Thief Emperor

Chapter 766: Just one step away!
Once your status is high, it becomes difficult to move from the high places to the common people.

For example, Li Yun, although he is still one step away from the highest position, he can no longer afford any mistakes. This time he brought Du Qian with him out of the headquarters, and Du Qian actually expressed his opposition.

Although no one could stop him, it was actually a waste of manpower. Not only did Yang Xi run around, but a large number of people from the Nine Departments were also mobilized to prevent Li Yun from encountering any danger.

This is because Li Yun’s own martial arts value is relatively high. If he were a normal monarch, it would only cause more trouble if he came out.

However, Li Yun still insisted on taking this trip.

If he didn't walk downstairs, he wouldn't be able to see what the people below looked like, nor would he have a direct understanding of the current situation in Luoyang.

Now, even if he had only been away for one day, he at least knew the price of grain in Luoyang and saw some changes in Luoyang.

However, he can see clearly now, mainly because the Jiangdong Group is still relatively pure as a whole. No one is cheating, and no one dares to cheat in front of him. When it becomes formalized in the future and he comes down in person to take a look, it will be hard to say whether what he sees is true.

"The situation in Luoyang and its surrounding areas has stabilized. As long as we can maintain the status quo and keep the Central Plains stable, things will definitely get better and better."

At this point, Li Yun looked back at Du Qian and said with a smile: "While we have just returned, call Yao Juzhong over, and the three of us will sit down together and talk about things."

Du Qian nodded and said with a smile: "Sir, please go back to the study and rest for a while. I will go and call someone."

Li Yun nodded and walked back to the study room. When he reached the door of the study room, he patted Xue Gui's head who was guarding the door and said with a smile, "Go and make a pot of tea."

Xue Gui nodded quickly and turned away.

Li Yun entered the study, sat in his seat, closed his eyes and thought for a while, then there was a knock on the door, Xue Gui came in with tea, put the tea on the low table beside him, then he hesitated for a moment, looked at Li Yun, and said: "Master, you are not in the camp today, and a few people are here to look for you."

"There are also people who brought their daughters here, saying that they want to stay in the camp to serve you. I went to ask around and found out that they are all wealthy families in Luoyang City..."

Li Yun glanced at him, waved his hand and said, "I see, go and have a rest, we don't need anyone here anymore."

Xue Gui responded and turned away.

Li Yun lowered his head and flipped through the extra documents on the table. Seeing that there was nothing too important, he put them aside.

Since he "raised his army" in Nanjing last year, in the past year or so, he has successively occupied Shannan East Road and most of the Central Plains. Conquering cities and seizing territories has not only brought him an improvement in status, but also brought him personal benefits.

For example...money and women.

The "business" that Du Qian had negotiated a few days ago was already a huge fortune. This wealth, which was almost purely "investment", was enough to support the Jiangdong Army for quite a long time.

And then there are women.

Everyone knew that he did not have many concubines. Apart from a queen, he only had two wives, and one of them was Lu Yuzhen from the Fanyang Lu family, who did not even have the title of wife.

For a king, especially a king of a startup team, this is too little. Li Yun's harem urgently needs a large number of women to fill in, so that the Li family can expand and the foundation created by Li Yun can take root and be passed on in the future.

Given Li Yun's current status, naturally there are many families vying to send him women, but Li Yun has been too busy recently and has neither the time nor the energy to select and deal with these women.

Just as he was thinking about these messy things, there was another knock on the door. This time it was the voices of Du Qian and Yao Zhong. Li Yun shouted and motioned for them to come in.

After the two people came in, they bowed to Li Yun one after another. Li Yun pressed his hand and motioned for them to sit down and have tea.

The two did not say much, and sat down as they were told. After they sat down, Li Yun looked at them and said, "Today, I went downstairs with Brother Shouyi and it was quite helpful. Now, Luoyang and the surrounding areas are indeed slowly getting better."

"Although everyone has had a hard time in the past few years, as long as things are getting better, that's a good thing. We need to keep this going. We can't let the people of the Central Plains face a fourth war disaster."

At this point, Li Yun looked at the two of them and said, "To maintain it, it is not just a military issue. Militarily, I can guarantee that the Hedong Army, the Shuofang Army or any other forces will not be able to harass the vicinity of Luoyang, but administratively, it depends on you two."

