Thief Emperor

Chapter 748: Who are you guarding the border for?

After hearing this, Du Qian couldn't help but frown.

Having ruled Jiangdong for many years and coming from an aristocratic family, he understood the importance of Luoyang better than most people. As the eastern capital of the Great Zhou, Luoyang was not only important in terms of its geographical location, but more importantly in terms of political significance.

Even if Wang Junping occupied this place, he would have the confidence to become king.

And, most importantly, occupying Luoyang is actually a very direct proof of strength.

Because Luoyang is located in the heart of the Central Plains, and since it is the Central Plains, it is naturally a plain with almost no shelter. As long as the enemy enters the Central Plains, theoretically they can march straight into the city of Luoyang.

It was also for this reason that Luoyang was not chosen as the official capital of Wu Zhou.

For the same reason, as long as someone occupies the Central Plains, it means that he has the ability to deal with the challenges of all other forces in the open areas of the Central Plains, which means absolutely powerful strength.

Moreover, it is an overwhelming strength to deal with other forces in the world.

With this kind of strength, one has the possibility of unifying the world. This is why occupying Luoyang is equivalent to occupying the Central Plains.

There are factors from all aspects.

Now, the Jiangdong Army has occupied Luoyang. They only need to occupy it for a period of time to prove their strength. Those waiting and watching forces in the world will be able to see the direction of the wind. By then, Jiangdong...or Li Yun, can immediately start the process of unifying the world.

Soon, everything will proceed smoothly.

But now, something unexpected has happened in the northeast. Once the Fanyang army can no longer hold on, or deliberately lets the Khitans enter Guanzhong, the south may not be affected for the time being, but the entire north, including the Central Plains, will definitely experience great turmoil. At that time, no matter whether Li Yun chooses to keep his troops in place and defend the Central Plains, defend Luoyang, or send troops to resist the Khitans, he will face various problems.

If one thing goes wrong, the good situation that you have worked so hard to achieve may be destroyed in an instant.

Du Qian sat in his seat, silent for a long time, then he sighed deeply and said to himself: "Back then in Guanzhong, many knowledgeable people agreed that with the situation of Wu Zhou's separatist regimes, once the imperial court fell, there would be wars among the separatist regimes, and even a situation of division between the north and the south."

"Until now, everything seems to be moving in this direction."

Du Qian's eyes fell on the documents on his desk. He murmured, "Could it be that all the hard work of the superiors over the years is in vain? Is the situation of the Northern and Southern Dynasties... inevitable?"

Du Qian talked to himself for a long time before he supported himself on the table with his hands and tried to stand up. As soon as he stood up, he felt dizzy and almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, Du Laian was very close to him. He immediately stepped forward, supported Du Qian, and exclaimed, "Master!"

After Du Qian was supported, he took several breaths and finally recovered a little. He turned his head to look at Du Laian and shook his head slightly, saying, "I'm fine. Maybe I've been too busy recently."

"Laian, go and invite Zhuo Lingyin and Xu Xiantai to come, and tell them that I have something to discuss with them."

Du Laian glanced at Du Qian with concern and whispered, "Sir, I'm not saying anything bad about you, but you've been working too hard lately, especially since Mr. Yao left. You've been responsible for all kinds of things. You have more things to do now than when I was the Minister of the Six Ministries."

"There are so many things to do, why not just pass them down to the people below to do them? Why do you have to work so hard?"

Du Qian shook his head slightly and said, "Every aspect is the most critical time. We cannot make any mistakes at this time. I am worried about many things being handed down to me. And since the king trusts me, I will do these things for him."

“This is a power that others cannot even ask for.”

Du Qian looked at Du Laian and forced a smile: "You won't understand even if I tell you, go and call someone."

Du Laian sighed, lowered his head, replied yes, and turned away.

Du Qian silently looked at his back. After a moment of silence, he returned to his seat, rubbed his temples with his hands, and whispered silently in his heart.

"If the troubled times end one day earlier, many people will die less. No matter what, we have to fight this world..."

…………

In Luoyang city.

Li Yun opened the west gate of Luoyang and went out of the city himself to bring thousands of wounded soldiers from the front line into Luoyang for recuperation.

