Thief Emperor

Chapter 598 Ideal and Reality

Li Yun touched his chin, looked at Du Qian, and said with a smile: "Brother Du seems to be very confident."

"When public discontent boils over, it's natural to make a big fuss about it."

Du Qian looked at Li Yun and said with a smile: "Throughout history, those who rebelled were often instigated by someone behind the scenes, not to mention Liang Wen, who came from a poor family."

"He is a subordinate of Wang Junping. Although he surrendered, he is still a rebel after all. In addition, he has been doing evil things in the Central Plains."

Du Qian snorted, "Building a house and taking concubines, taking advantage of others."

"According to the news, this guy probably has more than 20 concubines, and he has countless women on weekdays. Moreover, he likes to torture and kill women in bed. Now in many places in the Central Plains, people will flee with their families when they hear his name."

Li Yun frowned.

In this era, for stronger people, such as local military governors like Zhou Xu, being fond of women was not a big deal. For them, it could even be said to be a relatively low-cost pastime.

But liking to torture and kill women is a bit too outrageous.

Of course, these are not that important to the separatist forces in a place.

In other words, for a force, the personal morality of the leader is actually not a big deal. Even if he has some perverted hobbies, the common people can just grit their teeth and regard it as a tribute to the evil god.

However, although Liang Wen was a capable man, he lacked vision and insight. Several prefectures and counties in Henan Province were in a mess under his rule. Even if a good official with clean hands failed to govern well, the people would become resentful, not to mention a villain like Liang Wen who was a bandit.

Li Yun thought about it and nodded, "Okay, I'll let Meng Hai go to Brother Du in the next two days, and you guys can discuss the details, but there is a prerequisite."

He looked at Du Qian and said, "Zhongyuan, you can't start chaos right away. You have to wait until I give you my approval before you take action."

Li Yun needs chaos in the Central Plains, but not now. At least he needs to wait until he takes over Jingxiang before there can be chaos in the Central Plains.

Of course, if difficulties arise in Jingxiang and the Central Plains need to be in chaos, then the Central Plains must be in chaos in advance to create opportunities and space for military operations.

The few of them chatted for a long time. When it was time to leave Jinling New City, Li Yun looked at the three people following him and said in a deep voice, "Everyone, now Jiangdong has reached a critical moment again. I will be fully responsible for the military affairs. You don't need to worry about the military affairs. I can also take care of the money, food and supplies myself, but the internal affairs, especially the current major events, will be entrusted to you."

He paused and continued, "I know there are many difficulties involved, especially some things that may go against the interests of the three of you, or may conflict with your respective families, but I want to tell you something."

Li Yun said solemnly: "A gentleman does not plan for the moment, but for eternity."

"The world and human nature have their own big scale."

"Now, the situation is turbulent, and the world has reached a time of great change that occurs once every few hundred years. We are born at this time and in this position. It can be said that we are standing at the cusp of the storm, and we are destined to be watched by future generations."

At this point, Mr. Li became unusually serious.

"In our current position, even if Jiangdong stops moving, you will still be rich and prosperous for the rest of your lives. But I think that in this position, we should do our best to do something for the people of the world."

He looked at the three people and asked, "What do you think?"

For some matters involving the same interests, there is actually no need for Li Yun to mobilize in this way, and Li Yun rarely mobilizes his subordinates in this way.

Now that he said this, it meant that what Li Yun wanted them to do was more or less in conflict with their own class.

For example, Li Yun plans to promote the system of officials and gentry paying taxes in the future.

Even though the official and gentry class can obtain certain tax exemptions, the amount must be fixed and cannot be endless or reduced proportionally.

Although these things were not stated explicitly now, Du Qian and the other two were aware of them. They also knew that doing so would harm the interests of their own class.

So at this point, we can't just start from a realistic perspective, we have to do this business with some idealism.

Du Qian looked at Li Yun and was the first to express his opinion. He lowered his head and said, "When I left the capital, I just couldn't stand the way things were, and couldn't stand the corruption of the Great Zhou."

"Since the superiors have the heart to save the people, there is no reason for us to interfere for our own selfish interests."

"We must implement the land and property system in a down-to-earth manner for the sake of our superiors."

Yao Zhong also lowered his head quickly: "I come from a humble family, so I have nothing to worry about."

Zhuo Guangrui smiled and said, "My lord, if I were greedy for money and profit, I would have simply returned to Wu County. The Zhuo family was once considered extremely wealthy, but now it has become much poorer."

Li Yun looked at him and said with a smile: "The Jiangdong Salt Industry is now managed by the Zhuo family. Your family will not be poor, and I will not let your family be poor either."

He looked at the other two people again and continued, "I will not be stingy with the benefits that should be shared with the brothers. I just hope that you will treat the people well when doing your work."

The three of them bowed their heads and saluted Li Yun.

