Thief Emperor

Chapter 919: Ferocious Killer

Li Yun had no intention of getting red-lettered iron certificates, so there was no news for half a year after the founding of the country. However, after he talked to Du Qian about the new tax law last time, Du Qian suggested that Li Yun get a batch of red-lettered iron certificates.

It can be considered as appeasing those heroes.

Most people really want this thing. After all, the current Emperor Li has a lot of rules. They are not allowed to commit crimes or do evil. In addition, there is the Inspection Department in the army, the Censorate among the civil officials, and the elusive Nine Departments who are watching them. Everyone can't help but be a little nervous.

If one obtains the Red Book of Iron Certificate, not only can one be exempted from death, but also from punishment in some special circumstances.

You know, the red-lettered iron certificate in some dynasties in history could exempt one from punishment more than ten times, which was quite useful.

Of course, whether this thing is useful or not depends entirely on the emperor's mood. Even if the current Emperor Li recognizes it, future Emperors Li may not necessarily recognize it.

But no matter what, most people still want this thing.

Especially the generals in the army, most of them had not read much books, and after becoming officials, they only had a vague understanding of history books. Of course, many of them were happy to get this certificate of immunity.

But Li Zhen is different.

He was the second generation of an official, or to be more precise, the third generation of an official, because his grandfather was a high-ranking official in the old Zhou Dynasty. It was only with his father Li Tong that he was able to secure the position of Jiedushi of Hedong.

As a member of a family of officials, he had read some books. Although he was not proficient in them and could not be as knowledgeable as Du Qian, he did know a little about the things in history books.

After hearing what Li Yun said, Li Zhen lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, I sincerely serve the new dynasty and I completely believe in Your Majesty. I believe that the holy dynasty will not embarrass the loyal and good people. The red book of iron certificate..."

"Whether I have it or not is not very important."

Li Yun looked at him with a smile and said, "Don't be afraid. Li Qing should know that since Southeast started its business, my words have always counted."

He said solemnly: "The red seal and iron certificate I issued are also valid."

"Except for treason, all others can be exempted from punishment or death."

Hearing this, Li Zhen was also somewhat moved. He bowed deeply to Li Yun and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you."

Li Yun waved his hand at him and said with a smile: "Let's make it a deal today. Li Qing, go down and have a rest first. The document appointing you from the Ministry of Personnel will be sent out within three days. By then, you will be the Minister of War of the New Tang Dynasty."

At this point, Emperor Li paused and continued, "Li Qing's brother Li Hao is also quite capable. If this expedition to Guanzhong goes smoothly, I will keep him in the army and appoint him as a general."

Li Zhen bowed his head slightly and thanked the emperor for his kindness.

He knew in his heart that even if his sixth brother would stay in the army as a general in the future, he would definitely not lead the Hedong Army, but the original Jiangdong Army.

The former Hedong Army will soon be broken up and cease to exist.

After he thanked him, he bowed his head and left. Li Yun just said "hmm" without looking up, and let the former Hedong Jiedushi leave.

Only after Li Zhen had completely left did he look up at Li Zhen's back.

In fact, the surrender of the Hedong Li family this time was a great contribution. After all, it involved an army of 70,000 to 80,000 and the surrender of more than a dozen states. Logically speaking, the Li family should at least be given the title of a duke, or even a prince.

However, in Su Sheng's letter to Li Yun, he probably communicated with Li Yun, and combined with Li Yun's own will, he was ready to split the Hedong Li family into two.

Li Zhen's branch is one, and Li Hao's branch is another. In this way, the Hedong Li family will no longer pose any threat in the future, so the rewards to them must be reduced.

Thinking of this, Li looked at the sky outside the hall and narrowed his eyes slightly.

"I don't know how things are going in Taiyuan."

…………

In the middle of June in the first year of Zhangwu.

In the military equipment workshop outside Luoyang City, Li Yun, wearing only a single layer of clothing, was inspecting the newly made weapons with Meng Qing.

Among them were knives, guns, armor, and gunpowder firearms made by a certain Li.

But today is a little special. In addition to these things, there is a new thing that has been released.

Li Yun held a long gun in his hand, weighed it in his hand, then held the middle of the gun handle, tucked the gun tail under his armpit, shook out a beautiful gun flower with one hand, and then threw it to Meng Qing beside him, smiling and saying: "This batch of guns is good, you try it."

