Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 200 Crazy

Yubi City.

The soldier, holding the letter, walked through the long corridor and came to the innermost room.

Wei Xiaokuan sat here, surrounded by many staff members.

At this moment, they are constantly flipping through the many letters from the other side, summarizing and judging them.

Someone picked up the latest letter, read it for a moment, and his face changed drastically.

"General Liu Taozi has probably already arrived in Yecheng. Our people have met his subordinates in Cheng'an, including Yao Xiong, Kou Liu, Tian Zili and others. Look."

Wei Xiaokuan slowly raised his head, his eyes slightly sharp.

He picked up the letter and began to read.

Ever since Doctor Yin returned to the capital, Wei Xiaokuan's situation has become even worse. Originally, with his merit in bringing back the mother of Jin, he would have been able to move forward, but some words from Doctor Yin seemed to have changed Yuwen Hu's mind. Yuwen Hu transferred some soldiers from Yubi City and replaced some generals.

Wei Xiaokuan had no choice but to accept this.

This was the price of letting Liu Taozi run away.

"Something big is going to happen to Gao Zhan."

Wei Xiaokuan said slowly.

The staff looked at each other and said, "General, the troops in Yecheng are all under the command of Gao Zhan, and Liu Taozi has only a hundred men."

"If Liu Taozi didn't have something important to do, he wouldn't let his subordinates leave early."

"These three are all from his hometown and his absolute confidants. He avoided them because he wanted to do something big. Gao Zhan is not lacking in courage and has some skills, but he is definitely no match for Liu Taozi."

Wei Xiaokuan looked around and said, "No need to wait for news from Yecheng, mobilize all the forces in Jinyang."

He slowly took out a letter from the many secret letters in front of him and threw it in front of everyone.

"King of Jinan."

Peach forest.

The peach forest covered with snow is like a fairyland.

There are no signs of trampling, it is exceptionally clean.

Peach trees stand tall on the ground.

Liu Taozi stood in front of her own yard and looked for a long time.

In the village, Liu Taozi received an even warmer welcome. Although Liu Taozi was no longer in the village, the villagers lived because of him.

Several confidants stood behind Liu Taozi.

"Brother, what should we do? Should we take him away?"

Tian Zili spoke.

Zhangjia Village is not safe, the border is the safest place, and he has long wanted to take everyone here away.

Liu Taozi did not answer, but Lu Qubing smiled bitterly and said, "I'm afraid it won't work."

"Let alone such a cold winter, if the old man can hurry on his way, then he can go. What will Your Majesty think if he takes the families of his trusted confidants away from the Central Plains? What will the ministers say?"

"If I were an official, it would be fine, but this is a general..."

Lu Qubing said it very clearly.

Tian Zili frowned and said, "Lord Lu, although nothing happened at the moment, what if the cronies of Prince Changguang want to retaliate in the future?"

"I will protect you."

"You can't stay in Cheng'an forever."

Lu Qubing hesitated for a moment, "Then wait until the weather is better, and leave in batches, one group at a time, so as not to attract too much attention. I will find a way."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Lu."

"No need to be polite. I am not a stranger."

Lu Qubing sighed and looked at Taozi, "You just came back, are you in such a hurry to go back?"

"The road is extremely long. It takes a long time to go there and back."

"I still have some important things to accomplish at the frontier."

Lu Qubing looked towards the border with some hesitation on his face, "I really want to be like Lord Changsun, resign from my post and go with you, even if I can be an official."

He shook his head again, "But I can't leave. I'm in Cheng'an, and I have a lot of important things to do."

"I know."

"You will definitely do well."

"You too."

"You are much stronger than me. My ability can only try to keep the people of this county alive. You can save many lives at the frontier."

"The total population of all the people on the border is probably not as large as the population of Cheng'an County."

"Hahaha~~"

Lu Qubing smiled and said, "If you need anything, just ask, and I will do my best to help you."

"Me too."

The two of them didn't speak again.

After a long-awaited reunion, it is time to say goodbye.

When Liu Taozi left Cheng'an, he took many people with him.

Among them were many officials who wanted to go to the frontier, including Changsun Gong, and some local young and strong men, all of whom had their own strengths.

Lu Qubing stood by the road, watching the pedestrian walk away and disappear in the distance.

But his face was full of reluctance.

He just waved.

Looking forward to our next reunion.

Jinyang.

