Thief Emperor

Chapter 224 The boss comes to visit!

The Xingyang Zheng family, where Zheng Wei was born, was more prestigious than the Du Qian family. After all, the Du family in the capital was just a new family, only three or four hundred years old, not much older than the current dynasty.

However, there are at least six or seven people from the Du family serving as officials in the court. Du Qian's father is the Minister of Rites of the court and has a great reputation in the official circle. For this reason, Zheng Wei would naturally be more polite to Du Qian.

In comparison, Li Yun, whom he tried to win over last time, seemed a little transparent.

After the group entered Yuezhou City, Du Qian invited Zheng Yu all the way to his governor's office. After the two of them sat down, Zheng Yu, who was sitting in the main seat, smiled and said, "This is the second time we have met since my nephew came to Jiangdong to serve as an official. I am sorry for neglecting you."

When Du Qian arrived in Yuezhou, it was near the end of the year, so he did not go to pay a visit to Zheng Yu. Later, after the beginning of spring, Envoy Du went to Wujun and paid a visit to Zheng Yu, the chief.

Otherwise, it would be a bit too ignorant.

Upon hearing this, Governor Du smiled and said, "Yes, I went to pay my respects to the Lord last time."

Zheng Yu lowered his head to drink tea and sighed, "Originally, the two of us could have chatted and drank together in Jiangdong, but unfortunately, the world is in turmoil now, and Jiangdong is also in turmoil."

"Before, I almost lost my position because of Qiu Dian. Now there is Zhao Cheng. If things get out of hand, even if the court does not send an imperial envoy, I will tie myself up and escort myself to the capital to plead guilty."

"The situation is like this, don't feel guilty about it, Lord."

Du Qian said slowly: "The last time Qiu Dian plotted rebellion, it was caused by the negligence of officials in Yuezhou. This time Zhao Cheng rebelled in Wuzhou, firstly because the aftermath of Qiu Dian's rebellion had not yet subsided, and secondly..."

Du Qian looked at Zheng Wei and said softly, "It seems to be... because of the war in Central Plains."

Hearing the words "Central Plains War", Zheng Wei's expression changed slightly. After sighing, he spoke: "My dear nephew, this is a taboo. It is better not to say it. I heard that many officials in the court discussed this matter. When His Majesty found out, he was furious and punished them all. Now no one in the capital dares to mention this matter anymore."

He looked around and whispered, "If one says it badly, it is slandering the court."

Du Qian smiled and said, "Does the Lord intend to report me to the court?"

"Of course not."

Zheng Wei waved his hand and shook his head, "But walls have ears, so we have to be on guard."

"correct."

He looked at Du Qian and said, "My dear nephew, your family is an official in the capital. Have you heard any news? Tell me about it."

"information…"

Du Qian lowered his head and thought for a while, then said, "As for the news, it should be the news that the Shuofang Army is heading south. According to the current progress, the Shuofang Army should be able to reach the Central Plains battlefield in about a month."

Zheng Wei nodded slightly. It was obvious that he had known the news for a long time and was not surprised. He just sighed and said, "I hope the Shuofang Army can quell the rebellion as soon as possible and restore peace to the world."

Upon hearing this, Du Qian looked at Zheng Wei, but just lowered his head to drink tea without saying anything.

Zheng Wei was already speaking politely, so there was no need for him to continue. After all, although the two families had some friendship, they were also...

Not that deep.

After reminiscing about the past, Zheng Wei coughed and got down to business.

"The matter in Wuzhou must not turn into another Qiu Dian. If we in Jiangdong still cannot resolve it on our own this time, His Majesty's anger may affect us in Jiangdong."

Du Qian nodded slightly, but felt a little funny in his heart.

Even if the imperial court were to deal with someone for this matter, it would most likely deal with Zheng Yu, the chief official of Jiangdong, and would not deal with Yuezhou.

Zheng Yu paused and continued, "I have already sent out orders to various states and gathered 5,000 soldiers and horses. I am on my way to Wuzhou. I will also set out from Yuezhou and rush to Wuzhou soon."

At this point, he looked at Du Qian and said with a smile: "There is a captain camp left by General Su in Yuezhou. Its combat power should be second to none among the states in Jiangdong. Last time, it was this captain camp in Yuezhou that defeated Zhao Cheng's troops in Qiantang. This time, it will definitely be able to capture a strong enemy."

"so…"

Zheng Yu smiled and said, "This time, I want the Duwei Battalion of Yuezhou to lead the attack, and the troops from other states to assist. What do you think, nephew?"

Du Qian thought for a moment and asked in confusion, "Sir, aren't the troops in each state about the same number of 1,000? How can there be a difference in strength? Moreover, although General Su left behind a battalion of lieutenants, this battalion suffered heavy losses in that great battle, and now nearly half of them are new recruits."

