Thief Emperor

Chapter 902: Making Contributions
The Jiusi has been working on the affairs of Youyan for several years. Since the Khitan tribes are currently on the rise, Li Yun does not expect to be able to take over Youyan in one or two years.

He planned to use the country's strength and logistics to gradually take Youyan back from the Khitans, and then fight his way to Liaodong step by step, divide the Khitan tribes, and suppress this serious threat bit by bit.

But Guanzhong had to be anxious.

Li Yun knew very well what kind of people Wei Quanzhong and his son were. In fact, until now, countless documents related to Guanzhong were sent to Li Yun every day.

Compared with the prosperous past, the number of people in Guanzhong is probably only 30% or 40% left.

Even though some of them left Guanzhong on their own initiative, the proportion among the people is still quite terrifying.

Du Qian, who is from Guanzhong, has visited Li Yun several times to talk about the latest situation in Guanzhong.

Guanzhong must be taken. It is not only the western part of the empire, but also a necessary area for managing the Western Regions and dealing with Tubo in the future.

Moreover, if we consider future generations.

Luoyang is actually not suitable to be a capital because it is located in the Central Plains, with flat land and no obstacles.

In comparison, Guanzhong is safer.

Then Guanzhong can also serve as a back garden for the Tang Dynasty court, providing a temporary buffer in times of any serious crisis.

Su Sheng looked up at Li Yun and understood what Li Yun meant.

The purpose of going around in circles was to prepare for the conquest of Guanzhong.

His eyes became somewhat fiery.

Now, Zhao Cheng has retreated to the second line in the military. Su Sheng can be said to be the undisputed leader of the Tang Dynasty military, but if he can achieve another success, this title can be completely solidified.

He looked at Li Yun, a smile appeared on his face, and he said with a smile: "Your Majesty, why are you beating around the bush with me?"

"I'm not beating around the bush."

Li Yun said seriously: "The Hedong Army is also a force that cannot be ignored, and the attitude of the Hedong Li family is unclear, I can't tell, so you need to be careful. You are the commander-in-chief, and you don't need me to remind you of many things. You can make your own decisions, but there is one thing I must remind you of."

Su Sheng said seriously: "Your Majesty ordered."

Li Yun looked at him and said, "If the Hedong Army cooperates, then brother will start to reorganize the Hedong Army. At the same time, you must assign an important task to the Hedong Army."

Su Sheng stared at Li Yun.

Li Yun did not keep the secret and continued, "We must go straight to Xiaoguan from Hedong Road."

"Then, even if they don't attack Xiaoguan, they can still defend Xiaoguan to prevent the Shuofang Army from escaping from Xiaoguan."

"That's when the time comes."

Li Yun said, "Brother, you can launch an attack from Tongguan, west of Luoyang."

"At the same time, I can also let Chen Da attack from Wuguan, north of Jiannan Road, in coordination with my brother. This way, Guanzhong will be attacked from three sides. The Shuofang Army is very unpopular in Guanzhong."

Li Yun tapped the table with his hand and said slowly: "More than one force in Guanzhong has contacted us. When the time comes, they can also cooperate with us. It will not be a difficult task to chew this hard bone."

Su Sheng clapped his hands and exclaimed: "So your majesty had already planned it all along."

Li Yun smiled and said, "These were all things that had been arranged a few years ago, and we are just waiting for the time to come."

"However, a plan is a plan. Whether it can be accomplished depends on how my brother demonstrates his power."

"After we take down Guanzhong."

Mr. Li smiled and said, "Except for Youyan, the whole country is stable. The rest are some chieftains in the southwest, and some small pieces in Lingnan Road and Shannan West Road."

"At most, there are some scattered rebellions."

At this point, Li Yun let out a long sigh: "At that time, our new dynasty will be officially established."

Every dynasty that is first established will inevitably lead to rebellion. This is most likely not a problem of survival, but a problem of ambition.

There are many people in the world who want to be emperor.

Moreover, Li Yun's original identity was also spread everywhere in the Wu Zhou court.

You, Li Er, a lowly thief, can sit in this position now, so why can't I?
This thought alone would cause a lot of unrest in the world. In fact, from the end of last year to the beginning of this year, more than one unrest has been reported from various places. There have been two or three unrests in the southern part of Jiangnan East Road, Li Yun's old nest.

But they were not very effective and were quickly extinguished.

After another ten or twenty years, when people in the world get used to having a court with the surname Li above them, such small-scale unrest will gradually cease to exist.

Of course, by that time, if the administration is ineffective, it is possible that some large-scale unrest will occur.

