Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 134 Why are there so many rebels?

Hedong.

Gantry.

Longmen Ferry is an important passage connecting Hedong and Guanzhong. At this moment, Xue Xiuyi is leading his troops to guard it.

At the same time, this is also an important external outlet for Fenshui water transportation. Every day, many people on both sides of the Yellow River cross the river to the other side.

"General, the person is here."

In front of Xue Xiuyi, soldiers escorted a deserter.

This deserter was very young, and Xue Xiuyi had an impression of him.

"Aren't you the martial artist Su Chao? You came from Xiao Baoyin's side. Why are you running away?"

Xue Xiuyi was a little puzzled. He had been very kind to him. He had arranged for him to be the chief clerk in the army as soon as he arrived, and had never treated him unfairly. Why did he want to leave?
"General, I miss my hometown so much that I want to go home!"

Xue Xiuyi didn't have much thought after hearing what Su Cho said.

The Su family of Jingzhao Wugong has been a family of two thousand stones for generations. Although they are not a large aristocratic family, they still have some assets.

It is inevitable that these children from aristocratic families cannot bear the hardships of military service.

"In that case, I won't force you to do anything. I'll give you five thousand coins for your travel expenses. It will be worthwhile for us to be colleagues."

"Thank you, General!"

Su Chao was about to bow to express his gratitude when Xue Xiuyi suddenly took a look at his boots.

It turned out to be a pair of straw sandals!
Old and worn, these don't look like shoes a kid from a wealthy family should wear.

Xue Xiuyi was puzzled and asked:

"Who else is in your family?"

"To be honest, General, I have another engagement at home, and I will go back to get married."

Xue Xiuyi nodded and was about to let him go when a clerk suddenly ran in and whispered something in his ear.

"and many more!"

Su Chao turned around and said:

"What are your orders, General?"

"I heard from the soldiers that you are proficient in arithmetic?"

Su Chao had no choice but to admit it.

"I am indeed well versed in arithmetic."

"That's perfect. I'll introduce you to a good job. If you do well, you might even be able to save money and marry another wife."

"I wonder what the errand is?"

"The Duke of Tang is looking for someone proficient in arithmetic, so you can go!"

When Su Chao heard this, his expression changed drastically, as if he had seen a tiger. He thought to himself:

How can I avoid it?

When Xue Xiuyi saw Su Cho's appearance, he became suspicious again.

"Why, you don't want to go?"

"No... no, I just miss my fiancée and want to get back to martial arts as soon as possible."

Xue Xiuyi smiled.

"Boy, I heard that you came here from Xiao Baoyin, and now you're in such a hurry to leave. Is there some hidden secret behind this?"

Su Chao shook his head.

"General, you worry too much!"

Xue Xiuyi looked at the clerk beside him and said:

"Am I worrying too much?"

The other party shook his head.

Xue Xiuyi shouted:
"Someone is coming!"

Seeing this, Su Chao, who knew Xue Xiuyi's methods, hurriedly said:
"General, I say!"

"You know what's going on!"

"The reason I want to leave Chang'an is because King Xiao Baoyin of Qi is plotting rebellion, and I don't want to be a rebel."

"How do you know he has rebellious intentions?"

"I was originally studying in Chang'an. After the King of Qi arrived, the monthly allowance for students was doubled. During festivals, he also sent us fine wine, meat, and other gifts, treating us generously. This was also true for all officers and officials. Rewarding without merit is nothing more than winning people's hearts.

After the defeat at Anding, the King of Qi, far from cutting back on expenses, gave even more. I felt uneasy about taking it, so I found an excuse to come to you, General."

"Since you left Chang'an, why did you leave me?" Su Cho hesitated for a moment, but under Xue Xiuyi's questioning, he told the truth.

"It's not about leaving the general, but leaving Hedong."

"Why?"

"A few days ago, I was on vacation and went to a newly opened teahouse in Longmen. I heard people inside talking about the Three Kingdoms."

"so what?"

"Our dynasty has issued a decree prohibiting the public from discussing historical events. Furthermore, this passage honors Liu and disparages Cao. Our dynasty's legal system derives from the Jin dynasty, which in turn derived from the Han-Wei transition. If Cao Pi is a traitor, where is the legitimacy of our dynasty? The events of the Three Kingdoms have spread widely among the people of Hedong, and are gradually spreading to the various counties of Hedong. I am terrified and wish to leave."

Xue Xiuyi laughed after hearing this:
"You are quite a character!"

Seeing this, Su Cho bowed and advised:
"General, the world is in turmoil, but the Yuan family is still the common ruler. We must not cause chaos!"

Xue Xiuyi nodded.

"What you said makes sense."

"May I take my leave?"

"This is natural!"

Su Cho was delighted, but then he heard Xue Xiuyi say:

"Send it to the Duke of Tang's residence!"

"..."
-
Anyi.

At the Tang Jungong Mansion, Su Chao, who was sent as a gift, stood obediently, not daring to breathe heavily.

Looking at the poor scholar in front of him, Li Shuang said:

"I heard you slandered me for rebellion?"

After hearing this, Su Chao's face turned pale and he shook his head.

"I hope the Duke of County will forgive the words of this corrupt scholar."

Li Shuang snorted.

"That's indeed the opinion of a corrupt scholar!"

Su Cho looked at Li Shuang's righteous look and even hesitated for a few seconds. Was he being too suspicious?

"You think rebellion is too easy just by reading a few passages of a book."

"..."

As he spoke, Li Shuang put his arm around Su Chao's shoulder and whispered:

"Look at Xiao Baoyin in Guanzhong. He's the type who wouldn't rebel. When things get tough, he just hands out money, making sure everyone knows he's planning a rebellion."

Su Chao smiled awkwardly.

"Do you know why I'm looking for people like you who are good at arithmetic?"

Su Chao was about to shake his head, but he heard Li Shuang say in advance:
"Don't shake your head, I bet you can guess it!"

After hearing this, Su Chao could no longer pretend to be confused.

"Does the Duke want to re-count the household registration in Hedong?"

"A smart person is a smart person. All the farmers, salt households, and military households in Hedong need to be re-investigated. The court needs to have a record, and we also need to have a record here. Do you think this is right?"

"The Duke is right!"

Li Shuang nodded.

"We can't learn from Xiao Baoyin. We have to take it slow!"

Su Chao was stunned. What does this mean?
What do you mean by us?

What does it mean that we can’t learn from Xiao Baoyin?

What does it mean to take your time?
I have nothing to do with this!
Su Chao wanted to protest, but it was too late.

He saw Hou Jing holding a knife beside him, looking at him kindly, and swallowed back the words he was about to say.

Although Su Cho didn't want to be a traitor, he didn't want to lose his life here!

"Those rebels, like Hu Chen and Mo Zhe Niansheng, seem powerful, but they can't accomplish anything. Do you know why?"

After hearing this, Su Chao became curious and couldn't help asking:
"Why?"

"We just need a talented assistant like you!"

I'm not!
I don't!
Don't talk nonsense!
Su Chao, with the three thoughts of "quality" flashing through his mind, wanted to slap himself in the face - damn my curiosity!
From the moment Li Shuang put his arm around his shoulder until now, they had only walked less than ten steps, but Su Cho felt as if he had walked a lifetime.

Li Shuang seemed to have said nothing, but also seemed to have said everything!

"Send Mr. Su to the upper room and take good care of him. Let him participate in the compilation of the books and maps tomorrow."

(End of this chapter)