"Since the states in Jiangdong have a total of 5,000 people, then Yuezhou should send as many people as the other states send."

There are a large number of prefectures and counties in the eastern part of Jiangnan, about eighteen or nineteen in total. With such a large area, even Zheng Yu, the governor, cannot administratively lead the entire Jiangdong.

As an inspector, his main function was to supervise the government and on weekdays he was responsible for rectifying the administration of officials.

Administratively, each state and county is directly responsible to the central government.

Only when war breaks out can the Inspector General temporarily mobilize local troops from various states and counties.

Now, the entire Jiangdong, excluding the dozen states and counties except Wuzhou, has only gathered a total of 5,000 troops. To put it bluntly, on average, each state only sent out two to three hundred people.

And now, Zheng Wei wants Yuezhou to take the lead in the attack, which means that a battalion of one thousand men from Yuezhou should be sent out.

Du Qian naturally couldn't agree to it. It wasn't that he was unwilling to do so, but he knew that the invisible governor of Yuezhou would definitely not agree to this plan.

Rather than making things too awkward, it’s better to just deny it from him.

Hearing Du Qian's words, Zheng Yu could not help but frown. He said in a deep voice, "My dear nephew, Yuezhou has contributed the most, so you will be rewarded with the most merits in the future. When the Wuzhou rebellion is quelled, I will report your contribution to the court first."

Du Qian sighed in his heart, forced a smile on his face, and said slowly: "Since the Lord has said so, I shouldn't have refused. However, the Lord may not know the situation in Yuezhou."

"At that time, General Su left behind a battalion of commanders, and the Political Affairs Hall subsequently issued a document appointing Li Zhao as the military commander of Yuezhou. However, the document from the Political Affairs Hall also stated that Li Zhao was ordered to quell the rebellion in Yuezhou."

"This Li Zhao, in addition to being the Sima of Yuezhou, has other duties, and I cannot control him. If other prefectures and counties send as many people as Yuezhou does, I will send as many people as possible to assist the governor. But now I have to send all the people under Sima Li."

Du Qian sighed and said, "I'm afraid this matter needs the consent of Sima Li himself first."

Zheng Wei frowned: "Is there such a thing?"

"If you don't believe me, I can show you the appointment document from the Political Affairs Hall."

Du Qian paused and added, "It should be General Su who specifically mentioned this matter in the document he sent to the court. Otherwise, Li Zhao, a lieutenant in the army, would not be able to be transferred to the position of local military commander even if he was promoted to captain."

Zheng Wei stroked his beard and said slowly, "Well, let him in, and I will talk to him myself."

Du Qian heaved a sigh of relief, and stood up to go out and call Li Yun in. Not long after he left the main hall, he returned to the main hall with a helpless look on his face, and bowed to Zheng Wei and said, "Master, Li... Li Zhao has gone back..."

"Please wait a moment, sir."

"gone back?"

Zheng Wei was stunned: "Where did you go back to?"

"I went home."

Du Qian smiled bitterly and said, "He said that since he had nothing to do here, he would go back to rest first and tell the people in the government office to call him after dinner."

Zheng Wei raised his brows and was about to get angry, but after taking a deep breath, he stood up again and forced a smile on his face: "That's perfect, nephew, lead the way, and we will go to his house to find him together."

"In this way, he won't feel too embarrassed to refuse my call."

Du Qian nodded in agreement, but he disagreed in his heart.

After spending some time together, he had some understanding of Li Yun's temper. He knew clearly that his "subordinate" was not as easy to talk to as he seemed.

So, Governor Du took Zheng Guancha and left the governor's office. They wandered around Yuezhou City for a while before arriving at Li Yun's residence. After knocking on the door, a young man of about fourteen or fifteen years old opened the door.

It was Meng Qing.

Du Qian stepped forward and said with a smile, "Young man, is Sima Li here?"

"exist."

Meng Qing said honestly: "He fell asleep now."

He recognized Du Qian and said obediently, "Please wait a moment, sir. I will go and call Sima to get up."

Du Qian nodded slightly and took Zheng Wei into Li Yun's yard.

After a cup of tea, Li Yun, whose hair was disheveled from sleeping, appeared in front of the two superiors. He smiled and clasped his fists and said, "I've been a little tired recently. Please forgive me, Lord and Envoy."

"It's out of the way, it's out of the way."

Zheng Wei smiled and waved his hand, saying, "I came here specially because I have something to discuss with Sima Li."

"what?"

Li Yun scratched his head and asked, "What is it that you need to discuss with me, Lord?"

Zheng Wei forced a smile and patiently told the story again. After listening to it, Li Yun nodded happily.

"That's no problem, but there is one thing I would like you to do for me, sir."

Zheng Wei nodded: "You go ahead."

Li Yun chuckled.

"This time, the attack on Wuzhou must be led by me..."

"Come and command the dispatch!"

(End of this chapter)