The Great Tang General

"No need. Tomorrow I will go on a private visit in disguise, disguised as a merchant, and quietly enter Huaiyin. I want to see what Huaiyin is like."

Li Xuan didn't want to capture him directly.

Things are complicated and confusing, so as not to alert the enemy.

Since Li Xuan ascended the throne, whenever he went on local inspections, whether it was Guanzhong or the current Linhuai, officials would make deliberate arrangements to show him the best side.

Cater to the Holy Will everywhere.

Even honest and capable officials are not immune to this.

Li Xuan, dressed in Bailongyu costume, went on a secret visit to see the real situation of the place.

"Your Majesty, you are worth a ton of gold. You are the pillar of the country and the people's faith. How can you put yourself in danger?"

Zhang Xun advised Li Xuan according to the rules.

Knowing that there are remnants of powerful people in Huaiyin County, we should send troops to escort them in.

The people who hate Li Xuan the most in the world are none other than the powerful.

"I have taken heads from thousands of soldiers before, as easily as taking something out of a bag. What's more, I can take heads from local scoundrels. Moreover, my inner guards have already entered Huaiyin. The cavalry is stationed here and will arrive any day. Don't worry."

Li Xuan said to Zhang Xun.

With internal security, safety is the least of his worries.

In addition to many departments, Jinyiwei has four most mysterious organizations.

They are Archery, Detective Divine Officer, Internal Guard, and Cavalry.

Among them, the Inner Guards are the most elite fighters selected from all the Jinyiwei, and they have reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance capabilities, and each of them is worth ten people.

Moreover, the inner guards were arranged according to the experience of later generations and were the top-level guards, unless a large army ambushed him.

The first batch of 200 internal guards entered Huaiyin.

Even if everything in Huaiyin County goes wrong, it will not be shaken.

What's more, there were other internal guards accompanying Li Xuan.

"I can go into Huaiyin first and find out the situation for the Supreme."

In the past, when the emperor went on an inspection tour, he would be accompanied by thousands of chariots and horses.

The number of soldiers and generals accompanying the Supreme was already very small, let alone a secret trip to Huaiyin.

"Minister Zhang is accompanying me. Regardless of whether it is right or wrong, the officials are too much of a whitewash. I want to see the real people of Huainan."

Li Xuan told Zhang Xun that he didn't need to persuade him anymore.

He has always been careful about his health and knows what he is doing.

Zhang Xun also knew that once the Supreme made up his mind, he would not change it.

If it was a mistake or an inappropriate policy, Li Xuan would admit it.

But Li Xuan doesn't think this is a mistake.

This can't be done, that can't be done. How is this different from Li Longji?

This is how the eyes and ears of many emperors were covered.

"Spread the news. I will head west to Zhongli County. After arriving in Zhongli, I will visit Yangzhou along the land route."

Li Xuan was preparing to make a feint to the east and attack in the west.

Let the officials of Huaiyin think that he would never go to Huaiyin again.

In this way, the officials in Huaiyin will become lax.

Shanyang in Huaiyin is also an important ferry crossing on the Grand Canal.

If you take a boat, the Grand Canal flows from the Tongji Canal in Linhuai, merges into the Huai River, and follows the eastward flowing Huai River to Shanyang.

Then head south from Shanyang Ferry to Yangzhou.

"The minister obeys the order!"

Zhang Xun accepted the order.

That night, Li Xuan spent the night on the boat.

The next day, all the surrounding counties knew that the Supreme's fleet would sail upstream along the Huai River to Zhongli County.

Zhongli County was a county where the campaign to eliminate the lowly and promote the good was quite intense. It was well known that Wang Changling had beheaded Zhongli Prefect Luqiu Xiao in Zhongli County.

People were not surprised that the Supreme went to Zhongli.

Governor Zhongli was destined to work in vain.

Three days later, after the news had fermented, Li Xuan set off.

