Thief Emperor

Chapter 110: Master Cui's Methods
The greatest significance of establishing rules or systems is that they can still operate independently after leaving an individual.

Now, the "bandit army" under Li Yun's command should not be called a bandit-hunting team. The system has been initially established. With Zhou Liang and Zhang Hu, and Li Zheng watching here, it can still continue the bandit suppression even without Li Yun.

The only difference is that without Li Yun, a leader who can break into the house first, the difficulty of suppressing the bandits in the future may increase a lot, and it will not be as easy as it is now.

However, for Li Yun, suppressing bandits is no longer a particularly difficult task. Instead, it is a boost to the growth of his power. Therefore, he needs to deal with official affairs to prevent the process of growth from being interrupted by external forces.

After receiving the call from Xuanzhou City, Li Yun did not rush to Xuanzhou. After all, he was not an official and there was no need to flatter his superiors.

After staying in Black Dragon Mountain for another two days and completely completing the reorganization and letting the team leaders see the four people leaving the mountain with their own eyes, Li Yun set out to leave Black Dragon Mountain and head to Xuanzhou City with Chen Da and other legal yamen runners.

Because there were not many people, Li Yun hired a horse carriage to carry them to Xuanzhou. It took about two days to reach the city of Xuanzhou.

After arriving in Xuanzhou City, Li Yun stayed in an inn for one night, took a hot bath, and tidied himself up. He set out for the yamen the next morning. After having someone inform everyone, he successfully met Governor Cui not long after.

This is a treatment that ordinary people should never have.

It might not be easy for ordinary people to even meet the chief clerk of the county government, let alone meet a governor who came from a thousand-year-old family.

However, compared to last time, Governor Cui was much more enthusiastic. After seeing Li Yun, he stood up from his seat, pointed at the chair and said with a smile: "But I have been looking for Captain Li for several days. If Captain Li doesn't come, I will not be able to keep the Recruiting Envoy."

Li Yun then realized that the imperial envoy had arrived in Xuanzhou. He looked at Cui Shao, clasped his fists and said, "I wonder what the envoy wants to see me about?"

"Sit down and talk, sit down and talk."

He asked Li Yun to sit down. After Li Yun sat down, he took a sip of tea and said slowly, "I heard that Captain Li has been in Shidai for the past two months and the suppression of bandits has been going smoothly."

"It's not bad."

Li Yun also drank tea and said with a smile: "In two months, our anti-bandit team has wiped out seven villages in Shidai and captured more than 300 bandits."

Governor Cui smiled and said, "What about those bandits?"

Li Yun was stunned for a moment, then frowned slightly and said nothing more.

Governor Cui put down his teacup and said slowly, "I have read the document reported by Shidai, saying that Li Dutou recruited the surrendered bandits to suppress them."

"This is against the rules of the court."

Governor Cui said calmly: "According to the court's rules, it is good for Captain Li to suppress the bandits, but after suppressing the bandits, these bandits must be sent to prison and be punished by the court's laws."

"You have violated a serious taboo by directly adapting the work without trial."

Li Yun frowned as he listened.

"Then Envoy Cui, give me 500 state soldiers, and I will go back immediately to disperse those bandits. Except for those who died in the battle, the rest should be put in jail."

"Otherwise, there is no need to suppress this bandit. I will go back to Qingyang right now. Whoever is willing to suppress this bandit can do so."

This is of course a cliché.

It is impossible for Cui Shao to give 500 state soldiers to Li Yun. Even if Envoy Cui really took out 500 people, when the time comes, Li Yun will report all those bandits as dead in battle, and the state will not be able to say anything.

Seeing Li Yun's reaction, Cui Shao showed a satisfied smile on his face.

He felt that everything was under his control.

Mr. Cui took another sip of tea, then smiled and said, "Don't be impatient, I haven't finished what I want to say."

He put down the cup and said calmly, "The country is in danger now. In extraordinary times, we should do extraordinary things. You have violated the taboo of gathering bandits. I can cover it up for you."

He paused, looked at Li Yun again, and continued, "This is no small matter. If the court knew about it, those nosy censors would write a letter to the emperor. This is not something you, Li Zhao, can just say to go back to Qingyang and let it go."

"Perhaps, the court will punish you severely for this."

After hearing this, Li Yun finally understood what this guy was trying to do!

