Thief Emperor

Chapter 812: Fighting the Bandits
The channels for information dissemination in this world, or in this era, are quite scarce.

Previously, Xiao Heng had made a big fuss about his father's death. This matter was not only spread within Hebei Province, but even in Jinling City, people were discussing it. Basically, most people had a positive opinion of Xiao Xian.

Death is a big deal.

Regardless of whether Xiao Xian was a separatist regime in the past and rarely obeyed the imperial court's orders, and regardless of whether he oppressed the people or killed people in Youyan and Hebei Province, or violated the law.

It doesn't matter whether he had any achievements or faults in his fight against the Khitan.

As long as he died, died in the battle with the Khitans, all his sins would be wiped out, as if he had become a saint instantly.

And all this was exactly what Xiao Xian wanted to see before he died.

Under this premise, there would be no military problems if Li Yun forced a war with the Fanyang army, but there would indeed be some problems in public opinion. Although Li Yun did not care about these, they were still hidden dangers after all.

Now, the Khitans are also taking actions in Hebei Province. Although the Khitans' motive is not necessarily to cooperate with the Fan Yang Army, but to curb the actions of the Jiangdong Army, in fact, this time, the Khitans are acting together with the Fan Yang Army.

The Khitans were real foreign enemies.

Moreover, General Xiao Xian also died at the hands of the Khitans.

At this time, as long as we make a big fuss about this incident, all the previous negative public opinion will disappear and cease to exist.

Du Qian briefly told Li Yun about his idea, then he paused and continued: "Master, I will handle this matter. With the Nine Departments' propaganda efforts, it won't take long before the morale of the Fanyang Army in Hebei Province will at least be shaken."

"If this matter is confirmed, Taiyuan Li and Xiao Heng may not dare to continue to hook their fingers."

Li Yun did not speak, but just looked at the information sent by Jiusi again. After a long while, he spoke: "People's hearts are not determined by words, but by deeds. As long as the people under your rule can have enough food and clothing, no matter how many rumors there are, they will be gone in the blink of an eye."

"On the other hand, if ordinary people are struggling to get enough food and clothing, there is no need for rumors."

“That’s the situation in Hebei Road.”

Li Yun tapped the table lightly and continued, "From the beginning to the end, I never thought that Xiao Xian's fake death would make the people of Hebei Province really loyal to the Fanyang Army. The Fanyang Army forcibly conscripted able-bodied men in Hengzhou and other places, and even allowed the soldiers to rob the people."

"The people of Hebei Province have also seen it."

As he spoke, Li Yun looked at Du Qian and said softly, "So, Brother Shouyi, we must do the work that needs to be done in terms of public opinion, but I think at this time, Hebei Province needs military action more."

Du Qian had worked with Li Yun for many years. When he heard what he said, he immediately understood what he meant. He whispered, "The superior wants to... go north?"

Li Yun looked at him and nodded silently: "In the past few days, we have received a lot of battle reports every day. Zhao Cheng has encountered the Hedong Army blocking him. It is difficult for him to go north now. The main force of Hebei Road is attacked from both sides by the Fanyang Army and the Khitans."

"Under this situation, I am waiting for news in Jinling City every day. It is really too torturous."

Du Qian looked at Li Yun, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.

Li Yun also looked at him and said with a smile: "Don't worry, I won't move until the framework of the new dynasty is built. We need to speed up the progress here, maybe three months."

Li Yun looked outside the door and said slowly: "Within three months, the framework of the new dynasty must be established..."

Du Qian breathed a sigh of relief. He also looked up at Li Yun. After a moment of silence, he asked, "After founding the country, what else does Erlang plan to do?"

Recently, Li Yun has rarely heard anyone call him that. Hearing this, he looked at Du Qian deeply and laughed softly, "If I say that I will benefit the people of the world, Brother Huiyi will probably think that I am hypocritical, so I will be more honest."

"Consolidate the regime and restore people's livelihood."

Du Qian said softly: "This is actually the same thing as benefiting the people of the world."

"That's about right."

Li Yun was lost in thought for a moment, then sighed: "The current situation has pushed me forward step by step. At this point, it is difficult for me to leave Jinling. If I really found a country and become the emperor in the future, won't I be trapped in the palace walls for the rest of my life?"

"That won't happen."

Du Qian said sternly: "The founders of the past have never been bound by any rules. Even if Erlang takes the throne in the future, he will probably move around."

At this point, he smiled and said, "Whether you lead the army in person or go on a tour incognito, I'm afraid no one can stop you."