"I obey my orders!"

Li Yun waved his hand, signaling them to stand up, then smiled and said, "That's all for today. I'm going back to Li Garden first. If you have anything to say, you can go to Li Garden to find me. I will probably be in Jinling for a while and won't leave."

After that, he waved to everyone and left with his hands behind his back. Du Qian and the other two stood up and looked at Li Yun's back. They were all silent for a long time. After a long while, Yao Zhong spoke up and said, "Now that you are in power, things are getting more and more different."

Du Qian finally came back to his senses from his deep thoughts and said softly, "Throughout the ages, there have been countless historical books, but when dynasties change, there are always heroes, most of whom are saints sent from heaven to save the world."

As he said this, he looked at Yao Zhong and Zhuo Guangrui, and after thinking for a while, he reminded them: "Brother Zhuo, Brother Juzhong, the words spoken by the superior today were very soft, unlike his previous vigorous and resolute style, but because of this, you must keep it in mind."

"According to my understanding of the superior, after what he said today, if anyone among us goes against him, the previous friendship may not be of much use."

Yao Zhong lowered his head quickly and said with a wry smile, "Mr. Du, the relationship between me and your superior is not like the one between you and your superior. I am always very careful when doing my job, fearing that I might make a mistake."

Zhuo Guangrui seemed to be thinking about something, and said softly: "This sets the direction. Whoever goes against the superior will be separated from him."

As he spoke, he looked at Du Qian and said slowly: "I guess that if you want to take the position, you will probably have to meet Xu Ziwang."

Du Qian smiled dumbly: "It is a great move to use Brother Ziwang to monitor officials. He is a man who will not recognize anyone except the one who is in a higher position. He is truly an iron-faced man."

Yao Zhong bowed his head and said, "Lord Du, the matter of the Jinling Literary Society is almost done. I will leave Jinling in a few days to find Lord Fei and work with him to complete the task of cleaning up the bureaucracy and clearing the public land."

"it is good."

Du Qian looked at him and said with a smile: "When Brother Juzhong comes back after finishing this matter, I will give you half of the position of Jiangdong Prime Minister."

"Don't dare, don't dare."

Yao Zhong bowed his head deeply: "Your subordinate will always be Lord Du's subordinate."

…………

Ten days later, Li Zheng finally led the Jiangdong Army on the northern expedition, crossed the river from Liuhe Ferry, and entered the territory of Jinling Prefecture.

He had just entered Jinling Prefecture and had not yet seen Jinling City when one or two hundred riders were waiting by the river.

Looking closely, they were the two generals of the Jiangdong Army, Su Sheng and Zhao Cheng.

These two men, each with their own guards, were waiting here.

After seeing Li Zheng coming ashore, Generals Su Sheng and Zhao Cheng quickly dismounted, strode forward, and saluted Li Zheng from a distance with their fists clasped.

"Brother Li, keep us waiting!"

Li Zheng stepped forward, looked at the two men in surprise, then clasped his fists and returned the greeting, "How dare I let the two generals wait for me here? It is really a sin, a sin."

Su Sheng was more outgoing. He stepped forward, grabbed Li Zheng's sleeve, and said with a smile, "We are all generals. What is there to be afraid of? And brother Li, you have made a great contribution this time."

He praised: "I only saw a few Khitans when I was a teenager. I haven't seen them since I grew up. This time, Brother Li not only met the Khitans, but also defeated them."

"It's really enviable."

Zhao Cheng also stepped forward and said with a smile: "From now on, General Li will be the general with the greatest military achievements in our Jiangdong Army."

Li Zheng was so confused by what they said that he waved his hands and said, "I just followed the leader and did some hard work. It's not a big deal. The two generals are too flattering."

Su Sheng pulled Li Zheng and said with a smile: "Brother Li, I heard that you brought back 3,000 war horses."

Zhao Cheng also smiled but said nothing.

Li Zheng finally reacted, turned around and pointed to Jiangbei, and said with a smile: "It's still on the boat. It will probably take a day to transport everything to Jiangnan."

Su Sheng couldn't help rubbing his hands.

"Brother Li, I want to go take a look, is that ok?"

Li Zheng quickly said: "Of course, of course."

Su Sheng was overjoyed. He and Zhao Cheng strode towards the river bank, shouting loudly as they walked.

"Thank you, Brother Li!"

Li Zheng was stunned when he saw the two generals almost running towards the river bank, and felt something strange.

Some war horses are just bigger in size. Is it necessary to lose your composure like this?

He thought about it and suddenly something came to his mind.

These two generals both came from legitimate backgrounds, unlike me who was a wild-born person. There must be a reason for them to be like this!
Thinking of this, Li Zheng hurriedly ran over.

"Wait a minute, Generals. I'll go with you!"

(End of this chapter)