Su Sheng looked at Li Yun, suddenly smiled, and asked, "Youyan has fallen and has not been resolved. Who does Your Majesty have in mind?"

Li Yun looked at Su Sheng, was silent for a while, and asked, "Brother, what do you think of Meng Qing?"

Su Sheng was not surprised by this answer. After all, the entire Jiangdong Army knew who was the "son" who had taken the throne.

If Li Yun and Meng Qing were not only six or seven years apart in age, they would probably have spread the rumor that Meng Qing was Li Yun's illegitimate child.

Su Sheng thought about it seriously, then sighed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I want to tell you the truth."

Li Yun smiled and said, "That's what you said, brother." Su Sheng looked at Li Yun and whispered, "If General Gongsun was not seriously injured, I think there would be no problem with General Meng being the commander-in-chief and General Gongsun being the deputy commander. But it's a pity that General Gongsun..."

Gongsun Hao was seriously injured.

Up to now, he is still in Xichuan and has not returned to Luoyang. All the imperial edicts enthroning him have been sent to Xichuan.

The good news is that his critical period has passed and his wounds have basically healed. He will probably be able to return to Luoyang in another month or two.

Su Sheng is right.

Gongsun Hao was an experienced general and very loyal to the Xin Dynasty. If he had not been seriously injured, it would have been much safer for him to form a team with Meng Qing to conquer Youyan.

Li Yun thought about it seriously and said, "General Gongsun will return to Luoyang next month. I will go to see him then."

"Except General Gongsun."

Li Yun said, "There is another general named Luo Zhen in the Pinglu Army, and he will soon be under Meng Qing's command."

"Brother, if you conquer the Hedong Army, please look for a suitable candidate for me. If there is one, you can pick him out and send him to Meng Qing and give him..."

"Give me a hand."

Su Sheng nodded and said, "If General Gongsun's injury is healed, then there will be no problem for him to join the army. After all, with his position, he doesn't have to charge into battle himself."

Li Yun shook his head and sighed: "I personally caused his leg injury. He was already lame and his arm was broken."

"Unless it is absolutely necessary, let him live out the rest of his life in peace."

After saying this, Li Yun closed his eyes, feeling annoyed.

Su Sheng also nodded, looked up at Li Yun, and hesitated to speak. After a while, he whispered, "Go up..."

"I just said whatever came to my mind, and I might have said something wrong..."

Li Yun opened his eyes and looked at him, then smiled dumbly: "Brother, what's wrong? I didn't say anything."

Su Sheng smiled bitterly: "I just realized that when I mentioned General Gongsun, it seemed like I was saying something bad about Minister Zhao."

"It's okay, it's okay. When we brothers discuss military affairs, we naturally talk about whatever comes to mind."

Li Yun waved his hand and said, "There's not much to say."

"And Zhao Cheng's place."

Li Yun shook his head: "The punishment has been paid, I won't bring up the past."

…………

At the end of February, General Su Sheng bid farewell to his family and was about to leave Luoyang. The day before his departure, the Minister of War Zhao Cheng held a farewell party for him in a tavern.

The two of them clinked their glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

Zhao Cheng looked up at Su Sheng, was silent for a long time, and sighed: "Brother, you will make great achievements in this journey. I am so envious of you."

Su Sheng looked at him, poured him a glass of wine, and said, "You are now the Minister of War, and the hereditary Duke of Yue. Your honor and grace are greater than anyone else in the court."

"Just do your job well."

"I know I know."

Zhao Cheng drank a glass of wine himself and shook his head, saying, "Your Majesty has been very kind to me. The reward you gave me this time is far greater than my contributions over the years."

"My little brother, I am already quite content."

As he spoke, he picked up the wine glass and sighed: "Come, drink this glass to the full, and I wish you success in your endeavor."

The two clinked their glasses again. Su Sheng looked at him, frowned, and said, "Why are you sighing like a real man?"

Zhao Cheng looked at Su Sheng and was silent for a moment. Under the influence of alcohol, he smiled bitterly: "He is in an upright position. I never doubt him. I am just worried..."

"After the Second Prince..."

"Second Prince?"

Su Sheng was a little confused.

Zhao Cheng took a sip of wine and said silently: "The second prince's grandfather died at my hands."

Su Sheng was a little stunned when he heard this. After a long time, he reacted. He looked at Zhao Cheng and said seriously, "This is easy."

"Brother, let me teach you a way to avoid disaster."

Zhao Cheng's eyes lit up: "Brother, please tell me."

"Do what you need to do. The superior is much younger than us. You don't have to be afraid while the superior is here. If, if..."

He didn't continue talking, but just said it lightly.

"Just get to the top first and leave."

(End of this chapter)