After a long journey, Liu Taozi and others returned to Jinyang again, but the ones who came to greet them were no longer Gao Guiyan and Duan Shao.

But it was the familiar old minister Lu Yao.

The ice and snow in Jinyang melted a lot, but it also became colder.

Lu Yao had a complicated expression on his face as he looked at Liu Taozi in front of him, his face almost wrinkled into a ball.

"You you follow me!!"

Lu Yao forced Liu Taozi into the car and headed towards the palace.

Sitting in the car, Lu Yao gritted his teeth and said, "Why are you always like this? Can't you tell me before you do anything?"

"You know you."

"Ugh."

Lu Yao shivered for a long time, but finally couldn't say it.

"When you see His Majesty later, remember to confess your guilt in time."

"You have ruined many of His Majesty's plans by executing first and reporting later."

"Although His Majesty didn't say anything, I can see that he is still a little angry. You are simply making trouble. He is His Majesty's own brother, a brother from the same mother. How can you arrest him just because you want to?"

"Forget it, forget it. It's useless to say anything anyway. When you see His Majesty later, remember to confess your guilt in time. I can't help you much anymore."

"Look at what you've done, eh."

Lu Yao sighed and didn't know what to say.

If he could go back to two years ago, he would never recommend this guy even if he had to kill him! !

This guy is really too restless and never has time to spare. Going to Yecheng was supposed to be a good thing, but who would have thought that he would get into such a big trouble by doing so.

Jinyang was almost in an uproar at the moment.

Everyone thought that it was His Majesty who instructed Liu Taozi and agreed with the Queen Mother to do it together.

Even Lu Yao thought so when he first heard about this.

But after seeing His Majesty, he realized that this guy had done it all himself!!
At that moment, Lu Yao’s eyes went dark and he almost died kneeling in front of Gao Yan.

He looked at Liu Taozi, the culprit who caused all this. There was no fear or panic on his face. He pulled open the car curtain and looked at Jinyang outside.

The houses on both sides of the road were silent.

"It's dinner time."

Liu Taozi suddenly said something that made no sense.

Lu Yao was stunned and looked at the houses on both sides. He didn't know what he remembered and a trace of pity flashed across his face.

“The freeze killed many people this year.”

Liu Taozi lowered the car curtain and stopped talking.

Lu Yao suddenly fell silent.

They drove all the way to the front of the palace. Lu Yao led Liu Taozi out of the car and took him into the palace.

It’s still a familiar process, but it seems that the palace here is more strict.

They were taken all the way to the horse farm.

They stood outside, watching Gao Yan leading his cronies, galloping on horseback. They couldn't see his expression, but they could feel the emperor's temper at the moment. He was running at full speed, extremely fast, charging over and over again, with no intention of stopping at all.

I do not know how long it has been.

Gao Yan rode his horse and slowly stopped in front of them.

Gao Yan lowered his head and looked at Liu Taozi with a solemn and extremely unfriendly look.

Lu Yao pursed her lips and hurried forward.

"Your Majesty, Liu Zhizhi is."

"Qi Hai Zhen!!"

Gao Yan suddenly spoke.

"Do you know your guilt?!"

Liu Taozi bowed slowly.

"I am guilty."

"Do you know what crime you have committed?!"

"I don't know." Gao Yan suddenly laughed, his expression immediately softened, "Your crime is that you despised me!!"

"Do you think I don't have the courage to deal with Prince Changguang? Do you have to kill first and report later?"

"If you had told me your thoughts when you were in Jinyang, Prince Changguang should have stayed in Jinyang. Look at what we should do now?"

"I am aware of my guilt."

Gao Yan got off the horse with the help of several people. He led Liu Taozi and Lu Yao towards the bedroom, saying as he walked: "Qi Haizhen. You have left me helpless."

"He was imprisoned by his mother for some trivial crime."

"He can't do anything, but what about me?"

"The Queen Mother will not hand him over, and I can't send anyone to get him."

"What do you propose?"

"I don't know."

"what!"

Gao Yan glanced at Liu Taozi and walked to the door. He stomped his feet, patted the snow off his body, and walked into the hall. The fire in the hall was burning brightly and the whole hall was very warm. Gao Yan took off his outer clothes, blew into his palms, and casually motioned the two to follow him.

The three of them sat down together, and Gao Yan took a sip of the hot tea that had been prepared long ago.

"You really scared me."

