Thief Emperor

Chapter 215 Control of Xiangshan County

The reason why things in Mingzhou have become chaotic is essentially because of the incompetence of these local officials.

This incident is very different from the rebellion of Qiu Dian in Yuezhou. Qiu Dian was a very decisive person. After killing officials and rebelling, the slogan of equalizing the rich and the poor that he put forward was very appealing, or even inflammatory.

This led to the fact that not long after he started the rebellion in Shan County, he attracted Zhao Cheng, Zhu Min and others to join him, and within a month or two, he quickly grew in strength and swept across the entire Yuezhou and nearby prefectures and counties.

The Mingzhou Rebellion has only been a riot in a few salt fields, and its scale has not been very large until now.

If Zhu Tong could make up his mind quickly, send people to various salt fields and take appropriate measures to suppress the rebellion, then the unrest would be limited to a few salt fields, or at most to Xiangshan County, and would not continue to expand.

If it were an ordinary time, Zhu Tong would probably do so, but now, the imperial court had suffered a great defeat, and the local people knew about it, so naturally the government could not be unaware of it.

The local people have the confidence to riot, and correspondingly, local officials like Zhu Tong will be much less confident. No one knows whether the imperial court will be able to regain its strength and whether it can still manage its own "jurisdiction".

Therefore, Zhu Tong behaved so cowardly. Just because of the unrest in the salt field, he stayed in Mingzhou City and refused to leave, and even prepared to run away.

In the governor's office, Governor Zhu quickly prepared wine and food, and took Li Yun to the table. At this time, Envoy Zhu was very polite to Li Yun, and took Li Yun to sit next to him. He sighed and said, "Brother Li should also know about the war in the Central Plains. Because of this matter, we local officials have a much harder time than before."

"In the past, when we went down to collect taxes, even if there were occasional unruly people resisting taxes, the imperial court was still the only one that resisted taxes. But what about now? I have not dared to send anyone to collect the Ding tax this year, for fear that the people would resist taxes and cause trouble, which would bring trouble to the imperial court."

At this point, Governor Zhu also sighed: "Who would have thought that the salt field would be in turmoil before the court even mentioned the issue of the Ding tax? What a human heart..."

Zhu Tong offered Li Yun a glass of wine and shook his head, "It really changes so quickly."

“It’s not easy to be a local official.”

Li Yun clinked his glasses with his and said with a smile, "If you ask me, General Zhu is still too insecure. If the tax is not collected, the people will naturally think that the court is guilty and will become more daring."

Zhu Tong heard this and shook his head slightly: "The Yuezhou Rebellion is imminent. How dare I collect the tax at this moment?"

"Originally, Zhu's term as governor would have ended this year, but now, who knows whether those unruly people are willing to let Zhu finish his term as governor?"

Zhu Tong became angrier and angrier as he spoke, and he began to gnash his teeth: "I have been raising people in Mingzhou for several years on behalf of the imperial court. I believe I have done nothing wrong to the people of Mingzhou and I have educated them well. But these people of Mingzhou..."

"He doesn't remember the favor!"

Envoy Zhu raised his head and took a sip of wine, feeling a little distressed: "Come, drink!"

Li Yun clinked glasses with him with a smile, but he sneered in his heart.

There are several big trucks outside, and they are almost full. You, as the official, are always ready to run away, but now, after a few drinks, you start complaining!

After drinking a glass of wine, Li Yun said calmly: "Don't worry, my lord. With me here, the Yuezhou Rebellion will not reappear in Mingzhou. I don't think we need to stay in Mingzhou. My lord, please write me a note, and I will take people to Xiangshan tomorrow to help you settle this matter."

Li Yun smiled and said, "At this juncture, if the envoy can voluntarily resolve the Mingzhou issue and report it to the court, it will also be a merit. Maybe in the second half of this year, the Ministry of Personnel will summon the envoy to the capital and let him serve as an official in the capital."

Zhu Tong's eyes lit up, but then he became cautious. He looked at Li Yun and said, "Brother Li... Brother Li, how do you plan to deal with this riot in Xiangshan County?"

"Since the incident started at the salt works, the first thing I did after I got there was to send people to occupy all the salt works where the incident occurred, and then arrest all those who should be arrested."

Li Yun sneered, "The salt farmers in the salt fields wouldn't be so bold as to cause trouble. Someone must be behind this. Maybe it's the wealthy families in Xiangshan County who don't want to pay salt taxes to the state or the court, so they've caused this!"

"As long as the envoy issues an order, I will immediately lead people to Xiangshan County to settle this matter for the envoy. I guarantee that the envoy will have a safe and stable Mingzhou!"

Zhu Min was already drunk, but he sobered up immediately after hearing this. He waved his hand and said, "Brother Li, don't talk nonsense. The salt sales revenue of the salt fields below is directly sent to the court by the officials on the salt road. We in the state didn't take a penny."

