Thief Emperor

Chapter 686 Prime Minister
Since ancient times, what has decided the fate of the world is often a major war. Once a major war is won, the rest will just be a matter of time.

For a long period of time before, the reason why Li Yun was not so efficient in fighting was mainly because he was too weak before and did not have the capital to decide the outcome of the battle in one go, so he could only take it step by step.

And now, at least from Li Yun's perspective, the time is basically ripe.

Liu Bo was stunned by what Li Yun said. He looked at Li Yun for a long time before he spoke: "Second brother, even if we can defeat Wei Quanzhong in this battle, there are so many forces in various parts of the world. How can it be considered a victory in one battle?"

Li Yun chuckled and said, "We need to consider people's interests."

He said slowly: "Now, those local forces are mostly still waiting and watching. Whoever takes over the Central Plains will definitely come to serve."

“Even those so-called thousand-year-old families will find it difficult to sit still by then.”

"Moreover, the Central Plains..."

Li Yun looked calm: "As long as we can occupy it, I am sure I can keep it."

The Central Plains at this time meant a vast, habitable plain, a large amount of fixed grain output every year, and even...

It also means orthodoxy.

As long as they could occupy the Central Plains, conquering the world could be included in their plans, and would no longer be just a huge, distant but unattainable goal.

Liu Bo thought seriously for a long time, then shook his head slightly and said with a wry smile: "Second brother, I can no longer keep up with you, but no matter what you say, I believe it."

He said seriously, "If there is anything I can do to help, please just let me know."

Li Yun nodded and asked, "How many provinces and capital provinces are there in the Central Plains? How many people are there in the Nine Departments?"

Liu Bo thought for a moment and replied, "Total number is less than a thousand."

Li Yun said softly, "From now on, the budget of the Nine Departments can be doubled. I don't need the overall number of people in the Nine Departments to double, but the number of people in the Nine Departments in the Central Plains, the Capital Province, and the Capital Province must at least double within a year, especially in Luoyang City, Henan Prefecture."

Li Yun said softly: "In the future, the intelligence of these places should be as detailed as possible. It would be best if Jiusi could have some armed capabilities in these places."

Mr. Li thought for a moment and continued, "From now on, the Nine Departments can extract a certain amount of equipment from the Jinling Workshop every month, and supply it according to the scale of five Duwei Battalions."

Liu Bo was startled, then a little surprised, and said with a smile: "Second brother, what you mean is that our Jiusi can also use thunder?"

"It works."

Li Yun smiled and said, "This thing is still very useful for causing riots, but I want to remind you of one thing, it's best not to leak the Thunder Bomb, especially in the past two years, if it is leaked from Jiusi."

Mr. Li paused.

"I'm going to get mad."

Liu Bo was immediately alerted when he heard this, and he quickly said, "Don't worry, second brother, I will personally watch these things, or let Meng Hai watch them personally, and there will be no mistakes."

Li Yun said "hmm" and reminded: "There is another important matter that needs to be handled by the Nine Departments. There are some places in each state and county of the Central Plains. The Nine Departments must find out clearly one by one, and then find a way to contact these local forces. It would be best if we can reach some cooperation."

At this point, Li Yun continued, "When necessary, you can tell me my name, and I will find time to meet with the people from these local forces."

To conquer the Central Plains, in addition to military achievements, it is more important to rule and govern it as quickly as possible.

If we can contact these local powerful people and reach some cooperation with them, then not only can we gain advantages when attacking these places, but after occupying these places, we can also use these local forces to complete the local governance and quickly restore order.

Of course, this is only a temporary policy. As long as Li Yun has enough manpower, he will eliminate these local tyrants bit by bit.

At this stage, as long as it is beneficial to his conquest of the Central Plains and within his principles, he will do it. After all, even a slight help may mean the lives of hundreds or even thousands of soldiers in the army.

Liu Bo did not hesitate and immediately bowed his head and said, "Don't worry, second brother. During this period of time, I will focus on this matter and will definitely complete the tasks assigned by you."

Li Yun looked at him and said with a smile: "You don't have to keep watching. You still have to do your own things. Don't you have two children to be born this year?"

Outsiders didn't know that Liu Bo had a secret mistress, but he had already informed Li Yun in advance.

After all, as the intelligence chief of Jiangdong, his personal issues are quite sensitive and important, and he needs to report to Li Yun.

After hearing what Li Yun said, Liu Bo smiled and said, "They are both in Yangzhou. I have arranged a few women to take care of them in advance. Nothing will happen."

