Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 138 I Really Want to Improve
Bai Bicheng.

In the late summer of the second year of Xiaochang, Wang Sizheng finally completed the repair of Baibi City.

Baibi City is located on the north side of the Fen River and the south side of the Emei Mountains. It is located on a high ground and is surrounded by ditches on three sides. The surrounding farmland can be used to store grain and station troops. Its strategic position is very important.

Going down the Fen River from Jinyang to Guanzhong or Luoyang, this place is the only way.

After experiencing the chaos in Xiazhou, Li Shuang set up provincial troops in Tujing and Lishi towns, temporarily resolving the threat from the northwest of Tangzhou.

The existence of Baibi City allows the troops of Tangzhou to control Hedong and defend the core agricultural areas of Pingyang County.

Li Shuang brought his troops to the city and met Wang Sizheng.

After not seeing him for several months, he looked a little thinner, but more capable.

"The governor!"

Wang Sizheng bowed and took Li Shuang to the city wall.

This city was not built by Wang Sizheng. It was completed as early as the reign of Emperor Ming of the Northern Wei Dynasty, about a hundred years ago.

The purpose of building this city at that time was to control the important roads and prevent threats from Guanzhong and the southeast of Hedong.

Li Shuang climbed up to a high place and looked at the fields around the city. The millet in the fields was now ripe and it was almost time to harvest. He couldn't help but feel relieved.

In these troubled times, food is the most important thing.

"Si Zheng, you did a great job!"

"This is my responsibility."

Only when you have food in your hands can you be at ease!
After looking around, I returned to the city.

Someone was already waiting in the mansion.

Xue Xiuyi and Pei Qingsun, along with a large group of people, stood up immediately when they saw Li Shuang coming.

"Duke Tang!"

"What's the matter that makes you want to see me so urgently?"

"My Lord, the counties are in chaos."

The chaos in the world does not just mean in the literal sense, but also means the failure of the entire governance system of the Northern Wei Dynasty.

The chaos in one state or region will spread to the surrounding areas and affect other regions.

In the end, no place will be a pure land anymore!
For example, Xiao Baoyin fought back and forth with people like Mo Zhe Niansheng and Hu Chen in Guanzhong, but he was never able to suppress them and put an end to the chaos.

The chaos is growing!

As a result, riots also broke out in several other counties in the Hedong region.

However, the affairs of those counties were not under Li Shuang's jurisdiction. Hedong belonged to Sizhou, while the rest of the counties were directly under the jurisdiction of the imperial court.

"Then send troops to quell the rebellion!"

Li Shuang's light words made the others unable to sit still.

Those present were basically the clan leaders of the powerful families in various counties and prefectures.

Among the prominent families in Hedong County, the most prominent ones are the Xue family of Fenyin, the Pei family of Wenxi, and the Liu family of Jiexian.

These big families have the conditions to build forts locally, gather exiles, and resist the rebels, but some small powerful families do not have this condition. They have to stay in the local county town to have sufficient protection.

But if this happens, they will have no control over the fields outside the county town.

These powerful families were also beneficiaries of the Northern Wei Dynasty's governance system, but when they saw that the court's governance system was ineffective, they became anxious.

Especially since the autumn harvest season is approaching, if people start looting, their work for the whole year will be in vain.

"It would be great if the court had soldiers to send!"

Xue Xiuyi suddenly shouted loudly.

He cheered them along like this, and everyone's emotions were ignited.

"General Xue is right. If the imperial court needed troops, they would have sent them long ago. All the imperial court's troops are now in Hebei and Guanzhong. How could they care about this place?"

Li Shuang nodded and comforted:

"I understand your concerns, but I am only the governor of Tangzhou and the governor of Hedong County. I am only responsible for the salt business and the defense of Anyi."

Now in the entire Hedong area, Li Shuang has the most soldiers.

Seeing that he was about to abandon the matter, everyone's hearts were broken. "The court doesn't care about the people of Hedong. Can the county lord just bear to see the people of Hedong suffer from the war and do nothing?"

Li Shuang quickly rebuked:

"Don't talk like that! If it gets out, it'll be considered treason!"

When they heard the word "treason", everyone present fell silent.

Obviously, everyone still has concerns about the Luoyang court.

Li Shuang sighed:
"To be honest, it's difficult for you and it's difficult for me too!"

After hearing this, everyone couldn't help but ask:

"What does the Lord intend?"

"The war in Hebei and Guanzhong has been going on for a long time and the court is running low on funds, so we have to increase taxes again."

"Why are taxes being raised again? How much will they be this time?"

"I heard they're going to collect taxes for five years first, and they might have to increase them more in the future!"

"so much!"

Although the imperial court had lost the maps of Hedong and other places, it still had standards for taxation. If it couldn't find the fleeing people, could it not find the wealthy families who had people and land?

At this moment, Xue Xiuyi said at the right time:
"It's treason, so what? If the imperial court doesn't care about us, can't we find a solution ourselves?"

"Yes, we are willing to obey the orders of the Duke!"

"I can't do it! I can't do it!"

Li Shuang hurriedly retreated, but the leaders of these powerful families stood up and bowed, saying:
"If the Duke doesn't agree to let us wait, we'll crash into the ground and die here!"

Li Shuang seemed to have lost half of his strength. He sat down and covered his face.

"For the sake of the people of Hedong, and for you all, I will reluctantly offer you some advice!"

"From now on, we will obey the orders of White Horse City."

"First of all, we are not plotting treason. We are simply trying to prevent a greater riot in Hedong due to the imperial court's chaotic orders."

"The Duke is right!"

"Secondly, even though the imperial court has lost its maps and records, the officials of each prefecture and county are still there. To stop the imperial court's chaotic orders, we must get rid of these officials and replace them with local scholars from Hedong."

"But how do we get them to leave?"

"It all depends on your ability!"

After Li Shuang finished speaking, everyone present seemed to be thinking about something.

Xue Xiuyi smiled and said,
"Don't worry, Lord. I have nine ways to make them leave. Nine ways!"

Li Shuang listened and nodded.

"Finally, and most importantly, we must cut off the roads, occupy the Longmen and Pubanjin ferry crossings, and hold the Chenguan Pass."

"I understand!"

Li Shuang stood up, looked at everyone, and said loudly:

"I want to say it again. What we are doing is not a conspiracy of rebellion. We are simply helping the imperial court in a way that the imperial court cannot understand. Do you understand?"

"I'll understand later!"

"Whoever dares to raise the banner of rebellion will be killed without mercy!"

"promise!"

Xue Xiuyi sighed at this time:
"The Duke is truly a first-class loyal minister of the Great Wei. It's a pity that the court is dominated by treacherous ministers, and loyalty and treachery are not clearly distinguished. With the Duke's talent and prestige, he is only a small Duke now. What's wrong with him becoming a Duke or a King?"

"We are willing to serve as ministers under the king's command!"

"You can't do that!"

Wang Sizheng stood aside and watched all this. Not only was there no worry in his heart, but there was also a faint expectation.

If Li Shuang really became king, what position would he hold?

(End of this chapter)