Thief Emperor

Chapter 392: Western Emperor and Eastern Cloud

No matter what era, there has always been open and covert struggle between the central government and local governments.

In the early days of the dynasty, or the early and middle stages, the strength of the central court was able to suppress all local forces. Therefore, at this time, the rule was the most stable, and even if there was any rebellion in the local area, it could be quickly quelled.

In the middle and late stages, the strength of the imperial court often found it difficult to contend with all local forces. At this time, some strategies were needed to consolidate the rule of the central court, such as removing some local leaders and replacing them with their own confidants.

Alternatively, give some benefits to the local governments to divide and win them over.

In the later period, just like the current Wu Zhou Dynasty, the power of the imperial court was actually not much different from that of the local vassal states.

Even worse.

The local vassal states mentioned here are not all of them, but just one of them.

The reason why he carried a sharp weapon was that he naturally had the desire to kill.

When the local forces are stronger than the imperial court, they will naturally develop disloyalty. At this time, even if they were originally the emperor's confidants, after being in the local area for a long time, who knows what thoughts will arise in their hearts?
Wei Quanzhong is a good example.

When he was kneeling before the late emperor, his butt was raised the highest among all the ministers, and his head was lowered the lowest among all the ministers.

Now, it has a completely different look.

Under the current circumstances, it is difficult for His Majesty the Emperor to regain the authority of the Son of Heaven, but it is not completely impossible.

As long as His Majesty the Emperor can be patient for a while, be good at maneuvering and have a clever mind.

If he works hard for ten or twenty years and then builds up the imperial guards, he will have a chance to regain power.

And now, Pei Huang is talking to His Majesty the Emperor about this method.

His meaning was very simple. The Great Zhou was in such a mess now. It was all the fault of the late emperor. Your Majesty must cheer up, fight those generals and military leaders, and gradually consolidate the authority of the emperor.

As for the local areas, we can use one faction to fight another, support the weak and suppress the strong, and drag it out slowly. After a long time, we may be able to find an opportunity to completely take back all power in the local areas.

The Emperor was silent for a long time before he looked up at Pei Huang and sighed silently: "Sanlang, it's easy for you to say this, but it's probably extremely difficult to do it."

"It is precisely because of the difficulties that Your Majesty should be more motivated to do it!"

Pei Huang bowed his head and said, "If Your Majesty can revitalize the court and revive the Great Zhou, it will not only glorify the virtues of our ancestors, but will also shine for thousands of years to come!"

"If you have such great achievements, you can be called the ancestor after thousands of years!"

These words made Wu Yuancheng a little dazed.

Because the ancestors had merits and the clan had virtues, as the Son of Heaven, having the four characters "Taigao Zhongshi" in the temple name was already the goal of life, not to mention being able to be called the ancestor!
The emperor was in a daze for a long time, shook his head to dispel some of the alcohol, and sighed: "I am now completely confused, like a mess."

Pei Huang stood up, knelt before the emperor, and kowtowed: "I am willing to devote my entire life to assisting Your Majesty and accomplish this great feat!"

Wu Yuancheng looked at Pei Huang, still silent. After a long while, he sat up straight and helped Pei Huang up.

"Sanlang and I grew up together, so he will naturally help me."

As he spoke, he carefully read the document that Pei Huang had sent him earlier. After reading it, he looked up at Pei Huang and said softly, "Sanlang means that I should give Li Yun more rewards and corresponding support?"

"What kind of person is Li Yun?"

Pei Huang was speechless when he heard this.

He couldn't help but look at his brother-in-law, his childhood friend.

Could it be that he has been drinking a lot during this period and has become confused?

Pei Huang took a deep breath and whispered, "Your Majesty, at this time, no matter what kind of person Li Yun is, the court must give him the corresponding reward."

Pei Sanlang whispered, "Because he was able to resist the Pinglu Army head-on without losing the upper hand, and he has actually occupied Jiangdong and the prefectures near Jinling Prefecture."

"The court currently has no way to deal with him. If we reward him now, no matter how he behaves, his territory will at least be the court's territory in name. Otherwise..."

"It will also be the face of the imperial court that will be lost."

Although Pei Huang was a bit frivolous in the past, he has gained experience in the local area in recent years, and now at least his eyesight is no longer a problem.

He saw very clearly that at this time, various places had already occupied territories. If the imperial court was unable to conquer people like Li Yun, it would have to give corresponding rewards. Otherwise, it would not be the military leaders of local forces such as Li Yun who would be embarrassed, but the imperial court.

"His Majesty."

