Thief Emperor

Chapter 749: Shrink your head!

In the evening of the next day, Zhou Chang, exhausted from his journey, was welcomed into Luoyang City by Jiusi.

After entering Luoyang City, the major general of the Pinglu Army looked around, observing the situation in Luoyang City. It was not until the people from the Nine Departments urged him that he followed them to the gate of Li Yun's headquarters.

At this moment, Li Yun had received the news in advance and was waiting for Zhou Chang at the gate of the headquarters. After seeing Zhou Chang, Li Yun smiled and said with a fist: "Major General, long time no see."

Zhou Chang also hurried forward, clasped his fists and bowed his head in return: "Greetings, King Wu!"

Li Yun helped him up and said with a smile, "Why are you so strange, young general?"

Zhou Chang also straightened up and smiled at Li Yun: "I want to call you uncle, but I'm afraid that he won't recognize me and it would be a shame."

"Yes, yes."

Li Yun pulled his sleeve and said with a smile: "What Mr. Yao said to Xian father and son is what I said to Xian father and son. Xian father and son keep their promises. I naturally recognize the Fengyang Alliance."

At this point, Li Yun smiled softly and said, "In the future, no matter when or where I see General Zhou, I will treat him as my brother."

Zhou Chang then looked up at Li Yun. After glancing at Li Yun's hair, he couldn't help but shook his head and said, "Uncle, why are you already getting white hair?"

Li Yun was startled. He grabbed a lock of his hair, held it in front of his eyes and looked at it carefully. As expected, he saw that there were a few white hairs vaguely visible in the lock of hair.

His heart moved slightly, then he let go of his hair and shook his head, saying, "During this period of time, my mental strength has been greatly damaged, so it's not surprising that I have white hair."

Zhou Chang nodded and said, "I have heard about the situation on the battlefield in the Central Plains. Uncle is fighting one against two, and he has to decide the movements of hundreds of thousands of soldiers every day. Naturally, his mental and physical energy consumption is not small."

At this point, Zhou Chang paused, then smiled and said, "However, my uncle has made great gains in the Central Plains battlefield, and my father specially asked me to come here to congratulate my uncle."

As they were talking, the two men had already arrived at the main hall of Li Yun's headquarters. Li Yun sat in the main seat and motioned Zhou Chang to sit down. After having tea added, Li said with a smile, "The last time I saw you, you said that you were the major general in charge of the Pinglu Army. How come when I saw the major general today, he said that he came here on your orders?"

Zhou Chang took the tea handed over by Li Yun with both hands and said calmly: "When I was in Qingzhou and my father was away, I was in charge of the family affairs. Now that I am away and my father is at home, the affairs of Pinglu will naturally be decided by my father."

Li Yun lowered his head and drank a sip of tea without responding.

Zhou Chang also lowered his head and drank a sip of tea, and asked: "Uncle, I came here to ask about the current situation in the Central Plains, and secondly, to ask if you need any help. If so, our Pinglu Army can allocate some troops to help you at any time."

Li Yun smiled and said, "Are you really here to help me?"

Zhou Chang said sternly, "Of course. If my Pinglu Army wanted to be an enemy of my uncle, we should have sent troops westward two months ago. If the Shuofang Army knew about our westward advance at that time, I'm afraid they would not give up Luoyang. My uncle probably wouldn't have occupied it yet."

Li Yun stared at him for a long time, then smiled and said, "This is the truth. I have always been grateful to you for this matter. One day in the future, I will definitely repay you."

"As for the Central Plains battlefield."

Li Yun lowered his head to drink tea and said calmly: "The war is still going on, but it is no longer a war with no goal. Now this war is just for Wei Quanzhong's face."

"I will definitely stop within a month."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chang clapped his hands and said, "Wei Quanzhong occupied Guanzhong, and my uncle occupied the Central Plains. In this way, the former territory of Wu Zhou was divided up by the Jiangdong Army and the Shuofang Army."

Li Yun put down the teacup, his expression became a little complicated: "You and I are old friends, I won't say those polite words to you. To be honest, in this situation, I don't know whether it was right or wrong to march into the Central Plains."

Zhou Chang was somewhat surprised: "Uncle has occupied the Central Plains, but you are still not satisfied?"

"It may not be a sure thing, and too many people have died."

Li Yun shook his head and did not continue speaking. Instead, he turned his head to look at Zhou Chang and said, "The Shuofang Army and the Hedong Army are both eyeing us covetously. If we want both sides to be quiet and honest."

Li smiled and said, "Unless now, Xian and his son will bring the Pinglu Army to join me. Then, once the news spreads, both the Hedong Army and the Shuofang Army will be quiet and obedient."

"The Central Plains has been pacified."

Li Yun was half joking when he said this, but Zhou Chang actually lowered his head and thought about it, then said softly: "I came here for this matter. Since my uncle has recognized the Fengyang Alliance, our two families are equivalent to one family. Now that my uncle has occupied the Central Plains, it is not impossible for my father and I to surrender with our whole family..."