These thousands of wounded soldiers were all Meng Qing's subordinates.

At this time, Li Yun had occupied Luoyang for half a month. In just half a month, the front line reported huge casualties, and these thousands of wounded soldiers were part of these "casualties". However, most of them had stayed on the battlefield forever and could never return to Li Yun's side.

After arranging these wounded soldiers to enter the city, Li Yun personally arranged accommodation for them and was busy arranging doctors to treat them.

After two or three days, most of these things were finally done, and Li Yun could finally have a good night's rest. When he woke up, Meng Hai was already waiting for him outside his room. Li Yun got up, put on his clothes, walked out of the room, and looked at Meng Hai outside the door.

"When did you come?"

As the person in charge of communicating with Li Yun in the Nine Departments, Meng Hai spends part of his time with Li Yun, but he also has to return to the Nine Departments part of the time and does not always follow Li Yun.

Meng Hai lowered his head and said, "I came back last night, my lord. I have two pieces of news to report to you. The first is the news from Fanyang. Almost five days ago, the Fanyang army had already started fighting with the Khitans. The Khitans are coming with great force, much stronger than last year."

"There is also news that..."

Meng Hai lowered his head slightly and said, "There is news that General Xiao Xian is advocating power to resist the Khitans, but some people in the Fanyang Army have begun to have disagreements. They are unwilling to do so and have been fighting the Khitans to the end in Youzhou."

"Some people think that we still have the Shuofang Army, which is dividing up the Great Zhou. The Great Zhou court no longer exists, and these border troops continue to guard Youzhou, not for the Great Zhou to guard the border."

"But we are guarding the border for the rebels of the Great Zhou."

Meng Hai whispered, "According to the information heard by the informant, there is a fierce quarrel within the Fanyang Army. Even some of General Xiao's sons are not willing to continue to guard Youzhou."

Li Yun lowered his head, drank a sip of tea, and slowly said: "They are right to think so. Wu Zhou has already fled to Xichuan. Their Fanyang Army is no longer guarding the pass for Wu Zhou."

Meng Hai looked up at Li Yun, somewhat stunned.

Li Yun looked at Meng Hai calmly and asked, "Can you confirm whether the news sent back by Jiusi is the result of field investigation or the news that Fanyang Army wants to convey to the outside world?"

Meng Hai was stunned when he heard this. He lowered his head and thought for a while, then shook his head slightly and said, "It's really hard to confirm at the moment. I will write to my colleagues in Fan Yang and ask them to pay attention to it."

Li Yun remained silent and said nothing.

Meng Hai lowered his head and said, "My Lord, what Liu Sizheng meant is that you should write a personal letter to General Xiao to appease the Fanyang Jiedushi, otherwise, the Fanyang army might really..."

Li Yun shook his head slightly: "With my current identity and what I am doing now, no matter what letter or message I write to him now, it will be like talking without any pain, and it will all be like making sarcastic remarks."

"This kind of letter cannot be delivered."

At this point, Li Yun thought for a moment and continued, "Where is Liu Bo now?"

Meng Hai lowered his head and replied, "Si Zheng is on his way to Fanyang. He said that the situation in Fanyang is very urgent and he wants to go and take a look in person."

Li Yun nodded and said silently: "It's difficult for him."

After saying this, he looked at Meng Hai and said, "Okay, just report Fan Yang's affairs from time to time. As for how to deal with it, it's my business."

"What about the second thing?"

Meng Hai nodded and said, "The second thing is about the Pinglu Army. The Major General Zhou Chang of the Pinglu Army has already rushed to the Central Plains and wants to meet the superior. People from our Nine Departments have already contacted him in advance, and it is estimated that he will meet the day after tomorrow."

"This young general will be able to reach Luoyang."

Li Yun's eyes flickered when he heard this. After thinking about it, he suddenly became excited and said softly, "When he arrives in Luoyang, Jiusi will bring him to see me immediately. Don't delay."

Meng Hai bowed his head: "I obey your command."

After that, Meng Hai said a few more words, then bowed his head and left. Li Yun stood there alone, thinking for a long time, then muttered to himself.

"Pinglu...Fanyang!"

(End of this chapter)