Pei Huang said softly: "A reward is a reward, but it can be used to do something. For example, if Li Yun is fighting with the Pinglu Army for Jiangbei Huainan Road, then Huainan Road can be given two titles."

"Li Yun is now the Huainan Road Recruiting Envoy. The court can also appoint Zhou Xu's son Zhou Chang as the Yangzhou Defense Envoy."

He looked at the emperor and whispered, "In this way, the conflict between the two families will not stop, and both of them are right."

"Then there will be endless fighting."

The emperor was lost in thought for a moment, then nodded slightly.

"Then do as Sanlang wishes. I have no objection."

Pei Huang replied yes, and then continued: "Also, Your Majesty should cheer up now and actively govern the country. At least several prime ministers should meet him, otherwise it will not sound good if it gets out." "The people of the Great Zhou are still waiting for Your Majesty to cheer up and save them from the water and fire!"

These words were indeed inspiring enough. Even His Majesty the Emperor felt his blood boiling. He slowly exhaled and murmured, "Yes, those military leaders in charge of one side, I wonder how they will exploit the people. I..."

"Now that we have inherited our ancestors' legacy, we must save the people from the water and fire!"

The words spoken by both the emperor and his minister made their blood boil.

However, in fact, since the previous emperor's dynasty, the people's lives were actually the same whether they were under the rule of local warlords or under the rule of the imperial court, and their lives were not easy.

Today, the people under the rule of "military leader" Li Yun may live more comfortably than under the rule of the imperial court.

The emperor and his minister chatted for a long time, both of them felt their blood boiling. When the chat was about to come to an end, the emperor looked at Pei Huang and asked, "Sanlang, if Guanzhong is restored..."

"Should I go back?"

Pei Huang's face turned serious when he heard this. He looked up at the emperor and whispered, "Your Majesty, if you don't go back, you will have to live in Xichuan forever!"

"Not to mention cheering up."

Upon hearing this, His Majesty the Emperor sat back on the dragon couch and remained silent for a long time.

After an unknown amount of time, he finally let out a long sigh.

"Su Jing...should not have died."

He regretted it.

When General Su died, he was not yet the emperor, but he was already in charge of the Council of State. Although he might not have planned Su Jing's death, he must have known about it.

And he acquiesced to this matter.

And now, His Majesty the Emperor, who almost became the king of a fallen country, felt endless regret in his heart.

It’s not because of wrongly killing loyal and good people, but because.

The imperial court now desperately needs a loyal and capable general who can keep the situation under control!

Pei Huang heard the emperor's words, but pretended not to hear them. He just lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, you will begin to receive the ministers tomorrow. The war situation in Guanzhong is getting better day by day."

"Not for a few months."

"it is good."

The emperor nodded, clenched his fists, and gritted his teeth: "When we catch Wang Junping, I will skin him alive and grind his bones!"

Pei Huang bowed his head and responded.

After scolding the rebels for a few times, His Majesty the Emperor was suddenly startled and remembered something. He looked at Pei Huang and whispered, "Sanlang, when the rebels were still in the Central Plains, several generals had expressed their willingness to accept the imperial court's offer of amnesty. They could have turned the tables at a critical moment."

"But later, Tongguan was not defended, and these people disappeared."

"Go and contact them again."

The emperor said in a hoarse voice: "As long as you are willing to surrender, I will give you high positions and generous salaries."

Pei Huang thought about it, then his eyes lit up and he said with a smile: "Your Majesty is wise."

"I will do it right away!"

After saying that, Pei Huang turned around and walked away.

His Majesty the Emperor was sitting on the couch, watching Pei Huang leave. Suddenly, a cold wind blew, making His Majesty the Emperor shiver. He felt a little scared, as if he saw the figure of the late emperor emerging, so he immediately called out to Pei Huang.

"Saburo."

He looked around and whispered, "The coffin of the late emperor has not been buried yet. Let's choose a Feng Shui treasure land in Xichuan to build an imperial mausoleum and place the coffin of the late emperor..."

"Bury him in this land of abundance."

Pei Huang just thought about it, then nodded his head and agreed, responding respectfully.

"Yes."

…………

Outside Jinling City, Li Yun and his party had already entered the city on horseback. Seeing the hustle and bustle of Jinling City, Li Yun could not help but sigh, "Although we have only been apart for a few months, it feels like a lifetime ago."

Du Qian smiled and said, "There has been constant unrest in Jiangbei, but there is peace in Jinling City. It is naturally like a different world."

He also looked up at the city of Jinling, then turned to look at Li Yun and said softly.

"I'm afraid that Erlang's trip to Jiangbei has already..."

"It has spread all over the world."

(End of this chapter)