Thief Emperor

Chapter 317: Tough Envoy Li
The source of power is violence.

When you have enough violence to be able to freely exercise your will even when the other party disagrees, it is called power.

Most powers are within a certain framework. For example, even the emperor in the capital has his power locked in a cage and can only exercise his authority within a certain limited scope.

But Li Yun's power was not restricted.

In other words, the power of every founder of an entrepreneurial group is rarely restricted. Even Li Yun now can do whatever he wants within his sphere of influence.

As for the power attributes, those founding emperors only had a larger sphere of influence compared to Li Yun now.

What can truly restrain their behavior is human nature and the interests of their country and family.

In fact, the reason why the dynasty was in a state of deterioration in the middle and late stages was largely due to this attribute of power. The emperors of later generations were far from being able to be as drastic and do whatever they wanted as the founding monarchs.

Therefore, even if there is a capable successor, he can only maneuver in a limited space and carve patterns on a nutshell, but it is impossible for him to recreate the world with a knife and an axe.

If Zhu Taizu from another world had become Emperor Chongzhen, would he have been able to turn the tide?

I'm afraid not necessarily.

His most likely scenario is to take off his imperial robe, escape from the capital overnight, raise a new army, and start all over again.

The reason why Zhu Taizu was able to act recklessly during the Hongwu Dynasty was because of his natural power attribute as the founding lord.

Li Yun now is the founder.

It’s just that his sphere of influence is far from big enough.

However, in this chaotic world, wherever Li's army goes, his sphere of influence will expand there, like a territory.

Within this sphere of influence, they have the power of life and death and can do whatever they want.

This is the time to test human nature.

Be patient and calm.

Otherwise, if you are not careful, you will become the next Qiu Dian. One day you might be dragged to the capital and cut into pieces.

After being in a daze for a long time in the yard, Li Yun came back to his senses, walked into the house, looked at the three people from the Xu family, and said with a soft smile: "Madam Xu, the doctor has arrived and is outside. After examining you, I will have someone take you and your son to the new residence."

Li Yun paused for a moment and continued, "Madam Xu, I have already arrested the man surnamed Liang, and you have all seen it. After this incident, I will take you away from Yi'an County and settle in Jiangdong. You don't have to worry about anything."

"It's time for County Magistrate Xu to redress the injustice he suffered over the past three years."

Mrs. Xu sat on the bed, looked up at Li Yun, and soon, tears were streaming down her face.

"A woman takes the place of her deceased husband..."

"Thank you, Envoy Li."

She looked at her two children and said with tears in her eyes, "Hurry up and kowtow to Envoy Li."

Xu Miaoju and her brother knelt down in front of Li Yun, and the three of them, mother and son, cried inconsolably.

Li Yun helped the brother and sister up, shook his head slightly and said, "No need to thank me, I..."

“It just happened.”

There are too many injustices in the world, and Li Yun cannot help everyone. Even in the Xu family's case, he intervened because he had his own motives.

What can truly help all the weak people in the world is actually the word "law", but the law is created by people and used by people.

In this era, it is ultimately "rule by man".

Li Yun had no choice.

After he comforted the mother and her two sons for a few words, he got up and left the Xu family, and went all the way to the county government office of Yi'an County. Not long after he entered the county government office, Yang Xi came to report that most of the people involved in the Xu family's lawsuit had been arrested and were now thrown into the county jail.

The remaining 20% ​​to 30% are all in the Tongguan Copper Mine.

The Tongguan Copper Mine has now been controlled by Deng Yang and his men, and all the people will be brought back tomorrow.

Now, it is no longer the old forces in Yian County that are troubling Li Yun.

Although these old forces are deeply rooted, they can be easily wiped out with a quick and decisive move.

The question now is...how to build up our own new force.

The latest position given to him by the court was only the Jiangdong Recruiting Envoy.

This position is missing one word.

If he was the Jiangnan Recruiting Envoy, then Li Yun could recruit soldiers in Yian County and station them in the Tongguan Copper Mine on the grounds that there were too many thieves and for the safety of the copper mine.

It is even possible to station troops directly at the Tongguan Copper Mine.

Although this is a bit forced, it makes sense.

But Xuanzhou is the western route of Jiangnan, and Li Yun, the commander of the eastern route of Jiangnan, has no reason to even forcibly station troops here.

After listening to Yang Xi's report, Li Yun nodded first, then said silently: "Catch all the people within three days. After three days, I will go to the Yi'an County Court to try the case."

Yang Xi bowed his head respectfully: "Yes."