"Lingxi, you can enjoy the scenery here. It will take at least ten days, or at most half a month, and I will meet you again."

Before leaving, Li Xuan said this to Pei Lingxi and other girls.

It is not convenient to bring Pei Lingxi and the others along for the incognito visit.

"My husband, just go and do the big things. We will take care of ourselves. Don't worry."

Pei Lingxi said softly that she silently supported any decision her husband made.

She understood that her husband knew his limits in everything he did.

With Pei Lingxi as the eldest lady in charge, Jiang Yueyao, Shuang'er, Changli and others will naturally understand.

"Yiyi, Feifei, you have to listen to your mother!"

Li Xuan squatted down again and spoke to her two little daughters who were holding fructose in their mouths, and stroked their little heads with her hands.

"Okay, Grandpa..."

The younger daughters were very well-behaved. Besides, they didn’t know what Li Xuan was going to do and thought that grandpa would be back soon.

After bidding farewell to his wife and daughter, Li Xuan boarded a medium-sized ship and headed towards Huaiyin.

The ship has been stripped of all decorations and looks no different from an ordinary commercial vessel.

Li Xuan was also wearing a wide, black robe like a businessman.

The officials who followed him included the Minister of Justice Zhang Xun, the Vice Minister of Revenue Wang Yu, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Liao Zhengrong, the Commander of the Tiance Guard Pei Ying, as well as the Secretary's Lang Ling Wei Yingwu, a reporter for the Great Tang Monthly, and the Recorder Lang, a Shu Lingshi.

In addition to the boatman, there were more than a dozen Tian Ce guards dressed as laborers on the boat.

They were on this trip as merchants selling jade, and there were some jades transported from the Western Regions on the ship.

In addition, there is an ordinary ship following not far away. Together with the spies on the shore, keep an eye on the movements of the Supreme.

If there is a situation, the inner guards can be summoned in a short time. The Tiance Guards cavalry will also arrive quickly.

"The Huai River flows eastward, and my thoughts and memories are endless..."

Li Xuan was at the bow, looking at the scenery on both sides of the Huai River and muttering to himself.

The same rice feeds all kinds of people.

Although I expected this to happen, I still feel heavy in my heart.

If "there are only loyal ministers and no treacherous ministers", he would be afraid.

But less than three or four years after the end of the campaign to eliminate the lowly and restore the good, powerful people reappeared, which made him even more afraid.

As long as there is desire, sin can never be eliminated.

The difference between a corrupt official and an honest official is just a thought away.

Li Xuan could only use swift and decisive measures to continue to intimidate.

When the ship was sailing east, there was another autumn rain, which slowed down the ship's progress.

After entering Huaiyin County, Li Xuan discovered through observation that there were not many open areas in Huaiyin. This was due to swamps and human factors.

"Supreme Lord, the Huaiyin County ferry is ahead..."

Zhang Xun, wearing a bamboo hat, entered the boat and reported to Li Xuan.

The largest ferry is in Shanyang, but there are many small and wild ferries on both sides of the Huai River.

Li Xuan once said that he would not go to Shanyang City for the time being because the incident happened in Huaiyin County.

They will stop in Huaiyin County to observe the people's livelihood in Huaiyin County, especially in Xuanze Township.

"Stop at the Huaiyin County ferry."

Li Xuan gave an order.

The boatman rowed towards the Huaiyin County ferry.

At the Huaiyin ferry, there are several large bluestones that are smooth and flat, which are a resting place for passing travelers. Occasionally, a few shallow grooves can be seen on them.

The entire ferry is not large, and is mainly used for small boats docked for fishing and ferrying back and forth.

For example, the larger ship that Li Xuan was on had only four berths, and several smaller berths.

And there was not a single ship at these berths.

There was only one ferryman, and he was a white-haired old man.

In this prosperous Grand Canal waterway system, a county ferry crossing is quite desolate.

"What business is your husband in?"