"My second brother trusts me, so I have to get things done. After all, this is my second brother's business."

He lowered his head and said, "It concerns the lives and property of countless of us."

Li Yun looked at him and asked, "Are you not going to get married?"

Liu Bo was silent for a while, then he looked up at Li Yun and said, "We have to wait until the world is at peace before we can consider these things. It's better to keep it a secret now, lest others find out..." He sighed and said, "It's easy to dodge an open spear, but hard to guard against an arrow from the dark."

With Liu Bo's current status and position, it wouldn't be a problem for him to be alone, but once his family members are exposed, people outside will definitely find ways to take action against his family members.

Li Yun patted his shoulder and said calmly: "You don't need to worry so much. If you get married, your family will live in my palace in Jinling."

"Nothing will go wrong."

Liu Bo smiled and bowed his head and said, "Second brother, I will finish the task first, and then consider these things."

"it is good."

Li Yun didn't say much, but patted his shoulder and said with a smile: "Recently, I have been wanting to go back to Cangshan to take a look. When we brothers are done with our busy schedule, let's go back to Cangshan together."

Liu Bo nodded and smiled: "Okay."

Li Yun looked at him and smiled, "I heard some time ago that you offended many people in the old village."

Liu Bo looked calm: "I didn't offend anyone too much, I just beat up a dozen people."

He looked at Li Yun and whispered, "After my second brother became king, they became a little arrogant. If I don't become the evil man, my second brother will become the evil man in the future."

"If you were to deal with them, I'm afraid they..."

Li Yun smiled and said, "Then there's no need for you, a young man, to beat people up. Let Uncle San be the bad guy."

"Uncle San is busy."

Liu Bo didn't care at all and said with a smile: "Second brother, don't worry about me. Anyway, I am not a proper official. I don't want them to remember my good deeds. I should be the villain, and I will continue to be the villain."

As he spoke, he clasped his fists towards Li Yun and said, "Second brother, I will start preparing for the Central Plains right away."

Li Yun pulled his sleeve and shook his head, saying, "Don't worry, don't worry, let's have a drink together today and we'll talk about it tomorrow, we'll talk about it tomorrow."

…………

In a blink of an eye, another half a month passed, and it was mid-April of the fifth year of Zhaoding.

At this time, Zhao Cheng was still blocked in Tang Zhou and had been fighting with the Zhongwu Army for more than half a month. Because the Zhongwu Army was mainly defensive, there had been no progress on Zhao Cheng's side.

At this time, Su Sheng had already reaped great rewards in Dengzhou. In another month or two at most, Dengzhou would be taken over by him.

During the entire process, Li Yun's headquarters remained in Xiangzhou in the rear without moving, remotely controlling the war on the front line from a close distance, while coordinating all parties to ensure the smooth operation of the entire "Jiangdong Machine".

"Ascend."

In Li Yun's study, Su Zhan lowered his head and handed over a document. He said, "This is the military report sent by General Su. He has attacked Dengzhou City for the third time and has begun to send people to take over the counties in Dengzhou."

Li Yun took the document, glanced at it, put it aside, lowered his head and looked at the report on the farmland in the five states of Jingxiang sent by Du He, and said lightly: "I know."

Su Zhan did not leave, but still stood in front of Li Yun, bowing slightly: "Master, there is one more thing."

Li Yun looked up at him and scolded him with a smile: "What's the matter? Tell me quickly."

Su Zhan lowered his head quickly and continued, "The news sent by the Ninth Department said...the Imperial City Department contacted them and said that there was an envoy from the Great Zhou who wanted to come to Xiangzhou to meet with the Highness."

Li Yun narrowed his eyes and asked, "What messenger?"

"My name is Wang Yan."

Su Sheng thought for a moment and continued, "It seems like it's the prime minister of Wu Zhou. People from the Nine Departments said that this prime minister is only two or three days away from Xiangzhou."

"Wang Yan... Prime Minister..."

Li Yun stroked his chin and thought for a while, then went over the situation in Guanzhong and the Central Plains, as well as Wei Quanzhong's current movements, in his mind. Then he looked up at Su Zhan and said calmly, "I know about this matter. I will be in Xiangzhou for the next five or six days. Let Jiusi talk to the court."

"If you want to come, come quickly. I won't wait for anyone."

Su Zhan nodded quickly.

"Okay, I'll let them know right away."

(End of this chapter)