Li Yun finally came back to his senses. He stood up, stretched his body, and said with a smile.

"I hope so."

…………

Time passes day by day.

While Li Yun was busy establishing a new court in Jinling and fighting was going on in Hebei Province, Wei Yao, the envoy from Guanzhong, had already entered Shuzhong and arrived in Chengdu Prefecture.

Not long after he entered the city of Chengdu, he was taken all the way to the emperor's palace. At the gate of the palace, Pei Huang, dressed in a moon-white robe, was waiting for his arrival.

Wei Yao took a deep breath, stepped forward, clasped his fists and saluted, saying, "Wei Yao greets Mr. Pei."

This time, after the emperor fled to Xichuan again, he basically had no ambition, let alone the idea of ​​returning to Guanzhong. He didn't even bring many ministers with him.

It was also for this reason that after arriving in Shu, although the country still used the name of Great Zhou, the court team underwent a large-scale replacement, and Pei Huang, as a close minister of the emperor, naturally took the position of prime minister.

Became the prime minister of the Great Zhou.

Pei Xianggong looked Wei Yao up and down for a few times, and asked calmly: "How many soldiers did the young general bring with him when he entered Shu this time?"

Wei Yao looked up at Pei Huang, then bowed and said, "My lord, I only brought my entourage, not any soldiers."

"It seems that General Wei wants to replace him with a major general."

Pei Xianggong glanced at Wei Yao and said calmly, "You let the young general walk into a trap."

Wei Yao took a deep breath and said, "Prince Pei, I came here on my own initiative. I brought not only the sincerity of our Shuofang Army, but also the loyalty of the Shuofang Army."

"loyalty…"

Pei Huang chuckled, glanced at Wei Yao, and asked softly, "Does the young general know Liang Wen?"

Hearing this name, Wei Yao's heart skipped a beat and he looked up at Pei Huang.

Pei Xianggong's face was calm: "This fellow committed treason and was captured by your majesty's men and brought all the way to Shuzhong, and he..."

"Not dead yet."

Hearing the last four words, even Wei Yao couldn't help but twitching his eyelids.

What Liang Wen did was enough to make him die dozens or hundreds of times. Logically, he deserved to die.

But he hasn't died yet, which is quite scary!

In this situation, he probably couldn't even ask for death.

Wei Yao took a deep breath and whispered, "Please, my husband, take me to see His Majesty. There are some things I want to make clear in front of His Majesty."

Pei Huang had a blank expression on his face. He turned around and led the way.

"Please."

Wei Yao clenched his fists, regulated his breathing, and followed Pei Huang into the palace. After an unknown amount of time, he finally entered the inner hall. He looked up cautiously and saw a haggard middle-aged man in a purple robe sitting on the throne, staring at him intently.

Wei Yao fell to his knees with a thud, bowed his head and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I am Wei Yao from the Shuofang Army!"

"Long live your majesty."

His Majesty the Emperor just looked at Wei Yao quietly, with no expression on his face and without saying a word.

Wei Yao touched his forehead to the ground and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the Liang bandits rebelled, and my father has already wiped out all their troops. Now Guanzhong has returned to the control of the Great Zhou."

Hearing this, the Emperor had no expression on his face and sneered, "Why? You and your son still want to welcome me back to Guanzhong, back to the capital?"

Wei Yao bowed his head and said, "Whether to return to the capital or not is entirely up to your Majesty. My father and I dare not speculate, let alone comment."

He paused and continued, "However, the Li thief in Jiangnan is now causing chaos and has invaded the Central Plains. My father is fighting with the Jiangnan thieves, trying to take back the Central Plains for the court!"

"And then, restore the world!"

The Emperor said expressionlessly: "Your Highness is truly a loyal minister to me."

Wei Yao put his forehead on the ground and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, my father has received the grace of the Holy Lord and I have never forgotten it. The entire Wei family is loyal to Your Majesty and to the Great Zhou."

The emperor said nothing, but just sneered.

Wei Yao lowered his head and continued, "Your Majesty, the Shuofang Army will always respect Your Majesty as the Emperor."

"Guanzhong will always be your majesty's Guanzhong."

"The tribute that should be paid to Your Majesty will not be reduced by a single cent in Guanzhong."

His Majesty the Emperor turned his head and looked at Pei Huang. After the two looked at each other, Pei Huang said calmly: "State the conditions."

"My father hopes that Guanzhong and Shuzhong can exchange what they have with each other."

"Moreover."

Wei Yao whispered, "Please appoint my father as the governor of Guanzhong."

"Fight the thieves according to your orders."

(End of this chapter)