The boat docked at the berth and the ferryman came over to inquire.

He secretly thought that Li Xuan was so noble. Ordinary clothes could not conceal Li Xuan's temperament. He had never seen such a brilliant person.

"Nothing, I came from Luoyang to do some jade business. The journey was tiring and bumpy, so I plan to rest here for a day or two."

Li Xuan bowed and answered with a smile.

The silk and tea of ​​the south are beyond the reach of the north, while the jade of the north is a hot commodity in the south.

"Huaiyin is not a place for merchants to come. Take a break and leave quickly."

The ferryman kindly reminded Li Xuan.

He thought Li Xuan just came to rest and would leave soon.

I didn't expect to come here to rest.

"Why?"

Li Xuan asked curiously.

"You are a businessman, don't you know our Huaiyin County? If the emperor comes to our Huaiyin County, he will lose a layer of skin..."

The ferryman also said whatever he thought without restraint.

"Bold..."

As soon as these words came out, Wang Yu shouted loudly, but was stopped by Li Xuan.

It's nothing for the people to talk about the emperor in private.

What's more, there is a saying that ignorance is not a crime.

"And he's pretty fierce!"

The ferryman was startled by the loud shout.

"Excuse me, I just started my business not long ago, I don't know what's wrong with Huaiyin. Please tell me, old man!"

Li Xuan bowed again and asked the ferryman for advice.

Just by looking at the ferry where the northwest wind is blowing, you can get a clue.

"Alas! Huaiyin County... doesn't like merchants. Whenever a merchant comes, they are asked for money, their goods are exploited, and some even lose all their money."

The ferryman didn't care and sighed.

"The imperial court encourages industry and commerce, but officials don't care?"

Li Xuan asked again.

"The old emperor is just talking. How can he see the suffering of the people? Some time ago, it was said that the old emperor would pass through Huaiyin County and go to Shandu County. Look how clean this place is, my lord. It was just cleaned up by the county government. There is also a stone tablet of merit. The county lieutenant was guarding here every day a few days ago. It was so lively. Now I heard that the old emperor is going to Zhongli and will not come to Huaiyin."

Although the ferryman called him "old emperor" all the time, there was a hint of regret in his tone.

The emperor was heading for Shandu, the county seat of Huaiyin County, but there was a possibility that he would stop at the Huaiyin ferry, so the Huaiyin officials were busy tidying up the ferry and were ready to welcome the emperor at any time.

When they learned that the emperor would not come, the officials and nobles in Huaiyin were relieved.

"Although it's a small ferry, in the Grand Canal system, there should be a canal clerk recording the docked ships. Why is there no one here now?"

Li Xuan understood the implied meaning of the ferryman's words.

Huaiyin County is a ruthless place, and there is no point in reporting it to the authorities.

It seems he came at a good time.

"They should have been there. They are usually not here. They seem to have gone to the town to gamble. My dear, you should be thankful. Otherwise, your big ship would have been charged at least ten strings of money just for docking at the shore. If not, they would have used goods to offset it."

The ferryman replied to Li Xuan.

He also hoped that those petty officials in charge of the grain transport were not there.

"The old man is a ferryman. Didn't they give you any trouble?"

Li Xuan was also concerned about the life of the old ferryman.

"I charge two cents for each passenger I ferry. If they are here, they will ask me for one cent. It's fine if they are not here. When I get old, I will use this to support my family."

Speaking of this, the ferryman gritted his teeth.

He dared to say this because he knew Li Xuan was a businessman from other places.

It's also a kind of confession.

"That's unreasonable!"

Li Xuan looked angry. This kind of behavior of taking advantage of others was really abominable.

"There's no other way. Leave now. They might come back."

The ferryman is kind-hearted and thinks that if he can persuade as many people as possible to leave, that’s one.

"It doesn't matter, we'll just rest in Huaiyin County."