Meng Qing took it very neatly, tried it in his hand, and then nodded and said, "Yes, it's good, the gun barrel is made of good material, much better than the guns of previous years."

Li Yun smiled and said, "This batch of poles has been soaked in tung oil for a year or two. They are better than the previous ones."

"Nothing."

Li Yun shook his head: "It's a bit light, not as good as my gun."

As he said that, he turned his head to look at Meng Qing, and said with a smile: "My gun was given to me by a good gun maker in the county when I was a captain in Qingyang. Ten years have passed in a blink of an eye. I don't know how that man is doing now. One day, let the people of Jiusi take a look. If the man is still alive, we will find him and bring him to Luoyang to give him an official position." "It can be regarded as repaying the kindness of the past."

Meng Qing nodded and said with a smile: "I have touched the gun of the superior. It is too heavy. Most people can't use it."

Hearing this, Li Yun felt a little regretful: "That gun is excellent. It followed me in the past few years and made a lot of contributions. But in the past few years, it has not been used."

He looked at Meng Qing and asked, "Do you want me to take you there?"

Meng Qing quickly shook his head: "I can't use the things of the higher-ups."

Li Yun smiled dumbly: "It's just a slightly heavier gun, you know how to flatter me."

"Let's go."

Mr. Li looked around and said with a smile, "The new stuff has been made. I'll take you to have a look."

"Yes."

Meng Qing followed Li Yun and walked towards an empty space. He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Sir, I have almost rested. I want to leave Luoyang this month and go to Qingzhou to take over the Pinglu Army."

"In order to prevent any trouble from happening in Qingzhou if the time is delayed for too long."

Li Yun turned around and looked at him.

"Didn't you say you would wait until your wife got pregnant before leaving? Your newlywed wife is already pregnant?"

"do not know."

Meng Qing scratched his head and said, "I don't know if she is pregnant or not, but I am always thinking about the task assigned by my superiors, so I want to go to Qingzhou to take a look."

He looked at Li Yun with a smile on his face: "Sir, I am no longer the captain I used to be. Now I am barely a commander. Not to mention that we will not fight against the Khitans this year, we just need to make some preparations even if we really run into them."

"I am also in the central army. I cannot go to the front line, so there will be no problems."

Li Yun looked at him and sighed: "It's a pity that Gongsun Hao was injured too badly, otherwise I would feel more at ease if he went with you."

Speaking of Gongsun Hao, Li Yun thought for a moment and said, "Gongsun Hao will probably come to Luoyang in the next few days. If you leave at that time, take his son with you. The father and son have made great contributions to the court. His son is also a good material. He can be used as a deputy general or general under your command."

Nowadays, the officer positions of the Tang army have basically been raised. For example, Meng Qing, although he is still a general, in fact, when he leads the troops to war, he goes out as the chief general, and he has several, even nearly ten generals under him.

Today's generals are the captains in the Jiangdong army who used to lead several captain camps.

Meng Qing bowed his head and said yes, then looked around and asked, "Master, what new things has the Military Equipment Bureau come up with? Do you want to bring me here to see it?"

"You'll know when you see it in a moment."

Li Yun looked at Meng Qing and said with a smile: "This thing actually already had some prototypes when we were in Jinling, but at that time, we were not just attacking one place, the battle was too long, and the number was not large, so it was never used on the battlefield."

"Now, we need to focus on one place, and this thing will come in handy."

As he spoke, Li Yun pointed ahead and said, "Look, these are the things."

"The Military Equipment Bureau has produced twenty guns now. You can take half of them. I will send the other half to General Su in a few days."

Meng Qing looked forward in the direction of Li Yun's finger, and saw two huge guys almost as tall as a person not far ahead, guarded by a dozen craftsmen and soldiers.

These big things were all covered with red cloth, so it was impossible to see what was underneath.

In the bamboo basket next to it, there were round pellets, filling the entire basket.

Meng Qing looked left and right, and only recognized some gunpowder placed next to the two big guys. He was a little curious, so he turned his head to look at Li Yun and asked, "Sir, what is this?"

"You'll find out soon."

Mr. Li strode forward, and all the craftsmen nearby knelt down and saluted, calling him "Your Majesty."

With his order, the two pieces of red cloth were torn away, revealing the big thing underneath.

These are two vehicles, each pulling a tubular object.

The two iron pipes were raised to the sky. Although they were motionless, they somehow gave off a sense of…

A ferocious aura.

(End of this chapter)