Thief Emperor

Chapter 314: Fall and Rise

As Li Yun's fame grows, some of his close friends will no longer be as safe as before.

It is very likely to become a handle for others to hold Li Yun against them.

Although the imperial court has not yet had the nerve to do such coercion, it does not mean that it will not do so in the future. From this point of view alone, it would be better for Li Yun to bring the old couple into his sphere of influence.

Moreover, Xue Song had been an official for many years and was very familiar with these local affairs. After arriving in Wuzhou, he could also make use of his remaining energy to help his son-in-law with some matters.

Just think of it as Li Yun rehiring him after retirement.

When Mr. Xue heard the title of "county magistrate", he had no reaction. But when he heard the word "governor", he even stopped drinking tea, looked up at Li Yun, and did not speak for a long time.

The magistrate of a county must be appointed by the Ministry of Personnel, let alone the governor of a state. Li Yun's arrogant and treasonous words in front of him had clearly revealed his political attitude.

That is……

He no longer cared about the court and started to set up his own business.

Mr. Xue looked at his son-in-law silently, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

Li Yun understood the old man's intention and said with a smile: "Father-in-law, under the jurisdiction of Wuzhou, the people will not have any more taxes. The tax revenue is also the lowest among all the prefectures and counties in Jiangdong. Although I dare not say that everyone under my rule is rich, I can guarantee that they can live in peace as much as possible in troubled times."

“He who tills the land shall own it.”

Li Shijun lowered his head to drink tea and continued, "The imperial court cannot do this."

Master Xue sighed: "I believe everything you said, but the problem is..."

"Can it last long?"

Li Yun was very casual about this question. He smiled and said, "Father-in-law, nothing in the world can last forever. Let me say something extremely treasonous. Don't say that I am only a governor of a state now. Even if I become an inspector, a governor, or even a new emperor in the future, I will still be in trouble."

"At most I can ensure that while I am alive, the people can live as comfortably as possible."

“No one can guarantee longevity.”

Xue Song looked at Li Yun silently: "You really have ulterior motives."

"It's not that I have ulterior motives."

Li Yun said calmly, "Father-in-law, look around the world and see who among those who have some troops under their command does not have ulterior motives?"

"The country has become so corrupt that it is beyond repair."

Li Yun paused and continued, "No matter what, after my father-in-law finishes his term as county magistrate, it would be best for him to bring my mother-in-law with him and move to my place."

"After arriving in Wuzhou, it doesn't matter whether my father-in-law is an official or not, as long as the family is safe and sound, I am relieved, and so is Yun'er."

Mr. Xue was silent.

After a long time, he said in a hoarse voice: "It's not like I only have one daughter, I also have children and grandchildren."

"Even if I finish my term as county magistrate, I should return to live with my two sons in my old age."

Li Yun sighed and said, "My father-in-law insisted on doing this, and there was nothing I could do."

"Everyone can only go with the flow when the general trend comes."

This made Master Xue stunned. After a while, he suddenly looked up at Li Yun and said in a hoarse voice: "My eldest grandson Xue Gui is eleven or twelve years old this year. He is not good at studying and likes to wield swords and guns. I will write a letter to Xue Shou in a few days and ask him to send Xue Gui to Wuzhou."

"Please help carry it."

"As for me and your mother-in-law..."

"I won't go."

As a local official, Mr. Xue was naturally very clear about the current state of the world. However, he was born a citizen of the Great Zhou, and after decades, it has been difficult for him to break away from this identity. He could not accept the fact that he suddenly followed Li Yun to "do business".

However, since the world was in chaos, he also had some selfish motives of his own. He wanted to provide the Xue family with more protection, so he wanted his eldest grandson to follow Li Yun to Wuzhou.

It can be considered as an extra bet for the Xue family.

Li Yun sighed, stood up and bowed, saying: "Whether father-in-law goes or not, I dare not force him, but I still suggest that father-in-law go with us to Jiangdong to live for two years. After two years, the situation in the world will be clear."

Master Xue still frowned, and after thinking for a long time, he slowly said: "I will...consider it again."

…………

In the two or three days after arriving in Qingyang, Li Yun met many old friends from Qingyang County, and together with Li Zheng, he recruited a few people in Qingyang to join his gang.

On the afternoon of the third day, when Li Yun was playing chess with Master Xue in the back hall of the county government, Meng Hai hurriedly handed two documents to Li Yun and said with his head down, "Envoy, Jiangdong sent them urgently."