He beats me and knocks me, and holds the handle against me, trying to take me in and treat me like a dog!
Mr. Li looked up at Cui Shao with an unfriendly look.

For those who abide by the law, this matter is indeed a big handle, and if they are not careful, the whole family will be convicted. However, for Li Yun, it is not a handle.

If one day, this Cui guy really uses this matter to make a fuss, as soon as the imperial court's punishment document arrives, Li will be the first to rush into Xuanzhou and chop off the head of this governor as a sacrifice!
Seeing Li Yun staring at him with a bad look, Cui Shao realized that this young man from a humble background was already angry.

At this moment, Li Yun was still of great use to him, so Governor Cui smiled and said, "Don't worry, I have already said that in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures should be used. I will hide this matter for you if it can be concealed. Even if the court sends someone to inquire about it, I will do my best to cover it up for you."

He looked calm and composed, as if he had taken on a great responsibility. It must be said that this nobleman from an aristocratic family was as weak as a pig in judging the situation and understanding the local area, but he was really good at controlling people.

Judging from his words just now, if it were a warrior other than Li Yun, even if he didn't bow down, he would at least be grateful.

Li Yun narrowed his eyes, feeling very unhappy.

This Cui Shao neither gave him money nor food to go suppress the bandits, but now he is using this matter to blackmail him!
This method can be called despicable.

There will be chaos in Xuanzhou in the future!
Li Yun looked at Cui Shao indifferently and made up his mind.

The first person I will kill is you!

Cui Shao did not sense Li Yun's murderous intent, at most he just felt some of Li Yun's anger. He smiled and said, "Don't be angry, Captain Li. The rules in the court are rigid, but at least in my opinion, you have made a contribution."

At this point, he paused and continued, "Later this afternoon, I will take you to meet the newly arrived Recruiting Envoy, Lord Fan Zhaofan."

He looked at Li Yun and smiled, "Come to think of it, this envoy has the same name as you."

Li Yun looked at Cui Shao and said, "Sir, what does this envoy want to see me about?"

"Of course, he is asking about the bandit suppression in Xuanzhou. He came from the imperial court and is in charge of the recruitment of bandits in Xuanzhou and several nearby states. Your bandit suppression is also under his jurisdiction."

Envoy Cui looked at Li Yun and smiled, "Now, let's check the situation of Shidai's bandit suppression in the past two months, so that you won't say the wrong thing when you meet Lord Fan."

Li Yun frowned at first, not understanding what Cui Shao meant. Soon, he heard Envoy Cui continue to ask, "Just now you said, how many bandits have you suppressed in Shidai in the past two months?"

"Seven villages, about three to four hundred people."

Li Yun replied.

"No, no."

Envoy Cui shook his head and said, "Shidai is a mountainous area with dense forests and has always been a haunted place for bandits. How could such a large county only have three or four hundred bandits?"

There are only a few people in Shidai. Three or four hundred bandits are not too few!
Li Yun complained in his heart, but he already understood what Mr. Cui meant. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Then... five or six hundred people?"

Cui Shao still shook his head: "It should be how much it is. Captain Li, there is no need to be modest, and don't hide it."

Mr. Li rolled his eyes in his heart.

He understood that the Xuanzhou governor in front of him was most likely preparing to report his achievements to the imperial court.

After all, the current achievements in suppressing bandits in Xuanzhou were all achieved before Fan Zhao came. If they are reported now, the credit will belong to Xuanzhou and has nothing to do with the newly arrived Recruiting Envoy.

Any subsequent reports of merit will be closely related to that recruiting envoy.

In order to show off his reputation in the court, Cui Shao certainly wanted to exaggerate his achievements.

"That…"

Li Yun paused, gritted his teeth and said: "In the Shidai bandit suppression, we almost wiped out more than a thousand bandits!"

"How much is left?"

Cui Shao looked at Li Yun and said with a smile: "This is no small matter. Captain Li needs to report the number accurately, otherwise the court may not believe it."

Li Yun thought about it and made up a number at random.

"One thousand two hundred and seventy-three."

"it is good."

Governor Cui finally revealed a satisfied smile and clapped his hands.

"Captain Li, remember this number. Don't forget it later."

He stood up and walked out with his hands behind his back.

"I will take you to see the Recruiting Envoy."

(End of this chapter)