Thief Emperor

Chapter 678: Huang Dynasty Defeats Tang
Li Yun knew that Huang Chao was appointed as the governor of Xiangzhou, and it was he who made the final decision. However, during this period of time, he was completely absorbed in the army and put other things behind his mind, so he didn't think about it for a while.

When Su Zhan mentioned this, Li Yun remembered Huang Chao.

He and Xu Kun were sent to Jingxiang to serve as governors at the same time. Some time ago, when Li Yun asked Xu Kun about the land issue in Jingzhou, Xu Kun replied that it would take at least several months, or even until the middle of the year, to fully count the land.

Even if Huang Chao arrived earlier than him, he was only a few days earlier. So the land inventory in Xiangzhou was already completed?
Li Yun was a little surprised.

After the land has been counted, we can start distributing the land to the soldiers in Xiangzhou. If we can complete it within a month, it will be of great benefit to subsequent operations.

After thinking about it, Li Yun said, "Let him go back first. I'll take a nap and then ask him to come over."

Mr. Li was indeed feeling a little sleepy at the moment. He needed to take a nap first so that he could gather his energy to deal with these complicated official matters.

On the other hand, he also needs to see what Huang Chao's current character is like. If he can be patient and do things with his efficiency, he will be of great use in the future.

Su Zhan responded, turned around and walked out of the courtyard. He looked up at Huang Chao who was waiting outside. Su Zhan stepped forward and said with a smile, "Envoy Huang, the king has just been entangled with those scholars for a long time. He needs to take a short rest now. Envoy Huang, go back to the yamen and rest first. When the king wakes up, I will send someone to notify the envoy to come to see him."

Huang Chao had dark skin, but he was not ugly. After hearing what Su Zhan said, he did not leave immediately. Instead, he bowed his head slightly and clasped his fists to Su Zhan and said, "Brother Su, why is the king entangled with those scholars?"

Su Zhan was quite pleased to hear his name. In addition, drawing a map would require a large number of people to do it, and it would be difficult to keep it secret. After thinking about it, he smiled and said, "The superior needs detailed topographic maps of several nearby states, so I found a few scholars who can draw to do this."

"Those few people were pushing and blocking each other, it wasn't very smooth."

Huang Chao's eyes moved slightly, then he clasped his fists towards Su Zhan and said, "Thank you, Brother Su, for telling me."

"Huang will come to see the king again in the afternoon."

After saying that, he turned around and strode away.

Su Zhan also stretched and went to find a place to rest.

In the afternoon, after Li Yun woke up, he asked Su Zhan to summon Huang Chao. Soon, Huang Chao, dressed in the official uniform of the governor, appeared in front of Li Yun. He knelt down on both knees, kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am Huang Chao, and I pay my respects to you."

Li Yun looked at him and said with a smile, "Stand up and talk."

Huang Chao stood up, his demeanor still respectful.

Li Yun looked at his expression and felt a little relieved.

Don't just say that their names are similar. Even if they are really two similar flowers from two different worlds, the one with the surname Huang also passed the imperial examination, but because his career was not going well, he took advantage of the chaos to rise up.

Moreover, Mr. Li is now one of the most powerful people in the world. Even if there is something wrong with the Huang Dynasty, he has enough confidence to suppress it.

Thinking of this, Li smiled at Huang Chao and said, "Sit down and talk."

After Huang Chao sat down, Li Yun lowered his head to drink tea and said calmly: "I heard from Su Zhan that all the land in Xiangzhou has been counted. How did they do it so quickly?"

Huang Chao bowed his head slightly and said, "Your Majesty, when I was the magistrate of Shucheng County in Hezhou, I was ordered by Your Majesty to lead some soldiers and conquer a state with Your Majesty."

“So there is some familiarity with the military.”

"After arriving in Xiangzhou, General Zhao was still in charge of the military affairs. I borrowed a group of officers from General Zhao on the pretext of strengthening Xiangzhou and put them to work in the governor's mansion."

At this point, he looked up at Li Yun, then lowered his head and continued, "Your Majesty, among the people in these places, whether they are rich or poor, there are certainly good people, but a large part of them are unruly people."

"If we argue with them bit by bit, I don't know how long it will take, but as long as I have soldiers in my hands, these unruly people will be much more honest, and things will go much more smoothly."

Li Yun frowned when he heard this: "You are the governor, you should govern the area, how can you govern like this?"

