Thief Emperor

Chapter 774 Foreshadowing
Two days later, Meng Qing, who was stationed near Shanzhou, also returned to Luoyang. After arriving in Luoyang, he was naturally the first to see Li Yun. Li Yun just greeted him and asked him to go find Zhao Cheng.

As a monarch, he doesn't need to make decisions on some details or specific issues himself.

Firstly, it is time-consuming and laborious, and secondly, sometimes it not only does not bring any benefit but may even have some negative effects.

When you are a leader, the most important thing is to play the role of a referee well. There is no need to do some specific things yourself, because after all, it is impossible for a person to understand all aspects and understand everything. Once you do it yourself, you will inevitably be weak in some aspects.

Once his shortcomings are exposed, the sacredness of the monarch will be gone.

Li Yun is not the emperor now, but only the ruler of Jiangdong. However, his sacredness must be established. In this way, when he, Li, ascends the throne and becomes emperor in the future, it will not be so abrupt.

Just when Meng Qing went to look for Zhao Cheng, a slightly fat little man also arrived in Luoyang City. After entering Luoyang City, he had no obstacles along the way and smoothly entered the King of Wu's headquarters and came to Li Yun's study.

After entering the study, the little fat boy looked left and right. Seeing that there was no one else in the study, he smiled, clasped his fists, and said, "Second brother is really free."

In the world today, there are many people who call Li Yun "Second Brother", but at this point in time, in Luoyang, there is only one person who calls him that.

Liu Bo, Chief of the Nine Departments.

After not seeing him for a while, Liu Bo had grown a beard and a mustache. His skin was naturally fair, having been tanned in his early years on Cangshan Mountain. His life had gotten better in recent years, and his skin had gradually turned fairer. At first glance, he no longer looked like a bandit, but rather a young official from a wealthy family.

Li Yun waved at him and said with a smile, "When did you arrive?"

"We just entered Luoyang, no more than an hour ago."

As Liu Bo spoke, he found a chair next to Li Yun and sat down. He then chuckled and said, "Second brother, Chenzhou's little sister-in-law has been sent to Jinling and taken to the palace. Second sister-in-law has also seen her. This was handled by our Nine Departments. It was safe and sound, without any problems."

His words seemed to be asking for credit, but in fact they were somewhat teasing. Li glared at him and scolded him with a smile: "What do you mean by little second sister-in-law or big second sister-in-law? You are just talking nonsense."

Liu Bo looked at Li Yun and laughed, very happily.

Li Yun couldn't help laughing when he looked at his appearance.

Among all the brothers who were born in Cangshan, Liu Bo might not be the most capable, but he was definitely the smartest.

This is not only reflected in his management of the Nine Departments, but in all aspects.

For example, now that Li Yun's status has risen, many of his old friends have become somewhat restrained in front of him, especially people like Zhou Liang and Zhou Bi, who have completely regarded him as their leader and the monarch.

But Liu Bo is different.

Liu Bo was able to grasp the right measure very accurately. When it was time to say something intimate, he would never be awkward. When it was time to behave properly, he would never rely on his status to put on airs.

This is his greatest strength.

At this moment, after just a few words, the two brothers seemed to have returned to the old days in Cangshan Village. After Liu Bo lowered his head to drink a sip of tea, he gave Li Yun a thumbs up and said with a smile: "Speaking of which, second brother is still amazing. It has only been a few days in Chenzhou, and he has a child. When second brother returns to Jinling this year, he should be able to see this child."

At this point, he smiled and said, "An old doctor checked his pulse and said it's a son."

Li Yun frowned: "The child hasn't been born yet, how can you tell? Don't talk nonsense."

"Hey, some old doctors are very weird, second brother, don't disbelieve them."

After chatting for a while, Liu Bo finally talked about serious matters. He lowered his head and drank a sip of tea, then said, "Second brother, I went to Guanzhong during this period."

Li Yun was startled, then he looked up at him, frowned and asked, "How did you get in?"

Liu Bo smiled and said, "Money makes the world go round. The Shuofang Army's military discipline is far less strict than our Jiangdong Army's. Besides, it is naturally difficult for thousands of troops to enter Guanzhong, but it is not difficult for one or two people to enter."

He looked at Li Yun and continued, "The Shuofang Army is recruiting soldiers on a large scale throughout Guanzhong, and it is forced."

Li Yun was not surprised by this. He just said calmly, "It's understandable. We are expanding our army, so they will naturally have to expand their army as well."