…………

In a blink of an eye, three days passed. After the doctor's diagnosis, although Mrs. Xu was not completely cured, her complexion was much better. The skinny brother and sister of the Xu family, although still very thin, both wore new clothes and their faces became more rosy.

They are at the age of growing up. As long as they eat and drink enough, they will show a different look in a few months or half a year.

Almost all the officials, big and small, in Yian County were arrested by Li Yun, and he was ready to bring them to court to be convicted.

There was still about an hour before the court session began. Deng Yang, who had just returned from the copper mine, bowed his head and reported to Li Yun: "Envoy, the entire copper mine has been completely controlled by us. There are two towns and several villages near the copper mine. Each village has a furnace for smelting copper and iron."

Li Yun nodded first, then looked at Deng Yang and said with a smile: "I have an errand for you to do."

Deng Yang immediately bowed his head and said, "Your Excellency, please give your orders!"

“How many people did you bring with you from Yi’an this time?”

"five hundred."

Deng Yang whispered, "There are four brigades in total."

"I will take two away and leave you two brigades. Then you can recruit two more brigades in Yi'an County, and still have enough to form a lieutenant battalion, then..."

"Station near the Tongguan Copper Mine, guard the mine, and no one is allowed to enter, no matter who comes. Just tell them."

"The Tongguan Copper Mine is temporarily closed to the public because of corruption that needs to be investigated. Only people from Jiangdong can come here to transport the copper out."

"Can it be done?"

Deng Yang is actually a relatively strong force under Li Yun. He is only half a level away from being on the same level as the four captains. Li Yun originally did not want to keep him in Yian, as it was a bit of a waste.

However, he had no legitimate reason to stay in Yi'an County and control the copper mine.

Since there is no excuse, then...

I have no choice but to force it.

Just take it by force, and don’t worry about identity, rules or principles.

If you can beat me, then come and talk to me about reason.

Anyway, even if Li Yunlai's intention of coming to Yi'an is concealed, anyone with a discerning eye can see it at a glance. Instead of being hesitant, it is better to reveal it directly.

I'm going to occupy this copper mine and station troops here!
Deng Yang was stunned at first, then looked up at Li Yun.

Li Yun patted his shoulder and said silently: "Don't worry, in a year at the shortest, or two years at the longest, you won't need to stay in Yi'an, and you will still be by my side by then."

Mr. Li smiled and said, "In a year, you will be promoted to captain."

During the period of rapid development of the team, even if one leaves the team for a year, when he returns, he may have already opened up a large gap with his peers. Deng Yang is not stupid and naturally understands this.

After hearing what Li Yun said, Deng Yang no longer had any doubts in his heart. He lowered his head and said, "Don't worry, sir. I will definitely take good care of this copper mine for you."

Li Yun nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile: "Be tougher and don't lose my face."

Deng Yang grinned: "Don't worry, I'm very tough!"

Li Yun smiled dumbly and continued, "I have a little brother named Meng Qing who has been running errands for me for more than a year. He is a good talent and is smart at doing things. It's a pity for him to just run errands."

"During the time you are in Yi'an, let him follow you. You can let him join the new recruit camp, or stay by your side to help you."

Deng Yang said quickly: "Brother Xiao Meng, I have heard that you should let him be the captain of your camp for a while to gain some experience."

"Since it's been given to you, you can arrange it as you like."

Li Yun smiled and was about to speak when Meng Hai's voice came from outside: "Sir, a group of people have arrived outside Yi'an County, saying that..."

"It is said that he is the governor of Xuanzhou, and there are also a number of officials including the deputy governor and the military commander."

Li Yun was startled at first, and muttered, "It has only been a short time since Cui Shao left, and the new governor has been implicated in Yi'an County?"

"It's really fast."

Li Yun got married in May. Not long after his marriage, Cui Shao, the former governor of Xuanzhou, left Yuezhou and returned to the capital to become a "high-ranking official".

Even if this new envoy took over seamlessly, he could only have served as the governor of Xuanzhou for half a year at most.

In just half a year, there were some interests involved with Yi'an County... or the Tongguan Copper Mine in Yi'an County. This speed can be said to be fast.

At the same time, it also represents the further weakening of the court's ruling power.

Because if the imperial court was healthy, these local officials would not dare to easily get involved in the copper mines.

This is a life-threatening business.

After thinking about it, Li Yun stood up, stretched, and said with a smile,

"Just let them into the city and leave them alone."

"Tell the former yamen that this official..."

Mr. Li put his hands behind his back and strode out.

"The trial is about to begin."

(End of this chapter)