Thief Emperor

Chapter 843: The First Family of the New Dynasty
Now, there are still a few places in the whole world that have not been conquered, namely Shuzhong where the old Zhou emperor was entrenched, Guanzhong occupied by Wei Quanzhong, Hedong occupied by the Hedong Li family, and Youyan and Liaodong occupied by the Khitans.

Li Yun is not yet thirty years old this year.

He must take these places back into his own hands, especially places like Bashu, which he must take into his hands.

Otherwise, let alone other things, in the history books of later generations, his Li Yun dynasty would not even be considered a unified dynasty.

This is a matter of principle and there is no room for negotiation.

Du Qian looked up at Li Yun, took a deep breath, and said, "Then there is another way."

"Now, if the world is divided into four parts, almost three parts are in the hands of the upper one. The upper one's military force is so strong that it can sweep across the world. At this time, even if the upper one forcibly ascends the throne and becomes the emperor, if there are people in the world who are dissatisfied, the upper one can directly send troops to fight against them."

This era has not yet experienced a particularly long period of chaos.

No one shouted out the phrase "He who has strong soldiers and powerful horses will be the emperor." Everyone was more or less concerned about the rules. For example, if someone proclaimed himself emperor at this time, some scholars would think he was a "Zhou thief."

Even though people like Li Yun had already rebelled in a practical sense, if they had not declared it, others would have no excuse. Once it was declared, there would definitely be a lot of trouble.

Du Qian paused here, then continued: "Next year, in the autumn of next year, the court will be able to start the campaign against Guanzhong. By then, the court will be able to support at least 100,000 troops to attack Guanzhong. In addition, many people in Guanzhong are intimidated by Wei Quanzhong's power and are not convinced."

"During this period, I have been in contact with some people in Guanzhong through the Nine Departments. When the superior attacks Guanzhong, there will definitely be people in Guanzhong who will raise the banner of rebellion and respond to the superior. I believe that Guanzhong will soon be in the hands of the superior."

"Once we have the capital, no matter where the emperor builds his capital, it will be justified."

Li Yun looked at Du Qian and smiled softly, "I'll take something and show it to Brother Shouyi."

He stood up, rummaged through the desk, then found a document from the Ninth Department and handed it to Du Qian.

Du Qian took it, opened it and looked at it, then immediately frowned. He quickly finished reading and closed the document. He couldn't help but clenched his fist and said angrily: "The father and son of Wei thieves have insulted the old Zhou court many times, and Wei Yao even robbed the wife of the old Zhou emperor and took her for himself. In this way, there must be a deep hatred between them. The old Zhou court... the old Zhou court..."

Du Qian gritted his teeth and said, "I don't want any dignity at all."

The content of the intelligence was very simple. After the autumn harvest this autumn, Shuzhong began to transport food and fodder to Guanzhong, and the quantity was not small.

This means that the small court in Shuzhong reached some kind of agreement with Wei Quanzhong, and the two sides "put aside their past grudges."

Li Yun looked at Du Qian and smiled softly, "The reason is simple, the lips and teeth are interdependent."

"The emperor has never been a strong person. At this moment, I'm afraid all he's thinking about is how to live out the rest of his life in Chengdu in peace and stability."

"As long as it is beneficial for him to stay in Shu, no matter how angry he is, he will probably do it."

Du Qian pondered for a while, then looked at Li Yun and whispered, "Sir, if the old Zhou emperor no longer wants to secede from Bashu, can you give him the title of King of Shu?"

Li Yun raised his head and took a sip of wine, then said calmly, "No problem. I can make him the King of Shu and let his branch establish a fiefdom during the Bashu era. But the prerequisite is that he must voluntarily hand over Bashu to us without any conditions, and he must make it clear."

"The Shu King's branch will be the ministers of the new dynasty, not guests."

There is a huge difference between a minister and a guest.

The ministers belonged to the Xin Dynasty. In a sense, as ministers of the Xin Dynasty, the emperor Wu Yuancheng's branch would become his Li family's ministers and "long-term workers" in the future.

But it was different for the guests. The Two Kings and the Three Ke were considered guests of the new dynasty. They still retained the incense and sacrifices of their own clans and did not belong to the new dynasty. They could only be considered as "visiting" guests of the new dynasty.

Li Yun has already promised the position of Second King and Third Ke to King of Chu Wu Yuanyou, and he takes this matter very seriously.

After all, the King of Chu had given him a lot of help in the early days, and his Highness the King of Chu had been honest and well-behaved, and had lived a cautious and careful life over the years.

If this is the case, it would be inappropriate for Li Yun to break his promise.

Du Qian nodded silently. He looked at Li Yun and said, "Your Majesty also knows that many of our Du family members who were scattered outside have now arrived in Luoyang. I have a cousin who I recommended to you last year. Now he is working in the Ministry of Rites."