Liu Bo shook his head slightly: "Their conscription is very different from ours. My second brother has been conscripting soldiers up to now, and at most he only takes one out of every twenty men, and he also pays them military pay."

"In Guanzhong, one out of every ten men has been conscripted. In some places, the number is even higher. In the past few months, the Shuofang Army has forcibly conscripted at least tens of thousands of troops in Guanzhong, and the scale is growing."

Mr. Li frowned: "Can he afford to recruit so many soldiers?"

"Of course I can afford it."

Liu Bo said, "Bring your own dry food and report to the military camp. They won't even be given the most rudimentary armor or weapons, not to mention military pay." "The Shuofang Army can expand its army at almost no cost."

Li Yun frowned: "Such new recruits, on the battlefield..."

He didn't say anything else. Liu Bo said calmly, "Only one out of ten survives."

"However, this kind of army does not require much money. If there is only one person left out of ten, that person can be considered an elite soldier. However, this kind of elite soldier is not trained, but earned through death."

"Second brother, this method."

Liu Bo said softly: "It's actually very affordable."

Li Yun nodded silently and murmured, "It's very affordable."

He did not continue.

Liu Bo lowered his head to drink tea and continued, "I contacted some of the people on the list that Mr. Du wrote to the Nine Departments during my trip to Guanzhong. Almost all of these people have no good feelings towards the Shuofang Army, but if they can help our Jiangdong Army..."

Liu Bo shook his head slightly: "That is also very limited."

"However, many of them said that as long as the second brother can knock on the door and enter Guanzhong, they will provide food and drink to welcome the king's teacher."

Li showed a sneer on his face: "What a great way to prepare food and drink, what a great way to welcome the king's teacher."

Liu Bo smiled and said, "However, Mr. Du gave me a long list, and there are still a few useful ones. These families are willing to serve as our internal support in Guanzhong. They each have their own servants and can also recruit some local warriors. When my second brother attacks Guanzhong, they can cooperate with us from inside and outside."

Li Yun said "hmm" and waved his hand, "These people are of little use. They are better than nothing. Jiusi can continue to contact them. When I consider the overall situation, I will not take these people into consideration."

Liu Bo nodded, and talked about the situation in Guanzhong. Then he suddenly changed the subject and said, "By the way, second brother, when I was near Luoyang yesterday, I learned that Shou Hou was also going to the Central Plains. When will he arrive in Luoyang?"

Li Yun counted on his fingers and said, "They should be here in the next two days. He, Gongsun Hao, and the other troops he leads have already entered Duji Road."

Liu Bo smiled and said, "That's great. I can meet him. I wonder if General Li still recognizes me as his old brother."

Li Yun glanced at him and did not respond. Instead, he said calmly: "In the next month, you must keep a close eye on the movements of Guanzhong and Hedong Road. You can shrink the movements in other places."

Liu Bo first responded with a "yes", then looked at Li Yun and asked, "Second brother, what about Fan Yang..."

"Youyan has been lost."

Li Yun snorted and said, "We can't take it back in a short time. Besides, General Su will report any movements of the Khitans. Jiusi doesn't need to waste time and effort there for the time being."

"Now, our focus must be on Guanzhong, on the Shuofang Army and the Hedong Army. I hope your second brother can have a good New Year this year."

Li narrowed his eyes and said softly, "It all depends on whether this battle can be fought well."

Hearing what Li Yun said, Liu Bo also became serious. He patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, second brother. I will personally watch over this matter. Nothing will go wrong. If there is any problem."

"I'll bring my head to see my second brother."

Li Yun glanced at him and scolded him with a smile: "Don't bring your head to see me, it's damn scary."

Liu Bo laughed, clasped his fists towards Li Yun and said, "I'm going to take a nap and come drink with my second brother tonight."

Li Yun waved his hand and said, "Go ahead, let's drink together tonight."

Liu Bo bowed and left, and Li Yun continued to look through the documents. In the afternoon, almost evening, Zhao Cheng and Meng Qing came to pay a visit and handed a combat document, or a plan, to Li Yun.

After Li Yun finished reading, he looked at Zhao Cheng and said, "No problem. When will General Zhao take action?"

"Sir, I have 10,000 subordinates ready. I will start the action immediately after you prepare the other 40,000."

Li Yun nodded and spoke slowly.

"Then..."

"Five days later."

(End of this chapter)