Li Xuan waved his hand and ordered the guards to take some goods and set off, but he actually hid swords on his body.

"Why don't you listen to advice?"

The ferryman saw Li Xuan like this and he was helpless.

When you lose all your money, it’s too late to regret.

The ferryman just glanced over and saw three or four people not far away, walking towards him.

"The police are here, you better take care of yourself."

The ferryman was horrified. After saying this, he quickly moved away from Li Xuan and returned to his boat.

The canal transport clerk, accompanied by three runners, was cursing and feeling depressed because of losing money.

When they suddenly saw a large ship parked at the ferry, their eyes lit up like cats smelling blood.

The leading canal official said excitedly: "Brothers, we are rich again."

After saying that, he led his men and quickly ran towards Li Xuan.

At this time, all the guards on Li Xuan's side had disembarked.

If you are careful, you will find that there are several boats on the wide Huai River, slowly sailing back and forth near the Huaiyin Ferry.

"Stop, stop, stop! Where are you from? Who told you to stop here?"

The canal transport clerk pointed at Li Xuan and shouted sharply.

Although there were only four of them, they were fearless and not worried at all about Li Xuan's group of twenty or so people.

Although he was an official outside the imperial court, he was still an official outside the imperial court, and the imperial court was behind him.

"Since there is a ferry, isn't it for merchants and travelers to stop? What's the problem with the government?"

Li Xuan responded indifferently.

The guards around them were watching the officers with a covetous look on their faces. If they made any rash moves, they would immediately arrest them.

"Taxes! I, Huaiyin, have made great efforts to repair the ferry. Don't you need to pay taxes if you stop here?"

The canal transport official sneered and didn't even know how to appreciate the courtesy.

"Huaiyin Ferry is an official ferry. Excuse me for being frank, but I have never heard of an official ferry collecting taxes."

Li Xuan raised questions.

The ferry crossings along the canal can be divided into official ferries, charity ferries and private ferries.

The so-called official ferry is a ferry organized and managed by local governments, and there is no ferry fee.

Through Guandu, merchants were attracted to their own areas to engage in economic trade and obtain taxes from the transactions.

Free ferries often do not require the collection of taxes, and only private ferries will collect a certain amount of money.

Therefore, it is illegal to collect money randomly.

"Why are you being so long-winded? In Huaiyin, if the ferry stops, you have to pay."

The canal transport official continued to insist, staring at Li Xuan with a fierce look.

But his sickly cat-like demeanor was really funny in the eyes of Li Xuan, who had been on the battlefield for a long time.

"How much does it cost?"

Li Xuan said in a deep voice.

"Your boat is big, twenty strings of cash!"

The canal transport clerk gestured with his hands, and the lion opened his mouth and spoke.

"You Huaiyin are awesome, get on the boat and leave!"

Li Xuan didn't want to talk to these short-sighted people, so he ordered Pei Ying to take the guards back on board.

"Hey! Now that we're at the dock, do you want to just walk away? You're not allowed to leave without money. Brothers, go ahead..."

The canal transport official clapped his hands, and three officers under his command immediately drew their swords and fiercely blocked the way ahead, not allowing Li Xuan and others to board the ship.

How can it be so easy to leave without leaving any benefits?

The imperial guards immediately stood in front of Li Xuan, waiting for Li Xuan's order to capture the officials.

But Li Xuan did not order the guards to act rashly.

It is certain that there are problems in Huaiyin County, it just depends on whether the entire Huaiyin County is the same.

"It's broad daylight, and the world is clear. What you did is no different from robbers. Is there still law in Huaiyin County?"

Li Xuan said in a deep voice.

"In Huaiyin, I am the law. Our Mingfu is the law. Even the emperor cannot stop me. I'm telling you, if you don't have 20 strings of cash, don't even think about leaving."

The canal transport official crossed his arms, looking very proud.

As a local boss, he has always used this trick and it has never failed...

(End of this chapter)