"When I saw Lou Rui's memorial, I was so frightened that I dropped my bowl on the ground."

“What a great ability.”

"How did you convince the Queen Mother?"

"I am only asking the Queen Mother to make a decision. Please do not turn a blind eye to it."

"It's that simple??"

"The Queen Mother is very good at listening to advice."

Gao Yan laughed, "That's the truth, but normally, no one dares to advise her."

Just as Lou Zhaojun understood her children, Gao Yan also understood his mother. Lou Zhaojun was easily persuaded, but this also made Gao Yan somewhat helpless. After all, Gao Zhan could do the same.

Gao Yan pondered for a moment, and then said: "Although it is for me, such things must not happen again in the future. Before doing anything, you must ask me first."

"only."

Gao Yan looked at Lu Yao, "Mr. Lu is really frightened this time."

Lu Yao smiled bitterly and did not answer.

"Even the fake Zhou couldn't sit still, and sent people to spread rumors in the city, saying that the nobles wanted to re-enthronize the King of Jinan, and that the King of Jinan's people killed Han Jinming. Han Jinming's subordinates said that he died of illness on the road."

"I have sent Gao Guiyan to deal with this matter."

Liu Taozi was stunned for a moment, "Your Majesty, Han Jinming did die of illness."

"Well, maybe."

"This winter, many people died of illness."

Gao Yan said dimly.

Liu Taozi frowned.

"At this point, there is no time to hesitate. Just do it. I will take care of the rest. You don't have to worry."

"The nobles in the court have lost their courage, and I have nothing more to worry about."

"Next, I plan to follow the memorial of King Pengcheng and gradually re-issue the Equal Land Distribution Order in the country, thoroughly investigate the public land, distribute it to the people, and select the best and strongest among them to join the army. What do you think?"

The idea of ​​re-issuing the Equal Field System was not a new one in Da Qi. It had been mentioned a long time ago. This time Liu Taozi easily broke through the defense line, which made Gao Yan and other upper-level officials feel threatened. Of course, they did not feel that Liu Taozi was a threat, but that the Pseudo-Zhou brought a threat.

If the border defense is so rotten, if the Pseudo-Zhou invades again, I am afraid they can easily reach the vicinity of Jinyang.

In order to deal with this situation, King Pengcheng firmly believed that land should be distributed equally to the people, more military households should be established, and garrison and farming should be carried out simultaneously.

Doing this would naturally anger many people, but King Pengcheng was not afraid.

Gao Yan heard him say this many times and became more and more moved.

Liu Taozi nodded, "I think it's okay."

Lu Yao said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, although it is a good thing, I am afraid it will be very difficult to implement. It is difficult to find out the land and mulberry fields in various places."

"If we can't find out, then confiscate all of them and redistribute them!"

Lu Yao was horrified. "Your Majesty, these land grants cannot be moved lightly. If you really want to move them, you have to do it one by one. If you do it at the same time, I'm afraid it will cause chaos."

Gao Yan, who had been extremely determined, hesitated again after hearing what Lu Yao said.

He groaned and said, "I will tell Peng Chengwang that we must do it, but what you said makes sense. We really can't be impatient."

He suddenly looked at Liu Taozi, "Qie Haizhen just relies on the garrison town, many things are difficult to accomplish."

"You have made great contributions this time."

"Although it was a little rash, it solved a big problem for me."

"I want to promote you to General Anxi, and command the military affairs of Beishuo and Beiheng states."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"I haven't issued an edict yet!"

Lu Yao was stunned, and quickly said, "Your Majesty! Liu Taozi is still young, and his achievements this time are not obvious. He should not be promoted like this. We can wait until he makes new achievements in the future."

Gao Yan glanced at Lu Yao, ignored him, and just looked at Liu Taozi dimly, "You need to do three things for me,"

"First of all, I want you to strengthen the defenses in all places and ensure that no pseudo-Zhou soldiers or Turkic soldiers are allowed to pass through your territory."

Lu Yao frowned, but Liu Taozi nodded and agreed, "If I can't do it, Your Majesty can cut off my head."

"The second thing is that you must obey King Pengcheng and re-issue the equal distribution of land."

"only."

"The third thing is to train a strong army for me within three years, so that it can support Jinyang at any time."

"only."

"Don't agree so quickly. Think about it carefully. If you can't do it, I will show no mercy."

"I can do it."