Li Yun stopped playing chess, looked at the chess game which was already showing signs of losing, and said with a smile: "Father-in-law, I have something to do, so I will stop here today."

As soon as he stood up, Xue Song grabbed his sleeve and said unhappily, "No matter what happens, just watch it here, and then we'll continue!"

Li Yun had no choice but to sit opposite him and unfold the two documents.

The first document he opened was an urgent appointment document from the court, which arrived 600 miles away, appointing him as the Recruiting Envoy of the East Road of Jiangnan, responsible for suppressing the thieves and bandits in the East Road of Jiangnan. At the same time, he continued to serve as the Governor of Wuzhou before the new Governor of Wuzhou arrived.

After reading the document, Li Yun felt relieved and his spirits improved.

With this document, although he is still not the chief officer of Jiangnan East Road, he is already qualified to recruit soldiers in the entire Jiangdong, and legally he can also lead the army and run rampant in Jiangdong!

And his plan to occupy Jiangdong can be carried out smoothly!
After reading the document, Li Yun handed it to Mr. Xue sitting opposite him and said with a smile, "Father-in-law, can you take a look?"

Master Xue glanced at it and said calmly, "What should I look at with your Wuzhou documents?"

"Let's take a look."

Li raised his lips and said with a smile: "My son-in-law has been promoted again."

These words made Mr. Xue freeze in place, and then he became furious.

He has been an official for half his life, and now he is approaching retirement, and he is still the magistrate of a county. How long has this kid been an official, and he has already become the governor of a state? Being a governor is fine, he has only been the governor for a year, and yet...

Promoted again!

The old man took the document angrily and read it from the beginning with a frown.

At this time, Li Yun had already unfolded the second document.

This document was delivered by Liu Bo personally, and its content was very concise and clear.

According to the information we received, it seems that His Majesty the Emperor encountered an assassin in the capital, or fell, or was poisoned.

Others said that the condition suddenly worsened.

In short, the Emperor’s condition is now very bad, and the collapse of the heavens and the earth is imminent.

Looking at the news, Li Yun stood there in a daze, then frowned.

In the imperial era, the emperor's every move affected countless people and determined the lives and property of many people!

And now, the life of this man, who was at least nominally the common ruler of Kyushu, seemed to be coming to an end.

As for the three rumors sent by Liu Bo, they made Li Yun frown even more.

As an emperor, it seemed too unbelievable that he fell and almost died.

Then all that's left is serious illness, poisoning and... assassins.

Of these three possibilities, two were murders.

According to the theory that the greater the benefit, the greater the suspicion, if the emperor was really murdered, then no one can clear the suspicion off His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!
And if it was really done by this filial son, then it means that the fate of the Great Zhou Dynasty has really come to an end.

Even if it wasn't the Crown Prince who did it, at a time when all forces were extremely tense, if the Emperor suddenly passed away, the Crown Prince...

Can you control the situation?
I'm afraid it will be difficult.

What's even more terrible is that Li Yun now only has some influence in Jiangdong. Even he received the news, which means that the big forces in various places have probably received the news long ago.

Some forces that are ready to make a move may take action immediately.

"finish watching."

Just as Li Yun was thinking, Master Xue's words interrupted his thoughts. Master Xue frowned and said, "Why would the court suddenly promote you?"

"You were appointed as the Sima of Yuezhou because of Qiu Dian's rebellion, and you were promoted to the governor of Wuzhou because of the Wuzhou rebellion. So where is the rebellion this time?"

Li Yun came back to his senses, looked at his father-in-law, and said with a smile: "Father-in-law, this time, the whole Jiangdong may be in turmoil."

"That's why the court promoted me."

He stood up from his seat, clasped his fists towards Xue Song and said, "Father-in-law, there is an emergency. I can't stay in Xuanzhou for too long. I will leave immediately and go to Qingyang to take care of some errands."

"I will come back to pick up my parents-in-law after I finish the work. During this time, you two elders should discuss this matter with Yun'er."

Mr. Xue frowned at first, then nodded slowly: "Since you have something to do, just go and do it. Don't worry about Qingyang."

Li Yun clasped his fists and said goodbye, walked out of Qingyang County Government Office, and called Li Zheng. The two brothers quickly mounted their horses. Li Zheng let out a low shout and shook the reins.

“Go to Ngee Ann!”

Li Zheng shook the reins and followed closely behind.

In the county government office, Mr. Xue looked at the messy chessboard and muttered to himself.

"This kid left in such a hurry..."

"Isn't it... to cheat?"

(End of this chapter)