"It's just like doing business. In the end, it all comes down to the price."

Li Yun lowered his head to drink tea and smiled: "My dear nephew, in today's world, promises are no longer useful. If you tell me now that you and your family are coming to surrender, I will find it hard to believe unless you hand over the military power to me."

"I can now make a promise to you and your son that if I conquer the world one day, I will allow your Zhou family to inherit the throne from generation to generation. But your family may not believe this."

Zhou Chang's eyes flickered: "Uncle, do you not want to accept our Pinglu Army's surrender?"

"Accept it, of course I accept it."

Li Yun also became serious. He said slowly: "Now, I am in need of manpower. If the Pinglu Army is willing to help, I will definitely make you and your son kings in the future, and pass on the throne from generation to generation, and never let you down." Having said that, Li Yun poured himself some tea, and then poured tea for Zhou Chang, and slowly said: "However, I am afraid that neither you, me, nor my elder brother can explain what should be done and how the situation will develop."

"At this time, you can't ask me to recruit the Pinglu Army."

Zhou Chang frowned and said nothing after hearing this. After a long while, he sighed softly, "This world is full of intrigues and deceptions. People can no longer trust each other."

Li Yun looked at him and chuckled, "So, I have a plan. Do you want to hear it, Major General?"

Zhou Chang nodded: "Uncle, please go ahead."

Li Yun raised his head and drank a sip of tea, just like drinking wine, then slammed the teacup on the table and whispered, "Major General, the Khitans in the north have already started, and the Fanyang Army may not be able to hold on. I want the Pinglu Army to go north to support Fanyang, even if it means sending a part of the troops north."

"Even if it's just a support in terms of momentum, it will be a great help to the Fanyang Army."

At this point, Li Yun looked at Zhou Chang and whispered, "It won't take too long. I only need two years, two years."

"As long as the Khitans do not break through the Youzhou defense line within two years and do not launch a large-scale attack to the north."

"After this is accomplished, I will regard the Pinglu Army as coming to serve me. In the future, if I, Li Er, succeed in my career, I will definitely fulfill my promise today and confer the title of king on you, father and son."

Li Yun said solemnly, "If Li Er fails in his career and returns to the south in disgrace and becomes the ruler of Jiangnan, our two families will remain friends for generations. As long as I live, I will never go north to Qingzhou and offend the virtuous father and son."

"What do you think, Major General?"

Zhou Chang frowned, lowered his head and said nothing.

Li Yun continued, "Father and son, you can think about it. Once the Pinglu Army goes, it will not only fulfill the agreement between us, but also be a great act of justice and merit for the people of the world, especially the people of Hebei Province. This is also the best opportunity for father and son to get rid of Mr. Gu's shadow."

"Once this is accomplished, based solely on this merit, no matter if it is me or someone else who becomes the new emperor in the future, we will not and dare not overly embarrass Xian and his son, or the Zhou family."

Zhou Chang said in a hoarse voice: "Uncle is really born with a good mouth."

"With just a few words, I was almost convinced."

"That's because what I said makes sense."

Li Yun chuckled and said, "In fact, in my opinion, this is the best way out for the Pinglu Army now. If the Pinglu Army does not do this, then the only thing left seems to be to come west and fight me."

"If I were a major general, I would go north without hesitation and do this."

Zhou Chang looked at Li Yun with a gloomy look in his eyes: "Uncle, I'm afraid you want to use the Pinglu Army that went north to support the Fanyang Army to hold the Fanyang Army back so that they can't give up the Youzhou defense line?"

Li Yun lowered his head and drank tea without saying anything.

Zhou Chang said in a hoarse voice: "I need to go back and discuss this with my father."

"no problem."

Li Yun looked up at Zhou Chang and said with a smile: "Major General, go back and ask, but I suggest that the Pinglu Army should take action as soon as possible."

"Otherwise, once the Khitans start wreaking havoc."

"It's probably a disaster not only for the North, but also for Qingzhou."

Zhou Chang deliberately spoke hastily, and whispered, "The Khitans are in charge, and uncle is just arguing in the Central Plains. Are you not prepared to contribute?"

"Of course I'm prepared to contribute."

Li Yun looked at Zhou Chang and said, "I am here to persuade the young general, isn't that just putting in some effort?"

Zhou Chang was startled and laughed in silence.

Li Yun wanted to continue talking when he heard hurried footsteps outside. A familiar voice came with endless joy: "Sir, Sir, the Luoyang defenders of the Shuofang Army can't hold on any longer. They were defeated by General Meng and are now divided into four groups, fleeing towards Shanzhou in panic!"

Li Yun narrowed his eyes and was about to speak when Zhou Chang looked at him and asked, "Did your uncle arrange this news in advance?"

Li Yun thought about it and said with a smile: "This news may not come at such a coincidence now."

"But the news is true."

Mr. Li lowered his head and drank his tea: "The Shuofang Army will withdraw to Guanzhong."

(End of this chapter)