Gao Yan admired Liu Taozi's confidence very much. He said no more, waved his hand, and asked someone to bring paper and pen.

Lu Yao's expression was extremely complicated. He looked at Liu Taozi uneasily, fidgeting.

I saw the emperor had someone write the edict and stamp it with his own seal.

Lu Yao closed his eyes in despair.

When the two walked out of the palace, Lu Yao pushed Taozi hard.

Of course, he failed to push it.

Lu Yao glanced at the palace behind him and said, "You are in big trouble!!"

"What do you mean by Beishuo and Beiheng? These are all the places outside of Shuoheng that border the enemy that are given to you. There aren't many counties in these places, and there aren't many people there. Do you think the Pseudo-Zhou didn't know about your invasion this time?"

"Why did His Majesty want to promote you? It's because he knew that the defense was weak and that the Pseudo-Zhou and the Turks could attack at any time. And he couldn't find many trustworthy people to use."

"And the land that is evenly distributed, most of the people there are military households and nobles. Do you think it's easy to take that land? If you dare to confiscate it directly, do you think those military households will rise up in rebellion?"

"Well, let alone training the soldiers, there is not enough food."

Lu Yao's face was full of worry.

General Anxi, commander-in-chief of military affairs of two states, sounds impressive indeed, but according to the current situation, it is simply a pit of fire!

Based on Lu Yao's understanding of the Zhou people, these shameless people would not take the peaceful coexistence that had been agreed upon not long ago seriously. They knew that the border defense of Da Qi was rotten, and their first reaction was to call on the Turks to attack.

Maybe they are already preparing for it now.

Originally Wuchuan was safe, and the Pseudo-Zhou could not attack from there, but now the military affairs of these two states have been taken over, which is bad. Many areas border the Zhou people, and Taozi is still on the Zhou people's priority list.

Liu Taozi did not answer him, he just asked: "Mr. Lu, where did Gao Sikong go?"

"Him? He heard that the King of Jinan was upset because of the rumors, so he was ordered to appease the King of Jinan."

While the two of them were chatting, Gao Yan in the palace was also discussing important matters. He sat in the upper seat, with Wang Xi and Xian An sitting on either side of him.

Gao Yan's face was solemn. He sat in the upper seat with an extraordinary aura.

Wang Xi asked worriedly, "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother will not hand over Prince Changguang easily. What should we do now?"

Gao Yan said calmly: "Don't worry about it."

"I have completed all matters in Jinyang, and it is time to return to the capital."

"back"

Wang Xi suddenly realized what was happening and laughed, "Yes, Your Majesty, it's time to go back!!"

"How can the emperor stay away from the capital for so long?"

Xian'an also understood at this moment, and couldn't help but praise: "Your Majesty is wise!!"

"Next, we will discuss the redistribution of land according to King Pengcheng's memorial."

Wang Xi stood aside and breathed a long sigh of relief.

The situation has never been better.

This was something that one would not even dare to think about in one's dreams. The biggest internal threat was eliminated, the emperor's military power was strengthened unprecedentedly, and these second-generation nobles had their masks unmasked before they even grew up.

Everything is going in the best direction.

Next, we just need to surround Duan Shao, Hulugu, Liu Taozi and others, suppress the nobles, use the wise ministers headed by King Pengcheng, and issue good decrees.
If this continues, the rule of Da Qi will
"Brother!!!"

Gao Yan suddenly looked forward, his face ferocious, and pointed his finger forward.

"how?"

"I did what you didn't do! Are you going to beat me up again?!"

"You can't hit me!!"

"Lord Wang!! Tell Emperor Wenxuan!! Tell Yang Yin!! How did I do?!"

Wang Xi looked blankly at the emperor in front of him, then looked to the side, but there was nothing there.

At this moment, Wang Xi felt horrified and his whole body was cold.

ps: At first, he suffered from internal heat and took soup and powder frequently. At that time, there was a minister named Zhao in Ye who saw Wenxuan and Yang Yin, Yan Zixian and others traveling west, and said that they would take revenge. The emperor was in Jinyang Palace, and he and Madam Mao also saw it. Then his condition gradually became serious. Prepared things to ward off evil spirits, some boiled oil and sprinkled it everywhere, and some held torches to burn and chase. Zhu Li Fang came out of the palace beams, rode on the roof, sang and shouted calmly, and showed no fear. ——"Book of Northern Qi·Biography of Xiao Zhao"

(End of this chapter)