone go to the back hall, but he got up to greet him. Wang Rengong still looked old and strong, and when he saw Liu Wuzhou, he laughed and said, "Wu Zhou, what have you been busy with lately?" ”

Liu Wuzhou said respectfully: "Lord Hui, it's not idle yet. However, I heard that there are a few new chicks in Tianxiangfang, and I specially asked people to keep them for Lord Wang, and Lord Wang doesn't know if he has time to go and see them......"

Wang Rengong smiled and said: "Those who know me, Wu Zhouye." ”

The two of them had only walked a few steps, and the first lieutenant had already stopped in front of the two of them, and said in a deep voice: "Lord Wang, Qi Luo has something to report." ”

Wang Rengong was disappointed, and it was inevitable that he was dissatisfied, glanced at Qi Luo, and said impatiently: "What's the matter with you?" ”

Wang Rengong knew this Qi Luo, when Yanmen County was besieged last year, Ma Yi was also affected, Qi Luo was ordered by Xiao Buyi, and led the troops to hold the city of Ma Yi, so that the Turkic soldiers could not break through the city, and ensured the safety of the people in the city, and now it is quite prestigious in Ma Yi.

"Lord Wang, last year, the Turkic soldiers invaded the border on a large scale, and the people of Mayi did not harvest, and this year there was a great drought, and the people were not able to make a living. The people could not survive the winter, so I implored Lord Wang to open a warehouse and release grain to help the people and ensure that the people were worry-free. ”

Wang Rengong was unhappy in his heart, but he still held back his anger and said: "Captain Qi, how can I make my own decisions about opening a position?" ”

"But ...... my lord," Qi Luo said anxiously.

The guards behind Liu Wuzhou were about to step forward, but they were stopped by him with his eyes, and said with a smile: "Captain Qi doesn't have to be in a hurry, how can he sit idly by and ignore the fact that he wants the prince to love the people like a son." Presumably, Lord Wang has already gone to ask for the holy decree, and when the holy decree arrives, what is the difficulty in opening the warehouse and releasing grain? ”

Qi Luo was dumbfounded and said: "It's thousands of miles to go to Yangzhou, and there are many tribulations back and forth, I'm only afraid of ......."

Wang Rengong raised his eyebrows, "Captain Qi, don't you have a better way?" Opening a warehouse and releasing grain is not a child's play, opening it privately, it is like rebellion, are you ......?"

He wanted to speak and stopped, but the threat in his tone was self-evident, Qi Luo was helpless, and he clasped his fists and saluted: "In this case, please also ask Wang Taishou to ask for the holy decree as soon as possible to relieve the people of Mayi from danger." ”

"I've got my own measure." Wang Rengong brushed his sleeves away, full of displeasure.

Liu Wuzhou followed behind with a smile and glanced back at Qi Luo, thoughtful. Qi Luo sighed, turned around and left, his steps were full of heaviness, he really felt that his strength was too weak at that moment, not to mention Wang Rengong left and right, even Liu Wuzhou could beat him to the point of no recovery at any time. But when he saw the people starving, he couldn't help but say it. Thinking of Xiao Buyi's thousands of miles of communication, chivalrous and courageous, I couldn't help sighing. Xindao heard that someone in the imperial court slandered General Xiao, and General Xiao is no longer a general, and I don't know if it's true, but this kind of people who saved the people from fire and water and resisted the Turks were abandoned by the imperial court, which is really helpless.

Walking on the street and through the alley, Qi Luo wanted to turn back to his residence, but suddenly felt that someone was following, and his heart was awe-inspiring, and he only thought that someone was plotting, and he squinted over and found a person wearing a felt hat following behind.