"You can't talk nonsense about this. You can't talk nonsense about this."

Li Yun smiled and said, "Even if it was my mistake, will you issue the order? If not, I will lead my men to garrison in Mingzhou City and do my best to protect you, but..."

"If the bandits in Xiangshan become stronger and the Yuezhou rebellion reappears, even if you escape from Mingzhou, your future will be ruined."

Zhu Min rolled his eyes and asked, "Brother Li, now that you have arrived at Xiangshan, how are you going to deal with this matter?"

"Of course, those who should be arrested should be arrested, and those who should be killed should be killed."

Li Yun frowned: "Envoy Zhu is worried about me?"

Zhu Tong waved his hands repeatedly: "No, that's not the case."

Of course he was worried about Li Yun.

Last time, a batch of salt was lost in Mingzhou and its whereabouts have not been found yet. Until now, Zhu Tong suspects that Li Yun has something to do with this matter!

From this, it can be seen that this young man who looks decent is definitely not a good guy! Even if he takes the initiative to support Mingzhou, he may not have any good intentions!
Thinking of this, Zhu Tong forced a smile. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Li Yun say with a smile, "Envoy Zhu, Mingzhou is in such a mess right now. You must make a decision as soon as possible. If the chaos continues, I won't be able to clean it up."

There was a hint of threat in these words. Zhu Min had sobered up completely. He looked at Li Yun and seemed to understand something. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Brother Li, the matter... the matter ends at Xiangshan."

Li Yun grinned: "I can't guarantee that. What if the rioting bandits go beyond Xiangshan?"

Zhu Tong gritted his teeth and said, "Then stop at these thieves."

Li Yun smiled and nodded, then asked, "How much money does the envoy owe me?"

"Repay tenfold."

Zhu Tong whispered: "Now, I can give it to Brother Li in gold!"

Li Yun's smile widened: "Okay, okay, I'll go to Xiangshan first, and we'll settle the money when I come back."

"There is no time to lose. Please write me a note now, Envoy Zhu."

Zhu Tong nodded first, then stood up and asked, "How many people did Brother Li bring with him this time?"

"Five hundred people."

Zhu Tong hesitated for a while and asked, "Can we leave a hundred people in Mingzhou City, in case something unexpected happens in Mingzhou City..."

The smile on Li Yun's face faded.

This guy is too afraid of death!
He shook his head slowly: "No, we don't have many people to begin with. If we divide our forces further, we will not be able to quickly suppress the rebellion."

Zhu Tong sighed and did not insist. He took Li Yun all the way to his study. In front of Li Yun, he wrote a document ordering Li Yun to go to Xiangshan to deal with the riots, and stamped it with his seal.

Li Yun took it and after reading it, a smile appeared on his face: "Don't worry, sir. It won't be long before I bring you good news."

Governor Zhu smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"I only hope that I can complete my term as governor in peace."

Li Yun smiled and said, "It will be done."

…………

The next day, Li Yun led 500 men out of the city and headed straight for Xiangshan. On the second day, they had arrived outside Xiangshan County. At this time, Xiangshan County had been occupied by rioting mobs. The county magistrate of Xiangshan was tied to the city wall with a pale face.

Obviously, this is no longer a simple riot, but has risen to the level of rebellion!
Li Yun took Deng Yang to observe for a while, then asked: "How confident are you that you can capture this county?"

Deng Yang looked up at the county town with its low and simple walls and said with a smile, "100%."

"it is good."

Li Yun narrowed his eyes, took a deep breath, and said, "It's better to wait until dusk before we start attacking the city. Remember this."

Li said in a hoarse voice, "After entering the city, immediately control all the gates of Xiangshan County. No one is allowed to enter or leave without my order."

Deng Yang bowed his head respectfully: "I obey your command!"

In the evening, Li Yun put on his armor and led the charge towards Xiangshan County.

The rioters in Xiangshan County had just started a rebellion and did not even have a decent means of long-range attack. The low city wall, less than ten feet high, was no match for Li Yun. Li Yun climbed up the wall in a few moves, drew his sword, and killed a rioter guarding the city with one clean blow. After that, the people guarding the city on the wall were frightened and fled.

Most of them did not wear armor.

No one can stop Li Yun, a battlefield bulldozer who is fully armored and moves quickly.

Deng Yang and others also climbed onto the city wall at the same time. In just an incense stick of time, these "rebels" who were completely insignificant were completely defeated.

The two opposing teams are not on the same level at all.

Li Yun stood on the tower, looking at Xiangshan County in front of him, squinting his eyes slightly, and said with a smile: "Deng Yang!"

Deng Yang immediately stepped forward and bowed his head, "I'm here!"

"Pass on my order. Those who lay down their weapons and surrender will not be killed. Also, immediately take control of all the city gates. I want..."

"Strictly investigate the culprits in Xiangshan County who colluded with the rebels and even funded the rebels!"

(End of this chapter)