He looked at the two people and continued, "We have been in rebellion until now, in order to overthrow the Great Zhou Dynasty and implement our Jiangdong administration throughout the country. However, the plate is getting bigger and bigger, and there are some things that I can't help but miss and can't manage. This is why you two need to be stricter with your subordinates."

"The salary I give is not low, at least much higher than the same level in the old Zhou Dynasty. Now is the time for us to strive for progress. I don't want to see anyone taking advantage of us at this time, and I don't want to see anyone ruining the reputation of Jiangdong at this time. If anyone really does this, I will catch him."

Mr. Li looked at the two people in front of him, lowered his head and drank tea, saying: "We are family, I won't say those roundabout words, when the time comes, no matter which of you I am a student or former official, I will not show any mercy." "If the day comes when we fall out, I hope the civil servants will not say that I can only share adversity, but not wealth."

Mr. Li said in a deep voice: "Let's not talk about whether it is the time to share adversity or not. At least now, it is not the time to share wealth!"

Hearing Li Yun's words, Du Qian and Yao Zhong looked at each other, and quickly stood up, knelt in front of Li Yun, and bowed and said: "Don't worry, sir, we will definitely be strict with you."

They have all followed Li Yun for a long time, especially Du Qian, who is like a partner to Li Yun. They know very well that Li Yun never says nonsense.

Since he said these words, there must be officials who have begun to manipulate and destroy the reputation of Jiangdong.

Li Yun said this now just to give them a heads up and to let them know.

Li Yun raised his hand and said with a smile: "Everyone stand up and talk."

After the two men stood up, he asked, "Do you have anything to add?"

Du Qian sat down again. He looked at Li Yun, pondered for a moment, and said, "Sir, I have a talent that I want to recommend to the Central Plains. He is not only young, but also very talented."

Li Yun looked at him and asked with a smile, "Who is this talented person that Brother Shouyi admires so much?"

"The current governor of Jingzhou, Xu Kun."

Du Qian said, "He was born as the leader of the Jinling Literary Society and was promoted to a higher position. He first served as the governor of Hezhou and then the governor of Jingzhou. He did a very good job in both terms. Not only did he accomplish a lot, but he also had a very good reputation among local officials."

"Now, the Central Plains is in need of people, and talents like this are suitable to be transferred to the Central Plains. When he completes his term as the governor of the Central Plains, I think he can be directly transferred to the six ministries or the Secretariat."

After hearing this, Li Yun looked at Yao Zhong with a smile.

Xu Kun and Yao Zhong are in the same class.

Li Yun originally wanted to select Yao Zhong as the top scorer in that subject, but Yao Zhong wanted to take the position of Zhongshu.
Since he refused, they could only choose Xu Kun as the leader. Although Xu Kun is young, he has good abilities in all aspects and a high starting point. Although he is not as talented as Yao Zhong, he has already made his mark.

Transferring him to the Central Plains means letting him work under Yao Zhong. Xu Kun is the top student in the same subject as Yao Zhong. Yao Zhong is in charge of him, so he must not feel comfortable.

Li Yun looked at Yao Zhong and said with a smile, "Does Mr. Yao agree?"

Yao Zhong quickly bowed his head and said, "Since Prime Minister Du has recommended me, I naturally have no objection, but everything depends on your opinion, the Supreme."

"Then let's do it."

Li Yun narrowed his eyes and said softly, "It will take at least two years of stability in the Central Plains before we can officially take root here. Therefore, the most important thing for a long time to follow is to maintain stability."

At this point, Mr. Li thought for a moment and continued, "I will definitely go back to Jinling in the second half of the year, in the winter. Will both of you be in Luoyang by then, or will one of you stay in Luoyang?"

Du Qian smiled and said, "At that time, let Brother Juzhong stay. I will go back to Jinling with you."

"And check on the family members."

Li Yun looked at Yao Zhong who was hesitant to speak, and said with a smile: "Well, in a few months, I will send someone to send Mr. Yao's family to Luoyang so that Mr. Yao and his family can be reunited. Do you agree?"

Yao Zhong did not hesitate, and immediately bowed his head and said: "Thank you, my Lord!"

Li Yun nodded, stood up, stretched, and said slowly: "You two, after we get through this period together, we can set our sights on the world!"

Du Qian nodded and said softly: "In my opinion, the hidden danger is only in the northeast."

Li Yun nodded silently, looked outside, and said softly.

"General Su...should have arrived in Xuzhou by now."

(End of this chapter)