Qi Luo picked up a secluded place and walked in, stopped, pressed the handle of the knife with his hand, turned around and asked, "Friend, what are you looking for me?" ”

The man lifted his felt hat and said softly: "Captain Qi, my name is Fang Wuregret, I was a city soldier guarding the horse at the beginning, I don't know if you remember?" ”

Qi Luo stepped forward in surprise and said, "It turned out to be you, I heard that you have been following General Xiao?" ”

Although Fang Wuregret is just a city soldier, everyone knows it in Mayi, and they all say that although this person is a city soldier, he is well aware of the righteousness, last year Yanmen was in an emergency, this person was willing to take the surname to report to the saint, but he was almost killed by Yang Guang, and after escaping from death, they all said that this person left with Xiao Buyi, Qi Luo secretly envied.

Regardless of the hero's background, he is reckless and heroic, and when Qi Luo sees this kind of character, although he knows that he is from a humble background, he is respectful.

"General Xiao is no longer a general." Fang Wuregret smiled.

Qi Luo looked around, pulled Fang Wuregret and said, "It's not convenient to say more here, Brother Fang, if you have time, you and I will find a place to talk?" ”

Fang Wuregret did not refuse, Qi Luo was overjoyed and took him back to his residence, where he was poor and had no family. Fang Wuregret glanced around and said softly, "Isn't Captain Qi married?" ”

Qi Luo smiled bitterly, "My parents died early, I was alone, I didn't achieve anything, and I didn't think about it. Besides, now that there is turmoil, many people are worried, and they really can't afford it. By the way, I don't know what Brother Fang is looking for me? ”

Fang Wuregret smiled and said, "Actually, it's not me looking for you, it's Xiao ...... The general is looking for you. ”

Qi Luo raised his eyebrows and said excitedly: "General Xiao still remembers me, where is General Xiao now?" ”

Fang Wuregret said softly: "Of course he remembers you, but he also felt that the DPRK and China were turbulent at that time, and it was not good to come to Brother Qi." Back then, Brother Qi took on the important task of guarding Ma Yi because of General Xiao's words, and every time he mentioned this matter, he raised his thumb and said, Captain Qi is a man, dare to take responsibility! ”

When Qi Luo heard this, his face was bright, and he said excitedly: "Qi Luo got General Xiao's words, he is really fortunate in three lives, and he only hates to say goodbye to General Xiao in a hurry, and he has no chance to follow General Xiao." ”

Fang Wuregret smiled and said, "General Xiao has now entered Xiangyang, and he is entangled in affairs. But remember Brother Qi, let me ask, if Brother Qi is interested, please rush to Xiangyang to get together, I don't know what Captain Qi wants? ”

Qi Luo Huoran stood up and said excitedly: "This matter is serious. ”

Fang Wuregret smiled: "Of course it's true, Brother Qi doesn't believe me?" ”

Qi Luo hurriedly shook his head, "It's not like this, it's just joy falling from the sky, and it is inevitable that I will be overjoyed for a while." I'm going to Xiangyang...... Wait a minute...... I'm going to do one thing......"

Fang Wuregret asked, "Is it enough for Brother Qi to entangle?" ”

Qi Luo smiled: "It's not a matter of entanglement, it's that I have a few brothers in Mayi and Yanmen County, so I'll ask them by the way." At the beginning, General Xiao was powerful in Yanmen, and the brothers only had admiration, but they hated not to follow General Xiao, this time there was a chance, of course I had to find it, I don't know if General Xiao could agree? ”

Fang Wuregret nodded, "People are divided into groups, things are gathered by like, the people that Brother Qi knows must be not bad, go over together, I think General Xiao will definitely welcome him!" ”

**

Baling County, Baling City Tower.

Baling City Tower was originally built in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, originally called the Parade Army Building, originally was built in the dangerous section of Dongting Lake to connect the Yangtze River when Sun Quan's general Lu Suying trained the water army.

Standing from the building, you can see the landscape of Dongting Lake, and the momentum is extraordinary.

Baling City Tower looks at Dongting in front of the Tower, faces Junshan in the distance, has four waters in Hunan in the south, and the Yangtze River in the north, and the water, land and land routes are extremely developed.