Huang Chao lowered his head and continued, "Your Majesty, I have no right to wrongly accuse any family in Xiangzhou. Your Majesty can go to the governor's office and check all the case files I have filed during my tenure for the past one or two months. If there is any problem, I will resign immediately, tie myself up in front of Your Majesty, and plead guilty."

Li Yun touched his chin and said, "It just so happens that I have some free time these few days. I really want to go to your governor's mansion to take a look tomorrow."

"If what you said is correct."

Li Yun lowered his head to drink tea and looked at him: "I will give you a credit for this."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Huang Chao smiled and said, "Your Majesty, when I came here this morning, I heard that you were looking for someone to draw a map. The people you found didn't go far, so I went to look for them at noon." He looked at Li Yun and said, "Please take over this job. I will be in charge of the map drawing. All expenses will be paid by the Xiangzhou Governor's Office within one month."

He said confidently: "Within a month, I will draw the topographical map of the four states for Your Majesty."

Li Yun was startled, then he smiled dumbly: "Your personality really doesn't act like a civil servant at all. Since you want to take on this job, then fine, I'll leave it to you."

"If it's done well."

Li Yun smiled and said, "You are not suitable for civil service anyway. If you do a good job, after you finish your term as the governor of Xiangzhou, I will transfer you to my side to be a military staff assistant. In the future..."

Mr. Li smiled and said, "In the future, I will transfer you to the Privy Council."

It has been more than two months since Li Yun proclaimed himself king. During the initial period, all his titles remained the same. Now, after being reminded by Xue Shou and influenced by him, he has changed his self-proclaimed title on some occasions.

And such a self-proclaimed title is undoubtedly much more majestic.

Huang Chao stood up directly, then knelt on the ground and kowtowed deeply to Li Yun: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the promotion. I will do my best to do the job for Your Majesty!"

Li Yun said "hmm" and smiled, "Let's stop here today. In a few days, when Du and his men arrive, you will bring the land accounts of Xiangzhou and come with me to the army, and we will start dividing the land."

He paused and added: "It is also your credit that this matter has been done."

Huang Chao nodded respectfully.

…………

Soon, another seven or eight days passed.

During these seven or eight days, good news came from both the Zhao Cheng and Meng Qing fronts. It was expected that it would not take long to capture the two states.

Meanwhile, Li Yun had already divided out the land to be awarded to the soldiers in the Xiangzhou camp, and it would be finalized only after registration.

On the day when Li Yun finished this matter, Huang Chao came to the army again, holding a map in his hand, kneeling in front of Li Yun, and presented the map with both hands, saying: "Your Majesty, I have been looking for a master cartographer in Xiangzhou these days. This map is the topographic map of Tangzhou drawn by him when he was young. Please take a look at it, Your Majesty."

After he presented the picture, he bowed his head and said, "If this picture is usable, I will immediately ask my subordinates to paint it according to this picture. If it is not usable, I will ask them to draw a new picture."

Li Yun took the topographic map and unfolded it to take a look.

The map paper has turned yellow, obviously not new.

Although the content drawn on the map is a bit rough, the basic terrain has been drawn out, and overall it is usable.

Li Yun looked at the map of Tangzhou, then looked up at Huang Chao. Suddenly, an idea came to his mind, and he said with a smile: "You led troops in Hezhou before, and helped me capture a state. Do you dare to lead troops now?"

Huang Chao took a deep breath, stepped forward, half-knelt on the ground, bowed his head and said, "Please give your orders, Your Majesty!"

Li Yun narrowed his eyes and chuckled, "According to the information from the Ninth Division, the defense of Tangzhou is not very strict. I will give you 5,000 troops. Can you occupy Tangzhou for me?"

Huang Chao took a deep breath and answered without hesitation: "I will definitely complete the task assigned by the king. If I fail, I will bring my head to see the king!"

"There's no need to bring your head with you."

Li Yun smiled and said, "I just had an idea and wanted you to give it a try. Are you willing to go?"

Huang Chao lowered his head and said in a deep voice: "I am willing."

"Well."

Li Yun said calmly, "I will write you a note in a moment, and then have someone take you to select five captains. Three days later, you will lead these 5,000 men to march into Tangzhou."

"If you successfully capture Tangzhou, I will credit you with another achievement."

Huang Chao knelt on the ground, his breathing became rapid due to excitement.

He touched the ground with his forehead and said in a hoarse voice: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will never let you down!"

(End of this chapter)