"My cousin is very good at speaking. I would like to recommend him as an envoy to the upper echelons to go to Chengdu Prefecture to meet the emperor of the old Zhou Dynasty."

Li Yun looked at him, thought about it seriously, and then asked: "I know him, his name is Du Tong?"

"Yes, Dutong Dudazong."

Li Yun nodded and said with a smile: "Since it was recommended by Brother Shouyi, let him go on my behalf, but..."

"Let him be on his own and be careful."

"Don't worry, superior."

Du Qian lowered his head slightly and said slowly: "The old Zhou emperor could even tolerate the humiliation of the Wei family. Now that he is in a powerful position, he would never dare to kill my brother easily."

Li Yun thought for a moment and said with a smile, "Then let him go. Tell him that the Jiangdong Army will cooperate with him to some extent. Let him relax after he arrives in Shuzhong."

"Yes." Du Qian bowed his head and thanked him, then looked at Li Yun and asked, "There is another important matter that my colleagues have been asking me about recently."

Li Yun looked at Du Qian, who asked, "It's almost the end of the year. After the end of the year, what era name should we use? Should we change the reign title... or continue to use the reign title of Zhaoding?"

Li Yun smiled and said, "The Chinese New Year is just a few days away. How can we change the era name now? I'm afraid that the notice won't be sent out in time, and the administration in various places will be in a mess."

He looked at Du Qian, shook his head slightly and smiled: "Brother Shouyi, are you testing me again?"

"Don't dare, don't dare."

Du Qian said he dared not, and smiled, "I just want to ask for the opinion of the superiors, otherwise it will be difficult to do the job."

Li Yun looked at Du Qian and said seriously, "I know what they want to ask, Brother Shouyi. It is unlikely that we will change the reign next year."

In a normal dynasty, when the imperial power succeeds, the era name is changed in the next year after the old emperor passes away. However, a founding monarch like Li Yun needs to ascend the throne in the first month of the year, and then change the era name in the same month and announce it to the world, with this year as the first year.

It is completely too late to change the era name now, and it is probably too late to hold Mr. Li’s coronation ceremony.

"The first month of the year after next."

Li Yun said calmly: "We have a year to prepare, so we won't be too anxious in all aspects."

He looked at Du Qian and promised: "In the first month of the year after next, no matter what the situation is, I will definitely ascend the throne."

Du Qian stood up, took a deep breath, and bowed: "Your servants will make all preparations."

That day, Li and Du chatted for a long time and covered a lot of topics. It was not until it was completely dark that Du Qian said goodbye and left.

Li Yun even personally escorted him to the main entrance, and the two of them greeted each other and said goodbye at the door.

…………

That night, at the Du Mansion.

In Mr. Du's study, a middle-aged man pushed the door open and walked in. He bowed to Du Qian, who was sitting in the main seat in the study, and said, "Shiyilang."

When Du Qian heard the voice, he quickly stood up and returned the greeting: "Seventh Brother."

In wealthy families, cousins ​​are ranked together, and the Du family is no exception.

The person who came was Du Qian's seventh brother Du Tong.

After Du Qian bowed, he pulled Du Tong to sit down and poured him tea. After the tea was poured, he looked at Du Tong and said with a smile, "I have an errand that I want you to do, brother seven."

Du Tong nodded without hesitation and said with a smile: "Now, I am also serving in the new dynasty. Shiyilang, you are the prime minister. I will do whatever you say."

"This mission may be a little dangerous, but I think it is important and worth going."

Du Qian told Du Tong about the incident, and then he said, "This incident is about 30% dangerous."

"But if it's done."

Du Qian said in a hoarse voice: "Then we can isolate Guanzhong and avenge our Du family."

"Secondly."

He looked at Du Tong and said slowly: "Secondly, Brother Seven has made great contributions in the new dynasty. As long as you accomplish this matter and return to Luoyang, I will recommend you to the higher authorities to be the Minister of Rites."

Du Tong was startled, then looked at Du Qian and shook his head slightly: "In our Du family, the third brother is the Minister of Revenue in the new dynasty, and you, Eleventh Brother, are the Prime Minister and the Minister of Personnel."

"It's already too powerful."

"If there were more officials from the Ministry of Rites."

Du Tong shook his head and said, "I don't think it's appropriate."

Du Qian smiled and said, "Seventh brother, don't worry about this. The one who holds the throne... is very broad-minded and can accommodate our Du family. Besides, the court is indeed short of people at this time."

Du Tong thought for a moment and said, "Shiyilang, I will go on this mission, but if I am lucky enough to complete this task and come back alive."

"At most, he can be appointed as a doctor in the Ministry of Rites."

Hearing this, Du Qian thought about it seriously, then nodded slowly.

"it is good."

(End of this chapter)