Standing next to the building, you can see the light of the sky up and down, a blue expanse, the scenery is beautiful, lush and green, although it is close to the cold winter, but it is not the bitter cold of the north.

Under the breeze, the lake surface is rippling with blue scales, but the untimely screams come one after another, making people feel that the piano is burning and boiling the cranes, and the scenery is ruined.

In an open space next to the parade building, there were many people around, and there was a reclining chair on the high platform, and an official was sitting on it, squinting his eyes and looking down. The body is swaying with the recliner, which is very comfortable.

The officials are also a little old, with a handful of beards, but they are in good spirits.

The screams came one after another, but the official listened with great enjoyment, it turned out that two officials were pressing an old man to hit the board, and the 'crackling' sound kept coming.

The old man's buttocks had long been peeled open, and he kept howling to alleviate the pain, but he was still struggling to support, and the people watched, but they dared to be angry and did not dare to speak, but they were frightened.

After a few more hits, the old man's eyes were white, and he looked like he was about to faint, and suddenly a descendant stepped forward and shouted: "Enough, if you continue to fight like this, you will die." ”

The latter is very generous, his face is red and his ears are hot, and he looks quite honest, but his eyes are full of anger.

The officer straightened up slightly, looked at it, waved his hand, and did not speak. A person who looked like the master bookkeeper stepped forward and scolded: "Li Qizhi, your family also owes four stone rice this time, according to the regulations of Tang County, you either don't hand over rice, or you will suffer forty big boards, or you will pay copper money, which one do you choose?" You don't have to fight for others, touch your own ass first. ”

The guards laughed, the people were hated and afraid, Li Qizhi said angrily: "I don't accept it, this year was a big drought, and the irrigation canal was in disrepair, resulting in a bad harvest." In the past, we only needed to pay two stone of rice every year, but in the last two years it has risen to three stone, and this year it has become four stone, and all the rice we grow is not enough to hand in. You asked us to pay the money, and we didn't have anything to eat, so where did we get the money? If you don't pay the money, you have to hit the board, and there has never been such a rule before. ”

Lord Bo sneered: "Lord Tang set the rules, Lord Tang said to pay as much as you want, you don't accept it, but you can't do it?" Someone, catch him. ”

Two soldiers stepped forward to grab Li Qizhi, and the lord Bo said coldly: "Li Qizhi bewitched the people, in addition to owing rice to 40 boards, he also had to pay a fine of 20 boards to set an example." Come on, take off his pants......"

The soldiers were about to make a move, and a voice suddenly came from outside the people, "I watched the victory of the husband Baling, in a lake in Dongting, in the distant mountains, swallowing the Yangtze River, and the vast soup, just take off your pants and do something, is it not a fart, isn't it a superfluous move?" ”

The people dispersed in surprise, and a man walked in with a smile, his eyebrows like knives, and a group of lieutenants beside him. The lord Bo was stunned, he knew all the captains of Baling, but the first person was the captain Dong Jingzhen. Hearing the young man's question, he said with a smile: "General Xiao is brilliantly brilliant, and I admire him." Take off your pants not to fart, but to make it easier to hit the board and avoid breaking your pants. Lord Tang loves the people like a son, and he is also sympathetic to the people. ”

General Xiao sighed, "It's rare to love the people like a son like this. This Dongting Lake is in the north of Wuxia, Xiaoxiang in the South Pole, and the migrants scratch people, and they will be here more, I am a migrant, but where are the scratchers? Without waiting for Dong Jingzhen to answer, General Xiao's gaze had already fallen on Lord Tang's body, and he said with a smile: "I see that Lord Tang is personable, and he is a scratcher. ”

He said it in a wordless way, Lord Tang couldn't sit still, his old face turned red, and he shouted angrily: "Captain Dong, which one is this, nonsense, so rude?" ”

Without waiting for Dong Jingzhen to answer, General Xiao smiled and said, "No, Xiao Buyi." ”

(To be continued)